Agenda and minutes

Councillor Cullens welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the co-opted members and officers from Chorley Borough and Lancashire County Council.  He especially welcomed the children from Clayton Brook Primary School who had come along to give a presentation about the Junior Neighbourhood Warden Scheme.

Councillor Cullens explained that this was the second Area Forums pilot in this area.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Magda Cullens, Greg Morgan (Executive Member for Resources) Lindsay Hoyle (MP) and Mr. G Butler. 

The minutes of the Area Forum meeting held on 16 March 2006 are enclosed.

The minutes of the initial meeting of the Clayton-Le-Woods North Area Forum held on 16 March 2006 were confirmed as a correct record.

The children on the Clayton Brook Primary School Council will give a presentation on their involvement in the Junior Neighbourhood Warden Scheme.

The children from Clayton Brook Primary School gave a presentation on the Junior Neighbourhood Wardens Scheme with their teachers. 

The presentation explained that the scheme showed the children that they could make a difference in the community and improve the quality of life for everyone in the area.  The children each had a passport and when they completed a theme they received a stamp for their passport.  

On behalf of the meeting Councillor Cullens thanked the children and their teachers for an excellent presentation.

Donna Hall (Chief Executive) will give a presentation on the action taken on issues raised by Members of the Public at the Area Forum meeting held on 16 March 2006.  A copy of the report is enclosed.

Donna Hall explained that each property in the area had received an Area Forum newsletter.  This outlined the actions taken arising from questions and comments raised at the last meeting.  It was noted that while not every problem could be resolved, the Council and partners would do their best to action the issues. 

Some of the issues had concerned bin crews, recycling containers, juvenile nuisance, motorcyclists, speed cameras, dumped litter and rubbish.

A detailed schedule was distributed highlighting the action taken in respect of individual queries. 

A period of 30 minutes will be allocated to allow members of the public to raise questions and express views on any matters relating to the provision of local services in the Clayton-Le-Woods North area.

Representatives of Chorley Borough Council, Lancashire County Council, Clayton-Le-Woods Parish Council, Lancashire Police, Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care NHS Trust and Lindsay Hoyle MP will be present.

The Chair explained that a period of 30 minutes had been allocated to allow local residents to raise questions and express views on any matters relating to the provision of local services.  Question cards were available to enable residents to document their questions and views.

Officers and Partner representatives responded directly to queries and issues where possible.  Where this was not possible the details were noted and a written response was be sent to the resident. 

The following list summarises the issues and questions that were raised directly or via question cards at the meeting:

·        The area covered by the Area Forum Pilot Scheme

·        Traffic calming and road safety measures in several places

·        How information and decisions would be fed back to residents on the above

·        Road signage obscured by trees

·        Issues with chicanes being damaged or causing obstruction

·        The skateboard park and play area in Clayton Brook

·        Issues relating to pavements

·        Opening times for Astley Hall.

Officers of the Council will give a verbal presentation on play and leisure.

Lorraine Cross and Andy Brown gave a short presentation on play and leisure facilities in the area. 

The Clayton Green sports centre and the village hall hosted keep fit, trampolining, football and other activities for children.  The Council co-ordinated the “get up and go” scheme, providing low cost activities.  The summer programme was currently under consideration, but would include football, cricket and dance.  Information would be available via leaflets and the Councils website: www.chorley.gov.uk.

The management of play areas, football pitches, green space and the provision of facilities was an important issue for the Council.  There were investigations into large facilities e.g. on a village green away from properties with ball courts, multi-use play areas and organized activities.  These would be well lit and close to footpaths for safety. 

A facility was under consideration, but funding in particular needed to be addressed.  The children would be involved in the design to help them take ownership and hopefully to draw the community together.  Communication and funding were highlighted as key points.  It was noted that the scheme was progressing as quickly as possible.  

There would be smaller informal play areas in other areas and facilities to cater for children of all ages. 

Councillor Cullens thanked the officers for their presentation. 

Tony Moreton, Head of Passenger Transport at Lancashire County Council will give a verbal presentation on Public Transport issues. 

Tony Moreton gave a short presentation on public transport issues. 

It was explained that schools buses, social care transport and commercial buses were commissioned through the Passenger Transport Directorate. 

Tony outlined the commercial services in the area and explained that several million pounds per year were spent on supporting services, including school services.  If an operator withdrew a commercial service as no longer being commercially viable officers would decide whether to support the service. 

The Forum discussed other issues such as community transport and the provision of the dial-a-ride service and the conversion to single decker accessible vehicles through partnership working.  It was noted that the new bus station had been funded in partnership with Lancashire County Council and Chorley Borough Council.  

Several specific issues were raised in relation to the 126 and 118 service and the free bus passes scheme. 

Councillor Cullens thanked Tony Moreton for his presentation. 

No issues were raised by the Parish Council. 

Representatives of the Lancashire Police will report on "Operation Summer Nights" to be operated in the Clayton-Le-Woods Area.

Police Sergeant Christina Shorrock gave a short presentation on the Operation Summer Nights scheme. 

The scheme was a force wide initiative aiming to tackle and prevent antisocial behaviour between May and September by bringing together organisations involved in dealing with anti-social behaviour.  The focus was on alcohol and related crimes.  The scheme was linked with the World Cup. 

In 2005 the scheme was successful, with reductions seen in recorded and violent crime.  84% of people asked in a survey said that the campaign had made them feel more reassured.

In response to a query it was clarified that if a person were believed to be giving alcohol to an underage child the alcohol would be confiscated. 

Councillor Cullens reminded the Forum of the need to use barbeques safely and to be vigilant against thefts from garages and sheds.  It was highlighted that homeowners were not insured if doors and windows are open and the property was burgled. 

Councillor Cullens thanked Christina Shorrock for her presentation. 

Member of the Public will be invited to express their views on the format and arrangements for this meeting and to submit items for consideration at the next meeting.

The Chair thanked everyone for their questions and queries and invited the attendees to complete a feedback card to comment on the format and arrangements of the meeting and to submit views for consideration at the next meeting.

The next meeting of the Clayton-Le-Woods North Area Forum will be held on Thursday, 12 October 2006.

Councillor Cullens confirmed that the date of the next meeting would be 12 October 2006.  It was noted that the venue was under consideration.