Agenda and minutes

The Civic Appreciation Award is awarded to people in recognition of their significant contribution and longstanding service to the people and community of Oldham.

The Award is bestowed upon David McGealy in recognition of his outstanding service and dedication to Oldham.

A presentation took place for Mr. David McGealy in recognition of his outstanding service and dedication to Oldham.

Councillors McMahon, Dillon and Heffernan gave congratulatory speeches to Mr. McGealy. 

Mr. McGealy was then presented with the Civic Appreciation Award and made an acceptance speech to Council.

The meeting convened at 6.33pm for the business of the Council meeting.

The Mayor advised the meeting that the next item on the agenda in Open Council was Public Question Time.  The questions had been received from members of the public and would be taken in the order in which they had been received.  Council was advised that if the questioner was not present then the question would appear on the screen in the Council Chamber.

The following questions had been submitted:

1.    Question received from Chris Gloster:

            “Will the Cabinet Member deny that the decision, in principle, has been made to move Shaw market onto Market Street, despite concerns from local residents?”

            Councillor Stretton, Cabinet Member for Town Centres, Culture and Tourism gave the following response:

            “I won’t deny that a decision has been made.

            We are going to move the market to Market Street for a three month trial period starting in early summer. During that time the Council will carry out a detailed study to see if the move has been successful, for example through increased footfall and a rise in takings for stall holders and local business.

            Out of courtesy, this decision has been shared with market traders first before making this announcement.

            At the end of the trail period customers, residents, traders and local businesses will be invited to have their say on the move.

            If the Market Street location is considered to be successful then the council will take steps to make the move permanent. If not, the market will return to its current location.

I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation. It is fair to say that there was a wide range of views expressed with some existing customers saying they didn’t want the location to change. I understand this. I know that change is difficult but the market needs to attract new customers and new stall holders so there was also recognition that we need to do something different.

I am clear that investing money on improving the existing site, which is what many people wanted, does not make commercial sense because it wouldn’t attract the extra customers the market needs.

We believe that the temporary move to Market Street will give the stall holders a boost as they’ll be selling their goods on a busy shopping street and we’ll also be helping the existing traders on Market Street by bringing more footfall to them.

I must stress that this is not a permanent move at this stage and we will examine whether it has been an economic success and take all views into account once the three months is up. The Council feels that this is a very sensible approach to take before spending the £120,000 we have allocated on making any permanent move.

This investment, if we go ahead, is in addition to the £100,000 invested in High Street grants for Shaw town centre’s small independent businesses.”

2.    Question received from Louie Hamblett:

"I live in central Shaw.  Inconsiderate parking on Market Street in Shaw  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

Apologies were received from Councillor Dawson.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 17^th December 2014 be approved as a correct record.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct Councillor Sheldon declared a pecuniary interest in Item 8, Petitions, by virtue of his business in the Saddleworth area.  Councillor Ahmad declared a pecuniary interest at Item 13, Motion 1, by virtue of his appointment on the Pennine Acute Hospital Trust.  Councillor Brownridge, Chauhan, Harrison and McCann all declared a personal interest in 15b – Minutes of the Oldham Care and Support Company by virtue of their appointment to the Oldham Care and Support Board and Oldham Care and Support at Home Board.  Councillors Dean, Jabbar, McCann, Shah, Stretton and Sykes all declared a personal interest in Item 15b – Minutes of the Unity Partnership Board by virtue of their appointment to the Board and Councillors Dean, Jabbar and McCann declared a personal interest in Item 15b – Minutes of the Unity Partnership Board by virtue of their appointment to the JVCo Board.  Councillors Akhtar, Qumer and Rehman declared a pecuniary interest in Item 12, Cabinet Minutes, in respect of Selective Licensing of Private Landlords, by virtue of their interest as landlords in the Selective Licensing Scheme.  

The Mayor informed the meeting that no items of Urgent Business had been received.

