Rochdale Township Committee meeting as it happened

Wednesday 22 July

An update from Greater Manchester Police is first.

The police state that following an operation to tackle begging in the town centre, 30 names have been passed onto drug and alcohol support.

A drugs warrant has recently been executed on Royds Street with the help from the public giving the police information.

Following an armed robbery at a newsagent on Oldham Road, an offender was quickly arrested and charged.

The open forum is next.

A member of the public wants to see a ‘speaker's corner’ in Rochdale.

The budget for 2016/17 and 2018/19 Guidelines and Timetable is next.

Councillors are asked to recommend the budget guidelines and timetable to be used in preparing the detailed 2016/17 budget and provisional budgets for 2017/18 and 2018/19.

Councillors agree the report.

The Need for Extra Special School Places – Consideration of Consultation responses and Publication of Statutory Proposals is next.

The Council needs to consider the provision of extra special school places at Redwood Secondary School, Springside School and Newlands Special School.

The report to councillors presents them with the outcome of the public consultation and consideration by the Cabinet of the publication of statutory proposals for the enlargement of the schools.

Councillors note the report.

The Need for Extra Reception class places 2015-2018 is next.

Projecting expected demand for reception class places in the township is based upon comparing the number of children born, with the number of children from that birth cohort taking up places in Rochdale schools. In 2010/11 there were 11% fewer children wanting reception school places than had been born within the township. In 2012/13 there were 5% fewer children wanting reception class places than were born in in the township. In 2014/15 there were 7% children wanting reception class places than were born in the township.

Councillors note the report.

The Key Route Network is next.

A report to councillors advises them of the management arrangements, in partnership with TfGM, for introducing a Greater Manchester KRN, which will be managed and funded centrally forming highway corridors and routes across Greater Manchester that will support the Greater Manchester Strategy and enable growth.

Councillors note the report.

Disposal of land at Hamer Lane, Rochdale is next.

The purpose of the report to councillors is to obtain township approval for the release of land at Hamer Lane. The Council currently owns the freehold interest in a small plot of land measuring approximately 168 square metres close to the junction of Halifax Road and Hamer Lane, Rochdale. The land is currently tarmacked and it is used for parking by unauthorised users. This is not a car park that has been transferred to the Township management.

It has been agreed in principle with the adjacent business that they will purchase the land for car parking for use in connection with their business. The purchaser will pay market value for the plot of land.

Councillors agree the report.

Disposal of land at Wellington Place and Ramsay Street, Rochdale is next.

The purpose of the report to councillors is to obtain township approval for the release of land at Wellington Place and Ramsay Street, Rochdale for disposal.

The land was formerly the site of 51-59 Ramsay Street. The properties were acquired as part of the Housing Market Renewal programme and have since been demolished. The current nature of the site is an un-grassed open area. The site measures 627 square metres.

The site is no longer required as part of the Housing Market Renewal Programme and it has been agreed in principle that the site should be offered for sale to the adjacent business for car parking in association with the business.

Ramsay Street suffers from congestion caused mainly by local businesses and releasing this land for car parking will alleviate this congestions. On the UDP, the land is unallocated and it is open to a variety of uses including parking. The purchaser will pay market value for the site.

Councillors agree the report.

The Township plan for 2015-16 is next.

The report informs councillors of schemes and projects funded by and coordinated by the Township, in response to the priorities identified in the Township plan.

Councillors agree the report.

Meeting ended.