The Chair welcomed all to the 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 also drawn to the Terms of Reference document for all non-constituted local area forums in the Rochdale area.

The minutes of the last area forum held on Tuesday 27 February 2024 were agreed with the following matters arising.

Matters arising

Bamford Way proposed development – Drainage
A query was previously raised regarding the drainage plans for this development with concerns expressed about the direction of run-off/surface and waste water channelled.  Townships raised this enquiry with the Council’s Planning/Building Control Departments and updated the member of public direct.  Development not commenced and no plans submitted for drainage or building control approval.

Norden Road speed signs
A timeframe was requested for the installation of the two newly funded Norden Road speed signs.  Townships raised this issue with the Council’s Highways Department and update received was they are progressing both the procurement of the maintenance contract and renewal of the existing assets along with the signs themselves.  An order will soon be raised with Street Lighting to organise the installation of two new posts and the power supply required for the signs.

Sgt Walsh was in attendance on behalf of GMP and provided the following update for both of the previous forum areas of Bamford and Brimrod/Marland/Sudden amalgamated:

GMP Priorities & Off-Road Biking Issues
Sgt Walsh advised that GMP’s ongoing priorities in the area at present are burglaries and vehicle crime.  PCSOs are currently conducting crime prevention visits to residents and feedback received is about off-road biking nuisance.  Rochdale is a prime hotspot area due to the green spaces and moorlands around the borough.  It is hoped the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to be implemented over the next few months by Council colleagues in Community Safety will assist in deterring offenders in future.  The problem remains that it is difficult to identify offenders due to balaclavas/helmets worn and the public is relied upon to put forward intelligence in respect of known individuals.  Councillor Anstee requested that when putting together the PSPO to tackle off-road biking, to ensure the land adjacent to Roch Valley Way/United Utilities land is included, as that is the most complained about by residents.

Shoplifting
There has been a massive surge in shoplifting recently due to rising costs of food and retail goods which has resulted in a high demand on the Police to catch and prosecute offenders.

Drug-dealing
Drug dealing is an ongoing priority for officers, and the use of stop and search powers will be used to tackle offenders accordingly.

Traffic offences
The Traffic Unit has increased in size in order to deal with this increasing problem.  Officers will be concentrating on areas of concern.

GMP Team
The sergeants and beat officer policing teams have been operating on a different shift pattern to that of the PCSOs, but from 1 July 2024 they will all align onto the same shift pattern.  New beat officers are also being recruited to the area.

Matters raised
Residents raised concerns about beggars located outside the Tesco store.  GMP advised officers cannot stop this activity unless they are reported as being aggressive.

It was also noted that there had been a recent incidence of males congregating and drinking at the rear of Sudden Club.  GMP advised they will compile a list of hotspot areas when the full team is complete as of 1 July 2024.  Councillors also highlighted Bamford Green as an area where children congregate and smoke drugs.

Concerns about speeding were raised and it was queried the number of tickets issued by GMP in the area in the last 12 months.  Sgt Walsh advised while he did not have specific figures to hand, he confirmed when drivers spot police officers conducting speed patrols on a particular road, they often alert other drivers in the area.  This advance warning causes drivers to slow down, so less are caught and actually fined.  The area  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

A Whittaker (Team Leader from the Council’s Network Improvement & Development, Highways Department) was in attendance to update the area forum on the phase 2 junction improvement scheme.  He provided a recap by way of a background overview.  The Bee Network Scheme was initially introduced as a Greater Manchester initiative dating back to 2018/19 by TfGM in its aspirations to have a combined travel network across the ten local authorities in order to try and influence people to not make every single journey they make via cars.

