Agenda item

(time limit 8 minutes):-

The minutes of the Joint Authorities were submitted as follows:

Greater Manchester Waste Disposal                          31^st August 2017

Authority                                                                   8^th September 2017

                                                                                21^st September 2017

Police and Crime Panel                                              5^th June 2017

Greater Manchester Combined Authority                              29^th September 2017

Transport for Greater Manchester                                        15^th September 2017

National Peak Park Authority                                      7^th July 2017 (AGM)

Members asked the following questions:

Councillor Bates: GMCA, 29^th September 2017 – Councillor Bates raised a question regarding the retirement of the Chief Fire Officer.  The issue was not reflected in the minutes and could therefore not be discussed.

Councillor Rehman:  GMCA, 29^th September 2017 Item 65/17 Brexit Monitor – Monthly Report – Councillor Rehman noted that a Brexit report would be brought to the next Council meeting and asked about representations to Whitehall and specifically about Oldham.

Councillor Stretton provided assurances that as the representative on GMCA she provided an input on all agendas as appropriate.

Members made the following observations:

Councillor Sykes:  GMWDA Minutes, 8^th September 2017, Item 40 – Waste Management Strategy and Policy Update – Councillor Sykes asked what was meant by a need to get to a 70% recycling rate?  This was a challenging target, an increased in recycling was to be celebrated and needed to be as others in Europe and asked how the target would be tackled.

Councillor Hewitt, GMWDA Spokesperson, responded that the target related to the recycling at the plants and new contracts.

Councillor Sykes: GMCA Minutes, 29^th September 2017, Item 159/17 Metrolink Fares  - Councillor Sykes asked about the fares increase which would be retail price index plus 1% for an organisation which already generated income and had a greater footfall than anticipated.  There had been a fare freeze and now this increase would do two things – make metrolink more expensive and drive residents back onto the bus network or worse back into cars.  Why were the fares increased above and beyond inflation?  This would have a detrimental impact on the people of Oldham.

Councillor Stretton, Leader of the Council responded that there had been a fare freeze during the disruption.  Metrolink needed future investment and the provision to give a 50% rate to 16 – 18 years olds.  It was regrettable that fare hand to increase but this was the only to ensure future investment.

Councillor Bates made an observation that there were no Fire Committee minutes on the agenda.

Councillor Harkness:  GMCA Minutes, 29^th September 2017, Item 157/17 – School Readiness – Councillor Harkness commented on the number of reception age students who were not school-ready.  This was a priority for Greater Manchester and hoped that this was a priority for Oldham as well but was not sure what the plan was.

Councillor Stretton, Leader of the Council responded that this is a priority and already a number of meetings had been held with officers and members across Early Years and would be carried forward.

Councillor Williams, GMCA Minutes, 29^th September 2017, Item 158/17 – Update on High Rise Towers – Councillor Williams commented on a recent incident in Manchester to a high rise building and the number of appliances which had responded and the impact of the recent inspections.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The minutes of the Joint Authority meetings as detailed in the report be noted.

2.       The questions and responses provided be noted.

3.       The observations and responses provided be noted.