Purpose

Review of the revenue and capital expenditure
during 2024/25 and provides options for the allocation of funds in
2025/26. Members to approve Pennines Township Funds allocation to
funding streams, terms and conditions, and agree delegation
arrangements concerning funding decisions

Content

The Township gave
consideration to a report of the Director of Public Health
and Communities, which sought to inform of the revenue and capital
expenditure during 2024/25. The report also provided options for
the allocation of funds in 2025/26.
 
The Township and Engagement Officer
was in attendance to present the
information and to address the questions and the comments of the
Committee Members.
 
The Committee considered the revised terms and
conditions for Pennines Township revenue and capital funds 2025/26
as at Appendix 6 to the report. In reference to expenses that
should not be funded, the Committee
agreed that point h should be rephrased to the effect of: (h) Parties/day trips, with the exception of grant applications
from local health and wellbeing groups where the proposed activity
aims to prevent social isolation among older people.
 
Resolved:

1.   
That the expenditure, commitments and balances for Pennines
 Township revenue and capital funds at
financial year end 2024/25 (Appendix 1 and 2) be noted;

2.   
That the findings of the review of Pennines Township
Funds  2024/25 (Appendix 3) and
evaluations information received to date for funded
projects (Appendix 4) be noted;

3.   
That the allocation of Pennines Township Funds to funding streams
in 2025/26 (Appendix 5) be approved;

4.   
That, subject to the amendment of point h to the effect of:
(h) Parties/day trips, with the exception of grant
applications from local health and wellbeing groups where the
proposed activity aims to prevent social isolation among older
people, the terms and conditions for Pennines Township revenue
and capital funds for 2025/26 (Appendix 6) be approved;

5.   
That the delegation arrangements for Pennines Township Funds
2025/26 as detailed at 5.6 of this report be agreed;

6.   
That it be agreed that any uncommitted/unspent funds be reallocated
to a central revenue or capital funding
stream as appropriate before the end of January 2026 to enable
Members to spend/commit all Pennines Township Funds during 2025/26
financial year.
 
Reason for decision:
As per Council’s
Constitution, Management of the Pennines Township Fund was 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
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 reviewing the
allocation and management of Pennines Township Funds, Members may
choose not to approve the proposed funding streams, revised terms
and conditions, or the recommended delegation arrangements for
2025/26. However, such a course of action could compromise the
efficient and responsive administration of the funds, potentially
leading to delays in supporting community projects and diminishing
the effectiveness of resource deployment. Alternatively, Members
may wish to suggest amendments to the funding framework or
delegation processes. Any such changes, however, must remain
consistent with Rochdale Borough Council’s governance
protocols and continue to align with Pennines Township
priorities.