(15 minutes for public questions and 25 minutes for Councillor questions)
Minutes:
Councillor Fielding MOVED and Councillor Sykes SECONDED that without notice in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8.4(k) that the Council meeting be adjourned until Thursday, 12th July 2018 at 6.00 p.m. due to England playing in the World Cup Semi Final.
On being put to the VOTE, the MOTION was CARREID UNANIMOUSLY.
RESOLVED that the Council meeting be adjourned until Thursday, 12th July 2018 at 6.00 p.m.
The meeting started at 6.00 p.m. and ended at 6.02 p.m.
Council
12/07/2018 at 6.00 pm
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 the order in which they had been received. Council was advised that if the questioner was not present, then the question would appear on the screens in the Council Chamber.
The following questions had been submitted:
1. Question received from Mr. Uddin via Facebook and email:
“Shortage of Secondary School place for Residents of Coppice & Primrose Bank. Recently the Council approved the expansion of North Chadderton School at a cost of £3.4m. North Chadderton School was chosen ahead of Hathershaw College citing additional refurbishment costs but this wasn’t detailed in the report nor was it scrutinised. In the Manchester evening news it was reported that the Council took 75 seconds to come to the decision to expand North Chadderton which clearly indicates that adequate scrutiny was not afforded to this decision. The PAN number at North Chadderton School is 240 compared to 210 for Hathershaw. Despite this, Hathershaw College was not prioritised for expansion. The parents of Coppice are frustrated that most of their children are excluded from attending Hathershaw College as priority is given to the feeder schools. Will the Council seriously look into the expansion of Hathershaw College in the immediate future given the acute shortage of secondary school places for the residents of Coppice?”
Councillor Jacques, Cabinet Member for Education and Culture responded that forecasts showed that by September 2019 an additional 110 places would be needed in year 7 and subsequently across all other year groups. By 2022, there would be 150 places needed in year 7 and subsequently across all other year groups. If the trend follows the primary school projections then the additional places would be needed in Chadderton and East and West Oldham. There were a number of schemes that had been discussed at the Education Provision Group (EPG) which sought to address the pressure and satisfy demand in the borough, ensuring the Council’s statutory duty of providing sufficient school places was adhered to. The opportunity to expand existing secondary schools had been evaluated using the Secondary Schools Priority Matrix. The matrix took into account a number of criteria including percentage of first preference requests at year 7 allocation, Ofsted ratings, progress and attainment results, site conditions and capital cost per pupil place. Using this criteria, the priority school for expansion at this current time was North Chadderton School. The Radclyffe School and Hathershaw College were the next priorities according to the local authority expansion criteria. These options were looked at and analysed, the amount of places needed in West Oldham warranted more than could physically be put on Hathershaw’s existing school site. There was a new free school opening in East Oldham in September 2020 – Oasis Academy Leesbrook. There was also the possibility of a new school in West Oldham in September 2022 which was currently being investigated and a site selection process undertaken.
2. Question received from Syed Maruf Ali via Facebook and email:
“The residents of Coppice, Primrose Bank and other areas of West Oldham desperately need a good/outstanding Secondary school in our area following the closure of St Augustine and Grange School! Schools census stats from January 2017 show minority ethnic pupils now make up 46.5% of primary school pupils in state-funded Oldham schools & 39.8% of pupils in state-funded Oldham secondary schools. According to Oldham Council’s 2018 profile document just 22.5% of the Oldham population is BME. The majority of the BME population lives around town Centre. There is shortage of Secondary School places due to St Augustine School and Grange School been relocated in Royton/Shaw & Chadderton area. Also the number of foreign born children in Oldham schools increased from 318 pupils to 2,471 in just 4 years. The national insurance figures release for January to March 2018 show another 530 adult migrants arrived in Oldham with 77% settling in Oldham’s central Ward. Is Oldham Council going to build a Secondary School around town centre base to address the shortage of Secondary School places? There has been expansion of secondary School in other area, however due to individuals School Admission criteria residents of Primrose Bank/Coppice does not have access to those School. Based on the statistic the priority of OLDHAM COUNCIL should have been to build another secondary School in Town Centre base or expand the existing town centre base School. Why hasn’t this been done? The cabinet member responsible for education needs to address the lack of choices for schools for children in Coppice/Primrose Bank area. It is an issue that is of serious concern for many parents.”
