Purpose

Members to be
updated on revenue and capital expenditure, commitments and
balances of Pennines Township Funds 2025/26 and enable the
allocation of funds to proposed projects.

Content

 The Township Committee considered a report
of the Director of Public Health and Communities, which sought to
update on revenue and capital expenditure, commitments and balances
of Pennines Township Funds 2025/26 and enable the allocation of
funds to proposed projects.
 
Councillor Emsley
declared a personal ad prejudicial interest in reference to
Appendix 4B -  Application for
funding Ebor Studio Group, by virtue of her appointment as a patron
of Ebor Studio.
 
During
consideration of this application, Councillor Emsley left the
meeting and did not take part to the discussion and
vote.
 
The Head of
Townships and Libraries was in attendance to present the
information and to address the questions and the comments of the
Township Committee.
 
Applicants for
Township’s funding were in attendance to present their
projects.
 
Resolved:

1.    
That the expenditure, commitments and balances for Pennines
Township revenue and capital funds in Appendix 1 and 2 to the
report be noted;

2.    
That the decisions made under delegated authority as detailed
in Appendix 3 to the report be noted;

3.    
That it be noted that the Head of Townships & Libraries
has assessed the proposed projects to be considered for funding
against the criteria of eligibility for the Pennines Township Fund,
the priorities of Pennines Township and any specific risks have
been identified (information detailed in Appendix 4);

4.    
That The Head of Townships & Libraries, in consultation
with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Pennines Township Committee,
be given delegated authority to make decisions on any deferred
projects;

5.    
That the allocation of funds to proposed projects detailed in
Appendix 4 to the report be considered and approved, refused or
deferred as below:
 
PF/07/25
Hollingworth Lake Community Hub £5,000.00 Approved
 
PF/10/25 Ebor
Studio Billboard Project £ 777.50 Approved
 
PF/11/25 Carols
Around the Tree - Wardle £9320.55 Approved in
principle
 
£5,900 from
Events Fund
 
£3,420.55
Ward Fund
 
PF/11/25 Approved
in principle, on condition that further breakdown of costs is
provided and agreed by the Head of Libraries and Townships in
consultation with Chair & Vice-Chair of Pennines
Township.
Members engaged in
a detailed discussion regarding the cost implications of hosting
events. The Committee requested that Officers explore the
feasibility of the Council procuring a comprehensive insurance
policy to cover all events held within the Township
 
 
PTC/03/25 Town
House Road Footpath £16,200 Approved
 
PTC/09/25 Wardle
St TRO £ 2,500 Approved
 
PTC/10/25
Whitehead St TRO £ 2,500 Approved
 
PTC/11/25
Butterworth Hall TRO £ 2,500 Approved
 
PTC/12/25
Caldershaw Rd Sign £15,000 Deferred - The Committee agreed
that the application would be reconsidered at the next meeting,
subject to the availability of funds. Members also noted that there
were other locations where fatalities had occurred and which
appeared to present a greater level of risk.
 
Reason for
decision:
As per
Council’s Constitution, Management of the Pennines Township
Fund had been delegated to the Pennines Township Committee.
Pennines Township Funds were allocated to projects that benefit the
Township’s community and environment, and realise Pennines
Township priorities. To enable the Pennines Township Committee to
monitor and review the use of the Pennines Township Funds to ensure
continued efficient and effective use of the funds.
 
Alternatives
considered and rejected:
In considering the
report, Members would decide whether or not to approve the
allocation of funds to projects as appropriate. The alternative to
the proposed recommendations would be for Members not to approve
the allocation of funds to the projects presented. However, this
would limit Rochdale Borough Council’s ability to support
initiatives that align with Pennines Township’s priorities
and benefit the local community. Members also had the option to
defer decisions to request further information or revisions to
proposals. Each project would be assessed against eligibility
criteria to ensure that public funds are allocated effectively and
transparently.