Use this page to find information regarding recent decisions that have been taken by the council’s decision making bodies.
Alternatively you can visit the officer decisions page for information on officer delegated decisions that have been taken by council officers.
To take advantage of the offer to create a
'Northern Roots Oldham' show garden at the 2020 RHS Hampton Court
Palace Garden Festival, as a means of promoting the development of
the Northern Roots project and Alexandra Park ECO, while also
enhancing the Growing Hub which needs to be relocated to facilitate
the ECO.
Following the show, the garden will be relocated to become the
heart of the new Growing Hub space at the entrance to the Northern
Roots site. The creation of the new Growing Hub will mark the first
tangible step in the delivery of both the ECO and Northern Roots
project.
Decision Maker: Director of Economy
Decision published: 03/09/2019
Effective from: 29/08/2019
Decision:
RESOLVED - that the application for a show
garden dedicated to Northern Roots, underwrite the budget for the
show garden up to a value of £80,000, approve the subsequent
relocation of the show garden into the new Growing Hub on the
Northern Roots site, and give permission to Council Officers to
pursue a range of funding sources to finance the creation and
relocation of the show garden.
Lead officer: Justine Race
The restructure focuses on the operational
workforce, although it also increases management capacity in line
with the need for the increased capital program. The primary change
to the grade 6 post defines and develops the supervisory function
of the role. The reduced number of Grade 6 operatives is balanced
by an increase in the number of Grade 4 posts. The work undertaken
by gully operatives is distinctly different from that of the other
Grade 4 Road workers and a new job description has been written to
more accurately reflect the duties specific to this role. There is
a need for greater flexibility in the role of Yard Operative where
work is currently undertaken by one person. The creation of a grade
3 post to allows for potential growth opportunities in the future
as less experienced operatives learn their skills. All posts have
been assessed by the Councils Pay and Reward team and grades
provided.
In addition to this it is anticipated that the Council will also be
required to make savings in the 2019/2020 financial year, the new
structure will drive out savings against the existing structure but
newly funded posts to enhance the capital program have been added
giving a net increase in overall posts.
Decision Maker: Deputy Chief Executive -
Decision published: 28/08/2019
Effective from: 28/08/2019
Decision:
RESOLVED - That:
To implement the revised structure at appendix 2 and the revised
working times at appendix 4.
Lead officer: Stephen Aikman
A decision is now required to commission full
design and project management services (Pre-construction) in
relation to a package of access works in support of the replacement
Saddleworth School on the former WH Shaw site, Diggle.
Decision Maker: Cabinet Member - Education and Skills
Decision published: 27/08/2019
Effective from: 04/09/2019
Decision:
RESOLVED - That:
It is recommended that Unity Partnership are commissioned to
complete full designs and project management (pre-construction) for
access works associated with Saddleworth School
Lead officer: Andrew Hall
This report seeks exemption from contract
procedure rules in order to create a suitable commissioning route
for the Council to commission the Oldham Research School to deliver
a programme of EEF training, coaching and mentoring support in
order to promote an evidence-based approach to improving
educational practice across the borough. The
Oldham Research School has been delegated by the DfE as the sole
provider of EEF evidence based research and training within the
Oldham
borough.
The programme will support leaders and educators to develop a
consistent, evidence based approach to teaching and learning.
The
intention is to deliver activity across the borough and may include
the following EEF programmes;
• EEF Implementation Training – “Putting Evidence
to Work”
• EEF Preparing for Literacy Training – EYS; KS1; KS2;
KS3
• EEF Metacognition Training
• EEF Effective Deployment of TAs Training
• EEF Maximising the Impact of TAs Training
• EEF Leading Learning Training
• EEF Effective use of Pupil Premium Training
This request is made in the context of the investment (c£6m)
provided to Oldham, as an Opportunity Area (OA), by the Department
for Education (DfE). Formal approval for the receipt of the section
31 grant funding to resource the Opportunity Area programme was
granted though a Cabinet Report on the 6 June 2016.
