Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ahmad, Chauhan, Hussain and Mushtaq.

There were no items of urgent business received.

There were no declarations of interest received.

There were no public questions received.

The Minutes of the East Oldham District Executive held on 12^th June 2018 are attached for approval.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th June 2018 be approved as a correct record.

Consideration was given to a report of the District Co-Ordinator which set out the activity delivered by the Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) from NEON during 2017/18. Members were informed that the service has been running from Holt Street for the last 6 years, and the main focus of the advice and support service is to help people with debt and welfare benefits problems.

Members were advised that the service is available every Thursday as a drop in session and that over the past year, 290 clients have received help including 258 who received detailed advice and/or complex casework, plus 32 with simple one-off issues.

Members were given a breakdown of the client geography and it was noted that the highest percentage of clients came from the East Oldham Area and that St. James and Waterhead were the biggest wards with 47 and 91 clients respectively. Members asked about those who use the service from out of the Borough, and were advised that the CAB will still try to help those in need but they will point them in the right direction for help. It was noted that those in need tend to look for the closest date available.

Members asked whether the introduction of Universal Credit had influenced the number of users of the service. Members were advised that there had been a big spike in April to June 2017, however this has since levelled out.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Consideration was given to a report of the Strategy, Partnerships and Policy Manager which gave an overview of the Thriving Communities programme.

Members were informed that the Thriving Communities programme is part of the Oldham Cares programme (health and social care devolution) and is primarily about moving the health and social care system into a place that values and invests in early intervention and prevention, community based solutions and social action.

Members were advised that the programme is structured into four main areas:

1.    Insight – identifying existing community assets and building good practice.

2.    Leadership and Workforce – reshaping the way leadership and workforce development is undertaken across the Borough.

3.    Social Action and Infrastructure – creating the conditions and opportunities for people to improve their lives through social prescribing supported by Asset Based Community Development work.

4.    Thriving Communities Hub – building a real entity which drives positive change across the system in health and wellbeing outcomes for people across Oldham.

Members were informed that the programme had already been rolled out in Oldham West with 60 assets are engaged with more to be expected. It was noted that social prescribing is now active in three GP surgeries and also within the Integrated Multi-Disciplinary Team, referral pathways are being developed across Oldham West and will build upon the positive work from partners such as Mind and Early Help in their role. It was noted that Oldham East would be the next area to look at.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Consideration was given to a report of the District Co-Ordinator which provided an update on the work of the District Team, and overarching priorities for the district going forward.

Members were advised that the team were involved in writing a bid for funding to the Department for Education to support the Holiday Activities and Food Programme which would provide enriching activities for families and young people along with healthy food. It was noted that the bid was unsuccessful, however £18,500 in funding had been obtained from the Growing Oldham Feeding Ambition partnership and the Oldham Education Partnership to pilot activities. Members were informed that the funding would be used to enhance activities already planned at a number of location including:

1.    Sholver – four days a week, two days at St. Thomas School and two days at Sholver Community Centre.

2.    Derker – four days a week, two days at Stoneleigh Park and two days at East Oldham Methodist Church.

3.    Clarksfield - four days a week, delivered from St. Barnabas Church.

4.    Hathershaw – five days a week, one day at Broadfield School pitch and four days at Belgrave Mill.

Members noted that the information gathered from these activities would be used to provide a large scale bid for 2019.

Members were informed that the District team has supported the Sholver and Moorside Community team in accessing Kerching funding of £5,000 to allow engagement work in the area. The team have also begun work on a phase of more intensive community engagement work in the area of Clarksfield / Roundthorn with the aim of building trust and developing a network of individuals within the community to work with in the future.

Members were advised on the current district priorities that had been agreed for a two year period in June 2016 and were asked to consider whether they wished to retain the same priorities for 2018/19.

RESOLVED that:

1.     The report be noted.

2.    The District Plan Priorities are retained for 2018/19.

Consideration was given to a report of the District Co-ordinator which set out the current budget position and recommendations on funding allocations.

Members were informed that the District Executive has funded the provision of Off the Record Counselling services for young people for a number of years. It was noted that this provision is the only one in Oldham. Members stated that all the Districts should help with the funding of the service and that more funding would allow for more sessions. Members requested that consideration for funding be brought back to the next meeting of the District Executive.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The updates on the budget be noted.

2.    The District Executive agree to the following allocations:

a.    C.A.B provision - £7000

b.    Clarksfield Community Group - £2076.

This is a standing item regarding petitions received relating to the East Oldham area for consideration by the District Executive in accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme.

There is one Petition to note.

The District Executive gave consideration to a petition which had been received:

·         Reference 2018-09: Rear of Park Road/Brompton Street Road Surface (St Mary’s Ward) received on 12^th June 2018 with 124 signatures

RESOLVED that the petition be noted.

The next meeting of the East Oldham District Executive will be held on Tuesday 9^th October 2018 at 6.00 pm.

RESOLVED that the next meeting of the East Oldham District Executive to be held Tuesday 9^th October 2018 at 6.00pm be noted.