(15 minutes for public questions and 25 minutes for Councillor questions)
Minutes:
The Mayor made reference to the recent death of Jo Cox MP and other acts of terrorism since the last Council meeting.
Council held a Minutes Silence.
The Mayor advised the meeting that the first item on the agenda in Open Council was Public Question Time. The questions had been received from members of the public and would be taken in order in which they had been received. Council was advised that if the questioner was not present then the question would appear on the screen in the Council Chamber.
The following questions had been submitted:
1. Question received from Victoria Marshall via Twitter:
“Why were hangers recently placed on bins necessary? They provided no info – info leaflet post following day” #waste of money”
Councillor Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives, responded that hangers were placed so residents were aware of the changes coming along with other circulated information to maximise the impact with the long lead in time. This was a two pronged approach to ensure residents read all the information available.
2. Question received from Paul Turner via Twitter:
“Oldham Council now OMBC want 3 week bin collections what are the unfortunate people who have clinical waste to dispose of to do?”
Councillor Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives responded that the Council did not collect clinical waste. Assuming that it was medical then in that position it was advised residents should get in touch with officers to receive specific advice in those circumstances.
3. Question received from Shaun Garfin via Twitter:
“I work on Broadgate are there plans to improve access when there are more houses and industrial units in the Foxdenton area?”
Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, responded that measures had been developed with and agreed by Highways England including improvements at A663 Broadway signal controlled junction and link road into the site; A663 Broadway/Foxdenton Lane/Eaves Lane signal controlled junction; and the A663 Broadway/M60 junction 21.
The existing pedestrian and cycling infrastructure surrounding the site would be enhanced by measures that would be incorporated into the junction improvements that form part of the mitigation measures at the Broadway junctions, the new link road junction, the new link road and along Foxdenton Lane.
It was also intended that traffic calming measures were introduced along Foxdenton Lane to ensure that there was not a significant increase in traffic travelling to the development using it.
4. Question received from Ricky McLeary via Twitter:
“Oldham Council is our council tax being reduced as our bins are only being emptied once every three weeks?”
Councillor Abdul Jabbar, Cabinet Member for Finance & HR, responded that the proposal to change the bin collection was not based on savings but to avoid future costs. Based on recycling rates, Oldham had the lowest in Greater Manchester, if the recycling rate did not increase an additional levy would be imposed for the next three years on top of other savings that would have to be met. There had been cuts in government grants and cost pressures with a net loss of £12.5m cuts in grants and it was estimated that efficiencies of £20m would need to be found. Council tax would be reviewed as part of the 2017/18 budget setting process on whether or not to reduce Council tax.
5. Question received from Hilary Smith via Twitter:
“Given likely future cuts from central government, what steps will Oldham Council take to ensure vulnerable don’t suffer further?”
Councillor Harrison, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Safeguarding, responded that across the country there was a £600m shortfall in funds needed for adult social care. Oldham Council had faced year on year reductions for the last five years which required all areas of service to evaluate the effectiveness of services offered.
Adult Social Care (ASC) Departments across the country were finding it increasingly difficult to sustain current levels of service within budget and there were increasing challenges to managing an increasingly fragile care market. This was the case in Oldham and a range of initiatives were in place which contributed towards the savings. Difficult decisions had to be made around where resources were prioritised and deployed.
The current approach was unsustainable and in line with all GM ASC departments, the service model was being reviewed and redesigned to help address some of the decisions that would need to be made. The Council was confident in providing services to the most vulnerable and existing resources have been directed to ensure that Oldham was complying with its legal duties to vulnerable people. The development of innovative evolving work approaches which ensured vulnerable people could be supported to sustain their independence for as long as possible. As such ASC was transforming to rise to these challenges and key work streams were being developed around, for example, integration and prevention.
6. Question received from Craig Hughes via Twitter:
“Why has refuse collection reduced to 3 weeks whilst Council Tax rises and now we can’t recycle plastic containers only bottles?”
