To promote a thriving Diggle Village Community
Open Meeting
http://www.digglevillage.org.uk/
Minutes of the Open Meeting held on Thursday 6th February 2014 at Diggle Band Club
Present: Stuart Coleman (Chair), Julie Johnson (Treasurer), Glenise Eason (Minutes)
67 members present
Councillor’s Mike Buckley, Alan Roughly, Garth Harkness, Royce Franklin, Lesley Brown
J Askew, S Askew, J Brannon, M Brooks, L Barlow, D Barlow, L Baker, H Barnes, B Barnes
M Brayford,
L Calvin-Thomas, J Calvin Thomas, V Carter, P Carter, A Coates, G Coates, A Cocker
G Cocker, S Coleman, C Coleman, N Cox, J Cruise B Cliffe
E Davies,P Davies
G Eason, L Elmore
R Gartside, S George, S Gledhill
R Heptonstall, J Hewitt, B Holden
J Johnson,
M Kershaw,
K Lambert , H Leech , K Lucas
K McWatt, P Marshall, S Marshall, D Mooney, N Mooney
M Payne,
A Richards, D Redfearn, J Redfearn, D Reid, B Robinson
D Shipp, A Shamsi, C Salisbury, K Skelthorn, J Singleton
M Taylor
B Wogahlo, G Wilkinson, G Watt, R Wood, D Wood, C Woodhead
(Apologies for any surname misspelt)
Apologies: M Mclean, M Hardy, C Baumann, Ray Withnall
Minutes of the last meeting: accepted as a true record
Matters arising:
No actions noted
Agenda items:
1: Police Report
Police not in attendance
2: Saddleworth School
The Chair (SC) introduced this item restating the position of the DCA
The DCA fully supports the need for a new school but as OMBC/EFA (Education Funding Agency) is not prepared to utilize the Brownfield area of the pallet works it cannot support the proposed new build in Diggle.
Discussion:
Parish Councilor Mike Buckley (MB) stated that the Diggle site is NOT the only option for the new build contrary to reports suggesting otherwise.
SDAG have submitted a proposal/ plans on how the school could be built on the existing site. MB gave an overview on how this would work; the all-weather pitch and sports hall would be retained saving costs
This has been rejected by OMBC as economically not viable although no costings have been made.
The EFA rejected building on existing site based on information from a 2008 survey of the site because of various problems identified at the time, and therefore rejected as not viable within the present budget envelope.
MB stated lots of misinformation floating around:
· 17 million pounds available, OMBC contribution to infrastructure might cost further 2 million pounds but hard costings have not been made and proposals have been rejected without these figures.
· 7 out of the 9 schools allocated EFA funding in the North West are being built on existing school sites, with “will” this can be done unfortunately OMBC lack the “will “to do this.
· The Diggle site would require
- New all-weather pitch, the Astroturf area might cost £900K-£1 million on a like for like basis.
- Lighting could cost £300K
- Road alteration could cost £600K
These monies could be saved if existing site utilized.
· OMBC are not protecting our Green Fields
The Land swap deal gives up green fields in Diggle that cannot, at present be built on for a 9 acre prime development site worth approx £8-9 million pounds.
Capital Receipt monies not known, sums between 1-2 million pounds have been quoted.
MB stated he didn’t believe it would be cheaper to build in Diggle.
No transparency in discussions, OMBC locked into Land Swap Deal.
· Planning application date not yet known, initially planned for December 2013 possibly May more likely June/July. Planning application can take 26 weeks, but not foregone conclusion.
Some question of meeting deadline of autumn 2015 for the school to be finished and children admitted.
Lack of solid information- Do people really know what they are doing?
Councillor Alan Roughly (AR) stated that:
· the Diggle site IS the only option on the table
· Need to follow the money
· EFA makes the final decision –OMBC only find the land
· 7 Schools being built by Interserve they will put in the planning application
· The 2008 survey on existing site sent to EFA and accepted as a basis for costings,In EFA view building on existing site cannot be done for money available
· Tight budget –OMBC responsible for roads etc.
