MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Location: file:///C:/AD529A39/MinutesJune3rd09.htm Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" HINDLEY GREEN RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

HINDLEY GREEN RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF MEETIN= G

Held at Hindley Green Family Church at Bethel on Wednesday 3rd June 2009

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PRESENT:  &nbs= p;     Debbie Birchall - DB, Jim Burto= nwood, Eric Dickens, Mike Lynch, Ken Ellison, Julie Bradshaw, Mike Walsh,

    =             &nb= sp;       John Vickers - JV, Jeff Unswort= h - JU, Barbara Unsworth, Ivy Dickens, Dawn Draper - DD, Sheila Woodward,<= /o:p>

            =             A= vis Shone, Lynn Collier, Phil Cooksey, Cllr. Bob Brierley - CBB, Debbie Freeman= - DF – WLCT,

            =             C= hris Hayes – WLCT, Sheila Hunt – Coalfield Regeneration Trust

            =             &nb= sp;       

APOLOGIES:  &n= bsp; were received from Maxine Armst= rong, Margaret Wright, Alan Wright, Julie Butler

 =

 =

<= span style=3D'mso-list:Ignore'>1.&n= bsp;            MINUTES: of the meeting held on Wednesda= y 1st April were unavailable at the time of the meeting.

 

2.          &nbs= p;  MATTERS ARISING:

 

i.          &nbs= p;   Guests

a.   Wigan<= /st1:place> Leisure & Culture Trust - Debbie Freeman and Chris Hayes attended as part of the informal consultation process and to give a presentation on the proposed pl= ay area at Coupland Road outlining proposals.  An open = day has been held, together with leaflet drops on the estate and at local schoo= ls.  Wigan MBC must follow a formal pro= cess and as such it is difficult to give timescales.  The formal process will now commen= ce with planning permission being sought.&nbs= p; CBB advised that the play equipment will be in situ by September/October, this however, will be dependent on planning permission.  The cost of the s= cheme is in the region of £80K. CBB’s scheme is £60K.  Proposed parking area will be on <= st1:Street w:st=3D"on">Penswick Road for residents and visitors to the play area.&n= bsp; The project includes a disabled swing.  Feedback from the residents leafle= t drop is 50/50.  Should the project = not go ahead, the money will go into a pot and will be spent wherever necessary in= the Township, not necessarily where funding derives.  DF would hope the money would stay within Hindley Green.  Abram a= nd Leyland Park both need investment, althoug= h no funds are available at this time.  This project is different from others as the money has already been = ring fenced for this.  Each propert= y had to pay money towards the play area when purchased from new, in the region of £1,200.  If the play are= a does not go ahead then residents are loosing out, in particular those who purcha= sed their homes from new. The project has taken so long their children are now older.  Peter Bert will keep us informed of developments via the Township Forum.  Information resulting from this and other presentations will be sent to the relevant department and then planni= ng permission will be sought.

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      Is there an action plan for the Clayhole?  Unfortunately, there are other play areas with greater needs than the Clayhole.  There is a Park Str= ategy (Andy Bond) within WLCT who are looking at getting the green flag status.  More supervision on parks is required.  There are never eno= ugh footpaths and benches (Peter Bert).

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b.   Coalfield Regeneration Trust<= /span> (CRT) – Sheila Hunt of C= RT, part of Wigan MBC Adult Services, based at Westwell Street, Westleigh, attende= d to share information regarding the services they provide in helping the unemployed, people with health issues and those stuck in the benefit trap. = They may be able to help by providing learning and development opportunities to assist in gaining future employment and development.  They are trying to reach as many p= eople as possible in Bickershaw and surrounding areas.  They offer literacy, numeracy, and confidence building courses.  Currently they are in the process of having the premises fitted out = as a drop in center with PC’s.  Things have developed and advanced so much more for the unemployed, = this is where CRT can offer you help and assistance.  They can also help if you have rec= ently started a new job and don’t get paid for a month, they may be able to assist financially until you get paid, and this financial help may not nece= ssarily need to be paid back.  They wo= uld help with PPE.  Ten people hav= e been helped in gaining their SIA security licence.  CRT is trying to link up with Sure= Start and have a Skill Shop in Leigh town center.  Should a prospective employer say = they will give you a job should you have a specific licence, then this is where = CRT can help by giving both money and direction.  Employers will invariably give CRT feedback on how an employee they have helped is getting on.  It was suggested = that CRT contact Oakfield High School request= ing a presence at their open day. The Headmaster is keen to get community involve= ment and they have a fantastic computer room.&n= bsp; HGRA will put details on website  ACTION 127 - JU

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ii.          &nb= sp; Committee

The proposed Committee meeting on 23= rd June was cancelled.  Any items= to be discussed at the next meeting can be added to the Agenda.=

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iii.          Bethel Lease=

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>A letter has now been sent to t= he Church Elders, a response is awaited.  Basically, HGRA need an address to call “home”.  CBB requested that he be included = in all future correspondence (to be discussed at next committee meeting) and he co= uld not understand why HGRA had written to the Church.  Within the current lease the Churc= h are obliged to provide facilities for Councillor surgeries<= /span> and other community organizations.  The current lease is in limbo and if we want to be included we can approach Wigan MBC direct.

