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

PCSO Alan Shaw introduced himself and he gave the following updates.

Crime figures for the period 18 December 2019 to 10 March 2020

Wardle

Littleborough

·         A wanted juvenile has been charged with five burglary offences and driving offences; he is likely to receive a two year sentence.  Another juvenile has also been charged with two burglaries and they are due in court soon.

·         A minimal amount of anti-social behaviour has been reported.

·         A recent speed watch initiative received a lot of support on social media.

·         British Transport Police are working with GMP regarding the recent damage caused at Littleborough Train Station.  It is likely the damage was caused by an air rifle and baseball bats.  Officers are trying to identify those responsible from CCTV in the area.

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

Action Updates

Action 1: Establish the decision regarding an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) for Hollingworth Road
Response from Planning - Yes, an EIA is required.  A decision was issued on the screening opinion on 6 January 2020.

Action 2: Request for bollards on Hare Hill Road - Establish is this is feasible
Response from Highways - Bollards would prevent cars parking on the pavement but they would not prevent cars parking on the double yellow lines.  Motorists parking on double yellow lines are at risk of being issued with a Penalty Charge Notice.

Action 3: Church Street Parking - Request additional parking enforcement
Response from Highways - This location is patrolled frequently as officers travel to Littleborough and it is on the “hotspots” to receive enhanced enforcement regularly.  It last had enhanced enforcement from 2 to 13 December 2019 and on every occasion the location was logged, no vehicle was seen to be parked in contravention of the restrictions and no Penalty Charge Notice was issued.  It was on the hotspots just a few months prior and with the exception of one Penalty Charge Notice being issued, again no vehicle was parked in contravention during the enhanced period.  Vehicles may park legitimately on a double yellow line to load and unload for as long as required, blue badge holders may park for up to 3 hours during permitted times and vehicles may stop to allow passengers to board or alight at any time.  Therefore, some of the parking witnessed may be permitted, and a period of observation must be given by the Enforcement Officers before a Penalty Charge Notice is issued.

Approved funding updates: Littleborough Food & Drink Festival 2020; Pennines TRY, Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation; The Star Tree Studio @ The Gig House; Holy Trinity Church Project 2020; additional salt bin for Barnes Meadow; two new litter bins for Arm Road.

Clean and Green Schemes: Clear weeds/overgrowth from the playing field at Hare Hill Park; Milnrow Road/Wildhouse Lane litter pick; tidy up land and steps at Barnes Meadow; clear overgrowth from the path near Littleborough Fire Station; sweep the tennis courts off Wardle Road (removal of small stones) and litter pick area.

Other Councillor updates: Hare Hill Play Area equipment has been replaced; meeting with Councillor Neil Emmott and Environmental Management Team about Hollingworth Lake car park refurbishment and new ticket machines; working with Littleborough Civic Trust and Council Officers to produce a Pennines Township Local Plan; a number of gullies and pipe work replaced on Todmorden Road to help prevent homes from flooding; large pothole on Calderbrook Road has been made safe with a full repair arranged; the damaged wall at the bottom of Temple Lane that was hit by a car has now been repaired; TfGM have installed a bench inside the Church Street bus shelter; the large overgrown and in poor condition trees near Central Avenue have been felled; meetings with local residents and Russell Homes; fencing provided at Lea Way to protect local people from the river; upgrade footpath from Union Road to Arm Road; meeting at Wardle Academy and St Andrew’s School about traffic issues; ballot box and polling station to St Andrew’s for elections to Student Council; Hollingworth Lake path remains closed for ongoing work; liaising with Olive Standring Court regarding their flood defence gates.

Wardle Volunteers
Councillor Dearnley thanked the volunteers present for their dedication to making Wardle Village a shining example of the communities’ commitment to loving where you live.  The work of the volunteers is truly appreciated by the Council and the wider community.

Wardle Tennis Courts
The project identified for the courts proved to be prohibitive; the maintenance costs were as high as the capital costs for which there wasn’t a budget available.

Hare Hill Road
A utility contractor plans to undertake highway maintenance on Hare Hill Road in April 2020.  This work will not affect the Littleborough Food and Drink Festival.

Hollingworth Lake
Hollingworth Lake car park has been subject to criminal damage on a number of occasions.  Until the machine is replaced, parking will be free.  The Council are considering card only payment machines.

The lake levels were originally dropped to allow maintenance work on the overflow.  Due to the amount of recent rainfall, the levels have risen meaning that they will again need to be lowered to allow the work to be carried out.  A resident asked whether the positive effect, this has had on flooding, has been calculated.  It was clarified that the lake overflows into the River Roch.
Action 1: Councillor Emsley will ask United Utilities to respond

Littleborough and Wardle New ECO  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Littleborough Civic Trust (LCT) Update
Ian Jackson gave updates on behalf of the LCT including concerns regarding local planning applications and developments; lack of transport strategy; local infrastructure.  A discussion took place about greenfield and brownfield sites and the planning legislation governing Local Authorities.  Councillor Besford advised that the Local Plan will document what Rochdale Council are doing and also what we could be doing better.
Action 2: Confirm Township Committee dates to Ian Jackson

New School
Star Academy have advised that they are still on course for 2021 opening.  There are issues regarding access to the identified site and Star are working with the Department for Education who have the power to compulsory purchase land.  A discussion took place regarding the lack of available local school places.

Speeding on Wardle Road
A resident raised concerns regarding speeding vehicles.  Councillor Taylor advised that he is creating a task and finish group set up to deal with wider road safety issues.  Complaints were also raised regarding parking on double yellow lines.
Action 3: Report overgrown trees covering speed limit signs on Albert Royds Street

Anti-social behaviour at Wardle Bowling Green
Incidents are ongoing at the bowling green and they are likely to increase as the lighter nights approach.  PCSOs are still including this location in their patrols.

VE Day 2020
This year is the 75^th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.  An event is planned on 10 May 2020 at Hare Hill Park to recreate a spontaneous party in the park event.  The community are asked to come along and take part and lead the celebrations.

Blokes Club
Wardle Blokes Club meets on Friday afternoons at Wardle Library.  New Members are welcome.

Littleborough Blokes Club are celebrating their first birthday next week.  The club have received a Township grant to help with future costs.

To be advised.


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