Hindley Green Residents Association Minutes of General Meeting held at Bethel Centre on Wednesday, 2nd November, 2011 at 7.p.m. 1 Present: Chairman, John Vickers (JV), Treasurer, Steve Ashworth (SA), Acting Secretary, Ivy Dickens (ID), Webmaster, Jeff Unsworth (JV), Sheila Woodward, (SW), Barbara Lane (BL), Mike Lynch (ML), Mike Walsh (MW) Danny Murray (DM) Cllr. Frank Carmichael (FC), Cllr. Bob Brierley (BB), Donna Longhurst, Jane Bolton. June Greenfield, John Cocklyn, Margaret & Alan Wright, Phil Cooksey, Julie Bradshaw, Jim Burtonwood, K. Moran, P.C. Wendy Rowson. 1. Apologies for Absence: Ken Ellison, Jimmy Entwistle. 2. Guest Speaker: PC. Wendy Rowson. Chair welcomed Wendy to the Meeting. She gave a short talk on the Treacle Scheme in operation during Bonfire night week. Most public bonfires were now supervised and permitted. However, nuisance fireworks were always a problem and would be monitored where possible. Hindley Green was a comparatively low area for crime. In response to a question regarding the proposed closure of Police Stations, she said this would mainly affect civilian workers and not front line staff. Calls reporting a crime were dealt with in order of priority, which is why it was necessary to establish the severity of the incident by questioning the caller. There was a problem with nuisance callers, but there was a system in place to deal with these as they usually came from known areas. Reports of the sale of alcohol to minors was dealt with by Trading Standards. Wendy concluded her talk by advising that a log number should be obtained when reporting an incident. Chair thanked Wendy for her informative talk. 3. Minutes of Last Meeting. Proposed: Steve Ashworth. Seconded: Mike Walsh 4. Matters Arising: The following items from the Action List were dealt with; Actions:104, 136, 217. No further action. Actions 208, 224. Complete 5. Northleigh Regeneration Scheme. JV and FC reported that there had been no further communication from Mr. Billson (Chairman, Longport Group), regarding a Meeting to discuss issues affecting Hindley Green. A report, together with photographs, had been received from Mr. Roy Rhodes from the Leigh Ornithological Society, disputing the developer s claims that this site was a dump and in need of reclamation. Such areas were really small and comprised less than 3% of the site. Mr. Rhodes had been advised of the issues HGRA were keen to discuss with the developer. It was felt that since plans had not yet been submitted, there was little more HGRA could do at this stage, but await further developments It was understood that the Save our Borough Group had called another Public Meeting and it was reported that Andy Burnham MP, would be in attendance. 1
6. Westlake Projects; 2 a) Westlake Footpath. The funding was now in place but there was a delay in placing the order with the preferred Contractor, since the DDA (Disability Discrimination Act), Group, were proposing to improve access to the site and another Contractor had quoted for this work. At the recent Meeting with Darren Barton, it was felt that it was inadvisable to have two Contractors on the site at the same time. This matter is ongoing with Cllr. Brierley liaising with Darren Barton, Township Manager. Action 198 () b) Westlake Play Area. No further development. c) Westlake Fencing. This was unlikely to be implemented due to difficulties around the perimeter of the site. 7. Township Forum. There was still no news on the replacement for the now defunct Township Forums. FC said that it was expected that local Ward Councillors would take over many of the actions formerly handled by the Township Forums. Training would be given, sometime shortly. It was hoped that more funding could be obtained for the betterment of Hindley Green, and Brighter Boro money should be used exclusively in the Ward. 8. Memorial Plaque. The memorial plaque to the memory of PCSO Chris Maclure, had been purchased. This had been installed on the bench by Treasurer, Steve Ashworth. A dedication ceremony had been arranged for 11 a.m. on 5th November. Mr. & Mrs. Maclure and their family would be there, together with Police representatives and HGRA members. John Vickers, would give a short speech. A report and photographs of the event would be sent to the local Newspaper and featured on HGRA Website. 9. Sponsorship/Fundraising: No further information. 10. Planning Matters. Nothing to report. 11. Councillors Reports. Cllr. B. Brierley: Please see Appendix A. Cllr. F. Carmichael. Hindley Swimming Pool. CFC reported that a further report would be considered by EECH and Cabinet on 23rd and 24th November. He had received a 40 page report which the Council had commissioned from Sport England. This would form part of the evidence to assist Cabinet in making a decision about Hindley and Tyldley pools. He also reported that there would be no bookings for future events at Hindley pool, pending a decision on the proposed closure. Awaiting his written report. Cllr. K. Stitt: No report. 12. Finance Report: As at 2nd November, the Treasurer reported a Bank Balance of 996. 83. Income: 217. Expenditure: 84.83. 13. Any Other Business. 2
