Agenda and minutes

A presentation took place for Reverend Jean Hurlston in recognition of her outstanding service and dedication to Oldham.

Councillors Stretton and Sykes gave congratulatory speeches to Rev. Hurlston.

Rev. Hurlston was then presented with her award and made a short acceptance speech to the Council.

(15 minutes for public questions and 25 minutes for Councillor questions)

The Mayor advised 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 screens in the Council Chamber.

The following questions had been submitted:

1.         Question received from Syed Maruf Ali via email and Facebook:

            “Can you please raise this question at the full council meeting.

            There seems to be an endemic problem of Fly-Tipping in Coppice/Werneth/Primrose Bank and I’m not sure if anyone have been prosecuted to date in Werneth Ward? It’s not difficult to gather evidence from the rubbish that is dumped to link it back to the culprits. I think it’s crucial that the Council is prepared to prosecute and then publicise it in the local media to deter others. Once someone is prosecuted in Werneth Ward, the word would soon spread. The policy of ‘Naming and Shaming’ has worked in other local authority areas.  A short walk around Coppice and it is easily noticeable that a significant number of alleyways are affected by fly-tipping.  It’s almost as if the culprits believe that it is normal to dump their rubbish on alleyways or that there is a perception that they can do it with impunity as the chances of being prosecuted is so small.  I think the key is for the Council to send out a message to the Community of zero tolerance if they are serious about addressing this issue.  To my knowledge there’s hasn’t been anyone prosecuted for Fly-Tipping from the Coppice/Werneth and Primrose area, however there has been prosecution in other wards.  As with a lots of things, I know the Council works hard at resolving issues which the public aren’t always aware of. I think the new reporting system is a great idea, but this needs to be followed up with more awareness and communication with the Local Community. Maybe a leaflet can be distributed at local Mosques / Churches and Imams playing their part in informing residents etc will help .Can I ask what the value of the Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) is or is it dependant on the individual case?  Maybe it’s one for Cllrs to review and see if an increase would be more effective. I understand that there is a range of fines that Local Authorities can impose up to a max of £400.  The current FPN fine is £80, or £50 if paid within the first two weeks.  I’m sure all of us would agree that £50 fine isn’t much of a deterrent and needs to be increased significantly to be effective.  Just a thought - before the budget cuts began, I’m sure the Council use to provide a free bulk collection service whereas now there is a charge of £17 for up to three items, so someone clearing a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor M. Bashforth, Councillor S. Bashforth, Councillor Heffernan, Councillor Kirkham, Councillor Price and Councillor Rehman.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council meetings held on 13^th December 2017 and 28^th February 2018 be approved as a correct record.

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

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

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

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

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

Councillor Jabbar declared a personal interest at Item 15a by virtue of his appointment to the Unity Partnership Board.

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

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

Councillor Sykes declared a personal interest at Item 15a by virtue of his appointment to the Unity Partnership Board.

Councillor Ur-Rehman declared a personal interest at Item 15a by virtue of his appointment to the Unity Partnership Board.

Councillor Brownridge declared a personal interest at Item 15b by virtue of her appointment to the Police and Crime Panel.

Councillor Gloster and Councillor Garry declared a pecuniary interest at Item 15b, Police and Crime Panel Minutes.

Councillor Haque declared a personal and pecuniary interest in Item 14, Motion 3 by virtue of his ownership of a takeway.  Councillor Haque left the room during the discussion of this item and took no part in the discussion or vote thereon.

The Mayor informed the meeting that he had agreed to accept an item of Urgent Business in accordance with the Council’s Constitution which was a report related to the External Auditors.  The report would be considered at Item 18.

The Mayor made reference to the recent deaths of Councillor Susan Dearden, Councillor Brian Ames and former Councillor and Mayor Joe Farquhar.  

Councillors Jabbar, Roberts, Toor, Moores and Williamson paid tribute to the work of Councillor Dearden.

Councillors Williams, Stretton and Murphy paid tribute to the work of Councillor Ames.

Councillors Hudson, Dean and Sykes paid tribute to the work of former Councillor and Mayor Farquhar.

Council held a minute’s silence.

The Mayor advised that two Councillors would be retiring at the end of the current Municipal Year, namely Councillors Wrigglesworth and Kirkham.

