Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Oldham, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1NL

Contact: Liz Drogan 

Items
No. Item

1.

To receive apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies were received from The Mayor Councillor Alexander, Councillor Hewitt, Councillor Hudson, Councillor A. Hussain, Councillor Iqbal and Councillor Williams.

2.

To order that the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 11th September 2019 be signed as a correct record pdf icon PDF 310 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes from the Council meeting held on 11th September 2019 be approved as a correct record.

3.

To receive declarations of interest in any matter to be determined at the meeting

Minutes:

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

 

Councillor M. Bashforth declared a personal interest in Item 8d by virtue of her appointment to the MioCare Board.

Councillor S. Bashforth declared a personal interest in Item 8d by virtue of his appointment to the MioCare Board.

Councillor Chauhan declared a personal interest in Item 8d by virtue of his appointment to the MioCare Board.

Councillor Hamblett declared a personal interest in Item 8d by virtue of his appointment to the MioCare Board.

Councillor C. Gloster declared a pecuniary interest at Item 8d by virtue of his employment by Greater Manchester Police.

Councillor H. Gloster declared a pecuniary interest at Item 8d by virtue of her husband’s employment by Greater Manchester Police.

Councillor Garry declared a pecuniary interest at Item 8d by virtue of her husband’s employment by Greater Manchester Policy.

Councillor Roberts declared a personal interest at Item 8c, Cabinet Minutes 16 September 2019, by virtue of her appointment to the Positive Steps Board.

Councillor Harkness declared a personal interest at Item 8c, Cabinet Minutes 16 September 2019, by virtue of his appointment to the Positive Steps Board.

Councillor Shuttleworth declared a personal interest at Item 8c, Cabinet Minutes 16 September 2019, by virtue of his appointment to the Positive Steps Board.

Councillor Malik declared a personal interest at Item 8c, Cabinet Minutes 16 September 2019, by virtue of his appointment to the Positive Steps Board.

 

4.

To deal with matters which the Mayor considers to be urgent business

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

5.

To receive communications relating to the business of the Council

Minutes:

Council was advised that the Chief Executive in consultation with the Group Leaders had agreed to change the date of the December Council meeting due to the General Election taking place the following day.  It was AGREED that the next Council meeting would take place on 8th January 2020.

6.

To receive and note petitions received relating to the business of the Council

(time limit 20 minutes)

 

There are no petitions to note.

Minutes:

There were no petitions to be noted.

7.

Leader's Annual Statement

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Sean Fielding, delivered his Second Annual Statement.  The Leader reflected on the budget cuts, Brexit and the upcoming General Election.  The Leader noted that strong, local leadership was essential.  The Leader highlighted getting the basics right which included investing in services that would create a cleaner and safer Oldham, giving every child a great start and opportunities for every adult to get on.  The Leader reflected on the ambition to create places that thrive by supporting town centres to be places to shop, have fun, work and deliver needed homes.  The Leader highlighted the opportunities that devolution to Greater Manchester offered and ensure that Oldham’s voice was heard both in the city region and national stages. 

 

The Leader highlighted progress made which included the investment in additional street cleaning capacity, new refuse vehicles and supporting communities hold clean-ups.  The Council had been awarded a 4 out of 5 from Keep Britain Tidy.  The Council had also won Best City in the North West in Bloom competition.

 

The Leader reflected on greater investment in roads, the £12 million commitment and the process to accommodate genuine local, democratic control over the highways improvement programme.  The Leader also reflected on the cuts to the police, how the Council had stepped up and had run awareness campaigns on hate crime and child exploitation.  The Leader also highlighted groups which supported the night-time economy which helped to reduce pressure on the NHS and police.  The Leader also referred to the public space protection order to prevent fires on moors and open spaces. The Leader referred to the next phase of the landlord licensing scheme to make housing safer and reduce the potential for exploitation of the growing number of private renters by landlords. 

 

The Leader reflected on education and skills and referred to the intention to expand the number of places at good and outstanding schools to ensure that every child had access to a great education and referenced several projects and developments.  The developments would represent over 4,000 additional places for Oldham students.  The Leader highlighted the improvement in school results.  The Leader reflected that there was plenty of work to do on education, but that things were moving in the right direction. 