· 14 sites rejected on cost basis
· Green fields are owned by private consortium cost £5 million designated commercial/Industrial use. Plan to be revised at the moment
· Plans drawn up by Interserve, any increase in budget they will need to find the difference- total budget for all schools.
AR also stated that the technical advisory group to the school has been misrepresented, it includes 2 Diggle residents both with experience of building schools and community representation including DCA chair
SC responded that he was not invited from the beginning has only just joined the group after inviting himself onto it.
Councillor Garth Harkness (GH) agreed that the process has not been transparent, prior to decision being made on preferred site he had asked cabinet member responsible to attend DCA which was agreed, but due to changes within the cabinet this did not happen
The new Cabinet member refused to attend.
· EFA have had to Okay all the information that OMBC have put out.
· EFA refused the other sites, agreed Diggle which is regrettable.
· EFA ruled out building at the back of the site due to cost.
· Discussed with labour colleagues re future funding for schools, Whether funds would be available in future
· Either Diggle or no school, if no new build then what would happen to Saddleworth School. Would need approx £2 million pounds to refurbish /repair.
· If monies not available if deemed unsafe it will close
The Chair commented on reports that Saddleworth children would be bused into the vacant places in new Oldham Schools. Whilst there may be vacancies at present in the future with projected Primary school numbers these school will be full.
Important to keep Channels of Communication open.
Comment from member- Retired from Saddleworth School, some other schools have been refurbished /repaired/rebuilt on existing site. We need a real discussion on why we can’t in this case
GH responded £17 million budget from EFA for new build, if refurbish OMBC would need to find the money approx £2 million pounds.
Other comments from members centered on the safety issues with only one access into the site, proximity to canal towpath, narrow road and pavements.
MB stated
· EFA have never said that the school cannot be built in Uppermill
· If sufficient monies available can be built on existing site
· If Diggle proposals require capital top up then why can’t these monies be spent in Uppermill
· Reinforced OMBC blinkered re land swap deal.
· SDAG have stuck to facts and is open to debate on facts,OMBC have not given out any facts
· EFA and Education Minister acknowledges need for a new school, I don’t believe that they will withdraw funding.
· Huddersfield Rd- don’t believe proposed parking restrictions will be a highway improvement just a traffic calming measure
· Pavement less than 2 m wide a problem/hazard for children walking to uppermill, at present buffered by parked cars.
· Widening of pavement will only be in front of the School-OMBC not really looked at these issues.
· Reports on these issues will need to accompany the planning application.
SC concerned that Amanda Chadderton Cabinet Member is happy to join debate and respond on Social media/Twitter but is NOT prepared to answer questions or meet with the DCA.
Comment also made regarding the use of social media by the leader of the Council.
All agreed Twitter/Social Media is NOT the place to have a debate. The debate needs to be with the Community. Only a proportion of DCA members are using social media.
Comments/Questions from Members:
· Traffic concerns-not enough room for buses to pass, pavement not wide enough for prams.
Who will be held accountable when a child is hurt?
Our children are being “short changed” £17 million not enough.
Remaining land on Pallet works site
· What is going to happen to the existing buildings when all units empty?
· Listed building- no known work done to maintain it falling into disrepair.
· ?? Re using stone from demolished buildings to front new school, this has been dismissed as too expensive.
· ?? houses
SC responded all queries no definite answers.
SC- Funding around fitting out the school where does it come from
Furnishings for new school would need to come out of capital receipts, Matthew Milburn Head teacher.
AR- School will furnish out of existing budget, moving the school will not affect this budget.
Keith Lucas (KL) commented that there were 5 entrances into the Uppermill School site; children do not have to go on a main road /main drive. With the Diggle option children will be straight out onto Huddersfield Rd.
He questioned whether a survey had been done in school with parents and children re site.
At what cost is Diggle the only option?
What is the Social value? – “all pounds and pence”
Need to look at the future of environment for the children
Site option was a political decision.
KL expressed concerns re press coverage- front page to pro diggle group with 100 signatures –SDAG group with 2000 sigs relegated page 5-6
Comments from members re design of new build. Doncaster School had been given as example; members felt this was okay in modern setting not in Diggle.