The Mayor informed the meeting that no items had been received related to the business of the Council.

(time limit 20 minutes)

At this point in the Meeting Councillor Sheldon left the Chamber and took no part in the debate or vote. 

The Mayor advised the meeting that one petition had been received entitled “Don’t Move Saddleworth School”.  Council were asked to note that the petition had not reached the 3,000 signatures to trigger debate, however, as the figure was so close to the threshold at 2,984, he had received a request from the Leader of the Council to allow debate on the matter.  On being put the vote Council agreed to allow debate.  The Lead Petitioner, Mike Buckley, spoke on the issue.  Councillor Chadderton replied.

Councillor McCann spoke against the petition and Councillor Kirkham spoke in support the petition.

At this point in the meeting the Mayor advised that the time limit for this item had expired however it was requested that an extension be granted.  On being put to the vote, Council agreed to the extension and Councillor Hudson spoke against the petition.

A recorded vote was then taken on not to accept the request in the petition with results as follows:

RESOLVED that the request in the petition not be accepted.

(time limit 15 minutes).

There are no Items of Outstanding Business.

At this point in the Meeting Councillor Sheldon returned to the Chamber. 

The Mayor informed the meeting that there were no items of Outstanding Business.

(time limit 20 minutes)

I Love Me is Oldham Youth Council’s priority campaign for 2014 - 16 term of office.  This campaign aims to look at the deeper issues and delve below the surface to explore and tackle the underlying causes of low self-esteem and confidence, lack of resilience and poor levels of mental health in Oldham’s young people.

We ask the Council to put its support behind I Love Me and, in particular, the Purple Monkey Washing Machine initiative that challenges the unrealistic media body image that has been photoshopped and altered.  When a young person does something worthy of recognition we want you to give them a purple monkey, take their picture and celebrate the good work that they are doing by publishing it throughout our social media. These young people then have to find another person who has helped their community and pass on the monkey, paying forward the self-esteem given by the person before.  In this way we can then show the world what Oldham’s young people are doing to help raise not only their own self-esteem but also the self-esteem of others in the borough. We want everyone to see how young people in Oldham are making a positive contribution in their communities and ensure they are valued for this.

We propose that Oldham Council formally support the Purple Monkey Washing Machine initiative and agree to use real images of people on all their publicity, websites and other promotional materials and not distort the image of these people and to agree to support the ‘Pay it Forward’ purple monkey programme and begin the initiative in each ward they represent.

The Youth Council had submitted the following motion:

“I Love Me is Oldham Youth Council’s priority campaign for 2014 - 16 term of office.  This campaign aims to look at the deeper issues and delve below the surface to explore and tackle the underlying causes of low self-esteem and confidence, lack of resilience and poor levels of mental health in Oldham’s young people.

We ask the Council to put its support behind I Love Me and, in particular, the Purple Monkey Washing Machine initiative that challenges the unrealistic media body image that has been photoshopped and altered.  When a young person does something worthy of recognition we want you to give them a purple monkey, take their picture and celebrate the good work that they are doing by publishing it throughout our social media. These young people then have to find another person who has helped their community and pass on the monkey, paying forward the self-esteem given by the person before.  In this way we can then show the world what Oldham’s young people are doing to help raise not only their own self-esteem but also the self-esteem of others in the borough. We want everyone to see how young people in Oldham are making a positive contribution in their communities and ensure they are valued for this.

We propose that Oldham Council formally support the Purple Monkey Washing Machine initiative and agree to use real images of people on all their publicity, websites and other promotional materials and not distort the image of these people and to agree to support the ‘Pay it Forward’ purple monkey programme and begin the initiative in each ward they represent.”

Councillors Chadderton, S Bashforth and Williamson all spoke in support of the motion, commending the Youth Council on the campaign and the serious issues it focuses on and stated that they would be signing up for a purple monkey to celebrate the good work of young people.