Councillor Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives, referred to earlier responses. The Council had gone to three weekly collection to increase recycling, 70% of what was currently put into the grey bin could go into recycling. The cost of putting waste in the grey bin continued to increase, whilst the Council’s budget continued to reduce through cuts from central government. Evidence from across Greater Manchester showed that the only way to achieve an increase in recycling rates was to reduce capacity. The Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority was responsible for the disposal arrangements for rubbish and recycling for all GM Authorities. The current arrangements had been in place since 2009 and were based on available markets for plastics. Plastics that could not be recycled in the brown bin were actually used to produce energy from waste when put in the grey bin.
7. Question received from Joanne Craddock via Facebook:
“The council supposedly impose fines for flytipping but some of the alleyways local to me seem to have massive problems time and time again. What are the council doing to combat this?”
Councillor Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives, responded that we don’t supposedly impose fines, but actually did. Last year the Council served 867 fixed penalty notices for littering and dumping with a further 122 prosecutions. At the end of the day, it was the responsibility of every resident of the town to take responsibility for the disposal of waste. Enforcement was taken seriously and to support this, the Council were looking at the use of cameras which would enable the teams to gather the evidence needed. If refuse was put in the right bin, the problem could be eradicated if everyone worked together.
8. Question received from Patrick Diamond via Twitter:
“What is the Council doing about the reduction in service to the 184 Bus from Diggle and Dobcross to Oldham? I am particularly concerned about the reduction in service for the 184 bus, as my children, and many other, relay on the 07:32 184 to get to school and college in Oldham on time.”
Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, responded that First Manchester did engage with local Councillors prior to the change, but the Council was extremely limited when it came to being able to influence bus routes and frequencies as they are provided by commercial bus operators. All journeys on service 184 were provided commercially by First Manchester. Transport for Greater Manchester provided support for a network of socially necessary services, which would not otherwise be provided by operators on a commercial basis, but had a limited budget for this, which was getting smaller due to budget cuts.
TfGM could not justify subsidising the 184 service as usage was low and the hourly through service to Huddersfield, which operated direct along Huddersfield Road through Diggle Village, would continue to operate. Dobcross would continue to be served by services 353 and 354, which provided a combined hourly link to Uppermill where customers could transfer to service 184 towards Oldham and Manchester. While Sam Road and Station Road would no longer have a daytime bus service, the existing stops on Station Road were within 400 metres of stops on Huddersfield Road and the hourly Huddersfield service. The Saddleworth Local Link also operated in this area which provided door to door links from early morning to late evening seven days a week.
In the longer term, the bus franchising powers contained within the recently published Buses Bill would allow Greater Manchester to have more control over bus service routes, frequencies, fares and quality standards should the powers be taken up.
9. Question from Christine Hogan via Facebook:
“Could the Councillors explain how they intend to deal with any problems residents may encounter when the bins do not get emptied every 3 weeks from Autumn? The reason I ask is that it is hard enough to get the bins emptied now. Only 2 out of 4 bins emptied last week on my street. Despite contacting Moorhey Street and getting told they would be emptied, they are still standing outside, full up. So it is, in effect, a 3 weekly collection already! And the grey bins not emptied from 27 and 23.”
Councillor Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives, responded that the Council collected over 250,000 bins each week and there were many factors which could result in missed bins. It was inevitable that some bins would be missed but the when this occurred the services would continue to aim to return for such bins within two working days, and in such cases, residents were asked to leave their bins out for collection. If Mrs. Hogan would get in touch with her contact details she would ask the service to investigate and respond to the issues relating to Mrs. Hogan.
10. Joe Fitzpatrick asked the following question:
“Councillor Jim McMahon MP recently told my friend Councillor Warren Bates that Mono Pumps had paid back the grant monies they had received. Please give me a detailed breakdown, telling me how much money was given to Mono Pumps by Oldham Council, and by Regional funding Groups, and please tell me what grant money has been returned and whit it was paid back.”
