Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Briggs and Williams.

Urgent business, if any, introduced by the Chair

There were no items of urgent business received.

To Receive Declarations of Interest in any Contract or matter to be discussed at the meeting.

Councillor Garry declared a personal interest in Item 9 – Failsworth & Hollinwood District Updates, by virtue of her husband’s employment at GMP.

To receive Questions from the Public, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There was one public question received. 

1.      Mr. John Crompton, Failsworth Historical Society

“Our question to ask will follow a brief statement of reason and we would be grateful for a verbal response and a written response to our Society Committee if you would respond please.

The statement is relating to our efforts in bringing back into Public sighting of the Historical artefacts now being installed into the Library area of the Town Hall, namely the top of the third Pole and Cock and on Tuesday next the Bust of Ben Brierley.  It is our intention to ensure that items of local history belong within the area where the Local Residents can view these items freely.  They are joining items already established within the building and there are three (3) more items that require the same opportunity. 

We refer to the Chairs from the Failsworth Urban District Council Chamber, namely the Chairman’s Chair and two more belonging to the deputy Chairman and secretary.  These are situated in the Broadbent Luncheon Club room and Portacabin respectively.  They are in need of refurbishment and we would like to see these brought into good condition and brought on view.  We would also be prepared to place a contribution towards there refurbishment.  However we understand from a secondary source, albeit unsubstantiated, that these were granted some time ago to the Failsworth Carnival Committee although there is no record of this taking place officially!

Before any commitment on our Society behalf to begin any undertaking of restoration we wish to have clarification established to their ownership.  Once this is established we would be pleased to enter into discussion more fully for this to be fulfilled.”

Councillor Bates raised concerns over statements being made during Public Question Time as opposed to questions. 

The Chair thanked Mr Crompton for his question.  Councillor McMahon further thanked Mr Crompton for taking on the baton of collecting the artefacts and agreed that it would be beneficial to refurbish the Chairs.  Councillor McMahon also agreed to progress the project and liaise with the Carnival Committee. 

The Minutes of the Failsworth and Hollinwood District Executive held on 31^st July 2014 are attached for approval.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 31^st July 2014 be approved as a correct record subject to Members noting that the cost of the Commemorative Boulders, referred to in Minute 7, should be £3835 for Higher Memorial Park and £1035 for Lower Memorial Park. 

Councillor Bates requested that ‘Matters Arising’ be included as a standing item on the District Executive agenda.  The Executive Director advised that, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, minutes were a record of decisions and summary of proceedings and were a standard agenda item to confirm accuracy.  Should Members have issues they wish to raise at District Executive meetings they may request items to be considered for the agenda by contacting the Chair or District Co-ordinator.

Councillor Bates requested the guidance be provided in writing and was subsequently referred to Article 11 of the Council’s Constitution which was available on the Council’s website.  A hard copy of Article 11 would also be provided after the meeting.

The District Executive considered a report on the small amount of funding that had been allocated from the Public Health Budget for district partnerships to spend on their public health priorities.

It was reported that at the last Health and Wellbeing meeting the group discussed possible projects which could be investigated further for possible funding through the Public Health funding stream, these included:-

·        Oral Health (Oral health packs to new social landlord tenants and Dental Play Box)

·        Smoking

·        General Health and Wellbeing (NHS Blue Bus, Health Improvement Training, Walking Football League and Walking Paths and Trim Trials)

RESOLVED that:

1.      The report be noted.

2.      The work done by the Health and Wellbeing Sub Group be supported.

The District Executive gave consideration to a report where Field In Trust requested organisations to submit an application for sites to be considered for Centenary Fields to commemorate those that lost their lives in World War 1. 

Fields In Trust were delivering a nationwide initiative in partnership with the Royal British Legion.  Centenary Fields aimed to secure recreational spaces in perpetuity to honour the memory of the millions of people who lost their lives in World War 1.  This would commemorate the significant milestone in history and create a tangible local legacy that would be valued by communities for generations to come.   