    &= nbsp;    iv.     Boundary Signs

         All funding and relevant paperwork is now in place, although CBB informed us th= at a week ago nothing was in place for the signs to go ahead. 

 

v.&n= bsp;            Engineer’s Fund

Malcolm Coe has informed CBB that HGRA will lose this funding should the project not progress and the money not spent.  We propose to have the shrubbery c= ut back, also a paved area including a noticeboard= .  Should any monies be remaining the= n we would look at the possibility of having the paving to the side of the Bethel levelled.  CBB advised 3x2 flags purchased fr= om WMBC are £2.15 each.  The neighbouring residents are not happy to have a bench on the plot of land as this would attract youths.  Wh= at about the old people?

 

         vi.     Highways Capital Project

Works at the juncti= on of Richmond Road/Long Lane<= /st1:Street> are now in hand.  Works at the= Bethel traffic li= ghts will follow shortly.

 

vii.    Sponso= rship=

If you or anyone you know would be interested in helping the Associat= ion with sponsorship and fundraising please contact a Committee member for deta= ils.

=  

vii= i.      = Thomas Street One Way System

No update received,= CBB to liaise with Mel Kennedy and invite to meeting.  ACTION 128 – CBB  Proposals= put to Wigan MBC appear to = be have been misinterpreted.  T= hey feel the proposals would hinder the traffic flow. However it is felt that t= his would improve traffic flow.

 

ix.          Leigh Road Walkway

Plan= s are in hand for the walkway to be cleared of debris and fencing erected.  The next phase of the walkway is t= he stretch leading to Westleigh.  The latest UDP plans are to turn the old railway line into a road and the safeguarded fields which are presently playing fields, being opened up enab= ling a developer to put plans in for building.&= nbsp; The Coalfield Community Fund has £6m to be spent in Hindley Gr= een with all surrounding areas having received funds.  Hindley Green has it’s own separate identity and are not part of Hindley.

 

x.&n= bsp;           Neighbourhood Watch

 &= nbsp;       A new neighbourhood Watch scheme has now been set up in Colwyn Drive.  Remember to always ask called for ID.  If they are genuine they = will have no issues with your request.

 

xi.&= nbsp;         Traffic Calming

 = ;        Leigh Road/Smith’s Lane traffic l= ights are now operational.  CBB to send copy of plans for proposed 20mph on Crossdale Road.  ACTION 129 – CBB  A= n accident occurred on Atherton Road, opposite Coupland Road.

 

xii.=         Nuisance Neighbours

 = ;        A complaint was received regarding nuis= ance neighbours in Thomas Street with two women fighting in the street and loud music being played late at night.  Advised to contact Wigan & Leigh Housing as Council tenan= ts.

 

xiii.      Planning Matters

      = ;   One application made this month for a h= ouse extension.

 

3.      FINANCE

 &nbs= p;       Donations and raffle held at AGM received £25.00 giving a total balance of £909.33 with no outgoings this month.  £14,00 raffle and £3.00 refreshments raised at this meeting.

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4.   &nbs= p;  COUNCILLOR ITEMS

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   =       i.   &n= bsp;   Cllr. Barry Fagan - = No report received.

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         ii.      Cllr. Louise Fagan - No report received.

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         = iii.&nbs= p;    Cllr. Bob Brierley

·         Works are in hand to the paving at the front= of the parade of shops on Ath= erton Road.  CBB to provide flags and WMBC carrying out works by lifting existing flags and relaying new ones at a cost of £2.5K for four shops.  New gates are to be put up with ot= her gating orders in the pipeline.

·         Cottage Bakery is channeling hanging baskets like Darlington Street, Wigan.

·         The rear of houses (oppo= site Chemist) are being done and surfacing.

·         Still fighting for H= arlea Avenue

·         Planters are being done.  Next year suggest we buy plants fr= om a local dealer.  Planters put ou= tside Post Office and Jean’s Hairdressers with other areas planned at a cos= t of £10.78 as opposed to £400+.&nb= sp; Planters outside the Be= thel are being done at the same time as the baskets.

·         Brecon Drive allotments are being tidied up

·         New lampposts to be erected and footpaths in Lincroft and Edgeworth.  Please forward suggestions.