RESOLVED that the Purple Monkey Washing Machine initiative be supported.

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Sykes, raised the following three questions:

Question 1 – Opening an Oldham Branch of Community Shop

“The Leader may be aware that prior to Christmas I wrote to ‘Community Shop’, congratulating them on the opening of a branch of the social enterprise in Lambeth and suggesting that Oldham might be a suitable site for another outlet.

On Monday this week, I took up their invitation of a guided tour of the flagship Goldthorpe shop (S Yorks) and their parent ‘Company Shop’.  I am now even more impressed of their professionalism and purpose, and even more convinced of the merits of bringing the concept to Oldham.

‘Community Shop’ operates community supermarkets which sell low-cost, high-quality surplus foodstuffs to hundreds of people on means-tested benefits, backed by services to help them get back to work.  ‘Company Shop’ sources the food and provides logistical support.

Each shop works on a membership basis and can shop for food at prices 70 per cent lower than usual and so can feed their families well within a limited budget. 

There is also an on-site café with good, wholesome food cooked by an on-site chef, who teaches customers how to cook as well.

But this is not just about food; rather food is the hook to help member get back to work.

This is a ‘hand-up’, not just a ‘hand-out’.

Members enrol on tailored programmes to improve their self-confidence and job prospects.  Working with mentors and professionals from local agencies based at the store, members identify the areas of their lives they need to work on, and receive help to make positive improvements.

It was clear that ‘Community Shop’ would be very interested in working with Oldham Council to open an outlet in our Borough.

This opportunity is NOW as they are shortly opening a ‘Company Shop’ outlet at Stake Hill in Middleton, and want ‘Community Shops’ based close by.

I will be happy to send the Leader more details in due course, but my question to him tonight is will he work with me and Council Officers to find the partners, to find the site and to find the money to bring ‘Community Shop’ to Oldham as soon as possible?”

Councillor McMahon responded that other members shared enthusiasm for the scheme and Councillors Roberts and Dearden were progressing plans for a community type store linked to Get Oldham Growing and he would ask them to provide Councillor Sykes with an update.

Question 2 -  Investment in Royton and Crompton School

           “My second question tonight concerns investment in one of our crumbling secondary schools.

           I know the majority of Members in the Chamber will welcome the recent decision, at long last, of the Education Funding Agency to fund a new school for Saddleworth.

           Although the chosen site remains controversial, I am sure that we will want to work together on a non-party basis to address the practical issues of locating the school in Diggle, particularly the need to address  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

(time limit 20 minutes):-

a) 17^th November 2014

b) 15^th December 2014

The Cabinet Minutes for the meetings held on 17^th November 2014 and 15^th December 2014 were submitted.  The Mayor reminded the meeting that, as previously agreed by Council, the last eight minutes of this section would be reserved for observations on responses received and responses to observations. 

No questions or observations were received. 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 17^th November 2014 and 15th December 2014 be noted.

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1

Councillor Roberts to MOVE and Councillor Dearden to SECOND:

This Council notes with alarm and concern the developing pressures in the National Health Service resulting from the Government’s Accident and Emergency crisis:

·         Between October to December 2014 just under 93% of Accident and Emergency patients in England were seen within four hours - the worst quarterly result since a target was introduced. In the same period, 91.47% of patients were seen within four hours at Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust (PAHT includes Royal Oldham, North Manchester and Fairfield hospitals, as well as an urgent care centre at Rochdale Infirmary). In the week ending the 9^th January this had worsened to 87.9% at PAHT.

·         As well as long waits for patients in A&E, this performance impacts on the NHS more widely. Over 300 long-planned operations are cancelled each day as England’s NHS hospitals need more beds for A&E departments under record-breaking strain.

