Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lancaster, Quigg and Sheldon.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lancaster, Quigg and Sheldon.

To order that the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 16th July 2025 be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 16^th July 2025, be approved as a correct record.

Councillor Ghafoor declared a pecuniary interest in agenda item 14 (Introduction of Article 4 Direction for Houses of Multiple Occupation) and he left the room during the consideration of this item.

Councillor Hince declared a personal interest in agenda item 10 (Notice of Administration Business – Motion 2 (Setting out our ambition to become a ‘Defibrillator Friendly’ Borough)).

Councillor Bashforth declared a personal interest in agenda item 11 (Notice of Opposition Business – Motion 2 (Oldham Borough deserves a state-of-the-art police station which must include a custody suite)).

Councillor Murphy declared a personal interest in agenda item 11 (Notice of Opposition Business – Motion 2 (Oldham Borough deserves a state-of-the-art police station which must include a custody suite)).

The Mayor informed Council that regarding agenda item 14 (Introduction of Article 4 Direction for Houses of Multiple Occupation), there was a note in the supplementary agenda pack, at page 69, which detailed corrections to the report. At page 71 of the supplementary agenda pack there were details of a Liberal Democrat amendment to the report.

Regarding agenda item 17 (Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places), the Mayor noted that a revised and updated report had been published and circulated to Members.

The Mayor referred to the recent death of former Christine Dugdale, who represented the Waterhead Ward between 1994 and 2004. Accordingly, Councillors Sykes and Dean addressed Council paying their individual condolences and tributes.

Council held a minute’s silence in memory of former Councillor Dugdale.

The Mayor advised that the Chief Executive had been notified that Councillors Ball, Quigg and Wilkinson have formed a new Group and will now sit as Reform UK members, with Councillor Quigg as Group Leader. The Mayor informed Council that an updated report on changes to the political balance will be brought to the next Council meeting.

The Mayor confirmed the current political balance of the Council as follows: Labour – 27 seats, Liberal Democrats – 9 seats, Oldham Group – 9 seats, Conservatives – 4 seats, Reform UK – 3 seats, The Independent Group – 2 seats, Failsworth Independence Party – 2 seats, Royton Independents – 2 seats and Royton Local Group – 2 seats

Regarding agenda item 11 (Notice of Opposition Business), the Mayor noted that the timings for this item be allocated as follows: Oldham Group Motion – 12 minutes and 30 seconds, Liberal Democrat Group Motion - 12 minutes and 30 seconds and the Conservative Group’s Motion – 5 minutes.

(time limit 20 minutes)

There are no petitions for this Council meeting to consider.

There were no petitions for this meeting of the Council to consider.

(time limit 20 minutes)

There is no Youth Council business for this Council meeting to consider.

There was not a Youth Council Motion for this Council meeting to consider.

(time limit 15 Minutes)

1.    Question from Dilber Shabir

What is Oldham Councils plan for protecting the rights for the?people and families living in a HMO?? 

Councillor Taylor, Statutory Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods replied, thanking Mr Shabir for his question. Oldham Council has a dedicated Housing Options Service which includes a Tenancy Relation’s Service.  

Any resident or household which needs help, advice and/or support in relation to their housing circumstances can contact the service who would be happy to help. We can offer advice in person or via the telephone whichever is best for the resident.  The resident will be made aware of their statutory rights in terms of tenancy sustainment and should a landlord be acting inappropriately or unlawfully the team can take the necessary action.  This can range from ensuring the landlord is aware of their responsibilities and obligations through to undertaking enforcement action where needed.  

2.    Question from Syed Maruf Ali

I would like to ask the Council what steps it is taking, in partnership with local NHS and public health bodies, to address health inequalities affecting British South Asian communities in Oldham. National NHS data shows only 57% of Bangladeshi/South Asian patients start treatment within 18 weeks, with delays even worse in deprived areas like ours. Many face barriers to access, digital exclusion, and a lack of culturally appropriate care. What targeted work is being done to reduce waiting times, improve access, and ensure fairer outcomes for Bangladeshi/South Asian residents?

Councillor Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing replied, thanking Mr. Maruf for his question. 

