Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Chowhan.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the Council meeting held 10^th July 2024 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interests.

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

The Mayor informed Council that at a meeting of the Group Leaders it had been agreed that the time limit for Opposition Business (agenda item 12) would be increased from 30 minutes to 40 minutes, to allow time for the five Motions listed to be considered.

The Mayor advised that Members would be aware that this was the last Council meeting that the Managing Director of Children’s Services, Mr Gerard Jones and the Director of Legal, Mr Paul Entwistle, would be attending prior to their imminent departure from Oldham Borough Council. Accordingly, the Mayor called on Councillor Shah, Leader of the Council, Councillor Sykes Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Councillor Sheldon, Leader of the Conservative Group to speak in tribute to Gerard and Paul’s service to the Authority.

(time limit 20 minutes)

There are no petitions for this meeting of Council to consider.

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

Leader to address Council

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Arooj Shah, delivered her Annual Statement. 

The Leader reminded the Council of her priorities, as set out in May 2023, when she first assumed office and highlighted work that had been done and wjich was still being done to improve Oldham, to retain a resident focused approach and to provide high quality services for local people.

The Leader noted a significant change in that there had recently been a change of government and that Oldham Council was looking forward to embracing a new relationship with central government.

The latest financial forecasts were predicting that there is a nearly £ 6 billion nationwide 'black hole' in local government finances, which, predictably, hits boroughs like Oldham with higher needs and lower council tax revenues the hardest.

It was added that there was a need to reset how the Council provides services, collaborates and cooperates with other groups and individuals to deliver change, and once more champion that sense of pride in Oldham and the wider Borough.

The Council was launching a renewed and collaborative Oldham Plan. Much has changed since the last one.  A global pandemic, rampant inflation, a cost-of-living crisis and Brexit have impacted the borough.  It was therefore felt to be the right time to reset our shared plan for the borough, which we will bring before the Council in November for ratification.

Part of that plan will be to set clear priorities which impact and improve the lives of Oldhamers every day. One of the most important responsibilities any Council carries is to protect the most vulnerable in our community.  Today, Oldham is experiencing very high demand for its health and care services.  This is particularly prominent in acute care and children's services.  When the free market model for social care fails, as it did with the collapse of Acorn Lodge, this Council stepped up and secured the protection of its 70 residents and the rights of the care staff. 

.

The leader stated that the Council was resetting care for our youngest residents as well. The Leader stated that she was pleased that, following a recent Ofsted Inspection, our Children's Services had been rated 'GOOD' in all areas – an outstanding achievement for everyone involved – but there is more we can do.  Post-inspection action plans are already underway to drive further improvements over the next 12 months.  One area everyone is particularly focused on is child safeguarding.  Last month the Department for Education commissioned a project to build a detailed understanding of how to support Safeguarding Partnerships in response to serious incidents, improve practice and better protect children.  Oldham Council is participating in this review, and we will shape and adopt the best practices it develops to further improve our safeguarding.  

The Council currently supports more than 600 households living in temporary accommodation.  Nearly 6,500 households on the housing register are also waiting for social housing.  Last year, only 1,211 homes became available for let - that's simply not enough. Every  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

(time limit 20 minutes)

Holiday Activities and Food Programme

As part of their election manifesto, the new UK government are planning to spend £315M to introduce free breakfast clubs in every primary school.

While Oldham Youth Council welcomes support for young people, we feel that this money could be spent targeting those who need it most.  We believe the threshold for free school meals needs to be increased to ensure the wellbeing of young people in poverty.

We would also like to see the continuation of the HAF (Holiday Activity and Food) program that has helped so many young people across Oldham.  We do not feel there needs to be an increase in the money provided in this scheme, but we would like to see it used universally, allowing all young people access.  This will reduce any stigma of attending sessions and hopefully encouraging more young people eligible for free school meals to take up the offer.

Council recognises that over the past few years the Oldham Youth Council have made the ‘cost of living’ a priority issue and have undertaken much work in this area to improve the experiences of Oldham’s young people.  This includes:

·         Working with the Council to take unused stationary and distribute through schools to those students who need it most.

·         2022 motion to Council asking that the Chief Executive writes to the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Education and the Shadow Secretary of State for Education requesting to extend the offer of the Holiday Activities and Food programme to all young people not just those on free school meals.