Councillor Jean Stretton, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy and Enterprise, responded that a £3 million grant was awarded for the refit of the Aerospace building, for this they were to secure the move of all jobs from the Tameside site into Chadderton and create an additional 200 jobs over a 5 year period up to 2020. The awarding body was the Greater Manchester Investment Fund. No funding had been given to Monopumps by Oldham Council although they were supported with officer time in applying for the GM Investment Fund Grant. The move to Chadderton coincided with the global crash in the oil markets which had a severe impact on the company and its parent company in North America. At that point Mono had drawn down £1.35 million of grant towards the construction costs, but realised that the job creation targets would not be met in the timeframe given. They approached the GM Investment Board to discuss the issues they faced in order to resolve the issue of the total grant. The outcome was as follows:
· The GM Investment board stated that given the current position and recent business update that they would not support the drawdown of the remaining £1.65m of the total £3m grant awarded.
Despite this, it was recommended that Monopumps retain the £1.35m, continue to provide the regular quarterly update reports to the investment team and then meet up again in 6 months and then again at the end of next year in order to keep al parties up to speed on business developments.
· To date the drawdown of £1.35m represented 45% or approximately 90 jobs. The investment board advised that if the business was able to demonstrate some progress towards achieving this figure by 2019 that there was unlikely to be any repayment requested.
To date no funds had been paid back to GM.
At this point in the meeting, the Mayor advised that the time limit for this item had expired.
The Mayor reminded Members that the Council had previously agreed that questions would be taken in an order which reflected the political balance of the Council. The following questions were submitted by Councillors on Ward or District matters:
1. Councillor J. Larkin to Councillor Hussain:
“What plans are in place to improve High Street and Rochdale Lane in Royton North ahead of the opening of the new Lidl store later this year? The entire stretch of road is in poor condition and will only get worse with the expected increase in traffic?”
Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, responded that there were currently no plans to resurface High Street or Sandy Lane, Royton. Lidl were responsible for repairing damage to High Street, Middleton Road and Spring Garden Street caused as a result of their works and have improved the High Street/Middleton Road junction for pedestrians by the introduction of a traffic island/refuge.
2. Councillor Hewitt to Councillor Hussain:
“I have received an enquiry from a resident in the area of Shelderslow in Springhead about potholes and ownership of a lane which has been an issue for several years. The residents have managed to keep the path tidy, but the volume of people using this footpath has increased tremendously after planning permission has been given to build adjacent to the path, together with the Rome Mill site development, and development on Cooper Street. It is also the only vehicular access to the small hamlet of Shelderslow, with properties dating back to the seventeenth century. The lane is also used regularly by parents with children going to the Infant school. The path is now full of potholes and represents a problem for vehicular access, including the Refuse Collection and emergency services. There are issues for the safety of children and their parents travelling to school. Would the relevant portfolio holder please help with this issue?”
Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, responded that Shelderslow, Springhead was currently unadopted so there were currently no plans to carry out any resurfacing, however he would get this section inspected and ensure that any pot holes were made safe to ensure the safe passage of pedestrians.
3. Councillor Fielding to Councillor Stretton:
“Failsworth Town Hall was refurbished in 2010 and provides a fantastic space for functions and events in an excellent civic building. However the function room is underused with many potential users citing the cost of hiring it as prohibitively expensive.
Could the Council look again at the price structure and marketing of Failsworth Town Hall to see how we can get better use out of this spectacular building?”
Councillor Stretton, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy and Enterprise responded that the Council annually reviewed the pricing structure for the room hire of its available venues, which ensured that the public and community groups had access to affordable and suitable facilities. The room charges for Failsworth Town Hall were considered to be very competitive, when compared to other private sector providers (£41 per hour during week days, £240 for the first 3 hours out of normal working hours, and then £60 per/hr thereafter until 2:00 am), based only on recovering the operational costs associated with the events.
The Council's Facilities Management Team recognised the function room was under-used and was looking at pro-active measures to raise the room's availability through a marketing exercise to encourage more use.
