Agenda and minutes

The Mayor made reference to those who had lost their lives or were injured in the Brussels attacks. 

Council held a Minutes Silence.

A presentation took place for Mrs. Freda Millett in recognition of her outstanding service and dedication to Oldham.

Councillors Stretton and Heffernan gave congratulatory speeches to Mrs. Millett. 

Mrs. Millett was then presented with her award and made a short acceptance speech to Council.

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 Jiten Patel via email:

“At a very recent council meeting I raised an issue of fly tipping behind the properties on Langham Road Coppice (OL8 1AX) and was assured that the council would help.  I have approached my ward Councillor Kaiser Rehman who we only every see him when he knocks on doors at election time and have been ignored. Before the cabinet member reads out another scripted response I would ask her to view the pictures I have sent her via email and agree with me that this is not acceptable and is unfair to local residents.

To end… The reason I’m sending this email now is because I’ve seen stories in the Oldham chronicle over the last couple of weeks about other areas being blighted by the same thing and they’ve been sorted out.  So why can’t we get ours cleaned up as well together with a long term solution?”

Councillor Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives responded and agreed that this was a disgraceful situation, however this was not entirely the Council’s responsibility.  Everyone had a role to play and report those who were flytipping so we can prosecute them.  Some sites were privately owned.  In respect of the incident, officers were in the process of gathering evidence and being investigated.  Legal notices had been issued and the owner given seven days to clean it up.  Residents would also be informed of the responsibilities.

2.       Question received from Metrolink Meerkat via Twitter:

“Why are Oldham Councillors allowance + expenses £941k compared to Rochdale £712k (I expect a weak evasive answer as usual).

Councillor Shah, Cabinet Member for Policy and Governance responded that the Council in fact paid less when compared to some other Greater Manchester authorities.  Although members voted on the allowances, the allowances were recommended by a panel of independent people who were members of the public.  The allowance system gave consideration to out of pocket expenses and time taken to carry out council business. Transparency was important and it was right that residents get to see how much their local councillors were paid in allowances and expenses and allowances were published annually.

3.       Question received from Ian Leech via Twitter:

“With the cuts will OMBC look to get rid of the outdated Parish Council’s and save over 200k for precept payers?”

Councillor Shah, Cabinet Member for Policy and Governance responded that the work which parish councillors did was valued and they had an important role to play. However, they were to be encouraged to think about what more they  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

Apologies were received from Councillors Ames, Briggs, Dawson and Larkin.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council meetings held on 16^th December 2015, 27^th January 2016 and 24^th February 2016 be approved as a correct record.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct, elected members declared the following interests:

Councillor McCann declared a personal interest at Item 15 by virtue of his appointment to the Unity Partnership Board, Unity Joint Venture Board and the MioCare Board.

Councillor Jabbar declared a personal interest at Item 15 by virtue of his appointment to the Unity Partnership Board and at Item 13 by virtue of his appointment as a Governor at Oldham College.

Councillor Stretton declared a personal interest at Item 13 by virtue of her appointment to Oasis Academy and Item 15 by virtue of her appointment to the Unity Partnership Board.

Councillor Harrison declared a personal interest at Item 15 by virtue of her appointment to the MioCare Board.

Councillor Ginny Alexander declared a personal interest at Item 15 by virtue of her appointment to the MioCare Board.

Councillor Dean declared a personal interest at Item 15 by virtue of his appointment to the Unity Partnership Board and the Unity Joint Venture Board.

Councillor Steven Bashforth declared a pecuniary interest at Item 13 by virtue of his employment by the Governors at Radclyffe School.

Councillor Chauhan declared a personal interest at Item 14 by virtue of his appointment to the MioCare Board.

Councillor Judge declared a personal interest at Item 13 by virtue of his appointment as a school governor at Royton and Crompton School.