Council notes:

·         That according to several 2024 surveys commissioned by organisations, such as General Mills and Greggs Foundation, between 20-30% of young people do not eat breakfast before school. 

·         Just over two million children are eligible for free meals in England, according to the latest government figures.

·         However, a 2024 Food Foundation survey found that there are 900,000 children living in poverty in England who are missing out on national eligibility for Free School Meals due to the strict threshold set by government.

·         Scottish and Welsh Government is considering increasing free school meals across primary schools and London’s Mayor has announced free meals will be provided in all primary schools across London for the 2024/2025 academic year.

·         Since 2022, the HAF programme has provided 10.7 million HAF days to children and young people in this country. The expansion of the programme year-on-year has meant a total of 5.4 million HAF days provided between Christmas 2022, Easter and summer 2023.

We propose that Council therefore resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister, Secretary of State for Health and the Secretary of State for Education asking that, rather than a blanket breakfast club for all primary schools, that they look at increasing the threshold for free school meals so more young people (both primary and secondary age) benefit; that they continue the HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) program, making sure  ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

The Youth Council PROPOSED the following MOTION:
Holiday Activities and Food Programme

As part of their election manifesto, the new UK government are planning to spend £315M to introduce free breakfast clubs in every primary school.

While Oldham Youth Council welcomes support for young people, we feel that this money could be spent targeting those who need it most.  We believe the threshold for free school meals needs to be increased to ensure the wellbeing of young people in poverty.

We would also like to see the continuation of the HAF (Holiday Activity and Food) program that has helped so many young people across Oldham.  We do not feel there needs to be an increase in the money provided in this scheme, but we would like to see it used universally, allowing all young people access.  This will reduce any stigma of attending sessions and hopefully encouraging more young people eligible for free school meals to take up the offer.

Council recognises that over the past few years the Oldham Youth Council have made the ‘cost of living’ a priority issue and have undertaken much work in this area to improve the experiences of Oldham’s young people.  This includes:

·         Working with the Council to take unused stationary and distribute through schools to those students who need it most.

·         2022 motion to Council asking that the Chief Executive writes to the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Education and the Shadow Secretary of State for Education requesting to extend the offer of the Holiday Activities and Food programme to all young people not just those on free school meals.

Council notes:

·         That according to several 2024 surveys commissioned by organisations, such as General Mills and Greggs Foundation, between 20-30% of young people do not eat breakfast before school. 

·         Just over two million children are eligible for free meals in England, according to the latest government figures.

·         However, a 2024 Food Foundation survey found that there are 900,000 children living in poverty in England who are missing out on national eligibility for Free School Meals due to the strict threshold set by government.

·         Scottish and Welsh Government is considering increasing free school meals across primary schools and London’s Mayor has announced free meals will be provided in all primary schools across London for the 2024/2025 academic year.

·         Since 2022, the HAF programme has provided 10.7 million HAF days to children and young people in this country. The expansion of the programme year-on-year has meant a total of 5.4 million HAF days provided between Christmas 2022, Easter and summer 2023.

We propose that Council therefore resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister, Secretary of State for Health and the Secretary of State for Education asking that, rather than a blanket breakfast club for all primary schools, that they look at increasing the threshold for free school meals so more young people (both primary and secondary age) benefit; that they continue the HAF (Holiday Activities and Food)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

(time limit 15 Minutes)

1.    Question from Megan Birchall

The government announced mandatory housing targets after the election - does this mean we will need to bill more homes than PfE said?

Councillor Taylor, Statutory Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Decent Homes replied, that the Government proposals restore, and update, the nationally set Local Housing Need calculation in NPPF as mandatory.

Based on the mandatory LHN calculation the housing requirement for Oldham would increase from the average annual housing requirement of 680 under Places for Everyone to 1,049 new homes per year. This represents a 54% increase.

It is anticipated that this new requirement would not apply immediately for Oldham given the recent adoption of PfE, However, this is not entirely clear in the consultation document. If this were the case, we would continue with the housing requirement set under PfE.

We would then be expected to commence the preparation of a brand-new Local Plan to meet the new housing requirements.

2.    Question from Ghazala Rana

I heard Ed Miliband say "Britain will be a clean energy superpower" - What does this mean for Oldham?

