To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Burke, Councillor Rowbotham and Councillor West.

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.

Members are requested to approve the Minutes of the Meeting of the Middleton Township Committee held on the 3^rd February 2022.

Resolved:

1.    That the minutes of the meeting of the Middleton Township Committee held on 3^rd February 2022 be approved and signed as a correct record.

To note the Minutes of the Meeting of the Middleton Township Devolved Funding and Devolved Services Sub-Committee held on 24^th March 2022.

Resolved:

1.    That the Minutes of the meeting of the Middleton Township Devolved Funding and Devolved Services Sub-Committee held on 24^th March 2022 be noted.

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.

The following matters were raised as part of the Open Forum:

a)    Funding for Middleton

In response to a question from Mr Dale, the Interim Assistant Director of Economy outlined a number of investments and developments that had taken place or were planned for Middleton.

b)    Speed Camera – Manchester Old Road

The Committee noted that a written response would be provided to Ms Branchflower about a speed camera on Manchester Old Road.

c)    Equestrian Facilities in Middleton

Ms Njoroge asked that consideration be given to supporting the equestrian community in Middleton by looking at the provision of safe riding paths and bridleways etc. The Rights of Way Officer agreed to look into this matter.

d)    Heywood Old Road

The Committee noted that a written response would be provided to Mr Eastwood about speeding traffic on Heywood Old Road.

e)    Allotments – Rhodes

The Committee noted that a written response would be provided to Mr Seville about the provision of allotments in Rhodes.

f)     East Ward

Ms Burgess informed the Committee of her concerns relating to environmental matters in the East Ward that she felt were being neglected and were detrimental to attracting businesses.

g)    Chilton Drive

In response to representations from Ms Sliders, the Highways Officer agreed to look into the matter of a sign on Chilton Drive that needed repositioning.

h)    Compton Way

In response to representations from Ms O’Grady, the Highways Officer agreed to look into matters relating to parking on Compton Way that was causing an obstruction for pedestrians.

i)     CCTV Cameras

In response to a question from Mr Footitt about CCTV Cameras in the Township, the Head of Environmental Management would be requested to provide a written response.

j)     Anti-Social Behaviour – Middleton Gardens

Councillor Wynne informed the Committee about anti-social behaviour in Middleton Gardens that he was keeping a log of. Also, about the effectiveness of CCTV coverage.

Inspector Ce-Zarz informed the Committee that the CCTV Hub was a Borough wide system.

k)    Stanycliffe Youth Club

In response to concerns raised by Mr McGrath about anti-social behaviour at Stanycliffe Youth Club, it was agreed that the concerns would be raised direct with Youth Service Officers.

To receive a presentation from the Interim Director of Economy on the Town Centre Masterplan.

The Committee received a presentation from the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration and Interim Assistant Director of Economy about progress being made in developing a Town Centre Master Plan for Middleton.

Members of the Committee and members of the public were able to ask questions about the developing Plan.

Resolved:

1.    That the presentation be noted;

2.    That the Township Committee notes the existing work already undertaken to prepare a Regeneration Masterplan for Middleton Town Centre and requests that Officers develop these proposals further for public consultation and with any necessary modifications, its subsequent adoption as a Supplementary Planning Document. The Township notes the request for funding towards Masterplan projects from the GMCA City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) and endorses the proposed submission of a bid to the Levelling Up Fund for the improvement of Middleton Arena and Market Place to create and enhanced leisure and cultural offer within Middleton Town Centre which is well connected and accessible for all highway users.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Strategic Commissioning on the development of the Neighbourhoods.

The Committee received a presentation from the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health and the Director of Strategic Commissioning/DASS relating to the Neighbourhoods Model of integrated care and how this was developing and operating in the Township.

Members of the Committee and members of the public were able to ask questions about the presentation.

Resolved:

1.    That the presentation be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods that provided an update on the provision of play areas in South Middleton and requested consideration of the funding and associated matters relating to providing these facilities.

Alternatives Considered:

Alternative sites had been considered and discounted.

Resolved:

1.    That the £93500 S.106 developer contribution ((Sovereign Gate, Heywood Old Road, Middleton, Former Car Supermarket Site, Morris Homes, planning ref 10/D53587) be allocated as contribution to the new play area project;

2.    That informal consultation be undertaken in regard to the proposed play area and footpath at Rhodes and be brought back to the Committee if required.

Reasons for the Decision:

Play Area Strategy previously accepted by Middleton Township and in process to be adopted at Cabinet identifies under provision of Play Area Facilities in Rhodes.

There is no Legal requirement to consult on new play areas and no Planning Permission requirement, but a Member decision is required if consultation be undertaken as best practice.

Legal process, cost implications and potential legal challenge from residents with regard to adopting a footpath to the site that is not currently Council owned

To consider objections to a proposed Traffic Order - Prohibition of Waiting, Archer Park Area, Middleton.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods which outlined objections to a proposed Traffic Order (Prohibition of Waiting) in the Archer Park Area, Middleton.

