CROMPTON AREA FORUM

MEETING – 6th September 2017

Present – 11 members of the public attended the meeting

Councillor Hanif Darvesh - Crompton Ward Councillor Guy Harkin - Crompton Ward Councillor Bilkis Ismail - Crompton Ward

Shaheen Sameja - Council, Neighbourhood Development Manager Halliwell & Crompton Marion Griffin - Bolton Council, Business Support Officer; Chief Executives Department David Hashdi - Bolton Council, Department of Place PCSO Bhav Jahala - Police PCSO Helen Thoburn - Greater Manchester Police

Apologies for absence were submitted by David Crausby MP

Councillor Bilkis Ismail in the Chair

1. WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS

Councillor Ismail welcomed everyone and introduced herself, Councillors and other Officers in attendance.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FROM COUNCILLORS AND OFFICERS

There were no Declarations of Interest.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 14th September 2016 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

4. PRESENTATION ON CROMPTON HERITAGE WALK AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT

Shaheen Sameja, Neighbourhood Development Manager, gave the presentation on behalf of Suzanne Hindle, Community Social History Researcher/Qualified Tour Guide who, following the idea from the Councillors, had organised the Crompton Walks. The following presentation was given at the Forum:

2016 - 2017 • Community, history, health through walking • Develop a series of paper/digital community history walks • Local artist Pete Marsh print making sessions • Community conversations about history • Documented by Bolton Documentary Photography group • Undertake history walks with the community

April 2017

Eighty people attended four walks in April 2017 in Partnership with Bolton and Library Services. Newsletters detailing Astley Bridge Heritage stroll; Celebrated Boltonian Walk and Hall I’th’wood circular walk were presented and distributed to everyone attending the Forum.

Artwork Displayed by artist Pete Marsh at Falcon Mill Studios 16th December 2016 Local artist Pete Marsh led print making sessions with pupils St Paul’s CE Primary School Astley Bridge, The Valley Community Primary School and Halliwell Befriending Service.

May and July 2017 Cobden Centre

 6 x weekly morning walking sessions Cobden Centre women’s group  Women enjoyed the walk.  Women go and share the history stories with their family.  First time visited Hall’I’th’Wood – took leaflets for their families.  Began to share their stories; working in local mills, family experiences  A genuine thirst to learn

Achievements:

 Artist Pete Marsh led print making sessions pupils St Paul’s CE Primary School Astley Bridge, The Valley Community Primary School and Halliwell Befriending Service.  Six Community conversation sessions  Five walks developed  Five walks led in partnership with Bolton Museum and Library Services  Exhibition of artwork held in Falcon Mill Studios  Six walking sessions with Cobden Centre women’s group

Crompton Community Gardening project:

The origin of the project developed from expression of concerns from local residents about: • Antisocial behaviours • Fly tipping • Dog fouling • Expression of interest from local residents:community garden • Securing the green space • Addressing the antisocial behaviours as well as improving the neighbourhood

The approach to the project through Bolton Community Development Partnership involved local residents; local groups; Ward Councillors and Neighbourhood Management

Outcomes:

• Most of the residents acknowledged that a community garden can be beneficial to the neighbourhood • However, residents believe that Crompton Community Garden should be well-designed with opportunities for people to socialise: • Children playing area • Lighting • Benches • Residents believe that Crompton Community Garden should be governed by local residents, however, they need external support.

Next Steps:

• To constitute a steering group for the project: • Local residents representatives • Local groups representatives • Ward councillors representative • Bolton-CDP as coordinator • To open a bank account to be able to apply for funding • To train and empower local residents to start the gardening project

All projects were supported and documented by Bolton Documentary Photography group.

A number of questions followed the presentation and were addressed on the night.

Resolved – That the presentations be noted.

5. UPDATE FROM CROMPTON NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT

Shaheen Sameja, Neighbourhood Development Manager, gave an update on the budgets for the Crompton Ward:

Crompton Area Forum flat rate budget (2015 -2017) Allocation - £9,325 Balance - £0.

Since the last meeting Councillors approved spend as follows:-

• St Pauls church Halliwell Road Building improvements - £1000 • St Andrews church Tonge Moor – contribution towards the purchase of a dishwasher for St. Andrews Luncheon Club - £1300 • Poppy on lamp posts in Astley Bridge - £150 • Kingsley street Environmental project - £6925

Crompton Highways Maintenance Budget - (2015-2017) Allocation - £19200 Balance - £0

Since the last meeting Councillors approved spend as follows:-

 Blackburn Road  Coniston Street  Harold/Horace Street  Crumpsall Street  Birch, Lena and Fir Street

The remaining Crompton Highways Budget from (2013-2015) - £2488 – Councillors approved spend as follows:-

 Thurston Street  Avoncliffe Close  Ryder Street  Cloister Street

Crompton Area Forum flat rate budget (2017-2018) - Allocation £3750; Balance £3750

Crompton Highways Maintenance budget (2017-2018) – Allocation £9600; Balance £9600

Shaheen Sameja asked the Forum attendees to contact the Ward Councillors with any ideas or suggestions for the above 2017 – 2018 spend.

Resolved – That the update be noted.

6. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SESSION

Councillor Ismail introduced this item on the agenda and invited residents to ask any questions or put forward any comments they had regarding issues and concerns in the Ward.

Q1. A resident raised a number of issues in Hall i’th’wood regarding pot holes, although some pavements had been done and a request was made for benches for the elderly.

A1. Councillor Ismail explained that 16 potholes had been done. Councillor Ismail would contact Bolton at Home to discuss the possibility of benches for the elderly.

Q2. A resident asked do you have to have a photograph of dog fouling?

A2. Councillor Darvesh explained that people would be prosecuted, if evidence was available and residents needed to report to Environmental Services at the Council

Q3. A resident stated that they had tried, unsuccessfully, on a few occasions, to get hold of the Dog Warden.

A3. Councillor Harkin recommended contacting the Ward Councillors.

Q4. A resident wanted to plant some flowers outside their home, however they stated that they were told that they could only plant on Bolton Council land not on Bolton at Home land. What should they do?

A4. Councillor Bilkis would follow up the Bolton at Home

Resolved – That the questions and answers be noted.

8. CHAIR’S CLOSING REMARKS

Councillor Ismail thanked everyone for attending. The date of the next meeting would be confirmed in due course and advertised on the Bolton Council website and in the Bolton News.

(The meeting started at 6.00pm and finished at 7.25pm)