(time limit 30 minutes)
Motion 1
Councillor P Jacques to MOVE and Councillor M Ali to SECOND:
This council notes the strong link between child poverty, educational performance and earnings in adult life. A rounded, high quality education, inside and outside the classroom, that equips young people with the tools to lead fulfilling and productive lives should be the expectation for all Oldham residents.
As a borough we already have plenty to be proud of, including four out of five Oldham children attending a good or outstanding school, Oldham College’s recent good rating from Ofsted, at Key Stages 1 and 2 across reading, writing and maths, and at Key Stage 5, with the percentage of Oldham students achieving grades A*-C now within 1% of national averages.
There is still a lot to do, however, particularly in early years and at Key Stage 4. This work is made difficult by the fragmented nature of our education system, but this council remains committed to supporting all our young people, whether they attend a maintained school, academy or free school.
This council resolves to:
Motion 2
Councillor Ur-Rehman to MOVE and Councillor Williams to SECOND:
This council notes with concern the growing threat to our communities and particularly our young people from violent crime. Since March 2010 in Oldham, recorded violence with injury has increased by 64% and possession of weapons has increased by 124%, while violence without injury has increased by 441%. Some of this may be due to changes to reporting methods, but it is increasingly difficult to accept the Conservative government’s argument that there is no correlation with police cuts that have seen 21,000 officers removed from service.
The New Economics Foundation have recently estimated that austerity has cost the UK economy £100 billion in lost economic growth. In this context, the government is asking residents of Greater Manchester to pay twice for their police force. The council condemns the government’s agenda, passing the burden of police funding to local taxpayers via the police precept.
Whilst the decision of the Deputy Mayor to use the police precept goes some way to reversing Tory cuts, through the recruitment of at least 320 additional police officers and the introduction of more officers instead of PCSOs on the bus and tram network, it should not be necessary.
This council resolves to:
1. Request that the Chief Executive write to Nick Hurd MP, Minister of State for Policing and the Fire Service, highlighting the concerning rise in violent crime in Oldham and the need for fairer funding that reflects local need
2. Build stronger relationships between councillors, communities and the police by developing new district working methods
3. Work in and with communities to build understanding of the causes of and solutions to violent crime, taking a holistic approach similar to that which has seen success in Scotland
Minutes:
Motion 1
Councillor P. Jacques MOVED and Councillor Ali SECONDED the following MOTION:
“This council notes the strong link between child poverty, educational performance and earnings in adult life. A rounded, high quality education, inside and outside the classroom, that equips young people with the tools to lead fulfilling and productive lives should be the expectation for all Oldham residents.
As a borough, we already have plenty to be proud of, including four out of five Oldham children attending a good or outstanding school, Oldham College’s recent good rating from Ofsted, improvements at Key Stages 1 and 2 across reading, writing and maths, and at Key Stage 5, with the percentage of Oldham students achieving grades A* - C now within 1% of national averages.
There is still a lot to do, however, particularly in early years and at Key Stage 4. This work is made difficult by the fragmented nature of our education system, but this council remains committed to supporting all our young people, whether they attend a maintained school, academy or free school.”
Councillor Harkness spoke in support of the Motion.
Councillor Mushtaq spoke in support of the Motion.
Councillor H. Gloster spoke in support of the Motion.
Councillor E. Jacques spoke in support of the Motion.
Councillor Shah spoke in support of the Motion.
Councillor Jabbar spoke in support of the Motion.
Councillor Murphy spoke on the Motion.
Councillor S. Bashforth spoke in support of the Motion.
Councillor Fielding spoke in support of the Motion.
Councillor P. Jacques exercised his right of reply.
On being put to the vote, 52 votes were cast in FAVOUR of the MOTION and 0 votes were cast AGAINST with 2 ABSTENTIONS. The MOTION was therefore CARRIED.
RESOLVED that:
1. Investing in capacity building at good and outstanding schools be continued so that more of young people can attend the school of their choice.
2. Partner organisations and parents be worked with to ensure all children arrive on their first day of school ready to learn.
3. Support to schools be continued to work together and share best practice, learning from one another for the benefit of all our young people.
4. Work be expanded to tackle holiday hunger and create breakfast clubs in schools across the borough
5. Evidence be submitted to the forthcoming Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee inquiry into local government finance, highlighting the impact of funding cuts on services and restrictions this placed on the council’s ability to support our schools and tackle the concerning levels of child poverty in the borough.”
Motion 2
The Mayor informed the meeting that the time limit for this item had expired.
Councillor Ur-Rehman MOVED and Councillor Williams SECONDED the following MOTION be put to the vote.
“This Council notes with concern the growing threat to our communities and particularly our young people from violent crime. Since March 2010 in Oldham, recorded violence with injury has increased by 64% and possession of weapons has increased by 124%, while violence without injury has increased by 441%. Some of this may be due to changes to reporting methods, but it is increasingly difficult to accept the Conservative government’s argument that there is no correlation with police cuts that have seen 21,000 officers removed from service.
The New Economics Foundation have recently estimated that austerity has cost the UK economy £100 billion in lost economic growth. In this context, the government is asking residents to pay twice for their police force. The council condemns the government’s agenda, pass the burden of police funding to local taxpayers via the police precept.
Whilst the decision of the Deputy Mayor to use the police precept goes some way to reversing Tory cuts, through the recruitment of at least 320 additional police officers and the introduction of more officers instead of PCSOs on the bus and tram network, it should not be necessary.”
Councillor Ur-Rehman did not exercise his right of reply.
On being put to the vote, the MOTION was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
RESOLVED that:
1. The Chief Executive be requested to write to Nick Hurd MP, Minister of State for Policing and the Fire Service, highlighting the concerning rise in violence crime in Oldham and the need for fairer funding that reflects local need.
2. Stronger relationships be built between councillors, communities and the police by developing new district working methods.
3. Work in and with communities be built to understand the causes of and solutions to violent crime, taking a holistic approach similar to that which has seen success in Scotland.