Minutes:
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Stretton, delivered her Second Annual Statement. The Leader reflected on shocks and surprises, as well as highlights, achievements and progress for Oldham. There had been unexpected challenges and events beyond the Council’s control. The Council had been tested on many levels and had shown great resilience as a place, a council, a partnership and as communities.
The Leader reflected on the Maple Mill fire which tested the Council’s response to a major incident and the support provided to people who were displaced when police dealt with a siege in Shaw. There had also been localised flooding, allegations of a local Trojan Horse plot, the sudden closure of the Oldham Evening Chronicle and the closure of the University Technical College. The Leader also reflected on sad losses and the Manchester Arena Attack.
The Leader commented on the financial challenge to local government and the more than £200 million which had been taken since 2009 and the impact on public services which was unavoidable. The Leader reflected on Brexit and what it meant for the Council and the borough. The Leader highlighted the fantastic assets in the Borough and thanked those residents, partners and local businesses who made a significant contribution to the progress and successes.
The Leader highlighted the Inclusive Economy where opportunities could be accessed, the success of Get Oldham Working and the opening of new businesses in the borough which included Jardine Motors, the new B&M store and the DPD parcel delivery depot that was on track. Work was also underway at Hollinwood Junction. The Leader also highlighted on the commitment and support to businesses.
The authority had stepped up to the challenge of working with the Government as one of six Opportunity Areas in the country to ensure that Oldham’s children and young people get the best chance to do well at school. The programme focussed on improving social mobility and meant extra funding from early years to lifelong learning. The Leader also commented that 89.5 percent of students were attending a school that was rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’. Investments were being made in new facilities and expansions to cope with growing pupil numbers.
The Leader highlighted Co-operative Services and the vision for the integration and innovation to improve outcomes for people. This included recycling which had jumped by 8% to 46 percent and the public response to other behaviour change initiatives. Oldham was a recognised leader in collaborative service innovation. The work that Oldham Council, the Clinical Commissioning Group and other partners to integrate health and social care work into one system was recently showcased. One example was Warm Homes Oldham which had lifted four and a half thousand local homes out of fuel poverty. Another example was Get Oldham Growing which had expanded to five growing hubs and great partnerships that was helping hundreds of residents get healthy new life skills. Fantastic feedback had been provided by the Chief Executive of Public Health England on Oldham’s focus on prevention and early intervention. The Leader thanked every partner organisation, resident and voluntary group who had played their part in making the vision a reality. The Leader also highlighted the opening of the Maggie’s Oldham Care Centre.
The Leader reflected on Thriving Communities and Oldham being a place where society and social action really meant something and for people and communities to have the power to be healthy, happy and to make positive choices. The Leader highlighted the impact on Universal Credit in Oldham which had been dramatic. The Oldham Food Bank had seen a 77% increase in people getting food parcels due to benefit delays or changes. The Leader also highlighted events for families that had been held, the Arts & Heritage Centre, Coliseum Theatre, Cultural Quarter and the continued investment in the Borough’s districts and facilities.
The challenge was to continue work hard in the areas that the Council controlled, had a real impact and looked for opportunities to make circumstances work best for residents.
The Leader highlighted the Town Centre Masterplan which looked ahead to 2035 which was the biggest forward planning exercise ever taken for the town centre to make it a place that was thriving around the clock and offered new housing, employment and leisure opportunities.
RESOLVED that the content of the Leader’s Annual Statement be noted.