South Asian communities in Oldham experience notable health inequalities, including higher rates of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD), and face barriers to accessing care. CVD risk factors emerge earlier and at lower weights in this population, and local services are under pressure. We are prioritising prevention and early identification to address these disparities. 

We work through our Community Health Champions network, supported by Action Together, to engage anchor organisations and trusted community leaders. This empowers South Asian residents with knowledge about their health and how to access care. 

Physical activity is a key focus. We co-develop culturally appropriate opportunities with community groups, embedding activity into daily life and reducing inequalities. 

To prevent CVD and diabetes, we support residents to quit smoking and alternative tobacco use and maintain a healthy weight. Your Health Oldham provides tailored weight management and cessation services, including work with the Women’s Chai Project. 

The ICB and Oldham Community Leisure are collaborating on CVD prevention, with culturally aware education and train-the-trainer sessions to build community capacity. 

3.    Question from Lewis Farnworth

Due to the rise inflation of 3.9 what support will you give to the lowest paid households for example UNPAID CARERS and pensioners as food price continues to rise and the essentials becoming more unaffordable?

Councillor Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing replied, thanking Mr. Farnworth for his question. 

The cost of living crisis is sadly affecting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

(time limit 90 minutes)

a.    Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Growth – including the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held 16^th June 2025; the minutes of meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held 27^th June 2025; and the minutes of the meeting of the AGMA Executive Board held 27^th June 2025.

b.    Statutory Deputy Leader and Neighbourhoods Portfolio Holder

c.    Deputy Leader and Finance, Corporate Services and Sustainability Portfolio Holder

d.    Children and Young People’s Portfolio Holder

e.    Adults, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder

f.     Education and Skills Portfolio Holder

g.    Culture and Leisure Portfolio Holder

h.    Enterprise Portfolio Holder

i.      Transport and Highways Portfolio Holder

In respect of this agenda item Councillor Woodvine MOVED and Councillor Byrne SECONDED that Council Procedure Rule Part 4a, section 2.1.3 be suspended, to permit Councillor Woodvine to ask a question to the Leader of the Council, if time ran out on this item. On being put to the vote, the Motion was LOST.

The Mayor invited the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Members to present their reports and further invited non-executive members to ask questions thereon (written questions and answers submitted to the Leader and Cabinet Members were attached at Appendix A (and have been published to the Council’s website):

Councillor Shah, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Growth – including the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held 16^th June 2025; the minutes of meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held 27^th June 2025; and the minutes of the meeting of the AGMA Executive Board held 27^th June 2025.

Councillor Sykes, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group

Question 1: Oldham Coliseum  

Thank you, Mister Mayor

Last December, Councillor Shah made a clear promise to the people of Oldham, that the Oldham Coliseum would be open in time for the 25 Panto season. But we’ve known for a long time now that we’ve been unable to keep that promise. The refurbishment of the theatre has been delayed. We’re waiting on whatever additional works means, which no one seems interested in explaining, and no date for the reopening has been set.

Mister Mayor, the community fought tooth and nail to save the Coliseum. They shouldn’t be left in the dark over its future. A statement about the delays, or delay, but with no details was issued at the start of June. Its months now since I asked the Leader for details of its refurbishment, So I wrote to her at the end of July about these matters and got a non-answer with still no further information. So, since June, three months ago, we’re no closer to the answers. So, I’ll ask them again tonight. Can the Leader outline the new timeline for completion and when we can realistically expect the doors of the Coliseum to reopen. What are the extra costs required, and what will they cost? And can she confirm whether the budget allocated for this project is sufficient, or are we now looking at potential overspends, further delays or even a scaling back of the plans? Residents, the community, the business community, and everybody deserves some clarity and answers please.

