To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

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 interests.

The Township Committee will be requested to appoint a Vice-Chair for the 2017/18 Municipal Year

DECIDED – That Councillor Sameena Zaheer be appointed Vice Chair of Rochdale Township for the duration of the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

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 urgent items of business.

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

There were no items of business that required the public and press to be excluded.

The Chair advised that this item of business was to be withdrawn from the agenda as there were no representatives from greater Manchester Police in attendance at the meeting. However Members of the Committee had a number of issues that they wished to bring to the attention of the Police:

a.            the Police’s continued presence at Rochdale Township meetings be requested to discuss with members strategic policing issues that affect the Township as a whole and in this regard the Police were requested to submit to a future Township Committee meeting a strategic plan outlining their current and future priorities for Rochdale Township.

b.            the Police be made aware of this Committee’s concerns about the prevalence of off-road biking and what measures are being taken to tackle his problem

c.            the Police be requested to undertake exercises that are designed to increase road safety and to decrease the number of motor accidents in Rochdale Township.

DECIDED – That (1) Representatives of Greater Manchester Police continue to be requested to attend meetings of Rochdale Township Committee;

            (2) Greater Manchester Police be requested to submit a strategic plan to a future meeting of the Township Committee which outlines their current and future priorities for Rochdale Township;

            (3) Greater Manchester Police be requested to report back to Members of the Township on issues appertaining to off-road biking and measures that the Police are taking to improve road safety in Rochdale Township.

The following matters were raised during the Open Forum:

a)            High Rise Flats at College Bank, Rochdale

Following on from the tragic events at Grenfell Tower, London, on 14^th June 2017, Councillor Meredith asked about safety in respect of the seven residential tower blocks at College Bank, Rochdale.

The Chair advised that members of the Communities, Regeneration and Environment Committee of which he was a Member, were advised at their meeting on 21^st June 2017, that no cladding existed on the residential tower blocks in Rochdale and that these were of a simple concrete construction with no gas supply to the buildings. All seven blocks at College Bank were reported as having met all the current fire safety standards and each block had a full fire risk assessment in place. In addition, in the period 2016/2017 RBH had  invested in excess of £300,000 in a programme of fire safety upgrades at College Bank, including the fitting of emergency lighting, replacement bin hoppers and upgrades to a number of existing fire doors.

In addition Councillor Meredith referred to the recent announcement by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing of their intention to demolish four of the seven high rise apartment blocks at College Bank, Rochdale. The Chair reported that the proposed demolition would be the subject of a petition to be delivered to the Council meeting on 12^th July 2017 and the number of signatories to the petition would determine which Committee of the Council would be requested to examine this.

b)            Rochdale Market

The Township Committee considered a question submitted in advance of the meeting by Mr. C. Harker, on behalf of traders at Rochdale Market, stating that it was nearly 12 months since the Council had tendered for a new market in Rochdale town centre asking if the Council could provide information on progress? A petition in this regard was handed in for the Council to consider. The Township Committee’s Chair advised that the STaR corporate tendering body, which acts on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council, was due to announce the outcome of the tendering process imminently, with the contract for a new market to be let out to a company called Quarterbridge. The representatives of the market traders were advised that if they had any further issues relating to the development of a new market in Rochdale town centre these should be made in writing to the Director of Resources in the first instance.

To consider the minutes of the meeting of the Rochdale Township Committee held on 22^nd March 2017.

The Committee considered the minutes of its last meeting held 22^nd March 2017. Further to minute 59 (Greater Manchester Police - Update) a Member asked if there was any progress to report on the request made of the Police to undertake exercises to increase road safety and to decrease the number of motor accidents in Rochdale Township.

It was requested that in future all Members of the Township Committee be copied into replies relating to queries/enquiries that arise from the Committee’s Open Forum session.   

DECIDED – That (1) the Minutes of the meeting of Rochdale Township Committee, held 22^nd March 2017 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair;

            (2) Greater Manchester Police be requested undertake traffic exercises in the Rochdale Township, designed to increase road safety and to reduce accidents;

            (3) all Members of the Township Committee be copied into replies relating to queries/enquiries that arise from the Committee’s Open Forum session.

The Township Committee will be requested to confirm its delegation arrangements and appointments for 2017/18.

The Township Committee considered a report of the Acting Director of Resources that asked Members to confirm the Committee’s delegated decision making arrangements and to make appointments to the Township Sub-Committees, including the Chairs, Vice Chairs and substitute members; the appointment of “lead” opposition spokespersons; and the appointment to various Priority Groups and Other Township Bodies.

The recommendations were presented as the Council has established and appoints Township Committees to undertake certain executive and non-executive powers, as set out in the Responsibility for Council Functions in Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution.

In addition the Township’s Sub-Committee exercises either delegated powers or acts on any matter detailed in the Committee’s Terms of Reference on which it is essential to take a decision. Appointments to the Sub-Committee are made, as far as is possible, in accordance with the Township Committee’s political balance. The proper appointment of Sub-Committees is required to permit the undertaking of delegated functions in accordance with statutory and procedural requirements, and appointments to Working Groups and Other Bodies are required to enable the Township Committee to undertake and to respond to the full range of issues relevant to the Township.

Alternatives considered: the Committee could choose not to appoint to sub-committees and undertake all delegated functions themselves, but that this may have a detrimental impact on the ability to progress Township priorities or deal with urgent items of business.

