Agenda and minutes

The Mayor advised the meeting that the first 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 public questions had been submitted: (15 mins)

1.         Question from Ian Manners via email

“Can the Cabinet Member for Transport say what improvements are being made for the provision of transport between the Saddleworth villages?”

Councillor David Hibbert, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Highways responded that, following deregulation of the bus market in 1985, the majority of bus services within Greater Manchester (around 80%) had been delivered by commercial operators and, as a result Oldham Council and TfGM were very limited in terms of what they could do.  TfGM had a responsibility for funding services where there was a social need, which the market did not consider commercially viable.  At the current time, TfGM were facing budget cuts whilst trying to maintain and improve existing subsidised services. Their subsidised network included the popular Saddleworth and Mossley Local Link. 

The Council was committed to working with TfGM and other operators to get the best service for Saddleworth and the rest of the borough.  We were the only authority in Greater Manchester to work with TfGM and put forward a bid to the Government’s Total Transport Pilot Fund.  We secured a grant through this Fund which will allow us to explore how existing bus and minibus services can be brought together to deliver more joined-up and efficient services in the Saddleworth area.  This study will take place over the next couple of years, led by TfGM and, if successful, the new approach could be rolled out to benefit Saddleworth and other areas of Greater Manchester. 

In the longer term, the proposal included in the Greater Manchester Devolution Agreement for the Mayor to have responsibility for franchised bus services, will, if adopted, provide an opportunity to overcome the barriers we face with the current deregulated system and allow us to provide a fully integrated transport system.

2.         Question from Simon@S_C_W via Twitter

“@OldhamCouncil when is something going to be done about the dangerous zebra crossing in Royton? (We then asked what crossing it was) Hi, thanks for getting back to me. The one outside Royton town hall, Rochdale Road near the pound bakery. Market day in particular is awful with pedestrians walking out in front of traffic.”

Councillor David Hibbert, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Highways responded that some time ago the Council made a commitment to review all the Zebra crossings in the borough and carry out any improvements deemed necessary. The majority of the zebras had now had their road markings refreshed and shortly new belisha beacons will be installed to make the sites more visible.

The zebra crossing outside  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Briggs, Dearden, Haque, Harrison, Salamat and Sheldon

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 20^th May 2015 be AGREED as a correct record.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct, Councillors Gloster and Garry declared a pecuniary interest in Item 12, Notice of Administration Business, Motion1 and Item 14, Police and Crime Panel Minutes, 30^th January 2015. Councillor Wrigglesworth declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 12, Notice of Administration Business, Motion 3.

Councillor McCann declared a personal interest in Item 14b – Minutes of the Oldham Care and Support Company by virtue of his appointment to the Board.

The Mayor informed the meeting that no items of urgent business had been received.

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

The Mayor took the opportunity to congratulate Councillor McMahon on receiving the OBE award.

The Mayor advised that five petitions had been received for noting by Council:

Health and Wellbeing

Abuse of Child Protection Powers (received 14 April 2015) (1049 signatures) (Ref 2015-06)

Planned Closure of Glodwick Pool from Glodwick Infant and Nursery School (received 2 June 2015) (666 signatures) (Ref 2015-12)

Planned Closure of Glodwick Pool from Horton Primary School (received 11 June 2015) (172 signatures) (Ref 2015-15)

Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives

St. Paul’s Methodist Church – Church Fencing (received 6 May 2015) (120 Signatures) (Ref 2015-09)

Economy & Skills and Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives

Clarksfield Pitch and Arundel Street Public Space (received 1 June 2015) (147 signatures) (Ref 2015-11)

RESOLVED that the petitions received since the last meeting of the Council be noted.

(time limit 15 minutes).

There is none.

The Mayor advised the meeting that there were no items of outstanding business.

(time limit 20 minutes)

There is no Youth Council business to consider.

The Mayor advised the meeting that there were no items of business received from the Youth Council.

The Leader of the Opposition raised the following questions:

1.         Oldham’s Education Deficit

“Schools in Oldham have recently received public attention, but regrettably for all of the wrong reasons.

If Oldham were itself a pupil, there is no doubt that the Borough’s Annual School report would read:  ‘once again failed to reach its potential and could do much better if it just applied itself’.

