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TWO TOWNS AREA FORUM

MEETING 10th March 2009

Present 39 members of the public attended the meeting.

Councillor Barbara Ronson - North East Ward (Chair) Councillor Robert Ronson - Horwich North East Ward Councillor Stephen Rock - Horwich North East Ward

Councillor John Raymond - Horwich and Blackrod Ward Barrow Councillor Pat Barrow - Horwich and Blackrod Ward Councillor Michael Hollick - Horwich and Blackrod Ward

Also in attendance

Val Cloynes - Area Co-ordinator Nicole Buhagiar - Area Working Support Officer Ellen Miller - Assistant Director, Strategy and Commissioning, Adult Services Malcolm Veigas - Assistant Director, Community Services Tim Hill - Chief Planning Officer, Development and Regeneration John Sharrock - Business Performance and Planning Manager, Environmental Services Tim Evans -NHS Claire Entwistle -NHS Bolton Peter Marsh -Assistant Director, Corporate Property Services Martin Kelly -Chief Economic Strategy Officer Laura Boardman - Inward Investment Officer Page 1 of 13

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Claire Williams - Environmental Services Carol Sutton - Head of Strategic Development Sharon Pendlebury - Safer Communities Officer P. Dryden - Fire and Rescue Service L. Whitehead - Greater Manchester Police G. Taylor - Greater Manchester Police Andy Vernon - Greater Manchester Police D. Singh - Greater Manchester Police S. Vernon - Greater Manchester Police Councillor Denton - Councillor McGeehan - Horwich Town Council Councillor Lynne Rock - Horwich Town Council

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Isobel Seddon

Councillor Barbara Ronson in the Chair.

23. INTRODUCTIONS AND WELCOME

Councillor Barbara Ronson welcomed everyone and introduced herself and all Councillors, Town Councillors and Council Officers present. She informed the Forum that the main theme of the meeting would be the future of Horwich Market and environmental issues in the Two Towns Ward.

24. THE BIG BOLTON HEALTH DEBATE

Tim Evans, Chief Executive, NHS Bolton, gave a presentation on the Big Bolton Health Debate and the changes that were taking place in Bolton regarding health centres and facilities. He explained the “Triple Aim” of NHS Bolton that would lead to better health:

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- The Best Care - Patient Centred Care - Value For Money

The Chief Executive, NHS Bolton, explained that they had “Four Big Ideas” which would lead to improving the health of Bolton residents:

- Increased life expectancy - Increasing the life expectancy in certain areas of Bolton as some communities lived 15 years less than others - Providing support and services that were easily accessible, and, increasing the availability of early screening - Encouraging residents to improve their own health

Mr. Evans informed the Forum that NHS Bolton were focusing on certain priorities which would help to achieve the “Four Big Ideas”.

Health Outcomes for More Years of Life

- Cancer - Cardiovascular Disease (Stroke and Heart Attack) - Diabetes - Alcohol Related Disorders - Respiratory Disease

Health Outcomes for Better Quality of Life

- Mental Health

Health Outcomes for the Next Generation

- Maternal and Child Health

The Chief Executive, NHS Bolton, explained that they needed to engage with the people of Bolton to find out what they wanted and needed. He invited Forum attendees to fill in a questionnaire concerning the future of the health service in Bolton. Mr. Evans explained that Bolton residents already felt Page 3 of 13

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their health was improving and premature deaths from heart attacks, cancers and strokes were preventable. He informed the Forum that NHS Bolton knew the health conditions that caused premature deaths in Bolton and the Big Bolton Health Check was already identifying people in the community at higher risk. The health centre plans would deliver new buildings for new services, and, combined with the community improving their own health, their aims were achievable. Mr. Evans also encouraged Forum attendees to visit their General Practitioner as they would provide health checks free of charge.

Following the presentation, Mr. Evans invited Forum attendees to ask him any questions regarding the changes. A number of questions were put to the Chief Executive, NHS Bolton:

- How were NHS Bolton accommodating elderly people? - Why had the name changed from ‘The Primary Care Trust’? - Would NHS Bolton wait until all the questionnaires had been evaluated before taking any further action? - A resident was trying to help two colleagues with alcohol problems who were close to losing their jobs – what sort of help was available to them? - Was Horwich Health Centre safe? - Why was there such a discrepancy between life expectancy in different areas?

Resolved – That the report be noted and the questions that have not been answered at the meeting be directed to the appropriate Council Department or external agency.

25. ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS

John Sharrock, Business Performance and Planning Manager, Environmental Services, gave a presentation on environmental cleanliness and cleaner and greener issues, and the options available for dealing with this. He explained that the main aim was to change the attitudes of the public towards littering so they would stop causing unnecessary work. Mr. Sharrock also informed the Forum that good service delivery could be counter productive as it was assumed by the public that any litter would Page 4 of 13

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be cleared up after them. If an area was clear of litter, the health of the residents would improve and Mr. Sharrock explained that were working with the emergency services and the Voluntary Sector to try and achieve this.