Councillor Jacques, Cabinet Member for Education and Culture referred to the previous response and had nothing further to add.
3. Question received from Peter Brown via email:
“What is the role of the Leader of the Opposition to that of his Councillors, and to the electorate? What should the electorate expect from his answer?”
Councillor Fielding, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy and Enterprise responded that the role of the Opposition was to hold the Council and Executive to account and to provide leadership to his group as the Leader did to the Labour Group.
4. Question received from Stephen Kenyon via letter:
“I made a complaint about Councillor Gloster for breaching many of Oldham Council’s codes of conduct. A Standards Assessment sub-committee decided on 22 March 2018 that ‘no further investigation was required.’ I then asked Paul Entwistle (Borough Solicitor) ‘How could they come to this decision as many codes of conduct had been breached, could I please see Councillor Gloster’s response? I was then sent an email stating that ‘Councillor Gloster has declined to provide his response on this occasion.’ I ask again? How did this committee come to find that breaching many of your codes of conduct doesn’t need any investigation and may I please see Councillor Gloster’s response?”
Councillor Fielding, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy and Enterprise responded that the standards complaint had gone through the proper process of assessment. It was not appropriate for the Leader to become involved in a standards process nor was it appropriate for him to comment upon individual member decisions made as part of the process.
5. Question received from Barbara Caffery via email:
“Why do the Council not collected contaminated bins? I have been complaining for months and there are at least 10 in the alleyways behind Belgrave Road OL8”
Councillor Shah, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services responded that the Council did collect contaminated binds but only as a last resort as the Council would prefer to work with residents to ensure they fully understood what could and could not go into each bin before removing them. Officers had visited Belgrave Road many times in recent years and despite the Council’s best efforts issues had continued. Officers had visited again last week and had identified a large number of contaminated bins that would be removed within the next 10 days.
6. Question received from Mr. Phil Howarth via email:
"Please can the Councillors of the Medlock Vale Ward investigate why the damaged play surface on the children playground next to St Martins School has been ripped up and replaced by sand? Is this sand going to be covered with a new play surface?" This will be dangerous if left as sand due to existing concrete bases being uncovered, dog fouling, broken glass, used needles being hidden in the sand. Are you ready for the lawsuits that will ensue? "
Councillor Shah, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services responded that over a number of years the play items had been vandalised and the safety surface had been repaired numerous times but now needed to be removed as it was causing trip hazards and was unsafe. All the foundations of the play items had been removed before sand (which was a recognised safety surface) was installed to the depth of 300 mm. The sand will be raked once a week along with the other sand pits in Oldham. The site had gates to prevent dogs from accessing the site so the Council has asked residents to ensure that they do not allow their dogs into the site to maintain the safety.
7. Question received from George Kay via email:
“Why have the St Mary’s Ward elected members not held a clinic/ surgery for face to face meetings with members of the public in their Ward during the past three years, nor do they advertise such in the limited editions of Oldham papers.”
Councillor Fielding, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy and Enterprise responded that each member chose the method most appropriate for engaging the communities which the serve. In some cases the meant holding ward surgeries, street stall or something different. In St. Mary’s members had found that surgeries were poorly attended and found more effective ways such as those described.
8. Deborah Barratt asked the following question:
“Sean Fielding does not agree with the north south divide how come Oldham is forgotten. Can the Council tell me what constituents do about the ward councillors forgetting or ignoring parts of their ward?”
Councillor Fielding, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy and Enterprise thanked Mrs. Barratt for acknowledgement of his work in the media and at GM to redress the imbalance in the conurbation. It was difficult to accept that any members were willing to ignore parts of their ward. Subject to any approach members would be willing to work with residents about investment in their area.
9. Question received from A. Coleman via letter:
“If Councillors are not fulfilling their roles they are voted into, what do we do about this?”
Councillor Fielding, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy and Enterprise responded that if members were not fulfilling their roles, then residents could make a judgement at each election and vote accordingly.
10. Question received from Mrs. Brenda Hatton via letter:
“Could the law be made so Councillors can only represent the wards they live in. This will surely make a marked improvement in caring about your area?”
