To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ali Ahmed and Michael Holly.

Members are requested to approve the Minutes of the Rochdale North Township Committee meeting held on Wednesday 26 October 2022.

Resolved:
That the Minutes of the meeting of Rochdale North Township Committee held on 26 October 2022 be approved as a correct record.

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 received.

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

There were no items for exclusion of public and press.

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.

The Chair informed the Township Committee that a report from the Director of Neighbourhoods in relation to an application to permanently divert part of definitive footpath RocAFp26 from Edenfield Road to Over Town Lane, Norden would be considered as an item of urgent business.

Submitted as a supplement item, the report would be considered after the Open Forum to deal with the matter as soon as possible in the best interest of residents.

Thirty minutes has been set aside for members of the public to raise any issues relevant to the business of the Committee and the Township.

No members of the public were in attendance and therefore no items were raised in the open forum.

To consider a report from the Director of Neighbourhoods.

The Committee gave consideration to a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods which sought authority to permanently divert part of definitive footpath RocAFp26 from Edenfield Road to Over Town Lane, Norden.

The Rights of Way Officer was in attendance to present the report and addressed the questions of the Township Committee.

Alternatives considered:

The only alternative would be to approve the application however the Council are unable to meet the criteria to divert footpath RocAFp26.

Resolved:

That the recommendation as detailed within the submitted report to not proceed with the application to divert part of definitive footpath RocAFp26 from Edenfield Road to Over Town Lane, Norden, Rochdale be approved.

Reasons for decision:

The reasons stated in the application submitted by a resident to divert part of footpath RocAFp26 are insufficient to apply related legislation and successfully divert the footpath.

A diversion can be considered by the Council only if it is applied for by the Landowner, Lessee or occupier of land, the diverted route must run on land owned by the same landowner or permission granted in writing by the relevant adjacent landowner.

The diverted route must fit the relevant legal criteria set out in rights of way legislation and provide a similar connection to existing highways/rights of way that the current legal route permits.

To consider a report relating to the need for Primary School Places 2023 - 2026.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Children’s Services setting out proposals for the expansion of primary school places to meet expected demand from 2023 – 2026.

An update was provided following the report being approved at Cabinet on 22 November 2022.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

To consider a report relating to the need for Secondary School Places 2023 - 2026.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Children’s Services setting out proposals for the expansion of secondary school places to meet expected demand from 2023 – 2026.

An update was provided following the report being approved at Cabinet on 22 November 2022.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.