4. Councillor McCann to Councillor Chadderton
“I was very disappointed to hear of the delay in building a new two entry school to replace the 100 year old Shaw Street primary school in Greenfield, especially as the funding has been found. I would therefore be grateful for an update on the present position as most Saddleworth primary schools are full or will be shortly.”
Councillor Chadderton, Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years responded that there was no secret in the need for school places. The situation was that all Saddleworth and Lees primary schools were assessed through the priority matrix and Greenfield was identified as the priority school in this collaborative for expansion. The next stage would be a Pre-Publication Consultation Stage which would start on 5th September 2016 for four weeks before a decision was taken to Cabinet regarding the issue of a formal public notice. If Cabinet decided to issue a public notice, formal representation would continue for another four weeks. A final decision would then be made by Cabinet. Councillor Chadderton gave assurance that the new Greenfield Primary and new Royton and Crompton School were a key priority and would do anything for this to be achieved.
5. Councillor Shuttleworth to Councillor Hussain:
“Hollinwood Ave, from its junction with Mough Lane to Oldham/Manchester Road is frequently in need of repair and is beginning to resemble a patchwork quilt. It is also beginning to suffer from heavy ponding in parts, and it is appreciated that in the absence of gulley’s at some of these points on the highway there is not an easy solution.
May I ask the Cabinet Member responsible for highways to give consideration to including this road on any future plans for a complete resurface as one can only believe that it is becoming financially unviable to continue with the patching work required.”
Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, responded that there were currently no plans to resurface Junction of Mough Lane (Owler Lane)/Hollinwood avenue to Manchester Road. He would get the section of highway inspected and any actionable defects repaired.
6. Councillor Toor to Councillor Hussain
“There are plenty of overgrown tree branches and hedges which are covering road signs. This problem is widespread but I would like to draw your attention to the Ashton Road in Medlock Vale ward, where this problem exists on both sides, near the boundary with Tameside. Can the relevant Cabinet Member advise when action will be taken to deal with this problem?”
Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, responded that an inspection of the signs and vegetation on Ashton Road had been arranged to identify the extent of the issue. The outcome of the survey would determine what action was required and the timeline involved.
7. Councillor Garry to Councillor Brownridge
“Recently the bowling green at Failsworth Higher Park was repaired at a cost of £1200. It is therefore disappointing to see residents sunbathing, riding bikes, pushing prams and playing football on it. It is also disappointing and disrespectful to see dog owners exercising dogs in the tennis courts which are a designated children’s play area. The park is also a hot spot for ASB by youth. Please could I urge the Cabinet member responsible to urgently look into applying the new Public Space Protection Order to the park?”
Councillor Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives responded that the Council was looking at Public Space Protection Orders for a number of sites including parks. Legislation was complex and may not fully address the problems. Steps would be taken to address these issues immediately and colleagues in Environmental Services and First Response would take appropriate action to minimise the effect of a minority of inconsiderate residents.
8. Councillor Murphy to Councillor Hussain
“On so many occasions when I go into Shaw town centre, the cages behind Tesco Express are just left at the back entrance – causing all sorts of problems. As you are no doubt aware we have an on-off problem with anti-social behaviour in the town centre and these cages are often targeted. The cages also obstruct traffic.
I know previously Tesco have been asked to do something about it, but can I request that the relevant cabinet member ask them to look for a more permanent solution, especially as the new car park will mean more care manoeuvring around on the old market ground? Failing that can I ask officers to issue notices for obstructing the highways which has been discussed previously but to no avail?”
Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, responded that he would like to reassure the Councillor that he would ask Council officers from Highways and Environmental Services to make contact with the management at Tesco Shaw Express Store in order to explore the options for a more permanent solution to the issue. He asked to be briefed on the outcome of the discussions and would that officers keep members informed on progress.
9. Councillor Iqbal to Councillor Brownridge
“Could the Cabinet member please give an update with the progress in getting Hartford Mill de-listed and getting it demolished?”
