The meeting on Wednesday, 18 December 2024 will include reports from all of the cabinet members, and discussion on a range of motions, on topics including winter fuel payments and the Pilsworth Landfill. The meeting pack also includes details of the proposed Gambling Licensing Policy Statement 2025-2028, how the council proposes to calculate the amount of money it will raise through council tax in 2025-26 and the amount it expects to raise through business rates.

Please bear in mind that this is only a summary of what is scheduled to be discussed. This information comes from publicly available documents that were provided to the attendees of the meeting, and it's possible that the actual discussions and decisions made during the meeting may differ from what is outlined in these documents.

Winter Fuel Payments

Councillor Andy Kelly's motion on Winter Fuel Payments was previously discussed at the meeting of the Council held on 16 October 2024. The motion noted the Labour Government's recent decision to end universal winter fuel payments. The report pack notes that an amendment to the motion, from Councillor Neil Emmott, was carried. It noted that this decision had been taken as a result of the last Conservative Government wrecking the UK economy. It stated that the council is concerned by the low take up of pension credit with only 63% of those eligible nationwide receiving them.

Household Support Fund

A motion regarding the Household Support Fund was moved by Councillor Sue Smith at the meeting on the 16th of October. The motion acknowledged the important role that the Household Support Fund has played in supporting the most vulnerable members of our community. It also expressed concern that the fund is only a temporary fix, and that it serves as asticking plasterover the deeper, systemic issues affecting our communities. The motion resolved to ask the Chief Executive to write to Angela Rayner MP urging the Government to extend the Household Support Fund for at least another 12 months beyond March 2025.

Active Travel

Councillor Ayton moved a motion on active travel, noting that The Council declared a climate emergency on 17th July 2019, launching its Climate Change Strategy in 2021. He stated that around 23 primary schools had taken part in a climate change and democracy lesson, producing motions to the council around climate change action. The motion states that active travel was the priority area they chose. It calls for support for bikes in schools and more off road cycle paths across the borough.

Breakfast Clubs

A motion regarding breakfast clubs was previously discussed at the Council meeting on the 16th of October. It was moved by Councillor Elizabeth Atewologun and seconded by Councillor Asia Rashid. The motion acknowledges that breakfast clubs play in the development and wellbeing of our young people and supports the introduction of free school breakfast clubs as a necessary step forward. The motion goes on to state that With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis exacerbated by the previous Conservative Government, many families are facing significant challenges in affording basic necessities, including food.

Housing

Councillor Anstee will move a motion expressing concern about the loss of greenbelt land as a result of the Places for Everyone framework, following recent developments in Oldham. The motion requests that officers undertake a comprehensive review of land use priorities that ensures that brownfield sites are prioritised for development. It also requests that officers initiate a process to reinstate or protect greenbelt land lost when the Places for Everyone framework was adopted.

College Bank

A motion to be moved by Councillor Meredith states that in November 2024, residents of the College Bank flats, which are managed by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, were informed that Rochdale Boroughwide Housing are back to ‘square one’ on their plans to refurbish the flats. The motion notes that in 2017, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing proposed to demolish 720 homes at College Bank, and states that the council’s ‘red line’ is demolition. It resolves to instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Chief Executive of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing outlining the council's opposition to demolition.

Pilsworth Landfill

A motion from Councillor Brown regarding the Pilsworth Landfill notes that There have been landfill activities in the Pilsworth area for many decades, impacting the environment and lives for generations of Rochdale and Bury residents. The motion states that The current planning permission for landfill at Pilsworth South expires in 2027. It resolves to oppose any future planning applications for landfill development at Pilsworth South.

Utility Companies

Councillor Taylor will move a motion expressing concern about the disruption caused by utility companies undertaking maintenance work on highways. It states that It is commonplace for temporary traffic signals and lane restrictions to slow the flow of traffic for long periods of time without any visible work taking place. The motion resolves to instruct the Chief Executive to write to the borough's Members of Parliament to ask them to support proposed changes to the law that would require utility companies to take all practicable steps to deconflict roadworks in their areas.

