Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Williams, Carol Brown and Penny Kenworthy. 

There were no items of urgent business received.

Councillor Garry declared a personal interest in Item 9 – Partner Updates, by virtue of her husband’s employment at GMP.

No public questions had been received.

The Minutes of the Failsworth and Hollinwood District Executive meeting held on 4^th June 2015 are attached for approval.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 4^th June 2015 be approved as a correct record.

This is a standing item regarding Petitions received, relating to the Failsworth and Hollinwood area, for consideration by the District Executive in accordance with the Council’s Petition Protocol.

The District Executive considered a report regarding a petition submitted by the residents of Brookdale Street, expressing their deep concern about the business along Oldham Road not locking the alley gates.

The Community Safety team had issued letters previously informing all residents within the location to lock the gates accordingly; however residents had failed to comply with this course of action.  A discussion had taken place with Failsworth West Ward Members following an email received by the Community Safety Officer recommending that the current gating order be changed to a Public Space Protection Order.

A Public Space Protection Order was designed to protect public spaces and included reasonable restrictions and requirements. There were some implications which would require funding such as signage, along with a completed consultation exercise with residents and Greater Manchester Police.

It was reported that Hollins Road/Jenny Street in Hollinwood had similar problems and would benefit from the same change.

RESOLVED that:

1.     The report be noted.

2.     The District Executive support the change to a Public Space Protection Order from a Gating Order for Brookdale Street, Failsworth and Hollins Road/Jenny Street, Hollinwood.

Presentation by the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods & Co-operatives and the Executive Director Co-operatives and Neighbourhoods.

The District Executive received a presentation on the approach to the District Plans for 2015/16 and the proposed approach to engagement, consultation and development of the District Plans for 2016/17 and beyond.

An overview was given on the strategic planning framework for the borough and the Council along with how the District Plans link to the strategic framework.  The framework included Greater Manchester strategies and plans, the Oldham Plan, the Corporate Plan and the District Plans. 

The Oldham Plan was the overarching strategy that drove the delivery of the Oldham Partnership and the base by which progress and success was measured. 

The Corporate Plan outlined both the Council’s contribution to achieving the vision and outcomes outlined in the Oldham Plan as well as the priority areas of focus and delivery for the organisation.  The Council’s values and behaviours were highlighted as they underpinned the Council’s approach to deliver the change needed to meet the vision of building a co-operative borough. 

The District Plans for 2015/16 were currently draft and based on actions agreed and underway.  This allowed time to undertake engagement and consultation needed for District Plans that are focused around the place and reflected the local area for 2016/17 and beyond. 

It was envisaged that there would be opportunities for public engagement by piggybacking on planned summer events and activities.  The timetable for the approach to consultation with public, partners and elected members on future plans was outlined and the target was to collect at least 50 responses per ward.  Social media would also be used to engage with the public and it was suggested that each District Executive establish individual Twitter accounts.  Findings would then be collated for each district and pulled together into workshops with open invites to residents. 

The District Executive felt that change was necessary to ensure quality services continued to be delivered.  It was suggested that there should be Neighbourhood Plans that sit beneath the District Plan, with a single point of contact for all agencies to ensure joined up working.  

Consultation was crucial in ensuring views of resident and Ward Councillors were taken into consideration when establishing the priorities and objectives of the District Plans.  It was important that all agencies engaged with each other to maximise available funding and resources and deliver services within the constraints.  Communication with the public was also key in providing information on what they could reasonably expect.

GMP reported that a new Chief Constable was awaited including the vision that appointment would bring.  Further changes within the police were expected by February. 

It was suggested that a brain storming session be arranged for the District Executive Members with the District Co-ordinator.

RESOLVEDthat:

1.     The presentation and information be noted.

2.     A brain storming session be arranged for the District Executive Members with the District Co-ordinator.   

The District Executive received a report which advised of the budgets aligned for the 2015/2016 municipal year.

The report outlined the following initiative which was requested to be considered for approval:-

1.     2016 hanging baskets along Hollins Road – Allocation of £3669.00.

The District Executive were asked to note the revenue budget overspend of £2211.96.  The following actions were therefore proposed:

1.     An allocation of £812.50 had been requested for signage for alley gates.  This would be shared with Chadderton District Executive to reduce the costs to £406.25 per district.  Councillors McMahon and Fielding agreed to share this cost from their personal budget. 

2.     Councillor Dawson to pay £2050 for Failsworth East Christmas tree and lights from personal budget.

3.     Councillor Fielding to fund Failsworth West Christmas tree and lights at a cost of £2050, pending review of summer/winter planting cost.  This to be transferred back to ward revenue spend if ward revenue budget became underspent.

Councillors Briggs, Dawson and McMahon were to allocate £500 each from their personal budget towards disabled toilet at Woodhouses Cricket Club.

It was reported that the allocation of £3000 for the Failsworth tree planting scheme from the Failsworth West capital budget was an error, it should have been an allocation of £6000 from the Failsworth East capital budget.  However it was requested that Failsworth West also allocate £6000 to the tree planting scheme. 

It was further requested that once the budget was updated balances be emailed to all member of the District Executive. 

RESOLVED that:

1.     The funding allocated and the current spend to date for the Failsworth and Hollinwood District Executive for the municipal year for 2015/2016 be noted.

2.     The allocation of £3669.00 for the 2016 hanging baskets along Hollins Road be approved.

3.     The overspend of £2211.96 from the District Executive Failsworth East and West revenue budget be noted and the proposed actions be approved.

4.     The allocation of £6000 from The Failsworth West capital budget for the Failsworth tree planting scheme be approved.

5.     An update budget report be emailed to all members of the District Executive. 

The District Executive received updates on the following:

a)     Citizens Advice Bureau – an update was given on the weekly debt advice sessions at Failsworth Town Hall and Limehurst Library. 

b)      Community Safety - an update was given on community safety initiatives including alley gating projects.  There were still concerns regarding the number of youths who were congregating in Higher Memorial Park. A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) was proposed as this would protect public spaces from persistent anti-social individuals or groups.     

c)     Integrated Neighbourhood Policing – A report was submitted on crime statistics for the area and provided an information on E-Watch, Failsworth Youth Zone, Failsworth community engagement event and crime prevention.  A new police post had been made available at Failsworth Town Hall thanks to strong partnership working.  The statistics and crime recording were discussed in terms of trends and comparisons with previous years.  As a new approach to crime recording had recently been introduced it would take time before like for like comparisons could be made.    

d)      Regeneration - A report was submitted which covered the following Issues:

·           Old Town Hall

·           Oldham Town Centre Leisure Centre

·           Coliseum & Heritage Centre

·           Town Centre Public Realm

·           Broadway Green/Foxdenton

·           Royton Town Centre Retail Development

·           Hollinwood Junction

·           Lancaster Club Site

·           A62 Interventions

·           Limehurst Estate

·           Housing Units/Wickentree Lane

e)           Highways and Engineering Services – A report was submitted which provided an update on issues raised by Councillors and members of the public and gave and overview of the current activity in Highways. 

RESOLVED that:

1.     The updates be noted.

2.     The request for a Public Space Protection Order for Higher Memorial Park be approved.

The next meeting of the Failsworth and Hollinwood District Executive will be held on Thursday 15^th October 2015 at 7.00pm.

RESOLVED that the date of the next meeting be noted.