DENTON & AUDENSHAW DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
RYECROFT HALL AUDENSHAW
MANAGEMENT PLAN 2007/2011
1
CCOONNTTEENNTTSS PPaaggee
1. Tameside’s vision for Ryecroft 3
2. Site Details 4
3. Strategic Context 11
4. A Welcoming Place 17
5. Healthy, Safe and Secure 18
6. Clean and Well Maintained 21
7. Sustainability 23
8. Conservation and Heritage 26
9. Community Involvement 28
10. Marketing 31
11. Management 33
2 1. Tameside’s vision for Ryecroft
“We want Tameside to be an attractive and environmentally friendly place to live, work and visit. We are committed to working with local communities to protect and improve our surroundings to make Tameside a cleaner and more accessible place for current and future generations”.
This statement is the District Assembly’s vision for the future of Ryecroft Hall. The statement is taken from Tameside’s Community Strategy 2003/ 2013 where one of the key themes is ‘An Attractive Borough’ and was identified via extensive consultation with both local residents and businesses.
The basis for managing and improving Ryecroft Hall are the eight standards set out in the Green Flag criteria, which are:
• A Welcoming Place • Conservation and Heritage
• Healthy, Safe and Secure • Community Involvement
• Clean and Well Maintained • Marketing
• Sustainability • Management
As part of this vision we are committed to year on year improvements to our Parks and open spaces.
3
2. Site Details
Name: Ryecroft Hall
Contact: Nick Sayers, Assistant Town Manager Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly Market Street Denton M34 2AP
Location: Grid Reference: 391453: 397817
Map Reference: SJ9197NW
Ryecroft Hall is situated in Audenshaw between Droylsden and AshtonUnderLyne
Area: 2.549 Hectares
Tenure: The land is owned by Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council.
Access: Leave M60 at Junction 23 then onto Manchester Road (A635) – Ryecroft Hall is approximately ½ mile on the left hand side.
4 Bus Services: Bus services which supply Manchester Road are 216 Ashton UnderLyne/Manchester 217 Manchester/ Mossley circular 218 Manchester/ Mossley circular 236 Glossop/Manchester 237 Glossop/Manchester
For more information on local bus and train services please contact GMPTIL on 01612287811.
History of the Park: Ryecroft Hall is a beautiful Grade 2 listed building dating back to 1849, when the Earl of Stamford and Warrington sold the land to the Buckley family, who owned the cotton mills at Ryecroft. James Smith Buckley passed the house on in 1885 to his nephew Abel Buckley, who lived there for twentytwo years. He was a Liberal MP and the Mayor of Ashton, and contributed to the cost of building Albion Church. In 1913 Austin Hopkinson, MP for Mossley, inventor of a coal cutting machine and owner of Delta Engineering Works, acquired the hall.
During the First World War it was a voluntary hospital with over 100 beds. Austin Hopkinson gave the house and grounds to the people of Audenshaw in 1922 for Council Offices and to this day it is used for community purposes.
5
The Hall: The Hall is well worth a visit as it has its own Community Association which was formed in 1933 and continues to thrive with over 700 members enjoying its facilities. Providing a large range of activities some of which include: Mums and Tots, various dancing classes, craft workshops, Karate, Drama Group and P.O.P.Ps (Projects for Older Peoples Partnerships) catering for all members of the community through out the day and during the week.
The Hall also accommodates Audenshaw Library point and Tameside’s Social Care and Health Team, Joint Pension Team and Manchester Ecology Unit as well as being available to hire for Weddings and Birthdays.
The Hall also has a Management Committee made up of the different user groups who meet monthly.
Ryecroft Halls Management Committee and Ryecroft Hall Friends Group, a sub division of the committee, also provide an annual Funday with help from user groups from the Hall and in conjunction with Audenshaw Local History Society provide an Annual Heritage weekend.
The local MP and Ward Councillors hold their surgeries in the Hall and the Tameside PACT Team and Police also hold their surgeries for help and advice.
6 The Grounds: There are a number of reasons as to why the park is so popular with the local community some of which are:
There is a large playground for ages 3 to 14 years and consists of swings, slide, sand play, multi units, pirate ships, play train and springys. The playground is inspected daily and any faults reported immediately.
Refurbishment of the playground will be taking place during 2010/11, through a Playbuilder grant from Play England.
The Park has a well used bowling green, which is open for public use throughout the summer season. Recently the Bowling Club celebrated its th 60 Anniversary and is still an active and important Group within the park.
Both the ladies and men’s Bowling Teams are also active within the park and during 2006 their pavilion was refurbished, which was supported by the Council and local MP. The Bowlers also have a summer building with kitchen facilities by the bowling green which is used through out the summer and during matches by the bowlers for serving refreshments.
7
The park contains a mixture of planting including some of the original trees dating from when it was privately owned and maintained. As well as the tree planting the site contains a mixture of shrubberies and bedding displays. The bedding displays are in permanent beds located around the main Hall and the bowling green as well as tubs and hanging baskets at strategic locations. The spring and summer displays are a much appreciated feature of the park.
A longer term programme allows other areas to be rejuvenated and planted with a wide variety of shrubs and trees as existing plants become over mature.
To the rear of the park are various paths that take you through a large woodland area, which is enjoyed by park users and wildlife.
The woodland areas have benefited from naturalised bulb plantings of Narcissus and Crocus many of which have been planted in conjunction with School children from the local Primary Schools.
8 Various varieties of wildflower were also planted in drifts creating a meadow style. These included colourful and hardy perennial species mixed with cornfield annuals to encourage continuity of the wildflower meadow drifts and an established habitat for a higher diversity of insects.
Last year we extended the wild flower meadow and installed an interactive wildflower information board.
In conjunction with the bird and bat boxes that have been installed to encourage a habitat for a higher diversity of wildlife. An area has been developed to encourage butterfly habitat.
Recently Victorian style lights were installed outside the Hall, which ensured the heritage of the Hall is not lost.
The park is open from dawn to dusk with the Hall opening times 9.00am to 10.00pm Monday to Friday. The Hall is open at weekend for private functions. The park gates are locked every evening.
9 Site Location
Ryecroft Hall is 2.549 Hectares in size, located in Audenshaw, Tameside. See location Plan Below:
10 3. Strategic Context
Strategies and Policies
Tameside’s parks and open spaces are an integral part of the public areas of the borough and are managed in line with the Council’s wider strategies and policies. Below are listed a number of such strategies and policies which have particular relevance to all Tameside’s parks including Ryecroft Hall.