Oldham has the third worst record in the country for the number of infant pupils taught in classes of more than 30.

More than 2,300 children (nearly one in three) of five to seven year olds.

In junior schools more than 2,900 children are in classes over 30 in size.

In fact the average class size in Junior School in Oldham Borough is 28.9 pupils, the seventh highest in the country.

In addition nearly a fifth (20%) of Oldham pupils will not be able to attend their first choice Secondary School as places at the most popular schools do not meet demand.

This is understandable as demand at popular schools will continue to rise as Oldham’s Secondary Schools overall are judged poorly with only 36.5% of our pupils in ‘good or excellent’ Secondary Schools which is less than half the UK national average of 73.5%.

I am sure that the Leader will agree with me that much more needs to be done. 

We are currently failing to give thousands of our children the opportunities they deserve.

Our Borough’s children deserve an excellent education to help reach further and higher education, set them up to become productive and well remunerated in the workplace, active citizens and positive parents and role models for their own children.

Let me be clear the Liberal Democrat Group will do all in its power to assist in changing the current state of affairs.

Labour has promised much for the Oldham Education Commission – indeed it would appear to have its work cut out – so can the Leader tell us all what this Administration is doing and will do to address the clear educational deficit in Oldham and when we might expect to have sight of the Commission’s final report, remembering its interim report in January was never published?”

Councillor McMahon, Leader of the Council responded that solutions were not simple and, where the school was a free school or an academy, the Council had no input. The Council was however positive about improvements to education and the Education and Skills Commission would be very important in finding solutions that worked for all in the community. This was due to report at the end of summer and the Council would then need to assess what it could do, involving both parents and the community.

2.         Sunday Trading

“The Chancellor proposed in last weeks’ Budget that areas such as Greater Manchester should be permitted to extend Sunday trading hours if we wish to do so.

Extended Sunday trading hours could provide additional jobs and additional business as a stimulant to the retail economy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

(time limit 20 minutes):-

a) 30^th March 2015

b) 27^th April 2015

The Cabinet Minutes for the meetings held on 30^th March 2015 and 27^th April 2015 were submitted. 

Questions and observations were raised by the following Councillors on the Cabinet Minutes as detailed below:

Councillor Blyth – Cabinet meeting – 30^th March, Item 10, page 19, Local Welfare Provision Scheme 2015/16, in relation to the projected underspend, was the council advertising adequately and correctly in regard to access to funding? The Council had put money into “Our House”

Councillor McMahon advised that “Our House” was not part of the welfare provision considered in this Item, however it provided a facility for people to purchase white goods they would not have the cash to buy outright. Our house covered the cost, it was not for profit and everyone benefitted. It was an example of what co-operation and the community could achieve and was a much better alternative for Oldham.

Councillor McCann  – Cabinet meeting – 30^th March, Item 10, page 19, Local Welfare Provision Scheme 2015/16, the underspend was a substantial amount of money that could be used to make a difference. Could it be used to, for example, provide a basic funeral service, be put towards relief from food poverty, expand the fuel poverty scheme or have a welfare team to expand this provision?

Councillor Jabbar responded that this fund was limited and time-limited. The underspend would be ring-fenced to welfare activities, however once this money was spent, there would be no more. It was difficult to see how the Council could offer, for example, a funeral service when the fund was very limited and would soon be gone.

Members made the following observations:

1.    Councillor Murphy  – Cabinet meeting – 30^th March, Item 14, page 23, Contract with Age UK Oldham 2015-2017 – Older people were not well served, though some parts of the Borough were better than others. A community shop was proposed, where excess food could be sold at lower prices. There was also a need to explore other options, and have a strategic vision and Borough plan. A Food Commission was needed.  

2.    Councillor Harkness – Cabinet meeting – 30^th March, Item 8, page 17 Saddleworth School: Site Selection – welcomed the decision to ensure a new school was built. There was much to be done, but the Council cannot do nothing.

3.    Councillor McCann  – Cabinet meeting – 30^th March, Item 10, page 19, Local Welfare Provision Scheme 2015/16 – there was no criticism of the underspend and he understood there could be no overspend. He welcomed the commitment to spend on welfare.

4.    Councillor Jabbar responded – there will be a need to support residents affected by welfare cuts and the fund will be ring-fenced to welfare provision.