Motion 2

Councillor Akhtar to MOVE and Councillor Ball to SECOND:

The New Economy recently published a report which reviewed the impact of benefit sanctions. This has been reviewed by the Oldham Poverty Action Group and local data collected through a workshop.  The Group has stated that:

·         The sanctions system itself is complex and the wording in official letters is difficult to understand. Local residents do not know they can access hardship payments from the DWP and are not clear about Local Welfare Provision.

·         Many organisations that work to support claimants believe that sanctions are applied when they shouldn’t be.  ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

At this point in the Meeting Councillor Ahmad left the Chamber and took no part in the debate or vote. 

Motion 1

Councillor Roberts MOVED and Councillor Dearden SECONDED the following motion:

This Council notes with alarm and concern the developing pressures in the National Health Service resulting from the Government’s Accident and Emergency crisis:

·         Between October to December 2014 just under 93% of Accident and Emergency patients in England were seen within four hours - the worst quarterly result since a target was introduced. In the same period, 91.47% of patients were seen within four hours at Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust (PAHT includes Royal Oldham, North Manchester and Fairfield hospitals, as well as an urgent care centre at Rochdale Infirmary). In the week ending the 9^th January this had worsened to 87.9% at PAHT.

·         As well as long waits for patients in A&E, this performance impacts on the NHS more widely. Over 300 long-planned operations are cancelled each day as England’s NHS hospitals need more beds for A&E departments under record-breaking strain.

2.    Write to the Local Government Association to enlist their support.

3.    Write to the three borough MPs to inform them of the council’s position and request that they use whatever parliamentary means available to raise this matter with government.

Councillor Dean spoke in support of the motion.

Councillor Mushtaq spoke in support of the motion

Councillor Harrison spoke in support of the motion

Councillor Blyth spoke in support of the motion

Councillor Hibbert spoke in support of the motion

Councillor Roberts exercised her right of reply.

On being put to the vote FIFTY SEVEN VOTES were cast IN FAVOUR of the MOTION with TWO VOTES cast AGAINST and NO ABSTENTIONS. The MOTION was therefore CARRIED.

RESOLVED that:

1.            The Chief Executive be instructed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

Motion 1

Councillor Williamson to MOVE and Councillor Heffernan to SECOND:

This Council notes that:

·         Nationally, over 600 young people die every year from sudden cardiac arrest - twelve young people each week - and 270 of these deaths happen in schools.

·         British Red Cross research shows nearly 90 per cent of 11 to 16-year-olds have been confronted with a medical emergency.

This Council commends:

·         The excellent work carried out by Heartstart Oldham and SADs, with support from the British Heart Foundation, Rotary Club, North West Ambulance Service, the Healthy Schools Project, fund-raisers and sponsors to provide first aid training to school staff and pupils and to supply Automated External Defibrillators to schools across the borough.

·         New guidance published by the Department for Education encouraging schools to buy an Automated External Defibrillator.

·         The British Heart Foundation’s Nation of Lifesavers Initiative.

Council believes that:

·         School children should be taught First Aid as part of the national curriculum

·         It should be a local public health priority to teach children and school staff First Aid and to provide defibrillators in schools

Council therefore resolves to:

·         Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Health, The Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP and the Secretary of State for Education, The Rt. Hon. Nicola Morgan, urging them to introduce First Aid as part of the national curriculum

·         Ask the relevant Cabinet Member to establish a plan to ensure that First Aid teaching is introduced into every Oldham school in the interim, and to bring a report back to full Council

·         Ask the Director of Public Health to fund the phased introduction of Automated External Defibrillators, supported by appropriate training, into every school across the borough, and to bring a report on his proposals back to full Council

·         Mark World First Aid Day 12^th September 2015 with a public awareness campaign outlining the importance of acquiring emergency First Aid knowledge.

Motion 2

Councillor Harkness to MOVE and Councillor Heffernan to SECOND:

Council notes that one in ten people is dyslexic, but that the prevalence of this condition (which is sometimes called a learning difference) increases dramatically amongst benefit claimants who are job-seeking (four in ten) and young offenders (seven in ten).