COMMUNITY STRATEGY
Residents throughout Tameside were asked what their priorities were for the Borough; from their views six key themes were identified, which formed the basis for Tameside’s Community Strategy 2003/ 2013.
The themes were:
1) Supportive Communities 2) A Safe Environment 3) A Prosperous Society 4) A Learning Community 5) A Healthy Population 6) An Attractive Borough
Ryecroft Hall plays a vital role in fulfilling these priorities for the people of Audenshaw and Tameside as a whole. In planning the management of the park over the next three years, each of the priorities has been taken into account as shown below.
1) Supportive Communities
We will help to encourage a strong community spirit by providing a park, which has a wide range of facilities and can be enjoyed by people of all backgrounds and interests. The Hall has a Management Committee comprising of Council representatives and local residents and a Friends of Ryecroft Hall has recently been established as a sub committee of this.
11
2) A Safe Environment
We want Ryecroft Hall to be a place where all members of the community feel safe and secure and we will support this through: good design, high standards of maintenance, staff working onsite and encouragement of high levels of public use. Tameside has established a Tameside Patroller base in the Hall and the District Assembly staff meet monthly with the local Police and Community Together (PACT). (Please see agenda and minutes in Appendix 13)
3) A Prosperous Society
A well maintained and attractive park adds to the overall appearance of Audenshaw, which helps in attracting more visitors to the area and bringing in more investments and jobs.
4) A Learning Community
We want to encourage schools and local groups to see Ryecroft Hall as a place where children, students and others can come to keep learning throughout their lives. We will do this by listening to resident’s views and providing appropriate facilities and opportunities for learning where possible. We use the development of the grounds as a learning opportunity for the local community in particular for environmental and heritage projects and wherever possible we consult and encourage participation in park projects at the planning stage.
5) A Healthy Population
The park provides a welcoming place for people to relax and exercise and we shall continue to manage and improve these facilities to make Audenshaw a healthier place to live and work.
6) An Attractive Borough
Ryecroft Hall is an attractive, clean centre for leisure and relaxation in the heart of Audenshaw and we shall make sure through our maintenance, that these standards are maintained and improved, but more than this we want to ensure that the park is also an environmentally friendly ‘green space’ with standards that can be sustained both for today’s visitors and those in future years. For this reason we have drawn up a sustainability charter for Ryecroft Hall which will guide our management of the park (See Appendix 1). The Community Strategy can be viewed at:
www.tamesidestrategicpartnership.org.uk/tsplinkshtm
12 Some of the performance indicators we use to monitor our progress include:
• Increase the number of Green Flags and Green Pennants for parks and green/ open spaces.
• Increase resident satisfaction with parks, open spaces and public places within Tameside.
Corporate Plan
The Corporate Plan sets out the Councils top priorities, bringing together our responsibilities around the Community Strategy, the Councils four priorities the CPA Improvement Plan, key regional and national priorities and our aim to deliver excellence to the people and businesses of Tameside.
The Council has four priorities that directly support the six Community Strategy themes and reflect our areas of responsibility:
These peoples priorities are:
• Children and Young People • Public Safety and Combating Crime • Stimulating the economy to produce more and better jobs • The appearance of the Borough
The Town Plan
The Town Plan pulls together a number of themes and policies contained within several Council documents, which includes Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly Business Plan.
Actions within the Plan include:
• To identify a programme of parks improvements • Encourage community participation in environmental projects • Submit Green Flag applications • To support ‘Friends of the Park’ groups in their bid for funding • To support the Authority for ‘Britain in Bloom’ • Improve the standards of all our parks • To work towards achieving a Green Flag award in each of the four District Assembly wards.
13 Green Space Strategy
Tameside MBC is currently developing an Environmental Strategy which will encompass Green Space for the whole of the borough.
The strategy will seek to determine standards of management, which the Council shall aim to provide for the range of green space across the borough.
Ryecroft Hall is clearly an important part of our network of green space and the Green Flag criteria shall be included within the management standards.
Health and Safety Policy
This policy has been developed to ensure the health and safety of all residents of the borough, employees and members of the Council in connection with the management of public facilities throughout Tameside. The policy covers all aspects of the management of Ryecroft Hall and requires that risk assessments are carried out and safety procedures developed for all work and events within the park. The policy together with up to date risk assessments may be viewed by request to the Denton and Audenshaw Assistant Town Manager.
Children’s Play Policy
This policy guides play provision for children across Tameside. The policy aims to ensure that a suitable amount and standard of play facilities are provided by the Council and are really accessible to children and their parents and carers.
Dog Fouling Policy
Tameside Council has now designated land under The Dogs (fouling of land) Act 1996. The designated land includes road, footpaths, school playing fields, sports fields and parks. It is an offence for a dog owner not to clean up after their dog in these areas. Failure to comply can result in a prosecution and fine of up to £1,000, Tameside Patrollers patrol all parks and will issue fixed penalty notices should the need arise.
Tree and Woodland Policy
This policy has been developed to guide the management of trees and woodlands throughout Tameside. A tree survey has been carried out in the park from which a work programme is developed to ensure that the Council fulfils its statutory obligations to maintain a safe and healthy stock 14 of trees in public areas. (Please see the attached Tree Survey in Appendix 2) In line with the policy’s aim to maintain and where possible, increase the tree cover of the borough, trees which may need to be removed from the park from time to time shall be replaced. Future planting will be used as an opportunity to increase the diversity and range of the tree stock.
Other Policies
In addition to the priorities identified in the Community Strategy we shall also draw on the Council’s other policies and strategies where these aid us in managing the park e.g. The Children’s Play Policy guiding play provision for children and the dog Fouling Policy which provides a means of dealing with the problems of dog fouling.
Continuous Improvement
A culture of continuous improvements (CI) is embedded in the work of the Council, with all Service Units and individual members of staff being encouraged to review and continuously improve their service to the community.
The Horticultural CI group meet regularly which includes all the Operations Managers and Grounds Maintenance Staff. The aim of the group is to improve the standards of the Council’s Horticultural operations throughout the Borough and in this instance to the benefit of Ryecroft Park and its uses.
Each year an internal competition is held for the best bedding display within all Tameside Parks, which recognises quality and innovative design skills of our Gardeners. The winner for 2009 was Dave King’s bed at Ryecroft Hall.
15 Raising the Standards
The Authority has recently been accredited with the ‘Charter Mark’ award, which is the Government standard for excellence in Customer Service. This demonstrates the commitment of our workforce who will ensure we go that extra mile to help improve the quality of life for our residents and visitors.
