December Public Meeting 3rd Dec 2014

Hindley Green Residents’ Association.
Minutes of a General Meeting
Held on 3rd December 2014, at 7 p.m
At the Bethel Centre, Hindley Green
Present: Chair: John Vickers (JV), Secretary: Ivy Dickens (IUD), Ass. Treasurer: Barbara Lane
(BL), Webmaster: Jeff Unsworth (JU),Mike Lynch, Mike Walsh, Margaret Sherwin (MS), Jeff
Fisher, Julie Camblin, Avis Shone, Keith Knowles, Phil Cooksey, Jim Burtonwood, Tracey
Williams, Cllr. Frank Carmichael (CFC).
1. Apologies for Absence: Danny Murray, Sheila Woodward, Cllr. Bob Brierley.
2. Minutes of Last Meeting: Proposed: Jeff Fisher. Seconded: Mike Lynch
3. Actions from Previous Minutes:
Car parking problems on Thomas Street. ID reported that she had not yet received a reply
to the letter of 29th Sept, 2014, referring to the volume of car parking on Thomas Street,
during junior football matches. MS said that at a recent Meeting at the School, it was
proposed that the school car park would be opened during football matches, for a trial
period of six months from January 2015. The Executive Head, Ms. Sharon Bruton, would be
sending an explanatory letter. Unfortunately, the field at the side of the football pitches
could not be used for car parking as it was designated as part of the Sport area. Action 272
IJU/ID/SB).
4. Carol Window Dressing – St. John’s Church. HGRA had been invited to dress a window
in the Church featuring the Christmas Carol ‘The Holly and the Ivy’. BL reported that she
was preparing to dress the window with holly and ivy and various symbols from the carol.
JU had prepared a scenic background and the Window would be in place from 5th
December.
5. Christmas Fair – St. John’s School. Chair offered thanks to Barbara Lane who had
manned a stall at the Fair, raising £39 for HGRA. She was ably assisted by Jeff Unsworth,
(who had decorated the stall), and other Committee members.
6. Committee: Julie Camblin had been nominated by MW, Seconded by JV, for a place on
the Committee. She was accepted with a show of hands and Chair welcomed Julie to the
Committee.
7. Planning Matters:
A/14/80142/TPD Side of 232 Atherton Road
Corsey Road, Hindley
Permitted Development
The proposal incorporates the
installation of 1 x DSLAM
Equipment cabinet olive Green,
the dimensions of which are
(Height 1200mm x Length 800mm
x Width 450mm
8. Councillors’ Reports.
Cllr. Carmichael had not prepared a report but would listen to questions from members put
through the Chair.
(a) Dog Fouling: A member complained of the amount of dog fouling in certain areas.
Chair said that this issue had been raised and discussed many times at meetings.
Wherever possible, try to make a note of the offender and his animal. CFC hoped to
provide bins in ‘hot-spot’ areas. Another member complained that after clearing a
section near his home, some days later a cleaning group had arrived and passed a
remark “That he hadn’t done a very good job of cleaning”, which had,
understandably annoyed the member. However, it was always advisable to report
dog fouling incidents to the Environment Group as soon as possible.
(b) Swan Lane: CFC reported on suggestions for controlling heavy traffic using Swan
Lane. A mini-roundabout had been proposed. However, the bus used this area,
which could be a problem. A member referred to the signage which showed the
permitted weight limit and Access Only. Heavy Goods Drivers followed this as notice
to drive up Swan Lane. The signage was ambiguous.
(c) Tesco Zebra Crossing. He was hopeful that crossing controls, (which were surplus to
requirements elsewhere), would be available to be installed at this site.
No report from Cllrs. Brierley and Stitt.
9. Finance Report:
Balance at 30th Sept. 2014: £953.12
Income: £20.00
Outgoings: £86.97.