Councillor Gloster declared a personal interest at Item 13 by virtue of his appointment as a Governor at Crompton House and a pecuniary interest in Item 15 by virtue of his employment with Greater Manchester Police.

Councillor Sheldon declared a pecuniary interest at Item 13 by virtue of any business with Saddleworth School.

Councillor McMahon declared a personal interest at Item 13 by virtue of his being elected as a Member of Parliament.

Councillor Marie Bashforth declared a pecuniary interest at Item 13 by virtue of her employment by a Foundation School and School Governors.

Councillor Shuttleworth declared a personal interest at Item 13 by virtue of his appointment as a Governor at Limehurst Primary School.

Councillor Garry declared a pecuniary interest at Item 15 by virtue of her husband’s employment with Greater Manchester Police.

Councillor Ahmad declared a personal interest at Item 13 by virtue of his appointment as a Governor at Waterhead Academy, Harmony Trust, Greenhill Primary School and Oldham College.

Councillor Hussain declared a personal interest at Item 13 by virtue of his appointment as a Governor at Kingfisher School.

Councillor Mushtaq declared a personal interest at Item 13 by virtue of his appointment as a Governor at Oldham Academy.

Councillor Akhtar declared a personal interest at Item 13 by virtue of his appointment as a Governor at Werneth Primary School.

Councillor Williams declared a personal interest at Item 13 by virtue of his appointment as a Governor at New Bridge School and Oasis Academy.

Councillor Moores declared a personal interest at Item 13 by virtue of his appointment as Chair of Governors at Blue Coat School and his  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

There were no items of urgent business.

The Mayor advised that three Councillors would be retiring at the end of the current Municipal Year, namely Councillors David Hibbert, David Dawson, and Valerie Sedgwick.

Councillors Stretton, McCann and Hudson paid tribute to the work of Councillor Hibbert.

Councillor McMahon paid tribute to the work of Councillor David Dawson.

Councillors Sykes, Stretton, Blyth and Hudson paid tribute to the work of Councillor Valerie Sedgwick.

Councillor David Hibbert exercised his right of reply.

Councillor Valerie Sedgwick exercised her right of reply.

The Mayor advised that this would be the last meeting for Elaine McLean, Executive Director – Economy and Skills, who would be retiring from the authority.

Councillors Stretton and Sykes paid tribute to the work of Elaine McLean.

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

Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives

Petition to Save the Front of the Old Royton Swimming Baths (received 10 December 2015) (357 signatures) (Ref 2015-24)

Petition Against an Alcohol License (received 21 December 2015) (192 signatures) (Ref 2015-26)

Economy and Skills

Petition to Rebuild Clarksfield School (received 4 January 2016) (340 signatures) (Ref 2016-01)

Petition for Road Improvements at Greenfield Primary School (received 28 January 2015) (365 signatures) (Ref 2016-02)

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

(time limit 15 minutes).

Motion 1

Councillor Hibbert to MOVE and Councillor Fielding to SECOND:

“This council notes that:

• That the Housing and Planning Bill has been consulted on and will be debated in Parliament and, if passed, it would threaten the provision of affordable homes for rent and purchase by:

Forcing 'high-value' council homes to be sold on the open market;

Extending the right-to-buy to housing association tenants;

Undermining section 106 requirements on private developers to provide affordable homes.

• There is no commitment in the Bill that affordable homes will be replaced like-for-like in the local area.

• That whilst measures to help first-time buyers are welcome, the 'starter homes' proposals in the Bill will be unaffordable to families and young people on ordinary incomes in most parts of the country; will not preserve the taxpayer investment; and will be built at the expense of genuinely-affordable homes to rent and buy.
• That the Bill undermines localism by taking 32 new wide and open-ended powers for the Secretary over councils and local communities, including the ability to over-ride local plans; to mandate rents for social tenants; and to impose a levy on stock-holding councils, violating the terms of the housing revenue account self-financing deal.
• That the Bill, whilst introducing some welcome measures to address issues relating to rogue landlords, does not help with the high rents, poor conditions and insecurity affecting many of England's 11m private renters, including one in four families with children, and does nothing to help to arrest the recent rise in homelessness.