In addition to the above, Tameside have been granted the Investors in People standard, which is awarded to organisations who have improved performance and realise objectives through the management and development of their people.
Through the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) which is assessed by the Audit Commission Tameside MBC, since 2003 has been measured as ‘4 Star’ in the way that it serves its local people.
This along with CI, Charter Mark and IIP underpins the management of Ryecroft Hall.
16 4. A Welcoming Place
The overall impressions for any member of the community approaching and entering the Hall and grounds should be positive and inviting, regardless of the purpose for which they are visiting.
Objectives:
a. Good, safe access for all. b. Good park signage, internally and externally.
How the objectives are met:
a. Good, safe access for all.
There are three main entrances into the grounds which are all easily accessible for both pedestrians and disabled visitors. The grounds are fully Disability Discrimination Act compliant.
Health and Safety surveys are carried out and any defects addressed. The resident Gardener reports any potential hazards to the Operations Manager who will, depending on the hazard, will instruct the District Assembly staff, Playground Manager, Arboriculture Unit, Facilities Management or an external contractor to address the issue.
The three main entrances are:
Manchester Road Park Road Lumb Lane
The entrance path leading to the play area, from Lumb Lane, which was previously in a poor condition, has now been resurfaced to enhance public safety and improve the appearance.
b. Good signage
There is a welcoming sign situated at the Manchester Road entrance and also a notice board has been erected which now includes relevant information relating to the Hall and grounds. Other notice boards are to be erected at other entrances this is included within the Action Plan (Please see Appendix 3).
Road signs leading visitors to Ryecroft Hall are also situated at various locations.
17
5. Healthy, Safe & Secure
Effective management of the safety aspects of an area helps give visitors the confidence to use and enjoy Ryecroft. A well managed site, where vandalism is quickly repaired, also helps to make people think twice before committing wilful damage and helps in the presentation of a well cared for site.
Objectives:
a. Ensure the Health and Safety of all visitors and staff b. To provide a clean environment
How the objectives are met:
a. Safe environment.
The grounds are currently maintained by a full time member of staff, who is supported by the Operations Manager and the Grounds Maintenance Team, which ensures the grounds are maintained and managed to a high standard. The grounds staff are supplied with and wear district assembly shirts and jackets embossed with the relevant logo and they carry photo ID at all times.
The area is inspected daily for damage and reported promptly to the appropriate Officer / Service Unit whom include: District Assembly Operations Manager or Environment Officer, Playground Manager, Facilities Manager. The Environment Officer or Operations Manager will then ensure the appropriate action has been undertaken.
The children’s play area is inspected daily by the parks staff and any hazards dealt with, with the sand in the play area receiving particular attention – faults with the equipment are rectified by a specialist Playground Maintenance Team. The security company who close the park gates also check the play area at weekends. Weekly reports are filed which allow action to be monitored. The playground inspection procedures have recently been revised to ensure we continue to improve and challenge existing procedures (see Appendix 4). Any criminal damage which occurs with in the park is reported and logged with the Police; these incidents are discussed at monthly PACT meetings with the local Community Beat Manager (see Appendix 5). Examples of incidents that have been successfully addressed can be obtained from the Town Managers office.
18
An annual inspection of the grounds is carried out in conjunction with a Health and Safety Advisor to monitor existing procedures and highlight any areas requiring attention. Recommendations are implemented by the Management Team.
Risk Assessments have been undertaken for all maintenance operations within the grounds and suitable work methods developed, these can be viewed by request at the Town Managers office. In addition a Risk Assessment is carried out prior to any event in the grounds to ensure public and staff safety. (Please see Appendix 6 for the councils H & S Policy)
We have a contract with a security company who lock the park daily as well as a dedicated Police Constable and PCSO’s who visit on a regular basis.
The Tameside Patrollers, whom are employed by Tameside MBC – Community Safety Unit, regularly patrol the grounds at various times of the day and the grounds are also covered by CCTV, which is viewed in the Hall Managers office. The Patrollers are provided with a base in the Hall.
Toilets, drinking water, first aid and public telephone are available within the Hall and trained staff, including the Grounds Maintenance staff, are on hand to assist in the event of any injury. Emergency contact numbers are also available for the public information in the notice board at the Manchester Road entrance to Ryecroft Hall. These include the Police, Patrollers, TMBC Playground Department and the Denton & Audenshaw District Assembly Town Managers Office.
Staff are on call seven days a week to respond to any occurrences which may affect the health and safety of visitors, including 24 hour call out system for emergencies involving dangerous trees. Emergencies can be reported by phoning 0161 342 2222 at any time (Minicom 0161 342 3009).
A monthly inspection of the park by the Management Team, including the Town Manager and the on site Gardener, identifies any general health and safety concerns which are then dealt with appropriately. (Please see Appendix 7)
19 b. Clean Environment
In line with the Councils Dog Fouling Policy the park operates a policy of ‘No Dog Fouling’ which is sign posted throughout the park and fencing prevents entry by dogs to the playground. There is a Policy of having no dog bins within the grounds as we expect the owners to clean up and dispose of their dogs foul. The Tameside Patrollers regularly visit this site and will enforce the policy as and when the need arises.
The District Assembly has recently launched a Dog Fouling Campaign and is working closely with the Patrollers to raise awareness amongst dog owners.
A banner is situated at various parks and open spaces around the area and leaflets are distributed to the surrounding properties and also to the dog walkers within the grounds by the Patrollers (See Appendix 8).
The Patrollers will carry out spot checks at the parks and increase their presence at peak dog walking times such as early mornings and evenings.
20 6. Clean and Well Maintained
The District Assembly is committed to providing a clean and well maintained area for all its visitors.
Objectives:
a. To keep the area free of litter, waste and graffiti b. To manage and maintain high quality landscape areas c. Ground, buildings and equipment are well maintained
How the objectives are met:
a. Litter free
The resident Gardener picks up litter on a daily basis and also ensures litter bins are emptied. Any damaged bins are reported to the Operations Manager or Environment Officer and replaced. It is recognised that the visual impression of the grounds is important to visitors and the removal of litter from all areas is a priority.
The Tameside Patrollers patrol the grounds regularly and monitor the litter and will secure a fixed penalty notice on any members of the public found dropping their litter.