Councillor Jabbar, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Value for Money and Sustainability replied that are two national initiatives on energy which could benefit Oldham – Great British Energy and the Local Power Plan. GB Energy will provide investment into renewable energy projects and the Local Power Plan will provide grants and other support to local authorities and communities to develop renewable energy projects, so that the financial benefit of energy generation can be kept in local economies. Oldham is well placed to benefit from this, as our existing plans under Oldham’s Green New Deal will already bring in large-scale private sector investment in low carbon infrastructure, and our Green New Deal Delivery Partnership model puts communities at the heart of energy planning.

These new national initiatives will complement and strengthen the approach that the Council has already developed, and which has already secured over £10m in grant funding to implement.

3.    Question from Lisa Phillips

I was pleased to see the town centre was busy for the recent Festival Oldham; are there going to be more events like this upcoming to get people in the town spending money with local businesses?

Councillor Dean, Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities and Culture replied that there has been a planned programme of events for the town centre including a new event on 28 September – Nostalgic Oldham with many of the town centre businesses taking part.

We also have a busy Christmas programme starting with the Christmas Light Switch-On taking place on Saturday 16 November.

On Saturday 31 August we also launched the Oldham Gift-card which is available for anyone to buy to give to their friends, family and colleagues as a gift. This is another way we are working with businesses to keep people spending money locally.

4.    Question from Alison Shore

I have heard that Access Oldham had moved into Spindles. What services are offered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

(Time limit 90 minutes)

Leader and Cabinet Members to present their reports.

Non-executive members may ask questions.

a.    Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Building a Better Oldham – including the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held 17^th June 2024 and 15^th July 2024, the meetings of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held 14^th June 2024 and the  meetings of the AGMA Executive Board held 9^th February 2024 and 14^th June 2024

b.    Deputy Leader and Decent Home Portfolio Holder

c.    Deputy Leader and Value for Money and Sustainability Portfolio Holder

d.    Children and Young People’s Portfolio Holder

e.    Education and Skills Portfolio Holder

f.     Enterprise Portfolio Holder

g.    Adults, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder

h.    Don’t Trash Oldham Portfolio Holder

i.      Thriving Communities and Culture Portfolio Holder

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, as follows:

a.    Leader and Building a Better Oldham Portfolio – including the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held 17^th June 2023 and 15^th July 2024; the Minutes of the meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held 14^th June 2024 and the Minutes of meetings of the AGMA Executive Board held on 9^th February 2024 and 14^th June 2024.

Councillor Sykes, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group

Question 1: Are Oldham’s MPs in Oldham’s Corner

Councillor Sykes noted that since the General Election we’ve had a welcome change of government but there has been little to cheer about for the people of our Borough. 

Oldham now has a Labour government in London, a Labour Mayor in Greater Manchester, and a Labour Administration in Oldham Borough, supported by some so-called Independents. 

There is nowhere left to hide, and no one left to blame. 

The new Prime Minister has said there will be painful times ahead. 

The question is, can Oldham Labour stand up to him?  Are they in our corner or not? 

We need to see the end of the two-child cap on universal credit. 

We need to know that pensioners in Oldham will be warm this winter, and that the government will stop this poorly thought out cut to winter fuel payments.   
Local government needs a cash injection now and long-term funding reform.  So that instead of circling the financial drain, this Council can fund the services our residents need and deserve.
For years, Oldham Labour have been telling us its Oldham first and politics second and challenging the government.  It’s time to practice what you preach.
If our three Labour MPs are truly in Oldham’s corner they will support calls for the end of the two-child cap, proper local government funding reform, and the continuation of winter fuel payments.

So, will the Leader agree to write to Oldham’s MPs urging them to pledge support for those causes in Parliament on behalf of all of the people in Oldham Borough who desperately need this government to fight their corner.

Councillor Shah, Leader of the Council, replied that the government was still very much in its early stages and had inherited a poor economic legacy from the outgoing Conservative administration and therefore needed time to start to put things right, which she expressed every confidence that they would do so. Therefore, she would not be writing to the three Members of Parliament as requested by Councillor Sykes as it was too early in the Parliamentary cycle to be doing so.

Question 2: Eton Star College
Councillor Sykes asked his second question regarding the Eton Star College.  The Leader has expressed her enthusiasm for the Eton Star Oldham project on many occasions and does so again in her report on tonight’s agenda.
The decision to develop a 480-student selective sixth  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1: Strengthening the Online Safety Act
To be moved by Councillor Harrison
Seconded by Councillor Nasheen

Social media giants have displayed time and again that they cannot be trusted to self-regulate, the riots across the country in recent weeks showed how dangerous misinformation can be and how quickly it can spread online.

