£250,000 boost for Townships!

Following a meeting of the Rochdale Borough Council Cabinet, all 4 Townships will benefit from a significant cash boost. £250,000 has been set aside to assist Township Members across the Rochdale Borough to 'turn their priorities into action'. This is on top of the £400,000 that is already in the Council's Capital Programme. Each Township will receive a proportion of this money based on population to spend on their priorities, Councillors can sponsor a project like road resurfacing, street lighting, litter bins etc.

Councillor William Hobhouse, Finance Portfolio Holder said, "One of our highest priorities is devolution to each Township - this money will enable Councillors to identify their priorities, it is vital that this Council's money is spent on issues that are locally important and which local members identify. Therefore any schemes which are considered by the Township must have a local member sponsor. That is the idea for the scheme must come from a Township member and that member or members must be prepared to recommend it to the Committee and justify why the scheme is important."

Council Leader, Alan Taylor said, "This shows that this new administration is really putting its money where its mouth is. One of the key Liberal Democrat Manifesto commitments was to devolve more power down to the Townships, after all they are best placed to make decisions locally. This money is the first step and we hope to make more announcements in the near future to make the Townships more effective. The Cabinet have approved this and we will now see Councillors having a say in how their residents Council Tax is spent. I am asking all members to consult with their Constituents, so that they have a better idea of what their priorities are - it is only by listening to voters that this and future projects can be carried out successfully."

Councillor Jean Ashworth, Chair of the PennineTownship said, "This is a real boost for the Townships and I am delighted that our Councillors are keeping their promises. Of course, this is a step in the right direction and I would hope that Townships get more of a say on how the Capital Programme and many other issues are implemented. This really is bringing back 'power to the pavements' and I look forward to Townships playing a bigger and improved role in improving our environment."