The Chair paid tribute to Lauren Mason, Middleton Township & Engagement Officer who had passed away in November 2024. Lauren had been a dedicated and much valued officer for Middleton for a number of years and would be very sadly missed.

A period of silence was observed in respect of Lauren’s passing.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Beswick.

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 but the Chair indicated that Agenda Item 8, Middleton Crematorium – Verbal Update would be considered first on the Agenda.

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 the public and press.

To receive a verbal update on proposals relating to Middleton Crematorium.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Neil Emmott, provided an update to the Committee that at the meeting of Cabinet held on 11^th February, the savings proposals relating to Middleton Crematorium and bowling greens had been withdrawn and that capital receipts were being looked at as a way to fund future improvements at Middleton Crematorium.

Members of the Committee welcomed the withdrawal of both savings proposals and agreed the following.

Resolved:

1.    That in relation to Middleton Crematorium Chapel and its cremator, the Township formally requests the withdrawal of the revenue savings proposal and requests that over the next two years capital funding is found to replace the cremator and improve the experience of mourners at the Chapel.

2.    Township also requests the removal of Revenue savings with regard the Bowling Greens.

Members are requested to approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 30^th September 2024.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 30^th September 2024 be approved as a correct record.

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

a)    Hopwood Hall

The Chair invited the Director of Economy and Place to provide an update and answer questions that had been submitted in advance of the meeting in relation to Hopwood Hall.

The Director advised that the Council was committed to the restoration of Hopwood Hall and working with stakeholders. Following an independent review of the business model, the decision was taken not to renew the option agreement in October 2024.

The condition of the Hall had been assessed and had resulted in it being closed on health and safety grounds, with a view to reopening as soon as it was safe to do so. Roof repairs would be undertaken in spring, overseen by the Council and Historic England. It was also intended that there would be a community engagement programme that would include training and development opportunities, starting in summer.

The following questions had been submitted in advance of the meeting and the answers given are summarised as below:

1.    Did Rochdale Council consider the mental health and well-being of the community when they made the decision to lock the volunteers out of Hopwood Hall and attempt to terminate the legal agreement with Hopwood De Pree?

·         Due to ongoing legal proceedings it was not appropriate to comment on the option agreement;

·         It was disappointing for the Council to terminate the licence to occupy but this had been done due to concerns over the management of health and safety on the site which formed part of the licence agreement;

·         The Hall was currently closed to all parties due to health and safety risks identified in a building structural report and the Council was working with conservation specialists to develop a funding strategy to reopen the hall and gardens safely for volunteer access as soon as possible;

2.    Did Rochdale Council consider the negative impact these decisions would make worldwide on people looking to invest in Rochdale?

·         There were investment opportunities in the pipeline and it was not considered that this decision would detract from efforts to secure and attract future investment into the Borough.

3.    Did Rochdale Council consider what a poor example their decision sets for students and young people, especially those who followed or are involved in the rescue of Hopwood Hall?

·         The decision to close the Hall had been taken reluctantly on health and safety grounds. The feasibility and restoration process would include a community engagement programme and a training and development programme. The Council was working with Hopwood Hall College and its students and this was planned to continue through all further development and delivery phases.

4.    Did Rochdale Council consider the detrimental impact this decision would have on the Grade 2* listed Hopwood Hall?

·         The Council acted in the interest of preserving public safety;

·         There is a commitment to the preservation and restoration of the Hall and all viable opportunities to secure its future would be explored. The Hall has been secured and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

To consider a presentation from Public Health.

The Township Committee considered a presentation of the Director of Public Health and Communities which sought to inform of the new approach in reporting about Population Health, activities and initiatives of the Public Health Team to increase residents’ access to and use of good quality greenspaces in the Borough of Rochdale.

The Public Health Specialist was in attendance to present the information and to address the questions and the comments of the Members.

The Officer advised that, for 2024/25, the Rochdale Borough’s Public Health annual report would take a much more inspirational and ambitious approach working with local creative organisations around the neighbourhood environments, specifically access to good quality outdoor space and the benefits to residents’ health.

The Rochdale Borough had great access to outdoor space with two thirds of the Borough being rural and a higher proportion of people living within 500m of a woodland area (29%) compared to the England average (15%). However, access to good quality greenspaces such as parks, woodlands, fields or allotments varied greatly and the borough had only 11.8% of the population utilising the outdoor space.

The presentation highlighted Alkrington Woods as an area in Middleton that could be utilised. Committee Members and members of the public also identified Wince Brook Nature Reserve, Truffet Park, Borrowdale Community Asset, Bowlee Community Park, Boarshaw Clough, Hopwood Woods and Jubilee Park as other areas of the Township that could also be utilised.

Resolved;

That the presentation be noted.

To receive a verbal update on the Town Centre Masterplan.

The Director of Economy and Place provided an update on the progress of the Town Centre Masterplan including a policy framework for the east of the Town Centre, was in development which would enable funding opportunities to be explored. A draft would be brought to the Committee for consideration in due course.

The Leader of the Council referred to the recent purchase of the Old Grammar School by the Council and plans for cultural activities there. Also, that external funding was being looked at, including from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and a Mayoral Development Corporation.

Resolved:

That the Town Centre Masterplan verbal update be noted.

To consider a report of the Head of Townships & Libraries.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Townships and Libraries which advised that Demesne Community Centre is experiencing short-term financial challenges and asked the Committee to consider approving a strictly one-off payment of £7,000 from Middleton West Ward Funds to support the organisation.

Alternatives Considered:

To not agree funding from Middleton Township Funds.

Resolved

That a one-off payment of £7,000 from the Middleton West Ward Funds to the Demesne Community Centre be approved.

Reasons for the Decision

Demesne Community Centre relies on income from various user groups to allow the organisation to operate. The centre has recently seen the closure of the Nursery which has resulted in a loss of income and has created a short-term financial pressure. Ward Councillors are keen to assist the organisation in remaining open and able to offer services from the centre, whilst working to increase occupation and income for the future.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Townships and Libraries which advised that Demesne Community Centre is experiencing short-term financial challenges and asked the Committee to consider approving a strictly one-off payment of £7,000 from Middleton West Ward Funds to support the organisation.

Alternatives Considered

To not agree funding from Middleton Township Funds.

Resolved

That a one-off payment of £7,000 from the Middleton West Ward Funds to the Demesne Community Centre be approved.

Reasons for the Decision

Demesne Community Centre relies on income from various user groups to allow the organisation to operate. The centre has recently seen the closure of the Nursery which has resulted in a loss of income and has created a short-term financial pressure. Ward Councillors are keen to assist the organisation in remaining open and able to offer services from the centre, whilst working to increase occupation and income for the future.