Councillor Shah, the Leader of the Council replied that some of the information requested by Councillor Sykes cannot be shared publicly as it related to commercial activities being undertaken by the Friends of the Coliseum and of other contractors. Councillor Shah added that the Friends of the Coliseum had asked for more time to be spent on the works, including an extension for additional works to be undertaken. The Leader was, therefore, unable to give a definitive date for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1: Recognising Palestine and the famine in Gaza

To be Moved by Councillor Mushtaq
to be  Seconded by Councillor Taylor

Next month will mark two years since the horrific attack of October 7^th, leaked data from the IDFs own figures indicate a civilian death rate of 83% in the Gaza war that followed those attacks, causing experts from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) to state “That proportion of civilians among those killed would be unusually high, particularly as it has been going on for such a long time.”

When compared to conflicts tracked by UCDP since 1989, only the Rwandan Genocide, the Russian siege of Mariupol and Srebrenica have a higher proportion of civilian casualties.

The number of civilians impacted by this war in Israel and Palestine is unpalatable to thousands of people across Oldham. The war is having a profound effect on millions of people worldwide as we witness unimaginable suffering.

This Council notes:

• The UK Government’s announcement on 29 July 2025 that it will formally recognise the State of Palestine in September.
• The joint statement issued on 21 July 2025 by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and 28 international partners, which condemned the Israeli government’s aid delivery model as “dangerous, fuelling instability and depriving Gazans of human dignity,” and called for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire”.
• The speech delivered by UK Ambassador to the UN, Dame Barbara Woodward, on 23 July 2025, in which she described the Israeli aid system as “inhumane, ineffective, dangerous and fuelling instability,” and called for Israel to end attacks on civilians, cooperate with the UN, and uphold international humanitarian law.
• The official declaration by the United Nations backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) and humanitarian agencies that famine conditions now exist in Gaza, with over 640,000 people facing catastrophic food insecurity and millions more in emergency or crisis conditions.
• The IPC concluded that the decision was based on evidence of extreme food deprivation, acute malnutrition and starvation-related deaths.
• That the famine is a man-made disaster, resulting from prolonged conflict, displacement, and severe restrictions on humanitarian access.

This Council believes:

• That recognition of the State of Palestine is a vital step toward a just and lasting peace in the region.
• That the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza demands urgent and coordinated international action to prevent further loss of life.
• That Israel should immediately allow full and unrestricted humanitarian aid agencies into Gaza to immediately address the famine.
• That the UK Government’s recent statements reflect a growing international consensus on the need for accountability, humanitarian access, and a political resolution, but the time for action has never been more apparent given that a famine has been declared.
• That local authorities have a role to play in advocating for human rights, peace, and justice globally as our residents care deeply about these issues.
• That residents across Oldham have displayed their commitment to supporting aid efforts and minimising suffering in Gaza by raising awareness and fundraising for  ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Motion 1: Recognising Palestine and the famine in Gaza

Moved by Councillor Mushtaq
Seconded by Councillor Taylor

Next month will mark two years since the horrific attack of October 7^th, leaked data from the IDFs own figures indicate a civilian death rate of 83% in the Gaza war that followed those attacks, causing experts from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) to state “That proportion of civilians among those killed would be unusually high, particularly as it has been going on for such a long time.”

When compared to conflicts tracked by UCDP since 1989, only the Rwandan Genocide, the Russian siege of Mariupol and Srebrenica have a higher proportion of civilian casualties.

The number of civilians impacted by this war in Israel and Palestine is unpalatable to thousands of people across Oldham. The war is having a profound effect on millions of people worldwide as we witness unimaginable suffering.

This Council notes:

• The UK Government’s announcement on 29 July 2025 that it will formally recognise the State of Palestine in September.
• The joint statement issued on 21 July 2025 by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and 28 international partners, which condemned the Israeli government’s aid delivery model as “dangerous, fuelling instability and depriving Gazans of human dignity,” and called for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire”.
• The speech delivered by UK Ambassador to the UN, Dame Barbara Woodward, on 23 July 2025, in which she described the Israeli aid system as “inhumane, ineffective, dangerous and fuelling instability,” and called for Israel to end attacks on civilians, cooperate with the UN, and uphold international humanitarian law.
• The official declaration by the United Nations backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) and humanitarian agencies that famine conditions now exist in Gaza, with over 640,000 people facing catastrophic food insecurity and millions more in emergency or crisis conditions.
• The IPC concluded that the decision was based on evidence of extreme food deprivation, acute malnutrition and starvation-related deaths.
• That the famine is a man-made disaster, resulting from prolonged conflict, displacement, and severe restrictions on humanitarian access.