Oldham Council is already working with partners to use its land and skills to bring forward new housing in the Borough. The Government’s ‘one size fits all’ approach to Planning and Housing doesn’t work for areas like Oldham and Greater Manchester.

This council resolves to contact Cllr. Sue Derbyshire, Chair of Greater Manchester Planning and Housing Commission, suggesting that GM should contact the Housing Minister to request a discussion with the Government on the challenges we face and how they can assist us in bringing forward more difficult housing sites.”

The Mayor informed the meeting that there was one item of outstanding business from the previous meeting.

Motion 1

Councillor Hibbert MOVED and Councillor Fielding SECONDED the following motion:

“This council notes that:

·       That the Housing and Planning Bill has been consulted on and will be debated in Parliament and, if passed, it would threaten the provision of affordable homes for rent and purchase by:

Forcing ‘high-value’ council homes to be sold on the open market;

Extending the right-to-buy to housing association tenants;

Undermining section 106 requirements on private developers to provide affordable homes.

·       There is no commitment in the Bill that affordable homes will be replaced like-for-like in the local area.

·       That whilst measures to help first-time buyers are welcome, the ‘starter homes’ proposals in the Bill will be unaffordable to families and young people on ordinary incomes in most parts of the country; will not preserve the taxpayer investment; and will be built at the expense of genuinely-affordable homes to rent and buy.

·       That the Bill undermines localism by taking 32 new wide and open-ended powers for the Secretary over councils and local communities, including the ability to over-ride local plans; to mandate rents for social tenants; and to impose a levy on stock-holding councils, violating the terms of the housing revenue account self-financing deal.

·       That the Bill, whilst introducing some welcome measures to address issues relating to rogue landlords, does not help with the high rents, poor conditions and insecurity affecting many of England’s 11m private renters, including one in four families with children, and does nothing to help to arrest the recent rise in homelessness.

Oldham Council is already working with partners to use its land and skills to bring forward new housing in the Borough.  The Government’s ‘one size fits all’ approach to Planning and Housing doesn’t work for areas like Oldham and Greater Manchester. 

This council resolves to contact Cllr. Sue Derbyshire, Chair of Greater Manchester Planning and Housing Commission, suggesting that GM should contact the Housing Minister to request a discussion with the Government on the challenges we face and how they can assist us in bringing forward more difficult housing sites.

AMENDMENT

Councillor McCann MOVED and Councillor Murphy SECONDED the following amendment:

“Remove the word ‘that’ in line one.

Insert the word ‘tenants’ in line six, three additional lines as follows:

‘Reducing social rents by 1 percent per annum;

Imposing market rents on households earning £30,000 a year or more making it less likely than such households will be able to afford to sustain a successful tenancy’

Bullet point lines five to (now) ten as follows:

o   Forcing ‘high-value’ council homes to be sold on the open market;

o   Extending the right-to-buy to housing association tenants;

o   Reducing social rents by 1 percent per annum;

o   Imposing market rents on households earning £30,000 a year or more making it less likely than such households will be able to afford to sustain a successful tenancy;

o   Undermining section 106 requirements on private developers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

(time limit 20 minutes)

There is no Youth Council business to consider.

There were no items submitted by the Youth Council.

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

Question 1:  Oldham Deprived and Unhappy

“My first question tonight concerns a disturbing recent report published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) which has identified Oldham as the most deprived town in England.

In the study conducted by the ONS factors such as income, employment, health, education, skills and training, and crime were considered.

The study found that Oldham was the most deprived overall, with over 60% of our areas ranked in the most deprived 20% of all the areas of England.

This is an astonishing fact when you think it includes areas in the North East, Midlands, Yorkshire and elsewhere in the North West all of which are better than us!

