Agenda and minutes

The Chair (Councillor J Walker) welcomed everyone present to the second meeting of the Chorley East Community Forum and indicated that representatives of Chorley Borough Council and its Community Forum partners (Lancashire County Council, the Parish Councils for the Forum areas, Lancashire Constabulary and Central Lancashire Primary Care Trust) were present at the meeting to answer residents’ queries.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Borough Councillors Mark Perks, Alan Cain, Michael Muncaster and Terry Dickinson (Wheelton Parish Council), Alison Handsford (Withnell Parish Council) and Ray Ellis.

Councillor David Dickinson was appointed Vice-Chair for the Forum.

The Minutes of the first meeting of the Chorley East Community Forum held at Saint John’s CE Methodist School, Brinscall on 21 March 2007 were confirmed as a correct record.

A copy of the schedule detailing the action taken on issues raised at the Community Forum meeting held on 21 March 2007 is attached.

Copies of a schedule detailing the action that had been taken on the relevant issues raised at the Chorley East Community Forum on 21 March 2007 were distributed with the agenda for the meeting.

The Forum accepted the action that had been taken.

With reference to Minute 07.04(b) County Councillor Mrs Case informed the meeting that an exhibition regarding the proposed Market Walk department would be taking place that coming weekend in what was once the video shop, Market Walk.

Representatives of Lancashire Police will report on the priorities for each PACT (Police and Community Together) and any other Community Policing initiatives.  

The Chair introduced PS Christine Sharrock and PS Andy Walton who were accompanied by Police Community Supporter Officers.

PS Christine Sharrock drew attention to the 'Operation Summer Nights' campaign, a multi-agency approach that would involve the Police working alongside its partners in visiting problem 'hot spots' and other locations to target criminal damage, anti social behaviour and raise awareness of drink/drug related issues to young people.  Extra patrols would be provided in identified locations.

PS Andy Walton based at Chorley notified the meeting that in the Astley Village area there had been a decline in anti social and criminal damage in the period of January to June 2007 compared with the same period last year.  This was mainly down to the presence in the area of Police and Community Support Officers (PCSO).  Specific tasks are given to PCSO's, which assist in the decline.

Question/Issues raised at meeting.

i)       A resident asked what police presence was there in the Buckshaw Village area.

         Response PS Walton pointed out that statistically the area did not generate any crime.  It was not a problem area and therefore did not require putting police into the area.

         They were currently working with the developers to provide a Community Centre and a police room in the area for Police and Communities Together (PACT) meeting etc.

ii)      The Vice-Chair brought to the attention of the Police the return of the use of motorcycles in the quarry at Brindle.

         Response The Police agreed they would investigate.

iii)         Councillor Mark Perks had submitted an apology but requested the following issues be accepted and dealt with at the meeting.

         “Astley Village is currently having a number of problems with criminal damage and youth nuisances. Local people reported incidents are finding those taking the calls unhelpful and giving misleading/confusing advice eg.

         One resident upon ringing the Police about 10 youths knocking on doors, peering through letter boxes and giving verbal abuse on Long Croft Meadows was informed by the operator that the Police were busy unless a crime was being committed.  He was asked to go out and apprehend one of the youths the Police would then come and question him.  This has serious safety implications for the public.

         Many residents are reluctant to ring the Police because of the perception created by the above example the Police are not interested unless a serious crime is being committed.

         What are the Police going to do about this?”

         Response PS Andy Walton could not give a true and accurate response as he required further information such as the time, date and who made the call.

         The call centre staff are not trained to give this advice and considered the response given to the caller to be outrageous.

         Further enquires were being made.  Once a month a selection and sample of the calls are listened to and followed up through the whole incident.

         Feedback was required from the community.  Reports indicated that the public was happy with the service.

         It was stressed that it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14a

A representative from the Primary Care Trust will give a short presentation on the Statement of Strategic Intent towards Health and Healthcare in Central Lancashire.

Alison Johnson (Associate Director Community Engagement) from Central Lancashire Primary Care Trust gave a short presentation on the PCT's consultation on the organisation Statement of Strategic Intent on Health and Healthcare issues in this area of the Trust.