Councillor Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives, responded that the Council was acutely aware of the negative impact that the local building had on the local area and a private owner had formally applied to Heritage England to have the mill de-listed, however this application had been unsuccessful. The Council was working with interested parties for the demolition of the mill. A comprehensive mixed use scheme was being developed which included the demolition of the mill and utilising adjacent land for new homes to be built. However, should this fail or the building deteriorated further, the Council retained the right to use its listed building or dangerous building powers to secure the safety of the area surrounding the building. The Council was working as best as could be done to get the site redeveloped.
10. Councillor Mushtaq to Councillor Brownridge
“An Alexandra resident has contacted us about fly tipping issues. In the email, he also mentioned that, on blue bin collection day, there were only three bins in the alley for collection, suggesting that only three households on the street were recycling. He appeared to be making a direct correlation between failure to recycle and the build up of waste and fly tipping. Can the relevant Cabinet member please help us to make the distinction, if indeed there is one, between fly tipping and the incorrect use of bins.”
Councillor Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives, responded that fly tipping was a crime, there was nothing to suggest that normal law abiding citizens turn to dumping their rubbish because they don’t have the right recycling bins which were supplied free of charge by the Council. The Council was committed to increasing recycling and would support any residents who needed further information on how to legally dispose of their waste and crack down on those who were fly tipping.
11. Councillor McLaren to Councillor Brownridge
“The Planning Committee have previously approved an application from UK Power Reserve for the development of a gas fired mini power station on a sit at the junction of Stock Lane, Stockfield Road and Dairy Street in Chadderton. However, contact with UK Power Reserve has proved to be impossible. Residents were promised a public meeting and visit to Styal to view a similar facility neither of which have taken place. The residents have asked if it is possible to confirm that the project is still intended to go ahead and, if so, whether it would be possible to ensure that UK Power Reserve honour their commitment to arrange the two events.”
Councillor Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives, responded there were no mechanisms through planning powers to require a public meeting and site visits. Officers had contacted UK Power Reserve to see what could be done. As a consequence of those negotiations the applicant has agreed a site visit to their Carrington Peel site on 26th July if that was convenient. In relation to the start date, the applicant had confirmed that groundworks were proposed to start on 25th July 2016 at this site.
12. Councillor Ali to Councillor Brownridge
“Foxdenton Development – the Foxdenton housing development was very much the target some 12 months ago. We would all be in agreement about the need to build aspirational homes as well as affordable homes. What is the current position in related to this development and what is the council doing to drive this forward?”
Councillor Jean Stretton, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy and Enterprise responded that the current position in relation to the Foxdenton Development was that full agreement had been reached with Highways England regarding the final designs for the main access into the site from Broadway. Due to the fact that it would not be prudent to be carrying out the bulk of these access works during the winter months, commencement was now due to take place in early Spring 2017. The Council continued to work closely with its private sector partners Seddon/Grasscroft to drive this major development forward and the FO Developments Board met on a bi-monthly basis in order to review progress.
13. Councillor Dearden to Councillor Harrison – this question was deferred to Cabinet Member questions.
14. Councillor G. Alexander to Councillor Hussain
“Could the relevant Cabinet member give me an update on the progress of the adoption of roads on the Northgate Estate Moorside as this has been an ongoing saga and seems to have become stagnant. All the residents are waiting for is an end to this long running saga.”
Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, responded that it was a legal requirement that any new highway proposed for adoption adjoins an existing adopted highway. The new estate roads on the Northgate Estate were currently separated from the existing adopted network (Ripponden Road) by an area of land under Persimmon Homes ownership and despite numerous site visits/conversation over the last few years with various representatives of Persimmon Homes to try and progress the matter, officers had so far been unsuccessful in persuading them to enter into an agreement for the remaining section of new highway. Work would continue to pursue this, however, the Council could not force such an agreement.
15. Councillor Blyth to Councillor Stretton
“Could the relevant Cabinet Member please tell me when the redundant stalls will be removed from the now defunct Shaw Market site as these are a blight on the town and a haven for anti-social behaviour as they act as a huge umbrella in wet weather?”
