The Rochdale Borough Council Cabinet met to discuss several key initiatives, including approving a new housing allocation policy, allocating funds for the Families First Partnership Programme, and updating the Private Hire & Hackney Emissions Standards. They also approved the Rochdale Climate Change Strategy 2025-30 and Climate Change Action Plan, and discussed the Social & Affordable Housing Supply Programme, alongside other financial and strategic matters.

Social & Affordable Housing Supply Programme

The Cabinet approved the Social & Affordable Housing Supply Programme in principle, with final approval subject to amendments after a private session. This programme aims to address the housing crisis in the borough.

Key points of the programme include:

• A capital budget of £4.779m for the first two years (2026/27 and 2027/28).
• A commitment to a cumulative £25m budget over five years, through a combination of switched capital schemes, prudential borrowing, external grants, and partner match funding.
• Prioritisation of specified council-owned land for affordable housing.
• Delegation of authority to the Director of Economy & Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Housing, for expenditures and land disposal to Registered Providers of Social Housing¹.

The decision was made in light of the evident housing crisis, both nationally and locally. The council noted that there were approximately 20,000 people on the Housing Register for social housing, with some individuals and families waiting over five years. The report noted that Rochdale Council had passed a motion to declare a housing emergency on 18 October 2023.

The report also considered the wider context:

Both nationally and locally there was an evident housing crisis. Within the last 12 months there were a number of significant events and pending changes within the system which the Council should respond to through a coherent Programme focussed on affordable housing delivery.

The report also noted the constraints on Registered Providers, including increased costs, shifting priorities towards existing homes, and concerns about economic uncertainty.

Following a private session, Cabinet Members requested further engagement with Ward Members regarding the sites considered for the implementation of the programme.

Adoption of Rochdale Council's Allocation Policy

The Cabinet agreed and adopted the new Housing Allocation Policy for the Borough of Rochdale. The new policy was drafted following comprehensive consultation with those directly affected by the new policy approach, Elected Members and numerous other stakeholders, including housing and homelessness professionals, Registered Providers, 3rd sector organisations, staff across interlinked Council and the general public.

The policy reflected the significant housing need in the borough, the notable increase in homelessness presentations, the large number of applicants in temporary and supported accommodation and the significant reduction in available social housing lets.

The new policy approach would assist the Council to provide a fair and honest housing scheme which is fit for purpose, to support those in most need by providing a more bespoke and managed service, to meet its statutory duties and make best use of its nomination rights to available accommodation in the borough, to provide an open and honest alternative pathway for those without a housing need, to support a true housing options service for all applicants, aligned with the Connected Services model and the services provided by the Housing Solutions Hub, to strengthen the Council's approach to prevention and homelessness legislative requirements and to target resources where they are most needed.

Families First Partnership Programme Funding

The Cabinet approved the use of £1.01m funded by the Prevention Grant to recruit roles to drive the design and delivery of the Families First Partnership Programme (FFP). The FFP aims to transform the whole system of help, support and protection for families, with a strong emphasis on early intervention to prevent crisis.

The key policy changes outlined in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill and forming part of the FFP are:

• Family group decision making
• Multi-agency child protection teams
• Strengthening the role of education in multi-agency safeguarding arrangements
• Information sharing duty and consistent identifiers

The funding will be used to recruit several roles, including a Families First Transformation Programme Lead, Families First Project Managers, a Business Process Analyst, a Project Support Officer, a Families First Training Lead, an additional Family Group Conference Officer and a Data Analyst.

The report noted that if the local authority does not deliver the reforms they are likely to be deemed to be Inadequate by Ofsted at the next inspection.

Private Hire & Hackney Emissions Standard

The Cabinet approved the amendment of the implementation date from 31 December 2025 to 30 August 2030 in the Private Hire & Hackney Vehicle Standards. This decision aligns with the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan², which aims to have 100% of its taxi and private hire fleet licensed to a Greater Manchester Council compliant with the emissions standard.

The original proposal for implementation of an emissions standard was 31 December 2025 as it was anticipated that the Government would provide funding to enable drivers to upgrade their vehicle. However, the Government agreed to award only £8m for hackney vehicle upgrades.

Councillor Neil Emmott, Leader of the Council, noted that the GM Mayor was actively working with the Combined Authority to address the issue of individuals from outside the borough obtaining licences within Greater Manchester through legislative measures, particularly in relation to safeguarding, with efforts being coordinated through licensing managers.

Rochdale Climate Change Strategy 2025-30 and Climate Change Action Plan

The Cabinet approved the Rochdale Climate Change Strategy 2025-30 and Climate Change Action Plan. Rochdale Borough Council had declared a Climate Emergency in July 2019 and had set a target for both the council and the borough to become carbon neutral in line with the Greater Manchester target of 2038.

The strategy aligns the approach with the new Greater Manchester Five-year Environment Plan 2025-30, the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the corporate priorities for Rochdale Borough Council set out in the People, Place and Planet Council Plan.

QTR 1 Revenue Finance Update 25/26

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Services, which sought to inform of the Council's financial position at the end of June 2025. The report also sought approval of the budget pressures request outlined at section 5.3.1 of the report and agreement to switch capital budgets within Children, Corporate, and Economy & Place directorates as detailed in section 5.6.3 of the report and the switch of funding from Economy to Townships of £3,500k as detailed in section 5.6.3 of the report.

The Cabinet noted the significant overspend of £5.8m in Children Services and approved the Budget Pressure requests detailed in section 5.3.1. A separate report was being presented to 30th September 2025 Cabinet.

The Cabinet also approved the switch of funding from Economy to Townships of £3,500k as detailed in section 5.6.3 of the report.

Bowlee Hub Site

The Cabinet agreed to continue to progress the plan for new artificial grass pitches and supporting community sports facilities at Bowlee Sports Hub and Heywood Sports Village.

Property Growth Fund Performance & Risk - Q1

The Cabinet noted the report, including the assessment of risk with regard to the property portfolio included at paragraph 10, Appendix two. The Head of Commercial Finance informed the Cabinet that, commencing from the next quarter, the report would be authored by the Director of Corporate Services.