The Chair welcomed all to the meeting.  Congratulations were given to Councillor Stephen Anstee on his re-election to the ward.  The Chair thanked C Read for standing in as Chair at the last meeting.

A copy of the code of conduct was circulated with the papers and all were asked to abide by the code for the duration of the meeting.

Attention was drawn to the addition of the Terms of Reference document for all non-constituted local area forums in the Rochdale area.  The purpose, objectives, powers etc detailed within the document were discussed.

The minutes of the last area forum held on Monday 27 February 2023 were agreed with the following matters arising.

Matters arising

Application for footpath to bridleway - Bury Road to Northdene Drive
The resident who previously raised the matter was in attendance and updated the forum on the fact that the bridleways have been cleared up, widened and with the barriers in, they have made a good alternative route to using the footpath by the riders.

Swing gate erected near to Hands Lane
A resident raised a query at the last forum regarding a newly erected swing gate at the end of Hands Lane near Rochdale Golf Club.  The matter was raised with the Council’s Rights of Way Officer who visited the club and she has since confirmed the gate is an acceptable addition to the area and it will serve the purpose of inhibiting off road bikes accessing the route.

Norden Road interactive speed sign
The interactive speed sign has still not been repaired.  Residents and Councillors have again requested an update from Highways.
Action: Townships to raise the matter again with the Council’s Highways Department

PC R Marvell attended the meeting and reported the crime statistics and a summary of policing activities for the last quarter.  The figures do not include the Brimrod, Marland and Sudden area as this information is reported to their area forum.

·           7 residential burglaries compared to 26 in the last quarter

·           1 criminal damages compared to 14

·           12 vehicle crimes compared to 10

·           7 public order offences down from 11

·           1 possession of offensive weapon same as the last quarter

·           2 drug offences down from 4 in the last quarter

Drugs
Officers have disrupted a number of cannabis farms across the borough, after receiving a lot of intelligence from the general public.  Several arrests were made with many criminals being remanded into custody.

Operation Dragster
Three future dates are planned for Operation Dragster with the assistance of colleagues from United Utilities that aim to tackle off-road bike issues.  It was reported that bikes have again been witnessed accessing land owned by United Utilities off Roch Valley Way.

Staffing update
PC Marvell updated that PCSO Peter Smith Emanuel has joined them as an addition to the Bamford and Norden team in terms of coverage.

Parking
It was reported that there was still parking issues around the area of Baguettes on Bury Road.  GMP advised they will arrange for PCSOs to pay particular attention to the area concerned and monitor for any indiscriminate parking.

Shoplifting
Officers have been regularly patrolling the area of Bamford Precinct, in particular Tesco Express, using CCTV to assist them.  They have successfully arrested two individuals who are prolific offenders for shoplifting and they are now seeking a prison remand for the offenders.

GMP surgeries
The surgeries will be held monthly by local PCSOs at Norden Old Library.  The next three surgeries are:

16 June 2023 (1-2pm)
17 July (5-6pm)
11 August (1-2pm)

‘Bee in the Loop’
This is a new initiative by GMP which is a messaging service, in addition to their social media channels, to communicate with residents/businesses in each area regarding incidents/emergencies, to pass on crime prevention advice and to help shape local priorities for officers to concentrate on.  Residents can sign up to it via the website www.beeintheloop.co.uk

Councillor Anstee raised queries with GMP on behalf of the Oulder Hill Group as follows:

·           Bury Road – speeding occurs first thing in a morning

·           Battersby Street and Half Acre – speeding witnessed

·           Half Acre Lane – vehicles continue to access the one way

·           Battersby Street – drug dealing is still ongoing, but with less occurrence

The forum raised speeding concerns on Norden Road stating speeds can reach 40–50 mph with dangerous overtaking occurring.  PC Marvell advised GMP now have two speed guns which can be used by officers across the borough and he will place Norden/Bamford areas on the agenda for future speed initiatives/campaigns.