This Council believes:

• That recognition of the State of Palestine is a vital step toward a just and lasting peace in the region.
• That the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza demands urgent and coordinated international action to prevent further loss of life.
• That Israel should immediately allow full and unrestricted humanitarian aid agencies into Gaza to immediately address the famine.
• That the UK Government’s recent statements reflect a growing international consensus on the need for accountability, humanitarian access, and a political resolution, but the time for action has never been more apparent given that a famine has been declared.
• That local authorities have a role to play in advocating for human rights, peace, and justice globally as our residents care deeply about these issues.
• That residents across Oldham have displayed their commitment to supporting aid efforts and minimising suffering in Gaza by raising awareness and fundraising for charities.

This Council resolves to:

1. Welcome and support  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1: Provision of Free School Travel for all Children in Temporary Accommodation

To be Moved by Councillor Akhtar

To be Seconded by Councillor Chowhan

1.    Reason for Motion

To ensure that children living in temporary accommodation (TA) in Oldham are not disadvantaged by their housing situation and can maintain stability in education.

“No child should be punished for their family’s housing situation”.

2.    Background (Latest Facts)

  Oldham picture

•  At 31 March 2025, there were 562 households in temporary accommodation in Oldham (Table TA4).

•  In Q1 2025 (Jan–Mar) there were 310 households with children (748 Children between 0-18) in TA (most recently published government data).

•  TA is intended to be short-term (around six weeks), but Oldham data show many households remain beyond 6 months across B&B and nightly-paid placements.

•  Composition (Oldham, 31 Mar 2025):

o B&B: 173 households (incl. cases over 6 months).

o Nightly paid, self-contained: 259 households (many 6–12 months and 1–2 years).

o Hostels: 5 | Private sector leased: 87 | LA/HA stock: 38.

National/GM context

•  England total: 131,140 households in TA (31 Mar 2025).

•  Law already provides free school travel if:

a.     >2 miles (under 8) or >3 miles (8+), or

b.    no safe walking route, or

c.    child cannot walk due to SEND/disability/mobility needs.

•  Locally, children with an EHC Plan are supported from a SEN perspective and continue to receive travel assistance where already in place.

•  GM operating practice: when a family is in paid nightly TA in another GM borough, they can apply for bus passes from the host borough, but only if they meet standard distance criteria—leaving a gap for many placed nearer than the mileage thresholds yet far from their original school.

Political momentum: The Manchester Evening News campaign calls for free bus passes for children in TA living >30 minutes’ walk from school. As of 25 Aug 2025, six GM MPs publicly back the campaign. No GM local authority has yet adopted a borough-wide concession.

Why discretionary action is needed

Children rehoused (often suddenly) can face long, complex, and costly journeys to their existing school—leading to lateness, absence, and stress.

The statutory mileage rules do not cover many TA cases; discretionary support is therefore required to protect educational continuity.

3.    Current Position in Oldham

Oldham complies with national transport duties and supports pupils eligible under distance/safety/SEND criteria. Children in TA who fall short of mileage thresholds (or are rehoused across GM) face a policy gap. Acting now would make Oldham the first GM authority to introduce a dedicated concession for children in TA.

4.     Proposal

This Council resolves:

1.    To extend free school travel (bus pass or taxi, as appropriate) to all school-aged children living in TA in Oldham, irrespective of statutory mileage thresholds.

2. To instruct officers in Children’s Services, Education and Transport to:

a. Define eligibility based on verified TA status (including placements within and across GM).

b. Develop delivery models (bus passes, pre-approved  ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Motion 1: Provision of Free School Travel for all Children in Temporary Accommodation

Moved by Councillor Akhtar

Seconded by Councillor Chowhan

1.    Reason for Motion

To ensure that children living in temporary accommodation (TA) in Oldham are not disadvantaged by their housing situation and can maintain stability in education.

“No child should be punished for their family’s housing situation”.

