The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.  Attention was drawn to the code of conduct, a summary of which was read out.  All attendees were asked to abide by the code for the duration of the meeting.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

Updates from the previous meeting

Hill Top Drive overhanging branches (Action 1)
Councillor Meredith had previously raised this matter with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing and he was advised that they cannot proceed with enforcement action.  Residents queried this response with Phillip Worthington who agreed to make enquiries and report back at the next meeting.
Update given by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing after meeting: Rochdale Borough Council no longer provides our tree surgery and so we are required to put this contract out to tender.  The first step in this process was to do a full survey on the trees we are responsible for and this has now been completed.  We are then able to provide accurate information when writing the tender so suppliers can provide accurate costs for their services.  We can still commission Rochdale Borough Council to complete emergency work when required on an ad-hoc basis, but will have to wait until we develop a contract with a new supplier until we can look at non-emergency work.

Graffiti (Action 2)
Graffiti was reported on the notice board in Balderstone Park.  Townships asked the Environmental Management Department to remove the graffiti which has now been actioned.

Fly tipping (Action 3)
A resident complained about fly tipped BT equipment (empty drums) located at the bottom of Greenfield Street (past the Nursery) and also located on the path leading onto the trading estate.  This matter had been raised by Townships but residents reported further fly tipping present situated through the passageway into the trading estate near Dunphys.
Action 1: Townships to raise this matter with Environmental Management Department

Crime statistics for the ward (since last forum in May 2019)

PACT priorities
Anti-social behaviour
Drug dealing
Burglaries

Anti-social behaviour
GMP stated that there has continued to be incidents involving children stealing wheelie bins and setting them on fire.  The children/youths causing the anti-social behaviour issues around the location of the former Strand shops have, after its demolition, relocated to the new Strand area.  GMP has increased presence in the area with two more PCSOs and also use of a vehicle in the evenings which should assist the issue.  Balderstone Library was also discussed as it has experienced the theft of coping stones from the wall at its entrance.

Car theft
The chair requested an update from GMP on vehicle thefts.  Police advised residents to be vigilant in the community and always update them on any unusual behaviour or sightings they notice, especially through the night as car thefts typically occur at this hour.  Police foot and vehicle patrols end at midnight and then it’s over to the response team, so officers therefore rely on obtaining CCTV footage and witness reports as evidence for any crimes that are reported.  Advice to residents is to always keep valuables out of sight and vehicles locked; this includes storing fobs for keyless cars in the special pouches indoors to avoid scanning by thieves.

Police urge residents to report all crimes as the evaluators can then assess what action can then be recommended and authorised in the area in terms of resources.

Speeding
‘Operation Considerate’ is a speeding operation/initiative to check and seize offending vehicles for speeding and related offences regarding their vehicles.  It is planned to take place in October 2019.  Residents reported Oldham Road as being a hotspot for speeding vehicles.  Y Pickering (Rochdale Borough Council’s Community Safety Officer) urged people to report registration numbers using the GMP website.  Councillor Meredith seconded this comment stating the Council are putting funds into policing which will hopefully assist the cause and as previously reported, GMP officers intend to acquire the relevant kit and training used by the Traffic Officers in order to use the ANPR (advanced number plate recognition) in order to catch offending vehicles.  Councillor Meredith hopes to arrange a Community Speed Watch Initiative for residents and GMP in hotspot areas, ie Broad Lane and Oldham Road.

The bike team under ‘Operation Dragster’ have recently patrolled Balderstone Park and Councillor Meredith updated the forum that GMP had been liaising with local schools with images received of offenders in the hope of identifying possible suspects.

Funding is now available for both the Ward (£6,000) and Members Funds (£2,000 per Councillor).  Residents are encouraged to identify any needs in the community, initiatives or groups that could benefit from grants.  Contact your local Ward Councillors or the Township Office for more information and assistance.

Current funding ideas include work to be carried out to improve the Broad Lane community woodland area including the restoration of a flag wall, a newly installed path, pond, noticeboard and boundary fencing, tree work to mature trees and landscaping and also an access path to link Broad Lane to Springhill Hospice path.  Another idea spoke about by Councillors was the planting of wildflowers in two areas in the ward.