RESOLVED that the District Executive supports in principle the Higher Memorial Park, Lower Memorial park and the piece of land bought by subscription behind the park to be the chosen sites recommended to Fields In Trust. 

The District Executive received a revised report which advised on the current commitments and spends in respect of Elected Members individual budgets and the District Executive budget including Capital spend for 2014/15.

Councillor Bates stated that he remained unclear on how the individual Councillor budgets could be utilised and the application process. 

Advice was given on the procedure and Councillor Bates was directed to the Council’s Constitution and was advised this was the framework the Council operated within.  The Chair offered Councillor Bates a training session on rules of procedure to address any concerns he may have had, however Councillor Bates declined the offer.

A number of queries were raised and clarification given on expenditure for a number of projects within Councillors Individual budgets.

The report outlined the following initiatives which were requested to be considered for funding:-

1.      Oldham Cancer Support - £1000

2.      Woodhouses Cricket Club - £2000

3.      Hollinwood Christmas Lights - £1110

A further bid for funding was received for warning signage on Popular Street totalling £400.

RESOLVED that:

1.      The current budget position for both Capital and Revenue for the Failsworth and Hollinwood District Executive, along with the Councillors individual budget be noted.

2.      The allocation of £1000 for Oldham Cancer Support be approved.

3.      The allocation of £2000 for Woodhouses Cricket Club be approved.

4.      The allocation of £1110 for Hollinwood Christmas Lights be approved.

5.      The allocation of £400 for Popular Street warning signs be approved.

6.      The costings of the centenary boulders for Higher and Lower Memorial Parks outlined in Appendix 1 be confirmed. 

The District Executive received updates on the following:

a) Failsworth and Hollinwood District Team

b) Integrated Neighbourhood Policing – A report was submitted and Inspector Taylor gave a verbal update on crime statistics for the area. 

Concerns were raised regarding violent crime, assault without injury and theft from motor vehicles.  It was requested that further information be included in reports on overall conviction rates.

It was reported that Chief Superintendent Caroline Ball had offered to attend a meeting of the District Executive, should it be required.

A query was raised regarding Police Officers checking buses and addressing crime and whether this resulted in less Officers on patrol.  It was reported that there was no current operation specifically aimed at tackling bus crime, however Officers would take necessary action if required whilst using the bus service to commute.     

It was reported that following the success of Operation Tuscan in Failsworth, which was aimed at anti social behaviour, the operation was now borough wide.  Leaflets were being distributed promoting E-Watch, which was a collation of email addresses submitted by residents and businesses so that Greater Manchester Police could contact them with monthly newsletters, general information and highlight incidents in the area.  Residents could also email Greater Manchester Police with information they wished to pass on.   

Appreciation was give to Inspectors Taylor and Troisi for the improved working relationship with the District Executive.

c) Regeneration - A report was submitted which covered the following Issues:

• Old Town Hall
• Oldham Town Centre Leisure Centre
• Coliseum and Heritage Centre
• Town Centre Public Realm
• Broadway Green
• Hollinwood
• Royton Town Centre Retail Development
• Hollinwood Junction
• Lancaster Club Site
• A62 Interventions
• Limehurst Estate
• Housing Units/Wickentree Lane

d) Citizens Advice Bureau – an update was given on the weekly debt advice sessions at Failsworth Town Hall and Limehurst Library.  

Councillor Fielding gave thanks for the neighbourhood advice sessions.

e) Community Safety – an update was given on community safety initiatives including alley gating projects.  

RESOLVED that the updates be noted and the Failsworth and Hollinwood District Team priorities for 2014/15 be agreed.  .

The next meeting of the Failsworth and Hollinwood District Executive will be held on Thursday 20^th November 2014 at 7.00pm.

RESOLVED that the date of the next meeting be noted.