HINDLEY GREEN RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

HINDLEY GREEN RES= IDENTS ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF MEETIN= G

Held at Hindley Green Family Church at Bethel on Wednesday 5^th N= ovember 2008

PRESENT: &nbs= p; Debbie Birchall - DB, Jim Burto= nwood, Eric Dickens, Ivy Dickens, Maxine Armstrong - MA, Mike Lynch, =

= &nb= sp; Ron Shuttleworth- RS, Dawn Drap= er, Ken Ellison, Cllr. Barry Fagan – CBF, J Bradshaw, Avis Shone,

= S= heila Woodward, Alan Wright, Margaret Wright, John Vi= ckers - JV, Kath Podmore – FOTARA,

= S= tuart Podmore –FOTARA, Peter P= urcell - FOTARA

= &nb= sp;

APOLOGIES: &n= bsp; were received from Jeff Unsworth, Barbara Unsworth, Julie Butler,= PC Wendy Rowson, Phil Cooksey,

= &nb= sp; Neil Dunlop, Karen Dunlop, David Dodsworth= , Barbara Lane, Cllr. Louise Fagan, Cllr. Bob Brierley

<= span style=3D'mso-list:Ignore'>1.&n= bsp; MINUTES: of the meeting held on Wednesday 1^st O= ctober 2008 and Committee meeting on 16^th October 2008 (having been circulated) were Proposed by Maxine Armstrong and Seconded by Eric Dickens,= all in favour.

2. &nbs= p; MATTERS ARISING:

i. &nbs= p; Guest Speaker - FOTARA (Federat= ion of Tenants and Residents Associations)

FOTARA are based at Abram Community Centre, opening hours 10.00am to 3.30pm. Kath (Secretary) and Stuart Podmore along with Peter Purcell (Vice= Chair) attended the meeting to give an overview of what FOTARA are all about and h= ow they can help HGRA and vice versa. <= /span>FOTARA are now linked to GM Federation of Tenants and Residents since funding from Wigan & Leigh Housing ceased. They give help and support to individuals and groups. On 23^rd December in association with Mears Construction, FOTARA will be delivering Christmas presents to needy children in the Borough and are seeking donations of good condition toys, wrapping paper, batteries, etc. and will collect from any address. All present were in = favour of HGRA donating £50 towards batteries and wrapping paper for present= s.

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ii. &nb= sp; Traffic Calming Measures=

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>Recently a car overturned again= st the bus stop. The vehicle activat= ion sign does not work correctly and the high visibility warning sign on the northbound approach has been situated immediately in front of the vehicle activation sign. We can confi= rm Surveyors and Engineers have visited the problem this week. Wigan MBC reco= gnize that there have been 6 accidents on this bend when in actual fact there have been 45 in total. One option = is to have a speed camera on the northbound approach and another solution may be to pl= ace chicanes narrowing the road although we feel this is not the right resoluti= on. The Transport Group are holding a meeting next week. = CBF to report at next meeting after liaising with Wigan MBC on behalf of HGRA. ACTION 46 – CBF<= /span>

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<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>A footprint was carried out on = 11^th March by Wigan MBC Engineers in an endeavor to ascertain whether some form = of crossing is needed at the = Atherton Road/Leigh Road traffic light junction. The results produced by Wigan MBC revealed a crossing was not necessary due to the number of pedestrians cros= sing on the day the survey was carried out.&nbs= p; Wigan MBC have advised that a two second = delay on the lights would interfere with the flow of traffic. A number of pedestrians cross else= where as they feel safer. There hav= e been two deaths at this junction, the latter being a local PCSO. Write to Wigan MBC requesting furt= her footprint be carried out over a period of time as one day’s monitorin= g is an insufficient basis to make any decision on. ACTION 47 – DB. CBF advised that we may have m= ore of a chance having a crossing placed near Tesco as the road is too dangerous to cross.

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iii. Bethel Lease=

The Bethel lease expired some two years ago= in 2006 and should have been renewed within six months of expiring however ren= ewal remaining outstanding. HGRA Chairman has studied the lease and feels there are lots of obligations to maintain the building and for HGRA, this is too big a commitment for now. JV will pass copy to Treasurer for perusal and also other Committee members. ACTION 48 – JV. Originally= , the Bethel was our Co= mmunity Centre which the Council found not to be cost effective to run. Community Centres are voluntary fu= nded and Councils will not take on the responsibility of funding. Currently we have no Community Cen= tre, Health Centre, Clinic or Library in our area for any resident, young or old. CBF agreed, but advised = that Councillors are a minority in the Chamber and would be top of the Agenda, a= lthough they do fund for young people at Mornington Road on Fridays. HGRA’s best option for now would be to co= me to some form of agreement with the Church on utilization of the building and a= s we grow and expand then possibly at some time in the future look at obtaining a Community Centre of our own. = FOTARA advised that there is help available in grants which can be obtained from <= st1:place w:st=3D"on">Douglas Valley and other private bodies fo= r the community. They would assist = if help was required in this regard.