There was at least one doctored video circulating online in early August purporting to be of Aldi in Chadderton, not only was this video not filmed within the Borough of Oldham it was several years old. However, this caused a tremendous amount of community concern and even lead to Police resources being deployed to the scene.

It is urgent that we take proactive measures to enhance the safety and security of our online environment. We cannot allow malicious actors to spread misinformation online in an attempt to cause unrest and division and destruction.

The current Online Safety Act, while a significant step forward, requires strengthening to address challenges and ensure comprehensive protection for all users, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.

This Council resolves:

·         to write to the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police and the Chief Superintendent for Oldham to thank them for the work their officers did to keep Oldhamers safe and violence off our streets.

·         to write to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation & Technology to ask his Department:

o   to undertake a review of the Online Safety Act to identify areas for improvement.

o   to strengthen enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance and increase penalties for violations.

o   to provide resources and training for parents, schools, and third sector organisations to help them protect and guide children in the digital world.

o   to ensure victims of online abuse and crimes are supported.

Motion 2: A Welcome Start to Delivering the New Deal for Workers 
To be moved by Councillor Taylor
Seconded by Councillor Islam

The King’s Speech delivered on the 17th of July 2024 included plans for a new Employment Rights Bill. This bill builds on the previously announced New Deal for Working People and will enshrine much of the plan to make work pay, provide security at work and ensure the work life balance that everyone deserves.  

This Council notes: 

·         The Government’s commitment to improve workers’ rights, and terms & conditions across the UK. 

·         The key components of the New Deal for Working People, include: 

o   A ban on zero-hour contracts. 

o   A commitment to end ‘fire & re-hire’ practices  

o   Strengthening employment rights and flexible working from day one. 

o   Making sure work pays, with a genuine living wage. 

o   Better access to trade unions and fair representation in the workplace. 

This Council believes: 

·         That fair pay and decent working conditions are fundamental rights for all workers. 

·         That the measures proposed in the New Deal for Workers will significantly improve the lives of workers in Oldham 

·         That fair and decent work provides greater security, improves national productivity and increases economic opportunity for all workers.

·         That supporting  ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Motion 1: Strengthening the Online Safety Act
Councillor Harrison MOVED and Councillor Nasheen SECONDED the following Motion:

Social media giants have displayed time and again that they cannot be trusted to self-regulate, the riots across the country in recent weeks showed how dangerous misinformation can be and how quickly it can spread online.

There was at least one doctored video circulating online in early August purporting to be of Aldi in Chadderton, not only was this video not filmed within the Borough of Oldham it was several years old. However, this caused a tremendous amount of community concern and even lead to Police resources being deployed to the scene.

It is urgent that we take proactive measures to enhance the safety and security of our online environment. We cannot allow malicious actors to spread misinformation online in an attempt to cause unrest and division and destruction.

The current Online Safety Act, while a significant step forward, requires strengthening to address challenges and ensure comprehensive protection for all users, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.

This Council resolves:

1.    To write to the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police and the Chief Superintendent for Oldham to thank them for the work their officers did to keep Oldhamers safe and violence off our streets.

2.    To write to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation & Technology to ask his Department:

a.    to undertake a review of the Online Safety Act to identify areas for improvement.

b.    to strengthen enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance and increase penalties for violations.

c.    to provide resources and training for parents, schools, and third sector organisations to help them protect and guide children in the digital world.

d.    to ensure victims of online abuse and crimes are supported.

AMENDMENT

Councillor Quigg MOVED and Councillor Arnott SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:

We live in a world where distance and connectivity between nations and people is shrinking. Information is available 24/7 and at the swipe or push of a button. For the first time in history, human beings have access to seemingly vast amounts of information at their fingertips.

But that vast amount of information is stored with mainly private companies.

We have seen how state and non-state actors are increasingly using social media to exploit weaknesses in those companies but also the data that they hold. From the vulnerability of platforms such as Tik-Tok, who are facing US Congressional hearings over a failure to protect user’s data from the Chinese Communist Party to non-state actors, criminals and terrorists who use it to blackmail individuals, cause harm to children and cause harm to adults via these platforms.