Councillors Ur-Rehman and Haque paid tribute to the work of Councillor Wrigglesworth.

Councillor G. Alexander paid tribute to the work of Councillor Kirkham.

The Mayor also advised that Maggie Kufeldt, Executive Director – Health and Wellbeing had now left the authority.  Councillors Stretton and McCann paid tribute to the work of Maggie Kufeldt.

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

Petition related to Persimmons Homes and the Adoption of Northgate Lane (St. James Ward) received on 29 January 2018 with 60 signatures (Ref: 2018-01)

Petition related to Objections to Yew Tree Primary School Planning Application (Chadderton South Ward) received on 7 February 2018 with 203 signatures (Ref: 2018-02)

Petition related to the Sale of Land at Nimble Nook (Chadderton Central Ward) received on 21 February 2018 with 752 signatures (Ref: 2018-03)

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

(time limit 15 minutes).

Councillor Roberts to MOVE and Councillor Chadderton to SECOND:

This Council notes that Oldham, together with thousands more, will celebrate International Women’s day on the 8^th March 2018. Oldham Council has already agreed to mark the centenary of the Women’s Suffrage Act by supporting the Suffrage to Citizenship Campaign throughout 2018 and this will include marking the actual anniversary in November. Working with the Youth Council and local organisations, activities will focus on ways of encouraging young women (and men) to be more actively involved in the local community, an aim that fits well with our ethos as a Co-operative Council.

Oldham Council has previously affirmed its commitment to women’s equality; acknowledged the unequal impact of austerity on women and supported the aims of the WASPI campaign for fair access to pensions.

Oldham Council further notes that the Government continues to put forward proposals which threaten vital services for women, this time the funding of refuges for women escaping domestic violence. The Government consultation paper ‘Funding Supported Housing’ includes proposals to remove the payment of Housing Benefit to women living in refuges, which provides over 50% of their funding, and replace this with a ring fenced grant to local authorities which will also have to pay for short-term supported housing for older people, homeless people, people with mental illnesses and drug addicts.

This council is extremely concerned that this threatens the sustainability of refuges, which by their nature often provide a service to women out of the borough, and which are already unable to meet demand.

This council resolves

1. To ask the Chief Executive to write to the Minister for Local Government and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Family Support, Housing and Child Maintenance to express our concern and to ask for continuation of the existing system of paying Housing Benefit to women living in refuges
2. To ask the Borough’s three MPs to press for the continuation of the current system and to seek more secure funding for refuges
3. To ask our representatives at the LGA to urge for the LGA to lobby against this proposed change

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

Motion 1

Councillor Roberts MOVED and Councillor Chadderton SECONDED the following motion:

“This Council notes that Oldham, together with thousands more, will celebrate International Women’s day on the 8^th March 2018.  Oldham Council has already agreed to mark the centenary of the Women’s Suffrage Act by supporting the Suffrage to Citizenship Campaign throughout 2018 and this will include marking the actual anniversary in November.  Working with the Youth Council and local organisations, activities will focus on ways of encouraging young women (and men) to be more actively involved in the local community, an aim that fits well with our ethos as a Co-operative Council.

Oldham Council has previously affirmed its commitment to women’s equality; acknowledged the unequal impact of austerity on women and supported the aims of the WASPI campaign for fair access to pensions.

Oldham Council further notes that the Government continues to put forward proposals which threaten vital services for women, this time the funding of refuges for women escaping domestic violence.  The Government consultation paper ‘Funding Supported Housing’ includes proposals to remove the payment of Housing Benefit to women living in refuges, which provides over 50% of their funding, and replace this with a ring fenced grant to local authorities which will also have to pay the short-term supported housing for older people, homeless people, people with mental illnesses and drug addicts.

This council is extremely concerned that this threatens the sustainability of refuges, which are already unable to meet demand.”

AMENDMENT

Council were informed that the names of the mover and seconder of the Amendment were transposed.  Council AGREED the mover and seconder be amended as requested.

Councillor Turner MOVED and Councillor Williamson SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:

“End the first paragraph in line 4 after the end of the second sentence.