Any instances of graffiti are reported as a matter of urgency to Facilities Management, Playground Manager or Operations Manager, the service delivery target of removing any racist/offensive graffiti within 24 hours and all other graffiti on our land/premises within 1 week. (Please see Appendix 9 for TMBC’s Graffiti Policy)
Continual liaison with and between all users of the Hall and grounds is accepted as the best way of preventing vandalism and fostering a sense of ownership and shall be encouraged at every opportunity.
Maintenance schedules can be obtained from the Assistant Town Manager
21
b. High quality landscape maintenance
The flowerbeds are planted twice yearly together with the tubs and hanging baskets which are located around the grounds. Some of the grass areas are box mowed with the larger areas mowed by a ride on machine. Shrubs and hedges are frequently attended and our Arboriculture Unit carryout ad hoc work as necessary. The resident Gardener also cuts and maintains the bowling green and through the Horticultural CI Group implements landscape improvements.
c. Grounds, building and equipment
The building and structures are regularly inspected and a record kept of the inspections. Any repair or improvements work identified is built into a Rolling Programme.
All equipment (mowers etc) is maintained to a high standard in accordance with the Health and Safety Policy by our Central Team based at Tame Street, Stalybridge.
22 7. Sustainability
In line with its commitment to Local Agenda 21, the Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly continuously takes account of the principles of sustainability in its management of Ryecroft Hall.
Objectives:
a. Pesticide use should be minimised and justified. b. Peat free should be widely used. c. Waste material in the grounds should be recycled and support Local Agenda 21.
How the objectives are met:
a. Use of pesticides
Pesticides are not distributed within Ryecroft Hall unless there are no viable alternatives that can be found.
If herbicides are required a glyphosate based product would be chosen as a last option. The product distribution would be limited and only be used as a spot rather than a blanket cover treatment.
Glyphosate as an active ingredient is chosen as it is inactivated when it comes in contact with the soil, as a herbicide is a very effective systemic and is far less toxic than other forms of herbicide.
Insecticides and fungicides are also applied as a last resort within Ryecroft Hall and would only be used on fine, sports turf as a spot treatment if the condition has spread out of control and other methods of treatment have failed.
All of Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council staff who apply pesticides within Ryecroft Hall have passed their National Proficiency Test Council Pesticide Certificate of Competence, PA1 Foundation Module and PA6 Handheld Applicators.
23 b. Using Peat Free
In recent years Denton Nursery has increasingly reduced its consumption of peat based composts, replacing them with either peat free or peat reduced products. Denton Nursery has carried this out to comply with the Green Flag Award Scheme by using peat free products, but also for sustainability reasons. These reasons include helping to reduce the extraction of peat from our remaining peatlands and the reuse of recycled composted green waste. Denton Nursery has tried various different peat free or reduced products over the years and are always looking at new alternatives on the market. The Nursery has grown plants for the Green Flag parks using these products for a number of years and has always prided itself on the crops that are produced.
24
c. Recycling Material
All arboricultural waste including large trunks are now split and chipped with the resultant chippings used as mulch on planted beds across the borough reducing the use of herbicide.
All green waste generated in the park is disposed of in a green skip, which in turn is collected by TMBC to be composted centrally by Greater Manchester Waste. GMW then produce a product that is dark brown in colour, similar to topsoil and consists primarily of organic matter such as vegetable matter, paper, card and mineral substances including stone and grit. The material produced is ideal for composting and improving growing conditions for plants and trees.
Plastic containers used in the growing of bedding plants for the park are either reusable or recyclable, Denton Nursery also trialled peat free Jiffy pots in 2006. Use of recycled materials in the choice of parks furniture e.g. benches and containers and glass is recycled in the green bins provided by the hall.
Information on environmental sustainability has been produced and placed within the notice board of the park along with the locations of the nearest recycling centres to the park, to help inform users of general information on sustainability.
For further information on recycling in Tameside and Local Agenda 21 please see link below:
http://www.tameside.gov.uk/recycling/index.html
25 8. Conservation and Heritage
The value of Ryecroft Hall lies in its heritage and surrounding area coupled with the wildlife, which is encouraged to the grounds.
Objectives:
a. To encourage and enhance various habitats such that they achieve their maximum value for wildlife. b. To manage and maintain the building and heritage within the grounds for the benefit of the whole community.
How the objectives are met:
a. Habitat management
Whilst the site is small every opportunity is used to provide a diversity of environment to the benefit of the local wildlife.
• A number of bird nest boxes have been established in the grounds and are now being successfully used.
• Bat boxes have likewise been provided and there is already evidence of them being accessed.
• Log piles have been left to encourage insect and fungal colonies.
• Pesticide use is kept to a minimum.
• Various varieties of wildflowers have also been planted in drifts creating a meadow style effect thus encouraging a habitat for a higher diversity of insects. This area was resown and extended in 2009 along with the installation of interactive information boards.
• An area has been developed to encourage Butterfly habitat.
• The advice of the Greater Manchester Ecological Unit has been sought on the conservation of the grounds.
26 b. Building and heritage
Facilities Management who are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of this Grade II listed building, carryout regular inspections and ensure any repair work is carried out as soon as practically possible.
The Hall recently underwent extensive refurbishment and many of the original features were restored.
The Stable Block which includes the Gardeners store has been made safe, secure and weather proof.
The Sure Start building provides training for Child Minders and Nursery Nurses, they also provide a Parent and Toddler Group for interactive toddler work and play.
The Lodge is currently owned privately and is used as a residential dwelling.
A landscape study of the grounds has been commissioned to address the current pressures brought about by demands of modern use and the impact upon the heritage and aesthetics of the building and landscape. To resolve any arising issues and to encourage the already prospering partnerships between the different site user groups who use the park and hall.
27 9. Community Involvement
A key to the success of Ryecroft Hall has been the involvement of the community. The Hall has a mixture of usage from working offices to Community Groups.
Objectives:
a. To capture and use the views of the community. b. To involve the community in the management of the area. c. To encourage local schools to become involved in sustainability programmes.
How the objectives are met:
a. Views of the community
Consultation is essential to identify the views of local residents, park users and visitors alike and what changes they would like to see in their parks. This enables relevant Management Plans to be drawn up to deliver their objectives.
We have gained the views of residents regarding parks in a number of ways:
1. Citizen 2000 panel September, October 2003 and 2007/2008 overall statistical view of the use of parks and playing fields generally by TMBC Policy and Equality Unit.
2. Enquiries made at Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly meetings.
3. Views gained via the Council’s Corporate Complaints system.
4. Individual customer surveys carried out at Ryecroft Hall in March 2002, September 2004, March 2006 and 4th December 2007.