·         Cllr. Barry Fagan has $18K and Cllr. Louise Fagan has £12K in their Brighter Borough Funds.  Request what proposals they have i= n the pipeline.  ACTION 130 ̵= 1; DB

·         Shelley Street – CBB to propose flags rather than grassed area.

·         What’s happening to the old Kwik Save?  CBB approached Netto wh= o have advised that they have no plans are the site is too close to other shops.  Will visit Lidl.

·         Sub Soil surveys have been carried out to the rear of Thomas Street with a view to plans for a new school going ahead.  DD advised rumours are the new sch= ool will go ahead, the old school remaining in situ until completion.  After demolition the land will rem= ain fallow.

·         Borsdane Avenue shops are under compulsory order for demolition.

·         Brunswick is looking for a new club house with a function room.  CBB seeking funding from Zenno who helped St. Peter’s.  The= y have a large car park.

 

5.  &nbs= p;   ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

i.&n= bsp;             Platt Bridge Forum meeting next Tuesday 9th June.  = Tracy Williams is the rep for meetings.

 

ii.      =       Waste Collections

Bins on Atherton Road are not being emptied unless moved to the front of the properties.  Wigan MBC has advised this is due = to access problems.

 

iii= .      =     Grot Spots

Clean up day planne= d.  Identify grot spots – Harlea Avenue, Coupland Road, car park at the side of the Spinners

 

iv.     Post Office

HGRA wish to thank = Mr Taylor, the Postmaster, at Hindley Green Post Office for recently standing = up to armed robbers brandishing a shot gun.&n= bsp;

 

iv.=       =      Spring Bulbs

CBB will arrange pl= anting of spring bulbs donated to HGRA together with 2,000 salvaged tulip bulbs.

 

6.   &nbs= p;  DATE OF NEXT MEETING

         The next meeting will be on Wednesday 1ST July 2009 commencing 7.00 = pm at Hindley Green Family Church at Bethel.

         = Apologies for any errors and omissions.

 

Ref

Date

Action

Owner

Comments

2008 ACTIONS

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>03

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>07/05/08

Confirm which ward Maxine Armstrong of 7 Bankhall Clos= e, Hindley Green, WN2 resides

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>CBB<= /p>

Ongoing - Further info to be sought by MA

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>29

= 06/08/08

Investigate how standards of play areas were achieved = in Bolton

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>JV

Ongoing – Bolton not funding play areas, difficulty obtaining info

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>47

= 05/11/08

Request further footprint be carried out at Atherton Road/ Leigh Road junction from Wigan MBC

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>DB/

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>CBB

E-mail sent to CBB 28/11/08 – awaiting response = from WMBC – Chased CBB 20/01/09 & 02/02/09

2009 ACTIONS

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>104

= 07/01/09

Contact Wigan MBC regarding inadequate lighting on Ludlow Avenue

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>DB

Ongoing - E-mail sent 21/01

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>114

= 04/02/09

Investigate proposals for bale hostels

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>JV

Ongoing - No further information available at present<= o:p>

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>115

= 04/02/09

Submit proposals for one way system on Thomas Street to TE&E Sub Gro= up

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>DB

COMPLETE

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>116

= 04/03/09

Liaise with Church Elders regarding HGRA’s requirements of the Bethel

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>DB/MA

COMPLETE

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>118

= 04/03/09

Investigate Richmond Road/Long Lane pedestrian island<= /span>

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>CBB

COMPLETE

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>119

= 04/03/09

Obtain information regarding the PACT Process from Township Forum

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>JV

Ongoing - Not at last meeting

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>120

= 04/03/09

Raise at Township Forum problems with vehicles parking= on grass verge Blair Avenue=

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>JV

Ongoing – Greenspaces investigating

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>121

= 01/04/09

How do Highways consult with residents regarding propo= sed projects/plans?

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>DB

 

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>122

= 01/04/09

What can we do to encourage our local Councillors to support us?

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>JV

Currently in hand

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>123

= 01/04/09

Update on hanging baskets on terraced properties along= Atherton Road

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>CBB

 

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>124

= 01/04/09

Who owns the land on Leigh Road, the old railway gap

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>DB

 

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>126

= 01/04/09

Add waste collection details to website

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>JU

 

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>127

= 03/06/09

Add details of Coalfield Regeneration Project on websi= te

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>JU

COMPLETE

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>128

= 03/06/09

Liaise with Mel Kennedy regarding Thomas Street one way system=

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>CBB

COMPLETE

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>129

= 03/06/09

Send copy of plans for proposed 20 mph on Crossdale Road to HGRA

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>CBB

 

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>130

= 03/06/09

What proposals do Cllr. Barry and Louise Fagan have in= the pipeline for their Brighter Borough Funds

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>DB