ASTLEY BRIDGE AREA FORUM MEETING – Wednesday 9
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
ASTLEY BRIDGE AREA FORUM MEETING – Wednesday 9th March, 2016 Present – 54 members of the public attended the meeting Councillor Hilary Fairclough - Astley Bridge Ward Councillor John Walsh - Astley Bridge Ward Councillor Paul Wild - Astley Bridge Ward Also in attendance John Shannon - Area Co-ordinator Jane Bickerstaffe - Business Support Officer Mark Hoban - Environmental Services Jess Britch - Woodland Trust Russ Hedley - Woodland Trust Apologies for absence were submitted by David Crausby MP Councillor Paul Wild in the Chair 8. WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS Councillor Wild welcomed everyone and introduced himself, and the other Councillors and Officers in attendance. 9. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FROM COUNCILLORS AND OFFICERS There were no Declarations of Interest. 10. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 9th September, 2015 were submitted and approved as a correct record. 11. PRESENTATION – INTRODUCING SLIMMER GREY BINS Prior to the main presentation on the slimmer grey bins Councillor Wild introduced Jess Britch, Smithills Estate Ranger, Woodland Trust and Russ Hedley from the Woodland Trust who gave a brief presentation on the Smithills Estate Project. The main points were: The Woodland Trust, based at Smithills Hall, was now managing over 1,700 acres of land at Smithills. They were looking for volunteers to; o Help with species surveying, from winter trees to fungi o Be a part of a “Friends of” group o Be part of a forum group The forum group would help consider options for the regeneration of the estate for wildlife including looking at access points, improved paths and tree planting to re- establish the woodland. Councillor Wild thanked Jess and Russ for attending the forum and providing information on the project. Councillor Wild then introduced Mark Hoban, Head of Waste and Fleet Management, Department of Place, who gave a presentation on the introduction of slimmer grey bins. The main points were: Why Recycle? And what goes in which bin, a leaflet was now available on what should and should not be put in the burgundy bin. Larger items – collection service What can be recycled at the local centres Savings needed on cost of collection and disposal What other authorities in Greater Manchester are doing Advantage of slimmer bin over less frequent collections The introduction schedule and preparing for the change Phased container exchange The new waste audit policy if you are unable to manage More information at: www.bolton.gov.uk/loverecycling Also, the compost generated from the green bin collections was available to purchase at a reasonable cost from the two recycling centres and Heaton Fold: Raikes Lane (Hurstwood Court), Bolton BL3 2NP Open 8am-6pm Monday - Sunday Over Hulton, Salford Road, Over Hulton BL5 1DG Open 8am-6pm Monday – Saturday Sunday and Bank Holidays 10am – 4pm Heaton Fold Garden Centre, Overdale Drive, Bolton BL1 5BU Tel:01204 336848 www.heatonfold.co.uk A number of questions followed the updates and were answered at the meeting. Resolved – That the updates be noted 12. BUDGET UPDATE Councillor Wild introduced John Shannon, Area Co-ordinator, who gave an update on current balances for budgets and grants devolved to the Area Forum as follows; Area Forum Budgets for 2013/14 and 2014/15: Highways Maintenance Budget; Allocation - £19,200 Balance - £0 Area Forum Flat Rate Budget; Allocation - £13,750 Balance - £0 Approved since last meeting; Contribution to surface dressing repairs at Eastgrove Avenue and other highway repairs (£900). Area Forum Budgets for 2015/16 and 2016/17 Area Forum Flat Rate Budget; Allocation - £9,375 Balance - £9,375 Highways Maintenance Budget; Allocation - £19,200 Balance - £19,200 Neighbourhood Management Budget; Allocation - £3725 Balance - £3,725 Resolved – That the update, together with the projects approved under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation, be noted. 13. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SESSION Councillor Wild 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. The questions were as follows: Q1 A resident stated that a property on Moss Bank Way, near Temple Road, had not been lived in for quite some time and had become an ‘eyesore’. Also, the field that backs onto Thorns Close was being used to dump rubbish on. Could anything be done about both these issues? A The resident’s concerns would be followed up. Q2 Another resident asked if a pollution count could be taken on Blackburn Road? A Regular pollution monitoring was carried out and the Blackburn Road/Moss Bank Way junction recorded higher levels due to the high volume of traffic. The Councillors have had meetings with TfGM (Traffic for Greater Manchester) to look at issues linked to traffic flows, particularly from Andrew Lane down to Ulleswater Street. A report from TfGM was anticipated. Q3 A resident asked if there were any proposals to refurbish the Brierfield Public House which was currently vacant. A There were currently no known plans to do anything with it. Q4 Was it known when the work on the Three Pigeon’s Public House would be completed? A The work was expected to be completed by the end of 2016. Resolved – That the questions be noted and the questions which were not answered be directed to the appropriate departments or partner agencies. 14. CHAIR’S CLOSING REMARKS Councillor Wild thanked everyone for attending and advised that the date of the next Astley Bridge Area Forum had not been decided. However, residents on the emailing list would receive invitations and the meeting would also be made available on the Councils website. (The meeting started at 7.00pm and finished at 7.56pm) .