Alison explained that the Central Lancashire PCT had become operative in October 2006 with the new organisation now covering the areas of Chorley, South Ribble and Preston.

It was the work of the Central Lancashire PCT to promote health, reduce health inequalities and deliver the best possible care for the population with the resources available.

One of the key directives was to significantly reduce the gap in life expectancy between the best off in the county and the worse off in Central Lancashire, deliver services that are amongst the most cost effective and effectively eliminate waiting to receive their services.

The views and suggestions for the community on the types and level of healthcare services required were vital if the PCT was to ensure that the services commissioned and promises met the needs and aspirations of the community.

Questions/Issues raised at meeting

i)       A Clayton-le-Woods Parish Councillor made reference to the mortality rate and that low areas of deprivation such as London would receive more funding.  Chorley and South Ribble areas are more affluent but with pockets of deprivation.

ii)   Councillor Mrs Marie Gray referred to a local dentist now refusing to take NHS patients and going to private patients.

         Response Alison Johnson reported that a large number of people were having difficulties in registering with an NHS dentist and the PCT was currently undertaking an Oral Health Needs Assessment from which an Oral Health Strategy and Commissioning Plan was being developed.  From the assessment we will be able to see where the gaps and inequalities where and it was intended to commission extra dental services targeted at the areas and communities in most need.

iii)     On the same issue Councillor Greg Morgan made reference to the loss of NHS dentistry in the Clayton-le-Woods area as a consequence of the contracts being placed upon then.

         Response Alison Johnson made it know that this particular area of national contract for dentist was not her area of expertise and was aware that it was not satisfactory.  It was necessary to work with the dentists to get them back to the NHS.

         Emma Hoyle also reported that the local Member of Parliament, Lindsay Hoyle, was also concerned at the insufficient supply of NHS Dentists and had written to the Chief Executive of Central Lancashire PCT, Mark Wilkinson asking him for his comments on the situation.

County Councillor Mrs Pat Case drew the Forum's attention to the issue of 'cold calling' selling and the warning by the Lancashire County Council Trading Standard of the effects of 'cold calling' on the elderly and vulnerable with the danger of theft from rogue traders and doorstop crime/distraction burglary.

The issue had been with brought to a meeting of Lancashire Locals where is was indicated that a 'No Cold Calling Zone' would be developed across the County, two of which would be in Chorley.

Question/Issues raised at meeting.

i)          A question was raised by a member of the public asking if the Chorley Forum could not be merged with Lancashire Locals.

Response Councillor Mrs Case pointed out that this was a reasonable comment and explained that the issues related to different local government levels and invited Parish Council representatives to attend meetings of the Lancashire Locals.

ii)         A Clayton-le-Woods Parish Councillor made a complaint regarding the poor condition of the footpaths in the Clayton area.

            Response The Councils Director of Streetscene, Neighbourhood and Environment responded pointing out that highways issues were the responsibility of Lancashire County Council but he would take up the complaint if he received details of the specific location.

iii)        The Vice-Chair Councillor David Dickinson reported on concessionary bus travel in the Brindle/Hoghton area and in particular the concern of elderly residents in this area having to pay 50p for journeys on buses that travel through Brindle to Leyland and Blackburn.

            Response The Executive Member for Resources Councillor Alan Cullens in reply, acknowledged the existence of a number of anomalies in the current concessionary travel scheme.  It was a confused situation with several districts in the same position.  These issues were presently being addressed with the Lancashire County Council and the bus operators to examine means of rectifying the anomalies.

iv)        A Clayton-le-Woods Council representative pointed out that bus drivers were also confused at the charges, with wrong fares had been given out.

            Response In response these issues should be taken up with the bus operator.

Members of the Public are requested to indicate the 3 biggest issues in their local community which they would like to be addressed by Chorley Borough Council and/or Partner organisations.

The Chair reminded the Forum members of the Borough Councils interest in assertaining members of the public's views on the major issues effecting their particular area.

