Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

One item of urgent business was tabled.

The Failsworth & Hollinwood District Executive noted the planning approval for the Phoenix Industrial Estate.

It was felt that under current planning rules it wouldn’t have been possible to refuse the application. It was acknowledged that the Planning Committee had refused a similar application which was overturned by the Planning Inspectorate on Appeal.

The Industrial Estate was home to a number of small local businesses and provided over 100 people with employment.  The allocation of funds for professional support to assist relocation was welcomed.

It was accepted that the estate was privately owned and the Council was not involved in terminating the leases, however it was important that the Council sought confirmation that the relocation support promised was being carried out.

RESOLVED that a letter be sent to the Director for Economy and Enterprise requesting an update at the next meeting outlining;

·         Full details of the business relocation support on offer

·         Details of those where alternative premises have been found, and those without alternative premises identified or secured

·         Confirmation from the owners that any statutory compensation payments are being honoured, where required

Councillor Garry declared a personal interest in Item 8 – Failsworth and Hollinwood District Partner Updates, by virtue of her husband’s employment at GMP.

Councillor McMahon declared a personal interest in Item 8 – Failsworth and Hollinwood District Partner Updates, by virtue of his appointment as Lead Members for GMCA for Transport and Oldham Property Partnership.

Councillor Briggs declared a personal interest in Item 8 – Failsworth and Hollinwood District Partner Updates, by virtue of his appointment on the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.

There were two public question received.

1.       Mr Antony Cahill, Failsworth East Ward, Oldham

“Many people living around Roman Road have asked about the volume of traffic especially during school times. Because of the single carriage way on Oldham Road there seem to be a high volume of traffic going both ways on Roman Road. It appears that traffic is coming off Oldham Road and onto Ashton Road at one end and from  Albert Street at the other end. It is supposed to be a 20 m.p.h. speed limit but very little notice of this is being considered by lorry and van driver's rushing to and from work. Residents on Roman Road are complaining about the additional noise but the main concern must be for the schoolchildren of Stansfield Road school.  Can there be anything done about this?”

It was reported that a traffic survey had been undertaken on Roman Road and when comparing the traffic volume figures to a survey undertaken in 2000 there had been very little change.

Roman Road was part of a 20 mph school safety zone which aimed to reduce the mean speed of traffic to around 20 mph, which the traffic survey suggested had been achieved.  However, the 85th percentile speeds were higher than expected for a 20 mph zone and there were a small number of motorists who were driving at inappropriate speeds and the matter had been forwarded to the Police for attention.  

The Greater Manchester injury accident database revealed that in the 3 years prior to the year 2000, 7 injury accidents were recorded along Roman Road, but in the last 3 years, 1 injury accident had been recorded; this would suggest the traffic calming measures had been successful in terms of accident reduction.  In view of this, Roman Road fell below current intervention levels for the provision of additional traffic calming features.

As Mr Cahill was not in attendance a written response would be sent.

2.       Mr Peter Davis, Bradshaw Avenue, Failsworth West Ward, Oldham

“At yesterday evening’s meeting of the Planning Committee, there were two items of the agenda concerning applications in Failsworth; one in each of the two wards.

The first item was in relation to compensation to be offered to businesses at the phoenix industrial estate in Failsworth East.  Councillor Bates, Councillor for Failsworth West, chose to speak on this item and set out his opposition to planning permission for housing on the site – a matter that was not relevant as it had been decided more than 4 years ago.  During his contribution he repeatedly referred to a business owner on the site who manufactures false teeth.

When plans for Failsworth West were considered, the construction of homes on the former Brookdale Pub site, Councillor Bates had left the meeting. 

It is widely known that the business person Councillor Bates referred to during his contribution yesterday was the UKIP candidate in Failsworth East during last year’s local elections.   

Does the District Executive feel that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Minutes of the Failsworth and Hollinwood District Executive meeting held on 23^rd July 2015 are attached for approval.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd July 2015 be approved as a correct record.

This is a standing item regarding Petitions received, relating to the Failsworth and Hollinwood area, for consideration by the District Executive in accordance with the Council’s Petition Protocol.  No petitions have been received.

No petitions had been received.

The District Executive received a report which advised of the budgets aligned for the 2015/2016 municipal year.

The following initiatives were requested to be considered for approval:-

1.       Provisional allocation of £3000 from the Failsworth West capital budget for the resurfacing of Somerset Road.

2.       The remaining balance of £943.67 from the Failsworth East revenue budget and £120 from the Failsworth East capital budget be ring-fenced for the media box at Ravenoak Drive.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The funding allocated and the current spend to date of the Failsworth & Hollinwood District Executive for the municipal year for 2015/2016 be noted.

2.       The provisional allocation of £3000 from the Failsworth West capital budget for the resurfacing of Somerset Road be approved.

3.       The ring-fencing of the remaining balance of £943.67 from the Failsworth East revenue budget and £120 from the Failsworth East capital budget, for the media box at Ravenoak Drive, be approved.  

The District Executive received updates on the following:

a)          Integrated Neighbourhood Policing – A report was submitted on crime statistics for the area and provided information on E-Watch, crime prevention, ASB issues, Police helicopter visit to Failsworth, Earls Lodge, Failsworth Citizenship class and transition days. 

The District Executive noted the increase in antisocial behaviour and queried how best to engage with parents to help address issues.  Greater Manchester Police reported that there had been a focus on antisocial behaviour and Local Resolution Officers now followed up on complaints and reports, which had impacted on crime statistics.   

The Travel Safe initiative was highlighted with Special Constables working on buses and trams to address antisocial behaviour and fare avoidance. 

The District Executive also queried violent crime figures and requested that a breakdown on arrest and detection figures. 

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

c)          Highways and Engineering Services – A report was submitted which provided an update on issues raised by Councillors and members of the public and gave and overview of the current activity in Highways.

The District Executive noted with disappointment the update regarding Tesco, Failsworth.  Numerous options had been offered to Tesco; however a resolution to the proposals was still to be secured.

Safety of the car park was a major concern and crossing points needed to be considered as part of the plan.   

It was proposed that a report be commissioned on the feasibility of closing the road through Tesco car park, unless there was significant progress in negotiations with Tesco within the next month.  It was requested that Officers communicate the District Executive’s position to Tesco immediately. 

Highway work on Lord Lane was raised, as following the carriageway resurfacing no road markings were currently in place.  However the investment in Lord Lane and Somerset Avenue was welcomed.  The District Co-ordinator was requested to follow up on the road markings issue. 

RESOLVED that:

1. The updates be noted.

2. Greater Manchester Police provide a breakdown on violent crime detection and arrest figures to the District Executive.

3.A report be commissioned on the feasibility of closing the road through Tesco car park, unless there was significant progress in negotiations with Tesco within the next month; and the District Executive’s position to be communicated to Tesco immediately. 

4. The District Co-ordinator request an update on Lord Lane road markings.

The next meeting of the Failsworth and Hollinwood District Executive will be held on Thursday 26^th November 2015 at 7.00pm.

RESOLVED that the date of the next meeting be noted.