iv. B= oundary Signs

Maxine Armstrong Proposed and Seconded by Dawn= Draper the boundary sign showing Westlake and was agreed by all present including = CBF who will be jointly funding this project with Cllr. Louise Fagan. Write to residents whose homes are= to appear on the sign requesting their permission/objections. ACTION 49 - DB

v. 620 Bus Service

The 620 bus now appears to be turning around at Tattenham Works at school finishing time at approx. 3.15pm.

vi. &= nbsp; Rock Bus

Hindley Methodist Church supported by Hindley Residents Association hire a double decker bus, known as the “Rock Bus”, from Liverpool a= nd parks on The Wakes car park every alternate Monday 6.30pm to 8.00pm. The bus is decked out with PC and = DJ equipment, crafts, etc. for youths aged 7-15 years. The youths were respectful with no eating, drinking or swearing on the bus and if told off for anything they apologized. The cost for a 1½ hour session is £250 for the bus which includes traveling expenses, two youth workers, the upkeep, materials, etc.. However, there are nume= rous options available for raising funds for youth involvement, a list of which = was given to us by the Youth Worker and there are also a number of funding bodi= es for educational grants. If HG= RA decide on a trial session, there is a 99% chance of obtaining funds if yout= hs assist in completing forms. A minimum of 6 volunteers would be needed for supervision. A couple of elderly residents turn= ed up and youths helped them on computers. PCSO’s also turn up and get to know the youths and vice versa.= Youth Workers can train Volunteers= . Committee to discuss at next meeti= ng and to possibly form a Youth Sub Committee including youths

vii. Townsh= ip Forum

The last meeting on 20^th October was attended by John Vickers and Maxine Armstrong<= /st1:PersonName>. Also in attendance were two HG Councillors, Cllr. Barry Fagan and Cllr. Bob Br= ierley. Election of the Joint Chair took p= lace with Hindley Cllr. Jim Talbot and HGRA Chair, J= ohn Vickers, being elected, John representing the Community.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Hopefully in future, HGRA will hav= e more influence at these meetings and support our Councillors as we have not had = good representation at these meetings previously. Visit from Services Director, Kath= ryn Fairclough, looking for ideas and Township Forums will have a greater say.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> When the new PACT’s system i= s in the Forum will have more money and it is important HG play our part which c= an only benefit our community. W= e can also gain an insight into other Associations. It was evident that other Councill= ors are not as supportive as ours. At the Township Forum meetings different representatives attend. Malcol= m Coe is the Hindley and Abram Township Manager.= JV and RS had a difference of opinion on the role of the Township Fo= rum.

= viii. Hindley Green Play Areas/Upke= ep

= A copy of the Play Area Inspector Job Specification was obtained. Obtain frequencies of duties as no= ne are specified. ACTION 50 – DB. CBF advised that he checks Westlake regularly and occasionally finds litter and it was found to be pretty well maintained. He has spoken to = Rodney Hill and PACT’s will give us better facility and we will see improvements.

ix. = = Spring Bulbs

The Spring bulbs donated by C= llr. Brierley have not been planted due to lack of help in planting. FOTORA may have a team who could p= lant them on our behalf. Also we c= ould ask the Boys Brigade, Stephen Fisher, on a Friday evening. CBB to contact Secretary regarding possibility of his nephew planting bulbs on our behalf.

x. Social Events and Fund Raising

A Christmas Social Evening has been arranged at St. John’s Church Hall = on Saturday 13^th December commencing 7.30pm until 11.00 pm, tickets £7.00 each including a free prize draw. Buffet and dancing, bring your own drinks (plastic glasses provided). Prizes have been promised from Creative Flowers, Vouchers from The S= tyling House and Sculptures and also a hamper from Tesco Express.

Easyfundraising is now up and running with a total of £11.99 raised to date. Visit www.easyfudraising.org and regi= ster. Do your internet Christmas shoppin= g via this link.

It was suggested we write to all Sponsors thanking them for their donations and hopefully their continued support. All in favour.

= xi. Planning Matters<= /span>

List unavailable for this meeting.

3. FINANCE

= Currently the bank balance stan= ds of £1,365.52. Income of &p= ound;1,465 (£50 donation this month) with outgoings of £99.48.<= /span>

Treasurer propos= ed purchasing a laptop for Secretary at a cost of £379.99, all in favour. FOTARA advised they m= ay be able to let us have a laptop on permanent loan. ACTION 52 – JU. Should FOT= ARA’s laptop be unsuitable it was Proposed by Ivy Dickens and Seconded by Maxine Armstrong that we go ahead and purchase new. All in favour.

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4. &nbs= p; COUNCILLOR ITEMS

= =

= i. Cllr.= Barry Fagan

· = Pathway alongside Tesco Express leading through Brecon Drive is to be cleared and vegetation to be cut back.

