Residents believe that Labours promise for Middleton ‘township hub’ still missing as councillors praise crime drop and welfare success

Police and Councillors in Middleton say crime is falling and residents are getting more help with benefits and debt, but residents believe that a promised township hub still hasn’t been delivered, three years after Labour pledged it in their local election manifesto.

A meeting of the Middleton Township Committee yesterday, 5 June, saw praise for the decline in crime and increase in local welfare services, but also renewed pressure on Labour to deliver on its past promise to establish a dedicated township hub.

Greater Manchester Police told the meeting that crime across Middleton is down significantly. Residential burglary has dropped by 49% compared to the same period last year, with business burglaries and violent offences also down. But shoplifting has risen by 43%, and police say many offenders are walking free within hours.

Inspector Graham Cook said: “We arrested one man for 17 shoplifting offences. He was back out by half three, and shoplifting again by five.” Officers are now applying for more Criminal Behaviour Orders to ban repeat offenders from local shops.

Councillors also raised concerns about off-road bikes being used for drug dealing in areas like Cheapside and Jubilee Park. Inspector Cook said officers are asking for extra support over the summer to target the issue.

Updates were also given on the future of Hopwood Hall. A £100,000 feasibility study is underway to look at options for the building, and scaffolding is now up as roof repairs begin. However, the council refused to publish the commercials around this, and said that previous plans by the Hopwood Foundation were unviable and 'out of date'.

One part of the meeting that stood out was praise for local welfare support. Council staff and Citizens Advice have helped Middleton residents recover nearly £1 million in unclaimed benefits over the past year, and written off £190,000 in debt.

Drop-in sessions are being run at Middleton Library and Langley Family Hub, with further support available in schools and other venues. But several councillors said they didn’t know the services existed and called for more publicity.

Councillor Phil Burke said: “The work you do at the library is fantastic, but monthly drop-ins aren’t enough. We need to look at doing them a couple of times a week.”

Other councillors suggested working more closely with housing associations, and providing flyers in GP surgeries and community centres to reach people in need.

Local resident, Bernard Wynne, who has been attacked publicly by Middleton Councillors when previously trying to get answers, more can be read here: Middleton Township councillors blasted for turning public concern into online mudslinging, asked the council what had happened to Labour’s promise to open a Middleton ‘township hub’, a key pledge in the party’s 2022 local manifesto.

Wynne said: “It was supposed to bring together health, welfare and community services. But three years later, we’ve heard nothing.”

Council staff at the meeting said they were unaware of the project, and no clear answer was initially given. However, Councillor Dylan Williams responded directly during the meeting, clarifying that a Township Hub is currently operating from Middleton Library, where council staff including the Township Officer and Town Centre Manager are based for a number of days per week, He added that several departments, including highways, environmental management and community safety, are now required to work from the library on scheduled days.

He also referenced the new PCN Health Hub in Middleton Shopping Centre, which provides access to NHS services in partnership with local GPs. Councillor Williams sits on the project board and said it has been delivered with support from the council’s public health directorate.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Williams said: “There has been more devolution and local decision making in Middleton under Councillor Emmott’s leadership. Middleton Library acts as a hub where residents can access council services and financial support. A wide range of officers are now based there, and that’s a direct result of our local commitments.”

During the meeting, a welcome for new Township Officer Caroline These, and councillors voted through local spending plans and a new site of biological interest designation for part of Bowlee Country Park.