The Business Performance and Planning Manager informed the Forum that there were four areas they were developing in order to reach their target:

- Education and Community Development - Enforcement - Improve Service Delivery - Physical Improvements

Following the presentation Mr. Sharrock asked Forum attendees to split into three groups and work with the three Environmental Services Officers present to discuss how improvements could be made in the Two Towns Ward. A discussion took place within the groups and the ideas put forward were:

- Start to educate primary school children - Work with retailers to reduce packaging - Suggest to fast food retailers that they provide staff to help clean the streets - The Council could provide more bins - Make sure all supermarkets have a pound coin slot to prevent misuse of trolleys

Mr. Sharrock thanked the residents for their co-operation and explained that they would be taking away the information received to create action plans.

Resolved – That the report be noted

26. HORWICH MARKET – AN UPDATE

Malcolm Veigas, Assistant Director, Community Services, gave a presentation on the Horwich Market Feasibility Study. He explained the issues associated with the economic decline of the existing market: Page 5 of 13

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- The wrong location – the market was divorced from the core of the town centre - The closure of the Loco Works and surrounding factories had significantly diminished the traditional customer base - The market could not attract additional customers due to the insufficient number of vendors, and, could not attract additional vendors due to the lack of customers - The quality and range of goods on offer - The market was failing to meet modern customer expectations or requirements - There had been a change in retail habits with the majority now preferring supermarkets or online shopping - The building was virtually beyond it’s useful economic life and required significant expenditure in the short/medium term

The Assistant Director, Community Services, explained that six options had been considered:

- Close the existing market without replacement - A replacement market building at St. John’s Street - A replacement mixed use market building at St. John’s Street - A canopied outdoor market at St. John’s Street - Demountable market stalls at St. John’s Street - Demountable market stalls on Winter Hey Lane

Mr. Veigas then provided the Forum with the financial analysis of the options:

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Surplus / Deficit Deficit Anticipated Anticipated before after Dev Annual Annual Capital Capital Option Costs Income Expend Financing Financing

1) Demolish Existing Market £38K 0 0 0 0

2) New Market Building at St John’s Street £760k £81,000 £92,000 -£10,000 -£18,000 3) New Mixed use Market Building at St John’s Street £1.4m £92,000 £94,000 -£3,000 -£43,000

4) Canopied Market at St John’s Street £575K £68,000 £84,000 -£16,000 -£16,000 5) Demountable Market Stalls at St John’s Street £460K £36,000 £42,000 -£6,000 -£6,000 6) Demountable Market Stalls on Winter Hey Lane £1.8M £31,000 £41,000 -£9,512 -£69,000

The Assistant Director, Community Services, then informed the Forum of the feasibility study that established why options 2-6 were not viable:

- Falling land values had diminished the expected capital receipt - The high development cost of all the options - The poor projected performance - All the options were in deficit even before taking account of capital financing costs

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Following the presentation, Mr. Veigas explained that he and his colleagues, Peter Marsh, Assistant Director, Corporate Property Services, and Carol Sutton, Head of Strategic Development, would like to hear the views of the Two Towns Ward on the subject of Horwich Market and the proposals they had heard. A number of questions and comments were put to the Forum:

- What was meant by a mixed use market building? - Had there been any discussion regarding relating everything to Horwich Village, such as introducing a health centre, post office etc. near the site to keep up community spirit? - Was private financing a good idea? - Who were the stakeholders in terms of the market? - Was it the opinion of the Council that the market was now a failure and to avoid improving it a lack of responses from residents was a ‘get out clause’? - Could the market move to St. John’s Car Park temporarily? - Surely improving the area outweighed the financial costs? - Why were the Council looking at alternative sites when the present site could be improved? - On a Sunday the market was thriving due to car boot sales but these were not possible during the week due to insurance laws. Could these laws be changed? - The market had been in decline over the past 20 years due to repairs that had been carried out using insufficient materials. If there were any accidents, Bolton Council would be liable. There were bikes thrown on the roof, broken glass on the car park and no fire alarm or fire risk assessment. The management of the market was not fit for it’s purpose. - Meetings such as the Forum had been carried out over 15 years and nothing had been done. Why had money been spent on Bolton Market but not Horwich Market? - Why were the Council asking the residents to take responsibility for the problem? Was that not the Council’s responsibility?

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- Could a health centre be incorporated into the market and the stalls placed outside? - What would happen if it was shut down? - How long could the market keep operating at a loss? - Could hot water be available on demountable stalls? - Where had the price quotes for the six options derived from? - Why was option 6 so expensive? - Could Council Officers look at the success of Garstang Market?

Following the questions, Peter Marsh, Assistant Director, Corporate Property Services, asked the Forum a number of questions:

- Who used the market? - It was not a building that was inherently unsafe – would people want a clinic or housing as alternative options? - Would anyone like to see the space left open? - Who would use a demountable market?

Mr. Marsh explained that the Council would be speaking directly to traders, as officers were often criticised for not involving the public in discussions and decisions.

Resolved – That the report be noted and the questions that have not been answered at the meeting be directed to the appropriate Council Department or external agency.

