www.rochdale.gov.uk

Bamford & Oakenrod Area Forum Minutes

6.30pm Monday 22 August 201, Bamford Chapel

Rochdale Township Office 01706 924908; email: rochdale.township@rochdale.gov.uk

Present: - Residents

Linda Kerford (Vice-Chair), Josephine Clarke, Geoffrey Clarkson, Muriel Clarkson, Brian Colligan, Hilary Colligan, Vasant Dalal, Brenda Griffiths, William Griffiths, Susan Grindrod, Susan Jones, Keith Longbottom, Christine Lord, Roger Mallinder, Elizabeth Nield, Kenneth Paley, Diane Payne, John Riley, Katharine Riley, Thomas Riley, Anne Shorrock, James Taylor, Victor Wainwright

- Officers, press

Stephen Granville (Rochdale Township); PCSO Lauren Whelan (GMP); Katie Fitzpatrick (Rochdale Observer)

- Councillors Ian Duckworth

Apologies Ian Sturrock (Chair); Councillors Pat Sullivan & Jane Gartside

Welcome and Code of Conduct

The Vice-Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and outlined the code of conduct. She introduced Stephen Granville, who has taken over from Stuart Hay as Township Office representative.

The Forum extended its best wishes to Stuart Hay.

Police and Community Safety

General Police number: 0161 8725050

rochdalenorthpartnership@gmp.police.uk

PCSO Lauren Whelan introduced herself. She will be working across Norden and Bamford.

Burglary remains as the highest priority for the area. Residents are asked to be extra vigilant and ensure they do not present easy opportunities for burglars

Q: Home Watch Coordinators: Are the Police still supporting Home Watch? As a coordinator I haven’t received anything for a long while. A: After the departure of the officer in charge of this scheme things have slowed down, but we are committed to supporting this valuable scheme. The type of support given will change, but we will contact Coordinators soon..

Minutes of last meeting / update on actions / matters arising

The minutes of the19 May 2011 meeting were agreed as a true and accurate record. Stephen Granville gave an update on previous actions:

1. Highways issues: a. Bamford Way surface condition: A Highways officer will re-inspect the

road surface in the coming month. b. Bury Road re-surfacing: job now underway c. Roch Valley Way proposed surfacing: Councillor Duckworth advised

that there is a problem relating to surface noise. A Highways officer is to report back on this issue.

d. Meetings with Highways Managers: Councillor Duckworth has met with the new Impact manager and will maintain a dialogue on strategies for tackling Highways issues. Stephen Granville has set up a meeting this week with Highways officers to look at traffic and parking issues.

e. Transport for Greater Manchester: Various highways issues, including public transport and traffic light controls are dealt with at Greater Manchester level. Councillor Ian Duckworth continues to represent Rochdale on these meetings.

f. Norden Road / War Office Road speed enforcement: GM Police have

Electricity North West: 0800 048 1820

done a survey on speeds and will take enforcement measures over the next 6 months.

2. Bamford Green Environmental Improvement scheme: Councillor Jane Gartside has met up with others to agree changes to this Township-funded scheme.

3. Clay Lane open space: There is a maintenance agreement in place. Councillor Anne Metcalfe from Norden ward is dealing with this.

4. Meadowcroft Lane / Northdene Drive maintenance: Environmental Management Street Services are aware of the concerns about maintenance of verges, ginnels and footpaths at these locations.

Action 1: Stephen Granville to continue to work with Street Services to address residents’ concerns.

5. Norden Road pedestrian crossing timings: This is on a list of concerns to be raised by Stephen Granville at his meeting with Highways officers.

6. Tyrone Drive electricity sub-station tidy-up: Electricity North West have taken over responsibility for sub-stations. They have agreed to tackle all stations and are making good progress. Residents report that more needs to be done at Tyrone Drive. Residents also reported a damaged roof at Hawthorn Road, and a lack of signs at various sites.

Action 2: Stephen Granville to report concerns about sub-stations to Electricity North West.

Open Forum

1. Bus Service cuts: Councillor Ian Duckworth has met with Transport for Greater Manchester. He has not made any progress with the 461, as this is the responsibility of Rossendale, which lies outside the Greater Manchester area. He is still working to re-establish some schools services for September.

2. Bury Road / Norden Road junction narrow pavement: The pavement around this junction is hard to negotiate with a buggy on account of hedges..