Councillor Fielding, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy and Enterprise responded that as people may be aware it was not necessary for councillors to live in the borough if they owned a business or worked in the borough. There was no current councillor who did not live in the borough. With respect to a law being made so that members could only represent a ward in which they lived, this was not a decision for the council but a change in the law would need to be made at a national level.
11. Question received from Mark Birchall via letter:
“Hathershaw being one of the most deprived areas in the Country. We now have a crisis occurring right under your very eyes. Only one Councillor Rehman has come to our aid but as you can see from photographs parts of the rea are slowly declining to slum level. This is one of the many social issues which need addressing in this area. This situation is totally out of unacceptable and we feel abandoned by our Council. Therefore residents would expect a response from the Leader Sean and MP Jim to discuss this at Cabinet level, will you please look into this matter and discuss as a matter of urgency.”
Councillor Fielding, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy and Enterprise responded that the amount of waste being dumped in Hathershaw was not acceptable. During the election process, it was found that this problem was not unique and was one of the key revised priorities of the Administration was to recruit extra capacity into Street Scene and enforcement teams to get on top of the basic neighbourhood services the Council had. Decisions would be taken The Leader reaffirmed the administration’s priority to recruit extra capacity into the enforcement teams. A decision would be taken at Cabinet level on the issue of cleanliness in the districts.
The meeting was adjourned at 18.25 and reconvened at 18.34.
Councillor Gloster addressed Full Council and provided a personal explanation related to adjournment.
Councillor Sykes added to the personal explanation.
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 Malik asked the following question:
“I have been approached by the residents of Neville Street and Prospect Road regarding the heavy articulated lorries using these narrow streets for deliveries to and out of Armacell. There has been lots of damage done to kerbs, bollards and to cars.There was an agreed scheme to open up Mars Street at the top with its junction with Osborne Street and Waddington Street , to enable the heavy lorries to drive through Quebec Street and on to Featherstall Road roundabout, to prevent heavy vehicles using these narrow streets. Can the relevant Cabinet Member tell us when this scheme will be done?”
Councillor Shah, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services responded that the option to open up the top end of Mars Street to provide improved access to Armacell was considered by the Council a number of years ago and a small indicative allocation at the time was set aside for a potential scheme. A detailed cost estimate of the proposed scheme was subsequently put together in 2013, but due to necessary identified utility works diversions and significant costly improvements required to the actual entrance to Armacell itself, the potential scheme was not able to proceed further at that stage. Since the scheme had been revisited, it was confirmed that in the absence of any visible alternatives, the scheme still represented the most appropriate traffic management solution to the problem. Currently, there was no budget identified for the work in the current 3-year Highway Capital Programme or any indications of contributions being considered by Armacell for off-highway works to their private access and circulatory arrangements.
2. Councillor Ali asked the following question:
“Chadderton Hall Park is an exceptional park within the Chadderton North ward, which is well visited by people from all parts of the Borough. There is a proportion of the park that has been allocated to Adults with Learning Difficulties, which is a huge asset to our communities, and I couldn’t imagine a better use for it. However beside it, is a substantial area of hard standing which seems to be storage for machinery and vehicles from various parts of the Borough. In my view this is not a good use of space at such a prime location. I feel this space needs to be developed so that it directly benefits our residents and park users. I would like to ask the relevant Cabinet member if they would consider reviewing medium to longer term options for this space and see how it could be better utilised for our residents.”
Councillor Shah, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services responded that the hard standing area was used by Environmental Services for the storage of vehicles, equipment and materials. Discussions were ongoing within the Council to establish other locations where these could be accommodated.
3. Councillor Goodwin asked the following question:
“As you are aware the land and buildings of the former South Chadderton School ?were taken out of ownership of Oldham Council by the Department of Education to allow the Collective Spirit School to open. Since the failure of Collective Spirit, Ward Councillors have insisted this land and buildings should be returned to Oldham Council. Can we be provided with any developments in this regard?”
Councillor Jacques, Cabinet Member for Education and Culture, responded that the Council had asked for the return of this site. The Department for Education had not to date confirmed their position but officers had been asked to contact them again in order to progress and clarify the position.
