This meeting was about the allocation of funding to proposed projects in Middleton from the Middleton Township Fund.

The report pack for the meeting included a number of appendices detailing previous decisions made, and projects seeking funding. It contained details of the revenue and capital budgets for each of the wards in the Middleton Township - North Middleton, South Middleton, East Middleton, West Middleton and Hopwood Hall.

Middleton Township Funds

The largest portion of the meeting was scheduled to discuss the allocation of the Middleton Township Fund. The money for this fund comes from the revenue and capital budgets of each of the five wards in Middleton. The fund is used to finance projects that benefit the people and places in the township, and the Townships Plan of the council.

Under the Borough of Rochdale Compact with the voluntary sector the Council has made a commitment to consider the impact on service users of any changes to the funding arrangements for the voluntary sector and to provide them with at least three months’ notice of any changes and liaise with them and any relevant stakeholders to mitigate the impact of reduced funding. Therefore, if Members are inclined not to continue funding the provision of a service provided by the voluntary sector, Members should be mindful of their obligations under the Compact.

Middleton Township Funds 2024/25, p10

GM Town of Culture Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate

The Culture and Placemaking Team of Rochdale Council requested £1,000 to contribute to the costs of commissioning a Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate.

The Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate would be commissioned to produce 5 new works each, and the project would also fund the delivery of workshops in schools and for residents.

The report notes that:

The key risks associated with the delivery of the project is match funding.

[Appendix 4A - Middleton Township Funds 2024/25](https://democracy.rochdale.gov.uk/documents/s112454/Appendix+4A+-+Middleton+Township+Funds+202425.pdf), p2

Seekers and finders empowerment programme

Steered to Serve¹ requested £2,126.42 to run a programme designed to help young people, in particular young people from BAME backgrounds and refugees and asylum seekers, develop their job skills.

The money would be spent on hiring venues and speakers, travel expenses for attendees, catering, and materials such as notepads, pens and certificates.

Middleton Township Fund terms and conditions cannot fund wages or expenses for permanent, contract or regular members of staff.

[Appendix 4 - Middleton Township Funds 2024/25](https://democracy.rochdale.gov.uk/documents/s112457/Appendix+4+-+Middleton+Township+Funds+202425.pdf), p1

Greenway footway reconstruction

A resident requested £14,000 to reconstruct a damaged section of footway and grass verge in front of houses on Greenway in South Middleton.

The report identifies a risk:

Diversion of utilities apparatus [sic] may change cost.

[Appendix 4 - Middleton Township Funds 2024/25](https://democracy.rochdale.gov.uk/documents/s112457/Appendix+4+-+Middleton+Township+Funds+202425.pdf), p1

The report pack also included the minutes from the meeting on 10 October 2024. These minutes listed a number of decisions made under delegated authority.

Christmas Toy Appeal

£3,000 was allocated from the Township Projects fund to Rochdale Borough Council’s staff based charity Number One Riverside Giving Back to support their annual Christmas Toy Appeal.

Alkrington Library Art Group

£2874.61 was allocated from the Township Projects Revenue Funds to the Alkrington Library Art Group.

Historic Cheapside - Santa’s Village

£732.06 was allocated from the Township Projects Revenue Funds to Historic Cheapside for their Santa’s Village.

Alston Walk Bollards

£600 was allocated from the West Ward Capital Funds for bollards on Alston Walk.

Electric Bikes – Greater Manchester Police

£7500 was allocated from the Township Projects Capital Funds to Greater Manchester Police for electric bikes.

Grimshaw Lane Speed Survey

£300 was allocated from the Township Projects Revenue Funds for a speed survey on Grimshaw Lane.