Rochdale Township Committee meeting as it happened

Wednesday 7 January

An update from the police is first.

Operation Elf, which ran between December and January, saw a shop open in the Wheatsheaf Centre which allowed the public an opportunity to interact with the police. Operation Treacle, which ran during Halloween and Bonfire Night, and Operation Bauble, which ran over the Christmas period, were also deemed successful by the police.

The Open Forum is next.

David Clayton, a resident of Moss Avenue, asked the township to help with safety issues often posed to residents when exiting the street. Cars will often park outside of the Nissan garage and block the sight of drivers.

The township agree that this is an issue and have agreed to help.

Members of the Rochdale Environmental Action Group talk to the township about their work and ask for help in continuing their work. Councillors praise their work with Councillor Cecile Biant describing the group as “true community heroes”.

A presentation regarding the opening of the River Roch is next. Work is set to begin in March 2015 and it is hoped that work will be complete by November/December this year.

The Investment Estate Rationalisation – Shop Assets is next.

The purpose of the report is to seek committee approval of the recommendations for the Council’s remaining shop assets.

The report is regarding a shop at 20 St Mary’s Gate that is currently retained by the Council as part of the Investment Portfolio. It is recommended that the shop is retained by the Council as part of the Investment Portfolio as it has the ability to generate a market rent for the council from the existing tenant.

Councillors agree the report.

Non-regulated Council car parks is next.

The report is to inform the township about car parks that will be devolved back to the township. The report affects 35 car parks in Rochdale.

Councillor Terry Linden requested more information regarding the car parks, including which wards the car parks are in, have there been any discussions on different options for the sites and if so, who with and will the rates liability for each site transfer to the Township or will it still be funded centrally?

Sites of Biological Importance is next.

The report is regarding sites that are designated ecologically important and refers to three sites within Rochdale.

The first site is an ‘Autumn Crocus Site’ in Birtle, Heywood (Rochdale Township). The second is Meadowcroft Woods (Rochdale and Heywood Township) with the third at Sudden Brook West (Rochdale Township). The Birtle Brook site is to be deleted, the Meadowcroft Site is to be updated and Councillors were informed that the Sudden Brook site has lost a small area due to development.

Councillors agree the report.

The Township plan update is next. The report informs councillors of updates to the report that was agreed in March last year.
Councillors agree the report.

Township Section 106 money is next.

The report is information for councillors in relation to the Section 106 money in the township. Section 106 money is money for open spaces with £118,000 of Section 106 money currently unallocated.

Councillors agree the report.

Meeting ended.