2.    Background (Latest Facts)

  Oldham picture

•   At 31 March 2025, there were 562 households in temporary accommodation in Oldham (Table TA4).

•   In Q1 2025 (Jan–Mar) there were 310 households with children (748 Children between 0-18) in TA (most recently published government data).

•   TA is intended to be short-term (around six weeks), but Oldham data show many households remain beyond 6 months across B&B and nightly-paid placements.

•   Composition (Oldham, 31 Mar 2025):

o B&B: 173 households (incl. cases over 6 months).

o Nightly paid, self-contained: 259 households (many 6–12 months and 1–2 years).

o Hostels: 5 | Private sector leased: 87 | LA/HA stock: 38.

National/GM context

•   England total: 131,140 households in TA (31 Mar 2025).

•   Law already provides free school travel if:

a.     >2 miles (under 8) or >3 miles (8+), or

b.    no safe walking route, or

c.     child cannot walk due to SEND/disability/mobility needs.

•   Locally, children with an EHC Plan are supported from a SEN perspective and continue to receive travel assistance where already in place.

•   GM operating practice: when a family is in paid nightly TA in another GM borough, they can apply for bus passes from the host borough, but only if they meet standard distance criteria—leaving a gap for many placed nearer than the mileage thresholds yet far from their original school.

Political momentum: The Manchester Evening News campaign calls for free bus passes for children in TA living >30 minutes’ walk from school. As of 25 Aug 2025, six GM MPs publicly back the campaign. No GM local authority has yet adopted a borough-wide concession.

Why discretionary action is needed

Children rehoused (often suddenly) can face long, complex, and costly journeys to their existing school—leading to lateness, absence, and stress.

The statutory mileage rules do not cover many TA cases; discretionary support is therefore required to protect educational continuity.

3.    Current Position in Oldham

Oldham complies with national transport duties and supports pupils eligible under distance/safety/SEND criteria. Children in TA who fall short of mileage thresholds (or are rehoused across GM) face a policy gap. Acting now would make Oldham the first GM authority to introduce a dedicated concession for children in TA.

4.     Proposal

This Council resolves:

1.    To extend free school travel (bus pass or taxi, as appropriate) to all school-aged children living in TA in Oldham, irrespective of statutory mileage thresholds.

2. To instruct officers in Children’s Services, Education and Transport to:

a. Define eligibility based on verified TA status (including placements within and across GM).

b. Develop delivery models (bus passes, pre-approved taxi contracts, or hybrid models), with clear  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

Councillor Shah MOVED and Councillor Taylor SECONDED a report of the Executive Director of Resources which updated members on actions taken following the meeting of the Council held on 16^th July 2025 and also on any updated responses from meetings held in the previous 12 months.

Further to Minute 11 (Notice of Opposition Business), Councillor Lancaster requested an update on Motion 3: A revision of the ‘Don’t Trash Oldham’ Policy with regards to Gully Clearing, which was approved by Council. Councillor Shah, Leader of the Council replied that the Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways would provide a comprehensive update in due course.

Councillor Ball requested an update on the Old Failsworth Library Building that was the subject of a Motion at the Council meeting on 18^th December 2024 (adjourned until 20^th January 2025). Councillor Shah updated the meeting, advising that progress was being delayed because there were still tenants located in the Old Library Building.

RESOLVED:

That the actions regarding motions and issues from the meeting of the Council held on 16^th July 2025, be noted and confirmed.

Councillor Jabbar MOVED and Councillor Shah SECONDED a report of the Director of Finance, which advised Council of the performance of the Treasury Management function for 2024/25 and provided a comparison of performance against the 2024/25 Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators.

Council was advised that the submitted report had been presented to and considered by the Audit Committee at its meeting of 23^rd July 2025, the Committee having responsibility for scrutinising all of the Council’s treasury management arrangements. The Committee was content to recommend the report to Cabinet for approval, which was granted at its meeting on 8^th September 2025 and, in doing so, recommended that Council approve the report

RESOLVED

1.    That Council approves the Treasury Management Outturn report for 2024/25 and the Treasury Management activity and Prudential Indicators, as presented in the submitted report.