3 a) Thomas Street Development (Recreation Ground). A reply had been received from Mr. Graham Dickman, in reponse to a query from HGRA regarding the proposed upgrading of the Recreation Area., which was in doubt. Mr. Dickman had misunderstood and replied referring to the possible redevelopment of the site of the now demolished Thomas St. Primary School. A further letter had been sent, reiterating our concerns and requesting information. To date, a reply had not been received. said he would contact Steve Normington for further information. Action 255 (ID/) b) Coupland Road. A member reported that there was a considerable amount of litter and rubbish scattered along Coupland Road. Perhaps if the bushes were cut back, the litter would not accumulate there. c) Traffic Issues. An e-mail had been received from Steve Bell. The Residents Consultation Exercise concerning the possible closure of Colwyn Drive to traffic turning from Leigh Road, would be sent out to 181 properties in three weeks time. The Speed surveys on Green Lane and Thomas Street were complete. On Green Lane, the mean speed was 32.2 mph, and the average vehicle flow per day was 1,552. On Thomas St., the mean speed was 18.1 mph, with an average flow of 426 per day. d) Brighter Boro Donation. Chair thanked Cllrs. Brierley and Carmichael for their generous donation of 200, towards the administration and running costs of the Association. 14. Date of Next Meeting: 7th December, 2011 15. Date of Next Committee Meeting: 8th November, 2011. The Meeting concluded at 8.45 pm. E.&O.E ACTION LIST 2011/2011 Date Item Action by 198 01/09/10 Re-direct funds from WMBC to HGRA for Westlake footpath renewal. 218 6.7.11 Arrange Meeting with Longport Chairman & 3 local Cllrs. 219 6.7.11 Request for Speed Surveys on Green Lane, and Thomas St. JV ID Comments Now being dealt with as part of HGRA Westlake Project Northleigh Regen. Scheme. Date of proposed Meeting not yet finalised due to time factors re Longport Chairman Speed surveys complete Awaiting further info. Target Date Footpath Renewal timescale Oct-Nov 2011 3
from Steve Bell 4 221 6.7.11 Investigate anglers parking vehicles on and around Westlake 222 6.07.11 Refurbish Askwith Road main roundabout FC/ Stumps purchased to install around perimeter. Awaiting instructions from WLCT. Funding in place. Astroturf being considered 223 3.8.11 Commemorative plaque for PCSO Chris Maclure 225 5.10.11 Thomas Street School and land development SW ID Plaque installed. Dedication arranged 5.11.11. Press to be advised. Awaiting further information from G. Dickman. re upgrading of Recreation Area Appendix A. Councillor Bob Brierley Monthly report Over the last month I've dealt with a number of Complaints from residents. 1. Myself and Frank have arranged for the Roundabout at Askwith Road to be cleaned up 2. Arranged for three extra salt bins two off Coupland Road, and one near Hollins Road. 3. I've arranged again this year that Hindley Green will receive 40.5 tons of rock salt to deal with the snow and ice if it comes 4. I've put in place a private 2 ton stock of rock salt to help where grit bins are not located at a personal cost of 160.00 5. Myself and Frank have arranged for all our businesses to receive Christmas Trees this year, with a large 24 foot tree outside St John's Church, and a small tree inside the Church. Leigh Road Church again an indoor tree, and Sacred Heart Church two small trees like last year 6. Myself and Frank will be sorting out three back alleys shortly by laying road planing's to stop the weeds 7. You may see around Hindley Green that the weeds in the road gutters have died off. Frank and myself requested this from WL&CT 8.The winter flowers on Hindley Green are now back with the flower baskets in front of local businesses being replanted very soon. 9. After some misunderstanding the two children from St John's School had a private visit to Wigan Town Hall in appreciation of their achievements of their good work in the school. 4
10. Hopefully, the work on our footpath at West Lake will shortly be starting (approx three weeks to complete). 5 11. We have a new business on the green (a new café Lunch Box) (near Askwith Roundabout) 12. 6,000 dog bags this month to four locations, Local Post Office, Sun Bed shop, Barber Shop, and now the paper shop top of Long Lane, (I go and pick them up and deliver them free of charge) 13. I've supplied information to Ivy regarding funding grants 14. Again after getting more support, I intend to apply for the Youth Club at Park High Sport Centre, I'll keep you up-dated 5