KEARSLEY AREA FORUM

WEDNESDAY 10th FEBRUARY 2016

Present – approximately 126 members of the public attended the meeting.

Councillor Carol Burrows - Ward Councillor Derek Burrows - Kearsley Ward Councillor Liam Irving - Kearsley Ward

Also in attendance

John Pye - Neighbourhood Manager Stephen Rowson - Chief Executive’s Department Chris Lloyd - Environmental Services Rafael Martinez - Environmental Services James Hall - Wildlife Trust (LWT) PC Andrew Smart - Greater Manchester Police PCSO Philip Gough - Greater Manchester Police

Apologies were received from Yasmin Qureshi MP

Councillor Derek Burrows in the Chair.

8. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

Councillor Derek Burrows welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the other Councillors and Officers in attendance.

9. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FROM COUNCILLORS AND OFFICERS

There were no Declarations of Interest.

10. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 21 September 2015 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

11. PRESENTATION – KINGFISHER TRAIL

Prior to the main presentation Councillor Derek Burrows introduced a local resident who advised residents about a planned community project being set up.

The main points were:

 Already been involved in the scarecrow festival and the Christmas lights switch on.  Now want to set up a Kearsley in Bloom event.  Event to run May-August  Involving local schools with floral displays and projects.  Involving businesses with hanging baskets and encouraging residents to spruce up gardens.  Volunteers needed for all sorts of tasks from hands-on to publicity to leaflet delivery.  Meeting set for the following Wednesday 17/02/2016, 7pm at Kearsley Mount Methodist Church.

Councillor Derek Burrows then introduced James Hall from the Lancashire Wildlife Trust who gave a presentation about the revitalisation of the Kingfisher Trail.

The main points were:

 The trail was originally established in the 80’s  Projects aims were to improve, celebrate and engage people with the Kingfisher Trail.  The project planned over three year’s one stage per year. o Meet interested parties, survey route, prioritise path works, define and publish the route. o Research local history & heritage, run events programme.

o Continue to publicise, promote and engage people with the trail.  It’s a recreation route within walking distance of 180,082 people (1.5 miles)  Encompasses many local sites; Bradshaw Brook (Upper Bradshaw Valley, Longsight Park, Firwood Fold, Seven Acres), (Leverhulme Park, Gravel Pits, Country Park, Meccano Bridge), & Manchester, & Bury Canal, Ringley Woods, , Fletcher’s Canal, Prestwich Forest Park, Philips Park.  Spans a huge diversity of communities along the route  A 14 mile trail – West Pennine Moors to Prestwich Forest Park  A number of events currently planned through February, March and April 2016  Further information: o www.lancswt.org.uk/kingfisher-trail o Search ‘Lancashire Wildlife Trust – Greater Manchester’

A number of questions followed the presentation and were answered at the meeting.

Resolved – That the presentation be noted

12. AREA FORUM BUDGET UPDATE

Councillor Derek Burrows introduced John Pye, Neighbourhood Manager who gave an update on current balances for budgets and grants devolved to the Area Forum for 2015-17 as follows:

Area Forum Flat Rate Budget (AFB) £4,985.00 Highways Maintenance Budget (HMB) £19,200.00

The following points were noted:-

- The Area Forum Budget was available to fund activities which provided a benefit to the ward

- The Highways Maintenance Budget was available to fund asset improvement work covering any of the following activities; Reconstruction, Refurbishment, Patching and Slurry seal works.

Resolved –

i. That the report be noted;

ii. That it be noted that the following schemes had been awarded a grant under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation from the 2015-17 budget:

Grant Scheme Award Pot AFB Christmas Trees for shops on main £350.00 roads AFB Bolton Swimming Club contribution £100.00 AFB Grosvenor Estate Residents £1,200.00 Association fun day AFB Kearsley Mount Cottage garden £500.00 restoration AFB Easter Fun Day in aid of Lagans £500.00 Charity AFB Knit and natter run by Precious £500.00 Gems Charity

13. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SESSION

Councillor Derek Burrows 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 Residents expressed concerns regarding a property on Manchester Road that was purposed to be being set up for short term housing of ex-offenders and Asylum seekers waiting assessment. A number of questions and concerns were raised including:  Could Councillors inform residents in advance of

these types of developments?  Could Councillors get information sooner about this?  Did they get planning permission approved? A The development was not going ahead as the Landlord and Serco had withdrawn. Members would endeavour to get this in writing from Serco. As members were not made aware of the development they were unable to inform residents. It would be investigated as to whether members could obtain details of proposed developments at an early stage. Planning permission was not required for the work the Landlord had proposed, only building regulations which are not a matter of public record.

Resolved – That the questions be noted and those that were not answered be directed to the appropriate departments or partner agencies.

14. CLOSE OF MEETING

Councillor Derek Burrows thanked everyone for attending, the next Area Forum Meeting was still to be confirmed, when set people would be informed through the usual channels.

(The meeting started at 7.03pm and finished at 7.50pm)