Decision details

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Economy seeking approval to recommendations relating to the new/refreshed vision and priority areas for the regeneration of Oldham Town Centre.

The Cabinet was informed that, by 2035, Greater Manchester aimed to be one of the world’s leading sub-regions, driving sustainable growth across a thriving north of England. The Council wanted to ensure the sustainability of our town centre as a place to work, visit and enjoy: in addition, to be a place where people can live and work, and were able to take maximum advantage of the services, shops, skills and training they needed to enjoy an excellent quality of life.

The report provided an update on the vision for Oldham town centre: a vision that was aligned with national, regional and local strategic priorities and had a clear rationale, narrative and focus for everyone (residents, businesses, officers, stakeholders, politicians, partners et al) to embrace and own, to help drive forward the necessary changes through dedicated accountability and a strategic leadership. 

The report highlighted the priority areas with an associated action plan, the processes through which the delivery methods would be assessed, and the potential decisions needed over the next twelve months in order to instigate the catalytic transformation of the town centre with the ambition for housing at its core.

Options/Alternatives considered:-

Option 1 – Agree the recommendations

Option 2 – Do not agree the recommendations

RESOLVED that:-

1.     The new vision and priority areas for Oldham Town Centre be agreed. 

2.     The new style of the revised masterplan which allowed options to be considered at each point in time, in alignment with local policy and opportunities which arose be noted. It was envisaged that a more-refined masterplan would be presented to Cabinet as projects and opportunities were developed, so that Members could continually review and retain control over determining the future land uses in the town centre, linked with key decisions for investment, opportunities for partnership work, and new developments in the town centre.

3.     The criteria against which future developments would be assessed to ensure they were aligned to the agreed vision, and the governance that would be aligned with the RIBA stage, be noted and agreed.

4.     The anticipated decisions required for 2019/20 in support of project development and implementation be noted.

5.     The procurement of additional consultants and specialist advisors to the extent they are required for the delivery of the projects within the revised masterplan be approved, and the negotiation and conclusion of any related appointments and associated documentation be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Economy and Enterprise in consultation with the Director of Economy, the Director of Finance and the Director of Legal Services

6.     The use of Compulsory Purchase Order powers and appropriation powers be approved in principle, subject to all regulatory constraints and further approvals.

7.     The use of Compulsory Purchase Order powers and appropriation powers on third party land be approved in principle, subject to all regulatory constraints and further approvals.

8.     The Director of Legal Services or their nominated representative be authorised to sign and/or affix the Common Seal of the Council to all the documents and associated ancillary documents referred to above and/or required to give effect to the recommendations in this report.