Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Dawson and John Rooney.

There were no items of urgent business received.

Councillor Garry declared a personal interest in Item 8 – Partner Updates, by virtue of her husband’s employment at Greater Manchester Police.

There were two public questions received.

1. Mr Steve Ivell, Mitre Street, Failsworth, Oldham

“What can Councillors do to improve the traffic situation in Failsworth, specifically the A62 and M60 junction, and single lane section of A62?”

It was reported that the traffic arrangements at Ivy Mill were causing problems and a meeting was being arranged with them to discuss a way forward.  Furthermore, Highways and Engineering were currently liaising with SCOOT regarding the A62.  Councillor Briggs agreed to take up and pursue this issue.   

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

“At the previous meeting of the District Executive I asked why Councillor Bates had not spent much of his personal ward budget.

He told me that he did not agree that Failsworth should get this money spent in the area – something that I thought was a bizarre thing for a Failsworth Councillor to say given that he should welcome investment in the area.

However he promised that despite his opposition to investment in Failsworth, the money was earmarked for various projects.  Looking at Councillor Bates’ ward budget spend in the papers for this meeting, he has spent no more than he had at the last meeting.  Was Councillor Bates being dishonest at the last meeting when he said that he had identified things to spend it on?

We are fast approaching the end of the financial year and if this money is not spent I understand it will be taken away and the people of Failsworth will lose out.  Can I ask that, if Councillor bates has no ideas on what to spend his money on, it is handed over to the Committee for them to allocate so that Failsworth does not lose out because of his inactivity?”

Once again Councillor Bates explained that there had been an increase in the individual Councillor budget this year and gave assurance that a significant proportion of his budget had been committed and was currently being processed.

Concerns were raised regarding the lack of clarity in relation to Cllr Bates’ budget allocations, as no progress made in committing the monies appeared in the budget report.  The Chair therefore requested that the Executive Director and the District Co-ordinator conduct an audit to clarify the situation. 

The Minutes of the Failsworth and Hollinwood District Executive meeting held on 26^th November 2015 are attached for approval.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 26^th November 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.

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

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 and Homewatch.

The District Executive noted the increase in violent crime and queried the reason for this.  Greater Manchester Police reported that the new Local Resolution Officers now followed up on complaints and reports which had impacted on crime statistics.  It was requested that the statistics include the number of prosecutions to enable comparison with the rest of Greater Manchester.  It was advised that this would be difficult to execute, however the request would be submitted to the Director. 

Concerns were also raised regarding the increase in alcohol related incidents and it was requested that further comparisons be submitted to a future meeting of the District Executive. 

The District Executive gave thanks to Greater Manchester Police for all their hard work.  

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

It was requested that a more detailed report, including client statistics from all areas of the Borough, be submitted to a future meeting of the District Executive.

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

· Old Town Hall

· Oldham Town Centre Leisure Centre

· Coliseum & Heritage Centre

· Town Centre Public Realm

· Broadway Green/Foxdenton

· Royton Town Centre Retail Development

· Hollinwood Junction

· Lancaster Club Site

· A62 Interventions

· Limehurst Estate

· Housing Units/Wickentree Lane

d) 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.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The updates be noted.

2.       The CAB be requested to provide a more detailed report, including client statistics from all areas of the Borough, to a future meeting of the District Executive.

3.       Greater Manchester Police be requested to provide a breakdown of prosecutions in relation to violent crime and also further detail in relation to alcohol related incidents. 

The next meeting of the Failsworth and Hollinwood District Executive will be held on Thursday 17^th March 2016 at 7.00pm.

RESOLVED that the date of the next meeting be noted.