The SMITHILLS AREA FORUM is a formal Committee of Bolton Council comprising the three Councillors for Smithills (Carole Swarbrick, Tony Radlett and Roger Hayes). It meets in public at various locations in the ward (see below). Anyone who lives, works or has an interest in the ward is entitled to attend the meetings. Before each meeting there is a ‘drop in’ session when residents can speak informally to the Councillors, Council Officers or various partner agencies (Bolton At Home, the NHS and the Police are regular attenders).

The purpose of the Area Forum is to inform residents of Council initiatives, answer questions about the activities of the Council and other partner organisations and get residents’ views on priorities within the ward. The Forum has a small annual budget to help achieve its priorities.

Meetings held or due to be held during 2012/13 are:

• 5th July 2012 at the Hope Centre, Tattersall Avenue at 7.00pm (drop in 6.30pm)
• 11th October 2012 at Chorley Old Road Methodist Hall at 7.00pm (drop in 6.30pm)
• 14th March 2013 at Church Road School at 7.00pm (drop in 6.30pm)

The total budget for the Area Forum for 2012/2013 is £72,176 some of which has to be spent in designated areas of deprivation. So far we have spent or allocated money to the following projects:

• Upgrade of zebra crossing on Chorley Old Road by Captains Clough Road junction – £2,500 (the Council’s Highways Department matched this amount).
• Creation of a car parking area on Bowland Drive/Hollin Hey Road – £3,000 (Bolton At Home contributed an additional £15,000)
• Improved lighting in Shackleton Grove – £4,000
• A road safety sign to warn of pedestrians in Smithills Croft Road (near the chimney) – £200
• Improved disabled access along Church Road – £600
• Repairs to road surface and speed humps in Montserrat Road – £6,000 (Bolton At Home also contributed £6,500 and the Council’s Highways Department contributed £12,500)
• Protective ‘H’ markings for drives near Delph Hill Methodist Church – £473 (residents also contributed towards this)
• Projects to help young people Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEETS) on Johnson Fold – £1,450
• Support for projects directed at young people on Johnson Fold – £5,873
• Contribution towards a Jubilee Street party in Capitol Close – £150
• Contribution towards a Bonfire Night Community event on Johnson Fold – £281
• Litter/dog fouling campaign on Johnson Fold – £250
• FM radio licence for Johnson Fold FM – £2,000
• Introduction of a 20 mph zone in Doffcocker Lane, Church Road (between New Church Road and Doffcocker Lane) Rawlyn Road and Woodsley Road – £13,000
• Partial resurfacing and repair of speed humps in New Church Road – £9,879 (Council’s Highways Departrment will contribute about £30,000)
• Wildflower meadow planting on roundabout at junction of Moss Bank Way and Chorley Old Road – £200
• Provision of driver feedback speed sign on Moss Bank Way near Tattersall Avenue/Knott Lane – £12,050

We do not yet know the dates of meetings or the budget for 2013/14.