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HARPER GREEN AREA FORUM MEETING – Monday 18th January, 2016 Present – 12 members of the public attended the meeting. Councillor Mike Francis - Harper Green Ward Councillor Susan Haworth - Harper Green Ward Councillor Champak Mistry - Harper Green Ward Also in attendance John Pye - Neighbourhood Manager Jane Bickerstaffe - Business Support Officer Phil Bailey - Environmental Services Pearl Burgess - Public Health, Bolton Council PC Trish Shepherd - Greater Manchester Police PCSO Patel - Greater Manchester Police Apologies for absence were received from Yasmin Qureshi MP. Councillor Mistry in the Chair 9. INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME Councillor Mistry welcomed everyone to the meeting. He then introduced Councillors Francis and Haworth and other Council officers and partners present. 10. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FROM COUNCILLORS AND OFFICERS There were no Declarations of Interest. 11. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 15th June, 2015 were submitted and approved as a correct record. 12. PRESENTATION – IMPROVING HEALTH AND WELLBEING Councillor Mistry introduced Pearl Burgess, Health Development Worker from the Public Health Department, Bolton Council who gave a presentation on Improving Health and Wellbeing in the Harper Green ward. The main points were: Life expectancy in the Harper Green area has improved at a faster rate than both Bolton and England. Also, the gap between the ward and the Bolton average has reduced considerably since 2000. The schools in the Harper Green ward have shown a very positive improvement in the proportion of pupils gaining five plus grades A*-C since 2005. After years of stasis, Harper Green ward has shown a marked reduction in teenage pregnancy. As the UK’s population rapidly ages, social isolation is one of the biggest challenges facing our society. In the UK 51% of all people over aged 75 live alone. Older people are especially vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation. ‘Souper’ Social Club Every Friday 12-2pm, local residents are invited to come to New Bury residents building. They are given a healthy bowl of homemade soup, made with fresh ingredients or a sandwich, tea/coffee are also offered. Recipe cards are given, emphasising benefits of cooking from scratch and how it is more economical. This is a good way of engaging with others. Meeting new friends, helps to address isolation and offers support. Partnership approach, working with other agencies. Signposting to other voluntary and statutory services. Women's group: Melodramatics This group started as a women’s only group that meet every Thursday afternoon. The majority of women have suffered domestic violence, some were new to the area and had no friends. They were asked if they would like to try creative writing and although initially sceptical, they accepted the offer. A writer from the Octagon Theatre was involved. The women began to write a play about their own experiences. This has since been performed at the octagon theatre by the women, giving them new confidence to explore other things. Some have gone on to undertake voluntary work. Melodramatics: unexpected outcomes The group were invited to speak at a conference at Manchester University. They were also invited to attend a seminar in Brussels at the European parliament. They are now in the process of writing a new play. One lady said “I have lived here for 12 years and only knew my neighbour, I now have a network of friends, I do voluntary work and I’ve gained my life back” Resolved – That the presentation be noted. 13. COMMUNITY INTEREST UPDATE Councillor Mistry invited community group representatives to share any news or update the Forum about their group or the activity they provide. Mrs Pat Duckworth of the Flower Estate Resident’s Association gave a brief update on the Quid a Kid scheme. She reported that 772 young people had attended the scheme between April and December 2015. They had organised another very successful Christmas Party in December, with 84 children and young people attending and enjoying all the activities on offer. They also met Father Christmas and were each given a gift. All remaining gifts were donated to the Bolton Lions Club who gave them to under privileged children. Resolved – That the update be noted. 14. BUDGET UPDATE Councillor Mistry introduced John Pye, Neighbourhood Manager, who gave a brief update on the budgets for 2015-2017: Area Forum Budget 2015-17 Amount available from 1 April 2015 £9,375 Maltby Residents Association £400 Sunnyside Grant £100 Rishwith Residents Association start up event £550 Flower Estate Residents Association Childrens Christmas party 2015 £500 Bolton Swimming Club £100 Roseneath Residents Christmas Party 2015 £100 Balance to carry forward £7,625 Area Forum Highways Maintenance Budget Amount remaining available from 1 April 2015 - £19,200 Resolved – That the report, together with the projects approved under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation be noted. 15. QUESTIONS AND ANSWER SESSION Councillor Mistry invited residents to ask any questions or put forward any comments they had regarding issues and concerns in the Harper Green ward. Q1 A resident asked if arrangements had been made for a representative from Transport for Greater Manchester to attend a future Area Forum, as suggested at the last meeting? A Councillor Francis explained that it would only be possible for someone from TFGM to attend a Harper Green Area Forum if there were specific transport issues directly affecting the Harper Green area. Q2 A resident said she had seen diggers at the former Conservative Club on Green Road and she asked if the plans for this land were known? A Councillor Francis said it was in the pipeline that Bolton at Home were proposing to build social housing, but as yet there had not been any formal consultation. Q3 A resident reiterated their concern about the traffic problems on Lever Edge Lane and the possibility of installing a Zebra Crossing. A It was stated that this was still being looked into. Resolved – That the questions and comments be noted and the questions that were not answered be forwarded to the appropriate department. 16. CHAIRS CLOSING REMARKS Councillor Mistry concluded the meeting by thanking residents for their attendance and contributions and advised that the date and venue of the next Harper Green Area Forum meeting was still to be confirmed and residents would be notified in the usual way. (The meeting started at 7.03pm and concluded at 7.49pm) .

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