Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ali.

There were two public questions received.

1.       Question received from Karen Murray:

“North Chadderton local councillors have supported the removal of the North Chadderton limited greenbelt, for the purposes of building industrial units.  There is strong opposition to the proposed plans amongst local residents, and although local councillors are accountable to residents, they repeatedly fail to engage with the local community on this matter.

Can the North Chadderton members explain and justify why they have taken the decision to remove North Chadderton greenbelt for the purposes of building unnecessary industrial units.  Their answer should make specific response to the following points:

·       There is no evidence of demand for industrial units in this area, including that there is in excess of a 50% vacancy rate at the Stakehill and Kingsway Business Parks, which are in very close proximity to the proposed site.

·       Oldham Council has failed to complete any analysis of projected demand for industrial units.  They have also failed to suggest what might cause a change to the current situation, where there is considerable surplus of vacant industrial units, including those directly adjacent to the proposed site in North Chadderton.

·       Oldham Council have failed to complete impact and risk assessments concerning the proposed North Chadderton development, and the proposed developments in the adjacent areas of North Oldham and Rochdale.  There has been no analysis of the effects of the proposed developments on pollution, CO2 emissions, congestion, road safety, infrastructure, the health and well being of residents and further political and environment issues, etc.

·       Councillors have determined that they only want to focus on removing the greenbelt in Chaddeton, Shaw and Royton.  This is inequitable.  Oldham Labour Council, including the North Chadderton Councillors, are demanding that only North West Oldham relinquishes the bulk of its greenbelt for industrial and housing development.  Why are North Chadderton Councillors failing to challenge this inequity?

·       If the need for industrial units in Oldham/along the M62 corridor is ever evidence, then the optimal site for any development of industrial units and new housing would be the far more suitable site at the Saddleworth Junction of the M62.  Housing Officers’ have stated that the Saddleworth Junction/Denshaw site was dismissed at a very early stage of planning.  They state that this was due to transport links.  However, the reality is that this area is positioned directly adjacent to the motorway, there are local roads and bus routes to the area, and there is the option to include further transport development via the GMSF.  Development here would greatly offset increased congestion and pollution in the already congested and polluted areas of Chadderton, Royton and Shaw.  What stopped North Chadderton councillors from challenging the development of industrial units in Chadderton, in favour of the more suitable development site at the Saddleworth junction of the M62?

·       Have North Chadderton councillors challenged the Council’s failure to adhere to Greenbelt policy in North Chadderton.  Permission to utilise greenbelt for development requires ‘exceptional circumstances’, and has described here, this has not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Minutes of the Chadderton District Executive held on 5^th December 2018 are attached for approval.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Chadderton District Executive held on 5^th December 2018 be approved as a correct record.

The District Executive gave consideration to a report which outlined breakdown of expenditure to date and budget commitments for 2018/2019.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The funding allocations made to date be noted.

2.       The allocation of £1,500 capital expenditure for a street lighting column at Kempsey Court be approved.

3.       The allocation of £2,000 capital expenditure for the Block Lane Tenants and Residential Park be approved.

4.       The allocation of £2,000 capital expenditure for alley improvements at Raven Avenue be approved.

5.       The allocation of £2,500 capital expenditure towards the Foxdenton Pavilion be approved.

This is a standing item regarding petitions received related to the Chadderton area for consideration by the District Executive in accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme.  There are no petitions to note.

There were no petitions to be noted.

The date and time of the next Chadderton District Executive will be Wednesday, 12^th June 2019 at 5.00 p.m.

RESOLVED that the date and time of the next Chadderton District Executive to be held on Wednesday, 12^th June 2019 at 5.00 p.m. be noted.