Councillor Stretton, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy and Enterprise responded that the now that all relevant permissions, legal orders and licences were in place for the move of Shaw Market from the site on Westway to Market Street, a programme had been developed for the removal of the redundant market stalls and cabins from the former market ground. It was proposed that works would start on site to demolish the stalls and cabins during the week commencing 25th July 2016 and it was expected that this work would take no more than two weeks.
After the demolition works and subject to favourable weather conditions, the works for the creation of the extended car park on the former market ground and improvement of the existing car park would start on 8th August. These works would take approximately two weeks. Therefore, the car park would be unavailable for use during this two week period, but would be open for use during the week commencing 22nd August 2016. The car park closure would be publicised via notices on site and a local leaflet drop.
16. Councillor Ball to Councillor Hussain
“We have had two major new developments of new homes in St. James, one on Derker and one on Sholver. The roads in those developments have not yet been completed and are in a poor and dangerous state. Can we ask when they will be completed?”
Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, responded that the developer at Derker, Keepmoat Homes, was due to resurface a section of London Road between the junctions of Derker Street and Ramsey Street. They had already carried out footway works to all footways contained within Derker Street, Acre Lane, Afghan Street and Ramsey Street. As far as he was aware Keepmoat were currently appointing a contractor with work scheduled to begin in the next few weeks. At Sholver, the DSO had been commissioned to complete works on behalf of the developer, this included completion of new estate roads and also the footway fronting the new properties on Goldsmith Avenue and Coleridge Road. Any other works which were required would fall under highway maintenance.
17. Councillor Chadderton to Councillor Hussain
“Some months ago I asked what was being done or what could be done to improve parking around the Royal Oldham Hospital, as the parking of visitors and staff on the nearby residential streets is a major concern and causing much distress to local residents. I was told the parking provision around the hospital was being reviewed, can I ask if this review has been concluded and what the outcome was and can I also request a meeting with relevant officers to discuss these issues?”
Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, responded that the Council was aware of the parking problems that were being experienced around the hospital, particularly in the Coldhurst and Royton areas. Council officers had recently met with the Head of Estates at the Pennine Acute Trust (PAT) to discuss the matter with a view to see if a joint solution could be found, particularly as the hospital had further expansion plans, which would only exacerbate the problem. It was acknowledged that there was no easy solution to the parking congestion that was occurring in the surrounding areas to Oldham Hospital. The Council had already provided some areas with resident parking schemes only, which had only resulted in moving the problem to an adjoining area. The Hospital had also opened a new 500 space car park for staff, which should have eased the problem, but even with this additional capacity, the Pennine Acute Trust accepted that some staff and visitors still chose to fly park to avoid paying parking charges.
The Council was going to continue with its discussions with Pennine Acute Trust, to see if an agreed joint strategy could be developed to address the reported parking problems, as clearly the problem emanated from the demand generated for Oldham Hospital services.
18. Councillor M. Bashforth to Councillor Hussain:
“I would like to ask a question of the relevant cabinet member on behalf of the residents of Holden Fold Lane in Royton.
On the 23rd June last year the building that housed the Sofa Company burnt down, leaving a derelict, unsightly and hazardous mess close to resident’s homes.
Just after the fire, due to concerns about the methods being used to remove asbestos from the remains of the building, we contacted the Health and Safety Executive who went on site and spoke with the contractors involved.
A few weeks ago we spoke with residents who over a year later are still having to live with the derelict site and the dangers it presents. Children are gaining entry to the site and playing in there, and also others with more anti-social intent.
As local councillors we want to support residents with regard to this problem and ask that officers visit the site again to re access the dangers and negative affect this is having on the area and people having to live next to it.
We ask for some efforts be taken, to enforce more efficient security measures be put in place and that a thorough clean-up of the site be undertaken.”
Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, responded that he had asked officers to revisit the site and to establish whether the Council could take any formal legal action against the owner of the building.
At this point in the meeting, the Mayor advised that the time limit for this item had expired.
RESOLVED that the questions and the responses provided be noted.