The OA is committed to funding the programme by providing access to
funds of up to £50K for the academic year 2019-20.
Decision Maker: Deputy Chief Executive -
Decision published: 23/08/2019
Effective from: 18/06/2019
Decision:
RESOLVED - That: The commission of the Oldham
Research
School to deliver the programme (as outlined
above).
Lead officer: Clare Cheetham
The purpose of this report is to seek approval
to appoint the Alexandra Park Depot Project Mechanical and
Electrical (M&E) Engineer
Decision Maker: Cabinet Member - Business, Employment and Enterprise
Decision published: 22/08/2019
Effective from: 15/08/2019
Decision:
RESOLVED - That:
Following a compliant procurement process, WYG are appointed as the
Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) Engineer with the option for
the Council to terminate at RIBA Stage 3.
Lead officer: Emma Barton
The report requests approval for an exemption
to the Council’s contract procedure rules and appoint Stanley
Security to supply a Sonitrol Intruder alarm system and all cabling
and containment.
The Sonitrol Alarm system – software, equipment is owned by
Stanley – and therefore is only available through Stanley.
Sir Robert Peacock House systems are fully integrated with Sonitrol
systems. Hence the case for this exemption is based on a
proprietary reason.
Decision Maker: Director of Economy
Decision published: 21/08/2019
Effective from:
Decision:
RESOLVED - That:
To approve an exemption to the contract procedure rules and appoint
Stanley Security to supply a Sonitrol Intruder alarm system and all
cabling and containment.
Lead officer: Andrew Hall
To seek approval for Oldham Council to take
part in the Greater Manchester Licensing Minimum Standards
Consultation
Decision Maker: Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Reform and Regeneration
Decision published: 20/08/2019
Effective from: 29/08/2019
Decision:
RESOLVED - That:
The report be approved and permission given to take part in the GM
Licensing Minimum Standards Consultation
Lead officer: John Garforth
The Listing of Assets of Community Value
process, approved in December 2013, was introduced under the
Localism Act. A nomination for listing the following land –
The Grotton Pavilion Community Centre, Station Road, Grotton,
Oldham OL4 5SF as an Asset of Community Value was received by the
Council form Richard Darlington and after consideration it was
deemed a valid application for consideration to register.
The nomination was considered by the Council against the criteria
set out in the Localism Act (as enacted by the Assets of Community
Value Regulations 2012). The decision was made by the panel to list
this asset and to add it to the register of successful nominations.
(see appendix 1 – ACV assessment)
Decision Maker: Executive Director for Place & Economic Growth
Decision published: 20/08/2019
Effective from: 20/08/2019
Decision:
RESOLVED - That:
The land – The Grotton Pavilion Community Centre, Station
Road, Grotton, Oldham OL4 5SF - be listed as an Asset of Community
Value.
Lead officer: Rachel Dyson
Approval is required for the purchase of
bespoke monolith totems designed and manufactured for the public
realm scheme at Princes Gate, Mumps. Wood and Wood Signs have been
involved in the process since conception and the product is unique
and one of a kind
Decision Maker: Director of Economy
Decision published: 20/08/2019
Effective from: 19/08/2019
Decision:
RESOLVED - That:
an exemption from CPR be granted for the design, manufacture and
installation of the products by Wood and Wood Signs Ltd
Lead officer: Jeannette Whitney
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 19/08/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 20/08/2019
Effective from: 29/08/2019
Decision:
Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Strategic Estates and Facilities Management that requested approval to establish a new Construction Framework.
The Cabinet was informed that a review of the delivery of Low Value Construction & Highways Services Multi-Lot Framework currently managed by Unity Partnership and the Council had identified that a new framework needed to be established. The current framework was set up in 2015 and was due to expire.
