Decision Maker: Pennines Township Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 4, 2025

Purpose: Members to be updated on revenue and capital expenditure, commitments and balances of Pennines Township Funds 2024/25 and enable the allocation of funds to proposed projects.

Content: Councillor Davidson declared a prejudicial interest in reference to Item 7  -Pennines Township Funds 2024/25, Appendix B – Teens Lives Matters, by virtue of her role as a Chair of the Rotary Club of Rochdale and Teens Lives Matters being the selected charity of the year for the club. Councillor Davidson left the meeting room during consideration of this item of business. Hence, Councillor Davidson took no part in the discussion and vote on this item.   Councillor Mir and Councillor Hussain declared a pecuniary interest in reference to item 7 – Pennines Township Funds 2024/25, Appendix C - Housing Estate around Armstrong Hurst Close, Ditton Mead Close and Stonie Heyes Avenue, by virtue of the two Councillors residing in the area affected by the proposal outlined in the grant application.  Councillor Mir and Councillor Hussain left the meeting room during consideration of this item of business. Hence, they took no part in the discussion and vote on this item.   The 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 2024/25 and enable the allocation of funds to proposed projects.   Applicants and projects leads were in attendance to present their applications for funding and to answer the questions of the Township Committee.   The Head of Townships and Libraries and the Township Engagement Officer were in attendance to present the information and to address the questions of the Councillors.   Resolved: 1.    That the expenditure, commitments and balances for Pennines Township revenue and capital funds in the updated Appendix 1 and in the Appendix 2 of the report be noted; 2.    That the decisions made under delegated authority as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report be noted; 3.    That it be noted that the Head of Townships & Libraries had 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 of the report); 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 applications for funding to proposed projects detailed at Appendix 4 of the report be considered, approved refused or deferred as outlined below:   PW/07/24 - Removal of Ash Die back Trees in Graveyard - £2,400 – approved   PF/15/24 – Teen Resilience - £10,000 – The Township was minded to approve this application, subject to receiving assurance from Children’s Services that the applicant carried out its activity in compliance with the Council’s safeguarding standards. The Township delegated authority to the Head of Townships and Libraries in consultation with Chair and Vice-Chair to approve this application, subject to the above condition being met.   PW/19/23 - Public consultation on parking provision - Armstrong Hurst Close, Ditton Mead Close and Stonie Heyes Avenue residential areas - £10,000 – approved   Reason for decision: Management of the Pennines Township Fund is delegated to the Pennines Township Committee. Pennines Township Funds are allocated to projects that benefit the Township’s community and environment, and realise the 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 will decide whether or not to approve the allocation of funds to projects as appropriate.