Decision Maker: Pennines Township Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 3, 2026

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.