The proposal was to establish a new Construction and Highways Works & Services Framework (CHWSF), which would include a variety of lots to cover the majority of the Council’s maintenance work requirements. The Council needed to ensure that all procurement activity was fully compliant with Oldham Council Contract Procedure Rules and EU Procurement Regulations.
The Framework Agreement was to be established initially for a one-year period, with the option to extend by an additional two years (in one-year increments), if considered appropriate to do so at that time.
Options/Alternatives considered:
· To approve the proposed new CHWSF and award the framework to those suppliers listed for each Lot to ensure continuity of supply.
· Not to award the framework.
RESOLVED that the establishment of the Construction and Highways Works and Services Framework for a one-year period, with the option to extend by an additional two years (in one-year increments), be approved.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 19/08/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 20/08/2019
Effective from: 29/08/2019
Decision:
Consideration was given to a report of the Senior Finance Manager which sought to;
a) Secure the necessary agreements on behalf of Oldham Council, which together with similar agreements from all the other participating Authorities and bodies, would enable the full fibre provider to be contracted by 1 October 2019, and
b) Gain approval to appoint a dedicated project management resource for Oldham to manage the interface between the various Council services that would need to be involved, the appointed contractor, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM).
The Cabinet was informed that, following the successful Greater Manchester (GM) bid to Central Government’s Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) for £23.8m of Local Full Fibre Networks funding (LFFN) in March 2018, a considerable amount of work had been undertaken to finalise this large complex project.
The LFFN Programme would have a transformational impact on digital infrastructure in GM and, at its conclusion the region should have the best high-speed digital infrastructure coverage of any city-region in the UK. The programme was also expected to deliver cost benefits to public sector partners over the medium term.
The Cabinet noted that the Council had been working very closely with the TfGM LFFN Team who had been drawing on local technical, financial, procurement and highways expertise to ensure that the LFFN Full Fibre Programme was delivered within the tight timeframe and met local
needs.
The grant offer from DCMS required GM to spend the £21.3m DCMS LFFN funding by the end of March 2021. This was a challenging timescale, which required the LFFN to be procured during the first half of 2019/20. Therefore, Oldham, together with all the other participants needed formal financial approvals to be in place before the scheduled date for contracts to be awarded in October 2019.
As the GM-wide initiative had been under consideration for some time, the approved 2019/20 to 2023/24 Capital Strategy made provision for the Council’s inclusion in the scheme, with an initial investment of £1.5m being set aside. The commitment and cost to the Council had therefore been anticipated and included in both the revenue and capital financial plans.
Options/Alternatives considered:
· Approve the recommendations
· Not to approve the recommendations
RESOLVED that:
1. Approval was granted to delegate authority to the Leader of the Council and Deputy Chief Executive (People and Place) to approve the final capital funding commitment up to a maximum of £1.525m, which would fund the connection of at least 63 mandatory sites within the Oldham area and up to 36 additional sites.
2. Approval was granted to delegate authority to the Leader of the Council and Deputy Chief Executive (People and Place) to enter into a contract with the preferred supplier for the fibre connection of public sites and premises in Oldham under the GM Local Full Fibre Networks Programme.
3. Approval was granted to delegate authority to the Leader of the Council and Deputy Chief Executive (People and Place) to enter into the Inter Authority Agreement (IAA) that will set out the local authority role and processes for the implementation of the LFFN Programme.
4. The acceptance the Oldham share of the DCMS LFFN grant funding, which will be distributed by the GMCA, be approved.
5. The engagement of a dedicated project management resource, at a maximum cost of £60k for a period of up to 36 months, be approved.
6. The increase in the capital allocation within the currently approved Capital Programme, by £0.085m from the currently approved £1.500m to £1.585m with the utilisation of Funds for Emerging Priorities, to fully fund the proposals contained within this report be agreed.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 19/08/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 20/08/2019
Effective from: 29/08/2019
Decision:
The Cabinet considered a report of the Head of School Support Services seeking approval for an additional expansion of Hollinwood Academy.
