Minutes:
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Fielding, delivered his First Annual Statement. The Leader reflected on being out in the communities and visiting staff in the last six months from across the organisation hearing and seeing what they did and listened to their challenges. The Leader highlighted the outstanding Lifelong Learning Service and meeting service users who were learning to speak English which opened up opportunities such as seeking work and assisting their children with schoolwork which underpinned the objective of school readiness and for Oldham to be a prosperous place. The Leader also highlighted the Holts Estate Hub where staff from a number of organisations including the Council worked together to deliver a better service for residents, created community groups where there had been none before, helped residents into work and supported people in the community rather than when a crisis point was reached.
The Leader reflected on making the Borough a place it could be, there was a lot to be proud of and a lot to do. The Leader reflected on the Administration’s priorities. Colleagues had had conversations on doorsteps on what was important which were basic services which included better and safer roads. There was an investment programme in primary and secondary routes. If a road was in need of investment, the Leader asked that residents report it to their local councillors. The Leader highlighted cleaner streets and the investment in extra staff and changed rotas. The Leader also reflected on communities loving where they lived and keeping communities tidy and the launch of the Big Clean Up.
The Leader reflected on community safety , the appointment of a dedicated Cabinet Member for Policing and Community Safety, the success of Operation Infinity. Violent behaviour would not be tolerated.
The Leader highlighted regeneration including the review of the Town Centre Master plan which included being sympathetic to heritage and aspiration of people, not exclusively shopping as town centres evolved. Regeneration was not just about Oldham Town Centre and the Leader reflected progress in other areas which included Hollinwood Junction, Broadway Green and an application had been submitted for the demolition of Hartford Mill to complete development in the Freehold area.
The Leader also reflected that regeneration was not just about physical but also social regeneration for healthy and happy communities which included Get Oldham Working and the success of getting residents into work. The Leader highlighted education and the challenge to support schools and academies. Eighty percent of schools were rated good or outstanding. The Leader highlighted the shortage of places, working with providers to build new schools and the investments being made across the borough. The Leader highlighted that the Environment Agency had withdrawn their objections to the new Saddleworth School and hoped to soon provide facilities to those students which they deserved.
The Leader reflected on making devolution work which include the delivery of health and social care integration and highlighted the variations in life expectancy. The Leader also highlighted the Town Centre Challenge and the nomination of Royton Town Centre and the offer to make other nominations for the regeneration of this corner of Greater Manchester.
The Leader made reference to austerity and the declaration that it was coming to an end. The authority would have to be make further cuts to the budget which had already taken out £208m. The Leader highlighted the continued rollout of Universal Credit. The Administration continued to be active, demand better for Oldham, challenged detractors and continued to invest despite the financial challenges. The Leader announced the authority would apply for accreditation as a Living Wage Employer. The authority already paid the living wage to those directly employed but this would be rolled out to wholly owned companies and further work with suppliers. The authority would set an example as one the largest employers in the borough.
Aspirations were only meaningful if everyone shared in it. Oldham needed to demand better and aim higher. Together with the right aspirations Oldham would be the place it could be.
RESOLVED that the content of the Leader’s Annual Statement be noted.