The Middleton Township Committee convened to discuss several key issues, including community safety, the designation of a new Site of Biological Importance, and the allocation of Township Funds. The committee approved the designation of Bowlee Community Park as a Site of Biological Importance and noted updates from Greater Manchester Police and on welfare advice services in Middleton. Additionally, the committee reviewed and approved the allocation of Middleton Township Funds for 2025/26.

Middleton Township Funds Review

The committee reviewed the Middleton Township Funds, which are allocated to projects that benefit the township's community and environment. They considered a report from the Director of Public Health and Communities, which provided a review of the revenue and capital expenditure during 2024/25 and outlined options for the allocation of funds in 2025/26.

The committee made the following decisions regarding the Middleton Township Funds:

• Noted the expenditure, commitments, and balances for Middleton Township revenue and capital funds at the end of the 2024/25 financial year.
• Noted the findings of the review of Middleton Township Funds 2024/25 and evaluations information received to date for funded projects.
• Approved the allocation of Middleton Township Funds to funding streams in 2025/26, specifically Option 1 Capital and Option 1 Revenue.
• Approved the terms and conditions for Middleton Township revenue and capital funds for 2025/26.
• Approved the delegation arrangements for Middleton Township Funds 2025/26 as detailed in the report.

The committee agreed that the management of the Middleton Township Fund is delegated to the Middleton Township Devolved Funding and Devolved Services Sub Committee.

Potential Site of Biological Interest Designation

The committee approved the designation of Bowlee Community Park as a Site of Biological Importance (SBI). SBIs are local planning designations in Greater Manchester that highlight areas of nature conservation importance. Although they do not have statutory protection like Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), they are considered in planning applications.

The Greater Manchester Ecology Unit (GMEU) recommended the designation of Bowlee Community Park as a new SBI.

During the discussion, the committee considered whether more protection could be afforded to certain sites. They were advised that there was a criteria in place to designate sites, but this may be something that could be looked at further as part of local plan reviews. The committee also discussed whether Wince Brook could be considered as an SBI, as the nature of the area had changed during the past few years.

The committee was informed that in relation to biodiversity net gain¹, the Local Nature Recovery Strategy maps could be viewed on the Greater Manchester Combined Authority website.

The committee agreed that not supporting the proposed SBI designation would leave this key habitat vulnerable to loss and damage, and resolved to approve the new SBI at Bowlee Community Park.

Community Safety Presentation

The committee received a presentation on community safety. The presentation covered a range of issues, including anti-social behaviour, Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs)², and work with young people.

The presentation highlighted that the Community Safety Team has five Community Safety Officers covering each township, who deal with a variety of work, including neighbour disputes, youth-related nuisance, general anti-social behaviour, as well as target hardening and prevention work.

The presentation also provided an overview of the two Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) in place in Rochdale, which are used to tackle a wide range of issues across the borough. Under the ASB crime and policing act 2014, the local authority and GMP have the power to issue fixed penalty notices to those who are found in breach of the order(s).

The Rochdale Town Centre PSPO restrictions include:

• Driving or using a car in an antisocial manner.
• Obstructing the highway or loitering.
• Using a skateboard in the restricted area.
• Begging on the street in a way that is likely to cause intimidation or harassment.
• Using a bicycle, scooter, or other wheeled vehicles in a way that may cause nuisance, alarm, or distress.

The Borough-wide PSPO restrictions include:

• Drinking alcohol in public areas
• Using mechanically propelled vehicles (MPVs)

The presentation also highlighted other work conducted by the Community Safety Team, including target hardening, addressing neighbour issues, and conducting patrols around Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM) sites to monitor antisocial behaviour.

Greater Manchester Police Update

Inspector G. Cooke from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) provided an overview of police matters in the Township. Key points included:

• There had been a reduction in residential burglary across the Township.
• There had been an increase in the numbers of shoplifting offences.
• In conjunction with Community Safety Officers, there was ongoing work relating to anti-social behaviour and the use of acceptable behaviour contracts.
• The Town Centre Safe Summer campaign was due to commence at the end of June.
• The increasing use of offroad bikes had been identified as an issue.

The committee noted the update from Greater Manchester Police.

Advice in Middleton Township

The committee received an update in relation to a new model of welfare advice that had been launched on 1 October 2023.

The Public Health Commissioning and Improvement Manager and Customer Services Team Leader introduced the report and provided a supplementary presentation. Key points included:

• A hybrid welfare advice model was launched in October 2023 following a borough-wide review.
• The model includes both face-to-face and digital/telephone access, with services delivered by Rochdale Borough Council (RBC) Customer Services, Citizens Advice, and VCFSE sector partners.
• Citizens Advice leads system coordination and training, co-chairing the Welfare Advice Forum with Public Health.
• Between October 2023 and October 2024, 1307 clients in Middleton were supported with 4826 issues, generating £1,002,001 in additional income and £187,921 in debt write-offs.
• Advice is delivered in community venues including Middleton Library, Langley Family Hub, and local schools.
• Innovation funding has enabled expansion into new venues such as Middleton Wellbeing Centre and Café.
• The Welfare Advice Forum has developed shared resources including a refreshed Cost of Living Toolkit and a borough-wide service directory.

The committee noted the Welfare Advice in Middleton Township report and presentation.

Open Forum

The Committee were informed that five questions had been submitted by a member of the public in relation to Hopwood Hall and the Director of Economy and Place was in attendance to provide answers.

The questions covered the following topics:

• A feasibility study regarding the Hall's future use.
• A Condition Report for the Hall, to be agreed with Historic England.
• An independent review of the Hopwood Foundation business model and vision.
• Progress made or interest received from organisations regarding the future of the Hall.
• The appointment of a suitable contractor to carry out the roof restoration.

The Director of Economy and Place provided answers to the questions, including that a feasibility study is currently underway and is due for completion in late summer/early autumn following consultation, and that works to complete the Phase 3 roof works commenced on 19 May and are due to complete on 31 October.

Middleton Township Delegation Arrangements and Appointments 2025-2026

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Services which outlined the delegation arrangements and appointments for the 2025/2026 municipal year.

The committee resolved:

• That the Sub-Committee structure of the Middleton Township Committee be approved, comprising the Middleton Township Devolved Funding and Services Sub-Committee, with terms of reference as detailed in Appendix 1 of the submitted report.
• That all Members of the Township Committee be appointed to the Middleton Township Devolved Funding and Services Sub-Committee for the 2025/2026 Municipal Year.
• That Councillor June West be appointed Chair and Councillor Peter Williams be appointed Vice Chair of the Middleton Township Devolved Funding and Services Sub-Committee.
• That appointments to Township Working Groups and Other Bodies be confirmed as follows:
  • Middleton Regeneration and Transport Working Party All Middleton Township Committee Members Chair – Councillor June West
  • Riverside Langley Board Councillor Susan Smith Substitute - Councillor Phil Burke
  • Brentwood Day Centre Management Committee Councillor Phil Burke
  • Township Highways Champion Councillor June West
  • Township Environment Champion Councillor Dylan Williams
  • Township Road Safety Champion Councillor June West
  • Township Planning Panel All Middleton Township Committee Members not serving on the Planning Committee
  • Middleton Cricket Ground Trust Councillor June West and Councillor Peter Williams