Oswaldtwistle Area Council
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OSWALDTWISTLE AREA COUNCIL Tuesday, 6 th March, 2012 Present: Councillor Peter Britcliffe (in the Chair); Councillors Addison, Haworth, Hayes, Roberts and Walmsley In Attendance: Co-optees: N. Mooney (Friends of Rhyddings Park) , P. Trickett (Rhyddings High School) and County Councillor Younis Residents: J. Allen, M. Allen, L. Armstrong, J. Bain, I. Barnes, H. Baxter, C. Beetham, B.T. Bolton, K. Capstick, M. Cleary, A. Conroy, J. Cottrell, E. Creasey, J. Cunliffe, R. Cunliffe, M. Dan, A. Dobson, R. Driver, A. Fruzynski, K. Gibson, H. Gregson, M. Hanratty, D. Haworth, A. Haymes, P. Higson, R. Higson, M. Keba, K. Keogh, D. Lambert, V. Martin, O. McFadden, M. Safidar, K. Shackleton, J. Slack, S. Tilley, B. Westwell, C. Whalan, M. Wilkinson and C. Yates (Residents: 39 ) Officers: H. Gee, S. Gardner, A. Roberts – Hyndburn Borough Council O. Starkey & A. Coombes – Lancashire County Council Councillor J. Slater & D. Law – Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council David Wild & Tony Crawley – Highways Agency T. Ford – Neighbourhood Watch - Lancashire Constabulary Serg. Kennedy and P.C. Stokes – Lancashire Constabulary K. Watkins – Accrington Observer 543 Welcome The Chair welcomed residents to Oswaldtwistle Area Council. 544 Apologies for Absence Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor McCormack and G. Knight. 545 Declaration of Interest No declarations of interest were submitted. 546 Minutes of the Last Meeting The Minutes of the Oswaldtwistle Area Management Council held on 22 nd March, 2011 (Paper A) were submitted for approval. Agreed - That the minutes of the Oswaldtwistle Area Management Council held on 22 nd March, 2011 be received and approved as a correct record. 254 547 Matters Arising & What’s Happening About The Chair referred to the following issues taken from the minutes and updated residents on events:- Civic Theatre The Chair reported on a number of events scheduled to take place at the Civic Theatre including the Ossie Players on 25 th & 28 th April 2012. Trinity Street Area Councillor Addison reported that the old basketball court site on Trinity Street had been filled in and tidied up. She pointed out that there had been a number of problems in the area, particularly with dogs. The Chair requested that Ann Roberts reported this problem to the Dog Warden and that Councillor Addison liaised with the residents of the area to resolve a number of local issues. 548 Ward Councillors St. Oswalds Ward Councillor Haworth reported on a number of issues affecting the ward over the past few months including problems with fly tipping on Nook Lane, allotment rent increases, the Moss Lane travellers hearing and the Belthorn traffic problems. Nook Lane - She informed the meeting that the waste on Nook Lane had been removed after she had reported it to the Council and they were now looking at ways to prevent future tipping. Allotment Rent Increase - She reported that rent increases on allotments had been suspended for 6 months in order to review the proposals. Moss Lane Hearing – She explained that a hearing in respect of the travellers on Moss Lane would be held at Accrington Town Hall later in the month. She indicated that the Councillors for St. Oswalds Ward and Councillor Britcliffe would be in attendance to ensure that the residents’ views were given and to support the implementation of the enforcement notice. Councillor Hayes indicated that he would provide a further update on this issue later in the meeting. St. Andrew’s Ward Councillor Walmsley expressed his disappointment that improvements to St. Paul’s car park had not taken place due to changes to the budget. He indicated that the car park still needed improving and he would continue to work to resolve the problems. Councillor Britcliffe reported that the Area Council had used its budget to support a number of Christmas Parties for elderly resident of Oswaldtwistle and Belthorn. Immanuel Ward Councillor Addison reported that benches had been installed on Merlin Drive. She referred to the concerns of residents about the hours the contractors were operating on the windfarm site on Haslingden Old Road and the state that the roads were being left in. She pointed out that she had spoken to the contractors and the Council’s Planning Department and as a result the state of the roads had improved and the official hours of work had been enforced. Lancashire County Council County Councillor Britcliffe referred to his support for St. Mary’s Football Club and reported on the progress of the £1.1 million improvements being undertaken in which the Area Council had 255 contributed a grant of £1,000. Clive Yates, St. Mary’s Football Club, reported that there had been delays due to problems with drainage but that works should be completed within the next few weeks. He referred to a grant given through Lancashire County Council and the Free Masons for Arthritis care. He referred