Little Hulton/Walkden Community Committee

LITTLE HULTON/WALKDEN COMMUNITY COMMITTEE

Walkden Congregational Church,
Manchester Road,
Walkden.

31st March, 2003

Meeting commenced: 6.00 p.m.

" ended: 8.09 p.m.

PRESENT: Councillor Pennington - in the Chair

Councillors E. Burgoyne, V. Burgoyne, Mann, Payne, Smyth and Witkowski

John Rooney - Community Safety Unit

Cath Hamilton } Kenyon Residents’ Association

John McCarty }

Eileen Hartigan - Age Concern

Barbara Nicholas - Community Organiser, Salford Community Network

Gaynor Morrison - Homestart, Salford

Adrian Dunning - Worsley Civic Trust

Ron Carney - Little Hulton/Walkden Governors’ Forum

Frank McNulty - Armitage Residents’ Association

B. Worthington-Lomax } Little Hulton Women and Family Centre

Jacqueline Simpson }

Sandra Turner - Walkden Congregational Church

Josie Brown - Community Representative

David Green - Salford Action Team, Job Centre Plus

Teresa Duncan } Greater Manchester Police

Nick Forshaw }

John Williams - 1st Worsley Scout Group

Aled Owen - Walkden High School

Paul Brighouse - Salford Community Health Council

Marc Eles - Salford Advertiser

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:

Anne Williams - Area Co-ordinator - Director of Community and

Social Services

Angie Taylor - Neighbourhood Co-ordinator

Pat Kirkman } One Stop Shop

Lynne Neill }

Jean Palin }

Judy Edmonds - Education and Leisure Directorate

Claire Mitchell - Housing Services Directorate

Nikki Park - Committee Services Officer

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Little Hulton/Walkden Community Committee - 31st March, 2003

87. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Devine, Fernandez and Wordsworth and Stephen Farrow, Matthew Lynn, Pat Fitton, Linda Cairns, Angie Kirby, Linda Pride, Mike Arnold and Paul Walsh.

88. ANNE WILLIAMS

The Chairman welcomed Anne Williams, the new Area Co-ordinator, to her first meeting of the Community Committee.

89. MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

RESOLVED: THAT the minutes of the meetings held on 27th January and 24th February, 2003, be approved as correct records.

90. MINUTES OF THE LITTLE HULTON/WALKDEN POLITICAL EXECUTIVE GROUP

RESOLVED: THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Little Hulton/Walkden Political Executive Group held on 13th February, 2003, be noted.

91. COMMUNITY ISSUES

(a) Youth

Angie Taylor reported that (a) the post of Senior Youth Worker had recently been re-advertised and a shortlist had been produced of four candidates and it was hoped that interviews would be carried out within the next two weeks and (b) two young people from Bridgewater Youth Centre had won a competition organised by Salford Community Network, the presentation for which would be held on 9th April, 2003.

RESOLVED: THAT the information be noted.

(b) General

(i) Crime Initiative - Little Hulton

Angie Taylor reported that (a) Little Hulton had been successful in becoming one of five new priority policing areas which involved the allocation of additional funding for policing activities and (b) there were currently two Police Community Support Officers in post and it was hoped that additional officers would be appointed in the near future.

RESOLVED: THAT the information be noted.

(ii) Activities During the School Holidays

Angie Taylor reported that there would be a number of activities available for young people during the school holidays.

RESOLVED: THAT the information be noted.

(iii) Lowry Event, September, 2004

Ron Carney reported that a play entitled ‘Love on the Dole’ would be performed at the Lowry during September, 2004, and any volunteers to assist with the event would be welcomed.

RESOLVED: THAT anyone interested in volunteering to assist with the play at the Lowry in September, 2004, should contact Ron Carney.

(iv) Pigeons Roosting Under Railway Bridges

Councillor Val Burgoyne reported that in response to the concerns raised by Walkden Central Residents’ Association with regard to pigeon droppings on the pavements under the railway bridges in Walkden, action was being taken by the Environmental Services Directorate.

RESOLVED: THAT the information be noted.