2.    That Council approves the proposed increases in the Operational Boundary and Authorised Limit in relation to PFI and Finance Lease debt liabilities as detailed in section 2.5 of the submitted report.

Councillor Taylor MOVED and Councillor Shah SECONDED a report of the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive, which was a response to the motion that was submitted for Council consideration on 16^th July 2025, regarding the introduction of an Article 4 Direction on Houses of Multiple Occupation.

AMENDMENT

Councillor Al-Hamdani MOVED and Councillor Taylor SECONDED the following AMENDMENT

(Paragraph 5.1 of the submitted report, currently reads)

“A period of consultation commencing 29 September to 9 November 2025 for 6 weeks is proposed. Following this the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods will then consider whether to confirm the Direction and bring it into effect on 1 January 2026, having considered all consultation comments received”

The amended paragraph 5.1 to read:

“A period of consultation commencing 29 September to 9 November 2025 for 6 weeks is proposed. Following this Full Council will then consider the consultation responses and then request that Cabinet do confirm the Direction and bring it into effect on 1 January 2026, having considered all consultation comments received”  It would be correct this matter be a matter of special urgency and the chair of the Place Scrutiny board should agree that this Cabinet decision be exempt from the call in process so that the 1 January 2026 timeline remains”.

On being put to the Vote, the AMENDMENT was CARRIED

On being put to the Vote the MOTION as AMENDED was CARRIED.

RESOLVED

1.    Council notes that a report was presented to Cabinet on 22^nd September 2025, outlining recommendations for the introduction of an Article 4 Direction on Houses of Multiple Occupation.

2.    Council agrees that a “period of consultation commencing 29^th September to 9^th November 2025 for 6 weeks, following which, after consideration of the consultation responses, request that Cabinet do confirm the Direction and bring it into effect on 1^st January 2026, having considered all consultation comments received”  It would be correct this matter be considered as a matter of special urgency and that the Chair of the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board, be requested to agree that this Cabinet decision be exempt from the call in process, so that the 1^st January 2026 timeline remains. 

Councillor Mushtaq MOVED and Councillor Shah SECONDED a report of the Executive Director of Children and Young People’s Services that, in accordance with ‘Regulation 4 of the Local Authorities (Functions and responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000’, presented the Youth Justice Plan for the Oldham Metropolitan Borough, which was required to be formally approved by the full council.

The full plan was detailed in Appendix 1 to the submitted report.

RESOLVED

That the Oldham Youth Justice Service Strategic Plan 2025/26, as detailed at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved.

Appointment of the Vice Chair of the Audit Committee 2025/26

Councillor Jabbar MOVED and Councillor Shah SECONDED that the report, detailing the appointment of a Vice Chair of the Audit Committee 2025/26, be withdrawn from the agenda.

A recorded vote, in line with the Regulations was then taken on the MOTION, as follows:

.

On a recorded VOTE being taken 30 VOTES were cast in FAVOUR of the MOTION with 22 VOTES cast AGAINST and there were 0 ABSTENTIONS. The MOTION was therefore CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

That the report – Appointment of Vice Chair of the Audit Committee 2025/26 be withdrawn from the agenda.

Councillor Jabbar MOVED and Councillor Shah SECONDED a report of the Executive Director of Resources that requested that Council consider draft proposals for the review of polling districts and polling places, across the Borough of Oldham.

RESOLVED

1.    That the submissions made to the Council in respect of the review of polling districts and polling places, be noted.

2.    That the polling districts and polling places as set out in the scheme contained in Appendices 1a and 1b, to the submitted report and in the maps found in Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be approved and adopted.

3.    That the scheme contained in Appendices 1a and 1b, to the submitted report, be approved and adopted in relation to both Parliamentary and Local Government Elections.

4.    That the Council requests that the Electoral Registration Officer makes the necessary amendments to polling districts for the 1^st December 2025 electoral register.

5.    That authority continues to be delegated to the Chief Executive to make, where necessary, alterations to the designation of any polling place prior to the next full review, in consultation with ward councillors and political group leaders.