Council leader's column: Support package to be a helping hand for the winter

Neil Emmott is the leader of Rochdale Council and a councillor for West Middleton. This month he dedicates his column to the Household Support Fund, the opening of The Martlet Kitchen, and more of the latest updates...

The government’s decision to extend the Household Support Fund will benefit thousands of older and vulnerable residents and young families in our borough.

Following the recent confirmation of our money, I moved quickly to ensure our wide-ranging cost of living support was widened and in place for this winter. At our recent cabinet meeting I, along with my councillor colleagues, approved a package of measures for this winter.

This new initiative is part of the council’s Helping Hand campaign, designed to ensure that residents have access to essential cost of living support.

The support package includes:

• Targeted assistance for low-income families, including food vouchers during school holidays
• Warm welcome spaces in libraries and community buildings
• Housing energy support to help reduce utility costs
• Continuation of the borough’s food network, which comprises 40 groups providing food banks, food clubs, and food pantries
• Supermarket vouchers for those in need
• Essential household items, including cookers, fridges, and other white goods

It is crucial that we provide support to our older and vulnerable residents and young families this winter. Through our extensive assistance package and the government’s welcome extension of the Household Support Fund, we will help to make sure no one goes hungry or struggles to heat their home during the colder months.

I encourage everyone to stay updated by following our channels, checking our webpage, or contacting our cost of living hotline for more information on the assistance available. I am proud to lead a socially responsible and progressive council that is dedicated to providing a safety net for those most in need.

In addition, I would encourage the thousands of residents in the borough who haven’t claimed pension credit to come forward.

Ask your loved ones, friends and neighbours ‘have you topped up’? There is over £7m of unclaimed credit across the community, this is money that thousands of our residents are entitled to and opens up the possibility of claiming other benefits. On average pension credit is worth £3,400 to someone.

If you are unsure if you are entitled to this important benefit, or would like assistance in completing your pension credit form, please contact our cost of living support line on 01706 923685.

All the information on our cost of living support this winter can be found on the council web site: www.rochdale.gov.uk/costofliving

I was proud that local community investment, totalling over £324,000, will be delivered across the borough following the latest round of townships funding agreed by the council.

Our five township committees allocate council funds, including grants for community projects, environmental and highway improvements, events and issues raised by residents. These are the bread and butter services that our residents need and rely on, providing high quality, value for money services that make a real difference to people’s lives.

The funding package includes:-

• Middleton Township providing funds for this year’s Christmas lights switch-on and a Christmas tree, lights and power at Truffet Park. In addition there will be major improvements to the Wince Brook pathway and footpath improvements at Larkhill Court, Pine Street and Aspinall Street. The township also confirmed funding for the Summer Bands in the park concerts being held in Jubilee Park next year.
• Heywood Township will fund the Christmas lights switch-on, support the 1940s day event and also support a festive event to celebrate the tenth anniversary of social enterprise, PossAbilities.
• Pennines Township will restore Hare Hill Park bandstand, provide an accessible route for disabled visitors to Wardle Cenotaph and garden of remembrance and support a 12-week therapy programme for local teenagers.
• Rochdale North Township is funding an extension to Athol Street car park, providing raised planters and benches at Falinge Park, and ensuring road safety measures are implemented in the Whitworth Road area. In addition, the Al-Abbas Institute has received funds to deliver educational workshops for young people and St Edmund’s Church has received a grant for restoration work.
• Rochdale South Township will be contributing to the design, supply and installation of a BMX pump track in Balderstone Park. In addition, a new footway will be created on Hillcrest Road. The township will also fund the area’s Rochdale in Bloom entry, as well as a planter and hanging baskets to improve the environment on Kent Street and Dorset Street.
   

Read more: Over £300,000 to be given to community projects from township fundingPublished: 19 September 2024

The Martlet Kitchen restaurant has now opened at Rochdale Town Hall, with bookings now available for our fabulous fine dining menu, which will be available on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Helmed by award winning executive chef, Darren Parkinson, residents can also enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunches and afternoon tea, with Sunday opening expected to launch later in the autumn.

As well as great food, few restaurants can boast such illustrious surroundings as a Grade I listed building, and I hope our residents get chance to pop in and enjoy this fantastic new addition to Rochdale town centre.

Councillor Neil Emmott

Leader of Rochdale Borough Council