The Cabinet was informed that the Local Authority (LA) had a statutory duty to provide sufficient school places within its area. There was significant place pressure at Hollinwood Academy, which provided education for pupils with autistic spectrum disorders and social communication difficulties. The academy was the only bespoke provision in Oldham for pupils with these conditions. Without further additional expansion the academy would not be able to offer places to a number of children whose Education and Health Care Plans (EHCP’s) had indicated that the academy would be the preferred provider.
The Cabinet noted that, in February 2019, a delegated decision was taken to contribute £390,000 Basic Need Funding to the physical expansion of Hollinwood Academy. In the time since that decision was made, it had become apparent that further place pressure would be made on the school which would mean that it would require an additional 8 classrooms, as opposed to the original 4 approved in February 2019. On current predictions there would be 215 pupils in the school in September 2019 which was expected to cater for around 50 pupils.
The Cabinet was informed that the LA had a statutory obligation to provide sufficient special school places in the borough. The additional increased pressure on places was a result of parental choice and an increase in the number of EHCP’s where the school was named as the preferred provider.
Options/Alternatives considered:
· Provide an additional contribution to the Newbridge Trust to facilitate the increase in pupils.
· Not approve the additional funding.
RESOLVED that:
1. An additional basic need funding of £300,000 for the increased expansion of Hollinwood Academy be approved.
2. Authority be delegated to the Director of Education, Skills and Early Years to develop, consult, procure and arrange for the execution by the Director of Legal Services of any relevant contracts and incidental and ancillary documentation in accordance with the agreed school expansions programme.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 19/08/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 20/08/2019
Effective from: 29/08/2019
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 19/08/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 20/08/2019
Effective from: 29/08/2019
Decision:
The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Operations Manager which sought approval for the award of a Framework Agreement to cover the annual, seasonal and ad hoc requirement within the Highway Operations for the provision of a range of hired plant and equipment.
The Cabinet was informed that the intention was to form a Framework of suppliers, which will ensure availability of all plant and equipment. The Agreement would be administered and the work allocated by the individual service areas. Being selected as one of the prospective suppliers on the Framework Agreement would in no way guarantee an allotted amount of work during the contract period.
The plant hire framework would be established over 5 years and was essentially a framework for the Highways Operations team to hire various plant, equipment and skilled operatives to cover the annual, seasonal and ad hoc requirements within the Highway Operations service. The contract was divided into six lots with various suppliers in each lot, which allowed the flexibility to complete various projects.
Options/Alternatives considered:
· To award the framework agreement to the bidders identified.
· To not award.
RESOLVED that the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information contained at Item 13 of the agenda.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 19/08/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 20/08/2019
Effective from: 29/08/2019
Decision:
The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Senior Planning Officer which sought adoption of the Oldham Town Centre Oldham Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (CAAMP) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), with the proposed extensions to the Oldham Town Centre Conservation Area boundary being designated under section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and treated as a material planning consideration, until formally adopted through the Local Plan
review process. This would allow the CAAMP to hold more weight in planning
decisions, including the proposed extensions, to help enhance Oldham Town Centre Conservation Area.
The Cabinet was informed that the SPD would provide further guidance on the relevant policies contained within the Joint Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Development Plan Document (the
Joint DPD) and, in particular it would assist council officers and applicants in implementing Policy 24 ‘Historic Environment’ in planning decisions and enforcement.
The CAAMP would provide up to date evidence to inform the Local Plan review and its implementation when adopted. It would also support the regeneration plans for Oldham Town Centre.
The CAAMP was a high priority as the Oldham Town Centre Conservation Area had been surveyed as part of the Historic England Heritage “At Risk” Assessment and had been included on the conservation area “At Risk” Register. An up to date CAAMP was required to reassess the designated area, and evaluate and record its special interest. The last conservation area appraisal for Oldham Town Centre had been published in April 1997.