I and my colleagues take no pride in topping this league table!

This time last year there was another survey published by the Rightmove estate agency chain; the Happy at Home survey asked UK homeowners questions about twelve factors relating to their experiences living in their area.

Oldham was placed 106^th of 130 local authorities.  And this was the aggregate score – we scored even worse on contentment and community safety at 123^rd out of 130.

So, Oldham has once again been identified as bot the most deprived Borough in England, and one of the least happy towns to live in the UK.

These are hardly accolades that we as elected local leaders aspire to; and they are hardly a great advertisement that will attract new business and new residents to our Borough as their location of choice.

No we all know – because we live here – that all is not doom and gloom in our Borough.  We have great people, with our famed Northern humour, a ‘can do’ attitude and a proud history of industry and diversity.  We have great countryside and culture, but these national headlines do us no favour.

There has been much talk in this chamber of the significant physical regeneration that is being undertaken in the Borough, regeneration paid for ultimately by our hard-pressed Council Tax payers.  But if this physical regeneration does not lead to a real improvement in the economic fortunes and the physical and mental well-being of our most deprived and unhappy citizens it will have failed in what I see as one of its key objectives.

So my question to the Leader tonight.  What are we going to do to get ourselves not only off the top of this league table of most deprived but actually into another league altogether.”

Councillor Stretton, Leader of the Council, responded that she was as disappointed as every member was but there had been a massive response of support on social media and email.  The study was a bizarre piece of research, picked up by a lazy journalist and having read the whole report was even more appalled.  The report did not talk about the Borough of Oldham, only built up urban areas.  Oldham had gotten  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

(time limit 20 minutes):-

a) 14^th December 2015

b) 15^th January 2016

c)  25^th January 2016

The minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 14^th December 2015, 15^th January 2016 and 25^th January 2016 were submitted.

Members raised the following questions:

1.       Councillor McMahon – Cabinet Meeting – 25^th January 2016, pages 69 and 70, Agenda Item 8 – Oldham Education and Skills Commission Final Report and Future Implementation – He has asked for a copy of the implementation plan but to date he had not received a copy.  He noted that the implementation was not in place and concerned if this went one another year would be missed and children were being let down.  He asked if the implementation plan could be brought forward and be adopted as soon as possible?

Councillor Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, responded that the Commission was launched on 15 January.  The Commissioners had met regularly and progress had been made on several recommendations.  Proposals in the report aimed to raise standards across the spectrum by strengthening strategic leadership. Key partners were being brought together in an Educational Partnership.  Key recommendations were led by the education sector and the Council had been supporting commissioners. There was a new board, to save time and money existing members had resigned and new members recruited.  The operational practitioner group sat beneath the group for implementation of the 19 recommendations which was being led by a new post which was in the process of being recruited.  The Board would get on with the implementation plan prior to the recruitment of the post and this would be shared with all members.

2.       Councillor McCann, Cabinet Meeting – 14 December 2015, pages 63 and 64, Item 10 – Project Delivery for Greenfield Primary School Expansion – he was delighted that the Administration had seen fit to fund building a two-form entry school on Shaw Street, Greenfield.  Could the Cabinet Member confirm that the project was still on track for opening in September 2017 followed by demolition of the old school and creation of sports facilities?

Councillor Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, responded that he had met with residents at Greenfield School a couple of weeks ago and the issue of draft design was raised.  In the next 4 – 6 weeks a planning application would be submitted and local members and residents had seen the draft plans.  The plans would be made public and residents given the opportunity to raise views on those plans.

3.       Councillor Murphy, Cabinet Meeting – 14 December 2015, pages 60 and 61, Item 7 – Treasury Management Half Year Review 2015/16 – as the Council was watching every penny he asked about street lighting columns which were on during the daylight hours had an impact on expenditure?

