The council has published its latest annual report, setting out progress against the plan and highlighting major achievements delivered for residents, businesses and communities during 2025/26.
The report shows the council has continued to make progress across its 4 key themes of people, place, planet and performance, despite significant financial and service pressures affecting local government nationally.
Key achievements include progress on Atom Valley, the start of work on the Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre at Kingsway Business Park, major town centre regeneration projects, the launch of a new borough partnership, the creation of the Middleton Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), and Rochdale’s successful year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.
The annual report also highlights improvements in a number of key outcomes. Fuel poverty fell from 15.8 per cent to 12.8 per cent, early cancer diagnosis improved from 56 per cent to 57 per cent, learning disability health checks increased from 1,170 to 1,210 and the overall crime rate fell from 109.5 to 96.3 crimes per 1,000 population.
Environmental performance also improved, with recycling rates rising to 48.6 per cent, land cleanliness increasing to 97.7 per cent and more formal enforcement action taken against environmental offences. The council also refreshed its climate change and sustainability strategy and achieved bronze accreditation from the Carbon Literacy Project.
The borough’s cultural programme attracted thousands of visitors during its Greater Manchester Town of Culture year, including more than 15,000 people at Feel Good Family Picnic events, over 18,000 people during the first week of the Common Walls international mural festival and 5,000 people at the Merhaba Festival.
The report also recognises continuing challenges, including rising demand in adult social care, children’s services, housing and SEND services, as well as ongoing financial pressures. It says the council will continue to focus on prevention, partnership working, regeneration and service transformation to improve outcomes for residents.
Councillor Neil Emmott, leader of the council, said:
“This report shows that, despite a challenging year for local government, we have continued to deliver for our residents, businesses and communities.
“We have made real progress on some of the borough’s biggest ambitions, from Atom Valley and town centre regeneration, culture, children’s services and support for people who need it most.
“We know there are still significant challenges, particularly around inequalities, rising demand and financial pressures. But we remain ambitious for the borough and committed to working with partners and communities to reduce inequalities and make Rochdale a better place for everyone.”
The annual report covers progress during 2025/26 and will be considered as part of the council’s ongoing work to deliver the borough plan and council plan.