 

The Leader referred to access to well paid jobs for young people and the skills to access them.  The Leader highlighted that the Council was one of the founding signatories on the GM Good Employment Charter and had encouraged other large employers to take the same step.  The authority had focused on spending more of the Council’s money with local businesses.  The recent Get Oldham Working job fair had been attended by 1,200 people with 66 employers with job opportunities.  This built on other opportunities that had been crated by the Get Oldham Working service.

 

The Leader highlighted the Oldham Sixth Form College and also Oldham College which had achieved a good rating from Ofsted and announcing plans for a new construction skills centre part-funded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Question Time

8a

Public Questions pdf icon PDF 228 KB

(time limit 15 mins)

Minutes:

The Mayor advised that the next item on the agenda was Public Question Time.  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 be read out by the Deputy Mayor.

 

The following questions were submitted:

 

1.       Question received from Ben Hibbs via email:

 

         How much do you consider cyclists when resurfacing roads in the Oldham area? Some roads have flat smooth surfaces (Oldham Rd out of Shaw; Grains Rd out of Delph) while others have loose gravel (Oldham Rd past Albion Farm Cafe; Milnrow Rd out of Shaw; Oldham Rd out Uppermill - all key local cycling routes). The loose gravel is dangerous and uninviting for road cyclists. It seems to be prioritising cars and trucks. We need to be much bolder and embrace active travel.  Oldham has a huge opportunity to be a cycling (and active travel) haven... attracting new people, businesses, boosting the local economy and making the area an even more desirable place to live, its people healthier, its air cleaner and the area more environmentally friendly.”

 

Councillor Ali, Deputy Cabinet Member for Neighbouhoods Services, responded that with regard to road surfacing within Oldham, all road users were considered when selecting and specifying the use of the different and most optimum materials for different situations and locations.  All materials and treatments complied with national codes of practice and standards and were recommended by both the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Road Surface Treatment Association (RSTA).  All materials were suitable when laid correctly and any materials laid where there was an issue of workmanship were resolved at the appropriate specialist contractors’ own expense as soon as was practicable.  The Council was currently in the process of trying to secure additional central funding for the implementation and promotion of active modes of travel in and around the borough, which if successful, would add to and complement schemes which sought to regenerate the area to bring in investment to boost the local economy.  If successful, dedicated schemes that delivered routes for walking and cycling would enhance connectivity, offer an alternative to the car achieving modal shift which would aid health improvement, wellbeing and air quality.

 

2.       Question received from Jackie Stanton via email:

         

         The reputation of OMBC appears to be at an all time low with residents describing this council as the worst in the history of the Borough. Some of the dissatisfaction can be traced back to the planning function of the council and the appalling Planning Committee Meeting held in July earlier this year.  It continues with the extremely serious allegation of Child Sexual Exploitation There are allegations appearing daily on social media relating to alleged mis management and poor decision making by senior officers of the council There are suggestions that the councillors code of conduct has been breached by the leader and his deputies, this compounded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8a

8b

Questions to Leader and Cabinet

(time limit 30 mins)

 

Minutes:

At this point in the proceedings, the meeting was interrupted by a member of the public.  The Deputy Mayor, as Chair of the meeting, gave repeated warnings.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 19:52 and reconvened at 20:07.

 

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

 

Question 1: Oldham’s Brexit Preparations

 

“Boris Johnson plans to take us out of the European Union and will implement his deal if he wins the General Election.  Oldham Borough has received and continues to receive thousands of pounds in EU funding.  We still wait for any clarity on the ‘Prosperity Fund’ which is supposed to replace all EU funding.  There is a real fear despite the promises that the ‘cake will be smaller’ and places like Oldham will lose out. The UK Government has also paid Oldham Council £315,000 for so called ‘Brexit Preparations’.  Our future is now less clear and more uncertain, so we must prepare and prepare for the worst.  Of the £315,000 of UK Brexit preparation money, Oldham Council has currently spent £35,000 in total.  £20,000 has gone on foodbanks and £15,000 making sure that European child nationals in care receive settled status before the deadline of 31st of October.  So that leaves a rather substantial post of money £280,000 to be exact.  I am most interested to know what this Council has planned to do with the money.  I hope there are already measures in place, however, if there are no detailed plans, can I be advised what the timeframe for release of the funds and a spending plan be put forward.”