Insert a new paragraph as follows:

‘Council notes with pleasure that four Oldham women, Lydia Becker, Annie Kenney, Marjory Lees and Sarah Lees were included within a list of notable women suffrage pioneers recently announced by the Women’s Local Government Society as inspirational examples to the women of today.  It is especially notable that the contributions to the struggle of two of these women, Lydia Becker and Annie Kenney, were seen as ‘so immense’ that they deserved ‘special recognition’.  Council will be proud to celebrate the historic contributions made by all four of these Oldham women in fighting to secure the vote for all of the women of Britain as part of the ‘From Suffrage to Citizenship’ campaign’.

The amended motion would then read:

“This Council notes that Oldham, together with thousands more, will celebrate International Women’s day on the 8^th March 2018.  Oldham Council has already agreed to mark the centenary of the Women’s Suffrage Act by supporting the Suffrage to Citizenship Campaign throughout 2018 and this will include marking the actual anniversary in November. Council notes with pleasure that four Oldham women, Lydia  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

(time limit 20 minutes)

Vaping or the use of e-cigarettes is becoming a more and more common sight.  More and more people can be seen using these products.  I’m sure we all know someone who vapes, and I’m sure most of us saw someone vaping today.

Some people welcome vaping as a ‘safer’ alternative to smoking tobacco product but let’s be honest the jury is out on that one.  We do not know how safe these products are Cancer research UK have published reports calling for further research into the effects of vaping on health and to increase our knowledge on how ‘safe’; these products are.

We at Oldham Youth council have concerns that vaping is becoming an attractive activity for young people.  We know anecdotally of young people who began vaporing without ever having been a smoker.  These are not just alternatives to tobacco but are becoming a nicotine addictive habit for non-smokers too.

We strongly believe this is in a large part due to the advertising and promotion of e cigarettes and vaping.

We believe that E cigarette companies and the tobacco industry are targeting young people:

They present their marketing in such a way that it uses attractiveness, coolness, colours and innovative packaging – with a wide range of ‘fun’ flavours that is particularly aimed at a youth market.  With flavours like candy apple and tutti fruity with bright packaging that looks like confectionary how can this not be aimed at the youth market?

They use social media and celebrity inspired styling and endorsements

They sponsor big sports events

And they portray their products as socially attractive

All this is particularly appealing to a younger audience and to non-smokers!

Over recent years we have seen the regulation of tobacco promotion with the introduction of smoke free public spaces, advertising bans, age restricted sales, a de-normalisation of Smoking industries, plain packaging and point of sale restrictions.  Vaping products however are not controlled in this way! And this great work at reducing the likelihood of young people (and older people) from smoking) is being undermined by this.

These control policies were introduced to prevent people from taking up smoking and rightly so.  But if we don’t want people to smoke and we certainly don’t want young people to take up smoking would we want them to start vaping!

In November 2017 Committees for Advertising Practice have introduced some new rules that will prevent e cigarette advertising from targeting non-smokers including children and young people, these restrictions will also prevent TV advertising attempting to tap into youth culture.  We are particularly pleased to see that an emphasis has been placed on protecting young people and we welcome these new rules but they don’t go far enough!

A study by Moreon et all found that flavoured e cigarette liquids such as fruits and alcohol flavours are most frequently used by young people!  And studies in the US have found that young people who vape are far more  ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

The Youth Council PROPOSED the following MOTION:

“Vaping or the use of e-cigarettes is becoming a more and more common sight.  More and more people can be seen using these products.  I’m sure we all know someone who vapes, and I’m sure most of us saw someone vaping today.

Some people welcome vaping as a ‘safer’ alternative to smoking tobacco products but let’s be honest the jury is out on that one.  We do not know how safe these products are Cancer research UK have published reports calling for further research into the effects of vaping on health and to increase our knowledge on how ‘safe’’ these products are.

We at Oldham Youth council have concerns that vaping is becoming an attractive activity for young people.  We know anecdotally of young people who began vaporing without ever having been a smoker.  These are not just alternatives to tobacco but are becoming a nicotine addictive habit for non-smokers too.

We strongly believe this is in large part due to the advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes and vaping.

We believe that E-cigarette companies and the tobacco industry are targeting young people;

They present their marketing in such a way that it uses attractiveness, coolness, colours and innovative packaging – with a wide range of ‘fun’ flavours that is particularly aimed at a youth market.  With flavours like candy apple and tutti fruity with bright packaging that looks like confectionary how can this not be aimed at the youth market?