Social media is increasingly a double edge sword.

Without social media, the documenting of criminality in Bangladesh, ballot rigging in Venezuela the conflicts in Ukraine, North Africa and the Middle East would have been limited to a news cycle or newspaper column. Equally we have seen how governments and media can censor and control information, which is why for many  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1: Scrap the Two-Child Benefit Cap

To be moved by Councillor Sykes

Seconded by Councillor Al-Hamdani

The Two Child limit to benefit payments was introduced by the Conservative Government in 2017 and is supported by the current Labour Government. It prevents families from claiming Child Tax Credit or Universal Credit for more than two children in the household.

Council notes the recent research conducted by the End Child Poverty Coalition which has found that:

•      1.5 million children in the UK live in households subject to the two-child limit on benefit payments. That is roughly one-in-ten children in the UK.

•      In 2023/24 the two-child limit cost families up to £3,235 per child each year.

•      There is a strong correlation between families affected by the two-child limit and those who are living in poverty.

•      Scrapping the two-child limit would lift 250,000 children out of poverty overnight, and significantly reduce the level of poverty that a further 850,000 children live in.

•      Scrapping the two-child limit would cost £1.3 billion, however it is estimated that child poverty costs the economy £39 billion each year.

In Oldham 11,340 children in 3,160 households are currently affected by the two child limit to benefit payments. That is 18% of all children in the authority area. At the same time 27,760 local children are living in poverty.

Council strongly believes that the two-child limit to benefit payments is a cruel and harmful policy that should be scrapped. Research from the University of York has shown its introduction has had no positive impacts on employment and earnings. Instead, it has dragged thousands of local families into poverty.

Council notes the Liberal Democrats have consistently opposed the two-child limit to benefit payments since it was introduced – calling for it to be axed in their 2017, 2019 and 2024 manifestos. Council notes with concern the stance of the Labour Government who are committed to keeping the cap – going as far as suspending the whip from MPs who rebel against this position.

Council resolves to:

1.    Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister outlining Oldham Council’s strong belief that the two-child limit to benefit payments should be scrapped – which would help more than 11,000 children across Oldham.

2.    Further instruct the Chief Executive to write to all of Oldham’s MPs, asking them to commit their public support to the campaign to end the cruel two child limit to benefit payments.

3.    Ensure the number of children a family has is considered when a hardship grant is given out by the council.

4.    Explore ways to support families impacted by the two-child limit across Oldham Borough, including through free school meals.

Motion 2: Motor Insurance Premiums

To be moved by Councillor Akhtar

Seconded by Councillor Ibrahim

Recent research has exposed stark and unacceptable racial disparities in motor insurance premiums across the UK, including in Oldham. A 2023 survey by Citizens Advice  ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Motion 1: Two Child Benefit Cap
Councillor Sykes MOVED and Councillor Al-Hamdani SECONDED the following MOTION:

The Two Child limit to benefit payments was introduced by the Conservative Government in 2017 and is supported by the current Labour Government. It prevents families from claiming Child Tax Credit or Universal Credit for more than two children in the household.

Council notes the recent research conducted by the End Child Poverty Coalition which has found that:

•      1.5 million children in the UK live in households subject to the two-child limit on benefit payments. That is roughly one-in-ten children in the UK.

•      In 2023/24 the two-child limit cost families up to £3,235 per child each year.

•      There is a strong correlation between families affected by the two-child limit and those who are living in poverty.

•      Scrapping the two-child limit would lift 250,000 children out of poverty overnight, and significantly reduce the level of poverty that a further 850,000 children live in.

•      Scrapping the two-child limit would cost £1.3 billion, however it is estimated that child poverty costs the economy £39 billion each year.

In Oldham 11,340 children in 3,160 households are currently affected by the two-child limit to benefit payments. That is 18% of all children in the authority area. At the same time 27,760 local children are living in poverty.

Council strongly believes that the two-child limit to benefit payments is a cruel and harmful policy that should be scrapped. Research from the University of York has shown its introduction has had no positive impacts on employment and earnings. Instead, it has dragged thousands of local families into poverty.

Council notes the Liberal Democrats have consistently opposed the two-child limit to benefit payments since it was introduced – calling for it to be axed in their 2017, 2019 and 2024 manifestos. Council notes with concern the stance of the Labour Government who are committed to keeping the cap – going as far as suspending the whip from MPs who rebel against this position.