 

Councillor Fielding, Leader of the Council, responded that it was correct that the Council had received funding in aid of Brexit preparations and a further £105k was expected.  It was correct that £20k had been spent on foodbanks and a further £15k was spent to help child foreign nationals achieve settled status.  Unfortunately, due to the lack of detail around the type of Brexit expected, which had been put back to 31st January 2020, it was thought more prudent not to draw up detailed plans until the position was known.

 

Question 2:  Progress 8 in Oldham Schools

“The relatively new accountability measure for Secondary Schools is called Progress 8.  Progress 8 tracks how pupils make progress from the end of Primary school to the final stages of High school. Schools used to be judged on performance, whereas now this measure is based on pupil progression.  Once again in Oldham, as with other education matters, our score is below the nation average.  Regrettably our Progress 8 score is also behind the national average.  What is even more concerning, is that four of our secondary schools fall into the well below average category.  To put this into perspective, those same four schools are in the bottom 12% of all schools, nationally.  This year, four out of 13 schools locally are well below average and five out of 13 are below average.  This is worse  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8b

8c

Questions on Cabinet Minutes pdf icon PDF 244 KB

(time limit 15 minutes):-

 

a)    19th August 2019

b)    16th September 2019

c)     Urgent Key Decisions Taken from 27th October 2018 to 28th October 2019

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council were requested to note the minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on the undermentioned dates and to receive any questions on any items within the minutes from members of the Council who were not members of the Cabinet and receive responses from Cabinet Members.  The minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 19th August 2019, 16th September 2019 and the urgent key decisions taken from 27th October 2018 to 28th October 2019 were submitted.

 

Members raised the following questions:

 

1.       Councillor Al-Hamdani, Cabinet Minutes 16 September 2019, Item 7, Revenue Monitor and Capital Investment Programme 2019/20 Quarter 1.  Councillor Al-Hamdani asked why there was no budget for the replacement or repair of vehicle activated signs in the borough. Could the Cabinet Member provide an update on the review?

 

          Councillor Fielding, Leader of the Council responded that the review of the signs was ongoing.  The importance of the signs was noted as they had been installed for a reason.  It was hoped that funding could be allocated.  The Leader reminded that bids could be made into the Local Improvement Fund (LIF).

 

2.       Councillor Harkness, Cabinet Minutes, 19 August 2019, Item 11, Delph New Road / A62 Huddersfield Road Flood Alleviation Scheme.  Councillor Harkness welcomed the work to address the flooding issues in Delph.  Councillor Harkness asked for reassurance that high-risk areas had been inspected appropriately and that gully maintenance had been addressed appropriately with appropriate plans in place for unexpected flooding.

 

          Councillor Fielding, Leader of the Council responded that flooding issues were taken seriously and referred to the investment made in Environmental Services.  Councillor Fielding asked Councillor Harkness to provide information on any issues.  The Leader also responded that officers were continually monitoring flooding issues.

 

3.       Councillor Sheldon, Cabinet Minutes 19 August 2019, Item 10, Plant Hire Contract.  Councillor Sheldon asked about flooding and blocked drains.  Councillor Sheldon did not believe that grids being emptied once a year was adequate especially with the leafy lanes in Saddleworth.  When grids were blocked they were reported. Councillor Sheldon asked if extra cleaning vehicles could be moved to different parts of the borough to address the grids. 

 

          Councillor Shah, Deputy Leader of the Council, responded that she would speak to the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods Services and ask him to respond.

 

4.       Councillor Byrne, Cabinet Minutes, 19 August 2019, Item 11, Delph New Road / A62 Huddersfield Road Flood Alleviation Scheme.  Councillor Byrne raised the issue of the problem of slurry which had resulted from the engineering work on the A62 and the exit from Gatehead and the incident of the memorial in Dobcross being knocked down.  Councillor Byrne expressed her thanks and commended the work of engineers and officers in all departments who worked to get repairs in place.

 

RESOLVED that:

1.       The minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 19th August 2019, 16th September 2018 and the urgent key decisions taken from 27th October 2018 to 28th October 2019 be noted.