They use social media and celebrity inspired styling and endorsements

They sponsor big sports events

And they portray their products as socially attractive

All this is particularly appealing to a younger audience and to non-smokers.

Over recent years we have seen the regulation of tobacco promotion with the introduction of smoke free public spaces, advertising bans, age restricted sales, a de-normalisation of smoking industries, plain packaging and point of sale restrictions.  Vaping products however are not controlled in this way.  And this great work at reducing the likelihood of young people (and older people) from smoking) is being undermined by this.

These control policies were introduced to prevent people from taking up smoking and rightly so.  But if we don’t want people to smoke and we certainly don’t want young people to take up smoking would we want them to start vaping.

In November 2017 Committees for Advertising Practice have introduced some new rules that will prevent e cigarette advertising from targeting non-smokers including children and young people, these restrictions will also prevent TV advertising attempting to tap into youth culture.  We are particularly pleased to see that an emphasis has been placed on protecting young people and we welcome these new rules but they don’t go far enough.

A study by Moreon et all found that flavoured e cigarette liquids such as fruits and alcohol flavours are most frequently used by young people.  And studies in the US have found that young people who vape are far more  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

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

Question 1:

“For my first question tonight I want to refer to the report published last month by the campaigning coalition End Child Poverty into child poverty across the UK.  Overall the report found that Oldham was the local authority with the 7^th worst estimated prevalence of poverty in the UK.  Most shockingly Coldhurst was identified as the electoral ward with the highest estimated level of child poverty in the country, with over six in ten children living in poverty.  Regrettably, Werneth, St. Mary’s and Alexandra also featured highly with over fifty percent of all children in poverty.   But child poverty is not simply confined to these areas – there are children living in poverty everywhere in our Borough.  Sadly, you will also find pockets of economic deprivation in Shaw, Saddleworth, Chadderton and Royton – all are a criminal indictment of the indifference of policy makers and financiers in the affluent nation that is 21^st century Britain.

Of course, much of the blame for the increase in poverty must be laid at the feet of a Conservative Government which continues to insist on austerity and has punished the poor with a benefit freeze.  Yet there were previously investments amounting to tens of millions of directed at our most deprived neighbourhoods, Coldhurst, Glodwick, Derker, Fitton Hill, Hathershaw, Limeside, Werneth and Westwood during previous Government’s including Labour.  I will mention just four.

·         The Single Regeneration Budget

·         Neighbourhood Renewal Fund

·         The New Deal for Communities

·         Housing Market Renewal

Despite their high sounding titles, very little seems to have changed on the ground.  This Administration talks a lot about the ‘game changer’ that the redevelopment of our town centre will represent, but for the children of these neighbourhoods who are hungry or ill-shod a real ‘game changer’ would be having enough food to east and decent shoes and clothes to wear right now.

My first question to the Leader tonight is this – does this Administration along with its partners have a practical strategy, a ‘game changer’, with real achievable, measurable targets to address the poverty, and therefore the life chances of these disadvantaged children?  This is one league table we need to get off the top of and better still Oldham needs relegated to a lower division.  At least 4 wards in the top flight of poverty is not where we need to be.  If there is not such a strategy, does she not think it is about time that we put one in place as a top priority – for I can tell her now the Liberal Democrats stand ready to help or is another generation to be condemned to poverty?”

Councillor Stretton, Leader of the Council, responded that unfortunately it was not new that Oldham was a low wage, low skilled economy with pockets of deprivation.  Much of the blame was at the door of the Conservative Government with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

(time limit 20 minutes):-

a) 20^th November 2017

b) 11^th December 2017

c) 18^th December 2017

d) 22^nd January 2018

The minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 20^th November 2017, 11^th December 2017, 18^th December 2017 and 22^nd January 2018 were submitted.

There were no questions or observations on the Cabinet meeting minutes.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 20^th November 2017, 11^th December 2017, 18^th December 2017 and 22^nd January 2018 be noted.

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1 – Modern Slavery

Councillor Moores to MOVE and Councillor Haque to SECOND:

This Council notes:

·       Though slavery was abolished in 1833, there are more slaves today than ever before in human history.  Figures from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) suggest that there are more than 40 million people in modern slavery across the world, with nearly 25 million held in forced labour.