2006/7 – AGMA (Association of Greater Manchester Authorities) Satisfaction with parks and open spaces survey. An independent survey carried out on residents of the borough to ascertain their satisfaction with parks and open spaces. Satisfaction overall was 68%.
2008/9 (Association of Greater Manchester Authorities) Satisfaction with parks and open spaces survey, showed a rise in satisfaction overall with in Ryecroft Hall Park which was 83%, an increase of 15%.
28 2007/8 Citizen Panel survey of residents on satisfaction with local parks and open spaces. The questions were based on Green Flag criteria and the survey showed satisfaction level of 87% a 15% improvement on a similar survey in 2004.
b. Community involvement
A Management Committee existing within the Hall which is made up of the different community groups. The Committee will be involved with future developments within the grounds and will also link with the ‘Friends of the Park’ group to ensure both the Hall and the grounds work together for the community.
The District Assembly work with the ‘Friends of the Park’ who meet regularly to discuss the management of the area and to identify a programme for improvements. The group raise funds and have the intention to apply for external grants to further improve the facilities and heritage within the grounds.
They provide an annual fun day with help from user groups from the hall which are well attended and enjoyed by the local community. The friends group in conjunction with Audenshaw Local History Society also provide an Annual Heritage weekend for the local community, park and hall users to enjoy.
The group have received funding of £2,200.00 for supplying chairs, tables and parasols from the Tameside Older People Partnership, for use during the summer Sunday band Concerts. (Please see appendix 10)
In 2006 the Bowling accommodation was refurbished, with support from the District Assembly, Facilities Management and Andrew Gwynne the local MP.
29 Community Payback
The Community Payback Team recently reconstructed the woodland path which has improved access and provides a pleasant walk around the newly formed meadow style area.
c. Schools involvement
The Assembly regularly runs an education programme with schools, tailored to meet the particular requirements of the schools and based on the National Curriculum. Fairfield Children’s Centre preschool unit frequently visit to use the playground facilities and have lunch in the indoor annex. Peacocks Nursery children hold charity sponsored ‘Welly Walks round the park to raise funds for Barnardos.
The park has particular strong links with local primary schools that regularly use the park; although many other schools from outside the area visit throughout the year. The activities they take part in may vary from bulb planting, leaf picking, conker hunting, woodland walks, picnics, building nest/ bat boxes to arranging teddy bears picnics, or even just enjoying the facilities which the park offers.
30 10. Marketing
Ryecroft Hall is both a working Hall, which is accommodation for different Council departments and is also used by many community groups. ITV frequently use Ryecroft Hall as a venue for wedding shoots for the programme Coronation Street.
Objectives:
To provide a range of information about the Hall and the grounds.
How the objectives are met:
To market Ryecroft effectively
Ryecroft Hall is publicised in various ways, from press releases to newsletters.
Tameside MBC website – Information on the Park and its facilities along with the Green Flag management plan are listed on the public website: www.tameside.gov.uk/parks
News and developments regarding the park are regularly presented to and discussed at the District Assembly meetings. Minutes of the meetings are available to view on the link below: www.tameside.gov.uk/districtassembly/dentonaudenshaw
A poster containing information on parks with in Denton & Audenshaw District Assembly is displayed with in the park notice boards.
In association with the Tameside Third Sector Coalition (T3SC), Tameside MBC supports the Independent Network for Green and Open Spaces Tameside (INGOST). This is a network of community groups, which meet to promote green spaces across Tameside. At events organised by INGOST, opportunities are taken to promote the Borough's parks including Ryecroft Hall Park.
The Tameside Reporter and Advertiser are both used for articles and advertisements about the park.
A community Newsletter is produced monthly, which informs the Halls users of forthcoming events and other items.
Tameside ‘What’s On’ and ‘Citizen’ Magazines are Authority wide publications which includes Ryecroft as an events venue.
31 The Friends of the Park will arrange a series of Brass Band Concerts during the summer period, which are advertised through out the local area and District Assembly in local shops and display boards.
Publications and general information are regularly placed within the notice board of the park, including contact numbers, a map of the park and information on events taking place within the park and Hall. (See Appendix 11).
Tameside MBC website and the Green Flag website will also display information of events taking place within Ryecroft Hall grounds.
Tameside MBC’s website includes information on Ryecroft Hall and regular community classes taking place within the Hall.
Information of Ryecroft Hall can be found on Tameside MBC’s website: www.tameside.gov.uk and ‘Tameside What’s On’, which is an information booklet available at all Customer Services Centres and the Tourist Information Office.
Events also appear in the Advertiser, which is a free newspaper delivered to all residents within the borough wide. Details of the facilities within the Hall also appear in Tameside’s Wedding Brochure.
32 11. Management
Management of the Park
Responsibility for the management of the ground at Ryecroft Hall lies with the Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly under the direction of the Denton and Audenshaw & Dukinfield Town Manager.
The Town Manager is assisted in the management of Ryecroft by his team including an Assistant Town Manager, an Environmental Officer responsible for day to day management of green spaces in the Town, an Operations Manager responsible for grounds maintenance work on all green sites and administrative assistance.
This management team, along with the grounds senior Gardener, holds a monthly meeting at the park, at which ongoing maintenance and future developments are planned and monitored.
All current and proposed work and events within the grounds are included within the Denton and Audenshaw Town Plan produced each year by the Town Manager and agreed by the District Assembly. The individual Town Plans in turn are incorporated into the wider Business Plan, which covers the whole of Tameside’s District Assembly Service.
The Town Plan for Denton and Audenshaw may be viewed at the link below: http://www.tameside.gov.uk/tmbc1/auddentownplan.pdf
Resources for the Park
The greater part of the costs associated with management of the park are covered and controlled by the Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly in line with Tameside MBC’s aim of giving responsibility for local matters to local people via the District Assemblies.
If larger works are needed which fall outside the scope of the District Assembly’s budget, applications may be made to the Council’s capital programme.
Budgets held by the District Assembly Service for specialist areas such as children’s play or tree maintenance may, at times, be directed towards the grounds for specific projects.
Finally, opportunities are also taken, wherever possible, to apply for funds via outside grant schemes such as the Big Lottery Fund. 33
Park Staff
The majority of work within the grounds is carried out by the Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly’s own staff.
