To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Bromfield, Councillor Burke, Councillor Sue Smith and Councillor Terry Smith.

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.

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.

The following matters were raised during the Open Forum by members of the public in attendance at the meeting:-

a)         Middleton Crematorium

The Committee received questions from local residents with regard to the future of Middleton Crematorium.

In response, the Service Manager, Specialist Services, Development & Grounds Maintenance advised that a review of Bereavement Services across the Borough was being undertaken and when any recommendations were being brought forward, they would be subject to the usual consultation process. It was noted that capacity for mourners at Middleton Crematorium was an issue and would be looked at as part of the review. A further question was asked about the days of operation at Middleton Crematorium and a response would be sent direct after the meeting.

b)         Proposed Play Area – Alkrington

The Committee received representations from local residents regarding an online petition in support on a proposed pay area in Alkrington and asking for an update on the timescales for the project being implemented and whether safety of the site for users had been taken into account.

In response, the Service Manager, Specialist Services, Development & Grounds Maintenance advised that funds had been allocated to carry out a technical survey on the proposed site and this could take approximately one to three months to complete. In regard to safety, this was taken into account with any site under consideration.

c)         Mainway Field

The Committee received a question from a local resident asking if South Middleton Ward Councillors would be prepared to litter pick on Mainway Field in the same way that other Councillors did in their wards.

In response, Councillor Pat Dale provided assurance that if litter was to become a problem that Councillors would help with assistance from the Environmental Management Team, in the same way as for other areas in the Ward.

Members are requested to approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on the 13^th June 2024.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Middleton Township Committee held on 13^th June 2024 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a presentation on support that is available to residents from Riverside Housing Association with regard to Employment and Training.

The Committee received a presentation of the Employment & Training Officer from Riverside Housing which outlined the services provided by the organisation to residents of Riverside Housing.

The Committee were informed that Riverside was a registered provider of social housing in the UK, offering affordable housing and support to residents. There were currently over 2,000 Riverside homes in the Langley area of Middleton, and residents were supported across the whole of the Rochdale borough.

With the aim to transform lives and revitalise neighbourhoods, the Employment and Training Team provided free support to anyone living in a Riverside home. Customers were supported into work through assistance with job searches and applications, as well as being provided with work wear and travel expenses. Customers were also signposted to local providers such as Get Rochdale Working for training and support.

The Employment and Training Officer advised that there was no criteria for Riverside customers to be supported into employment. Residents that were already in employment could also receive support if they were seeking a change of career, better pay or wanting to gain qualifications.

74% of Riverside customers seeking assistance had completed employment training or had been successful in securing employment in 2023-24.

The Chair thanked the Riverside Employment & Training Officer for the presentation and then opened the meeting to comments and questions.

Resolved:

That the presentation from Riverside Housing Association be noted.

To receive a presentation from Action Together.

Consideration was given to a presentation provide by the Rochdale Director, Action Together, which the outlined the purpose, vision, remit and the activities undertaken by the organisation.

It was explained that Action Together was a local infrastructure organisation for the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector in Rochdale, Oldham and Tameside. Its purpose was to support the work of other groups in the local voluntary and community sector by strengthening the VCFSE sector, enabling positive social change and promoting social justice.

Action Together worked to address the impacts and root causes of poverty and inequalities across the three regions. The organisation also worked to: help secure investment to community organisations and projects; invested time and money into groups, to build capacity and skills; supported local groups to plan what they wanted to achieve; and provided assistance to ensure projects were sustainable.  It was explained that the five core functions of Action Together were: leadership and advocacy; capacity building; partnerships and collaboration; investment; and volunteering.

The Chair thanked the Action Together Director for the presentation and continued work across the Borough, and then opened the meeting to comments and questions.

Resolved:

That the presentation from Action Together be noted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Highways and Facilities / Director of Economy and Place.

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for Highways and Facilities / Director of Economy and Place that provided an update regarding the implementation of 20 miles per hour (MPH) zones on residential streets across the Borough of Rochdale.

Alternatives considered and rejected

Not to support the recommendations set out in the report – this option would be contrary to the decision taken by Full Council on 13th October 2021.

Resolved:

1.         That the report and proposed implementation of the borough-wide 20mph commitment be noted;

2.         That the phased implementation of the 20mph commitment be supported;

3.        That it be noted a minimum of five schemes had been identified in each Township, which sought to provide a balanced rollout and ensure consistency of delivery across Rochdale Borough;

4.         That the following Phase Two Scheme implementation be noted:

·         Heywood - Wilton Street Area, Heywood – Full traffic calming scheme, approximately: £60,000.

·         Pennines - Bellshill Crescent Area, Smallbridge & Firgrove – Hybrid (partial traffic calming, majority has existing traffic calming) approximately: £34,000.

·         Rochdale North - Caldershaw Road Area, Caldershaw – Full traffic calming scheme, approximately: £130,000.

·         Rochdale South - Norford Way, Norden – Full traffic calming scheme, approximately: £55,000.

·         Middleton - Cheapside Area, Middleton – Full traffic calming scheme, approximately: £110,000.

5.         That it be acknowledged further funding would be required in future years to ensure all residential streets were subject to a 20mph speed limit;

6.         That the Director of Economy and Place, in consultation with the Chair of Middleton Township Committee, and the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Facilities, be given delegated authority to resolve none controversial objections of five or less, to the traffic regulation orders promoted in association with the 20mph commitment. Should the objection be deemed contentious or there were more than five, the matter would be referred to the Middleton Township Committee.

Reason for the decision

The scheme was recommended and promoted in-line with the decision made at Full Council on 13th October 2021.