5.    Councillor McMahon responded – the Overview and Scrutiny Board have set up a working group to look at the value for money of a community shop and a Food Commission

RESOLVED that:

1.             the minutes of the Cabinet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1

Councillor McMahon to MOVE and Councillor Stretton to SECOND:

This Council recognises the newly created Office of the Mayor of Greater Manchester and congratulates its newly appointed holder Tony Lloyd. The Office of the Mayor presents a good opportunity for Oldham, through the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to present itself to central government as well as helping to forge stronger connections with neighboring boroughs, towns, cities and communities.

The Council stresses the need for the Mayor and indeed the Combined Authority to be publically accountable, through direct elections, emphasising the need for greater public engagement with communities, ensuring towns like Oldham are heard across Greater Manchester.

The Council notes that Greater Manchester generates £48 billion per annum in GVA, 4% of the national economy, but that there is room to grow through the innovation opportunity devolution provides. Through greater flexibility, engagement and communication with central government, Greater Manchester and we in Oldham can get the fair devolution deal we deserve. 

The Council Resolves: 

• To instruct the Chief Executive to write to the new Mayor of Greater Manchester on behalf of the council welcoming him to his post.
• To Instruct the Chief Executive to write to Oldham’s three Members of Parliament updating them on the Devolution deal to date.

Motion 2

Councillor Jabbar to MOVE and Councillor Wrigglesworth

This Council notes that Oldham Council was the fastest public body to close its final accounts last year and has this year beaten its own target by a further seven days. Ensuring both quality and accuracy is vital to future financial planning for the council and the tax payers of Oldham.

The council recognises and is pleased with the report given by the external auditors, who have again granted Oldham Council a clean bill of financial health, especially in regard to the auditors ‘Value for Money’ assessment for which Oldham received its best ever ‘Green’ rating including – for the first time – on borrowing.

The council notes remarks made by the external auditors Grant Thornton who said: 

“The draft accounts and working papers were of a high quality. The prompt production of the draft financial statements enabled the members of the Audit Committee sufficient time to review the statements and ask challenging and pertinent questions. Finance staff responded promptly to all audit queries, in line with agreed protocols, contributing to the prompt completion of the audit”.

The Council resolves:

• To instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Director of Finance (interim) on behalf of the council, thanking the department for its efforts.
• To note the progress made in account finalisation by Oldham Council and the positive remarks made by the auditors in regards to the speed and accuracy of Oldham Councils accounts.
• To note Oldham Council has been given a clean bill of financial health by the auditors.

Motion 3

Councillor Moores to MOVE and Councillor Hibbert to SECOND:

This Council was dismayed to hear, that Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin had announced that  ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Motion 1

Councillor McMahon MOVED and Councillor Stretton SECONDED :

“This Council recognises the newly created Office of the Mayor of Greater Manchester and congratulates its newly appointed holder Tony Lloyd. The Office of the Mayor presents a good opportunity for Oldham, through the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to present itself to central government as well as helping to forge stronger connections with neighboring boroughs, towns, cities and communities.

The Council stresses the need for the Mayor and indeed the Combined Authority to be publically accountable, through direct elections, emphasising the need for greater public engagement with communities, ensuring towns like Oldham are heard across Greater Manchester.

The Council notes that Greater Manchester generates £48 billion per annum in GVA, 4% of the national economy, but that there is room to grow through the innovation opportunity devolution provides. Through greater flexibility, engagement and communication with central government, Greater Manchester and we in Oldham can get the fair devolution deal we deserve. 

The Council Resolves: 

• To instruct the Chief Executive to write to the new Mayor of Greater Manchester on behalf of the council welcoming him to his post.
• To Instruct the Chief Executive to write to Oldham’s three Members of Parliament updating them on the Devolution deal to date.”

Councillors S Bashforth, Rehman, McCann, Roberts, Dean, Hudson, Sykes and Bates all spoke in support of the motion.

Councillor McMahon exercised his right of reply.

On being put to the VOTE, the meeting UNANIMOUSLY voted IN FAVOUR of the MOTION, which was therefore CARRIED.

RESOLVED that: 

1.              The Chief Executive be instructed to write to the new Mayor of Greater Manchester on behalf of the council welcoming him to his post.