Forum members were invited to complete the cards available at the meeting to identify the three biggest issues or concerns that they would like to be addressed by the Borough Council and/or partner organisations.  The cards had also been widely distributed throughout the Borough through local schools.

The responses would be analysed and a summary report would be compiled for submission to the next round of Community Forum meetings.  The report would outline the major issues/concerns affecting areas, together with potential courses of action to address the issues.

An allocated budget of £12,500 had been given to each of the four Community Forums to be spent on identifying projects within the respective area.  It was therefore, particularly important for residents to specify their main issues that would be taken into account when the Forums would be determining how to spend the budget allocation.

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 local services affecting the community.

Question cards will be available at the meeting for members of the public to complete and hand in before the start of the meeting.  Where possible questions will be answered on the night.  If a question cannot be answered a written response will follow.  A summary of the responses to questions submitted will be included on the agenda for the next meeting.

The Chair invited the local residents present at the meeting to raise questions and express views on any matter relating to the provision of local services or issues affecting Anglezarke, Astley Village, Brindle, Clayton-le-Woods, Cuerden, Euxton(North East Ward) Heapey, Hoghton, Wheelton, Whittle-le-Woods and Withnell.  In addition a supply of question cards were made available at the meeting as an opportunity for residents to write there enquires or views on the cards.

The Chair indicated that the appropriate Officer and/or Partner representative would endeavour, if possible to provide a direct response to question and issues raised at the meeting.  If this was not possible a written reply would either be sent to the questioner as soon as possible after the matter had been fully investigated or a response reported to the next Forum meeting.

Question/Issues raised at the meeting

i)          A resident requested if for priority could be given for Buckshaw Village are to have Parish status.

            Response The Chair in response agreed that the area required to be represented and that the issue be taken up by the Councils Legal Department (Election Section).

The following issues/questions were raised on question cards presented after the close of the Forum meeting.

ii)            Please improve general road maintenance in Chorley.  Please trim branches from road signs.

iii)        What is the current health provision in Buckshaw Village.

iv)            When!!!? Are LCC going to deal with the junction of the A674 Blackburn Road and Millennium Way at Whittle-le-Woods.  Too many accidents continue to occur.

v)         Do we have a project leader in post for the regeneration of Astley Park?  Why have Chorley Borough Council not abandoned exhorbitant plans to regenerate Astley Park eg the restoration of the Coach House and the building of a large brick wall?  Such plans have resulted in overspending.

Councillor Mark Perks submitted the following issues/questions prior to the meeting but were unable to be dealt with at the meeting.  They would be responded to by the responsible Officer after the meeting.

Lancashire County Council Issues

No reports come to local communities on the work of the youth service – not even County Councillors for the area.

What is the current service provision provided by the Youth Service in Euxton North, Buckshaw Village, and Whittle-le-Woods?

The detailed team work in Astley on Monday evenings what is the team’s main objective, how many young people sessions are provided and what do they do?

Now that the District Advisory Committee had been disbanded.  Where do the youth service inform the communities of their work?

Central Lancashire Primary Care Trust

What progress is being made on the medical centre proposals for Buckshaw Village?

Parish Council Issues

1.         Astley Village has been waiting over 6 months for the management plan for Westway Ponds to be agreed.  How much longer does it have to wait?

2.            Requests have been made for pavement bush hedgerows to be pruned we are still waiting.

3.         Many residents have expressed an interest in allotments.  What is Chorley Council’s position on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

Members of the Public will be invited to express their views on the format of the meeting and to submit issues for consideration at the next meeting.

The Chair drew attention to the feedback cards available at the meeting and invited the attendees to complete them to express their views on the format, arrangement and conduct of the Forum meeting.  The cards could also be used to suggest items for consideration at the next meeting.

Future meetings of this Forum will be held at on the following dates commencing at 7.00pm:

• 14 November 2007
• 7 February 2008

The venues will be circulated in the near future. 

The Chair reminded the meeting that future meetings of the Chorley East Community Forum were scheduled to take place on the following dates, commencing at 7.00pm at venues yet to be decided.

·          14 November 2007

·          7 February 2008