Council resolves to:

1.    Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister outlining Oldham Council’s strong belief that the two-child limit to benefit payments should be scrapped – which would help more than 11,000 children across Oldham.

2.    Further instruct the Chief Executive to write to all of Oldham’s MPs, asking them to commit their public support to the campaign to end the cruel two child limit to benefit payments.

3.    Ensure the number of children a family has is considered when a hardship grant is given out by the council.

4.    Explore ways to support families impacted by the two-child limit across Oldham Borough, including through free school meals.

AMENDMENT

Councillor Jabbar MOVED and Councillor Rustidge SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:

The Two Child limit to benefit payments was introduced by the Conservative Government in 2017. It prevents families from claiming Child Tax Credit or Universal Credit for more than two children in the household.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

To note actions taken arising from Council meetings

Councillor Shah MOVED and Councillor Sykes SECONDED a report of the Director of Legal, which updated members on actions taken following the meeting of the Council held on 10^th July 2024 and also on any updated responses from meetings held in the last 12 months.

RESOLVED:

That the actions regarding motions and issues from the meeting of the Council held on 10^th July 2024, be noted and confirmed.

To consider updates to the Council’s Constitution

Councillor Shah MOVED and Councillor Jabbar SECONDED the report of the Director of Legal, which recommended that Council consider and approve the proposed constitution changes detailed at paragraphs 2.1 to 2.7 of the submitted report and to reconfirm the Constitution as amended by this meeting.

The main areas that were recommended for amendment included ‘Member/Officer Protocol’ (as detailed at Appendix 1), ‘Planning meeting protocol’ (as detailed at Appendix 2), ‘Organisational changes’ (as detailed at Appendix 3), ‘Employee Code of Conduct’ (as detailed at Appendix 4), ‘Financial Procedure Rules’ (as detailed at Appendix 5), ‘Contract Procedure Rules’ (as detailed at Appendix 6) and ‘Other procedural changes’ (as detailed at Appendix 7).

Council was advised that the Constitution needs to be regularly reviewed to ensure that it reflects any procedural or organisational changes and the Director of Legal’s report identified areas where amendments to the Constitution were required.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Council approves the recommended constitutional changes detailed at paragraphs 2.1 to 2.7 of the report, including the organisational changes outlined at paragraph 2.3.

2.    That Council confirms the Constitution, as amended.

3.     That Council delegates to the Director of Legal, the making of consequential amendments to the Constitution.

To consider the Treasury Management Outturn in respect of 2023/24

Councillor Jabbar MOVED and Councillor Shah SECONDED a report of the Director of Finance concerning the Treasury Management outturn for 2023/24.

The Council was required to consider the performance of the Treasury Managementfunction to comply with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance andAccountancy’s (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Treasury Management (revised 2021). The submitted outturn report provided an update and set out thekey TreasuryManagement issuesfor Members’information andreviews and outlines, namely: an economic update for2023/24; an update of the Council’s current treasury management position; Council Borrowing; Treasury Investment Activity; Treasury Performance for 2023/24; and Treasury Management Prudential Indicators.

The Treasury Management Outturn report 2023/24 had previously been presented to and considered by the Audit Committee on 27^th June 2024 and by the Cabinet on 15^th July 2024.  Both of these bodies were content to commend the report to Council for approval.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Council approves the actual 2023/24 prudential and treasury indicators presented in the Director of Finance’s report.

2.    That Council approves the annual treasury management review report for 2023/24.

To approve the Youth Justice Plan 2024/25

Councillor Mushtaq MOVED and Councillor Shah SECONDED the Youth Justice Plan 2024/25. The Oldham Youth Justice Plan sets out the strategic direction for youth justice in Oldham, taking a partnership approach to reducing re-offending, reducing the number of first-time entrants into the criminal justice system and reducing the use of custody. The Plan had previously been considered by the Youth Justice Management Board, the Children and Young People Scrutiny Board and the Cabinet, who had all recommended its approval.

There had been an acknowledgment that the plan is significant in length. However, this was dictated by the template provided by the national Youth Justice Board. The Youth Justice Service Plan and Action Plan were attached as appendices to the submitted report.

RESOLVED:

That the Youth Justice Plan 2024/25 be approved.