2.              The Chief Executive be instructed to write to Oldham’s three Members of Parliament updating them on the Devolution deal to date.

At this point in the meeting the Mayor advised that the time limit for this item had expired.

Motion 2

Councillor Jabbar MOVED and Councillor Wrigglesworth SECONDED :

“This Council notes that Oldham Council was the fastest public body to close its final accounts last year and has this year beaten its own target by a further seven days. Ensuring both quality and accuracy is vital to future financial planning for the council and the tax payers of Oldham.

The council recognises and is pleased with the report given by the external auditors, who have again granted Oldham Council a clean bill of financial health, especially in regard to the auditors ‘Value for Money’ assessment for which Oldham received its best ever ‘Green’ rating including – for the first time – on borrowing.

The council notes remarks made by the external auditors Grant Thornton who said: 

“The draft accounts and working papers were of a high quality. The prompt production of the draft financial statements enabled the members of the Audit Committee sufficient time to review the statements and ask challenging and pertinent questions. Finance staff responded promptly to all audit queries, in line with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1

Councillor Harkness to MOVE and Councillor Turner to SECOND:

Council notes that:

·         Prescription charges have increased for 33 of the last 34 years and the list of condition exemptions, where recipients qualify for free prescriptions, was drawn up in the late 1960s.

·         Research conducted by the Prescription Charges Coalition of over 30 charities and organisations found that people with long-term conditions in England are:

-     Struggling to afford their essential medication

-     Cutting pills in half to save money

-     Going without food

-     Falling behind with their household bills 

-     Having to take time off work as a result

·         This has serious consequences for the quality of life and long term health of these individuals:

-       35% of those who had paid for each prescription item had not collected medication because of the cost.

-       Three quarters of this group said their health had got worse as a result.

-       10% reported that they had been admitted to hospital as a direct consequence of not taking their medicine as prescribed.

·         This is discriminatory against patients residing in England as Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have scrapped all prescription charges.

Council therefore resolves to ask the Chief Executive to:

·         Write to the Secretary of State for Health, the Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP, asking the new Government to end prescription charging for millions of people in England with long-term conditions

·         Write to the Chief Executive of the Prescription Charges Coalition to express this Council’s support for this campaign

Motion 2

Councillor Murphy to MOVE and Councillor Williamson to SECOND:

This Council notes that:

·         For customers on low incomes, water bills can represent a real financial challenge.

·         The water industry, water regulator, consumer groups, academics and government deem that paying for water consumption becomes problematic for households is when they spend more than 3 per cent of their household income on water costs. This threshold is taken as a measure of ‘water poverty’.

·         Studies have found that households who spend at least 3 to 5 per cent of household income on water consumption often struggle to pay their bill.

However, Council further notes that:

·         Regional water provider United Utilities has several schemes to support customers struggling to pay a bill or settle arrears. These include a trust fund, a debt matching and write-off scheme, and a new social tariff. Government also endorses schemes to promote direct payment from benefits and provide a capped bill for larger families or customers with certain medical conditions.

·         Many low-income households are unaware of the support available to them.

Council believes that:

·         More action is needed from central Government to address ‘water poverty’.

·         More should be done in Oldham to promote awareness of, and access to, the support schemes available to customers facing ‘water poverty’.

Council therefore resolves to:

·         Promote the availability of these support schemes on-line, in our publications, in our public buildings, and at public events, as part of the ‘Make the Most of Your Money’ and ‘Warm  ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

The Mayor RULED that submitted Motions (1) and (3) were outside the scope of motions that could be considered by the Council, as they did not relate to matters over which the Council had a direct influence (Council Procedure Rule 8.2)

Motion 2

Councillor Murphy MOVED and Councillor Williamson SECONDED :

“This Council notes that:

·         For customers on low incomes, water bills can represent a real financial challenge.

·         The water industry, water regulator, consumer groups, academics and government deem that paying for water consumption becomes problematic for households is when they spend more than 3 per cent of their household income on water costs. This threshold is taken as a measure of ‘water poverty’.

·         Studies have found that households who spend at least 3 to 5 per cent of household income on water consumption often struggle to pay their bill.