4. Councillor Murphy asked the following question:
“The former Crompton Ambulance Station has been targeted by vandalism and anti-social behaviour. Would the Cabinet member responsible provide reassurances to ward members and local residents that this issue is being taken seriously and that the Council will do everything in its power to resolve the matter and ensure that the premises remain secure?”
Councillor Ur-Rehman, Cabinet Member for Policing and Community Safety responded that the North West Ambulance Service had sold the former Crompton ambulance station to a private owner over a year ago. The owner had not provided any indication to the Council about intentions for the future development of the site. Since then the site had attracted intermittent anti-social behaviour and vandalism from local children. There was a spate of incidents in summer 2017 and then came back to the police’s attention on 7 April and 23 June this year, with reports from a member of the public. The Council was working with the police to address the situation. This included:
· Intelligence about individuals who were potentially responsible was being followed up, so that appropriate action could be taken if this was substantiated;
· Key messages about anti-social behaviour and the impact on the local community was going out through local primary schools; and
· Environmental Enforcement had previously visited the site and placed a notice from the Council on the building about keeping it tidy and secure. The site had been revisited and found not to be fully secure. The owner had been issued with a fine and given until midday on 11th July to remedy this. A further visit was to take place and if the building was not secure, the Council would undertake the necessary work and recharge the costs to the owner.
5. Councillor McLaren asked the following question:
“The section of the Rochdale canal that runs through Chadderton Central Ward and the adjoining areas are very poorly maintained, ward Councillors and local residents have been in contact with the Canals and Rivers Trust with little success. In fact one of our residents was told that they do have a litter boat but it operates in the City Centre. Could the relevant Cabinet member ask Officers to work with Elected Members in engaging with the Canals and Rivers Trust to ensure that the canal is an amenity that residents can enjoy?”
Councillor Shah, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services responded that the Council already paid the Canals and Rivers Trust a considerable sum which enabled them to maintain the water body and tow paths. Officers would engage with the Trust to establish if they were able to undertake improvements to the landscaped areas immediately surrounding the canals. The officers would also ascertain If the litter boat was able to operate within the canals in the Oldham area.
6. Councillor Roberts asked the following question:
“Malvern Mews in Royton North is a new development which has not been completed to the standard to allow Oldham Council to adopt the street which leaves residents with poor access and street scene. Could the Cabinet member for Neighbourhoods update us on progress in putting in place policies to ensure that developers meet their obligations to finish environmental works to the required standard?”
Councillor Shah, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services responded that standard policies and procedures were already in place in accordance with Sections 278 and 38 of the Highways Act 1980. The Council was currently considering a number of changes which would make these procedures more robust and allow greater control over developers when new highways were being considered for adoption. Malvern Close was an existing un-adopted access road and had existed for so many years in its current condition. The developer was therefore not obligated to bring the highway up to an adoptable standard nor had the Council been approached by the developer to consider the un-adopted section of Malvern Close for adoption.
7. Councillor Akhtar asked the following question:
“A number of roads in Werneth ward are in an awful state of dis-repair in particular Werneth Hall Rd, Wellington Rd and Napier East/West. Local residents have stated that the roads are worse than those in developing countries. Could the cabinet member please assure the residents of Werneth that these roads will be included in the resurfacing Work programme?”
Councillor Shah, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services responded that funds for this Council financial year 2018/19 had been approved and allocated against schemes solely based on detailed highways asset condition data. These programmes were set and approved and were currently being implemented across the Borough. The ongoing condition of all roads and other highways assets were continuously inspected, monitored and would become included on prioritised lists ready to form potential future programmes according to future available funding in future financial years. These roads were all inspected in late June, early July according to the ongoing planned highways inspection process and any matters which required immediate attention were identified with repairs likely to be carried out in late July/early August.
8. Councillor Heffernan asked the following question:
“Can we, on behalf of all residents, thank the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, the Oldham Mountain Rescue Team, the Army and all who helped control the many moor fires across Greater Manchester?
We are obviously particularly referring to Saddleworth. We have however aware of the excellent work done at Dovestones and into Tameside. Fires have also been fought on Crompton Moor, Denshaw and Winter Hill.
