The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and apologies were noted.

PC Lucas McGregor, Neighbourhood Beat Officer for Littleborough, introduced himself and gave the following updates.

Crime figures for the last quarter

Wardle and West Littleborough

Littleborough Lakeside

ASB – 29 incidents reported across the two wards; five of which were youth related.

Littleborough Dispersal Order was introduced in response to a number of thefts and ASB issues experienced by Sainsbury’s supermarket.  The store is working with GMP and Rochdale Borough Council (RBC) with regards to improving their security and minimising incidents.

The high frequency of road traffic accidents occurring on the A58 was discussed.  The safety of this road needs to be a priority for GMP and RBC through the Road Safety Group.

A discussion took place about the impact on the traffic network and delays to motorists following a recent serious road traffic accident on the A58.  It was explained that preservation of life is the first priority for Officers when attending such incidents followed by protecting the scene and identifying witnesses.

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

Action Updates

Action 1: Resurfacing Calderbrook Road
Residents again expressed their concern regarding the road surface and the dangers this brings.  Councillors have spoken with Highways Officers to insist that this road is a priority.  Highways have advised that they will look at the programme and make some suggestions to Ward Councillors to help prioritise both sections of this road for resurfacing.  Highways will report to Township and look to include both sections.

Action 3: Littleborough ASB and crime
PC McGregor met with a resident and spoke with her at length about the ongoing issues and the challenges that the Police face when trying to prosecute juvenile offenders.  The resident was reassured that the Police are aware of the incidents and steps are being taken to tackle the issues.

Action 5: Dog bags
Environmental Management has confirmed the Council no longer provide dog bags.

Action 6: Surface issue on Hare Hill Road
Highways response – We are aware of the repair outside the new development and currently work is ongoing concerning a solution for this area.  Our drainage engineer is going to be carrying out work in the near future.  We will continue to monitor it.

Approved funding updates: The Nightbus - Drag Queen Story Time at Littleborough Library; Welbeck Avenue grit bin; Wardle Christmas tree fence;Ribble Avenue tree work; Brookfield Drive ditch/watercourse clearance; Shore in Bloom Community Project; Wasp Mill Drive grit bin.

Clean and Green Schemes: Hollingworth Lake flagpole site; Top of Shore Road; Kirkstall Avenue to Sawley Avenue; Wildhouse Lane; Footpath off Wildhouse Lane; Ramsden Road.

Other Councillor updates: A bench has been installed in the bus shelter on Church Street; Missing street sign on Barnes Meadow has been replaced; New trees planted and new wood sculptures installed in Hare Hill Park; Dealing with unlicensed traders; Christmas Window Judging Competition (winner was Art of Interiors and runner up was Busy Beans Café); Lobbying First Bus regarding tickets being transferable; Gully cleaning; Clearance of vegetation from the rear of Brookfield Drive has been completed; Stone wall at Barkers Wood has been constructed; Grass verge at Alderbank; Work commencing to resolve the problems at St James Church, Wardle; Removal of a tree growing through the wall on Whitelees Road, Meeting with the history group to relocate some of the items to Wardle Library; St Andrew’s School attending Wardle Library on a weekly basis thus helping to improve the use of the library as an important community facility in Wardle Village; Alderbank verge improvement work is ongoing; Shore flood improvement works completed; railings replaced; New street signs have been ordered.

Thanks were given to LEAF and the Friends of Hare Hill Park for their recently held festive community events.

Littleborough Flood Resilience Group update
Work has taken place, by Liverpool University, The Environment Agency, Rochdale Borough Council and the Rivers Trust, to install monitoring equipment on Blackstone Edge.  The group will take official handover of the equipment on 10 January 2020.

Littleborough Civic Trust (LCT) Group update
Local developments are causing concern due to increased congestion, lack of infrastructure, etc.  Developers and the Council’s Planning Department came under heavy criticism for allegedly flouting the rules.  Councillors explained the difficulties in retaining staff within this department and the number of current vacant posts.

A number of historic issues were discussed concerning the New Street development, all of which have been reported and have been dealt with.

LCT met with Homes England who have confirmed the process to consult with developers will be started afresh in April 2021 following due diligence checks.

A resident asked whether a decision was made regarding the necessity for an Environmental Impact Assessment for Hollingworth Road.
Action 1: Advise resident of this decision (Councillor Besford)

Save the Greenbelt Group update
A newsletter has been produced covering the group’s activities over the previous ten months.  Further fundraising activities are planned for the New Year.  Attendees were thanked for their support.

GMSF updates are not yet available.  Residents asked for any new consultations to be more widely publicised and Councillors agreed that this needs to happen.

Littleborough’s new school
The plans to build a new school are still moving forward.  Councillors are being kept up to date with progress.

Akzo Nobel
Barry Cropper is challenging the Coal Authority regarding the mining records especially with reference to clay mines.  A full update will be available on the Council’s website as an appendix to the minutes.

Bus consultation
Attendees were encouraged to complete the consultation which ends in January 2020.

Request for bollards
A resident asked whether bollards could be installed on Hare Hill Road, opposite to Sainsbury’s Local, near to the bus stop, to prevent illegal parking.
Action 2: Establish whether this request for bollards is feasible (Tracey Knight)

Church Street, Littleborough parking
A discussion took place regarding the vehicles which park on the double yellow lines on Church Street, on the stretch of road near to the Post Office and taxi rank.
Action 3: Request additional parking enforcement (Tracey Knight)

No other business was raised.

10 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

PC Lucas McGregor
Email: lucas.mcgregor@gmp.police.uk