Rochdale Township Committee Meeting as it happened

5 November 2014

A report from the police is first. Stats for the area are generally good with reductions in crime being reported. As part of the Lock It or Lose It campaign, police in Rochdale visited 221 houses.

The open forum is next. Issues regarding the footpaths, 20mph speed limits and the Turner Brothers Asbestos site are discussed.

The report regarding implementing 20mph speed limits across Rochdale is borought forward following a question from Helen Andrews.

The purpose of the report is to advise members of the benefits, risks and costs associated with the introduction of 20mph speed limits. Helen Andrews, who asked the council about speed limits at the last township meeting, informs the committee that 20mph speed limits are currently applied in Manchester, Bury and Warrington.

If the scheme was to go ahead, the total estimated cost would be £516,098.

The Turner Brothers Asbestos report is brought forward after a question for Mick Coats.

Mark Widdup, Director of Economy and Environment at Rochdale Council, informs the council that work is being undertaken to move forward with the TBA site and adds that if a community group was to be set up regarding the site, it would need to be fully constitutionalised with a chairperson and set goals.

A presentation regarding the Coroners Service is next. The presentation is to inform members of the service and what to do if they are asked for help.

The disposal of surplus land is next. The council is looking to sell eight pieces of land across Rochdale. Councillors discuss a number of the plots in detail, with few councillors hoping to have land at Cut Lane taken off of the report.

Councillors agree to sell all eight pieces of land.

The disposal of surplus property assets – Townhead Offices - is next. The land is a vacant plot with the council looking at selling it. Councillors agree the report.

The Rochdale Township Highways Capital Programme for 2015/2016 is next. The report notifies councillors of the recommended Highways Capital Programme to be delivered. The Township will be allocated a budget of £528,000 for the work.

The Revenue Budget report is next. The report updates councillors in relation to the Revenue Budget for 2015/2016 and 2017/2018.

Guidelines and Standards for Residential Development and Hot Food Takeaway Uses Supplementary Planning Documents is next. This is a refresher of supplementary planning guidance for residents. In terms of hot food takeaways this is to encourage healthy eating habits and to ensure that future hot food takeaways are 400m apart.

Councillors agree the report.

Discretionary fees and charges are discussed next. Councillors agree the report.

Waste collections over Christmas and New Year are discussed next. The only days the service will close down are Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. As Christmas Day and New Year's Day fall on a Thursday (the collection day for Rochdale), collections will take place on Saturday 27 December and Saturday 3 January.

Meeting ended.