Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Alyas, Azad, S. Bashforth, Chauhan, Iqbal, Islam, Marland and Quigg.

The Mayor welcomed Chief Superintendent Chris Bowen to the meeting, who addressed Members, updating Council on the Greater Manchester Policing Plan, further to his last attendance at Council (on 3^rd November 2021, minute 6).

He reminded Council that Greater Manchester Police (GMP) had previously made five promises to the people of Greater Manchester, that were outlined in November 2021, namely: -

1.    To respond to incidents and emergencies

2.    To investigate and solve crime

3.    To prevent, reduce crime, reduce harm and reduce anti-social behaviour

4.    To deliver outstanding service

5.    To build back public trust and confidence

Chief Superintendent Bowen added that statistically GMP was the most improved police force in the country. GMP was in the top 10% of forces for answering and reacting to 999 calls and their response rates to 101 calls were also good. The force was getting to over 85% of Grade 1 emergency calls within the required 15 minutes.

In Oldham arrests had risen by 51% and there had been significant progress made in the battle against domestic violence. Correspondingly there has been no increase in the numbers of complaints made against GMP, or its officers by members of the public.

Councillor Chadderton asked about progress relating to Operation Sherwood, further to the special meeting of the Council held on 27^th June 2022. Chief Superintendent Bowen said that he could not comment on an ongoing investigation in detail.

Councillor C Phythian asked about plans that were in place to counter speeding motorists, which was an issue of particular concern in the Borough’s Royton North ward. Chief Superintendent Bowen replied that countering speeding traffic was a GMP priority and plans were in place to bring all traffic enforcement under one department, which would help to ensure more effective enforcement.

Councillor Sykes asked when the public would start to feel the benefits and the difference from the implementation of the Greater Manchester policing priorities and sought clarification on DBS checks.  Chief Superintendent Bowen replied that Greater Manchester police were recruiting 120 new police officers every five weeks and the Oldham division would, receive a pro-rata number of new officers with each intake. Oldham was expected to receive an additional seven officers, in January 2023, as part of the pro-rat allocation. Regarding DBS checks Chief Superintendent Bowen undertook to write to the Council with an update.

Councillor Al-Hamdani asked if GMP were working towards each Ward having a ‘named officer’ which was a stated commitment of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Mayor. Chief Superintendent Bowen confirmed that there were two Wards in the Borough that were currently without a named officer and that, from March 2023, neighbourhood policing should be at full strength in the Borough. The secondment of Neighbourhood Officers would continue in the event of resourcing pressures.

Councillor Sheldon referred to numerous examples of dangerous driving occurring in Saddleworth and the dangers that such negligent activity posed to members of the public. He therefore asked if GMP were dealing adequately with dangerous  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting of Council, held on 2^nd November 2022, be approved as a correct record.

Members of the Council declared interest as follows:

a.    Councillor Lancaster declared a pecuniary interest by virtue of his employment with the Royal British Legion, insofar as it affected the agenda item 11 (Notice of Opposition Business – Motion 1, entitled: ‘Supporting our Armed Forces Community’).

b.    Councillor Arnott declared a non-registerable interest by virtue of his receipt of an occupational pension in respect of his service with the Armed Forces, insofar as it affected the agenda item 11 (Notice of Opposition Business – Motion 1, entitled: ‘Supporting our Armed Forces Community’).

c.    Councillor Birch declared an other registerable interest in agenda item 9c (Questions on Cabinet Minutes – 17^th October 2022) insofar as they referred to Positive Steps an organisation of which she was a Trustee.

d.    Councillor Roberts declared an other registerable interest in agenda item 9c (Questions on Cabinet Minutes – 17^th October 2022) insofar as they referred to Positive Steps an organisation of which she was a Trustee.

e.    Councillor Hamblett declared an other registerable interest in agenda item 9c (Questions on Cabinet Minutes – 17^th October 2022) insofar as they referred to Positive Steps an organisation of which he was a Trustee.

