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 I.
Davidson declared a personal and prejudicial interest in reference
to Application 4B - Summer/Winter Planting 2026 Pennines in Bloom,
by virtue of her appointment as Vice - Chair of the Pennines in
Bloom Voluntary Group. During consideration of this item,
Councillor Davidson left the meeting room and took no part in the
discussion and vote on this matter.
 
Councillor J.
Emsley declared a personal interest in reference to Application 4A
- Friends of Tourcoing – 70th Twinning Anniversary Visit 2026
by virtue of her appointment as Mayor of Rochdale and having been
invited to attend an event organized by the applicant.
 
The Townships
Services Manager was in attendance to present the report and to
address the questions and comments of the Committee
Members.
 
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 to this report be
noted;

2.    
That 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 the
Township and any specific risks have been identified (information
detailed in Appendix 4 to the report);

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

5.    
That Members consider and approve, decline or defer the
allocation of funds to proposed projects detailed in Appendix 4 to
the report as below:
 
Revenues/Projects
Fund:
PF/16/25 - Friends
of Tourcoing – 70th Twinning Anniversary Visit 2026 -
Approved £1,000
 
PF/17/25 -
Summer/Winter Planting 2026 Pennines in Bloom – Approved
£5984.98
 
Milnrow and Newhey
Ward Fund:
PW/11/25 &
PCW/05/25 - Milnrow Library Children’s Area Redesign -
Approved £17,337
 
Project
Fund:
PF/20/25 -
Littleborough United Reform Church Community & Stakeholder
Engagement – Approved £20,000
 
Projects Fund
– Remaining balance to be split equally between
Littleborough and Lakeside, Wardle Shore West Littleborough and
Milnrow and Newhey Wards and committed to future community
projects.
 
Capital
Fund:
PTC/13/25 -
Proposed Amendment of No Waiting at Any Time restrictions (NWAAT)
Wood Bank Road & Brown Bank Road Area, Littleborough–
Approved £2,500
 
PTC/12/25 -
Calderbrook Road Vehicle Activated Signs – £3,000
agreed in principle to consider other safety measures such as speed
humps, Highways to provide a project brief. Decision delegated to
Head of Township in consultation with Chair and Vice
Chair.
Members were
minded utilising the remaining £12,000 towards alternative
investment in speed reduction measures and
Highways to
provide a project brief. Decision delegated to Head of Township in
consultation with Chair and Vice Chair and Ward
Councillors.
 
Members were
minded to commit £25,000 towards Stonie Heyes Parking
Provision and asked Officers to submit a report to a future
meetings of the Township Committee.
 
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 realize
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.