Rochdale Council Cabinet meeting as it happened

Monday 15 December 2014

The meetings agenda includes business rates, additional secondary school places and Derby Street Nursery.

The Business Rates Pilot Scheme is brought forward.

The scheme aims to bring back into use empty properties within Rochdale Town Centre and their occupation to sustain the vitality and diversity in the core retail area of Yorkshire Street, the Western end of Baillie Street, The Walk and South Parade.

A member of the public asks if the scheme will be rolled out to Heywood and other parts of the borough.

Councillor Jacqui Beswick states that if the scheme is successful and is something that would work in Heywood Township then it is something that could be considered. Councillor Peter Williams reiterates that this is a pilot scheme for Rochdale Town Centre and is focused on town centres but adds that it is something that would be useful to in Middleton.

Councillors agree the scheme.

The Housing Scrutiny Study Group is next.

The report is to inform the cabinet about the work undertaken by the Housing Scrutiny Group, which was established to monitor the Health and Wellbeing of residents within the Borough of Rochdale in relation to housing prevision and housing conditions.

Councillors agree the report.

Additional Secondary School places is discussed next.

The strategy is planned to ensure that there is not a strain on school places.

Councillors agree the report.

Derby Street Nursery discontinuance is next.

The report is to inform councillors of the next stage that needs to be undertaken in regards to the closure of the nursery.

Councillors agree the report.

The revenue budget is next. There should be no challenges for the 2015/2016 budgets.

Councillors agree the report.

The Council Tax collection report is next.

The new collection methods are for those people with the ability to pay council tax and new methods will affect those who can pay council tax but are refusing to pay.

The highways capital programme is next. Councillor Brett fully supports the programme and praises officers for securing so much funding.

A Business Rates pool is discussed next. There are plans for a Greater Manchester and East Cheshire Pool in regards to business rates.

Councillor Brett adds that this is a win win for Rochdale.

Meeting ended.