There was no urgent business for this meeting of Council to consider.

The Mayor asked Members to note that Hannah Roberts was elected as a Member for the Hollinwood Ward, following the by-election that was held on Thursday, 17^th November 2022.

The Mayor permitted Councillor Chadderton, Leader of the Council, to address the meeting. Councillor Chadderton referred to the recent sad news from Solihull, West Midlands where three young boys had tragically died in an accident and she also issued a statement in relation to Strep A, a winter virus that has resulted in fatalities across the country and which was adding to the pressures that were currently faced by the NHS.

The Mayor informed Council that a former Member and Chairman of Chadderton Urban District Council, William (Bill) Fish has sadly passed away. Bill served as an Oldham Metropolitan Borough Councillor for Chadderton South from 1974 - 1978. Council observed a minute’s silence in his memory.

There were no petitions received to be noted.

(time limit 20 minutes)

Over the past 3 years, young people have told us that the environment is one of the biggest issues that they feel needs to be dealt with. In make your mark, since 2018, of the 29,792 votes cast, nearly a quarter have been for environmental issues. 

In October of this year we attended the Greater Manchester Green Summit, opened by our very own Youth Mayor, at the Lowry.  This event highlighted the urgency and importance presented to us by the climate crisis.  Speakers talked about the levels of pollution and C O 2 in Greater Manchester, how we have already used most of our carbon budget and how we were falling behind the targets set.  Our Youth Councillors also attended the Net Zero Conference where lecturers from Salford University and the Royal Horticultural Society, demonstrated how we can use green, blue and brown roofs, as well as living walls to help the environment. With the information from both these events, we felt that we should bring this to your attention so Oldham can take action.

So what is a green roof? Simply, it is the roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and growing medium planted over a waterproof barrier.  A variety of this type of roof is the brown roof, which is where the plants self-seed from windblown and bird lime seed dispersal.  A blue roof is quite simply a roof designed for the retention of rainwater and can be combined with green or brown roofs so that the captured water can irrigate the plants. Finally, if we take a green roof, turn it vertically and put it on the side of a building then it becomes a living wall.

We know that the installation of these types of roofs and living walls can be as much as 75% more expensive than conventional roof and wall types, especially if the roof or wall is being retro fitted.  However, in Germany where green roofs are common, a green roof can be expected to experience double or even triple the life of a standard roof, saving money in the future.  Savings also come from the reduction in operational and maintenance costs.  The ‘Investing in green roofs for climate adaptation’ report by the ignition project, showed this measure comprises of low operational costs and reduction in bills.  It showed a 13% saving in wastewater charges and savings of 5% on energy costs for apartments in Salford.  That same report showed that a brown roof on the Unicorn Grocery, Manchester, had an 18% saving on energy costs and a maintenance saving of 20%. 

Use of green, brown and blue roofs is also fundamentally a perfect idea for a business’s reputation. The report asserted that by being more environmental conscious maintained or even increased the reputation of a business.  This reputation also helped uplift the property and rental costs of their buildings. 

But this motion is not about saving money it is about  ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

The Youth Council PROPOSED the following MOTION:

Green Roofs and Walls

‘Over the past 3 years, young people have told us that the environment is one of the biggest issues that they feel needs to be dealt with. In make your mark, since 2018, of the 29,792 votes cast, nearly a quarter have been for environmental issues. 

In October of this year we attended the Greater Manchester Green Summit, opened by our very own Youth Mayor, at the Lowry.  This event highlighted the urgency and importance presented to us by the climate crisis.  Speakers talked about the levels of pollution and C O 2 in Greater Manchester, how we have already used most of our carbon budget and how we were falling behind the targets set.  Our Youth Councillors also attended the Net Zero Conference where lecturers from Salford University and the Royal Horticultural Society, demonstrated how we can use green, blue and brown roofs, as well as living walls to help the environment. With the information from both these events, we felt that we should bring this to your attention so Oldham can take action.

