Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

Members requested an urgent discussion around the School Admission Arrangements for the September 2019 intake.

Members stated that a large number of complaints had been received from parents residing in the three West Oldham Wards, as the majority of pupils did not receive any of their three preferences. Members felt that the Admissions Policy discriminated against those that live in the West Oldham area. Members noted that Werneth Primary Academy was now part of the Pinnacle Trust and would become a feeder school for The Hathershaw College commencing in the admission year 2020.

Members requested that a meeting be arranged with the Cabinet Member for Education and Culture, the Director of Education and Early Years and all members of the West Oldham District Executive to discuss the Admission Arrangement. Members asked that a breakdown of all allocations by Ward and Ethnicity be circulated to Members beforehand. Members also requested more information on the new proposed school and their Admissions Policy, along with a detailed modelling exercise that would identify how many pupils in the Wards would receive a place.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The meeting with the Cabinet Member for Education and Culture, the Director of Education and Early Years and all members of the West Oldham District Executive to discuss the Admission Arrangement be scheduled before the start of Purdah.

2.    The discussion be noted.

Councillor Malik declared a personal interest at item 7 by virtue of being a board Member of the OBA Millennium Centre.

Councillor Ur-Rehman declared a personal interest at item 7 by virtue of being a board Member of the OBA Millennium Centre.

There were no public questions received.

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

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 5^th December 2018 be approved as a correct record.

Consideration was given to a verbal Police update from Sergeant Paul Heap around Policing in West Oldham.

Members were informed that Sergeant Heap had been recently appointed to cover the neighbourhoods of Coldhurst and Werneth. It was stated that a new team was being developed to help combat the rise in offences. The team have had success already, with reductions of residential burglaries in the Coldhurst and Werneth Wards from January to February 2019, however there had been a slight increase in the Medlock Vale Ward. Vehicle crime had seen a reduction in all areas of the Borough, having been a target for a Police operation. Members asked for and received clarification on how the figures compared to the previous year. Members were advised that the number of offences had doubled in some wards from January 2018 to January 2019 and a number of night shifts had been arranged to combat this. Members requested that the full figures of crimes reported in the area be circulated in a report going forward.

Members stated that they received regular complaints from residents around the lack of Police response when reporting a crime. Members made reference to a recent car fire in the alleyway near to Berriesfield that had not received a Police presence. Members were informed that the Police work in partnership with the Fire Authority assessing the threat, harm, risk and responsibility of the call to identify the most appropriate attendance at the scene. It was stated to the Members that there was a number of issues regarding the call taking side of the Force and the new computer system had been delayed for 12 months. Members stated that there had been a communication breakdown between the Police and Elected Members, who often become the next point of call for residents and therefore on the front line.

Members asked for and received clarification on the increase of the Police precept. Members were advised that there would be around 320 new Officers across Greater Manchester, however there were no definite figures as the precept had only just been agreed. Members enquired about the number of Officers that would cover the transport systems. It was suggested that Transport for Greater Manchester should fund the provision of Officers as the recent Travelsafe project identified a large number of commuters that did not purchase tickets, which in turn would affect TFGM’s revenue income. It was stated that the open layout of the tram stops meant that commuters did not have to buy a ticket before entering the platform.

RESOLVED that the update be noted.

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

RESOLVED that the following funding allocations be agreed:

1.    £4950 Revenue funding for the OBA Millennium Centre.

2.    £790 Revenue funding for the Werneth Well-being Hub.

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.

There were no petitions to note.

The next meeting of the West Oldham District Executive will be held on

Wednesday 12^th June 2019 at 6.00 pm.

RESOLVED that the next meeting of the West Oldham District Executive to be held on Wednesday 12^th June 2019 at 6.00pm be noted.