·       There were 3805 victims of modern slavery identified in the UK in 2016.  A rising number but still well below the 10,000 and 13,000 potential victims estimated by the Home Office.

·       Modern Slavery is happening nationwide.  Traffickers and slave masters use whatever means they have at their dispersal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment.  This can include sexual and criminal exploitation.

This Council believes

1.    That actions need to be taken to raise awareness of modern slavery and the fact that it is happening all over the UK.

2.    That the current support for victims is not sufficient and needs to go beyond the 45 days they are currently given by the government.

3.    That councils have an important role to play in ensuring their contracts and supplies don’t contribute to modern day slavery and exploitation.

This Council resolves

To adopt the Co-operative Party’s Charter against Modern Slavery to ensure our procurement practices don’t’ support slavery:

Oldham Council will:

1.    Train its corporate procurement team to understand modern slavery through the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s (CIPS) online course on Ethical Procurement and Supply.

2.    Require its contractors to comply fully with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, wherever it applies with contract termination as a potential sanction for non-compliance.

3.    Challenge any abnormally low-cost tenders to ensure they do not rely upon the potential contractor practising modern slavery.

4.    Highlight to its suppliers that contracted workers are free to join a trade union and are not to be treated unfairly for belonging to one.

5.    Publicise its whistle-blowing system for staff to blow the whistle on any suspected examples of modern slavery.

6.    Require its tendered contractors to adopt a whistle-blowing policy which enables their staff to blow the whistle on any suspected examples of modern slavery.

7.    Review its contractual spending regularly to identify any potential issues with modern slavery.

8.    Highlight for its suppliers any risks identified concerning modern slavery and refer them to the relevant agencies to be addressed.

9.    Refer for investigation via the National Crime Agency’s national referral mechanism any of its contractors identified as a cause for concern regarding modern slavery.

10. Report publicly on the implementation of this policy annually.

Motion 2 - Housing Strategy

Councillor Brownridge to MOVE and Councillor Chauhan to SECOND:

This Council notes that whilst the government’s recognition that the housing market is broken is welcome there is grave concern about the concentration on increased numbers alone.  It is essential that policy supports the creation of good quality homes that  ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Motion 1 – Modern Slavery

Councillor Moores MOVED and Councillor Haque seconded the following MOTION:

“This Council notes:

·         Though slavery was abolished in 1833, there are more slaves today than ever before in human history.  Figures from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) suggest that there are more than 40 million people in modern slavery across the world, with nearly 25 million held in forced labour.

·         There were 3805 victims of modern slavery identified in the UK in 2016.  A rising number but still well below the 10,000 and 13,000 potential victims estimated by the Home Office.

·         Modern Slavery is happening nationwide.  Traffickers and slave masters use whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive, and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment.  This can include sexual and criminal exploitation.

This Council believes

1.    That action needs to be taken to raise awareness of modern slavery and the fact that it is happening all over the UK.

2.    That the current support for victims is not sufficient and needs to go beyond the 45 days they are currently given by the government.

3.    That Councils have an important role to play in ensuring their contracts and supplies don’t contributed to modern day slavery and exploitation.

Councillor Mushtaq spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor Sykes spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor McCann spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor Hudson spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor Hudson MOVED and Councillor Fielding SECONDED the MOTION be put to the vote. 

On being put to the VOTE, 41 votes were cast in FAVOUR of proceeding to the VOTE and 8 VOTES were cast AGAINST with 0 ABSTENTIONS.  The MOTION was therefore MOVED to the VOTE.

Councillor Moores exercised his right of reply.

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

RESOLVED that:

The Co-operative Party’s Charter against Modern Slavery to ensure our procurement practices don’t support slavery be adopted.

Oldham Council would:

1.         Train its corporate procurement team to understand modern slavery through the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s (CIPS) online course on Ethical Procurement and Supply.

2.         Require its contractors to comply fully with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, wherever it applies with contract termination as a potential sanction for non-compliance.

3.         Challenge any abnormally low-cost tenders to ensure they do not rely upon the potential contractor practising modern slavery.

4.         Highlight to its suppliers that contracted workers are free to join a trade union and are not to be treated unfairly for belonging to one.