The grounds are currently maintained by one full time member of staff with the support of the grounds maintenance team as required. Specialist staff from the Arboriculture Unit and Playground Maintenance Team carry out ad hoc work as necessary. Tameside Patrollers make periodic visits to the grounds and take the lead in enforcing dog fouling byelaws.
Training
The Council as a whole, and this includes Ryecroft Hall, has been awarded Investor In People. Under this all staff receive annual development reviews, which identify employee objectives and in turn training needs, which are built into subsequent Business Plans.
The training needs take into account the skills required to manage Ryecroft Hall, and this has included: NVQ training in Horticulture, Customer Care, Playground Inspections and First Aid. (See Appendix 12).
The Council has a central training budget, with a proportion being allocated to the District Assemblies.
Putting it into Practice
Information from the Community Strategy and other policies, the Green Flag criteria, judge's reports and feedback from our customer surveys have all provided guidance on managing Ryecroft Hall Park, but to be worthwhile, all this information has to be put into practice in the park. In order to do this an action plan has been developed setting out proposals for the park for the next three years. (See Appendix 3)
34
Review of the Management Plan
It is intended that this plan be a working document and, as such, shall be amended as opportunities arise to carry out improvements within the grounds or if changing circumstances affect the existing proposals. The plan will also be reviewed at the end of the three years covered by the Action Plan.
The purpose of this plan is to help provide a welcoming recreational facility for the residents and visitors of Audenshaw and the wider area. Any comments or suggestions from park users, local residents, community groups, the business community or other interested groups or individuals would be most welcome and may be forwarded to the Denton, Audenshaw and Dukinfield Assistant Town Manager:
Mr Nick Sayers Tel No: 0161 342 2704 Denton Town Hall Email: [email protected] Market Street Denton M34 2AP
Issue 5 : Revised January 2010 35 Appendix Index
1. Sustainability Charter Page 37
2. Tree Survey Page 38
3. Action Plan Page 41
4. Playground Inspection Sheets Page 43
5. Criminal Damage Reports Page 45
6. H & S Policy and Risk Assessment Page 46 example
7. Monthly Management Walkabout Page 50
8. Dog Fouling Campaign Page 51
9. Graffiti Policy Page 52
10. Tameside Older Peoples Partnership Page 54 Grant
11. Publicity & Communications Page 57
12. Staff Training Page 59
13. PACT Agenda and Minutes Page 60
36 Appendix 1
A sustainability Charter for Ryecroft Hall, Audenshaw
Tameside Council is committed to the principles of sustainable development and is striving to improve the quality of life of those living, working and visiting the area both now and in the future. Through the provision of services it aims to contribute to the objectives of the UK Strategy for Sustainable Development, which seeks to achieve:
Social progress that meets the needs of everyone. Effective protection of the environment. Prudent use of natural resources. Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.
Tameside MBC has produced a ‘Quality of Life Strategy’ which sets out an action plan to implement the Local Agenda 21 principles. This covers all aspects of the Councils responsibilities including the built environment, the natural environment, waste management and pollution. It is against the background of this strategy that the following guiding principles for Ryecroft Hall have been developed.
Guiding Principles
In its management of the facilities provided at Ryecroft Hall the Council undertakes to:
Reduce the consumption of natural resources, especially energy and water.
Where feasible, substitute nonrenewable resources with renewable ones.
Minimise the production wastes.
Reuse and recycle wastes.
Release wastes only in forms which natural processes can assimilate.
Prevent pollution by minimising the use of chemicals.
Preserve and where possible increase the variety and diversity of species and habitats.
Protect natural and built up physical assets and amenities that once damaged would be impossible, difficult or very slow to restore and recreate.
Encourage sustainable modes of travel to and from the Hall.
Ensure all facilities are accessible to all members of the public.
Maintain a clean, safe and secure environment.
Establish mechanisms for continual liaison with users of the Park.
37 Appendix 2
TREE SURVEY 2008 RYECROFT HALL AUDENSHAW TREE NUMBER SPECIES AGE CLASS WORK REQUIRED COMMENTS Annual survey to check The age class mix and species mix is 1 PLANE M for relatively poor. health & safety This requires addressing for amenity 2 LIME M requirements and and future sustainability any percieved work of tree cover and resource for local and 3 ROWAN M required to clear wider public vegetation form 4 LAB M pathways,roadways use of the park. street lamps and 5 LIME M structures etc. Consider planting up in appropriate 6 ROWAN M locations with indigenous species with also consideration toward 7 SYC E.M feature ornamental 8 SYC E.M trees where space and vista allows. 9 SYC E.M 10 LIME M 11 LAB M 12 LAB M 13 THORN M 14 WILLOW E.M 15 ASH M 16 LIME E.M 17 W.CHERRY M 18 ASH M 19 CHERRY M 20 CHERRY M 21 LIME M 22 ASH M 23 SYC M 24 ASH M 25 ASH M 26 HOLLY E.M 27 BEECH E.M 28 HOLLY E.M 29 HOLLY E.M 30 S.PINE E.M 31 ASH E.M 32 FERN BEECH 33 ASH M 34 ASH M 35 ASH E.M 36 LIME M 37 LIME M 38 ASH M 39 SYC M 40 LIME E.M 41 ASH E.M S.WHITEBEA 42 M E.M
