Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

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

Three public questions had been received, however as there were no members of the public present to receive a response to two of the questions, it was agreed that a written response would be provided.

1. Mr Antony Cahill, 79 Ravenoak Drive, Failsworth, Oldham

“In the Budget report it states that a total of £2955.04 was spent on improvements to Ravenoak Drive.  £1477.52 from Councillor McMahon and the same amount from Councillor Briggs.

As a resident of Ravenoak Drive and talking to my near neighbours the only improvements were to fencing at the rear of houses on Roman Road that back onto Ravenoak Drive.  The top concrete slabs were replaced and one side of the fence was painted brown.  There were 21 of these slabs and they can be priced at £10 each.  This comes nowhere near the previously mentioned figure.

There are no other improvements on Ravenoak Drive.  Separate money has been put aside for the removal of a Virgin Media Box.  Trees behind my house had their branches trimmed by a business owner from Phoenix Mill, because they were on un-adopted land.  Residents paid for their own garden trees to be trimmed down.  Other fencing near to the park was completed over 2 years ago.

At no point am I calling into question the integrity of the two Councillors mentioned or indeed people sitting here in front of me.  It just appears that someone is trying to pull the wool over someone’s eyes to the detriment of the residents in and around Ravenoak Drive. 

Could you therefore look into this matter and obtain what was done with this money.  If I am totally wrong then I will be happy in the knowledge that the people received the right amount of work on improvements.”

It was reported that there had been difficult relationship issues between the residents of Roman Road and Ravenoak Drive.  Roman Road residents had painted the fence with anti-vandal paint and Councillor McMahon had been contacted by residents of Ravenoak Drive to remedy the situation. 

The Council had adopted the highway that adjoins the fence but didn’t own the fence itself and there was a dispute over ownership.  However, the Council intervened and replaced posts and fence panels with the anti-vandal paint.  It also funded the removal of the Virgin Media Box.  This was therefore the true cost paid to an approved contractor.  Furthermore, some signage work was still to be completed.   

The Minutes of the Failsworth and Hollinwood District Executive held on 28^th January 2016 are attached for approval.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th January 2016 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.   The £6000 allocated to tree planting from the Failsworth West Capital Budget be revised with £5000 being allocated towards Lower Memorial Park Toilets, leaving an unallocated balance of £2000.

2.   The remaining £2000 Failsworth West Capital Budget, together with £1000 from the Failsworth West Revenue Budget be allocated to the Safer Homes Project.

3.   The remaining £1316.67 of the Failsworth West Revenue Budget be allocated to tree planting.

4.   £2000 for the Argus Street Yellow Lining Programme be allocated from the Hollinwood Capital Budget.

5.   £5000 for the Walkers Road Community Centre replacement toilets be allocated from the Hollinwood Capital Budget.

6.   The remaining £3000 within the Hollinwood Capital Budget be allocated to the Safer Homes Project.

It was highlighted that the remaining Individual Councillor Budgets needed to be allocated before the end of the financial year.

The District Executive gave thanks to Nik Anderson, Senior Arboricultural and Countryside Officer, for the great work done with the tree planting.

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 £6000 allocated to tree planting from the Failsworth West Capital Budget, revised to £5000 being allocated towards Lower Memorial Park Toilets, leaving an unallocated balance of £2000, be approved.

3.   The allocation of the remaining £2000 Failsworth West Capital Budget, together with £1000 from the Failsworth West Revenue Budget for the Safer Homes Project be approved.

4.   An allocation of £1316.67 from the Failsworth West Revenue Budget for tree planting be approved.

5.   An allocation of £2000 for the Argus Street Yellow Lining Programme from the Hollinwood Capital Budget be approved.

6.   An allocation of £5000 for the Walkers Road Community Centre replacement toilets from the Hollinwood Capital Budget be approved.

7.   An allocation of £3000 for the Safer Homes Project from the Hollinwood Capital Budget be approved.

8.   All remaining Individual Councillor Budgets be allocated by the end of the financial year.

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 arrests, engagement, E-Watch, crime prevention, ASB issues and Homewatch.

    A vote of thanks was given to PC Cullen for the work and support provided during his time at Failsworth.  PC Cullen would be transferring to Saddleworth in May.

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

It was once again 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.

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.

The next meeting of the Failsworth and Hollinwood District Executive will be held on Thursday 9^th June 2016 at 7.00pm.

RESOLVED that the date of the next meeting be noted.

The Chair paid tribute and gave thanks to Councillor Dawson, who was standing down at the next election.