Balance at 30th Nov. 2014: £886.15
10. Any Other Business:
(a) Brighter Boro Funding - Clarification: Chair asked CFC to clarify the situation
regarding Cllr. Brierley’s B.B. funds, which had been frozen prior to Hearings by the
Standards Panel, CFC, said that the funds were available, although Cllr. Brierley was
prevented from recommending their distribution. HGRA could apply to the Funds
for projects, in the Ward, whether for the local Churches or other bodies.
(b) Funding for Rent ID referred to funding to cover the rent of the Hall for HGRA
Meetings, which had been granted in the past. Notice had just been received that
the hire of the room would be increased from £23 p.m. to £25 p.m., as from January
2015. CFC advised applying and completing the relevant forms.
(c) Bethel Paved Area. JU pointed out that the area next to the Bethel was a disgrace,
with weeds and overgrown vegetation. ID suggested obtaining a quotation from a
Landscape Gardener, to improve the area. It could then go forward for discussion
with the possibility of applying for B.B. Funding.
(d) Cllr. Status. A member queried Cllr. Brierley’s status as a Councillor following the
reports of the unfavourable decisions of the Hearing Standards Panel. Chair said
that Cllr. Brierley was still an active Councillor in the area. CFC referred to some of
the cases which had been heard, as dating back some 3 years.
(e) Recreation Ground. A member reported manure left by horses straying on to the
Recreation Ground on Thomas Street and suggested a stronger gate. ID reported
that Cllr. Brierley had applied for fencing around the area in addition to that which
was already in place.
(f) Bus Shelter It was also reported that broken glass had been left around the bus
shelter on Leigh Road, near the Carpet Showroom after the replacement of a
vandalised panel. ID to contact Greater Manchester Transport. Action 273 (JC/ID)
(g) Northleigh Regeneration Scheme A member requested information regarding the
progress of the Northleigh Regeneration Scheme. He belonged to a Model Airplane
Flying Club which used the area for their sport. Chair said that he had not heard
anything further to date. It was understood that certain leaseholders had recently
had their leases renewed for a further year, and that could happen again. Until
formal notices were received, the matter was ‘ongoing’. Chair did suggest a possible
alternative site off Westleigh Lane.
(h) Askwith Roundabout. CFC referred to the promotional signboards on the
roundabout. He understood that Moss Bank Nurseries were interested in using
them. However, he was keen to promote local businesses, and even HGRA, on the
roundabout. It was pointed out that HGRA had raised an objection to these signs at
the Planning stage, and would prefer that they be removed. The opinion was that
they disfigured an attractive site.
(i) Meeting Room – Bethel. Prior to the Meeting, Pastor Channing had asked members
if the room would be improved by the addition of a partition screening the Play Pen
and Office from the Meeting area. After a brief discussion, although members did
not appear to have any strong feelings about this idea, there were no objections and
ID would inform the Caretaker accordingly.
Chair wished everyone Compliments of the Season
Refreshments were served
11. Date of Next General Meeting: 7th January, 2015
12. Date of Next Committee Meeting: 20th January, 2015 (No December Meeeting).
The Meeting closed at 815 p.m.
E&EO
ACTION LIST 2012/13/14
Action
No.
Date
231
7.3.12
232
6.6.12
269
3.9.14
271
3.9.14
Item
Car park on
spare land next
to St. John’s
school
Sports fields
Hindley Green
C.P. school
Coupland Road
Hindley Station
Action
by
Comments
MW/JU/CFC
JU/CBB/CFC
CBB/CJS/CFC
MW/ID
272
1.10.14
HGCP School
Football fields
JU/ID/SB
273
3.12.14
Bus Shelter
Leigh Road
JC/ID
Report
Proceeding
In Abeyance.
Concern at
delay in
adoption by
Council
Car parking
problems
letter re
carparking
on Thomas
Street
Broken glass
left after
replacement
Panel.
Completion
expected late
2014/early
2015
New carpark
provided.
Dispute
prevents
opening
3.12.14
6 months trial
opening of
school carpark.
from Jan. 2015
Inform
Gtr. M/cr
Transport.

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