Action 3: Stephen Granville to look into getting the hedges trimmed.

3. Meadowcroft Mill motorbikes: Motorbikes and cars are being driven in the grounds and buildings of this mill, which has been partially damaged by fire. Planning applications may be submitted soon.

Action 4: Stephen Granville to establish if this activity is authorised or safe, and to keep the Forum informed of Planning applications.

4. Bury Road parked vans: Commercial vans belonging to a furnishing firm based at Meadowcroft Mill are parked regularly on Bury Road between Crimble Lane and Woodtop Avenue. Some vehicles obstruct driveways – this is a matter for the Police.

Action 5: PCSO Lauren Whelan to relay the concerns of residents to her colleagues to action if necessary. Action 6: Stephen Granville to visit the site and talk to the furnishing firm.

5. Queens Park building sale: A resident expressed concern at the sale of a building in the park. Councillor Ian Duckworth said there was no cause for concern, as there are no plans to sell off other park assets.

Brimrod & Oakenrod News

Stephen Granville introduced this new agenda item, which gives people the chance to share information on achievements, events, services and new developments.

1. Greater Manchester Waste Plan / Mandale Park / Sparth: Councillor Ian Duckworth and Stephen Granville talked about proposed changes to the Greater Manchester Waste Plan and in particular the detail about plans for Mandale Park / Sparth.

Greater Manchester Geological Unit has prepared a draft plan for how the 10 Greater Manchester Councils plan for waste treatment and disposal over the next 15 years. The Waste Plan is about setting out what uses will be considered for development. The Councils will incorporate the final version in their Borough plans early next year.

The original draft plan contained plans for large waste treatment facilities and access road from Manchester Road. This was as the result of a proposal from a private firm, since withdrawn.

Some local people presented objections to this original proposal to the Government’s Planning Inspector in June 2011. The amendment is to replace this with a scaled-down plan based on local views and a better environmental impact, the key aspects of which are: • The plan excludes Mandale Park, with the exception of a small area

adjoining Norman Road • The proposal mostly affects Sparth Industrial Centre • There will be no new road • Planning will require new waste uses to be housed within buildings and

restricted to those identified in the plan that are compatible with the area.

• Planning will control all new proposals in terms of traffic generation, hours of operation etc.

• Planning will expect any developer contributions to benefit the local area (i.e. Sparth and Mandale Park), as agreed with Township Committee.

Councillor Duckworth expressed concerns about preparedness for flooding.

Planning is committed to developing Mandale Park as part of a network of footpaths and green spaces. The paths through the site will be upgraded.

The consultation period for the amendments is open until 2 September. There was general agreement that the amended proposal was an improvement on the original. Individuals are encouraged to submit their detailed viewpoints.

2. Asda distribution centre new jobs on Kingsway: The new centre will create 800 - 1,000 jobs on Kingsway Business Park.

3. Schools 20 mph zones: Impact will introduce 20mph zones around all schools in the coming months. Some will be full-time and some part-time speed limits.

4. Feel Good Festival: This takes place Friday 2 – Saturday 3 September.

5. Green Flag Awards: Votes are now being invited for the nation’s favourite Green Flag parks. See the Council website for details.

6. Scout Moor Wind Farm extension: Peel Energy are planning an extension to the wind farm. They will attend Norden, Healey and Spotland Area Forums. Details from Stephen Granville.

Proposals for a new cemetery

The agenda item for the Area Forum on proposals for a new cemetery was cancelled. In order to deal with the issue more thoroughly, Bamford Green Belt Action Group have arranged a public meeting to be held at 6:45pm Tuesday 6 September 2011 at Fieldhouse Cricket Club, Hollin Lane, Bamford.

Township Funds

Less funding available: As part of the Council’s efficiency savings, Rochdale Township Committee has its revenue funding by 50% compared to last year. The Committee has reduced the number of priorities it supports. The current priorities are Clean & Green and Communities & Engagement.

There is £12,000 set aside for supporting projects in each ward, which must be used to meet the priorities and be approved by Action & Resources Committee.

Allowances per Council Member remain at the same level - £2,000.

Christmas Tree 2011: All agreed that the Area Forum will support using Ward / Members’ Funds to repeat the seasonal display.

Action 7: Stephen Granville to work with Councillors and Environmental Management to ensure a good display.

Next meeting 6.30pm Monday 21 November 2011 at Bamford Chapel