Agenda and minutes

Venue: Crompton Suite, Civic Centre, Oldham, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1NL. View directions

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies For Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Jabbar.

 

2.

Urgent Business

Urgent business, if any, introduced by the Chair

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business received.

 

3.

Declarations of Interest

To Receive Declarations of Interest in any Contract or matter to be discussed at the meeting.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest received.

 

4.

Public Question Time

To receive Questions from the Public, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

Minutes:

There were no public questions received.

 

5.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 174 KB

The Minutes of the West Oldham District Executive held on 25th July 2018 are attached for approval.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 25th July 2018 be approved as a correct record.

 

6.

Policing in West Oldham pdf icon PDF 59 KB

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a verbal briefing from Superintendent Danny Inglis around the concerns raised by local residents about Policing in West Oldham.

 

Members were informed that since 2011, £183 million had been removed from the Policing budget which equates to 20% of the overall budget. This resulted in there now being over 1000 less staff both frontline and back office, including 45 less officers for the Borough of Oldham. It was stated that due to the loss of the back officers, officer’s time spent out on the streets was being taken up by paperwork and since 2012, there had been an upsurge in the number of crimes recorded including increases of burglary, robbery, rape and child exploitation. 

 

Members queried the time it takes for officers to respond to crimes and made reference to a recent break-in at the Spindles Shopping Centre that the Police still had not responded to 5 days later. Members were informed that all crimes recorded had to be prioritised depending on the risk, crime and threat and that property crime was classed as a low priority.

 

Members commented on the number of people smoking cannabis and that many law abiding citizens use it for a range of issues or have used it at some point in their lives. It was stated that the police had lost the war on drugs as they cannot enforce it, and that either resources are given to help with enforcement or make it legalised. Members stated that young people were being criminalised for cannabis use which was not something that Members wanted. It was stated that the Government should tax the selling of cannabis and the income generated could be used to fund vital services such as the police whilst also keeping the money away from dealers. Members were informed that rogue landlords were a problem and a recent police operation found that in 5 out of 20 houses raided, cannabis farms were found. In the past 6 months, half a million pounds worth of cannabis had been found in the town centre and £450k worth of spice had been taken off the streets.

 

Members were informed that there was a need to get the public’s confidence back in the police however the service felt it set itself up for this as Officers used to attend to all crimes recorded. Members were informed that since the change in the shift patterns, the time it takes to respond to a call out has reduced from 8 hours to 4 hours. Members stated that there was a need for the police to be out there and available for members of the public, however not all require visits but some type of communication was needed. Members were informed that the demand for Officers was high and the service needed to get the right technology for the 101 number for it to work efficiently.

 

Members queried the use of PCSO’s in the Borough and what functions they could do to relieve the pressure off  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Highways Maintenance pdf icon PDF 113 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a briefing on the conditions of local roads and the Highways Maintenance Strategy for minor roads.

 

Members were informed that the current Oldham Highway Asset Management, Policy, Framework and Strategy was out of date and Officers were in the process of creating the Annual strategy. It was stated that the Highway Engineers were to go out in to the Borough to inspect the roads and the new information provided would be used to create the new work programme going forward.

 

Members were informed that there was a lack of resources available and the data that is heavily relied on was flawed due to the equipment picking up things that it should not, such as skid marks on the road. Members were advised that potentially additional investment would be coming through and that photographic scanners would be available to map the full network.

 

Members commented that there was little input from Councillors the previous year and queried whether they would get a say in what will be done. Members were informed that there would be an element of input from the Councillors and Officers would be sitting down with the individual Wards to identify what needs to be done, however there is a need to get all the data in before any consultation.

 

Members stated that the public perception was that the roads with conditions not as bad are being repaired before those in significant need. Members were informed that fixing a road before it needed full restoration would have a cost of £20k using preventative measures, whereas if left to dilapidate would cost around £120k. It was stated that it was about getting the right product in the right place and that some roads deteriorate faster than expected.

 

RESOLVED that the information presented be noted.

 

8.

West Oldham District Budget Report pdf icon PDF 197 KB

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report of the West Oldham District C-Ordinator which set out the current budget position and provided recommendations on funding allocations.

 

The report provided Members with the revised District Plan for 2018-2020 which is the Annual work plan created each municipal year. Members were advised that the priorities for 2018-20 included:

1.    Improving the Environment.

2.    Improving Community Facilities.

3.    Improving Health and Wellbeing.

4.    Supporting Local Community Groups.

5.    Educational Achievement and Employment.

6.    People feeling safe in their local area.

7.    Housing.

 

RESOVLED that:

1.    The District Plan for 2018-2020 be approved.

2.    The following funding allocations be agreed:

a.    £800 Revenue funding for a Blue Plaque to commemorate Eric Sykes.

b.    £2,553 Revenue funding for additional equipment in Cottam Street pocket park.

c.    £1,750 Revenue funding for Garforth Street alleygate.

d.    £3,400 Capital funding to improve the land at Hilda Street and Mark Street.

e.    £4,000 Capital funding as a contribution towards Westhulme kickpitch surface.

f.     £8,000 Revenue funding for CAB Advice provision in Werneth and Medlock Vale.

 

9.

Petitions

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

 

There are no Petitions to note.

Minutes:

There were no Petitions to note.

10.

Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the West Oldham District Executive will be held on Wednesday 5th December 2018 at 6.00 pm.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the next meeting of the West Oldham District Executive will be held on Wednesday 5th December 2018 at 6.00pm.