So what is a green roof? Simply, it is the roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and growing medium planted over a waterproof barrier.  A variety of this type of roof is the brown roof, which is where the plants self-seed from windblown and bird lime seed dispersal.  A blue roof is quite simply a roof designed for the retention of rainwater and can be combined with green or brown roofs so that the captured water can irrigate the plants. Finally, if we take a green roof, turn it vertically and put it on the side of a building then it becomes a living wall.

We know that the installation of these types of roofs and living walls can be as much as 75% more expensive than conventional roof and wall types, especially if the roof or wall is being retro fitted.  However, in Germany where green roofs are common, a green roof can be expected to experience double or even triple the life of a standard roof, saving money in the future.  Savings also come from the reduction in operational and maintenance costs.  The ‘Investing in green roofs for climate adaptation’ report by the ignition project, showed this measure comprises of low operational costs and reduction in bills.  It showed a 13% saving in wastewater charges and savings of 5% on energy costs for apartments in Salford.  That same report showed that a brown roof on the Unicorn Grocery, Manchester, had an 18% saving on energy costs and a maintenance saving of 20%. 

Use of green, brown and blue roofs is also fundamentally a perfect idea for a business’s reputation. The report asserted that by being more environmental conscious maintained or even increased the reputation of a business.  This reputation also helped uplift the property and rental costs of their buildings. 

But this motion is not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

(time limit 30 Minutes)

1.    Question submitted by Andy Powell

A flagpole was recently installed and uninstalled at Dogford Park, Royton at a cost of over £2,000 under the Local Improvement Fund. A response to an FOI request states that the flagpole was requested by one or more councillors who appear to have circumvented the proper process and requested the flagpole even though it was not on the approved expenditure.

1. which councillor(s) requested and/or instigated this use of Royton tax payers money without authorisation?

2. what action has been taken in respect of those involved?

3. will the people of Royton get chance to recoup some on this 2k for much needed local improvements?

4. what has been put in place to stop it happening again?

Councillor Roberts, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, replied that earlier this year a number of concerns were raised with the council, during a weekend of extremely high winds, about the safety of a flagpole which had been recently erected at Dogford Park. On investigating these concerns, it became clear that the flagpole had been installed, by council officers, outside of the proper processes and approvals for the local investment fund and, as a result, no risk assessment or safety assessment could be found in relation to the installation.

As a result, the decision was made to remove the pole as soon as possible while the circumstances and process of its installation could be discovered. The pole was stored for reuse once a suitable local site could be identified.

The council staff involved in the purchase and installation have been reminded about the established processes for approval of Local Improvement Fund bids and our guidelines around approvals have been reviewed to try to avoid any further issues of this kind.

Happily, the pole has now found a fitting new home alongside the War Memorial Royton Park where it can be enjoyed by the park's many visitors.

2.    Question submitted by Ben Ingham

I am writing to raise a concern around the parking on lea view in Royton. The road is now effectively single carriage at times right up to the junction with Middleton Road, this coupled with the increase in traffic seemingly using this route as a cut through to Broadway is beginning to cause issue. Additionally, there is a lack of visibility, coupled with the reduction in road space, as you turn onto Middleton Road causes potentially hazardous situations. Could the council look into restrictions on parking around the junctions to ease this?

Councillor Roberts, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, replied: thank you for your question. We are aware that parking is problematic in many places across the borough, particularly in densely populated residential areas, where households own more than one vehicle and do not have off street parking provisions.

We are aware of the issues on Lea View, where parking narrows the available road width forcing motorists to operate a ‘give and take’ system around the parked vehicles. 

The introduction of parking restrictions and yellow lines requires  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

(time limit 30 minutes)

Councillor Sykes, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group

Question 1: Housing Targets

The government’s recent ‘U-turn’ on housing targets is to be welcomed will the Labour administration use this opportunity to stop, pause and consider its housing options in the Borough and to protect green spaces and green belt land in the borough of Oldham.

