To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Ali, Councillor Meredith and Councillor Wardle.

To determine whether there are any additional items of business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chair decides should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

There were no items of urgent business.

Members are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary, personal or personal and prejudicial interests they may have and the nature of those interests relating to items on this agenda and/or indicate if S106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.   

There were no declarations of interest.

To determine any items on the agenda, if any, where the public are to be excluded from the meeting.

Agenda Item No.9 (Land Middleton Road/ J19 Heywood M62 Interchange, Heywood) and Item No.10 (Upperbanks Trading Companies – Statutory Accounts) to be considered following the exclusion of the press and public.

Members are requested to approve the minutes of the meetimg held on 25^th June 2024

Resolved - That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 25^th June 2024 be approved as a correct record.

To consider a report of the Director of Economy and Place / Cabinet Member for Highways and Facilities

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Economy and Place / Cabinet Member for Highways and Facilities that set out details in relation to the Castleton to Rochdale Active Travel Route – Bee Network Phase 2 scheme and sought approvals to deliver the proposal.

Resolved:

1. That Rochdale Borough Council be authorised to receive external grant funding exceeding £500k (£9,143,800) to deliver the Castleton to Rochdale Active Travel Route – Bee Network Phase 2 scheme.

2. That the Highways Service be authorised to deliver the proposed infrastructure measures, as set out in the report - subject to associated Traffic Regulation Order advertisement / consultation and full business case approval.

3. That the Director of Economy and Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Facilities, be delegated authority to negotiate and approve the final terms and conditions of the proposed acquisition of land from Highfield Hospital, as edged in red on Plan Highfield Hospital Land Acquisition, set out in Appendix 5 of the report, and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing Land adjacent to Manley Road - subject to the payment of reasonable legal fees plus VAT.

4. That the Assistant Director (Legal, Governance and Workforce) be authorised to conduct appropriate due diligence enquires and title investigations required to ensure that no issues arising would be prejudicial to the Council.

5. That the Assistant Director (Legal, Governance and Workforce) be authorised to prepare and execute associated legal documentation in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

6. That the proposed procurement route, as set out in the report, to deliver the Castleton to Rochdale Active Travel Route – Bee Network Phase 2 scheme be approved.

7. That the Director of Economy and Place in consultation with the s151 Officer be authorised to award and sign any contracts associated with the Bee Network Phase 2 scheme.

8. That the Director of Economy and Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Facilities, be authorised to implement the associated scheme Traffic Regulation Orders, following public consultation.

Reasons for Decisions:

Additional land was required to allow the introduction of a new junction layout at Manchester Road/Kemp Avenue. This would provide space for walking and cycling facilities, in addition to improving the movement and regulation of motor traffic through the junction. Rochdale Borough Council currently had an agreement in principle with Highfield Hospital for the acquisition of the land.

Due diligence would be undertaken by Legal to ensure the land was appropriate for the proposed use.

The proposed route to market was via a framework contractor in line with Star procurement and the Council’s constitution.  This was necessary to give effect to the transfer of land to the Council and to promote the scheme and project Delivery Agreements.

Traffic Regulation Orders were necessary to enable appropriate enforcement by the Highway Authority upon the proposed scheme becoming operational. The current process was - that should objections be received following public consultation, the matter be considered at a Township Meeting to allow Members to review the objections and agree or otherwise to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

To consider a report of the Director of Economy and Place / Cabinet Member for Highways and Facilities

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Economy and Place / Cabinet Member for Highways and Facilities that sought approval for the construction of the Towns Fund St Mary’s Gate crossing point.

The Cabinet Member for Highways and Facilities welcomed the report and commended the project, highlighting the benefits of improved highway safety and regeneration of the Town Centre.

Resolved:

1. That authority to procure the construction contract required to deliver the Towns Fund St Mary’s Gate crossing point project be approved.

2. That the Director of Economy and Place be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Facilities, and the s151 Officer, to sign the construction contract to deliver the Towns Fund St Mary’s Gate crossing point project.

3. That the Assistant Director for Legal, Governance, Coroners and Monitoring Officer be authorised to execute the relevant legal agreements necessary to give effect to the decision and ensure the delivery of the Towns Fund St Mary’s Gate crossing point project in accordance with the Council’s constitution.

Reasons for Decisions:

• To enable the Highways Service to deliver the Towns Fund St Mary’s Gate project in line with the programme submitted to the Towns Fund Board.

• To ensure the delivery of the project in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

Alternatives Considered:

• Not to approve the procurement of the proposed scheme – this option would not enable the delivery of the Towns Fund St Mary’s Gate crossing point project.

·         Alternative design options had been considered during the consultation process and changes had been incorporated into the final design.

To consider that the press and public be excluded from the remaining part of the meeting pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that discussions may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the provisions of paragraph three, Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

Resolved - That the press and public be excluded from the remaining part of the meeting pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that discussions may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the provisions of Part 1 of Schedule 12A paragraph three to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

To consider a report of the Director of Economy and Place / Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Housing

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Economy and Place / Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing that sought approval of proposals in relation to land Middleton Road/ J19 Heywood M62 interchange.

Resolved:

1.    That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.

2.    That it be agreed to fund the proposal from budget pressures.

Reasons for Decision:

Details of the reasons for the decision were set out in the report.

Alternatives Considered:

Details of the alternative options considered and rejected were set out in the report.

To consider a report of the Director of Corporate Services / Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Corporate Services / Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth that set out the outturn positions and statutory accounts for Upperbanks Trading Companies.

Resolved:

1.    That the outturn positions and statutory accounts, as detailed within the report be noted.

2.    That an update report be provided to the Cabinet meeting in October 2024.

Reasons for Decision:

The report was for information to update Cabinet on the financial position of the trading companies to ensure informed decision-making.

Alternatives Considered:

Not to provide an update to Cabinet – this option was not recommended as it would not assist informed decision-making.