Search decisions

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Strategy, Policy and

Partnerships, which sought approval to take forward the development of the Northern Roots project, with the proposed Alexandra Park Eco-Centre being the first phase. Under this project there would be consideration of opportunities to work with local communities to investigate ways that

Oldham could celebrate, protect and enhance its green spaces for the benefit of local people, the local economy and the planet.

Members were informed that Northern Roots would initially focus on the 160-acre Snipe Clough site adjacent to Alexandra Park and would investigate ways to enhance the sustainability and biodiversity of the site, to offer even greater opportunities for recreation and leisure for local people, and to promote growing and green enterprise projects.

The Northern Roots Project was an exciting opportunity for both Oldham and Greater Manchester and had become possible due to the work and achievements of the last six years of the co-operative agenda, working with communities and both celebrating and harnessing all the Borough had to offer as a green and growing town.

Members were informed that it would help make real and tangible the ambitions of the Oldham Plan for an inclusive economy, thriving communities and co-operative services; helping create great opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors.

The Cabinet noted that over the past six years, and as a tangible part of the co-operative borough ambition, community growing, horticulture skills and training, renewable energy and the local food economy had been developing. This was through a series of linked initiatives including Get Oldham Working, Get Oldham Growing, Growing Oldham, Feeding Ambition, Oldham Community Power and, more recently, the work on Thriving Communities.

When combined with proposals for the Alexandra Park Eco-centre, Northern Roots presented a significant opportunity and could be a positive new vehicle for change in Oldham, with the potential to be a powerful brand, pulling together existing and developing new initiatives around food, growing, sustainability and wellbeing in the borough, as well enabling community

engagement on opportunities and sites across the Borough.

Options/Alternatives considered:

Option 1 – Agree the recommendations

Option 2 – Do not agree the recommendations

RESOLVED - That the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information contained at Item 11 of the agenda.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Principal Regeneration Officer which sought approval for funding for the Alexandra Park Depot Site Project.

The report presented a summary of the detailed work carried out to date in bringing forward the Alexandra Park Depot Site Project to ensure effective service delivery and support the Council’s ambition to make Oldham a green and growing place. This investment, and the delivery of an eco-centre, marked the first step for Oldham’s innovative Northern Roots project which would work with local communities to investigate ways that Oldham could celebrate, protect and enhance its green spaces for the benefit of local people, the local economy and the planet.

Northern Roots would initially focus on the 160-acre Snipe Clough site adjacent to Alexandra Park and would investigate ways to enhance the sustainability and biodiversity of the site, to offer even greater opportunities for recreation and leisure for local people, and to use the space for growing and green enterprise projects.

The report made recommendations for capital funding for the project.

RESOLVED - That the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information contained at Item 12 of the agenda.

</AI9>

<AI10>

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Interim Education Provision Manager which

1.     Set out the Council’s statutory obligations to determine the admission

arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools in Oldham for the academic year 2020-2021.

2.     Informed the Cabinet of the proposed Co-ordinated Scheme for admissions for 2020-2021 and to sought approval for the proposals.

3.     Informed the Cabinet of the proposed admission arrangements for admissions to community and voluntary controlled primary and secondary schools for the academic year 2020-2021 and to sought approval for the proposals.

4.     Sought Cabinet approval to continue the current arrangements for appeals to the Independent Appeal Panel.

Options/Alternatives considered:

Option 1 - To approve the proposed Co-ordinated Scheme at Appendix A, the arrangements for admission to community and voluntary controlled primary and secondary schools, as set out in the Appendices B & C and the continuation of existing arrangements for appeals to the Independent Appeal Panel.

Option 2 - To request changes to the proposed admission arrangements.

RESOLVED – That the Co-ordinated Scheme and arrangements for admissions to community and voluntary controlled primary and secondary schools (as set out in Appendices A to C) and the current arrangements for appeals to the Independent Appeal Panel, for the academic year 2020-2021, be agreed.

Consideration was given to a report of the Strategy, Partnerships & Policy Manager (Corporate) and the Strategic Reward & Recognition Lead which sought approval to apply for Living Wage Accreditation and to note the cost of becoming and remaining accredited. A further report would come to a future meeting of the Cabinet and would include the proposed milestone plan, and full procurement and future financial implications.

The Cabinet were informed that the ambition for Oldham was to build an inclusive economy, with thriving communities and co-operative services. Oldham would be a place where everyone had a fair and real chance to access opportunities and improve their own lives. It would strive for an ambitious and socially mobile borough through making significant progress in living standards, wages and skills for everyone. As a major local employer, the Council was able to set an example demonstrating its aspirations and values.

The Living Wage Foundation recognised and celebrated the leadership shown by Living Wage employers across the UK. The aim was to increase the number of employers in the UK who were recognised for paying their staff the Living Wage. The Living Wage was an hourly rate set independently and updated annually. This was UK wide and announced in November of each year during Living Wage Week. The current rate for the Living Wage was £9.00 per hour (announced in November 2018). This rate was above the Government’s current National Living Wage of £7.83 per hour (£8.21 from April 2019).

Members were informed that improving wages played a significant role in building an inclusive economy, therefore the Living Wage was an important tool because it provided a level of pay that adequately allowed workers to provide for themselves and their families. As such, the Living Wage could help

tackle inequality. Paying a Living Wage could also boost the local economy by giving workers more money to spend on goods and services.

Members noted that, if the Council decided to apply for formal accreditation, it would require providers/suppliers to the Council, including sub-contractors, to all pay the Foundation Living Wage, in addition to that rate being paid for directly employed staff.

Phased accreditation recognised that full compliance could not be made at the outset, and the Council would have three years to achieve it, which was in line with the approach that other Councils had taken. The report included roposals to develop a three-year milestone plan with an ambition to secure full compliance within that time.

Options/Alternatives considered:-

Option 1 - Make an application to be a Living Wage employer

Option 2 - Not make an application to be a Living Wage employer (although continue to pay our directly employed staff the appropriate hourly rate from April each year)

RESOLVED - That:

1.     Oldham Council’s application for Living Wage Accreditation be agreed, and the detailed work would proceed, with a further report to be presented back to Cabinet including the proposed milestone plan, and full procurement and future financial implications.

2.     The annual cost of £480 to be paid to the Living Wage Foundation to become and remain accredited be noted. The detail of this would be included in the next Cabinet report as part of the overall implementation proposal.