To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Wardle.

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.

A moments silence was observed to mark the recent passing of former Middleton Councillors Carol Geddes and Robin Parker.

The following matters were raised during the Open Forum:-

a)         Proposed Play Area in the Alkrington Area

The Committee were informed that a number of questions had been submitted expressing concerns regarding the siting of a proposed play area in the Alkrington area.

The Head of Environmental Management advised that the comments received would been added to the live consultation folder which was being used to inform the ongoing re-assessment of all potential sites which would inform a future options appraisal report back to the Township Committee later this year. This was part of the ongoing consultation process.

b)         Historic Cheapside

In response to a question regarding funding for signage and the installation of a litter bin, the Township and Engagement Officer advised that the group liaise with their Ward Councillors and could submit an application for Township funds that would be considered in accordance with the criteria.

c)         Sadler Street – HMO

A number of local residents outlined their concerns about a proposed HMO on Sadler Street. The Head of Housing and Homelessness advised that the proposed HMO currently complied with the relevant space standards required but that any future issues could be reported on the Council website with the assurance that these would be followed up.

d)         Cheapside – Parking and Paving

In response to concerns raised by local residents regarding the standard of paving repairs and parking issues in Cheapside, the Senior Highways Officer agreed to meet residents to look into the issues they had raised.

e)         Clean Air Zone Signs

In response to a question about when Clean Air Zone signs would be removed and who would be funding the removal, the Senior Highways Officer advised that no decision had yet been take on this matter as the scheme had been paused and was under Government review.

f)          Planters – Townley Street

Members of Historic Cheapside requested a review of the placement of planters that they had received funding for in 2022 as the original plans had not been permitted. The Senior Highways Officer agreed to undertake a review of the scheme with Historic Cheapside Group members.

g)         Cycle Lanes

In response to a question from a local resident regarding why cycle lanes did not appear to be enforced, the Committee were advised that any specific concerns could be looked at and that these were advisory signs.

h)        Freedom of Speech

The Township agreed that the ethos of freedom of speech should be supported as long as it did not incite hatred and was conducted in a polite manner.

h)        Old Post Office

In response to a question from a local resident about plans for the Old Post Office building, the Committee were advised that the site was in private ownership, with some of the site still in use as a sorting office.

i)          Market Place – Empty Property

In response to concerns expressed by a local business owner, about anti-social behaviour in an empty property on Market Place, the Police Inspector advised that the police  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider the minutes of the Middleton Township Committee meeting held on 16^th March 2023.

Resolved

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Middleton Township Committee held on 16th March 2023 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a presentation from Your Trust.

The Committee was provided with a presentation which outlined the services and activities provided by Your Trust throughout the Borough and specific projects and initiatives within the Middleton Township.

The Chair thanked Your Trust representatives for the presentation and invited comments and questions from Members and the public.

Resolved

That the presentation be noted.

The Township Committee is required to confirm its delegated decision making arrangements for 2023/24 and to make appointments to various other bodies.

Consideration was given to a report which sought confirmation of the  Committee’s delegated decision making arrangements for the 2023/24 Municipal Year and requested appointments to the Township Sub-Committee and various other bodies.

Alternatives considered

The Committee could choose not to appoint a sub-committee 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 report.

2.         That the following appointments be made for 2023/24:-

Middleton Township Devolved Funding and Devolved Services Sub-Committee

All Middleton Township Committee Members

Chair – Councillor June West

Vice-Chair – Councillor Peter Williams

Middleton Township Environment and Culture Forum

No appointments required as the Forum no longer meets.

Middleton Township Regeneration and Transport Working Party

All Middleton Township Committee Members

Chair – Councillor June West

Langley Estate Strategy Group

Councillor Susan Smith (Substitute: Councillor Phil Burke)

Middleton Town Centre Management Company and Middleton Market Company

No nominations required

Brentwood Day Centre – Management Committee

Councillor Susan Smith

Township Highways Champion

Councillor June West

Township Environment Champion

Councillor Dylan Williams

Middleton Cricket Ground Trust – Trustees

Councillor June West and Councillor Peter Williams

Middleton Township Planning Panel

Councillors Susan Smith, Peter Williams, Dale, Dylan Williams, Hodgkinson and June West

Reasons for the recommendations

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 Council Constitution which states that ‘appointments to Township Sub-Committees, Township Working Parties, Partnership Arrangements and Local Outside Bodies shall be made at the first meeting of the appropriate Township Committee in the new Municipal Year’.

Eligible for call in – no

To review revenue and capital expenditure during 2022/2023 and options for the allocation of funds in 2023/2024.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods which reviewed the Township revenue and capital expenditures during 2022/23 and provided options for the allocation of funds in 2023/24.

Members were requested to approve Middleton Township Funds allocation to funding streams, terms and conditions and to agree delegated arrangements in relation to funding decisions.

Resolved

1.         That the expenditures, commitments and balances for Middleton Township revenue and capital funds at financial year end 2022/23 as set out in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of the report be noted;

2.         That the findings of the review of Township Funds 2022/23 as set out in Appendix 3 of the report and evaluations received to date for funded projects as set out in Appendix 4 of the report be noted;

3.         That the allocations of Middleton Township Funds to funding streams in 2023/24 as set out in Appendix 5 of the report be approved – Option 1 for Capital Funding and Option 1 for Revenue Funding;

4.         That the terms and conditions for Middleton Township Funds 2023/24 as set out in Appendix 6 of the report be approved;

5.         That the delegation arrangements for Middleton Township Funds for 2023/24 as detailed in paragraph 5.6 of the report be approved.

Reason for the recommendations

Management of the Middleton Township Funds was delegated to the Middleton Township Devolved Funding and Devolved Services Sub-Committee. Township Funds are allocated to projects that benefit the Township’s community and environment and realise Township priorities.

Alternatives considered

Not to approve the recommendations for the allocation of funds in 2023/24 – it was considered that the proposed terms and conditions and allocation of funds to funding streams would ensure the most efficient and effective use of the Township Funds.

Eligible for call in - yes