38 43 ASH M 44 SYC M 45 FERN BEECH M 46 BEECH E.M 47 ASH M 48 ASH M 49 ASH M 50 ASH M 51 SYC M 52 LIME E.M 53 BEECH E.M 54 N.MAPLE Y 55 THORN M 56 THORN M 57 THORN O.M 58 N.MAPLE Y 59 PLANE Y 60 CHESTNUT M 61 CHESTNUT M WEEPING 62 ASH M 63 BEECH M 64 BEECH M 65 V.HOLLY M 66 CHESTNUT M 67 BEECH M 68 CHESTNUT M 69 CHESTNUT M 70 PLANE M WEEPING 71 ELM E.M 72 HOLLY M 73 HOLLY M 74 BEECH E.M 75 CHESTNUT M 76 CHESTNUT M 77 CHESTNUT M 78 CHESTNUT M 79 CHESTNUT M 80 PEAR M 81 CHESTNUT M 82 LIME E.M 83 CHESTNUT M 84 LIME E.M 85 BEECH M 86 CHESTNUT M 87 SYC E.M 88 ASH M 89 LIME M 90 SYC E.M 91 CHERRY E.M 92 ASH M 93 ASH M 94 ASH M 95 N.MAPLE M 96 ASH M 39 97 SYC M 98 SYC M 99 BEECH M 100 SYC E.M 101 SYC E.M 102 SYC E.M 103 SYC E.M RED 104 CHESTNUT E.M 105 BEECH E.M RED 106 CHESTNUT E.M 107 OAK E.M 108 BEECH E.M 109 N.MAPLE E.M 110 ASH M 111 BEECH Y 112 CHESTNUT M 113 BEECH M 114 N.MAPLE Y 115 BEECH E.M 116 SYC E.M 117 SYC M 118 ASH M 119 N.MAPLE Y 120 CHERRY M 121 BEECH M 122 BEECH M 123 CHERRY M 124 CHERRY M 125 CHERRY M 126 CHERRY M 127 OAK M 128 ASH M 129 ASH M 130 SYC M 131 OAK M 132 SYC M 133 CHERRY M 134 THORN O.M 135 THORN O.M 136 CHERRY M 137 THORN O.M 138 CHERRY M 139 ASH M BLACK 140 CHERRY M 141 ROWAN Y 142 MALUS? Y 143 MALUS? Y BLACK 144 CHERRY M BLACK 145 CHERRY M
40 RYECROFT HALL ACTION PLAN 2007 – 2011 Appendix 3
COMMUNITY COMPLETION APPROXIMATE WORK IDENTIFIED STRATEGY DATE COST
Society Healthy Borough Learning Attractive Population Supportive Community Prosperous Environment Communities
2007/2008 2008/2009 2009/2010 2010/2011
Safe A Welcoming Place Replace/ new signage to and within the park � � � � £500.00 Healthy, Safe & Secure Risk Assessments review & updating � � � �
Refurbish play area (Play Builder) � � � � £70,000.00 Prepare Capital Bid for major works � � � � Undertake tree works as required � � � �
Look at traffic management solutions � � � � Repair damaged path surface � � Completed £15,000.00 Improve accessibility to notice boards/interpretation board � � Renew gulley pots around bowling green � � Clean & Well Maintained Address style of bins and locations Completed £1000.00 Install tantalised wood around woodland walk � � � Resurface woodland paths Completed £500.00
New recycled benches/ bins � � � � £350.00 each New recycled picnic benches � � � � £360.00 each New recycling bins � � Sustainability
Minimise the quantity of pesticide use � � � �
Improve on Local Agenda 21 � � � �
Maximise the use of peat free � � � �
41 COMMUNITY COMPLETION APPROXIMATE WORK IDENTIFIED STRATEGY DATE COST
Society Healthy Borough Learning Attractive Population Supportive Community Prosperous Environment Communities
2007/2008 2008/2009 2009/2010 2010/2011
Safe Conservation & Heritage Carry out a grounds landscape survey in conjunction with the local history society � � � �
Carry out tree survey � � � � Install traditional railing style to bottom of park � � � �
Develop Butterfly Garden � � COMPLETED Develop the woodland area with wildflower walk and information boards � � � �
Community Involvement Improve communications with service unit users of the Hall and surrounding premises � � � � Continue to support the Friends Group � � � � Arrange annual Brass Band Concerts and Fun Day � � � � £2,000.00 Marketing Produce marketing information � � � � Management Review Management Plan � � � �
42 RYECROFT HALL PLAYGROUND, AUDENSHAW – Health & Safety Inspection Sheet & Fault Report Appendix 4
Inspected By: ______Perimeter Fencing & Gates Side 1 Week Ending: ______M T W Th F A Activity Ship with Slide Side 2 Side 3 Weather Condition: ______B Activity Sand Unit Side 4 C Slide If Snow on Ground Please State: D See Saw Litter E Springy Animal General Litter Fault Report: F Picnic Bench Broken Glass (See Opposite Plan) G Litterbin Syringes H Wooden Train Dog Waste Details: ______I Climbing Frame with Slide Fly Tipping J Wooden Hut ______K Springy Animal L Picnic Bench ______M Swings N Picnic Bench ______O Swings P Tyre Swing Reported To: ______Q Safety Barrier R Safety Barrier Date: ______S Safety Barrier
T Litterbin Graffiti on Item
For Play Unit Use A B C D E F
Auctioned By: ______G H I J K L M N O P Q R Date: ______P Q R S T 1 2 3 4 Details: ______Please Circle
______
43 RYECROFT HALL PLAYGROUND, AUDENSHAW
F
A B D G
E
Main Pathway
I
K J H L O
T Q
N P R M S 44 Appendix 5
District Assembly Service Criminal Damage Reporting Sheet
LOCATION:
POST CODE:
DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
AREA:
DATE OF OFFENCE:
DESCRIPTION OF
DAMAGE:
PROPERTY TYPE:
CRIME NUMBER:
APPROX. COST OF
DAMAGE:
Completed by: ………………………………………………………
Date: ……………………………………
Added to Database:
Please include damage to buildings, street furniture, floral displays, trees/saplings, shrubs, vehicles or machinery, bowling greens, grassed areas, play equipment etc.
Return the completed form to [email protected]
45 Appendix 6 Health & Safety Policy
46
47 Risk Assessment Example
48
49 APPENDIX 7 Ryecroft Hall Walkabout
Tuesday 10th November 2009
Present: NS, LH, DK & LE
Apologies: DB
Action
• Repair to self closing gates. DB
• New gates – Planning permission pending DB
• Ivy front of Hall needs removing. DB
• Community Payback – Leaf clearance, material for woodland path. DB
• Access to notice board and wild flowers boards. DB
• Bollard needs resetting on main drive. DB
• Gulley around bowling green needs replacing. DB
• New bowling green boards in parts DB
• Leaning lamp column opposite annex DB
Date of Next Meeting: 8th December 2009 at 10.00am Ryecroft Hall
50 Appendix 8
51 Appendix 9 GRAFITTI REMOVAL
1. Reporting of incidents
1.1 Incidents to be reported to Town Manager’s office in first instance.
2. Action to be taken
2.1 Council Owned property and land
• Local District Assemblies office to assess and arrange for graffiti removal. • Seek approval of service area which is landlord for premises (if not DA land/premises) in order to recoup cost of graffiti removal. • Damage to be recorded on criminal damage report. • Photographic evidence to be taken of graffiti and retained by area office.
2.2 Private Property
• District Assembly area office staff to arrange for Indemnity Form to be signed by owner of property (copy form attached). • Copy of Indemnity Form to be sent to Ian Cochrane for details to be added to graffiti database on District Assemblies shared drive. • Details forwarded to Peter Hadfield for Cleansweep Team to carry out assessment of work required. • Photographic evidence to be taken of graffiti. • Decision taken on whether work to be carried out by Cleansweep Team or contractor. • Photographic evidence to be taken of property after graffiti is removed. • Each District Assembly to be allocated its own cost code and budget (£5k pa).
