PLANS to increase funding at a hostel for homeless families will be considered at tonight’s (Monday 15 September) Rochdale Council Cabinet meeting.

Councillors will be asked to vote on proposals to increase funding to the Great Howarth Families Hostel by £42,000 in the next financial year, followed by £84,000 in future years.

The money, which would come from a contingency fund from within the existing budget, would pay for extra staff on the night shift and improve health and safety.

Cabinet will also be asked to approve an extra £320,000 to cover rising utility, energy and fuel bills in other council buildings.

Other items on the agenda include plans to build a university in Rochdale.

Councillors will be asked to commission a feasibility study into the scheme, which could see a university built next to the Hopwood Hall College‘s refurbished Rochdale campus and the new Rochdale Sixth Form College in 2013.

A funding bid to create new youth centres in town will also be considered.

Cabinet meets at Rochdale Town Hall at 6.15pm tonight.