The Pennines Township Committee met to discuss a number of issues including the allocation of township funds, school places, and traffic regulation orders. The committee approved funding for several community projects, agreed to explore reducing pupil admission numbers in some areas, and considered objections to proposed traffic restrictions.

Pennines Township Funds

The committee discussed the allocation of the Pennines Township Funds for 2025/26, reviewing both revenue and capital expenditure. They approved several funding requests, including:

• £2,190 for Breaking Barriers
• £2,000 for St Morris Troupes Uniforms
• £15,000 for Stansfield Open Space Play Area Improvements

However, they rejected a request for £2,277.20 from the Nigeria Community Association for a community centre development.

The committee also agreed to amend the terms and conditions for revenue and capital funds, to allow grant applications from local health and wellbeing groups for activities that prevent social isolation among older people, even if they involve parties or day trips.

School Places in Pennines

The committee considered a report on the need for school places in the Pennines Township, as part of a wider review across the Rochdale borough. The report highlighted a surplus of primary school places in both North and South Pennines, and Councillor Amna Mir, Chair of Pennines Township Committee and the other committee members agreed to a recommendation to consult with head teachers and governing bodies about reducing Pupil Admission Numbers (PAN) from September 2027.

The report also noted a predicted shortage of secondary school places for Year 7 intake in 2026, 2027 and 2028. The committee noted that despite repeated requests for information, there had been no update from the Department for Education on the potential new school in Littleborough, and that additional capacity was currently being sought for the 2026 intake.

Traffic Regulation Order - Smithy Bridge Road Area

The committee considered an objection to a proposed traffic order for the prohibition of waiting in the Smithy Bridge Road area. The proposed order aimed to address indiscriminate parking around junctions, which was compromising visibility and safety.

The report noted that a single representation had been received formally by the council, specifically in objection to the localised junction protection proposed along some of South View Road.

The committee agreed to implement additional white-lining and cycle carriageway marking to reinforce its presence, and approved the proposed Traffic Order 'Borough of Rochdale ((Civil Enforcement of Traffic Contraventions) (Various Streets) (Pennines Township) Order 2008) (Amendment) (No. 101) Order 2025' as originally advertised.

Traffic Regulation Order - St. Andrew's Close

The committee considered a report on an objection to a proposed traffic order for prohibition of waiting restrictions on St. Andrew's Close. The report noted that Highways had received local representation regarding indiscriminate parking along both sides of the residential cul-de-sac, including obstructive footway parking with visibility compromised for both pedestrians and drivers.

The report noted that ten items of representation were received formally by the council, most in objection to the proposals as advertised, although many included suggestions around an amended parking scheme.

Responding to concerns raised, Highways developed two alternative (reduced extent) proposals for Township consideration, each targeting the specific pinch-point location. The committee resolved to approve one of these two alternative (reduced extent) schemes for subsequent update and separate statutory re-advertisement of the Traffic Regulation Order.

Upgrade of Definitive Footpaths

The committee considered a report regarding an application to upgrade definitive footpaths MilFp47, MilFp48 and MilFp49 to bridleways, and to add a bridleway running over a track from Wickenhall Farm to MilRupp25.

The report noted that the application had been submitted by a member of the public following the use being brought into question by a landowner. It also noted that the application contained 25 supporting evidence forms from members of the public at large, the content of 21 forms of evidence provided show 20 – 68 years use, the remaining 4 forms of evidence provide 14 – 18 years use, there is sufficient evidence to show 20 years or more use to comply with the Highways Act 1980.

The report also noted that evidence from landowners residing at Wickenhall Farm shows that notices had been erected along the route running adjacent to their property to inform members of the public that the route is not a right of way and that it is a private road, observing the route on site the land does form part of the garden to Wickenhall Farm.

The committee agreed that the council should proceed with a map modification order to upgrade the footpaths stated to bridleway and to add a bridleway to the definitive map and statement running from Wicken Hall Farm/House to an existing restricted byway (RUPP) MilRupp25 made under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981¹ and carried out under The Highways Act 1980².