· = The last 2234 train leaving Manche= ster to Wigan is now 2330

· = Accident reduction proposals on Ath= erton Road have recently being assessed although the report has not yet been received which could affect the final outcome. Once comments from the report have = been reviewed amendments to the design may be required then proposals will be se= nt to residents directly affected by the proposals which would include Tesco Express near the proposed zebra crossing.

· = Long Lane traffic calming measures are to be assessed after 3 years. Since the measures have been in pl= ace there have been no reported injury causing road collisions.

· = Complaint received from Leigh Road resident on Meadowfields regarding digging up of pavements. This is being carried out by the original developers of the estate and as yet, has not been adopted by Wigan MBC.

· = 30 Christmas trees are to be erected on shop fronts early December, costs being negotiated at £3,000 in total. Insufficient time to arrange decorations on the Askwith roundabout.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> CBF was asked why was he spending = so much money, he responded that he had dealt with Chris Lythgoe for the past = five years and he had a good system in place and was qualified. One quotation obtained for this wo= rk.

· = Cllrs. Barry and Louise Fagan are concerned regarding the number of trees being removed in Hindley Green. And= y Smallwood has not much knowledge of tree being removed. CBF requested any feedback.

ii. <= /span>Cllr. Louise Fagan

= &nb= sp; No report received.<= /span>

= iii.&= nbsp; Cllr. Bob Brierley

· = Request made for planters outside Beth= el which are looking sad to be re-planted with winter flowers.

· = Tree to rear of 867/869 Atherto= n Road. Checked with environmental Service= s and can confirm that the footpath is not an adopted highway therefore we have n= o jurisdiction to do anything with this tree.

· = Update on Westlake - 6 new litter bins installed. Following tree removal there is just one stump remaining, ground conditions being too wet to allow removal but will be removed once conditio= ns improve. Two new noticeboards= now installed. Shrub pruning also complete. Unfortunately, ther= e are insufficient funds for path resurfacing in this financial year.<= /span>

5. &nbs= p; ANY OTHER BUSINESS

i. &nbs= p; Gating of Atherton Road Between Hairdressers<= /span>

The road between the two hairdressing shops on Atherton Road near Swan Lane i= s very much pot holed. Visitors to t= he hairdressers block residents in. CBB has previously advised that gates were to be erected. Liaise with CBB ACTION 52 – DB. The road is unadopted, which means no sewerage has been laid properly therefore houses are usually found to be cheaper and the Council will have = no involvement

ii. Tip Signage

= There are no direction signs to = Makerfield Way tip. There are also tips at Plank Lane and one on the way to Tyldesley.

= iii.&= nbsp; Veterans Meeting

&= nbsp; Meeting on Friday 7^th November at Leigh Miners 11am to 1pm.

6. &nbs= p; DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Wednesday 3^rd D= ecember 2008 commencing 7.00 pm at Hindley Green Family Church at Bethel.

Apologies for any errors and omissions.

Ref.	Date	Action	Owner	Comments
<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>03	<= st1:date Month=3D"5" Day=3D"7" Year=3D"2008" w:st=3D"on">07/05/08	Confirm which ward Maxine Armstrong of 7 Bankhall Close, Hindley Green, WN2 resid= es	<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>CBB<= /p>	Ongoing – investigations continuing
<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>12	07/05/08	How does an area become a renewal/deprivation area?	<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>CBB	Ongoing
<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>16	04/06/08	Harley Ave= nue update	<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>CBB	To be pursued via Cabinet
<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>23	02/07/08	Provide additional personal details to bank=	<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>JV	COMPLETE
<= 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
<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>33	03/09/08	Request delay on traffic lights at junction of Atherton Road/ Leigh Road at Township Forum	<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>DB / MA	COMPLETE – Refer to Action 47<= /p>
<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>34	03/09/08	Report to be submitted regarding Coupland Road	<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>CBF	Ongoing
<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>41	01/10/08	Obtain copy of footprint usage undertaken by Engineers= for Atherton Road,/Leigh Road junction	<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>CBB	COMPLETE
<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>43	01/10/08	Clarify area covered as Harlea Avenue	<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>CBB	Ongoing
<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>44	01/10/08	Arrange bulb planting day	<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>DB	Ongoing
<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>45	01/10/08	Chase Grounds Maintenance re Westlake Shrubbery<= /p>	<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>DB	COMPLETE
<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>46	05/11/08	Liaise with Wigan MBC regarding accidents on Leigh Road on behalf of HGRA	<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>CBF
<= 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
<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>48	05/11/08	Forward copy of Bethel lease to Treasurer also to all other Committee members<= /p>	<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>JV
<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>49	05/11/08	Write to residents whose homes are to appear on the boundary signs seeking permission/objections	<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>DB	COMPLETE
<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>50	05/11/08	Obtain frequencies of activities for Play Area Inspect= or	<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>DB
<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>51	05/11/08	Investigate purchase of laptop	<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>JU	COMPLETE
<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>52	05/11/08	Liaise with CBB regarding gating between the two hairdressing shops on At= herton Road	<= span style=3D'font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial'>DB	E-mail sent 02/12