Venue: Middleton Library, Long Street, Middleton M24 1AF. View directions
Contact: Lauren Mason - Tel. 01706 923124
No. | Item |
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Welcome, Apologies and Introductions Minutes: All
were welcomed to the meeting by the Chair, introductions were
announced and apologies were noted.
Councillor West requested that all turn off or put on to silent
mobile phones. a. Youth Services & ‘In Bloom’ will be added to the top of the agenda, to follow minutes of the last meeting and matters arising. b. Link4Life will be moved up to item 2, after the above. |
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Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising Minutes: David
Lappin advised that a meeting took
place here at Middleton Library around two weeks ago to discuss
public transport to Fairfield Hospital from Middleton. First Bus attended the meeting and it is hoped that
the bus service will resume.
Discussions also took place with First Bus regarding the timings of
bus services from Oldham Hospital, particularly around visiting
hours, as David advised that the bus from the hospital back to
Middleton leaves at 7.55pm, when visiting doesn’t finish
until 8pm. |
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In Bloom and Youth Services |
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In Bloom and Youth Services Minutes: Diane
Higgins introduced herself and Jill Amos, and explained that they
both work for Youth Services, who have been working with young
people in Middleton to hopefully try and involve young people in
organising and managing, with help from other services, the
introduction of an ‘In Bloom’ scheme to
Middleton. Youth Services will work
alongside other providers and partners to get Middleton involved in
the scheme, as in other Townships. Jill
has met with volunteer organisers from other areas, who are also
present at the meeting; Roy Down of Rochdale In Bloom and Ellen
Yates of Heywood In Bloom to see what the scheme entails and
hopefully receive support from the other Townships who have
participated for the last few years. |
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Link4Life Update & Discussion Minutes: Gillian
Bishop introduced herself and Andrew Entwistle, and explained that
she is the Chief Executive of Link4 Life (L4L), whilst Andrew is
the Community Facilities Manager at Middleton Arena, also with them
is Eileen Hinson, a consultant working with L4L. |
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Greater Manchester Spatial Framework Discussion Minutes: Members
advised that the recent consultation is the start of the process,
which will be long term consultation with many more rounds expected
and explained that as yet nothing has been decided. There are a lot of groups, petitions and
information available online, and during the first round of
consultation documents were available to view in addition to drop
in sessions. All were advised that if
they have concerns it is best to put this in writing to the
consultation address and email/write with views. |
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Township Environmental Schemes Minutes: Ian
Trickett explained that a number of schemes were discussed at the
last Middleton Township Committee, with some suggestions being
removed and others added, and an updated copy of this document was
handed out for discussion. |
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Street Cleaning, Waste, Clean and Green Minutes: Unfortunately, apologies were received from the Officer
representing this part of the agenda, just before the meeting, and
it was advised that any issues would be passed on to Environmental
Management. |
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THI (Townscape Heritage Initiative) Update Minutes: Sue Oakley was unable to attend the meeting, but had provided a written update, in advance of the meeting, which was read out:
· The THI is now in the extension period and we hope to get an extension until the end of 2017. · La MinHaz on Market Place is almost complete, with just the bespoke terracotta copings on order. · Restoration work to 51 and 53 Rochdale Road is now going well after a slow start while material samples were approved. · Dismantling and major repairs to the exedra and staircase in Jubilee Park will start in March when temperatures will start to rise. Initial works such as cleaning the stonework and sourcing stone samples will start this month. · We’re hoping that the THI will be extended to progress the grant at Long Street School. This is the most important project within the THI and it has suffered numerous delays but we are optimistic that work will start in the summer. · We are in contact with the new owners of the Assheton Arms and subject to a grant extension some repairs should be possible. · The THI continues to fund other initiatives such as the Golden Cluster events and we are working with the Edgar Wood Society, the Middleton Archaeological Society, Friends of Jubilee Park and various other groups. Thanks to THI funding and the hard work of the volunteers the heritage of Middleton is becoming more high profile than ever.