(v) Salford Action Team for Jobs - Provision of a Bus Service

to the Trafford Centre

Dave Green reported that in relation to an initiative introduced by Salford Action Team to help local people improve their prospects of finding employment, (a) an expressed transport service would now be provided which would link Little Hulton and its surrounding area to the Trafford Centre at various strategical time slots throughout the week which would provide a greater opportunity for those seeking employment in that area, and (b) the service would be available exclusively and free off charge to employees working at the Trafford Centre and its surrounding employers such as Cosco, Asda, etc. for the first nine months of the project following which it would then be registered as an official chargeable bus service for the remainder of the twelve months.

RESOLVED: (1) THAT the information be noted.

(2) THAT it be noted that further information would be available from Dave Green on 07966 566875.

92. PRIMARY SCHOOLS REVIEW

Judy Edmonds reported on the next stage of the Primary Schools Review, which aimed to remove more than 1,700 surplus primary school places in Salford, with specific reference to the proposals for those schools within Little Hulton.

Reference was made to (a) concerns expressed with regard to the lack of specific proposals for the Walkden South area, (b) the Roman Catholic schools in the area, (c) the School Admissions Policy, (d) consultation regarding secondary school admissions and (e) funding for Harrop Fold School.

Judy Edmonds indicated that (i) in relation to proposals for the Walkden South area, the surplus places policy did not apply, as the three schools in the area were currently overcrowded and a meeting was due to be held with the headteachers to discuss such issues, and (ii) Local Education Authorities were being encouraged to introduce the School Admissions Policy by 2005.

Councillor Keith Mann indicated that (a) discussions had been held with the Roman Diocese who had made a submission to the Department for Education and Skills (DFES) to amalgamate three schools, however, funding for such proposals had not been successful, therefore, further discussions would need to be held, (b) in relation to the transfer arrangements from primary to secondary school, the decision of the City Council would be publicised in the near future and (c) in relation to Harrop Fold School funding was now available to rebuild the premises.

RESOLVED: (1) THAT the information be noted.

(2) THAT this Community Committee be consulted on any proposals for any of the schools within the Walkden South area.

93. EDUCATION UPDATE

Neil Barrett gave a presentation on the Little Hulton Excellence in Cities Action Zone and Family Learning Project, the main points of which were as follows:-

· What was an Excellence in Cities Action Zone?

· How it was funded

· The schools which would be involved

· Structure of the Zone

· How Zone priorities were identified

· The priorities for Little Hulton Excellence in Cities Action Zone

· Priority 1 - Raising standards

· Priority 2 - Supporting transition, Key Stage 2/3

· Priority 3 - Programmes of cultural and multi-cultural enrichment

· Proposed activities to support Priorities 1, 2 and 3

· Develop zone links with the wider community

· Schools in Little Hulton and North Walkden Family Learning Project

· What the Family Project will do

· How learning would be supported

Reference was made to (a) the links between primary and secondary schools and (b) the changes in the funding arrangements for special educational needs.

Neil Barrett reported that the curriculum transition between primary and secondary schools needed to be improved and in relation to the changes in the funding arrangements for special educational needs, such concerns could be addressed as a priority for the future.

RESOLVED: THAT Neil Barrett be thanked for an informative presentation.

94. JUVENILE NUISANCE

John Rooney gave a presentation on an approach to juvenile nuisance, the main points of which were as follows:-

· Salford Crime and Disorder Partnership - Current Position

· Nuisance and disorder - examples of initiatives

· Juvenile nuisance

· Patterns of juvenile nuisance in Walkden and Little Hulton

· Community Sector Team approach to anti-social behaviour

· Draft Juvenile Nuisance Strategy

· Proposed pilot initiatives

Reference was made to (a) the positive behaviour of young people and the need to recognise this, (b) the activities available for young people such as football/skate boarding and the provision of computers at local libraries, (c) concerns expressed with regard to those parents who were unwilling to co-operate with appropriate agencies to tackle anti-social behaviour and (d) recent incidents of anti-social behaviour on Longshaw Drive.

Anne Williams reported that (i) action was being taken to promote the prevention of anti-social behaviour with the introduction of schemes such as referral tracking which identified those children which may be at risk and looked at what was available locally and how those children could be engaged in such activities, (ii) in relation to the facilities provided at local libraries, funding was not yet available for such premises to open later in the evening and (iii) in relation to concerns regarding the lack of co-operation from parents, Parenting Orders had now been introduced which could be issued to those who were disinterested in improving their child’s behaviour.

