Pennine Township meeting as it happened

Councillor Allen Brett

The open forum starts the meeting.

Issues regarding cobbled streets, disabled parking bays and Rakewood Road are addressed.

A police update is next and the committee is addressed on the recent quarter. The update praises the events of the Tour de France weekend, including the Dragon Boat Race at Hollingworth Lake and the Tour de France race itself. Police estimated that 20,000 made it up to Blackstone Edge to see the race and reported that there were no incidents.

A budget presentation is given next.

The committee is asked to approve funding for the localised widening of Albert Royds Street roundabout. The cost of the work would be £5,500 with a further cost of £4,400 for added guard rail works. Councillor Alan Brett moved the reported and stated “let's do this now whilst it is the cheapest amount of money”. Councillor Aftab Hussain also asked councillors to support the report. Councillors agreed the report.

A street lighting update is presented next.

Councillors are frustrated at the lack of responses being given to residents by EON. Councillor Brett states that 95% of the work undertaken has had no issues but the 5% that has seen issues has seen a lack of response time from EON and that is frustrating residents and causing problems.

Councillors are updated on the section 106 money available for open space. The Pennines has £13,280 for open space but will not see any money
coming in from developments.

The Armed Forces Community Covenant, WW1 Commemoration Plans and the Armed Forces Fund is discussed next. The committee has around £18,000 to spend from the Armed Forces Fund over the next four years.

The need for additional school places is presented. It is reported that more children are coming in to the township compared to the numbers that are leaving. Wardle Academy and Hollingworth Academy are under consultation to offer extra places if needed. Both schools currently have 240 places which would increase to 270 if extra places are allocated. Councillors agree the plans.

Meeting ended.