To receive any apologies for absence.

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

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 held on 23^rd June 2022.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Middleton Township Committee held on 23^rd June 2022 be approved and signed as a correct record.

The Committee is requested to note the Minutes of the Middleton Township Devolved Funding and Devolved Services Sub-Committee held on 14^th July 2022.

Resolved: 

That the minutes of the meeting of the Middleton Township Devolved Funding and Devolved Services Sub-Committee held on 14^th July 2022 be noted.

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

a)  Car Parking at Middleton Shopping Centre

Councillor Dylan Williams informed the Committee that following recent issues with car parking penalty notices being issued at Middleton Shopping Centre, that a meeting had taken place with shopping centre representatives to try to resolve the issue. The car park was in private ownership and there had been recent changes to the car parking arrangements. Residents were encouraged to report any concerns direct to the shopping centre or to Councillors.

b)  Highways Safety for Horse Riders

Ms Njoroge asked for signage to be improved to enable the highway to be safer for horse riders to use. Ms Njoroge was asked to contact the Highways Officer direct with any specific concerns.

c)  Telecoms Mast – Alkrington

In response to representations made by Mr Cook in relation to a proposed telecoms mast in Alkrington, the Interim Assistant Director of Economy advised that the mast had been refused planning permission by the Council but that the applicant had a right of appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, which was a separate process outside of the Council.

d)  Middleton in Bloom

Ms Proctor from Middleton in Bloom requested the support of the Township in renaming the walkway adjacent to Tesco as Veterans Walk. Ms Proctor advised that the local Royal British Legion were in support of this request.

The Committee were supportive of the request and thanked Middleton in Bloom for the work they undertook across the Township, throughout the year.

The Highways Officer was requested to take forward the request to rename the walkway as Veterans Walk.

e)  Green Spaces

In response to a representation from Mr Ettenfield about the potential loss of green spaces across the Township if proposed developments went ahead, it was commented that the Township wanted to preserve green spaces as far as possible.

f)  Cheapside

A local resident from Cheapside expressed concerns about potential issues with a property in the area, including car parking problems. It was suggested that local Ward Councillors and the Council’s Strategic Housing Manager be contacted with any specific concerns.

g)  Alkrington Crime Issues

A local resident raised the matter of a number of crimes that had recently been committed in the Alkrington Area and the effect on local residents. Inspector Ce-Sarz informed the Committee that Greater Manchester Police were undertaking a number of initiatives across the area, including an upcoming week of action.

To consider a presentation of Public Health Representatives

The Township Committee received a presentation on Rochdale Borough’s All-Age Prevention Strategy and a new helpline service.

The Township Committee were updated on how the Council worked with partner organisations and residents to improve factors that influenced people’s health and wellbeing such as good relationships, sufficient income, learning opportunities, culture and social life, having an active life and other aspects which contributed to people’s ability to live a happier life and to be resilient when problems occurred.

The presentation highlighted how the prevention strategy was built on the learning from the pandemic and how different organisations had come together in their role to support people through listening and acting on what mattered to them. Also, conversations between the Council and partner organisations about a prevention network started in July 2022, to look at a helpline/single point of access to connect people with advice, information and support (e.g. for loneliness, volunteering, cost of living etc.). The helpline is due to be launched in November 2022 complementing other ongoing initiatives.

Resolved:

That the prevention strategy and new helpline service be noted;

To consider a report relating to a Middleton Town Centre Masterplan.

The Township Committee considered a report and received a presentation from the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration/ Interim Assistant Director of Economy which advised that a Town Centre Masterplan is an essential tool to guide development and build a case for investment in town centres.

As such, the Council has committed to supporting the development of masterplans for each of the boroughs town centre. The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration has committed to working with members in each Township on the preparation of masterplans, to help develop a vision and strategy that reflects Member’s aspirations for the area.

Members of the Committee and members of the public were able to ask questions and make comments on the submitted report and accompanying presentation.

Alternatives considered:

Not to produce a Masterplan. The consultation on and subsequent adoption of the Masterplan is required to guide future development in line with the vision and objectives and to unlock future funding for the Township.

If a Masterplan is not progressed it will make it very difficult to bid for funding opportunities and would mean missed opportunities for funding and economic development.

Resolved:

That the Middleton Town Centre Masterplan be approved for a four week period of public consultation with businesses, residents and stakeholders.

Reasons for the decision:

The adoption of the Masterplan will assist with guiding future developments in line with the vision and objectives outlined in the Masterplan document and to support future funding bids to support regeneration priorities in the Township.

To consider the appointment of Trustees to the Middleton Cricket Ground Trust.

The Township Committee considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate/ Monitoring Officer which advised that Council delegated the appointment of Trustees to the Middleton Cricket Ground Trust to the Middleton Township Committee and that the Township Committee was being requested to appoint two Trustees.

Alternatives considered:

Not applicable.

Resolved:

1.    That Councillor June West and Councillor Peter Williams be appointed to the Middleton Cricket Ground Trust;

2.    That future appointments to the Middleton Cricket Ground Trust be included within the annual appointments report to the Township Committee.

Reasons for the decision:

The responsibility for the appointment of Trustees to the Middleton Cricket Ground Trust has been delegated to the Middleton Township Committee by Council

To consider a report relating to the claim of Footpath from Manchester Old Road to Rear of 564 Manchester Old Road, Middleton.

The Township Committee considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment/ Director of Neighbourhoods which advised that Council have received an application claiming a footpath under section 53(5) of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 for an order to be made to modify the Definitive Map and Statement to include a path or way from Manchester Old Road to the rear of 564 Manchester Old Road, Middleton Rochdale.

The application contains 18 supporting evidence forms from members of the public who have also submitted maps on which they have identified the route they have used. The location of the route claimed was shown by a thick black line on the map included within the submitted report.

Alternatives considered:

The alternative is to accept the evidence and proceed with a Definitive Map Modification order to add a footpath to the definitive map and statement and to ensure a footpath is available for public use. The law could be applied to proceed with an order as the evidence was insufficient.

Resolved:

That a decision be deferred pending receipt of additional supporting evidence with regard to a potential Definitive Map Modification order from Manchester Old Road to the rear of 564 Manchester Old Road, Middleton Rochdale.

Reasons for the decision:

To enable further time for the public to submit additional supporting evidence with regard to a potential Definitive Map Modification order from Manchester Old Road to the rear of 564 Manchester Old Road, Middleton Rochdale.