Alternatives Considered:

Although the advertised scheme (included as Appendix B to the report) accords and satisfies the requirements of the commissioning brief, Highways have prepared for decision an amended design option (included as Appendix A to the report) in light of the specific objections received. This amendment retains most of the original proposal with just a localised reduction in extent of restriction along the northern side of Sunny Brow Road into Archer Park

In considering the submitted report it was agreed that Appendix A (reduction to 10m each side on Sunny Brow Road and not 20m and 5 m adjacent to the four affected properties on Sunny Brow Road/ Archer Park/Harold Street) was acceptable.

Resolved:

1.    That the amended scheme for the Traffic Regulation Order, (Borough of Rochdale, ((Civil Enforcement of Traffic Contraventions) (Various Streets) (Middleton Township) Order 2008) (Amendment) (No. 75) Order 2022 as detailed at Appendix A to the submitted report, (incorporating the changes detailed above) be approved for implementation.

Reasons for the Decision:

Committee should consider whether the Traffic Regulation Order, (Borough of Rochdale, ((Civil Enforcement of Traffic Contraventions) (Various Streets) (Middleton Township) Order 2008) (Amendment) (No. 75) Order 2022, be implemented as advertised, or be amended in light of the objections received.

To consider a change from Experimental to Permanent Traffic Order - Prohibition of Motor Vehicles, St Leonards Street.

The Township Committee considered a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods which advised that in March 2021 Township approved the implementation of an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) to deliver the ‘Active Neighbourhood’ type closure of St Leonards Street to motorised traffic, dedicating its use on an experimental basis as a sustainable walking and cycling route free from vehicles.

The Order was formally sealed and subsequently advertised on 24th June 2021, becoming effective from 1st July, with objections invited during the statutory 6-month consultation window. No objections were received.

The submitted report provided a summary of the background to the scheme, together with a recommendation that the scheme be made permanent.

Alternatives Considered:

No alternatives were presented within the submitted report.

Resolved:

1.    That approval be given to making permanent the advertised Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), (Borough of Rochdale) (St Leonards Street, Middleton) Experimental (Prohibition of Motor Vehicles) Order 2021;

2.    That the Head of Highways & Engineering be authorised to make the necessary arrangements to implement the permanent scheme.

Reasons for the Decision:

The permanent scheme was promoted and recommended as part of the Council’s statutory responsibility to ensure that its highways operate

To consider Middleton Township Delegation Arrangements and Appointments 2022/2023.

The Township Committee considered a report of the Director of Resources seeking confirmation of the delegated decision making arrangements for the year and appointments to Township Sub-Committees, including the Chair and Vice Chair and other bodies for 2022/2023.

Alternatives considered:

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

Resolved:

1.    That approval be given to the Sub-Committee structure of the Middleton Township Committee, comprising the Middleton Township Devolved Funding and Services Sub-Committee and the terms of reference for the Sub-Committee as detailed within Appendix 1 of the submitted report;

2.    The following appointments be made for 2022/2023:-

Middleton Devolved Funding and Devolved Services Sub-Committee

All Middleton Township Committee Members

            Councillor West (Chair)

Councillor Peter Williams (Vice-Chair)

·          

           Middleton Township Environment and Culture Forum

           All Middleton Township Committee Members

Councillor West (Chair)

·          Middleton Regeneration and Transport Working Party

           All Middleton Township Committee Members

           Councillor West (Chair)

·          Langley Estate Strategy Group

           Councillor Susan Smith; Substitute Member – Councillor Burke

Middleton Town Centre Management Company and Middleton Market Company

Councillor West and Councillor Peter Williams are nominated for 2022/2023.

Brentwood Day Centre – Management Committee

Councillor Susan Smith

Highways Champion

Councillor West

Township Planning Panel

Councillors Susan Smith, Peter Williams, Dale, Dylan Williams, Beswick, Hodgkinson and West.

Reasons for the decision:

The Council has established and appoints Township Committees that may exercise both executive and non-executive powers as set out in the Responsibility for Council Functions in Part 3 of the Constitution. The 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. 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.

To review the Middleton Township revenue and capital expenditure during 2021/22 and consider options for the allocation of funds in 2022/23.

The Township Committee considered the report of the Director of Neighbourhoods which presented a review of the Township revenue and capital expenditure during 2021/2022 and provided options for the allocation of funds during 2022/2023.

The Township Committee was also requested to approve the allocation of Middleton Township Funds to funding streams, to authorise the terms and conditions, and to agree delegation arrangements concerning funding decisions

Alternatives Considered:

The Committee could decide whether or not to approve the allocation of funds to funding streams and adopt the terms and conditions.

Resolved:

1.         That the expenditure, commitments and balances for Middleton Township revenue and capital funds at financial year end 2021/2022 be noted;

2.        That the findings of the review of Township Funds 2021/2022 and evaluations received to date, for some of the projects funded, be noted;

3.        That the allocation of Middleton Township Funds to funding streams in 2022/2023 be approved (Option 1 for Revenue Fund and Option 1 for Capital Fund);

4.        That the terms and conditions for Middleton Township’s Revenue and Capital Funds for 2022/2023 be approved;

5.        That the delegation arrangements for Middleton Township Funds 2022/2023, as detailed at paragraph 4.6 of the submitted report, be approved.

Reasons for the Decisions:

The management of the Middleton Township Fund is a function that has been delegated to the Middleton Township Devolved Funding and Devolved Services Sub Committee. Middleton Township Funds were allocated to projects that benefit the Township’s community and environment, and which realised the Township’s priorities.