The Leader of the Council also welcomed the government’s change of policy adding that the Council’s position was not to build on green space, or green belt, land and to always look to promote the development of brownfield land first.

Question 2: Northern Care Alliance

Councillor Sykes referred to the current provision of NHS services in the Borough and the great pressures that they were facing currently and during the coming winter months, with the Royal College of Nursing staff due to take industrial action on 15^th December 2022, for the first time. Northern Care Alliance are struggling to cope with the current situation. Councillor Sykes called on the Council to consider establishing a Joint Scrutiny Committee that would not just challenge current service provision but seek to work with Northern Care Alliance to lobby government for additional resources and for the provision of better treatment and facilities for the borough’s residents.

The Leader of the Council shared Councillor Sykes’ concerns regarding the present situation faced by the Northern Care Alliance and undertook to consider further his request for the establishment of a Joint Scrutiny Committee to oversee the operations of Northern Care Alliance.

Councillor Sheldon, Leader of the Conservative group

Question 1: Places for Everyone and Section 106 Agreements

Councillor Sheldon asked the Leader of the Council, if in the light of recent guidance issued by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, would withdraw Oldham Council’s involvement in the (Greater Manchester wide) Places for Everyone initiative. In addition Councillor Sheldon asked if processes could be established that would reduce the delays that often occurred, in the payment of Section 106 Agreement monies for common good, caused often as a result of detailed and lengthy discussions involving the Council’s Planning Department.

The Leader of the Council replied that the Council had received the guidance from the Secretary of State but that the guidance was just that and was not yet enshrined in law and that as the Council’s policy in this regard, was, as she had outlined earlier in her reply to Councillor Sykes, one of developing brownfield sites across the Borough first. In terms of Councillor Sheldon’s remarks regarding Section 106 Agreement monies she felt that this wasn’t a borough-wide problem, as she had not personally experienced any such delays in respect of the Ward that she represented, South Royton, for example. However, the Leader of the Council did commit to looking into any specific instances of delays of payment for Section 106 Agreement monies if Councillor Sheldon could forward to her details thereon.

Question 2: Salmon Fields Centre, Royton

Councillor Sheldon referred to a headline on the ‘I Love Oldham’  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

(time limit 15 minutes)

17^th October 2022

The Council was requested to note the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on the undermentioned date, to receive questions on any items within the minutes from members of the Council that are not members of the Cabinet and to receive appropriate responses from Cabinet members. The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 17^th October 2022 were submitted.

Members asked the following questions: -

a.    Question from Councillor Hindle:

With reference to the Cabinet Minutes of the meeting held 17^th October 2022, Councillor Hindle noted that a full agenda, including eight items of business was concluded in 24 minutes. He asked if there was ever any challenge to reports at Cabinet meetings or if these meeting were rubber-stamping exercises.

Councillor Chadderton, Leader of the Council, replied that there was a robust process for dealing with reports at Cabinet meetings including input from members of the public and that reports which are presented to Cabinet meetings have often been amended, as a result of challenges since their first iteration.

b.    Question from Councillor Sykes

With reference to Minute 8 of the Cabinet meeting held on 17^th October 2022, Councillor Sykes, welcomed the proposal to update the contract arrangements for residential and nursing home provision in the Borough. The Cabinet member was asked if were plans for more in-borough facilities to be built, including more care homes to help to care for an aging population.

Councillor Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care that the Council was looking to reduce the number of people entering into a residential care setting and to support as many people as possible to live independently for as long as possible.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Minutes of Cabinet held on 17^th October 2022 be noted.

2.    That the questions and responses thereon be noted.

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1

Councillor to Jabbar to MOVE and Councillor Taylor to SECOND:

Don’t Take It Out on Us; Properly Funded Public Services

Council Services cannot take any more cuts imposed by central government. Since 2010 Oldham has had 45% of its funding from central government cut, and since 2010 successive Conservative Governments have forced local authorities to raise council tax in an attempt to meet this shortfall.

