Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

The Chair agreed to consider an Item of urgent business – Creating Peace Gardens across the Borough. The reason for urgency was the need to ensure the current Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Derek Heffernan in his role as Oldham’s First Mayor of Peace would be able to unveil the peace poles within the Borough as his term of office was due to end 17^th May 2017.

The following public question was received from Parish Councillor Louie Hamblett.

‘I have noticed for some time that during the weekends mainly Fri and Sat there is quite a spike in many revellers enjoying our night life however that then can spill out onto the streets of the town centre, which usually disturbs the local populous and can cause damage to commercial and public property.

With our local policing and ambulance services already stretched and many incidents going unseen till to late or in some cases never reported I would like to propose if possible that a group of hopefully volunteers  be set up to  aim for an objective to watch over town centre party goers during the weekend and give a helping hand. 
The scheme should it go ahead would run with the backing of the Local DE, Greater Manchester Police and Parish
The aim of the project is to keep people safe and demonstrate genuine first aid care, It is hoped that all volunteers are basic or intermediate first aid.
The idea is provide brews for those who need to sober-up, support anyone awaiting transport, collect empty bottles to avoid injury and simply spend time talking to people. Also to report any crimes that may occur but not get involved or break up fights, stop crime or prevent damage, the hope is with a regular presence that such case will drop naturally as seen in many other town with such schemes. Oldham, Bolton, Halifax and Manchester have such a scheme and whilst we maybe not as big that doesn't mean that the same issue may not affect the district centre. The hours that Volunteers may operate in will be subject to the amount of footfall and situation within the centre, IE stay out longer for sporting events or local events such as family fun weekend or Christmas lights switch on but may not require as much presence if a fairly quiet evening.

All volunteers would be in a team no smaller than four for the evening and broken down into pairs with at least one group leader out on shift to manage the overall evening. Any volunteer may become a group leader if they show the necessary skills, willingness and longevity to the scheme.

This is a basic and rough outline that is based on many other such schemes I hope that perhaps such a scheme could work within our Town centre and keep our nightlife just a little bit safer.’

RESOLVED – That:

1.    Jo Curran, Oldham Council Community Safety be contacted for further information in relation to the night time economy in Shaw.

2.    Oldham Street Angels be contacted to provide information about the scheme that was currently running in Oldham Town Centre.

3.    A report be prepared once all information had been received and submitted to a future Councillor briefing for consideration. Following consideration by ward councillors, a report be submitted to the District Executive to respond to the public question.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th December 2016 are attached for approval.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th December 2016 be approved as a correct record.

Consideration was given to a report to the Borough’s District Executives which sought approval of a Peace Pole to be installed at Dunwood Park and approval to purchase further poles at prominent locations in Shaw.

It was reported that the cost of the poles would be met by the District Executive budget but installation of the first pole would be underwritten by the Parks Department.

Members requested details of the cost of installation of further poles at locations within the District including the Memorial Gardens and High Crompton Park.

Members noted that on the 6^th May 2017 an event would be held in Dunwood Park on International Labyrinth Day in conjunction with the Friends of Dunwood Park.

RESOLVED – That:

1.    A peace pole with the 8 most spoken languages in the Borough including English and French, at a cost of £210 plus £30 for delivery be approved. The unveiling of the poles to be undertaken by the Mayor of Oldham during his remaining months in office.

2.    The costs to be jointly funded by Shaw and Crompton Councillors.

3.    To investigate the costs of installing further poles within the district. (Memorial Gardens and High Crompton).

No new petitions have been received since the last meeting of the District Executive.

NOTED that no petitions had been received.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the Shaw and Crompton Community Forum held on 6th December 2016, be noted.

To update District Executive with the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Sub Group meeting held on 13th December 2016, for noting

RESOLVED -That the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Sub-Group meeting of 13^th December 2016 be noted.

Councillor Item

Members were advised that the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) would be a standing Items for future meetings. As at 24^th January 2017 no further information had been received in relation to the framework.

It was noted that all Shaw and Crompton Members attended the save Shaw Greenbelt march on 2^nd January 2017. It was further note that another march would be taking place in Manchester involving ‘Save the Greenbelt’ groups on the 1^st April 2017 starting at Manchester Town Hall.

To update the District Executive with the Shaw and Crompton Budget Report and

Appendix A

Consideration was given to a report of the Shaw and Crompton District Co-ordinator which advised on current budget commitments and spending.

The meeting was advised that £1,000 has been allocated from the Crompton Wards Environmental Improvement capital budget to fund works to Windsor Court communal gardens and £10,000 allocated from the Shaw wards Environmental Improvement Capital budget to fund highway improvements at Kershaw Street.

RESOLVED that the report and allocations be noted.

The next meeting of the Shaw and Crompton District Executive and Community Forum will be held on Tuesday, 7^th March 2017 at 6.00 p.m

RESOLVED the next meeting of the Shaw and Crompton District Executive will be on Tuesday 7th March 2017 at 6.00pm.