VIC DALBERT

At 7.00pm last night  - 30 minutes into the meeting I made the rash comment that “at this rate we will have finished by 7.30″. The meeting finished at 9.15! However what led to that late finish was a number of important issues raised by residents :

• HEATON PARK SCHOOL PLAY FACILITIES - A number of residents attended to raise their concerns about proposals for 3 small play areas across the front of the school. Main concerns were about supervision, potential crime and vandalism, noise nuisance and damage to property.A drop-in consultation event is being held on Wednesday January 23rd from 3.30pm to 7.00pm to gather views and concerns from local residents and to more fully inform residents about proposals.   
• HIGHFIELD ROAD TRAFFIC ISSUES - The Area partnership learned that a report into traffic problems has now been completed. It was agreed that we should now proceed to meet with residents and Officers to discuss the report and the way forward.
• WHITTAKER LANE - A local businessman attended to raise concerns about parking, traffic enforcement and other issues at the shops end of Whittaker Lane. It was agreed that councillors should meet businesses to discuss solutions to problems and the AP would deal with minor issues immediately.
• THE STATE OF THE PRECINCT AND STREETS - A resident attended to complain about the state of the precinct paving and generally the dirty pavements around the town centre. We agreed to press the council to carry out a promised “deep clean” of the precinct.
• TOWN CENTRE REGENERATION - My colleague, Cllr O’Hanlon updated the meeting about progress. Consultants (URBED) have now been appointed and a “walk-about” has been carried out. They are now well into investigating options and ideas and have started consulting. They hope to make a presentation to the next Area Partnership and then go out to public consultation during the summer. 
• RAINSOUGH SHOPS - My colleague, Cllr Ann Garner updated the meeting with progress in getting these derelict shops refurbished. A meeting has now taken place with Salford and Bury Councils and the matter is now being addressed.
• We also received presentations from the NHS Primary Care Trust , local Police,  Fire and the leader of the Council accompanied by the Director of Finance outlined options for this years council budget - which include a potential 5% council tax rise and £5 million cuts!

Now I know why the meeting went on and on! All in all a very packed meeting albeit with (as usual) some frustrating issues that are unfortunately difficult for the Partnership to address speedily and some worried residents. The next meeting of the Area Partnership will be on March 4th, Sedgley Park School from 6.30pm. All Welcome!