to the work done by the Arthritis charity and that the grant they had received would help to cover costs for the next couple of years. Lancashire County Council grants had also been given to Immanuel Cricket Club of £1000 for a new score board and Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre of £1,000 for activities with people of all ages. County Councillor Younis reported on problems that had occurred on Durham Drive and that he had been working with Councillor Addison and County Council Highways Department to resolve the problems. He reported on plans to adopt the Drive but warned that the process could be lengthy. Police Report Community Beat Manager Stoke reported on Police activity in Oswaldtwistle and Knuzden since the last meeting. She explained that because there had been slight changes to the policing boundaries since the last meeting it would not be possible to provide comparable crime statistics for the area. She reported that the Police had been working with the Youth Club to get funding for youth provision and to prevent anti-social behaviour. She reported that the police had been focusing on drug warrants and as a consequence there had been big drug finds in Knuzden. She gave details of when and where PACT meetings took place and invited residents to attend to discuss any concerns. Neighbourhood Watch Eastern Division Tony Ford, Blackburn Police, reported on his new role as Neighbourhood Watch Manager for the Easter Division. He referred to a new commitment to the scheme and intentions to encourage residents to take part by becoming co-ordinators. He indicated that the aim was to improve security in neighbourhoods and for residents and the Police to work together. Residents and Councillors expressed concern about the level of communication to the Police currently open to residents and their frustration at a lack of Police response after reporting incidents. Tony Ford responded that his aim was to improve lines of communications. Councillor Roberts (also the Chair of the Community Safety Partnership) advised residents of the alternative to report incidents to Crime Stoppers and encouraged residents to ensure that their properties were always left secure. Friends of Rhyddings Park Update Neil Mooney reported: • that the Children’s Garden Project was still on-going and that they were waiting to see if the funding bid had been successful. He pointed out that £20,000 match funding was still required. • that the Big Games had been held in the new Multi-Use Games Area. • An inter-schools sports day had been held. • School holiday fun days would be held. • the Pets Corner was still being looked after by Bootstrap. • the path works at the bottom of the park had been completed. • the bowling green had been completed. • the 2012 calendar had been created with local schools • free sports sessions for 7 to 14 year olds Resolved - That Oswaldtwistle Area Council approved £20,000 to the Friends of Rhyddings Park to be used as match funding to develop the Children’s Play Area. 256 Oswaldtwistle Area Council Office The Chair informed residents that the Oswaldtwistle Area Council Office would be open for residents on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9.30 a.m. He explained that residents would be able to express their concerns or submit their complaints on local issues and Councillors would be holding surgeries there. Rhyddings High School Paul Trickett, Headteacher of Rhyddings High School reported that the school had been Ofsted inspected in October 2011 and rated ‘good’. He informed the meeting that the school would be running free lessons on ICT skills available to residents of all age groups on Fridays of each week. He pointed out that the school had a number of other community projects planned and was involved with Hyndburn Homes on a joint project. Highways Update Oliver Starkey (Lancashire County Council (L.C.C.) provided update reports on the following: Garden Street Residents Only Parking Scheme - Oliver Starkey (Lancashire County Council (L.C.C.)) reported that the proposed residents only parking scheme on Garden Street was being processed by the County Council Legal Department and were currently drafting an order. He pointed out that there had been a delay with proceedings but that the scheme would go ahead. Whiteash Lane Waiting Restrictions - Oliver Starkey (L.C.C.) reported that the scheme for waiting restrictions on Whiteash Lane was still with the County Council Legal Department for processing. Alice Street Kerb Re-alignment and Waiting Restrictions - Oliver Starkey (L.C.C.) reported that the Alice Street kerb was planned for re-alignment and advised that waiting restrictions could only be implemented once this had been completed. Residents complained of cars causing obstructions in this area and the Chair requested that Councillor Roberts looked into the issue. The Chair indicated that a further update report on this issue would be provided at the next meeting of the Area Council.