Unfortunately, many of the fires appear to have been started deliberately. Earlier this year, the Police took a firm stance on apprehending and prosecuting perpetrators including juveniles. We cannot try to understand these people. Security has been improved including the appointment of Marshals currently being funded via local Councillors, RSPB and United Utilities. The various services have gone beyond the call of duty and deserve our thanks. In addition, will the Cabinet Member look at long-term funding to secure the Marshal services?
Councillor Jabbar, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Resources agreed that thanks be expressed to the Marshal Service. Funding for Marshalls at Dovestones reservoir would last for a period of 19 weeks up to and including September 9th, 2018. It was being funded by partner contributions from Oldham Council (Saddleworth and Lees District Executive), the RSPB, United Utilities and the Peak District National Park Authority. If favourable weather conditions continued for a prolonged period over the summer months, then further funding may be required from all the partners. This would be the subject of discussion and agreement. In the coming months, further discussions would be required for a solution to be agreed that would allow for the management of the Dovestones site on an annual basis. Building on the working arrangements that were currently in place, partners would be asked to contribute sufficient resources to continue the work that had proved so successful this year.
9. Councillor A. Alexander asked the following question:
“Could the Cabinet Member for Education update us on the progress being made in building a new secondary school for Saddleworth? When can Saddleworth’s young people expect a school fit for the 21st Century to be open?”
Councillor Jacques, Cabinet Member for Education and Culture responded that the planning applications for the new Saddleworth School were currently being held up by discussions between the applicant and the Environment Agency on how best to ensure the flood risk was minimised by the development. The Council had been informed that new flood risk information and modelling would be received from the applicant week beginning 16th July 2018. Should that information be acceptable to the Environment Agency, then after a further period of consultation, the applications would be determined by the Planning Committee.
10. Councillor Dean asked the following question:
“Could the Cabinet Member for highways, inform me when the much need traffic calming measure will take place on Wellyhole Street? With significant new homes on this road, as well as access to parks and walking routes this is an urgent issue.”
Councillor Shah, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services responded that the introduction of traffic calming measures had been included in Year’s One and Two of the current approved 3 year Highway Capital programme. It was hoped that measures would start to be introduced during January – March 2019 once the detailed design, consultation exercise and statutory advertising had been completed.
11. Councillor Davis asked the following question:
“Could the Cabinet member responsible for road resurfacing let me know if Marlborough Drive and Turner Avenue in Failsworth West will be resurfaced? It is especially worn near the grass roots project at the top of Marlborough Drive, and will the dropped pavements be matched to the level of the road when it is resurfaced? Residents have expressed concerns regarding how difficult it is for wheelchair users and scooters and prams. If these works are to go ahead when will they start?”
Councillor Shah, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services responded that the works were currently out to tender for the resurfacing of both the roads mentioned in the question. Currently, the works were programme to start on site in early September 2018. However, this date was subject to some change following the appointment of a contractor which had followed the current tender process being completed. The works would take place within the current Council year 18/19 capital works programme.
12. Councillor Curley asked the following question:
“We are all aware of the ongoing situation with the horrendous fires on Saddleworth Moor. This has been a fear of the community for some time. The situation at Dovestone reservoir has been a constant source of worry and frustration with access problems and the potential for further fires and environmental damage a constant danger. Dovestone is frequently referred to by OMBC as one of the centrepieces of the tourist attractions for the borough. Through the provision of the Dovestone Marshalls we have seen that Marshalls can alleviate much of this problem. The funding for this however is only temporary. Will the Council Leader and Cabinet member responsible provide guaranteed future funding for Marshalls and other measures as well as leading in seeking funding from other stakeholders such as United Utilities, The Peak Park Authority and Purico so we can help safeguard the homes, farms, water supplies and local environment. After all this area is of huge significance to the whole Borough and Gtr Manchester. It is only right that OMBC must lead on financing these measures.”
Councillor Jabbar, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Resources referred to his previous responded. The funding would be in place until 9th September 2018 and if further funding was needed this would be the subject of discussion and agreement. Dovestone was a fantastic location.