Councillor Jabbar, Cabinet Member for Finance and Human Resources, responded that energy used was part of revenue expenditure but this did not mean allowing street lights on during daylight hours and this was against good management of assets or energy.  There was a new IT system  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1

Councillor Garry to MOVE and Councillor McMahon to SECOND:

That in the month of International Women's Day this council reflects on the leading role women have played in fighting for equality and fairness for all.

The council notes the importance of promoting women in public life and celebrates the fact that two of the three borough Members of Parliament are women as are the Leader, Chief Executive and the Borough Treasurer of the Council in addition to the majority of the senior management team.

The council also reflects on the remarkable life of Annie Kenney, the Springhead born millworker who went on to be a pioneering suffragette. With others she secured the right for women to vote.

The council also looks forward to 2019 when the borough will mark the 200th anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre where four of the fifteen killed were women.

The council notes that while progress has been made much more is needed to realise full equality.

This council commits to:

1). Supporting the idea of and investigating funding sources for a permanent memorial to Annie Kenney in the town centre.

2). Supporting the idea of and investigating funding sources for a permanent memorial to those killed and injured at Peterloo at Cheapside (outside the civic centre tower) near where the Oldham contingent gathered before marching to Manchester, and that the proposed memorial ideally be in place to mark the 200th anniversary of the massacre.

3). Placing on record its thanks and appreciation to the organisers of events across the Borough which were held to mark International Women's Day.

Motion 2

Councillor Dearden to MOVE and Councillor Moores to SECOND:

This Council notes with alarm, the recent statement from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) confirming that new guidelines are to be introduced which will curb councils’ powers to divest from or stop trading with organisations or countries they regard as unethical. Council further notes that the new guidelines, which will amend Pensions and Procurement law, follow on from the government’s announcement made at the beginning of October 2015 that it was planning to introduce new rules to stop “politically motivated boycott and divestment campaigns” (Greg Clarke, Secretary of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government).

Oldham Council is proud of its commitment to human rights and to putting this into practice through such measures as an ethical approach to its relationship with business.  Council believes that the proposed measures now being outlined by the DCLG will seriously undermine the Council’s ability to implement its commitment to ethical procurement and pensions investments.

Council also notes that the new guidelines represent a further, serious attack on local democracy and decision-making through a further restriction on councils’ powers. This is directly contrary to the government’s own stated commitment to the principle of localism, given a statutory basis by the Localism Act of 2011, which holds that local authorities are best able to do their job  ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Motion 1

Councillor Garry MOVED and Councillor McMahon SECONDED the following motion:

“That in the month of International Women’s Day this council reflects on the leading role women have played in fighting for equality and fairness for all.

The Council notes the importance of promoting women in public life and celebrates the fact that two of the three borough Members of Parliament are women as are the Leader, Chief Executive and the Borough Treasurer in addition to the majority of the senior management team.

The Council also reflects on the remarkable life of Annie Kenney, the Springhead born millworker who went on to be a pioneering suffragette.  With others she secured the right for women to vote.

This council also looks forward to 2019 when the borough will mark the 200^th anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre where four of the fifteen killed were women.  The council notes that while progress has been made much more is needed to realise full equality.

This council commits to:

1).  Supporting the idea of and investigating funding sources for a permanent memorial to Annie Kenney in the town centre.

2).  Supporting the idea of and investigating funding sources for a permanent memorial to those killed and injured at Peterloo at Cheapside (outside the civic centre tower) near where the Oldham contingent gathered before marching to Manchester, and that the proposed memorial ideally be in place to mark the 200^th anniversary of the massacre.

3).  Placing on record its thanks and appreciation to the organisers and events across the Borough which were held to mark International Women’s Day.”

AMENDMENT

Councillor Williamson MOVED and Councillor Sedgwick SECONDED the following amendment:

“Remove the wording in Lines 7 to 9 and replace this with the following wording:

‘This Council reflects on the remarkable lives of:

-        Lydia Becker, born in Chadderton, who founded the most popular publication relating to women’s suffrage in 19^th-century Britain, the Women’s Suffrage Journal, and who fought successfully to secure votes for women in the Isle of Man in March 1881.