Action 2: Councillor Farnell to raise this matter with Environmental Management Department

Crompton Avenue culvert
A resident reported evidence of areas of collapse due to a damaged/blocked culvert on Crompton Avenue under a bungalow that was having works carried out to it.  The water was reportedly running down Oldham Road.  Councillor Farnell advised the meeting that works have started to repair the culvert which is being carried out by a specialist contractor (who is liaising with the Council’s contractor) instructed by the occupant’s insurers.
Action 3: Councillor Farnell to report back to the forum any updates received

Balderstone Road tree
A resident requested that Townships escalate a tree matter with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing.  A tree located outside bungalows on Balderstone Road requires pruning.
Action 4: Townships to raise this matter with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing

Councillor Nickson

Councillor Nickson gave apologies but provided the following written update to the forum:

·           Councillor Nickson has been undertaking a variety of casework.

·           Secured funding for the allotment at the Willows and set up a support group with the Alzheimer’s Association for carers of people with Dementia.

·           Councillor Nickson has also attended Township meetings and she will attend the Audit and Governance Committee meeting later this month.

Councillor Meredith

·           Councillor Meredith advised residents he’s been absent recently due to paternity leave, but is now catching up on his casework, meetings, reports, etc.

·           He advised residents about cooking classes which are being held at the Soup Bank at The Hub and open to all, not just Rochdale Boroughwide Housing tenants.

·           Fitness sessions, personal training sessions and healthy eating advice are all available to anyone wanting to access it at The Pantry.

·           Resurfacing works have recently been carried out on Oldham Road, Shaw Road, Ash Grove and also Rhodes Crescent.  Councillor Meredith plans to get Highways to address other roads that have had potholes repaired, but now need to be properly resurfaced including Well i’th Lane, Hill Top Drive (bottom) and Queen Victoria Street.

·           Kirkholt in Bloom had their first entry this year into the ‘In Bloom’ competition.  Partner agencies including the Council, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing and representatives from Buckley Hall Prison all worked well together to produce a fabulous display – the results of the competition should be available for the next meeting.  Thanks to everyone at The Strand for their efforts and here’s to the entry next year!

·           Township funding will be allocated to providing a new orchard, path, pond, fencing and borders over the next year at the location of the woodland off Broad Lane.  It will provide a wonderful eco site for residents when completed.

·           He advised of an area of land that has been susceptible to vandals accessing the site and starting fires recently at Platting Lane Mill and the proposal to fence off the area to address the problem.

·           If any residents notice any fly tipping issues, can these be raised with Councillors or the Council as arrangements can be made to remove it as soon as possible.  A resident advised there is fly tipping on Lower Lane and they suggested the installation of bollards to prevent vehicles accessing the area.  This location is within a neighbouring ward (Kingsway) and the Township Office can advise the Councillors for that ward accordingly.

Councillor Farnell

·           Councillor Farnell spoke about the Tour of Britain cycle race that travelled through the ward last Saturday being a great spectacle with an impressive turn out for the residents and businesses.

·           The new Health Centre at The Strand is now well underway and it will be a great addition to the area.

·           The defibrillators that have recently been purchased for the ward should soon be installed at both The Strand and the Shell Garage on Queensway.

·           A consultation is currently taking place concerning the introduction of double yellow lines outside the Fiat  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Kirkholt Million

·      Grants are always available to community groups – speak to Kelly Dawson at the Hub for more information.  Always looking for new members to join.

·      The recent ‘Seaside’ event was a success and it involved Kirkholt Million working together with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing at the site of The Strand car park.

·      Works are continuing to Rhodes Crescent Ravine by Groundwork under a scheme costing approximately £200k.  The project is in collaboration with Groundwork to support the employment and training of groundsmen and rangers to develop and continue after the ravine is complete.

·      Three schools could benefit from a share of £300k marked for eco improvements aimed at young people from an early age.

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH)
Not in attendance.

HMR Circle

A presentation was given by M. Wynn on behalf of Heywood, Middleton & Rochdale Circle to inform residents of a new lunch club launching at The Strand Community Hub, Kirkholt.  £3 for 2 courses plus tea/coffee and biscuits.  Starts Tuesday 1 October 2019 at 1pm and is open to anyone, including non-members.

Tuesday 26 November 2019 at 6.30pm
Venue: St Mary’s (Balderstone) Church, Oldham Road, Rochdale.

Agendas and minutes of the meetings are available on the Council’s website

www.rochdale.gov.uk/democracy under the heading of ‘Councillors and committees’ and then ‘Agendas, reports and minutes’.