However, Council further notes that:

·         Regional water provider United Utilities has several schemes to support customers struggling to pay a bill or settle arrears. These include a trust fund, a debt matching and write-off scheme, and a new social tariff. Government also endorses schemes to promote direct payment from benefits and provide a capped bill for larger families or customers with certain medical conditions.

·         Many low-income households are unaware of the support available to them.

Council believes that:

·         More action is needed from central Government to address ‘water poverty’.

·         More should be done in Oldham to promote awareness of, and access to, the support schemes available to customers facing ‘water poverty’.

Council therefore resolves to:

·         Promote the availability of these support schemes on-line, in our publications, in our public buildings, and at public events, as part of the ‘Make the Most of Your Money’ and ‘Warm Homes’ campaigns.

·         Work with United Utilities and the United Utilities Trust to offer training to elected members and front-line staff so they can actively promote them.

·         Offer this training to staff and volunteers from social landlords and other partners.

·         Support the research being undertaken by United Utilities to establish greater public acceptance for the social tariff and to identify the most effective ways to engage and support ‘harder-to-reach’ customers.

·         Support an application to the United Utilities Trust for funding to deliver, through partner agencies, money advice and financial literacy services targeted at ‘water poor’ customers.

·         Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for the Environment, The Rt, Hon. Liz Truss MP, requesting that:

o   ‘Water poverty’ be defined in law and that it be measured

o   The Government establish an action plan and make a definite commitment to eliminate ‘water poverty’ within the lifetime of this Parliament.”

Councillor Heffernan spoke in support of the motion.

Councillor Hudson spoke against the motion.

Councillor Harkness spoke in support of the motion.

A move to vote was MOVED and SECONDED

Councillor Murphy exercised his right of reply.

On being put to the VOTE, FIFTY THREE VOTES were cast IN FAVOUR of the MOTION with ONE cast AGAINST.  The MOTION was therefore CARRIED.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

(time limit 8 minutes):-

Minutes of the Joint Authorities were submitted as follows:

There were no questions.

Members made the following observations:

Councillor Heffernan - Greater Manchester Combined Authority, 27^th March 2015, Item 41/15, page 52, Alliance Textiles Project Update – this had not had much publicity. The textile industry should be brought back to Greater Manchester and the council should support it coming back to this area. Councillor McMahon observed that the Textile Project was very important for Oldham as a textile town. There was a value to the British brand and the Council would wish to bring this to Oldham to build on existing skills.

Councillor Sykes - Transport for Greater Manchester, 13th March 2015, Item 14/77, page 102, The Carriage of Non-Assistance Dogs on Metrolink: Feedback from Consultation – there was no report back to the next meeting, however there was a report to a later meeting and the decision was deferred for six months. Councillor Hibbert was at the later meeting and observed he was not sure of the benefit of delaying the decision. Having travelled on the trams, he would not support being able to travel with a dog on one.

Councillor Williams - Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, 23rd April 2015, Item 99, page 121, Wigan Community Fire and Ambulance Station – this combined station was the first in the country . The services would be encouraged to share and collaborate on resources.

RESOLVED that:

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

2.            The questions raised and observations made, along with the responses, given be noted.

(time limit 7 minutes)

Minutes of the Partnership Meetings were submitted as follows:

There were no questions or observations.

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

Consideration was given to a report that included the periodic Welfare Reform Dashboard, and a deeper analysis of Food Poverty and Food Banks within Oldham.

The Welfare Reform Dashboard highlighted in particular the levelling-off of unemployment after a period of consistent falls.

The Food Poverty Deep Dive highlighted the wide-ranging nature of food poverty, estimated to affect over 10% of Oldham’s population, and the actions which could be taken to mitigate it. Food banks were one such action, but only addressed the immediate crisis, rather than building individual and community resilience.

Councillor Jabbar MOVED the report, which was SECONDED by Councillor Chadderton.

Councillor McCann made an observation on the report.

RESOLVED that:

The report be NOTED

Consideration was given to a report that sought approval to amend the Land and Property Protocols in order to improve the Council’s decision making process and more accurately reflect the Council’s recently reviewed organisational structures.

Councillor McMahon MOVED the report and Councillor Sykes SECONDED.

RESOLVED that:

The revised Land and Property Protocols be APPROVED.

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

A letter from E.on had been circulated at the meeting, which reflected progress made and agreed a follow-up meeting in four to six months.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.