Pennine Township Committee meeting as it happened

Pennine Township Committee meeting - 9 September

A one-minute silence is held in honour of Middleton and Heywood MP Jim Dobbin.

An update from the police is given to the committee. The update is for between 1 April and 30 June with figures showing a similar pattern to the same time last year.

There has been an increase in crimes across the area but this is often due to the time of year and the next set of figures given to township should show a decrease in crime.

In the open forum, questions are asked regarding parking at Hollingworth Lake Visitors Centre and land behind Hollingworth Lake.

A presentation is given by Metrolink.

The presentation informs councillors about the Metrolink and how it has been received since extending into Rochdale town centre. Overall passengers on the Metrolink have increased by 53% with a 13% increase of people heading into Rochdale town centre – these figures were expected.

Metrolink is hoping to introduce ‘Get Me There’ cards which would be similar to an Oyster card to help combat ticket avoidance.

The review of polling stations and polling districts is next.

This is a statutory review of the polling stations and districts undertaken by the council. After the public consultation in July, six requests were suggested to review polling stations in specific areas.

The capital programme is next.

The committee is asked to review the programme for 2015/2016 to 2017/2018.

The committee agree the report.

The savings programme is next.

The report informs councillors of proposals for 2015/2106 and 2017/2018, which have service delivery implications. The council has already identified savings that would not involve service cuts.

The committee agree the report.

The council tax support scheme is next.

Councillors are asked to note the report following recommendations from cabinet. The cabinet has suggested four recommendations with regards to the council tax support scheme. The report is due back to the cabinet before going to the council in December.

Councillors note the report.

Borough of Rochdale, Compulsory Purchase Order is next.

This item refers to the potential need for a compulsory purchase order for land west of Springfield Avenue to allow plans to stop flooding to go ahead. The contemporary purchase order is the last resort needed to be taken after land owners have not yet been identified.

Councillors support the plans and agree the recommendation.

Changes to the process of local authority (LA) governor appointments is next.

The report informs the committee that they can no longer appoint local authority governors.

Meeting ended.