John Rooney indicated that the Juvenile Nuisance Strategy had been successful in other Districts and incentive schemes were also being investigated which would encourage young people to engage in positive behaviour.

RESOLVED: THAT John Rooney be thanked for an informative presentation.

95. ASHTONFIELD, WALKDEN

Angie Taylor reported that three planning applications were due to be submitted in relation to the Ashtonfield site, Walkden, and a public consultation meeting would be held on 1st April, 2003, between 4.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. at Dukes Gate School.

RESOLVED: THAT the information be noted.

96. PATIENTS’ FORUM

Paul Brighouse reported on (a) the establishment of a Patient and Public Involvement Forum which would be an independent body made up of patients, carers and representatives from Community Groups who would monitor and review a range of health services and the operation of those services and (b) the Salford Complaints Support Service which was a new service giving people free and independent support with any complaint about the National Health Service.

RESOLVED: THAT the information be noted.

97. WOMEN AND FAMILY CENTRE

Brenda Worthington-Lomax circulated a leaflet containing details of activities and facilities available at the Little Hulton Women and Family Centre.

Jacqueline Simpson indicated that there was a need for additional volunteers to work at the Centre to enable future activities to continue.

RESOLVED: (1) THAT the information be noted.

(2) THAT a note requesting volunteers for the Little Hulton Women and Family Centre be included on the agenda for the next meeting of the Community Committee.

98. COMMUNITY CENTRES, LITTLE HULTON AND WALKDEN

Angie Taylor reported that major refurbishment works would be carried out at Guild Hall and Kenyon Community Centre and meetings had been arranged over the next two weeks to discuss the details of the work with appropriate agencies.

RESOLVED: THAT the information be noted.

99. ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR - UPDATE

Angie Taylor referred to the minutes of the meeting of the Emergency Anti-Social Behaviour Team which had been held on 10th March, 2003, and indicated that all agencies were currently working together to deal with the vandalism and serious anti-social behaviour in Little Hulton and Walkden.

RESOLVED: (1) THAT the information be noted.

(2) THAT Greater Manchester Police and the First Bus Operatives be thanked for the action taken.

100. DECISIONS OF THE LITTLE HULTON/WALKDEN BUDGET SUB-GROUP -

12TH MARCH, 2003

RESOLVED: THAT the decisions of the Little Hulton/Walkden Budget Sub-Group at its meeting held on 12th March, 2003, as detailed in the minutes of that meeting, be endorsed.

101. POSITIVE ACTION PRESS STATEMENTS

RESOLVED: THAT the following items be included in the Positive Action Press Statements:-

· Bus Services to the Trafford Centre

· Little Hulton Priority Policing

· Community Support Officers

· PFI, Harrop Fold

· Family Learning Project

· Ashtonfield

· Application approved by the Little Hulton/Walkden Budget Sub-Group

· Patient and Public Involvement Forum

· Little Hulton and Walkden Community Centres

102. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

RESOLVED: THAT it be noted that the following items were circulated for information:-

· All Postal Ballot Pilot Scheme

· Supplementary Planning Guidance : Telecommunications

· Greater Manchester Shrievalty Police Trust Breakfast Seminar - Thursday, 3rd April, 2003

103. ITEMS FOR COMMUNITY COMMITTEE - 2ND JUNE, 2003

RESOLVED: (1) THAT the following items for the Community Committee to be held on 2nd June, 2003, be noted:-

· Election of Chair/Deputy Chair

· Community Action Plan

· Recycling

· School Inclusion

(2) THAT it be noted that any Member who wished to raise any issues

at the next meeting of the Community Committee, should contact Angie Taylor at the One Stop Shop.

104. LONGSHAW DRIVE - DEMOLITION OF FLATS

Frank McNulty reported that concerns had been expressed with regard to the current situation in relation to the demolition of the flats on Longshaw Drive and Councillor Val Burgoyne indicated that this matter was currently being investigated.

RESOLVED: THAT the information be noted.

105. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED: THAT the next meeting of the Community Committee be held on Monday, 2nd June, 2003, at the One Stop Shop, commencing at 6.00 p.m.

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