DECIDED – That (1) the current Sub-Committee structure of the Rochdale Township Committee comprising of the Rochdale Township Action and Resources Delegated Sub-Committee and the terms of reference, as outlined at Appendix 1 of the submitted report, be approved;

(2) Members be appointed as follows: –

(a)          Rochdale Township Action and Resources Sub-Committee:

Councillors – Cecile Biant (Chair), Shakil Ahmed (Vice Chair); Sultan Ali, Heakin, Nickson, Sheerin, Sullivan, Winkler and Zaman;

Substitute Members - Councillors Holly, O’Neill, Rashid and Zaheer;

The opposition spokesperson be Councillor Sullivan;

(b)          The relevant Ward Councillors be appointed to attend their respective Ward Forum;

(c)          Clean and Green Priority Group - Councillors Shakil Ahmed (Chair), Hornby (Vice Chair), Ali Ahmed, Cocks, Heakin Holly, Howard, Meredith, and Zaheer;

Substitute Members – Cecile Biant, O’Neill and Rashid;

(d)          Communities and Engagement Priority Group – Councillors Rashid (Chair), Nickson (Vice Chair), Ali Ahmed, Daalat Ali, Cocks, Duckworth, Gartside, Wazir and Zaheer;

Substitute Members – Sultan Ali, Cecile Biant, Sullivan and Zaman; 

(e)          Rochdale Regeneration Members Group – Councillors O’Neill (Chair), Cecile Biant (Vice Chair), Sultan Ali, Brosnan, Holly, Meredith, Sheerin, Sullivan and Zaheer;

Substitute Members – Shakil Ahmed, Surinder Biant, Brett and Gartside;

(f)           Township Older Persons Champion – Councillor Sheerin;

(g)          Township Young Persons Champion – Councillor Meredith;

(3) any amendments to the appointments be delegated to the Chair of the Rochdale Township Committee.

Eligible for Call-in: No.

The Township Committee will be requested to consider a review of funding allocated in 2016/2017 and the options for the allocation of funds in 2017/18.

The Township Committee considered a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods which reviewed revenue and capital expenditure during 2016/2017 and provided options for the allocation of funds in 2017/2018. The Committee were requested to approve the terms and conditions to the Rochdale Township Fund, and to agree to delegation arrangements concerning funding decisions.

The efficient management of the Rochdale Township Fund is a function that is delegated to the Rochdale Township Action and Resources Sub-Committee.

The recommendations in the report were presented to enable Rochdale Township Funds to be allocated to projects and schemes that are designed to benefit the Township’s community and environment, to realise the Township priorities and that will enable the Committee to monitor and review the use of the Rochdale Township Funds to ensure their continued efficient and effective use.

Alternatives considered: in considering the report, Members were requested to determine whether or not to approve the allocation of funds to funding streams as appropriate.

DECIDED – That (1) the Committee notes the expenditure, commitments and balances for Rochdale Township revenue and capital funds at the end of the 2016/2017 financial year, as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 of the submitted report;

            (2) the Committee notes the findings of the review of Township Funds 2016/2017, as detailed at Appendix 3 of the submitted report, and evaluations received to date for some of the projects funded so far in 2017/18, as detailed at Appendix 4 of the submitted report;

            (3) the Committee approves the allocation of Rochdale Township Funds to funding streams in 2017/2018 as detailed at Appendix 5 of the submitted report;

            (4) the Committee approves the terms and conditions for the Rochdale Township Revenue and Capital Funds for 2017/2018, as detailed at Appendix 6 of the submitted report;

            (5) the Committees approves the delegation arrangements for Rochdale Township Funds in 2016/2017, as detailed at paragraph 4.6 of the submitted report;

            (6) the Committee agrees that any uncommitted/unspent funds be reallocated to a central revenue or capital funding stream as appropriate before the end of January 2018 to enable Members of the Committee to spend and/or commit all Rochdale Township Funds during the 2017/2018 financial year.

Eligible for Call-in: No

The Township Committee will be requested to consider initiating public consultation of the Catley Lane Head draft conservation area appraisal.

The Township Committee considered a report of the Director of Economy which noted that the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 imposes a duty on local planning authorities to survey and keep under review in their district areas which are of special architectural or historic interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance, and to designate those areas as conservation areas. This duty is an ongoing requirement of local authorities.

The submitted report requested approval for initiating public consultation of the Catley Lane Head Draft Conservation Area Appraisal by virtue of the fact that it was considered to be an area of historic and architectural interest worthy of preservation and enhancement. Catley Lane Head has vernacular architecture which reflects the historic industries along the line of historic routes, including the historic Cotton Famine Road. Catley Lane Head is recommended for conservation area designation in order to provide a framework for controlled and positive change in the hamlet; establishing a conservation area would help to protect the heritage of this hamlet by bringing attention to its unique landscape and architecture as well as providing the local community with a strong sense of identity and pride.

The Draft Conservation Area Appraisal demonstrates the intrinsic heritage value of the area and its setting. Local consultation and feedback will support the appraisal resulting in a comprehensive document that will assist the council when assessing development proposals through the planning process. The conservation area designation was suggested by the Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Association.

The Draft Conservation Area Appraisal will be made available on the council website and local libraries during a 28 day consultation period.

Alternatives considered: to not undertake a detailed conservation area appraisal at this time could result in a lack of appreciation of the heritage value and leave the area vulnerable to development of its physical fabric and rural setting. To seek to adopt the conservation area appraisal without obtaining local feedback would potentially undermine the value and quality of the appraisal.

DECIDED – That (1) the Township Committee approves, for public consultation, the draft Conservation Area appraisal attached at Appendix 1 to the submitted report;

(2) the consultation strategy for the Conservation Area, as set out in the submitted report, following which a further report will be brought to a future meeting of the Township Committee which details the results of the consultation exercise and to seek adoption, if necessary, the final appraisal.

Eligible for Call-in: No.

The Township Committee will be requested to consider the release of land at Linnet Hill, Rochdale for disposal.

The Chair advised that this item of business was to be withdrawn from the agenda.