Rochdale Council Cabinet meeting as it happened

Thursday 27 August

The first item on the agenda is 'Proposed Changes to the Council’s Housing Allocation Policy'.

Councillors were presented with interim arrangements for housing allocations at the previous cabinet meeting, held on 3 August – these will be in place until March 2016. In a report to councillors it proposes the allocation of housing within the borough post March 2106.

Housing demand in the borough has changed dramatically over recent years, due to a combination of the economic climate, welfare reforms and a strong private rented sector in the borough. These issues have resulted in demand in some areas of the borough and/or for certain types of accommodation. In turn, partner housing providers have been forced to find new ways of letting their empty homes, outside of the Rochdale common housing scheme.

The report recommends for members [councillors] to approve the direction of the policy change and changes to the partnership agreement and agree to consult.

Councillors agree the report.

'Determination of Statutory Proposals for the Enlargement of Newlands Special School, Springside Special School and Redwood Special School' is next.

The purpose of the report is to present the responses to the published proposals for the enlargement of Newlands Special School, Springside Special School and Redwood Special School and to ask councillors to determine those proposals.

There has been an increase in the number of children born in the borough and this will reflect an increase in demand for special school places, as it has for mainstream school places. At the same time Redwood Secondary Special School has seen an increase in the number of children with statements transferring from mainstream settings into Year 7 and also an increase in demand for children joining the school at year 12.

For both Springside and Newlands Special School the proposals are to provide 16 additional places at each school, available from September 2016. For Redwood Special School, the proposals involve providing an extra 32 places for the 11-16 age range and a further 30 places are proposed for the 16-19 age range, to be provided at the former City Learning Centre building at Kenyon lane, Middleton.

Councillors agree the report.

'Waste and Recycling Collection Service Review' is next.

The purpose of the report is for councillors to note the outcome of the public consultation relating to the recent waste management service reviews, approve the Council’s revised Waste Management Strategy and Waste Collection Policy and the new Domestic Waste Collection Service.

In June 2015, councillors approved for the public to be consulted on the adoption of a new Rochdale Waste Management Strategy, alongside a supporting Waste Collection Policy document. The proposed collection policy gives guidance on specific arrangements for household waste collections, including those around missed collections, side waste, contaminated bins, assisted collections and enforcement.

Councillors state that doing nothing is not an option due to financial pressures as Rochdale’s recycling rate is currently the lowest in Greater Manchester.

Councillors agree the report.

Meeting ended.