2.       The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8c

8d

Questions on Joint Arrangements/Partnerships pdf icon PDF 436 KB

(time limit 15 minutes)

 

Greater Manchester Transport Committee

 

9th August 2019

13th September 2019

 

Greater Manchester Waste and Recycling Committee

 

 18th July 2019

National Park Authority

 

6th September 2019

MioCare Board

8th July 2019

 

Oldham Leadership Board

11th July 2019

26th September 2019

 

Health and Wellbeing Board

25th June 2019

 

Police and Crime Panel

2nd July 2019

 

Commissioning Partnership Board

26th September 2019

Greater Manchester Combined Authority

26th July 2019

27th September 2019

7th October 2019

 

Greater Manchester Health and Care Board

26th July 2019

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council was asked to note the minutes of the following Joint Authority and Partnership meetings and the relevant spokespersons to respond to questions from Members.

 

The minutes of the following Joint Authorities and Partnerships were submitted as follows:

 

Greater Manchester Transport Committee                  9th August 2019

                                                                                13th September 2019

Greater Manchester Waste and Recycling                 

Committee                                                                18th July 2019

National Park Authority                                              6th September 2019

MioCare Board                                                          8th July 2019

Oldham Leadership Board                                         11th July 2019

                                                                                26th September 2019

Health and Wellbeing Board                                       25th June 2019

Police and Crime Panel                                             2nd July 2019

Commissioning Partnership Board                             26th September 2019

Greater Manchester Combined Authority                    26th July 2019

                                                                                27th September 2019

                                                                                7th October 2019

Greater Manchester Health and Care Board               26th July 2019

 

Members raised the following questions:

 

1.       Councillor H. Gloster, Oldham Leadership Board, 26 September 2019, Item 3, Oldham Climate Change Emergency.  Councillor H. Gloster referred to new buildings being environmentally friendly and if triple glazing, installation of solar panels and electric charging should be included.  Councillor H. Gloster asked what plans were in place to ensure environmental resourcefulness for new and renovated buildings?  If there was not a plan in place which would such a scheme be adopted?

 

          Councillor Fielding, Leader of the Council, responded that Green New Deal would be brought forward soon which would answer and details would be shared in due course.

 

2.       Councillor Hamblett, GMCA Minutes, 26 July 2019, Item 164/19 – Greater Manchester Model – White Paper on Unified Public Services for the People of Greater Manchester.  Councillor Hamblett asked about Oldham Services and now that Unity Partnership was wholly owned by the Council what steps would be taken for both organisations to work together and improve the provision of services to Oldham.

 

          Councillor Fielding, Leader of the Council gave assurance that since the company had become wholly owned services would work closely to eliminate duplication and perform better.

 

3.       Councillor Davis, GMCA Minutes 26 July 2019, Item 168/19, Voluntary Sector Accord.  Councillor Davis asked for an update on what was happening in Oldham.

 

          Councillor Fielding, Leader of the Council responded that he was proud of the way the sector operated and highlighted the work of the Street Angels, work in partnership with church groups and that the scheme encompassed all groups who were unfortunate to find themselves homeless.

 

4.       Councillor Moores, GM Waste and Recycling Committee, 18 July 2019, Item WRC19/19, Household Waste and Recycling Centre Access Restriction Policy.  Councillor Moores welcomed the measure to control trade waste and asked about the impact on domestic waste and would the scheme be introduced consistently and residents kept advised of changes.

 

          Councillor Toor, spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Waste and Recycling Committee responded that she would work with officers to seek clarification.

 

5.       Councillor Leach, Greater Manchester Transport Committee, 13 September 2019, Item GMTC/38/19, Rail Stations Access for All Mid-Tier Programme.  Councillor Leach referred to the statement of paying for taxis to Stalybridge  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8d

9.

Notice of Administration Business

(time limit 30 minutes)

 

Motion 1

Councillor Ball to MOVE and Councillor Hulme to SECOND:

Better Buses for Greater Manchester

This council notes that following deregulation of the UK bus network outside of London in the 1980s, bus companies run whatever routes they like, charging what they like, with various ticketing structures. This means that in 2017 there were 140 types of tickets available in Greater Manchester, across 22 different bus companies, and usage is declining as passengers opt for simpler alternatives.

