This week, the Rochdale Council held several meetings, addressing a range of issues from health and social care to financial oversight and local governance. Here’s a detailed look at the key decisions and discussions that took place:

Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Locality Board

The Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Locality Board met on Tuesday 25 June 2024 to discuss crucial matters affecting health and social care in the borough.

Rochdale Borough Council's Finances

The Board reviewed the Health and Social Care Pooled Budget Monitoring Report Quarter 4 2023/24, which revealed an overspend of £11.3 million, primarily due to increased costs in children's services and adult social care. The Better Care Fund was also overspent by £44,000, but this was offset by an underspend in the equipment loan store budget. The Board approved reallocating the underspend to mitigate the overspend in social care services.

Local Care Organisation Business Plan

The Board approved the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Local Care Organisation Business Plan 2024/25, which aims to integrate health and social care services more effectively. The plan focuses on interconnectivity, maximising opportunities for efficiency, and demonstrating impact.

Strategic Estates Group

The Board received an update from the Strategic Estates Group, which oversees the council’s property portfolio. The report highlighted key risks, innovations, and areas of outstanding practice.

Cabinet Meeting

The Cabinet met on Tuesday 25 June 2024, discussing various important issues.

Ofsted Task and Finish Group Report

The Cabinet heard a report from Councillor Paul Dale on the findings of the Ofsted Task and Finish Group. The group was set up following a January 2023 Ofsted inspection that rated Children's Services as requires improvement to be good. The Cabinet noted five recommendations aimed at ensuring regular updates and effective scrutiny of the Children's Services department.

Need for School Places

The Cabinet approved the creation of 12 additional SEN places at Boarshaw Community Primary School. They also agreed to reduce the Published Admission Numbers at Harwood Park Primary School and Stanfield Hall Church of England / Methodist Church Primary School to ensure financial viability.

Rochdale Local Plan

The Cabinet approved the commencement of the update process for the Rochdale Local Plan, including a Regulation 18¹ Initial Public Consultation.

Castleton to Rochdale Active Travel Route

The Cabinet deferred a decision on the Castleton to Rochdale Active Travel Route – Bee Network Phase 2 to allow further consultation with disability groups.

Financial Reports

The Cabinet reviewed the 2023/24 outturn finance reports for Adult Care Services and Children's Services, noting significant overspends due to demographic pressures and inflation. They approved recommendations to manage these financial challenges, including transferring up to £6 million from the Equalisation Reserve.

Contract Renewals

The Cabinet approved several contract renewals, including the HR & Payroll System Contract with Midland HR and the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for Rochdale town centre.

Voluntary Sector Partnership

The Voluntary Sector Partnership met on Thursday 27 June 2024.

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing

The partnership received a presentation from Nadhia Khan, Executive Director for Customer and Community at Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, discussing the leadership structure, recovery plan, and future plans of RBH. The presentation highlighted ongoing challenges in social housing availability and the regeneration of College Bank.

Corporate Commissioning Strategy

Adam Sutcliffe, Head of Planning and Improvement at Rochdale Council, presented the draft Corporate Commissioning Strategy for 2024-2029. The strategy aims to enhance commissioning practices, value the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector, and improve contract management and supplier relationships. The strategy will undergo a sustainability assessment, including an Equality Impact Assessment, before approval.

Audit and Governance Committee

The Audit and Governance Committee met on Wednesday 26 June 2024. No transcript or video was provided for this meeting.

For more detailed information on these meetings, you can visit the links provided.