-        Annie Kenney, the Springhead born millworker, who went on to be a pioneering suffragette and the first female delegated to the Oldham Trades Union Council.  With others she secured the right for women to vote in mainland Britain.’

Insert in Line 15 after ‘funding sources’ the following grammar and words:

‘, primarily private donations and / or a public subscription,’

Insert in Line 16 after ‘to’ the following words  ‘Lydia Becker and’

Insert in Line 17 after ‘funding sources’ the following grammar and words:

‘, primarily private donations and/or a public subscription,.”

Amended motion to read:

“That in the month of International Women’s Day this council reflects on the leading role women have played in fighting for equality and fairness for all.

The council notes the importance of promoting women in public life and celebrates the fact that two of the three borough Members of Parliament are women as are the Leader, Chief Executive and the Borough Treasurer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1

Councillor Harkness to MOVE and Councillor Williamson to SECOND:

Council notes that:

·       Trees are a natural resource that are greatly treasured by the people of our borough      

·       Many residents would wish to do what they can to ensure that the trees around them – especially those in our public parks – are properly looked after to preserve their beauty and majesty for future generations

·       Other local authorities have established tree warden schemes

·       In Oldham, we already have members of Friends of Parks, Moors and green spaces groups who meet as a network hosted by Voluntary Action Oldham; these dedicated individuals represent a potential source of volunteers.

Council believes that establishing a tree warden scheme would:

• Represent an embodiment of the Co-operative Oldham principal in action;
• Compliment the delivery of the Get Oldham Growing Strategy, particularly in supporting the work of the newly-appointed Tree Planting project officer;
• Provide useful, interesting and accessible voluntary work activity to a wide range of people, including young people and individuals with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health conditions;
• Be an educational resource for our schools when linked to the Forest Schools initiative;
• Supplement the resources of staff at a time of dwindling public finances

Council therefore resolves to ask the relevant Cabinet Member(s) to establish such a scheme for the borough of Oldham.

Motion 2

Councillor Sykes to MOVE and Councillor Williamson to SECOND:

Council notes that the Living Wage Foundation:

·       Exists to recognise and celebrate the leadership shown by living wage employers in raising the living standards of workers.

·       Establishes two Living Wage rates every year for employees outside and inside London.

·       Has over 1,800 employers accredited with them, with over 1,000 having registered as payers of the National Living Wage in the past year.

·       Permits accredited employers to proudly display the Living Wage Employer Mark.

Council further notes that:

·       Oldham Council first resolved to become a National Living Wage employer as a result of a motion brought to full Council in December 2013

·       The National Living Wage was introduced as the minimum pay scale for all staff in April 2015.

·       As a result five hundred and forty staff had a pay increase.

·       In his annual statement to September Council the Leader of the Council rightly highlighted the fact that this was a commendable achievement.

However despite this achievement, Oldham Council is not currently Living Wage accredited and therefore has not yet received the Living Wage Employer Mark.

Council therefore resolves to ask the Chief Executive to:

·       Seek accreditation with the Living Wage Foundation and

·       Ensure that the Living Wage Employer Mark is proudly displayed on appropriate pages within the Council’s website and in appropriate printed materials.

Motion 3

Councillor Heffernan to MOVE and Councillor Blyth to SECOND:

Oldham Council currently requires companies bidding for council contracts to have ethical and social policies.

Council believes that it should also require these bidders to account for their past tax record.

Council notes

·       That the UK Government has  ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Motion 1

Councillor Harkness MOVED and Councillor Williamson SECONDED the following motion:

“Council notes that:

·       Trees are a natural resource that are greatly treasured by the people of our borough

·       Many residents would wish to do what they can to ensure that the trees around them – especially those in our public parks – are properly look after to preserve their beauty and majesty for future generations

·       Other local authorities have established tree warden schemes

·       In Oldham we already have members of Friends of Parks, Moors and green spaces groups who meet as a network hosted by Voluntary Action Oldham; these dedicated individuals represent a potential source of volunteers.