 

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority is now consulting on how our buses are run, proposing to introduce a franchising system that will make the bus network better coordinated, simpler, more far reaching, and responsive to the needs of residents rather than for private profit.

This council resolves to:

  • Encourage residents to complete the GMCA’s consultation into bus franchising
  • Explain the benefits of bus franchising for Oldham
  • Request that the Chief Executive write to Mayor Andy Burnham on the matter, calling on him to choose to regulate our buses in Greater Manchester, which he has the power to do following the consultation.

 

Motion 2

Councillor Harrison to MOVE and Councillor Chadderton to SECOND:

Free Personal Care

The Council notes that over a million older people in England are struggling with unmet care needs and believes that in light of an ageing population we need bold changes to deliver a long term funding solution for social care. 

 

The Council believes that it is fundamentally unfair that to access basic care many older people face catastrophic costs that can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds, wipe out a lifetime of savings, and force families to sell their homes. 

 

The Council also believes that England’s care system needs major reform to provide a long-term sustainable funding solution and to make care free at the point of use. 

 

The Council therefore supports the introduction of free personal care for all older people in England, alongside a new social care contribution to fully fund the policy on a sustainable basis. 

 

The Council calls on the Government to take the necessary steps to implement this policy as swiftly as possible to end the care crisis and properly support older people in the borough of Oldham.

 

This Council resolves to instruct the Chief Executive to

  1. Write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care urging swift action to bring forward proposals to reform and fund the social, care system to a decent standard for all
  2. Write to our three local MP(s) to support the campaign for free personal care, and to speak up in favour of the policy in the House of Commons and through their wider activity

 

Minutes:

Motion 1 – Better Buses for Greater Manchester

 

Councillor Ball MOVED and Councillor Hulme SECONDED the following MOTION:

“This council notes that following deregulation of the UK bus network outside of London in the 1980s, bus companies run whatever routes they like, charging what they like, with various ticketing structures.  This means that in 2017 there were 140 types of tickets available in Greater Manchester, across 22 different bus companies, and usage is declining as passengers opt for similar alternatives.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority is now consulting on how our buses are run, proposing to introduce a franchising system that will make the bus network better coordinated, simper, more far reaching, and responsive to the needs of residents rather than for private profit.

This council resolves to:

·       Encourage residents to complete the GMCA’s consultation into bus franchising.

·       Explain the benefits of bus franchising for Oldham.

·       Request that the Chief Executive write to Mayor Andy Burnham on the matter, calling on him to choose to regulate our buses in Greater Manchester, which he has the power to do following the consultation.”

 

Councillors Sykes spoke in support of the Motion.

 

Councillor Jabbar MOVED and Councillor Chadderton SECONDED that the MOTION be MOVED to the VOTE.

 

Councillor Ball did not exercise her right of reply.

 

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

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1.       Residents would be encouraged to complete the GMCA’s consultation into bus franchising.

2.       The benefits of bus franchising for Oldham would be explained.

3.       The Chief Executive be requested to write to Mayor Andy Burnham on the matter, calling on him to choose to regulate our buses in Greater Manchester, which he had the power to do following the consultation.

 

Motion 2 – Free Personal Care

Councillor Harrison MOVED and Councillor Chadderton SECONDED the following MOTION:

“The Council notes that over a million older people in England are struggling with unmet care needs and believes that in light of an ageing population we need bold changes to deliver a long-term funding solution for social care.

The Council believes that it is fundamentally unfair that to access basic care many older people face catastrophic costs that can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds, wipe out a lifetime of savings, and force families to sell their homes.

The Council also believes that England’s care system needs major reform to provide a long-term sustainable funding solution and to make care free at the point of use.

The Council therefore supports the introduction of free personal care for all older people in England, alongside a new social care contribution to fully fund the policy on a sustainable basis.

The Council calls on the Government to take the necessary steps to implement this policy as swiftly as possible to end the care crisis and properly support older people in the borough of Oldham.

This Council resolves to instruct the Chief Executive to:

1.     Write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care urging swift action  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Notice of Opposition Business

(time limit 30 minutes)

 

Motion 1

Councillor Williamson to MOVE and Councillor Al-Hamdani to SECOND:

Clean Air Outside Our Schools

This Council notes that:

·       Our residents, staff and children, are exposed to unsafe levels of pollutants outside of schools at peak times in the morning and afternoon.

