To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ali Ahmed and Councillor Iftikhar Ahmed.

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 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.

Members are requested to approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Rochdale North Township Committee held on 16^th July 2020.

Resolved:

1.    That the Minutes of the Rochdale North Township Committee held on 16^th July 2020 be approved and signed as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Director of Economy relating to Section 106 funding and play provision in Central Rochdale.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Economy which sought approval to allocate funds currently held from Section 106 Open Space contributions in Central Rochdale Ward to improve play facilities at the South Street Play Area.

Alternatives considered:

The Council is required to spend Section 106 contributions in accordance with legal agreements and local and national planning policy. Not bringing forward projects to spend Section 106 contributions in accordance with these agreements and policies risk the loss of investment in local facilities, and the refunding of monies held from Section 106 contributions where there is a time limited period for spend.

Proposals put forward in the report have been the subject of consultation with Ward Members and reflect their priorities. The use of resources has been considered to maximise the funding available.

In considering the report, although fully supportive of the project, Members wanted to have clarity about future maintenance of the facility and site security including consideration of CCTV.

Resolved:

1.    That the allocation of £147,936.09 from Section 106 Open Space contributions to improvements to toddler, junior and adventure play facilities at South Street Play Area be approved.

Reasons for the Recommendation:

Rochdale North Township Committee Members have previously requested that all Section 106 Open Space funded schemes be approved by Members by way of a report to an appropriate committee. A similar process of reporting exists in all other Townships.

Costed schemes have been prepared by the Council’s Environmental Management Service and are supported by Ward Councillors.

The schemes are within the parameters of the Section 106 agreements and the Council’s ‘Provision of Recreational Open Space in New Housing’ Supplementary Planning Document.

Eligible for call in - yes