Business Rates Base 2025-26

The report pack includes a document detailing how the council proposes to calculate its business rates baseline for 2025-26. It states that On 1 April 2013 the Business Rates Retention Scheme (BRRS) was introduced as part of the move to localise and stimulate business growth at a local level. The document explains that in 2023, the 100% Business Rates Retention Scheme was introduced in Greater Manchester, meaning that 99% of business rates collected in Rochdale are retained by Rochdale Borough Council. The document states that the council's business rate baseline is £86.150m, of which 99%, or £85.289m, will be retained by Rochdale Borough Council.

Calculation of the 2025-26 Taxbase

The meeting pack contains details of the council's proposed taxbase for 2025-26. The taxbase is the number of properties in the borough, expressed as Band D equivalent properties. This number is multiplied by the council tax rate for Band D properties to calculate the total amount the council will raise through council tax. The report states that the tax base will remain unchanged in 2025-26. It notes that the number of properties in the borough had increased by 905 in the year ending 15 September 2024.

Gambling Licensing Policy Statement 2025-2028

The report pack includes the proposed Gambling Licensing Policy Statement 2025-2028, which the council must produce by law. The report notes that the Gambling Act 2005 requires councils to review and update their gambling policies every three years. It states that a consultation on the proposed policy was undertaken, and that one response was received, from The Lotteries Council, which noted that the draft policy refers to The National Lottery Commission, which no longer exists.

Fostering

A report from Councillor Massey on the Children's Services portfolio states that Our fostering families enjoyed a Carer Celebration event at the town hall recently. The report goes on to state that the council is undertaking a programme of modernisation of the fostering service, which includes development of an electronic Foster Carer Handbook. It notes that the Greater Manchester Fostering Recruitment Hub is hosted within Rochdale’s fostering service.

Rochdale Town Hall

Councillor Susan Smith's report on the Communities and Co-operation portfolio contains an update on the Rochdale Town Hall, which reopened in March 2024. The report states that since reopening, the town hall has welcomed over 72,000 visitors. It notes that the town hall's public programme included Daily tours of the building run by volunteer guides and Two tea dances. The report states that the town hall has hosted a number of private events, including the Greater Manchester HR Conference, the Springhill Hospice Starlight Ball, and three weddings. The report also provides an update on The Martlet Kitchen, which is located in the town hall. It states that [t]he fine dining offer launched week commencing September 23rd.

Queens Park Bridge BMX Track

The report of Councillor Angela Brown, Chair of the Heywood Township Committee, states that the upgrade of the BMX track at Queens Park has been completed. The report notes that the track was closed for over 12 months after it failed a safety inspection. It states that The funding for this project was jointly raised by the council, Township, local community go fund me groups and BDB‘s agreement for social value for the bridge works, referencing the renovation works taking place on the nearby Queens Park Bridge.

Queens Park Bridge

Councillor Brown's report also contains an update on the renovation of Queens Park Bridge. It notes that Works have now swapped across onto the western side of the bridge and the demolition & replacement of the parapet is underway.

Littleborough Canal Side Garden

Councillor Amna Mir's report, on behalf of the Pennines Township Committee, states that the committee approved a number of funding applications. These included improvements at Littleborough Canal side garden with the construction of an access path to the community picnic area.

Denehurst House and Cafe

Councillor Iram Faisal's report for the Rochdale North Township Committee contains an update on Denehurst House. It states that Environmental Management continues to work with colleagues in Strategic Housing who are leading on the Denehurst House and café project which is progressing towards completion.

Smith Street Car Park Retaining Wall

Councillor Faisal's report notes that works to reconstruct the retaining wall at the Smith Street Car Park, which is adjacent to the River Roch, have been completed. It states that The contractor is carrying out additional work to re-line the car park during night-time closures and this work will be completed in November 2024.

The Strand Youth Club

Councillor Aisling-Blaise Gallagher's report on the work of the Rochdale South Township Committee contains an update on The Strand Youth Club, which is located on the Kirkholt Estate. The report states that the youth club opened on 8 November 2024.

Milkstone Road

Councillor Gallagher's report notes that Works to installation the permanent One-Way around the Milkstone Road area are currently ongoing and are progressing well.

Balderstone and Kirkholt in Bloom

Councillor Gallagher's report states that Balderstone and Kirkholt won a Gold Medal Award in the North West in Bloom Urban Neighbourhood category, and thanks those involved. It notes that an application for external grant funding for a bike track in Balderstone Park, submitted by the Environmental Management Service, was not successful.