The Cabinet was informed that four extensions were proposed to the existing Oldham Town Centre conservation area boundary.
· High Street East and Parliament Square
· Yorkshire Street, Retiro Street and Waterloo Street
· Cultural Quarter
· Harrison Street
Buildings had also been identified that could be added to a local list and a Management Plan had been developed, which set out policies and recommendations around enhancement, regeneration and community
engagement.
The appraisal had been prepared has been prepared as an SPD providing more detailed guidance to Policy 24 on the Historic Environment in
the adopted Local Plan. This would give the CAAMP more weight in planning decisions and enforcement action. The proposed extensions to the
conservation area would have to be formally adopted through the Local Plan and, until then, approval would enable them to be designated and treated as a material planning consideration in planning decisions, so that consideration would still be afforded to these areas recommended for inclusion within the conservation area.
Options/Alternatives considered:
· Option 1 - To approve the CAAMP SPD and associated requirements.
· Option 2 - To not approve the SPD and associated requirements.
RESOLVED that the adoption of the CAAMP SPD and associated requirements and designation of the proposed extensions be approved.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 19/08/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 20/08/2019
Effective from: 29/08/2019
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 19/08/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 20/08/2019
Effective from: 29/08/2019
Decision:
Consideration was given to a report of the Engineer, Highways & Engineering, Unity Partnership, which sought approval for the award of a civil engineering contract in excess of £400,000 to Bethell Construction Ltd for Delph New Road / A62 Huddersfield Road Flood Alleviation Scheme following the tender selection process.
The Cabinet was informed that the Gatehead and Huddersfield Road area had been identified as a local priority area for a flood risk management scheme. There was a history of flooding in the Gatehead area and along Huddersfield Road. 110 domestic properties and 43 commercial sites were
affected by flooding at Gatehead housing estate and internal flooding along Huddersfield Road. The two locations flooded approximately 1 in 10 years.
The project involved the procurement, tender evaluation and acceptance for Delph New Road / A62 Huddersfield Road Flood Alleviation Scheme. The works included the construction of proposed highway drainage, including pipe, manholes, gullies and the construction of an outfall structure.
Options/Alternatives considered:
· Agree to appoint the preferred contractor and enable a purchase order for the works value to be raised for the works associated with Delph New Road / A62 Huddersfield Road Flood Alleviation Scheme.
· Do not agree to appoint the preferred contractor to undertake the works.
RESOLVED that – the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information contained at Item 14 of the agenda.
An action plan to set out how the Council will
have regard to the Housing Delivery Test results.
Decision Maker: Cabinet Member - Communities and Culture
Decision published: 20/08/2019
Effective from: 29/08/2019
Decision:
To approve the Housing Delivery Test Action
Plan for publication in line with the requirements of the Housing
Delivery Test Measurement Results February 2018.
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Elizabeth Dryden-Stuart
To award town centre building grant
Decision Maker: Executive Director for Place & Economic Growth
Decision published: 16/08/2019
Effective from: 05/08/2019
Decision:
RESOLVED - That:
The Council award a town centre grant.
Lead officer: James Tolan
To award town centre building grants
Decision Maker: Executive Director for Place & Economic Growth
Decision published: 16/08/2019
Effective from: 31/07/2019
Decision:
RESOLVED - That:
the Council award building grants to assist the town centre
regeneration.
Lead officer: James Tolan
The purpose of the report is to seek approval
for the Council to dispose of a strip of land adjoining the former
Fytton Arms to promote comprehensive redevelopment of the
site.
Decision Maker: Executive Director for Place & Economic Growth
Decision published: 16/08/2019
Effective from: 16/08/2019
Decision:
RESOLVED - That the Council proceed to dispose
of the subject area of land (shown edged red in Appendix One) to
Clements Court on the basis of the provisionally agreed heads of
terms set out in Appendix Five.
Lead officer: Mark Prestwich