Council believes that establishing a tree warden scheme would:

·       Represent an embodiment of the Co-operative Oldham principal in action;

·       Compliment the delivery of the Get Oldham Growing Strategy, particularly in supporting the work of the newly-appointed Tree Planting project officer;

·       Provide useful, interesting and accessible voluntary work activity to a wide range of people, including young people and individuals with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health conditions;

·       Be an educational resource for our schools when linked to the Forest Schools initiative;

·       Supplement the resources of staff at a time of dwindling public finances

Council therefore resolves to ask the relevant Cabinet Member(s) to establish such a scheme for the borough of Oldham.

The Mayor advised the meeting that the time limit for this item had expired and without debate Council moved to the VOTE on this MOTION.

Without debate the Council moved to the vote on the MOTION.

On being put to the VOTE, the MOTION was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

RESOLVED that Council the relevant Cabinet Member be asked to establish a tree warden scheme for the borough of Oldham.

The Mayor advised the meeting that the time limit for this item had expired.

Motion 2

Councillor Sykes MOVED and Councillor Williamson SECONDED the following motion to the VOTE:

“Council notes that the Living Wage Foundation:

·       Exists to recognise and celebrate the leadership shown by living wage employers in raising the living standards of workers.

·       Establishes two Living Wage rates every year for employees outside and inside London.

·       Has over 1,800 employers accredited with them, with over 1,000 having registered as payers of the National Living Wage in the past year.

·       Permits accredited employers to proudly display the Living Wage Employer Mark.

Council further notes that:

·       Oldham Council first resolved to become a National Living Wage employer as a result of a Motion brought to full Council in December 2013

·       The National Living Wage was introduced as the minimum pay scale for all staff in April 2015.

·       As a result five hundred and forty staff had a pay increase.

·       In his annual statement to September Council the Leader of the Council rightly highlighted the fact that this was a commendable achievement.

However, despite this achievement, Oldham Council is not currently Living Wage accredited and therefore has not yet received the Living Wage Employer Mark.

Council therefore resolves to ask the Chief  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

(time limit 8 minutes):-

To note the minutes of the following Joint Authority meetings and the relevant spokespersons to respond to questions from Members.

The minutes of the Joint Authorities were submitted as follows:

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue

Authority                                                                   3^rd December 2015

Police and Crime Panel                                              30^th October 2015

Greater Manchester Combined Authority                              27^th November 2015

                                                                                18^th December 2015

                                                                                29^th January 2016

Joint GMCA / AGMA Executive                                  27^th November 2015

                                                                                18^th December 2015

                                                                                29^th January 2016

National Park Authority                                              4^th December 2015

Transport for Greater Manchester                                        13^th November 2015

Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority            18^th September 2015

A question related to the National Park Authority would be provided to the Council representative for a response.

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

(time limit 7 minutes)

To note the minutes of the following Partnership meetings and the relevant spokespersons to respond to questions from Members.

Minutes of the Partnerships were submitted as follows:

Oldham Leadership Board                                         10^th December 2015 Health and Wellbeing Board                                        10^th November 2015

                                                                                19^th January 2016

Oldham Care and Support                                         7^th December 2015

                                                                                18^th January 2016

Unity Partnership Board                                             5^th November 2015

There were no questions or observations.

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

Consideration was given to a report which presented the Pay Policy Statement for full Council’s consideration and approval in line with Chapter 8 of the Localism Act 2011 and the Local Authorities (Data Transparency) Code 2014.  There was a requirement for the production of an annual policy statement that covered a number of matters concerning the pay of the Council’s employees including Chief Officers.  To comply with legislation, the Pay Policy Statement set out the Council’s policy related to:

·       Chief Officer remuneration (at recruitment, salary, bonus / performance related pay, charges / fees / allowances, benefits in kind and enhancement at pension at termination);

·       Remuneration of its lowest paid employees, the definition for this group and the reason for adopting this definition; and

·       The relationship between chief officer remuneration and that of other employees – referred to as the ‘pay multiple’.

