The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced himself and Officers.

GMP was unable to attend the meeting.  The following issues will be forwarded to GMP along with the residents’ contact details:

·           Issues in reporting crimes, 101 number, social media, etc

·           Speeding on Todmorden Road

·           ASB in and around Littleborough

Crime Statistics

Littleborough

Wardle

The 2018 Street Cleaning Services Satisfaction Survey is the first of a series of three; the Street Services Survey and The Parks and Horticultural Surveys will be carried out over the next nine months.  These surveys will help the Council’s Environmental Management Service to identify what is important to residents and help them to understand how they are performing.  The survey will measure the effectiveness of the service and identify areas for improvement.  Forms can be returned to any Council office or library.

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed as a correct record.  The following updates were provided.

Low Street lighting levels on Hare Hill Road and Victoria Street
Eon has been asked to check the lighting levels.  Awaiting feedback from their inspection.

Approved Funding Updates: Birch Road bus stop clearway; additional street lighting column on St Mary’s School path; additional bollards to prevent parking and damage to grass verges on Duke Street; Wardle Society Volunteers grant for environment improvements; Enviro Gym improvements at Hollingworth Lake; grit bin for Higher Cleggswood/Heald Close.

Clean and Green Schemes: Calderbrook Road; Smithy Bridge car park; Smithy Bridge road sign, Todmorden Road Bus Stop; Townhouse Road; Whitfield Brow; Vicarage Drive, Dearnley Cemetery; New Road.

Secondary School Places 2018
A discussion took place regarding the lack of secondary school places available for Littleborough pupils and the affect this will have.  Pupils who do not live within a two mile radius of the Pennines Academy schools are being allocated places at Kingsway Park High School and other schools out of the area.  There are a number of local people affected by this situation.
Action 1: Request a copy of Rochdale Borough Council’s School Places Allocations Plan and circulate (Tracey Knight)
Action 2: Can Rochdale Borough Council put pressure on Wardle Academy to change their admission policy (Tracey Knight)

Littleborough Sports Centre
There are rumours that the sports centre is closing.  It was clarified that there will be operational changes including having an automated entry system.

Alley Gates
Shaftesbury Avenue residents expressed their thanks for the alley gates on the back lane; they are really pleased with the scheme as the amount of ASB has now reduced.

Victoria Street Speeding
Residents reported that vehicles are speeding along Victoria Street, and it is also being used as a cut through to avoid the traffic lights at the Todmorden Road and A58 junction.  Residents asked whether a chicane scheme could be installed to control/reduce traffic speeds.
Action 3: Ask Highways whether a chicane system is feasible in this area (Tracey Knight)

Gritting
A discussion took place regarding gritting the roads during the recent inclement weather and the difference between connecting roads in other local authorities.  Residents were advised to check the gritting routes and winter maintenance schedule on the Council’s website.  It was reported that the ‘Closed/Open Road’ sign on the A58 is bolted shut.
Action 4: Report the issue with the ‘Closed/Open Road’ sign to Highways (Tracey Knight)

Grit Bin
Residents on Victoria Street requested a grit bin.
Action 5: Establish if Victoria Street meets the grit bin criteria (Tracey Knight)

Potholes
A discussion took place regarding the number of dangerous potholes on the roads throughout the Borough.  Residents were advised that Highways are working with the contractor to improve the quality of repairs.

Community Toilets
The Senior Citizens Forum asked for their thanks to be recorded to those businesses in Littleborough who are part of the Community Toilet Scheme.

No other business was raised.


Date of next meeting

19 June 2018
18 September 2018
11 December 2018
12 March 2019

Rochdale East
Tel:                    0161 856 8549
Email                 rochdaleeast@gmp.police.uk
Facebook          GMPRochdaleEast
Twitter               @gmprochdaleeast
Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Police non-emergency calls 101
Emergency calls 999

PS Richard Price
Email: 14684@GMP.Police.uk