For over a decade Conservative Governments have forced councils – of every political persuasion – to raise council tax in order to run necessary services, leading to an abhorrent situation where the council runs less services despite increasing Council Tax. This is not sustainable.

We cannot afford more cuts, adult social care and children’s services are the two biggest items in the Council’s budgets. Cuts to these services would be hugely regressive and frankly put our residents across the Borough in danger. 

Councils across the country are struggling to meet contractual inflationary pressures brought on by inflation of over 10%, and current estimates mean this Council’s budget will not be able to cover these costs without further cuts.

The National Audit Office estimates that between 2010/11 and 2020-21 government funded spending power in Oldham reduced by 53.7% in real terms, that in 2019-20 social care accounted for 53.6% of all service spend for Oldham Council, and that in 2010-11 central government funding to Oldham’s revenue budget equated to £203m and in 2019-20 that figure was £39.5m.

This Council notes:

• Local Government in England is responsible for delivering more services than any other tier of government.
• Local Authorities across the country are struggling as a result of a decade of austerity, the impact of Brexit, the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the cost-of-living crisis and the market reaction to the catastrophic September Mini-Budget left a huge hole in public finances.
• The Autumn Statement did not provide Local Authorities with the assurance they need and Oldham Council faces huge inflationary pressures in the coming year.
• That this administration has an ambitious £3m We Can Help cost-of-living support package for Oldham residents
• That the Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities acknowledged last month that Council Tax is regressive
• The provisional local government finance settlement will not be delivered until the week commencing 21^st December and the full settlement will not be known until February 2023.
• Oldhamers cannot afford to pay for the mistakes of this government.

This Council resolves:

• To aid the LGA’s Don’t Take It Out on Us Campaign, and highlight the extent of cuts of local government financing in Oldham
• Ask the Borough’s MPs to join our calls for properly funded local government and social care
• To work collaboratively and cross-party with colleagues in Oldham, Greater Manchester and nationally to lobby for fair funding for local government and social care.

This Council further resolves:

• Continue to work with our partners across Oldham to provide good quality and cost-effective public services for Oldhamers  ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Motion 1 – Don’t Take It Out On Us: Properly Funded Public Services

Councillor Jabbar MOVED and Councillor Mushtaq SECONDED the following Motion:

Council Services cannot take any more cuts imposed by central government. Since 2010 Oldham has had 45% of its funding from central government cut, and since 2010 successive Conservative Governments have forced local authorities to raise council tax in an attempt to meet this shortfall.

For over a decade Conservative Governments have forced councils – of every political persuasion – to raise council tax in order to run necessary services, leading to an abhorrent situation where the council runs less services despite increasing Council Tax. This is not sustainable.

We cannot afford more cuts, adult social care and children’s services are the two biggest items in the Council’s budgets. Cuts to these services would be hugely regressive and frankly put our residents across the Borough in danger. 

Councils across the country are struggling to meet contractual inflationary pressures brought on by inflation of over 10%, and current estimates mean this Council’s budget will not be able to cover these costs without further cuts.

The National Audit Office estimates that between 2010/11 and 2020-21 government funded spending power in Oldham reduced by 53.7% in real terms, that in 2019-20 social care accounted for 53.6% of all service spend for Oldham Council, and that in 2010-11 central government funding to Oldham’s revenue budget equated to £203m and in 2019-20 that figure was £39.5m.

This Council notes:

•           Local Government in England is responsible for delivering more services than any other tier of government.

•           Local Authorities across the country are struggling as a result of a decade of austerity, the impact of Brexit, the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the cost-of-living crisis and the market reaction to the catastrophic September Mini-Budget left a huge hole in public finances.

•           The Autumn Statement did not provide Local Authorities with the assurance they need and Oldham Council faces huge inflationary pressures in the coming year.