Dyslexia can be a serious barrier to someone securing or maintaining employment.

Council recognises that:

·         the provision of specialist support for jobseekers with dyslexia should be a part of the Get Oldham Working strategy. This would include access to screening services, pre-employment courses and assistive technology.

·         it should follow best practice in its treatment of employees with dyslexia by establishing appropriate recruitment practices, and a regime of job redesign, support and understanding.

Dyslexia is a recognised disability, yet job candidates, employees and the self-employed are often unaware that they can access support from the Government’s Access to Work programme.

Council resolves to:

• Investigate installing voice recognition software on computers in dedicated areas in public libraries and The Link Centre for use by individuals with dyslexia
• Establish an area within  ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Motion 1

Councillor Williamson moved a procedural motion to withdraw an amendment as submitted and proceeded to resubmit an amendment. Council signified agreement of this without discussion.

Councillor Williamson MOVED and Councillor Heffernan SECONDED:

“This Council notes that:

·         Nationally, over 600 young people die every year from sudden cardiac arrest - twelve young people each week - and 270 of these deaths happen in schools.

·         British Red Cross research shows nearly 90 per cent of 11 to 16-year-olds have been confronted with a medical emergency.

This Council commends:

·         The excellent work carried out by Heartstart Oldham and SADs, with support from the British Heart Foundation, Rotary Club, North West Ambulance Service, the Healthy Schools Project, fund-raisers and sponsors to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)/first aid training to school staff and pupils and to supply Automated External Defibrillators to schools across the borough.

·         New guidance published by the Department for Education encouraging schools to buy an Automated External Defibrillator.

·         The British Heart Foundation’s Nation of Lifesavers Initiative.

Council believes that:

·         School children should be taught cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)/First Aid as part of the national curriculum

·         It should be a local public health priority to teach children and school staff cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)/First Aid and to provide defibrillators in schools

Council therefore resolves to:

·         Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Health, The Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP and the Secretary of State for Education, The Rt. Hon. Nicola Morgan, urging them to introduce cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)/First Aid as part of the national curriculum

·         Ask the relevant Cabinet Member to establish a plan to make recommendations that First Aid teaching is introduced into every Oldham school in the interim, and to bring a report back to full Council

·         Ask the Director of Public Health to report back to Council on the feasibility of funding the phased introduction of Automated External Defibrillators, supported by appropriate training, into every school across the borough.

·         Mark World First Aid Day 12^th September 2015 with a public awareness campaign outlining the importance of acquiring emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)/First Aid knowledge.”

RESOLVED that under Council Procedure Rule 8.4 (d) the motion be referred to Overview and Scrutiny Board.

Motion 2

Councillor Harkness MOVED and Councillor Heffernan SECONDED:

“Council notes that one in ten people is dyslexic, but that the prevalence of this condition (which is sometimes called a learning difference) increases dramatically amongst benefit claimants who are job-seeking (four in ten) and young offenders (seven in ten).

Dyslexia can be a serious barrier to someone securing or maintaining employment.

Council recognises that:

·         the provision of specialist support for jobseekers with dyslexia should be a part of the Get Oldham Working strategy. This would include access to screening services, pre-employment courses and assistive technology.

·         it should follow best practice in its treatment of employees with dyslexia by establishing appropriate recruitment practices, and a regime of job redesign, support and understanding.

Dyslexia is a recognised disability, yet job candidates, employees  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

(time limit 8 minutes):-

Minutes of the Joint Authorities were submitted as follows:

Greater Manchester Combined Authority                       28^th November 2014

Joint GMCA/AGMA Executive                               28^th November 2014

Transport for Greater Manchester                         14^th November 2014

National Peak Park Authority                                3^rd October 2014

The following question, advance notice of which had been given, was raised by Councillor Dillon in relation to the Minutes of the Joint Meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the AGMA Executive, 28^th November 2014, Minute 87/14, Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

“Oldham Borough has by and large protected the Green Belt within the borough since the abolition of Greater Manchester Council. I recently attended a meeting of the AGMA/Greater Manchester Combined Authority Scrutiny Pool in which it was stated that the current Green Belt in Greater Manchester will be reduced in the Spatial Framework which will come into effect in 2018.

