Agenda item

There were five public questions received.

Question 1 – Barry Aspden

Would it be possible to publish the schedule for the repair of potholes, updated monthly and placed on the notice board in Failsworth Town Hall?  A simple spreadsheet detailing the following:-

·         Date reported

·         Date surveyed

·         Planned start date

·         Duration of repair

·         Estimated cost  

This would be beneficial to residents and the people employed to deal with reports of potholes, as a duplication of reported potholes would decrease.

Also, has a study been carried out to determine at what stage it is most cost effective to repair a pothole? For instance potholes only seem to get reported when they become a hazard, but it may be more cost effective and less disruptive to repair when at an early stage of degrading of the road surface. Maybe the cost of repairing at an early stage is more cost effective than a lengthier and more expensive repair a few months down the line.  

Councillor Garry provided the following response:

“Unfortunately it would not be possible to publish a list of scheduled pot hole repairs. Not all pot hole reports are progressed for repair and repair dates are not normally known until 3 days in advance – even then priorities can change at very short notice.

The Council’s highway maintenance computer system is able to link multiple reports of potholes to prevent duplication and can send email updates to all residents that report it after inspection and repair.

Pot hole repair funds are limited and are therefore prioritised to target defects that are unsafe. The Council does however use a variety of treatments which can be applied to road surfaces to prevent deterioration – roads to be treated are prioritised according to available funds and best value for money.”

Question 2 – Warren Bates

The last two District Executive meetings have been dominated by many residents concerned about the crime and anti-social behaviour in our area which has created an unsettled atmosphere of fear and justified anger.

What further action have you taken since then in order to re-assure the residents that their confidence about the serious concerns are going to be dealt with?

Furthermore, don’t you think you owe this to them?

Councillor Fielding provided the following response:

Prior to the meeting in which we had the largest attendance at a District Executive, elected members were working with the Police and still are to deploy scarce resources within Failsworth due to the fact there are far fewer police.

The area shares officers with other Districts including Royton, Shaw, Chadderton and Saddleworth if there is a major incident.

Discussions had already taken place in relation to shift patterns and the Police had agreed to rearrange shifts to cover peak periods in Failsworth which were Friday and Saturday nights and now there were two extra Police Officers in Failsworth which was an increase on six months ago.

Councillor Fielding  advised the meeting that the current resource was still not enough and he wasn’t satisfied with the low numbers of police on the streets but it was a decision of the Home office and Failsworth needed to utilise the resource as best as possible.  

Question 3 – Warren Bates

Having just read the budget report on local Councillors expenditure form thir personal budget, I note that each Labour Councillor from the East and West Wards had donated £166.67 for the refurbishment of the toilets/changing rooms at Woodhouses Cricket Club.

Could the Chair please provide and explanation as to the reason a commercial enterprise has been given rate payers money for such a facility?

Councillor Jacques provided the following response:

Woodhouses Cricket Club had a rich history of supporting young people in the community and provided social engagement.

The District Executive welcomed the opportunity to support community groups and the Cricket Club wanted to expand provision for all members of the community.

The request from the club was to support funding new changing rooms and many of the Failsworth community had utilised the facilities at the club and this was the reason why councillors across the ward felt the budget spend was beneficial. It was further reported that a community cricket club could not be a commercial enterprise.

Question 5 – Kathleen Wilkinson

I would like to ask if any decision has yet been made on where the monies raised from the S106 at the Lancaster Site will be allocated. Can you confirm that this large sum of money will benefit the community of Failsworth in some way?

Councillor Fielding provided the following response:

The S106 affordable housing contributions go into one pot of money which could be utilised anywhere in Oldham. Councillor Fielding had identified sites within Failsworth and had fed this information into the affordable housing process. Although sites had been put forward, the District could not insist or demand where the affordable housing sites would be however Members were doing as much as possible to ensure affordable housing would be built in Failsworth.

Question 5 – Mark Wilkinson

I would like to know what the 2 new food outlets to be erected on Tesco Car Park are going to be- i.e. Restaurant, Bakers, Take-Away?

Will these business be allowed to trade in the evening or will there be restrictions?

Councillor Fielding provided the following response:

Planning permission had been approved to change to lay out of Tesco Car Park to incorporate two units. The permission did not provide details of the potential lessee.  The site is wholly owned by Brookhouse who can rent the properties to who whomever they wish.

The District did have the opportunity to look at the conditions attached to the properties at the Licensing and or planning stage.

If the potential use was controversial or the conditions were not acceptable, Members would make representations on behalf of residents.

A weekly list of such matters was circulated to all elected Members and Councillor Fielding would keep checking the list for the relevant properties.  

RESOLVED – That the public questions and responses be noted.