SC- Site Plan circulated produced by the technical group, innovative makes better use of site that original option presented by OMBC.
Technical group can only recommend no dialogue as yet with Interserve.
Limited space for expansion of site, this would be over the c culvert possible environmental/ecological problems with brook.
Technical group know as little as anyone else
Nick Cox (NC) asked Councillors to ask OMBC for costings of Site.
GH responded that they had been asking but had not received answers.
OMBC have had meetings with David Laws Education Minister re utilizing the rear of the site and his response as not viable.
KL-SDAG has also been in contact with minister and has published the response-Why don’t OMBC make their correspondence public?
Concerns from members
Lot of unanswered questions, Lack of Information from OMBC to all interested parties, the Community, Technical group, Parish Councillors
Decisions being made without necessary information
One member stated that local councilors know no more than we do yet at the Parish Council meeting they voted to support the Diggle site.
3: Post Office
Royal Mail proposing to reclassify the status of the post office which would mean a loss of services and also loss of revenue for Paul which may put business at risk.
Post Office side of shop would go; limited post services would be delivered from shop counter.
Chair on behalf of DCA has written a letter of support for Paul.
Julie Johnson has spoken to Paul re further support needed.
Essential community continues to support post office
Royce Franklin- Parish Councillors are offering support.
4: Village Green
· New site identified as land between Diggle Day Nursery and Warth Mill.
· Nicola Hughes memorial, Christmas tree and lights
· SC has had initial meeting with streetscene,further meeting tomorrow re costings /electricity supply
· SC to approach FCHO for funding once costs known RF offered to help put the letter together.
· Would then need to fundraise to “Light up Diggle “ at Christmas
Building on land opposite Diggle Chippy due to start in spring.
5: AGM
Proposal to move the AGM from December to January in line with the financial year
Subscriptions also due in January
All agreed
6: OMBC Site Allocation
Plans circulated
MB-4 sites in Diggle under review, Shaws Pallet Works, land at Ward Lane and Warth Mill/Ellis Mill site
Legal/Statutory Process- Development Plan detailed 18 months ago
Community needs to respond to protect the land.
Comments to OMBC by 23rd February 2014
MB has drafted a letter, copies circulated, please add Name and Address
Return to OMBC Planning Dept at Civic Centre or complete online.
7: Defibrillator
Councillor Alan Roughly on behalf of Ward Councillors
Aim is for each village to have access to a Defibrillator, some public buildings and doctors surgery have them but none with 24 hour access
North West Ambulance recommending that areas more than 8 mins away from Ambulance base should have 24 hour access to a defibrillator
The Saddleworth villages falls into this category as Ambulances are based at Royal Oldham more than 8 mins away
Defibrillator can be used without training and can be mounted on outside wall in secure cabinet. Access code will be given with 999 calls.
Councillors will be allocating some of their ward budget towards this
Councillors to meet with North West Ambulance on Friday 7th February.
Positive response from members.
Glenise Eason asked if monies available could Basic Life Support sessions be funded in the village ,every Adult should have knowledge of how to respond in an emergency as may not be feasible to access defribulattor immediately.
Lynda Elmore commented that Marsden had done similar exercise and sessions well attended.
Lynda will enquire re contact number.
8: Treasurers Report
Balance of £895:11p
Christingle
Profit on Mulled Wine £28:45p
Collection £114 shared between Children’s Society and Philippines Disaster fund.
Subscriptions due can be paid at the end of the meeting-£2 per household.
Ray Withnall
Ray is recovering at home following heart surgery.
Members send their very best wishes for a speedy recovery
SDAG thanked Ray for his help with the petitions prior to his illness.
AOB
1. Dave Woods-Diggle Blues Festival 5th-8th June 2014
Free Community event but donations welcome.
2. Royce Franklin-Health Watch Oldham. Arriva transportation not meeting guidelines.
Any observations /feedback please to www.healthwatcholdham.co.uk or tel. 0161 622 5700