Could the Leader advise this council of the process for advertising the Green Belt proposals and amendments and other methods of consultation.

Could the Leader also advise where the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework fits with this Council’s local development plan e.g. does the Spatial Framework need to be agreed before the Oldham Borough Local Plan is drawn up?’   

Councillor McMahon agreed to circulate a response in writing due to the technical information required.

Councillor Blyth asked a question in relation to the Minutes of the Joint Meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the AGMA Executive, 28^th November 2014, Minute 87/14, Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.  Councillor Blyth asked if the Council were going to be forceful in keeping its share of the development land as when it’s developed it can attract government funding and employment zones.

Councillor McMahon advised of the commitment to ensure there were schemes in the pipeline to put forward.  Oldham did not have many large development sites left and were looking at linking those sites.

RESOLVED that:

1.         The minutes of the Joint Authorities as detailed in the report be noted.

2.         The questions raised and responses given by noted.

(time limit 7 minutes)

Minutes of the Partnership Meetings were submitted as follows:

Health and Wellbeing Board                     11^th November 2014

                                                                        11^th December 2014

Unity Partnership Board                             5^th November 2014

                                                                        9^th December 2014 (Extraordinary)

Oldham Leadership Board                         3^rd December 2014

Councillor McMahon highlighted and promoted the new Oldham Partnership website.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Partnerships as detailed in the report be noted.

Consideration was given to a report which proposed to amend the constitution of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.  Council had received a report at its meeting on 17^th December 2014 on the Devolution Agreement negotiated between the Government and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).  The agreement set out the additional powers and responsibilities that would be transferred to Greater Manchester.  It also outlined the required reforms to Greater Manchester’s Governance System which included the adoption of an elected mayor for Greater Manchester by “early 2017”.  Pending the necessary primary legislation and as a transitional measure, the agreement committed that steps would be taken to amend the Combined Authority order to create an eleventh leader as Chair who would be the appointed Mayor until a Mayor is elected.

The Secretary of State was now consulting on a draft Order which would give effect to the agreed transitional measures and views were sought on the proposals contained in the report.

The consultation document set out a number of proposed amendments to the constitution of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority which included:

·         Membership

·         Chair of the Combined Authority

·         Executive Arrangements

·         Remuneration

·         Proceedings

In addition, three questions were posed as part of the consultation which were:

1.         Do you consider that enabling an additional board member to chair the Combined Authority would in the circumstances of Greater Manchester be likely to improve the provision of transport in the area and its effectiveness and efficiency, the provision of economic development and regeneration in the area, or the economic conditions in the area?  And if so, in what regards.

2.         How do you consider an additional board member may impact on the identities and interests of local communities and on securing effective and convenient local government?

3.         Do you have any comments on the proposed constitutional arrangements as set out in Annex A and the draft Order?

Councillor McMahon encouraged members to make a strong contribution.  The development had been rapid, but this was one of the most significant changes to governance since the 1970’s and it would fundamentally change the way decisions are made and therefore it was important to contribute through the consultation to provide feedback to Government.  This was also about securing the best deal for communities at a local level.  A wider governance review would follow making sure decisions were transparent and accountable.  It was also felt that the Combined Authority should have the ability to hold and maintain a housing revenue account, which would give Greater Manchester the power to get housing development off the ground.      