•           That this administration has an ambitious £3m We Can Help cost-of-living support package for Oldham residents

•           That the Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities acknowledged last month that Council Tax is regressive

•           The provisional local government finance settlement will not be delivered until the week commencing 21st December and the full settlement will not be known until February 2023.

•           Oldhamers cannot afford to pay for the mistakes of this government.

This Council resolves:

•           To aid the LGA’s Don’t Take It Out on Us Campaign, and highlight the extent of cuts of local government financing in Oldham

•           Ask the Borough’s MPs to join our calls for properly funded local government and social care

•           To work collaboratively and cross-party with colleagues in Oldham, Greater Manchester and nationally to lobby for fair funding for local government and social care.

This Council further resolves:

•           Continue to work with our partners across Oldham to provide good quality  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1

Councillor Woodvine to MOVE and Councillor Byrne to SECOND:

Supporting our Armed Forces community

The Royal British Legion (TRBL) have conducted a series of successful campaigns with the aim of improving the provision of public services for the Armed Forces community across the United Kingdom and promoting their entitlement and access to those services.

In November 2022, a new Armed Forces Covenant Duty came into force, as introduced by His Majesty’s Government. This means legal obligations have been placed on the Metropolitan Borough Council of Oldham to show due regard to the principles of the Covenant, particularly in the policy areas of healthcare, housing, and education.

Regarding TRBL’s ‘Making the Benefits System Fit for Service’ campaign this Council are already meeting most of the asks, which is positive, but there is more to do for the 5,941 veterans currently living in the Borough of Oldham.

This Council does disregard as income all payments made under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (2005), the War Pension Scheme, and Service Attributable Pensions in assessments for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support / Reduction, Discretionary Housing Payments and Disabled Facilities Grants.

This Council also disregards as income all payments of Service Invaliding Pensions (SIPs) in Discretionary Housing Payments and Disabled Facilities Grants, however, it does regard SIPs as occupational pensions and does not disregard them in assessments for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support / Reduction.

TRBL believes that Local Authorities should ensure that veterans are not forced to give up their military compensation to pay for the same support to which their civilian counterparts are entitled. Military compensation is awarded to veterans, and sometimes their families, in recognition of the pain and loss of amenity brought about by injury and illness that was caused in Service. Military compensation is not income, and therefore should not be treated as such.

According to the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), there are only four practices who possess the ‘veterans friendly’ accreditation in the Borough of Oldham – those being Hill Top Surgery, Medlock Medical Practice, Royton Medical Centre and Saddleworth Medical Practice.

A University of Chester evaluation found that 84% of accredited practices said that they feel they have a better understanding of veterans’ needs after becoming accredited.

With respect to education, all state schools, academies, and free schools in England, which have children of service families in school years Reception to Year 11, can receive Service Pupil Premium (SPP) funding. SPP recognises the specific challenges children from Service families face, and the funding can be used to offer pastoral support and help mitigate the negative impact on Service children of family mobility and parental deployment.

This Council resolves to act upon the two primary recommendations contained within TRBL’s ‘Unpaid carers in the Armed Forces community’ report, released in September 2021, by:

• Writing to all statutory bodies and those delivering statutory services in the Borough to ensure they routinely ask and record whether their patients and clients are  ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Motion 1 – Supporting our Armed Forces Community

Councillor Woodvine MOVED and Councillor Byrne SECONDED the following Motion:

The Royal British Legion (TRBL) have conducted a series of successful campaigns with the aim of improving the provision of public services for the Armed Forces community across the United Kingdom and promoting their entitlement and access to those services.

In November 2022, a new Armed Forces Covenant Duty came into force, as introduced by His Majesty’s Government. This means legal obligations have been placed on the Metropolitan Borough Council of Oldham to show due regard to the principles of the Covenant, particularly in the policy areas of healthcare, housing, and education.

