TWO TOWNS AREA FORUM

MEETING, 14th June 2011

Present – 33 members of the public attended the meeting.

Councillor Kevin McKeon - North East Ward (Chair) Councillor Lindsey Kell - Horwich and Blackrod Ward Councillor Joyce Kellett - Horwich North East Ward Councillor Stephen Pickup - Horwich and Blackrod Ward

Also in attendance

Val Cloynes - Area Co-ordinator Jeanette Pemberton-Billing - Business Support Ellen Miller - Forum Chief Officer Billy Riccio - Environmental Services Inspector Chris Evans - Police PCSO Chris Knott - Greater Manchester Police Linda Challender - Ann Schenk - Royal Hospital C A Frazer - NHS Councillor Steve Rock - Horwich Town Council Councillor Ken Thomson - Horwich Town Council

Apologies were received from Councillors Barrow and Silvester, and Julie Hilling, MP.

Councillor Kevin McKeon in the Chair

There were no Declarations of Interest

1. INTRODUCTION

Councillor McKeon welcomed everyone to the meeting, led the introductions and then asked for the thanks of the Area Forum to be extended to former Councillors Barbara Ronson, Robert Ronson and

Page 1 of 4 Raymond Barrow. Councillor McKeon then explained the format for the meeting.

2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the meeting held on the 22nd February 2011 were submitted and accepted as a correct record.

Minute 41 about the height of the Armstrongs soil pile would be further investigated and reported back to the next Area Forum meeting.

3. UPDATE ON THE FUTURE OF HEALTH SERVICES

The Chair introduced Ann Schenk, Director of Service Development at the Royal Bolton Hospital, who had brought copies of the formal consultation document around the merger of the NHS and PCT. The document detailed the new priorities, on which comments were welcome. The document was also available on the NHS Bolton website.

4. POLICE UPDATE – INSPECTOR CHRIS EVANS

The new Inspector introduced himself and gave a brief overview of neighbourhood policing and partnership working in and around the Two Towns area. Insp Evans stated that he would attend the Area Forum whenever possible.

Following the presentation a series of questions were asked and answered on the night.

Resolved – That the presentation be noted.

5. HAVE YOUR SAY - DISCUSSION ABOUT BIG ISSUES

The Chair introduced Ellen Miller, the Forum Chief Officer, who outlined the context of proposed discussions to establish residents' views on how to improve the area and be more proactive with what went on.

Page 2 of 4 The stated big issues included: Armstrongs on Chorley New Road Quarries - Montcliffe and Pilkington Planning / Planning Policy / Planning Process Play area for Blackrod (Vicarage Road end) Affordable housing on new developments on Chorley New Rd Shadowing of Councillors to allow more insight Forum Minutes should be more detailed Traffic during busy periods very heavy Shortage of facilities in Blackrod and Horwich (eg toilets, public halls, recreational facilities), yet civic events are encouraging more visitors Grass cutting - inadequate and poor quality Rubbish left by side of roads Money from new developments to be used for open recreation land rather than other things Problem getting onto school rolls How to help residents help with local work (eg bidding to help with grass cutting)

Resolved – That the findings be noted and considered by Members of the Forum.

6. UPDATE ON BUDGETS DEVOLVED TO THE AREA FORUM

Val Cloynes, Area Forum Co-ordinator reported that all Area Forum budgets for 2010-2011 had been allocated and had been reported back to the last Area Forum, and that the budgets for 2011-2012 had not yet been released.

She further went on to state that new information about the budgets would be reported back to the next Area Forum.

Bolton CVS now administered the Voluntary Sector Grants pot previously administered by each Area Forum. Further information was available from the Bolton CVS website or telephone number (01204) 546010.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

7. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

The written question received prior to the meeting needed further information; when this had been provided, a response would be sent to the resident. Page 3 of 4

The following written questions were submitted on the night:

Given that the problem of HGVs using Crown Lane was a frequent complaint made to this Area Forum: 1. could the sign at the top of Crown Lane be returned to its correct alignment? 2. could Police do spot checks on the HGVs?

Could anything be done to lessen the nuisance caused by noisy and speeding motorcycles on Lever Park Avenue every Sunday and Bank Holiday?

Would the Area Forum support either the cycle race or Horwich Carnival being moved to, or close to, St George's Day, in order to celebrate the heritage and culture of England?

Other questions were asked and answered on the night.

Resolved - That the questions that could not be answered on the night be noted, passed on to the relevant department or agency to respond and the information fed back to the next Area Forum meeting.

8. CHAIR’S CLOSING REMARKS

Councillor McKeon concluded the meeting by thanking everyone for their attendance and participation and announced that a date for the next Area Forum had not yet been agreed, but that everyone who had signed in would receive an invitation.

(The meeting started at 7.00pm and finished at 9.00pm)

Page 4 of 4