Councillor Anstee requested that the new PC’s contact details are emailed to the Township Officer so that they can be added to the minutes.
Action: PC Marvell email  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Resurfacing/Potholes/Highways issues
Councillor Anstee updated the forum that Northdene Drive will be resurfaced towards the beginning of July and Bamford Way has just been re-inspected.  He explained that delays with Highways’ work is attributed to the fact that officers have been dealing in-house with an increase in the numbers of highways work permit applications due to fibre network installations across the borough. Officers normally deal with approx. 400 applications each month, which has increased to around 1700 per month.  Councillor Anstee advised Bury Road, including the refuge area, will be resurfaced in the future, although at present there is no date to be reported.

Oulder Hill Group
Councillor Anstee updated the forum that the Oulder Hill Group had raised concerns about potholes on Bury Road up to the point of St Michael’s.  He advised that these potholes will be dealt with as part of the future resurfacing works planned for the road.

The group had confirmed the beat survey has now been completed and parking wardens are issuing parking tickets in the area.  A request was made to acquire the number of tickets issued by Rochdale Borough Council Parking Services and this information to be copied to the Ward Councillors.
Action: Townships to ask Parking Services for the number of tickets issued in area

A resident raised a query regarding a fly-tipped builder’s bag/sack left outside a property on Bamford Way after rebuilding works were finished to the property and can it be removed.
Action: Townships to ask the Council’s Environmental Management Department to remove the fly-tipped waste

Councillor Anstee provided the update to the forum as follows.

·           Work is currently ongoing to review the parking capacity at Mansfield Road.

·           Yellow lines have been installed at the junction of Chepstow and Clay Lane.

·           City Fibre work is ongoing and any defect areas are being raised.  It is good to note that the Greenvale area saw full pavement resurfacing works carried out following significant damage caused by the contractor.

·           The drain problem on Spring Bank Lane has been reported.  Bamford Green being used to store equipment.

·           Oulder Hill Parking Group work is ongoing and we can expect the outcome of the beat survey to be shared with Councillors and residents soon.

·           Councillors are seeking clarity on the gated alleyway ongoing maintenance process.

·           Councillors will continue to represent residents from a planning perspective.

·           Work is continuing to tackle the reoccurrence of anti-social behaviour on United Utilities’ land at Roch Valley Way.

·           Environmental Management concerns at Meadowcroft Lane verge have been raised.

·           Council Tax - 2% annual rebate was deducted from the 1st DD payments of the year.

·           Residents are asked to consider how best to spend funds and Councillors welcome any suggestions.

·           The speed sign/smiley face is still not working.  Councillors are still chasing!

·           Thank you for the support at the recent election.

·           Your local Ward Councillors are always pleased to meet with you for a chat or to hear your concerns.  Our surgeries are the first Thursday of each month, Bamford Chapel from 10am to 11am and Brimrod Methodist Church 11.15am to 12 noon.

Residents were advised that the current Township funding for this financial year and the new budgets will be agreed and available by late June/early July.  Any ideas or initiatives to improve the local area or give benefit to any community groups or associations are always welcome.  Discuss with your local Ward Councillors or the Township Officer

Bamford Ward Councillors hold the following surgeries:
Bamford Chapel URC
Norden Road, Bamford, Rochdale OL11 5PQ
1^st Thursday of every month 10.00am - 11.00am

Brimrod Methodist Church

Roch Valley Way, Rochdale OL11 4PZ
1^st Thursday of every month 11.15am - 12pm

Ward Councillors
Councillor Stephen Anstee
Telephone: 07870 172144
Email: stephen.anstee@rochdale.gov.uk

Councillor Angela Smith
Telephone: 07710 297377
Email: angela.smith@rochdale.gov.uk

Councillor Pat Sullivan
Telephone: 07967 985240
Email: patricia.sullivan@rochdale.gov.uk

Rochdale Borough Council Officers

Rachel Hudson, Township Officer
Telephone: 01706 924343
Email: rachel.hudson@rochdale.gov.uk

Mick Ball, Public Realm Inspector
Telephone: 01706 922634
Email: mick.ball@rochdale.gov.uk

Charles Cordingley, Community Safety, Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour Officer
Telephone: 01706 924984
Email: charles.cordingley@rochdale.gov.uk

Greater Manchester Police

PC Tim McCluskey
Telephone: 07393 782312
Email: timothy.mccluskey@gmp.police.uk

PCSO 72831 Kiran Kazmi
Telephone: 07814 072902
Email: 72831@gmp.police.uk

Monday 21 August 2023 at 6.30pm