27. UPDATE ON BIG ISSUES

Ellen Miller, Assistant Director, Strategy and Commissioning, Adult Services, gave a presentation regarding the progression of the Big Issues in the Two Towns Ward. She explained that the Big Issues were:

- Development of services and opportunities for young people - To ensure that all parties involved in the operation and regulation of recycling facilities worked closely together to minimise any impact on the area Page 9 of 13

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- The development of Old Station Park - The transport links between Blackrod and Horwich - The misuse of alcohol and underage drinking - The development of the market facilities in the Forum area

Ms. Miller explained that as it was the last Forum of the financial year it was important to provide the Forum with feedback regarding what had been achieved so far. She informed the Forum that there were six key themes to consider regarding the Big Issues:

- Healthy - Achieving - Prosperous - Safe - Cleaner and Greener - Strong and Confident

Ms Miller explained that over the past financial year each theme had been actioned as a consequence of the Area Forum, for example, this meeting had focused on Cleaner and Greener issues as a result of resident feedback from previous Forum meetings. The same applied regarding the concern around the future of Horwich Market. She also informed the Forum that a similar amount of funding would be available to the Two Towns Ward in the next financial year therefore any suggestions for schemes to benefit the Ward would be welcomed.

Resolved – That the report be noted

28. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the meeting held on 13th January 2009 were submitted and approved as a correct record. This was challenged by a Forum attendee regarding the public art query from the round 2 Forum. The Area Co-ordinator explained that this omission had been noted and mentioned in the round 3 minutes.

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29. UPDATE ON BUDGETS DEVOLVED TO THE AREA FORUM

Val Cloynes, Area Co-ordinator, gave a presentation on the subject of budgets and grants available to the Two Towns Ward. She explained that there were four areas to consider:

- Highways Maintenance Budget Horwich North East- £10,245 - Highways Maintenance Budget Horwich and Blackrod - £10,245 - Area Forum Budget Horwich North East - £25,000 - Area Forum Budget Horwich and Blackrod - £25,000 - Area Based Grant Horwich North East - £4,820 - Area Based Grant Horwich and Blackrod - £4,180 - Voluntary Sector Grant - £4,000

Ms. Cloynes explained that the funding available was used to benefit the Two Towns Ward and the decisions as to where these budgets and grants were allocated was at the discretion of the Ward Councillors. The Area Co-ordinator informed the Forum that the following schemes had been approved from the Area Based Grant for Horwich and Blackrod:

- GMP Residential Course at Hawse - £1,683.50 - DFS Signage Move at Blackrod Brow - £150 - Blazing Squad - £1,600

Area Based Grant Remaining - £746.50

The allocation for Horwich North East was as follows:

- Craven Street East /Mount Street Carriage Overlay - £4,820

The Area Forum Budget for Horwich and Blackrod:

- Blackrod Environmental Clean Up - £11,000

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- A6 Hedgerow and Footpath Work from the Ridgeway heading for Adlington - £7,000 Area Forum Budget Remaining - £7,000

The Area Forum Budget for Horwich North East:

- DFS Signage Move to Chorley Old Road - £150 - Noticeboard for Lever Park Gardens - £2,000 - Lever Park Gardens Grounds Work - £405 - Blazing Squad - £1,600 - Owens Row – Lighting to be Added. Four 5 Metre Fold Down Columns with Conversion Kits and Decorative Post Top Lanterns - £13,000

Area Forum Budget Remaining - £7,845

Highways Maintenance Budget for Horwich and Blackrod:

- Blackhorse Street – Handrail to Protect Pedestrians from Traffic - £995 - Ainse Road Carriageway Patching - £9,250

Highways Maintenance Budget for Horwich North East:

- Dale Street West Carriage Overlay - £10,245

Voluntary Sector Grants for Two Towns Budget 2008/9 - £4,000

Less grants awarded to date this year under delegated arrangements detailed in the Council’s Scheme of Delegation

Kadenza Community Choir - £200 Bolton Wanderers Football in the Community - £200 Blackrod 55/60s Club - £100 Horwich Resource Centre Management Committee - £250 Horwich Widows - £100 Jesus Club - £450 Brazley Nature Area steering Group - £316.30

Balance to spend - £2,383.70 Page 12 of 13

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Resolved – That the report be noted

30. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SESSION

Councillor Barbara Ronson 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 Two Towns Ward. A number of questions and comments were put to Councillors and Council Officers:

- How could unreported crime be accounted for? Why were inaccurate National crime figures released? - Residents were reluctant to report crime due to safety issues and the fact that on occasions no action was taken – how could this be tackled? - Orchid Limited had withdrawn their planning application. - Armstrong’s had not reduced their stock pile but according to the 106 agreement it was due to be reduced within 18 months from December 2007. Since December 2007 there had been an increase in height. - Could the Forum budget be used to support Horwich Market? - What were the road calming measures on Claypool Road? - Go Ape were looking to start a development in early April – could pressure be applied to prevent this?

31. CHAIR’S CLOSING REMARKS

Councillor Barbara Ronson concluded the meeting by thanking everyone for attending and announced that the next Two Towns Area Forum would be held on Monday 18th May at St. Catherine’s C of E Primary School on Greenstone Avenue.

(The meeting started at 6.30pm and finished at 9.20pm)

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