·       Road transport is one of the biggest contributors to particulate matter and pollution in Oldham Borough.

·       Epidemiological studies show that symptoms of bronchitis in asthmatic children increase in association with long-term exposure to pollutants, as well as stunting lung growth.

·       Only a handful of schools across the country are trialling “No Vehicle Idling zones” yet they bring many health benefits.

·       Air pollution poses a serious threat to the health and development of young people.  While many of the policy interventions to rectify this problem would have to come from central Government or the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan, this Council can do more and needs to be proactive on this issue.

·       That there should be No-Vehicle-Idling zones around schools across the Borough.

 

This Council resolves to:

·       Review the work done on No-Vehicle-Idling nationally in other local authorities and work this into Oldham’s action plan for No-Vehicle-Idling Zones.

·       Implement No-Vehicle-Idling Zones, around as many primary schools in the Borough as possible, by the end of 2022.

·       Work closely with schools that are part of the scheme to inform parents and carers of the No-Vehicle-Idling Zones.

·       Encourage local businesses to sponsor green walls on school buildings and tree planting near schools and the appropriate cabinet member include this in their action plan.

 

Motion 2

Councillor Harkness to MOVE and Councillor Hamblett to SECOND:         

Anti-Bullying Week 2019 “Change starts with us”

This year's Anti-Bullying Week has the theme “Change Starts With Us” and is happening from Monday 11th November - Friday 15th November 2019. 

 

This Council unfortunately notes that:

·       Trades Union Congress (TUC) research revealed nearly a third of people have been bullied at their workplace. Of those bullied, half said it had an adverse impact on their performance at work.

·       Female employees are more likely to be victims of bullying than males. 

·       People of all ages are bullied because of their race, culture, faith, appearance, identity, socioeconomic status, interests/hobbies, academic ability, mannerisms, and whether they are young carers or looked after children. This bullying can take place in person or online.

·       Nearly half of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans young people have been bullied at school for being LGBTQIA+.  Children with disabilities and those with special educational needs are around twice as likely to be bullied.

·       Bullying pervades every level of human society, even the Houses of Commons. Dame Laura Cox’s report into the Bullying and Harassment of House of Commons staff in 2018 revealed a dysfunctional workplace- particularly faced by women.  Bullying and sexual harassment was reported to have long been "tolerated and concealed”.

·       Sometimes this bullying takes place in the home and serves as domestic abuse and violence.

 

This Council resolves to:

·       Have the relevant cabinet member communicate with schools in Oldham Borough  ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Minutes:

Motion 1 – Clean Air Outside Our Schools

Councillor Williamson MOVED and Councillor Al-Hamdani SECONDED the following Motion:

“This Council notes that:

·       Our residents, staff and children are exposed to unsafe levels of pollutants outside of schools at peak times in the morning and afternoon.

·       Road transport is one of the biggest contributors to particulate matter and pollution in Oldham Borough.

·       Epidemiological studies show that symptoms of bronchitis in asthmatic children increase in association with long-term exposure to pollutants, as well as stunting lung growth.

·       Only a handful of schools across the country are trialling ‘No Vehicle Idling zones’ yet they bring many health benefits.

·       Air pollution poses a serious threat to the health and development of young people.  While many of the policy interventions to rectify this problem would have to come from central Government or the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan, this Council can do more and needs to be proactive on this issue.

·       That there should be No-Vehicle-Idling zones around schools across the Borough.

This Council resolves to:

·       Review the work done by No-Vehicle-Idling nationally in other local authorities and work this into Oldham’s action plan for No-Vehicle-Idling Zones.

·       Implement No-Vehicle-Idling Zones, around as many primary schools in the Borough as possible, by the end of 2022.

·       Work closely with schools that are part of the scheme to inform parents and carers of the No-Vehicle-Idling Zones.

·       Encourage local businesses to sponsor green walls on school buildings and tree planting near schools and the appropriate cabinet member include this in their action plan.”

 

Councillor Harkness spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor Sheldon spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor McLaren spoke on the Motion.