5.         Publicise its whistle-blowing system for staff to blow the whistle on any suspected examples of modern slavery.

6.         Require its tendered contractors to adopt a whistle-blowing system which enables their staff to blow the whistle on any suspected examples of modern slavery.

7.         Review its contractual spending regularly to identify any potential issues with modern slavery.

8.         Highlight for its suppliers any risks identified concerning modern slavery and refer them to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1 – Making Oldham a ‘Single Use Plastic-Free’ Local Authority

Councillor Murphy to MOVE and Councillor Harkness to SECOND:

Council notes that:

·      The introduction of the 5p bag charge has already seen use of single-use plastic bags drop by 85%.

·      However, most families still throw away about 40kg of plastic per year, which could otherwise be recycled.

·      The amount of plastic waste generated annually in the UK is estimated to be nearly 5 million tonnes, which has a catastrophic effect on our environment, particularly our marine environment

Council welcomes the commitment of some major businesses to reduce their use of plastic packaging and encourages all local businesses to respond positively to the Government’s recent call for evidence on reducing plastic waste.

However, Council recognises that it is only in eliminating single-use plastic materials that we can achieve a significant reduction in plastic waste.

Council therefore resolves to ask the Cabinet to:

·      Develop a robust strategy to make Oldham a ‘single-use plastic-free’ authority by the end of 2018 and encourage the Borough’s institutions, businesses and citizens to adopt similar measures:

·      End the sale and provision of single use plastic products such as bottles, cups, cutlery and drinking straws in council buildings, or council supported venues, wherever possible; promoting the use of non-plastic recyclable alternatives e.g. paper straws to ensure our venues remain accessible to those with additional needs.

·      Encourage traders across the Borough to sell re-usable containers and invite customers to bring their own.

·      Consider the merits and practicalities of introducing a ‘window sticker’ scheme to accredit local businesses that are committed to reducing plastic waste through, for example, offering free water bottle refills.

·      Investigate the possibility of requiring pop-up food and drink vendors at council supported events to avoid single use plastics as a condition of their contract; with a view to phasing out all single use plastics at markets and events in the Borough by the end of 2018.

·      Work with tenants in commercial properties owned by Oldham Council to encourage them to phase out single use plastic cups, bottles, cutlery and straws.

Motion 2 – Land Value Taxation

Councillor McCann to MOVE and Councillor Gloster to SECOND:

This Council believes that Land Value Taxation (LVT) offers a credible means for local authorities to raise public revenue to fund local public services by making an annual charge upon landowners, based on the rental value of their land.  This is typically levied against the unimproved value of that land, not taking into account any buildings, services or on-site infrastructure.

Council notes that:

·      LVT could be revenue-neutral; that is the revenue raised could replace taxation levied through Council Tax and Business Rates.  This would lift some of the burden of meeting the cost of Council services from our Borough’s low-income households and small businesses;

·      LVT would encourage owners of vacant sites, particularly brown-field sites, to develop them for businesses or residential use more quickly, where planning permission has been granted, so as to generate an  ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Motion 1 – Making Oldham a ‘Single Use Plastic-Free’ Local Authority

Councillor Murphy MOVED and Councillor Harkness SECONDED the following motion:

“Council notes that:

·         The introduction of the 5p bag charge has already seen use of single-use plastic bags drop by 85%.

·         However, most families still throw away about 40kg of plastic per year, which could otherwise be recycled.

·         The amount of plastic waste generated annually in the UK is estimated to be nearly 5 million tonnes, which has a catastrophic effect on our environment, particularly our marine environment

Council welcomes the commitment of some major businesses to reduce their use of plastic packaging and encourages all local businesses to respond positively to the Government’s recent call for evidence on reducing plastic waste.

However, Council recognises that is only in eliminating single-use plastic materials that we can achieve a significant reduction in plastic waste.

Council therefore resolves to ask the Cabinet to:

·         Develop a robust strategy to make Oldham a ‘single-use plastic-free’ authority by the end of 2018 and encourage the Borough’s institutions, businesses and citizens to adopt similar measures

·         End the sale and provision of single use plastic products such as bottles, cups, cutlery and drinking straws in Council buildings, or council supported venues, wherever possible; promoting the use of non-plastic recyclable alternatives e.g. paper straws to ensure our venues remain accessible to those with additional needs.