Regarding TRBL’s ‘Making the Benefits System Fit for Service’ campaign this Council are already meeting most of the asks, which is positive, but there is more to do for the 5,941 veterans currently living in the Borough of Oldham.

This Council does disregard as income all payments made under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (2005), the War Pension Scheme, and Service Attributable Pensions in assessments for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support / Reduction, Discretionary Housing Payments and Disabled Facilities Grants.

This Council also disregards as income all payments of Service Invaliding Pensions (SIPs) in Discretionary Housing Payments and Disabled Facilities Grants, however, it does regard SIPs as occupational pensions and does not disregard them in assessments for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support / Reduction.

TRBL believes that Local Authorities should ensure that veterans are not forced to give up their military compensation to pay for the same support to which their civilian counterparts are entitled. Military compensation is awarded to veterans, and sometimes their families, in recognition of the pain and loss of amenity brought about by injury and illness that was caused in Service. Military compensation is not income, and therefore should not be treated as such.

According to the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), there are only four practices who possess the ‘veterans friendly’ accreditation in the Borough of Oldham – those being Hill Top Surgery, Medlock Medical Practice, Royton Medical Centre and Saddleworth Medical Practice.

A University of Chester evaluation found that 84% of accredited practices said that they feel they have a better understanding of veterans’ needs after becoming accredited.

With respect to education, all state schools, academies, and free schools in England, which have children of service families in school years Reception to Year 11, can receive Service Pupil Premium (SPP) funding. SPP recognises the specific challenges children from Service families face, and the funding can be used to offer pastoral support and help mitigate the negative impact on Service children of family mobility and parental deployment.

This Council resolves to act upon the two primary recommendations contained within TRBL’s ‘Unpaid carers in the Armed Forces community’ report, released in September 2021, by:

•           Writing to all statutory bodies and those delivering statutory services in the Borough to ensure they routinely ask and record whether their patients and clients are a member of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

Councillor Chadderton MOVED and Councillor Sheldon SECONDED a report of the Director of Legal Services, which informed members of actions taken following the meeting of the Council on 2^nd November 2022.

Since the publication of the agenda for this Council meeting, a response had been received from a government department on the Motion that related to the Regulation of Houses of Multiple Occupation, which had been circulated to all Council members.

RESOLVED - That the actions regarding motions and issues from the meeting of the Council on 2^nd November 2022 be noted.

Councillor Chadderton MOVED and Councillor Jabbar SECONDED a report of the Chief Executive/(Acting) Returning Officer which advised Council that in November 2021 the independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England published its final recommendations report for new electoral arrangements for Oldham Council.Electoral reviews are carried out to see whether the boundaries of wards within a local authority need to be altered to ensure effective local government and electoral equality. Electoral equality is achieved when all councillors represent roughly the same number of electors.

Oldham Council had not been reviewed since 2003 and the Commission decided that it should review Oldham in advance of the elections in 2023.

The Commission decided that Oldham should have 60 councillors representing 20 three-councillor wards across the borough. The boundaries of 17 wards have changed, while three wards would remain unaltered. This will be used for the May 2023 elections and onwards.    

Based on the final recommendations Oldham Council had undertaken a review of polling districts and polling places in the area. The review was held under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act 1983.

A revised list of the new polling districts, polling places and polling stations was attached at Appendix A to the report.

An AMENDMENT to the report’s recommendations was MOVED by Councillor Jabbar and SECONDED by Councillor Chadderton and the Council agreed to suspend Procedure Rule 13.1 to permit the consideration of the amendment. The amended Motion rejected the proposal that district C05 be split between C03 and C06 and instead proposed that C05 be retained and the polling place (mobile on Broome Street) remain. The proposed revised list for the Coldhurst Ward was circulated for Council’s information. This would mean that subsequent polling places in the Coldhurst ward will remain unchanged. All polling station numbers from Station 26 would therefore be re-numbered bring the total number of polling stations in the borough to 120.