 

Councillor Roberts MOVED and Councillor Jabbar 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 Board was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

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

 

Motion 2 – Anti-Bullying Week 2019 ‘Change Starts with Us’

Councillor Harkness MOVED and Councillor Hamblett SECONDED the following MOTION:

“This year’s Anti-Bullying Week has the theme ‘Change Starts with Us’ and is happening from Monday 11th November – Friday 15th November 2019.

This Council unfortunately notes that:

·       Trades Union Congress (TUC) research revealed nearly a third of people have been bullied at their workplace.  Of those bullied, half said it had an adverse impact on their performance at work.

·       Female employees are more likely to be victims of bullying than males.

·       People of all ages are bullied because of their race, culture, faith, appearance, identity, socioeconomic status, interests/hobbies, academic ability, mannerisms, and whether they are young carers or looked after children. This bullying can take place in person or online.

·       Nearly half of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans young people have been bullied at school for being LGBTQIA+.  Children with disabilities and those with special educational needs are around twice  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Update on Actions from Council pdf icon PDF 102 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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 issues raised at those meetings.

 

RESOLVED that the action taken regarding motions and actions from previous Council meetings be agreed and correspondence and updates received be noted.

12.

2018/19 Annual Statement of Accounts pdf icon PDF 358 KB

Due to the size of appendices, copies will be available in the Group Rooms, Access Oldham, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham and the Civic Entrance, Civic Centre, West Street Oldham.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Jabbar MOVED and Councillor Fielding SECONDED the report of the Director of Finance which presented the Council’s recently approved 2018/19 Audited Statement of Accounts, the External Auditor (Mazars LLP) Audit Completion Report (ACR) and Annual Audit Letter.

 

The audited Statement of Accounts was presented to the audit Committee on 25 June 2019 and subsequently approved on 10 July 2019.  A report on the 2018/19 Statement of Accounts was presented for consideration to Cabinet at its meeting on 16 September 2019, whereby the accounts were noted and commended to Full Council.

 

The report highlighted:

·       The content of the External Auditors Audit Completion Report and subsequent Letter on the Conclusion of Pending Matters (Appendices 3 and 4) and Annual Audit Letter (Appendix 5) which contained the unqualified opinion on the Statement of Accounts and positive value for money opinion.

·       The overall revenue outturn position for 2018/19 was a surplus of £0.849m.  This was an increase on the favourable variance of £0.255m projected at Month 9 that was reported to Cabinet on 25 March 2019.

·       The year-end variances that were attributable to each portfolio.

·       Schools balances at 31 March 2019 were £6.925m but were offset by the deficit on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) of £2.723m leaving a net balance of £4.202m held within other earmarked reserves. 

·       The final Housing Revenue Account (HRA) balance was £21.305m.

·       The balance on the Collection Fund was a surplus of £4.147m.

·       The small reduction in revenue account earmarked reserves of £2.108m to a level of £80.623m, an increase in other earmarked reserves to a level of £12.935m and an increase in balances to £14.840m, reflective of the revenue outturn position.

·       Expenditure on the Council’s Capital Programme for 2018/19 was £48.564m, which was a small increase on the Month 9 forecast expenditure of £48.267m.  The increase in expenditure required funding allocated to future years to be re-profiled to fully finance the Capital Programme in 2018/19.

·       Capital Receipts in year totalled £6.180m, which when taken with the brought forward balance, gave a total of £14.927m, which was used to finance the Capital Programme in year.

·       The significant items in each of the primary financial statements.

·       Changes to the draft Statement of Accounts.

·       The performance of the Finance Team in the closure of the accounts.

 

The presentation of the Audited Statement of Accounts and related documents provided all members with the opportunity to review the Council’s year-end financial position (following completion of the audit by the Council’s External Auditors, Mazars LLP).

 

Councillor C. Gloster spoke on the report.

 

Councillor Jabbar exercise his right of reply.

 

RESOLVED that the Council’s final accounts position for 2018/19, the Statement of Accounts, the Audit Completion Report and the Annual Audit Letter be noted.

13.

Polling District and Polling Place Review 2019 pdf icon PDF 117 KB

Due to the size of the plans, the Ward Maps referred to as Appendix B will be available in the Elections Office, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report of the (Acting) Returning Officer which presented proposals on polling arrangements for Oldham as a result of a review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations.