·         Encourage traders across the Borough to sell re-usable containers and invite customers to bring their own.

·         Consider the merits and practicalities of introducing a ‘window sticker’ scheme to accredit local businesses that are committed to reducing plastic waste through, for example, offering free water bottle refills.

·         Investigate the possibility of requiring pop-up food and drink vendors at council supported events to avoid single-use plastics as a condition of their contract; with a view to phasing out all single use plastics at markets and events in the Borough by the end of 2018.

·         Work with tenants in commercial properties owned by Oldham Council to encourage them to phase out single use plastic cups, bottles, cutlery and straws.

Councillor Bates spoke in support of the MOTION.

Councillor Jabbar MOVED and Councillor Fielding SECONDED that under Council Procedure Rule 8.4(d) the motion be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

On being put to the vote, that the MOTION be REFERRED to Overview and Scrutiny was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

Motion 2 – Land Value Taxation

Councillor McCann MOVED and Councillor Gloster SECONDED the following Motion:

“This Council believes that Land Value Taxation (LVT) offers a credible means for local authorities to raise public revenue to fund local public services by making an annual charge upon landowners, based on the rental value of their land.  This is typically levied against the unimproved value of that land, not taking into account any buildings, services or on-site infrastructure.

Council notes that:

·         LVT could be revenue-neutral; that is the revenue raised could replace taxation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

(time limit 7 minutes)

The minutes of the following Partnership meetings were submitted as follows:

Health and Wellbeing Board                     19^th September 2017

                                                                        12^th December 2017

Unity Partnership Board                             12^th September 2017

                                                                        6^th December 2017

Oldham Leadership Board                         24^th January 2018

MioCare Board                                             20^th November 2017

There were no questions or observations on the Partnership meeting minutes.

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

(time limit 8 minutes):-

The minutes of the following Joint Authority meetings were submitted as follows:

National Peak Park Authority                                1^st December 2017

                                                                                    2^nd February 2018

Police and Crime Panel                                         12^th December 2017

                                                                                    18^th January 2018

Fire Committee                                                         9^th February 2018

Greater Manchester Health and Social               13^th October 2017

Care Partnership Board                                          19^th January 2018

Greater Manchester Waste Disposal                    19^th October 2017

Authority (GMWDA)                                                 21^st December 2017

                                                                                    18^th January 2018

                                                                                    8^th February 2018

Transport for Greater Manchester                         12^th January 2018

Greater Manchester Combined Authority                        24^th November 2017

                                                                                    15^th December 2017

                                                                                    26^th January 2018

Association of Greater Manchester                      24^th November 2017

Authorities (AGMA)

Members raised the following questions:

Councillor McCann, GMCA Minutes, 24 November 2017, Minute 196/17 f) Autumn Budget – Councillor McCann asked about the reduction in central government funding to Greater Manchester Police.  In light of the tragedies in Manchester and problems not decreasing as in Metrolink, could the position be confirmed?

Councillor Stretton, Leader of the Council responded that GMP would not be getting more money and that Central Government continued to decrease funding.

RESOLVED that:

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

2.      The question and the response provided be noted.

Consideration was given to a 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.

Councillor Harkness spoke on the report.

RESOLVED that the Update on Actions from Council be noted.

Council gave consideration to report of the Director of Legal Services which detailed a Political Balance Review following the deaths of Councillor Sue Dearden and Councillor Brian Ames.  A review of the allocation of seats to political groups was required at, or as soon as practicable when notice was received of a change in the composition of a political group and changes to committee membership related to political groups.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The review of political balance and committees as detailed in the report be noted and agreed.

2.    The review undertaken required no change to political balance or committee places.

Council gave consideration to a late report of the Director of Finance which requested Council to note the appointment of Mazars by the Local Government Association Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) from the financial 2018/19 to:

·         Undertake the external audit of the Statement of Financial Accounts; and

·         Audit the Teacher’s Pension Agency Return.

RESOLVED that:

1.      The appointment of Mazars by the PSAA as the external auditors to the Council from the financial year2018/19 be noted.

2.      The appointment of Mazars as external auditors to the Teachers’ Pension Agency Return for 2018/19 be approved.