The scheme delivered to the Castleton area is now complete, ending at The Royal Toby.  The proposal to continue the works to connect up to the town centre, by way of improvements made to seven major junctions, will now be considered by Cabinet in July 2024 and TfGM.  It is the intention to make improvements to junctions for the benefit of pedestrians, cyclists and road users and to enhance a number of crossings.  The funding will enable work which will improve traffic flow for motorists, with the introduction of intelligent traffic signals which should improve journey times.  There has been a significant amount of collision data regarding accidents occurring at the junction of New Barn Lane, so a newly modelled right hand turn will be included as part of the improvements.  The dual carriageway at Manchester Road will not lose any road space as part of these works.  Cyclists and pedestrians will be able to use the Old Manchester Road and the scheme as a whole will improve materials used on footways, road surfacing and bring in 20mph areas as part of traffic calming areas along the route.

Concerns previously raised by residents about St Aiden’s Church and whether the formal cycle lanes will remove the parking for the church have been addressed by Highways.  They have been consulting with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing regarding a green area at Manley Road which could provide up to 40 parking spaces.

Councillor Anstee thanked A Whittaker for his attendance at the area forum to outline the proposals for the scheme, adding that he feels this is a ‘junction improvement scheme’ and hopefully lessons have been learnt from the Castleton approach.

Residents discussed the proposal at the area forum and a query was raised on how many cyclists are using the cycle lane throughout Castleton.  They were informed data from the monitoring cameras will be compiled over several months and can be fed back at a later date.  There is also funding for a new post within the Highways service for a role to look at encouraging the use of cycle lanes.

Councillor Anstee provided the following updates to the forum:

·           Welcome goes out to the elected Councillor Phil Beal.

·           The junction work at Roch Valley Way is now almost complete, with resurfacing taking place.  Bury Road is due to be resurfaced in the summer.  Thanks to everyone for their patience during this work.

·           Parking in the whole area continues to cause problems.  Highways Officers are meeting with Councillors and residents in early June to present their initial strategy for easing the situation.

·           Speeding is also a cause for concern and it is hoped that the new speed cameras funded will soon be installed along Norden Road.

·           Litter picking continues at Sudden on the first Sunday of the month at 9am and on the second Sunday at Bamford Green at 11am.  The gardeners on Bamford Green also meet at this time to keep the gardens looking beautiful ready for the In Bloom judging in late July.  Bamford Chapel gardeners meet each Monday at 9am.  If you would like to join any of these groups, let your local Ward Councillors know and they will put you in touch or you can just turn up as you will be very welcome.

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

·           The community worker at Brimrod Methodist Church has set up several groups with the Councillors assistance;

‘Kids Stitch and Play’ is a session for local children under the age of ten and of all abilities, along with their caregivers, to learn sewing skills.  It is held on the first Saturday of each month between 1pm and 3pm and there is no need to book as you can just turn up if you are interested.  The cost is only £1 for the materials.

‘Singing in the Shower’ is a group for everyone who wishes to sing out loud and have lots of fun doing so.  This is held every Monday 6-7pm for a donation of £2.  Children must be accompanied by adults.

For more information on these groups please contact Leonie on 07513 694862 or email brimrodmethodistrochdale@outlook.com or follow on Facebook @Brimrod Methodist Church.

Councillor Anstee informed the area forum that their local Ward Councillors have now been allocated their Shadow Portfolio roles; Councillor Anstee is Shadow Portfolio for Climate Change and Environment, Councillor Smith is Shadow Portfolio for Adult Care and Councillor Beal is Shadow Portfolio for Highways and Facilities.  In addition, the Ward Councillors will also serve on various committees, including the Township Committee, where funds are allocated for various larger projects in the ward.  Ward funds are available for smaller projects and community groups that require a grant were invited to get in touch with the Councillors or the Township Officer.

Oulder Hill Parking Campaign
A resident advised that a meeting to discuss this matter will be held at Rochdale Rugby Club on the evening of 6 June 2024.

Southdown Close overhanging trees
A resident raised the issue of overhanging trees onto the pavement at Southdown Close, causing an obstruction for pedestrians.
Action: Townships to raise the issue with the Enforcement Officer in the Council’s Environmental Management Department for inspection and action with the householder.

Monday 2 September 2024 at 6.30pm in Bamford Chapel