Following the verbal update, which was read out by Lauren Mason, a number of questions were raised: 1) What type of machinery will be used for the works to the Exedra, to ensure that the park is not damaged? 2) What kind of planting scheme will be put in near to the recently re-done boundary wall? |
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Transport Issues Minutes: Transport issues from David Lappin, which were raised under matters arising, will be sent to Councillor Burke. |
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Updates |
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Friends of Middleton View Minutes: Geoff Grime advised that there is damage to some of the knee rail fencing around Tonge Field, and pictures/maps have been passed to Lauren Mason for this to be looked into. |
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Friends of Jubilee Park Minutes: David Lees advised that the Management Plan for the
park has now been agreed. Councillor
West requested a copy of the Plan be sent to her and a version
be printed for access at Middleton
Township Office. |
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Friends of Wince Brook - Anti-social Behaviour Issues Minutes: David McKail advised that
a large quantity of bottles of urine have been found, on a number
of occasions, in Wince Brook. It is
thought that these bottles are being left by taxi drivers, etc. and
both the Police and Licensing are involved in addressing the
problem, but without evidence it is difficult to prove. |
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Green Volunteers Minutes: The Green Volunteers have been undertaking various
pieces of work throughout the winter months, including covering the
pathways in Wince Brook with a mesh to improve the walkways and
access. |
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Friends of Alkrington Woods Minutes: Jerry Stokes explained that much of the work of the Friends of Group quietens down during the winter months and advised that work will start up again soon. |
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Friends of Boarshaw Cemetery Minutes: No report was provided and no representative was present to give an update. |
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Friends of Hopwood Woods Nature Reserve Minutes: Keeley O’Mara advised that a start date of
Monday 30 January 2017 has been given for works to commence on the
cycle path, and this is expected to be ongoing until July, but no
confirmed date has yet been given for the tarmac to be laid. |
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Absolute Angling Minutes: No report was provided and no representative was present to give an update. |
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Friends of Bowlee Community Park Minutes: Eric Larmett advised that
the park is currently experiencing the ongoing issue of
motorbikes/quad bikes accessing the park. Eric Holliday advised that he would contact Eric
separately to discuss these issues, as this is not solely happening
at Bowlee, but is an ongoing issue
throughout Middleton, with very little options available to RBC/GMP
to deal with offenders, whilst they are on moving vehicles. |
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Status4All Minutes: No report was provided and no representative was present to give an update. |
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Middleton Lads & Girls Football Club Minutes: Councillor Martin advised that she was here on behalf
of Middleton Lads and Girls, and explained that the group have been
assisting her with work at Junction Community Centre. |
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Middleton Civic Association Minutes: David Lees advised that the association is still in operation, and at the moment is specifically concerned about the future of the Old Rectory on Mellalieu Street, and the risk of a developer buying the building/plot. |
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Middleton Roundtable Minutes: No report was provided and no representative was present to give an update. |
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Friends of Mellalieu Street Minutes: No report was provided and no representative was present to give an update. |
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Middleton Cricket Club Minutes: No report was provided and no representative was present to give an update. |
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Any other business Minutes: · Farmway Stocks was discussed, as currently due to the washing away of the pathway it is near impossible to get a pram or wheelchair down the pathway. Councillor Martin advised that work will be undertaken over the coming months to install a new pathway with gradient steps to ensure that all users are able to access the pathway. · A concern was raised about pollution in Middleton Town Centre and the group asked if Highways could be contacted to see if air sample monitoring was ever undertaken in Middleton? This issue will be passed to Highways and a response brought back to the next meeting. · A discussion took place regarding the ‘City of Trees’, which is a Greater Manchester project to ‘re-invigorate Greater Manchester’s landscape by transforming underused, unloved woodland and planting a tree for every man, woman and child who lives there, within a generation’. Ian Trickett advised that any questions regarding this need to be raised with Carey Robinson, who is the RBC tree person for urban spaces. |
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Date of future meetings Minutes: All meetings commence at 6.15pm and take place on First Floor, Middleton Library. · Thursday 6 April 2017 |