Councillor Sykes stated that Oldham was one of the few Councils to have this item back on the agenda as other authorities had not considered this at Cabinet or Council.  This was the most fundamental shift of power since local government reorganisation in1974.  It was important to be listened to and be part of the team and not limit ambitions for the City Region.  Councillor Sykes supported the provision of a housing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

Consideration was given to a report which outlined an amended Scheme Delegation.  The Scheme of Delegation was amended following a resolution by the Selection Committee to change the organisational framework.  The revised Scheme of Delegation reflected those organisation changes.

RESOLVED that the revised Officer Scheme of Delegation be approved.

Consideration was given to a report which sought approval of recommendations as requested by the GMCA/AGMA Executive Board which would allow the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) to be progressed as a joint Development Plan Document (DPD) by all ten Greater Manchester authorities, as agreed by the GMCA/AGMA Executive Board on 29^th August 2014. 

The GMSF would provide an important strategic framework towards the successful planning of the sub-region and the districts within it.  It would provide the basis for an informed and integrated approach to spatial planning across the city region, through a clear understanding of the role of our places and the relationships and connections between them.  The decision to progress the document as a joint DPD, rather than an informal framework, would formalise the production process and give it greater weight in the planning process as a statutory document.

The report outlined the approvals that were requested and the key elements of the report presented to the AGMA Executive Board which were:

·         The implications of the Greater Manchester agreement and the move to directly elected leadership for Greater Manchester on the preparation and content of the GMSF.

·         The amendments required to AGMA’s constitution so that a plan which covered housing and employment could be prepared jointly by the ten local planning authorities.

·         Details regarding the scope of the GMSF which was to focus on the overall spatial strategy.

·         The financial and resource implications for the preparation of the GMSF.

A further report would be prepared for Cabinet on 23^rd February 2015 which would seek approval for those elements set out in the report.

RESOLVED that:

1.         the making of an agreement with the other 9 Greater Manchester council for the joint preparation of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (‘GMSF’) which covered housing and employment land requirements and associated infrastructure across Greater Manchester, as set out in the report, as a joint development plan document on terms to be approved by the Chief Executive be approved.

2.         Cabinet would be asked to delegate the formulation and preparation of the GMSF to the AGMA Executive Board be noted.

3.         Council would receive further reports in respect of matters which were within the remit of full Council including the approval of the GMSF be noted.

4.         The amendment of paragraph 13.2 of Schedule 1 to the AGMA Constitution with the deletion of the words ‘(initially in terms of Waste and Minerals Planning)’ and the authorisation of the update of the AGMA Constitution to reflect the amendment be approved.

5.         A briefing note to be circulated to all members.

Consideration was given to a report which advised of the performance of the Treasury Management Function of the Council for the first half of 2014/15 and provided a comparison of performance against the 2014/15 Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators.

The Council was required to give consideration of the performance of the Treasury Management function in order comply with the Charter Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA) Treasury Management Revised Code of Practice.  The report set out the key Treasury Management Issues for information and outlined:

·         The economic update for the first six months of 2014/15;

·         The review of the Treasury Management Statement and Annual Investment Strategy;

·         The Council’s capital expenditure (prudential indicators);

·         A review of the Council’s investment portfolio for 2014/15;

·         The review of the Council’s borrowing strategy for 2014/15;

·         Why there had been no debt rescheduling undertaken during 2014/15;

·         A review of compliance with Treasury and Prudential Limits for 2014/15; and

·         An explanation of changes to the credit rating methodology used by Capita Asset Services, the Authority’s current treasury management advisers.

RESOLVED that:

1.         the Treasury Management Activity for the first half of the financial year 2014/15 and the project outturn position be approved.

2.         the amendments to both Authorised and Operational Boundary for external debt as set out in the table at Section 2.4.5 of the report be approved.

3.         the changes to the credit methodology whereby viability, financial strength and support ratings would no longer be considered as key criteria in the choice of creditworthy investment counterparties be approved.

Consideration was given to a report of the Borough Solicitor which informed members of actions that had been taken following previous Council meetings and provided feedback on other issues raised at the meeting.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.