RESOLVED:

That Council approve the new polling districts and polling places and the polling stations be determined by the Returning Officer, as detailed in Appendix A, of the submitted report, subject to the inclusion of the amended proposals for the Coldhurst Ward (moved and seconded by Councillors Jabbar and Chadderton respectively) above.

Councillor Chadderton MOVED and Councillor Sykes SECONDED a report of the Director of Environment, that sought approval for accepting a proposal to establish a ‘Greater Manchester Joint Scrutiny Committee’ to scrutinise decisions of the ‘Clean Air Charging Authorities Committee’ and the ‘Clean Air Administration Committee’.

The Clean Air Charging Committee was established in October 2021 by the ten districts of Greater Manchester. The Committee shall have power to take all such decisions of the Constituent Authorities (as charging authorities) that must be taken jointly under Part 3 of, and Schedule 12 to, the Transport Act 2000 and any regulations made thereunder. This includes but is not limited to: Making and varying a joint local charging scheme order; Decisions of the charging authority under such a joint local charging scheme and the Road User Charging Schemes (Penalty charges, Adjudication and Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2013.

A recorded vote was requested and taken on the RESOLUTION as follows:

On a recorded VOTE being taken 27 VOTES were cast in FAVOUR of the RESOLUTION with 13 VOTES cast AGAINST and there were 6 ABSTENTIONS. The RESOLUTION was therefore CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Council approves the establishment of a ‘Greater Manchester Joint Scrutiny Committee’ to scrutinise decisions of the ‘Clean Air Charging Authorities Committee’ and the ‘Clean Air Administration Committee’

2.    That the appointment of a Lead Member and a Deputy member for the Greater Manchester Joint Scrutiny Committee, be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Council’s Party Leaders.

Councillor Chadderton MOVED and Councillor Sheldon SECONDED a report of the Director of Legal Services which sought approval of the draft Calendar of Meetings for the 2023/2024 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED that:

1.   The Council’s Calendar of Meetings for the Municipal Year 2023/24 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

2.   Approval of any outstanding dates be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with Group Leaders.

Councillor Chadderton MOVED and Councillor Sykes SECONDED an amended report, that was circulated for member’s consideration and which sought approval for the nominations of for Keira Arnold, Ibrahim Yousaf and Hannah Miah to receive the Civic Appreciation Award, in recognition of their service and dedication to the local community and the borough of Oldham.

Keira Arnold, Ibrahim Yousef and Hannah Miah are being proposed for this award in recognition of their significant voluntary contribution and dedication to the local community and borough of Oldham.

RESOLVED:

That Keira Arnold, Ibrahim Yousef and Hannah Miah be approved as recipients of the Civic Appreciation Award 2023, with the formal Ceremony to take place at the Council meeting on Wednesday, 15^th March 2023.

Councillor Jabbar MOVED and Councillor Chadderton SECONDED a report of the Director of Finance, which advised Council of the performance of the Treasury Management function of the Council for the first half of 2022/23 and which also provided a comparison of performance against the 2022/23 Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators.

The Council was asked to consider the performance of the Treasury Management function in order to comply with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Treasury Management (revised 2021). The submitted report therefore established the key Treasury Management issues for Members’ information and review and outlines, namely: an economic update for the first six months of 2022/23; a review of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy; the Council’s capital expenditure, as set out in the Capital Strategy, and prudential indicators; a review of the Council’s investment portfolio for 2022/23; a review of the Council’s borrowing strategy for 2022/23; why there has been no debt rescheduling undertaken during 2022/23; and a review of compliance with Treasury and Prudential Limits for 2022/23.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Council approves the Treasury Management activity for the first half of the financial year 2022/23 and the projected outturn position.

2.    That Council approves amendments to both Authorised Limit and Operational Boundary for external debt, as set out in the table at Section 2.4.5 of the report.

3.    That Council approves amendments to the Capital Financing Requirement (CFR) as set out in the table at section 2.4.5.