3. Appointment of Council’s “nominated contractor”
3.1 IC to seek quotations from a minimum of 3 suppliers for the carrying out of graffiti removal works on behalf of the Council.
3.2 Quotation seeking a day rate for graffiti removal works.
3.3 Need to ensure tender documentation and contract requires the “nominated contractor” to sign indemnity to protect Council against third party claim from any damage caused to private property by the contractor.
4. Risk Assessments and Safe Working Practices
4.1 Need to carry out risk assessment for graffiti removal.
4.2 Also need to ensure we have safe working practices documented for graffiti removal – to use safe working practices document for chewing gum removal as the starting point.
52 TAMESIDE METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL
Graffiti Removal Service Indemnity Form
Please use BLOCK CAPITALS.
Name: …………………………………………………………………………………………
Address: ……………………………………………………………………………………….
Post Code: …………………………………………………………………………………….
Daytime Tel.No.: ………………………………………………………………………………
Evening Tel.No.: ………………………………………………………………………………
I/We request Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council to remove graffiti at the above address (or if not above address),
Location of Graffiti: (Address)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
• I understand that the Council will not accept any liability or any claim in the unlikely event of damages occurring to property directly or indirectly as a result of any graffiti removal work. I also agree to indemnify the Council against any claim made against property that arises directly or indirectly as a result of any graffiti removal work on my property. • I understand there is a small risk of damage to pointing and fading of paint as a result of graffiti work on my property. • I confirm that I am the owner of the property.
Signed:………………………………………………… Date:..…………………………….
Post to: District Assemblies, Parks and Land Management Section, Tameside MBC, Council Offices, Wellington Road, AshtonunderLyne OL6 6DL
53 Appendix 10
54
55
56 Appendix 11
57 58 Appendix 12
On Site, In Service Training & Development
Name Stephen David Nigel Stephan Taylor King Cooney Hall
NVQ Level 1 07/11/1998 07/11/1998 Amenity Horticulture NVQ Level 2 01/11/1998 Amenity Horticulture Lifting & 24/03/1997 09/12/1996 28/01/1997 Handling First 09/03/2000 08/07/2002 Aid Link Tip 12/06/2002 03/10/2000 Tool Box 10/12/2002 11/12/2002 10/12/2002 Talk 43 Trailor 06/10/2002 06/10/2002 Towing Chapter 24/11/2004 24/11/2004 25/07/2002 25/07/2002 Eight Working 14/12/2004 22/02/2005 14/12/2004 14/12/2004 Safely Manual 24/03/2006 02/06/2006 Handling Asbestos 09/03/2007 09/03/2007 09/03/2007 09/03/2007 Working 14/12/2004 14/12/2004 Over Load 16/05/2007 16/05/2007 Training Playground 21/04/1998 22/04/1998 Inspection PA1 22/03/2000 18/09/1997 Pesticide PA6 Pesticide 22/03/2000 18/09/1997 PA9 Pesticide 12/01/2000 Cable 29/01/2002 13/02/1998 Avoidence 10/11/2005 Tool Kinetic 17/03/2006 17/03/2006 Handling Institute Of 18/02/2002 Groundsmanship Dealing 10/01/2005 With Aggression First Aid 10/12/2007 Four Days Tractor 27/05/1997 Driving Roberine 15/02/2001 Training
59 Appendix 13
POLICE, PARTNERS AND COMMUNITIES TOGETHER PACT Date: 13/01/10 Venue: Ryecroft Hall, Audenshaw Time: 1500 hrs AGENDA
1. Welcome and introductions
2. Apologies
3. Previous minutes and matters arising
4. Previous actions – 1) Sponsored vehicle 2) Roker Park 20 mph zone
5. Performance update
6. Partnership updates
7. New P.A.C.T. priorities
8. A.O.B.
9. Next meeting
Date: 10th February 2010 Time: 1500 hrs Venue: Ryecroft Hall, Audenshaw
60
Audenshaw Ward
Wednesday 13th January 2010
1500 Hrs
Ryecroft Hall
PACT Minutes
‘PARTNERS AND COMMUNITES TOGETHER’
Present: PC Katie Murray – GMP PCSO Hayley Davies – GMP SC Josh O’Donnell – GMP SGT Liz Mcluskey GMP Peter Goodwin – Fire Service Catherine Kenny – TMBC Steven Jackson – TMBC Steve Heyes – TMBC Keith and Angela Haresceugh – Stanhope Avenue Resident
Apologies: Tony Barlow – Fire Service Chris Odell – Youth Services Allan and Dorothy – Assheton Avenue Resident
Chaired by: PC Katie Murray
Minutes: PCSO Hayley Davies
61 Katie Previous minutes discussed Action forwarded onto next month – 20 mph limit on Roker Park need to speak to Malcolm Grier. Crime statistics discussed. Pact results/priorities discussed. Garages at the bottom of Hawthorne/Hazel Street have been demolished However cars are now using the space as a cut through onto Corporation Road. Need to speak to New Charter to put a bollard up in the gap as it is their land. The Audenshaw Gunners football team are having a presentation evening this year to present their new kits and various awards for their achievements. Also coming up this year will be a Homewatch Ceremony to present members with various awards. Hopefully next month there will be more residents and agencies involved in this meeting and we will try and promote the meeting better.
Peter Goodwin – There has been 6 incidents this month • 2 small fires in dwellings • 1 flooding • 1 commercial property • 1 hazardous substance • 1 racially motivated
Cath Kenny There has been no referrals. The incidents from Buckley Street will be raised at this months NAT meeting as the resident is not willing to be helped. However we are looking into soundproofing the party walls as they are currently very thin and every noise can be heard.
Steven Jackson – Nothing all is quiet
Steve Heyes – All is quiet at the moment. 2 dog fouling fines have been given on St Anne’s Field. Due to the area being quiet he has helped out the Social Services caring for the elderly.
Keith and Angela All is quiet, just a concern for the welfare of a neighbour. Any further instances of concern will be rung in to 872 5050 so that an officer on duty can attend.
Pact Priorities: • Stanhope Estate • Denton Road (Acorns)
Next Meeting:
Date: 10/02/10 Time: 1500 hrs Venue: Ryecroft Hall, Audenshaw
62