Decision details

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) which advised members that following receipt of grant notification on 21^st February 2025, from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), on behalf of national government, the submitted report was seeking approval to accept £20,100,000 (twenty million, one hundred thousand pounds). Members were reminded of previous announcements about Oldham being included in the Levelling Up Partnership on behalf of national government. The notification had also confirmed that the programme has changed its name to the Oldham Community Regeneration Partnership. 

Within MHCLG, a sub-team called the Communities Delivery Unit (CDU) had led the work which began in April 2024, and included community engagement and, data insight and assessments to assess the “need” for Levelling Up Oldham.  The CDU undertook further scoping work, desk-based research, literature reviews and work with analysts to develop an evidence base on the opportunities and challenges for Oldham.

Due to the timing of the General Election, the programme was paused from June to November 2025; however, all the work then resumed and informed a cross-government process to develop a long-list of policy options and interventions, as set out in the submitted report. The finalised selection of projects/list of interventions was developed and confirmed by the CDU in February 2025, following ministerial sign off and approval: again, the detail of which was set out in the submitted report.

On acceptance of the grant, the Council and the MHCLG will form the Oldham Community Regeneration Partnership, and after reviewing the identified programme, the proposals are fully aligned with the Oldham Plan and Creating a Better Place framework to create jobs, build homes, and enhance buildings and communities across the borough.

Options/alternatives considered:

Option 1: To accept the list of projects identified by MHCLG and the proposed grant funding allocation as set out in this report which will create the opportunity to delivery significant outcomes across the borough aligned to the Oldham Plan priorities and expend the grant in accordance with the development and delivery plan approved in line with the delegations recommended in this report. Parts of the grant may be used by the Council to purchase works, supplies or services or it may be used to make onward grants to third parties.

Option 2: To decline the offer of the external funding. This option is not supported or recommended as it would result in a significant missed opportunity to deliver a range of activity, across the borough, where funding does not currently exist and associated outcomes will not be achieved.

The preferred Option is Option 1.

Resolved:

That the Cabinet:

1.    Approves the acceptance of the £20,100,000 grant funding award from the MHCLG.

2.    Approves a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with the MHCLG in respect of the grant award and establishment of the Oldham Community Regeneration Partnership.

3.    Notes the extensive consultation and work undertaken by the MHCLG’s CDU Team to collect and assess the longlist of projects and ideas submitted by Oldham’s communities and partners and to note the projects selected by the CDU (after passing MHCLG business case approval) for progression.

4.    Delegates authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Building a Better Oldham, the Director of Finance and the Interim Borough Solicitor/Monitoring Officer, or his nominated representative to oversee and approve: the expenditure of grant funding for the projects selected by MHCLG; the onward award of the grant funding for any policy intervention or project listed by the CDU team; and, any associated partnership or programme of activity.

5.    Delegates authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Building a Better Oldham, the Director of Finance and the Interim Borough Solicitor/Monitoring Officer, or his nominated representative to approve the procurement and appointment of contractors and service providers (and to authorise any sub-contractors) to supply any works, supplies or services needed to deliver the programme of activity following procurements undertaken in compliance with the Council’s own Contract Procedure Rules and the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (or Procurement Act 23, as of 24^th February 2025).

6.    Delegates authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) in consultation with the Interim Director of Finance and the Interim Borough Solicitor/Monitoring Officer, or their nominated representatives to award onward grant funding and to enter into any associated grant agreements with delivery partners and/or community groups, as applicable, setting out clearly prescribed funding timescales, project scope as agreed with MHCLG and subject to appropriate terms and conditions, including any relevant provisions within the MoU entered into with the MHCLG.

7.    Delegate authority to the Interim Borough Solicitor/Monitoring Officer and/or his nominee to formalise any necessary legal requirements including signing and/or sealing any documentation required to give effect to the recommendations and/or delegations in this report.

8.    Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and the Interim Borough Solicitor/Monitoring Officer and/or their nominee(s) to approve the appointment of external legal advisors required to protect the Council’s interests and/or give effect to the recommendations in this report and carry out all necessary legal formalities in respect of any activity approved by virtue of this report.