13. Councillor S. Bashforth asked the following question:
“We have been experiencing what seems to be a sudden boom in the rat population in and around the Shaw Road End Park area of Royton South Ward. This is a very popular park with families and rhe number of sightings reported to us has never been higher i have requested baits to be put down and i know they have been, a number of times this year. I appreciate the weather may be a factor in this but can you reassure us that extra action is being taken to control the rat population here.”
Councillor Shah, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services confirmed that officers were taking extra action in the park in response to the increased sightings.
14. Councillor Briggs asked the following question:
“The Highways department has stated that the Ash bridge over the River Medlock in Daisy Nook is almost 50 years old and is a risk to health and safety of users. The bridge has been closed since January 2018 and apparently cannot be replaced due to the excessive cost. The bridge had barriers in place but these are frequently damaged and removed by parties unknown. How are the council going to balance closing a “public right of way” and keeping residents safe?”
Councillor Shah, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services responded that tenders were currently being sought to demolish and remove the existing Ash Bridge to ensure public safety was maintained. The bridge was currently closed under a temporary closure order of the particular public right of way and this would remain the situation as additional relevant funding was sought to contribute to a potential replacement structure.
15. Councillor Toor Asked the following question:
“Flytipping is a cause of major concern, with people dumping their rubbish irresponsibly. Despite numerous efforts by the council the situation is not getting any better. Certain parts of Medlock Ward, which includes Bardsley, Hathershaw and coppice have become an eysore.
Can the cabinet member outline what extra measures are proposed to tackle this important issue?”
Councillor Shah, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services responded that the Council was aware of the concerns being expressed related to flytipping incidents in some neighbourhoods in Oldham. Officers had been asked to look at the options available to provide extra resources and were waiting for costed options for consideration.
16. Councillor Harkness asked the following question:
“The Footbridge between the “Woolpack field” and the Garden Centre in Dobcross has been closed for quite some time but residents would very much like to see it re-opened. I am aware that it is the responsibility of Newbank Garden Centre. The Garden Centre bought the land from the Council in 2001 at an auction sale. My understanding is that it was closed because the bridge decking is in a poor condition and had flood damage so the Garden Centre closed the path which is on their land. I know that the path is not a definitive right of way. However, there has been a path at this location for over 21 years. I understand that there can be objection to the closure under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, Section 53. Will the Cabinet Member please assist me in using this or any other means to help get this footpath back in use?”
Councillor Shah, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services responded that the existing path was currently the subject of an ongoing Definitive Map Modification Order (DMM) and was currently being considered by the Public Rights of Way team to allow the route to be added to the Definitive Rights of Way Map that could be viewed on the Council’s website. The process involved the collation of user evidence forms and a collection of historical evidence before a report could be submitted to the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) Panel which met quarterly. The decision of the TRO Panel determined whether the application be accepted or rejected to modify this route to a definitive right of way with recognised status. A key element in the current process had increased timescales was the circumstances of the unsafe bridge issue. The structure was located on the Newbank Garden Centre site and was privately owned and not a Council asset so the current responsibility of repair or reconstruction rested with the private landowner.
17. Councillor C. Gloster asked the following question:
“Currently, around Shaw and Crompton, there is a growing proliferation of land and buildings of the commercial variety that have fallen out of use and are standing derelict. I have no doubt that most of these buildings have been purchased by ‘land bankers’ - purchased in the hope that the value of the land and buildings will increase. Unfortunately these buildings are a target for damage, break-ins and anti-social behaviour. They are a blight on the lives of their neighbours. Examples of these sites are The Old Bulls Head pub at the top of Buckstones Road/Grains Bar, Eli Butterworth’s electrical shop on High Street, the old General Post Office and Legends Pub on Rochdale Road, and The Kings Arms at the Crompton Way roundabout. Can the Cabinet Member tell me if there is a plan in general to make these property owners take responsibility for their buildings and bring them back into use?”
Councillor Fielding, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy and Enterprise responded that Shaw and Crompton was not alone in having buildings like this in their wards. If the buildings were in private ownership, the Council had no legal interest in the property. However, should any property become a health and safety concern the Council’s Planning and Building Control departments could apply enforcement measures. The ambition was to make Oldham a more attractive place and for business to reopen and bring these buildings back into use naturally and not through intervention.
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.