RESOLVED that the proposed Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2016/17 be adopted.

Consideration was given to a report which provided an update of the constitutionally agreed Code of Conduct for all non-teaching staff who do not fall within the purview of a governing body. 

The revisions to the Code of Conduct for Employees had been made in light of:

·       A review of the Council’s procedures related to safeguarding to further protect vulnerable groups and included in this the Council’s obligations to the Modern Slavery Act.

·       A review of the Council’s Whistleblowing Policy which had been undertaken to increase policy accessibility and simplify interpretation of the process in accordance with the Council’s obligations under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.

·       The opportunity to improve the alignment to the corporate values and behaviours of the Council.

RESOLVED that the revisions to the Code of Conduct for Employees as outlined in the report be endorsed.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Legal Services which detailed a constitutional amendment related to the Petitions Protocol. 

RESOLVED that the recommendation as set out in paragraph 2 of the report be approved and the current Constitution be amended.

Consideration was given to a report for the adoption of the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) as Council policy.  The SCI set out how the Council would involve the community in the preparation and the revision of the Local Plan documentation and the consideration of planning applications.  The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 required local planning authorities prepare an SCI.  The SCI also formed part of the Local Plan.

Oldham Council first adopted its SCI in April 2007.  It was then reviewed in 2010 which took account of changes to the national planning guidance published in the Planning Policy Statement 12 in 2008.  Since then there had been further changes to national planning guidance and it was appropriate that the SCI be reviewed to reflect those changes.  In addition, the ten Greater Manchester authorities had agreed to produce a joint Greater Manchester Spatial Framework Plan Document (GMSF).  The SCI sets out how the community and other stakeholders would be involved in the preparation of the GMSF and provided an update to the SCI approved by Council on 16^th December 2015.

RESOLVED that the Statement of Community Involvement be adopted and published as Council Policy.

Consideration was given to a report of the Executive Director, Cooperatives and Neighbourhoods regarding the Byelaws made under Section 19 of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 related to the public use of facilities.  The Byelaws were intended to help libraries deliver services in a safe and comfortable environment, safeguard property and make libraries pleasant places for everyone.  A new model byelaw had been developed by the Society of Chief Librarians and approved by the Secretary of State. 

The current byelaws had not been updated since 1985.  The proposed revisions were in with the revised model and outlined in the report.  An amendment was proposed to include:  17.  ‘A personal shall not spit in the library, Museum or Art Gallery’. All further numbering was to be amended in line with the amendment.

RESOLVED that:

1.       the byelaws made under Section 19 of the Public Libraries & Museums Act, 1964 be amended and updated as detailed in the report.

2.       the byelaws detailed at Appendix B of the report be amended to include:  17.  ‘A person shall not spit in the library, Museum or Art Gallery’ and all further numbering to be amended in line with the amendment.

Consideration was given to a report on the Government’s Welfare Reforms which continued to have a significant impact on the borough both in terms of place (e.g. economy) and its people (e.g. financial resilience).  The report was part of a series which was looking at the impact of welfare reform on the borough and was part of the Council’s commitment to publishing data related to equality and demonstrated how it was informing the type of services the Council provided.

This report focussed on those aged 18 – 24 years old.  The report identified seven reforms which were adversely impacting on the group disproportionately or had the potential to do so.  The report also identified potential impacts on the age group and identified a number of services that were currently available to help mitigate some of the impacts and looked a current access levels of these services in terms of those aged 18 -24.

RESOLVED that the Welfare Reform Thematic Analysis related to young people be noted.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Legal Services 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.