 

The Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 required the Council to undertake regular reviews of all polling districts and polling areas in its area.  The Act provided that the next review must be held between 1 October 2019 and 31 January 2020.  Subsequent reviews must be every five years within a sixteen-month period beginning with 1 October 2023.

 

Comments on the proposals had been considered by the Returning Officers and recommendations for each ward were set out at Appendix A to the report.

 

RESOLVED that:

1.       The Polling District Review which incorporated changes considered appropriate be approved.

2.       The proposed changes to polling districts and polling districts incorporating the recommendations as attached at Appendix A in respect of Chadderton North, Failsworth East and Werneth be approved.

3.       The Chief Executive, as Returning Officer, in consultation with Group Leaders, be authorised to identify an alternative polling station, if necessary, for any other polling stations unavailable on the date of the election.

14.

Welfare Reform Update pdf icon PDF 311 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Jabbar MOVED and Councillor Fielding SECONDED a report of the Director of Finance which presented a status update on the Government’s Welfare Reform Programme.

 

The Government’s Welfare Reform Programme continued to have an impact on the residents of Oldham.  Most of the Government’s cuts to the Welfare budget, as part of wider austerity measures, had been implemented.  Universal Credit was yet to fully rolled out and 2019/20 saw the fourth consecutive year of the freeze on working age benefits. 

 

The Welfare Reform dashboard attached at Appendix 1 to the report set out the current position. The report provided as snapshot of the current position which detailed the number of location of benefit claimants and unemployment levels in the borough and included details of the support provided by the Council to vulnerable residents including awards of Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) to support those experiencing difficulty in covering housing costs and the issue of food bank vouchers to support those experiencing extreme financial hardship.  Deprivation and the associated costs were also incorporated into the report and included homelessness and the cost of temporary accommodation.

 

The report outlined Universal Credit and the Conditionality Regime, Unemployment and Claimant Levels, changes to Universal Credit, benefit freeze on ‘working age’ benefits, Coordinated Crisis Support Pilot, Holiday Hunger Scheme and Living Wage.

 

Councillor Ali spoke on the report.

 

Councillor Jabbar did not exercise his right of reply.

 

RESOLVED that the Welfare Reform Update be noted.

 

15.

Revision of Byelaws made under Section 19 of the Public Libraries & Museums Act, 1964 pdf icon PDF 178 KB

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report which sought approval for the revision of Byelaws under Section 19 of the Public Libraries and Museum Act, 1964.

 

The current byelaws had not been formally updated since 1985.  Byelaws had been drafted in 2011 and 2016 but had not been approved the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).  The Society of Chief Librarians revised the existing model library byelaws for England which reflected changes in how people used libraries whilst maintaining suitable protections.  The Secretary of State for DCMS approved the new set of model library byelaws in 2017.  The revised byelaws as outlined in the report were in line with the revised model byelaws.

 

The differences between the old and new model byelaws were outlined in the report.

 

RESOLVED that the byelaws made under Section 19 of the Public Libraries & Museum Act, 1964 as amended and updated as detailed in Appendix 1b to the report be approved.

16.

Review of JNC Pink Book Youth Workers Grading Structure pdf icon PDF 197 KB

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report regarding the 2019 JNC Pink Book Youth Workers pay award, as part of the national collective agreement has removed the lowest Spinal Column Point, Point 2.  As the Council was a member of the Local Government Association (LGA), who had negotiated the agreement with the relevant trades unions on our behalf, the Council was now obliged to meet the employees’ contractual requirements to review the Council’s grading structure to comply with these national provisions.

 

Following the collective agreement between the LGA and associated Trades Unions (UNISON, Unite the Union, University and College Union and National Education Union), individual councils had to accommodate the removal of Point 2.  The Council was required to review Youth Worker grades, as the entry level grade was First Level 1 – 2, which had now been deleted.  The affected workers would be moved onto First Level 3 – 6 and the Youth Service would like to re-establish First Level 7 – 10 to create a more progressive career structure for sessional and locally qualified Youth Workers.  The Council had enhanced the previous lowest salary within Youth Work to ensure staff were paid the Foundation Living Wage.

 

RESOLVED that the revised JNC Pink Book Youth Workers grading structure, as outlined in Section 3 of the report, be adopted with an effective implementation date of 1st September 2019.