The Rochdale South Township Delegated Sub-Committee met on 11 December 2024 and decided to reject a proposal to install a new reserved parking bay on Mavis Street. They also approved a proposal to install traffic calming measures on Chamber House Drive and agreed to fund a series of local projects using money from the Rochdale South Township Fund.

Specialist Domestic Abuse Service

The Committee received a presentation from Will Stringer, Rochdale Council's Director of Public Health, about the new Rochdale Specialist Domestic Abuse Service. The service was launched in April 2024 in partnership with Victim Support and other organisations and is intended to meet the requirements of the Domestic Abuse Act (2021) and address the specific needs of Rochdale residents. The service provides support to victims and survivors of domestic abuse, children and young people, and those who have harmed others.

The new service has five key principles:

• A preventative approach that is connected to other support services
• A core offer to victims, children/young people, and those who harm
• Holistic support for the whole family
• A service that meets the needs of all people, particularly those from marginalised groups
• A commitment to move to a self-contained accommodation model

Mr Stringer explained that Rochdale Council will be placing Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs) at five Family Hubs across the borough, including the Newbold and Sandbrook Family Hub in Rochdale South. IDVAs provide practical and emotional support to people experiencing domestic abuse and can help victims to access legal advice, safe accommodation, and other services.

Reserved Parking Bay on Mavis Street

The Committee considered a report on a proposal to install a new reserved on-street parking bay on Mavis Street in Castleton.

The Council's Highway's Officer had recommended that the proposal be withdrawn because the narrow width of Mavis Street meant that the new bay would be likely to cause an obstruction. In a report, the Officer stated that:

There is likelihood that the proposal would result in obstructive double-parking on the carriageway and this would interfere with safe movement along the road.

The Committee received four objections to the proposal. One objector wrote:

The residents on this street all respect each other and leave space appropriate for neighbours to be able to park outside and/or very near to their homes. This parking bay will considerably disrupt current arrangements and cause numerous issues

After considering the report and the objections, the Committee voted to withdraw the proposal.

Traffic Calming on Chamber House Drive

The Committee considered a report on a proposal to install traffic calming measures on Chamber House Drive.

The proposal had been informed by requests from local residents and Ward Councillors for improved road safety along Chamber House Drive.

The Council's Highways Officer had recommended that the scheme be implemented as advertised, stating that:

The provision of additional road humps and speed limit repeater signage would yield highway operational safety benefits through improved regulation of local vehicle speeds along Chamber House Drive.

The Committee received one objection to the proposal. The objector wrote:

I object to the above on the grounds that the issue of speeding relates to a lack of awareness of the speed limit on the first section of Chamber House Drive (CHD) and just past its junction with Barathe Close (BC).

Road humps will fail to deal with the core issue.

After considering the report and the objection, the Committee voted to approve the proposal.

Rochdale South Township Funds

The Committee considered a report on applications for grants from the Rochdale South Township Fund.

The Committee considered five applications for funding and awarded grants to four projects. The total value of the grants awarded was £13,586.77

GM Town of Culture Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate

The Committee agreed to award a grant of £1,000 to Rochdale Development Agency to support a proposal to commission a Poet Laureate and a Youth Poet Laureate to create a series of poems celebrating Rochdale's bid to become the Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025. As part of the project, the poets will run a series of workshops in schools and community venues.

Councillors Anstee and Meredith declared a personal interest in this item as Directors of Rochdale Development Agency and did not vote on the proposal.

Virsa (Heritage)

The Committee agreed to award a grant of £3,700 to Kashmiri Productions UK CIC to support a proposal to produce a film that celebrates the heritage, language, and identity of Pakistani and Kashmiri communities. The film, titled 'Virsa (Heritage)', will feature the experiences of local people and explore the role that culture plays in their lives. The project team will also run a series of workshops on performing arts and film production, and the completed film will be screened at a community event.

The Committee's decision to award the grant was conditional on the applicant providing revised invoices.

5th Pennine Scouts

The Committee agreed to award a grant of £5,209.77 to 5th Pennine Scouts to enable the group to buy new tents and outdoor equipment. The group, which is the first Muslim Scout group in Rochdale, offers a range of activities for young people aged 6-18, including camping, hiking, and other outdoor pursuits.

Councillor Ellahi contributed £500 from his Members Fund to the project, and the Milkstone & Deeplish Ward Fund contributed a further £1,000.

Surface path from Bamford Way to Belgium Street

The Committee agreed to award a grant of £1,575 to create a new surface path from Bamford Way to Belgium Street in Castleton. The new path will form part of the Rochdale Council Definitive Footpath RocEFp12.

Councillor Shah Wazir contributed £912.93 from his Members Fund to the project, and the Bamford Ward Fund contributed a further £662.07

Woodbine Street East Informal Play and Seating Area

The Committee agreed to award a grant of £18,525 to create a new informal play and seating area on Woodbine Street East in Kingsway. The new area will provide a safe and accessible space for local children to play and for residents to socialise.

Councillor Gallagher contributed £3,000 to the project from her Members Fund, and the Kingsway Ward Fund contributed a further £8,556.