Youngsters to get share of £4.5m airport dividend

YOUNG people in Rochdale are to get a boost after a £4.5m dividend from high-flying Manchester Airport winged its way into council coffers.

Town hall leader Richard Farnell has vowed a ‘good chunk’ of the cash, a pay-out for Rochdale’s shares in the hugely profitable international airport, will be spent on improving services for children and teenagers in the borough

He said: “In previous years, the dividend has gone straight into the general coffers. It’s been really useful in helping mitigate the worst of the government austerity cuts and has helped keep vital services going.

“But this year we want to do something different. While the payout will still be needed to lessen the impact of central government grant reductions, the first call on the cash will be our young people.

“I want to see a good chunk of the airport dividend used for something positive. And what could be more positive than investing in the future our young people.”

Record passenger numbers at Manchester Airport have given Greater Manchester’s 10 town halls their biggest ever payout - £91m.

Manchester Airports Group, which is part owned by the region’s councils, has released its figures for the six months to March 31.

Combined with the previous six months, the dividend for Manchester council comes to £50m.

Each of the other nine councils, including Rochdale, will receive £4.5m each.

Coun Donna Martin, Rochdale’s cabinet member for children, said: “We will be asking Rochdale’s young people’s parliament to come up with ideas on how youngsters themselves would like to see this cash invested.

“It could be on anything from helping students with equipment or travel costs, improved sports and youth facilities or resources to helping tackle the growing issue of mental health problems faced by many teenagers.

“Another idea could be working with private sponsors to build a stateof-the-art youth zone in the borough.

“These are just a few of the ideas young people have already suggested to me where the money could be spent.

“But the important thing is, it will be our Youth Parliament who will have the final say on the projects.

“Our young parliamen- ●●Coun Donna Martin (inset) Rochdale cabinet member for children said the young people’s Parliament would be asked for ideas how to spend the Manchester Airport windfall tarians have all been elected by school students right across the borough so who better to tell us what the priorities of young people are.”

Collette Roche, acting managing director for Manchester Airport, said: “Our continued growth of passengers and destinations clearly highlights the role we play in UK aviation and as the global entry and exit point of the Northern Powerhouse. This is further reinforced by the strong financial results issued today by MAG.”