Agenda and minutes

Annual Meeting, Council - Wednesday, 24th May, 2023 12.00 pm

Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Oldham, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1NL

Contact: Liz Drogan 

Items
No. Item

1.

To receive apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Adams, Arnott, Hince, Hurley, Aftab Hussain, Quigg

2.

To elect the Mayor for the 2023/24 Municipal Year

Minutes:

Councillor Shah MOVED, Councillor Sheldon SECONDED and Councillor Sykes SUPPORTED the election of Councillor Zahid Chauhan as Mayor of the Borough and Chair of Council for the forthcoming Municipal Year.

 

On being put to the vote, the nomination was CARRIED.

 

Councillor Chauhan signed the declaration required by law, which enabled him to act in the Office of Mayor.

 

The retiring Mayor (Mrs Elaine Garry) invested the newly elected Mayor with the chain of office; the Mayor’s Consorts were presented with their chains.

 

(The Mayor, Councillor Chauhan, in the Chair).

 

The Mayor then made a speech of acceptance of office.

 

Councillor Taylor MOVED, Councillor Byrne SECONDED and Councillor SykesSUPPORTED a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor and her Consorts.

 

RESOLVED

1.         Councillor Zahid Chauhan be appointed Mayor of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council and Chair for the 2023/2024 Municipal Year.

2.         The sincere thanks and appreciation of the Council be recorded to Mrs Elaine Garry for her valuable services during her term of office as Mayor of the Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council.

3.

To Appoint the Deputy Mayor for the 2023/24 Municipal Year

Minutes:

Councillor Shah MOVED, Councillor Sheldon SECONDED and Councillor Sykes SUPPORTED the election of Councillor Moores as Deputy Mayor and Vice Chair of Council for the forthcoming Municipal Year.

 

On being put to the vote, the nomination was CARRIED. Councillor Moores signed the declaration required by law which enabled him to act in the office of Deputy Mayor.

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Moores be appointed Deputy Mayor for Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council and Vice Chair for the 2023/2024 Municipal Year.

4.

To order that the Minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 15th March 2023 and 20th March 2023 be signed as a correct record pdf icon PDF 646 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED that:

1.    The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 15th March 2023 be approved as a correct record.

2.    Subject to the inclusion of Councillor Woodvine as being included in the list of members present, the Minutes of the special meeting of the Council held 20th March 2023 be approved as a correct record.

5.

To receive declarations of interest in any matter to be determined at the meeting

Members and officers to declare any interest which they may have in any of the items on the Summons for this meeting.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

6.

To deal with matters which the Mayor considers to be urgent business

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business for Council to consider.

7.

To receive communications relating to the business of the Council

Minutes:

Councillor Shah paid tribute to the work of Councillor Chadderton during her time served on the Council.

 

Councillor Shuttleworth paid tribute to the work of Councillor Williams during his time served on the Council.

 

Councillor S. Bashforth paid tribute to the work of Councillor Clint Phythian and Councillor C. Gloster during their time served on the Council.

 

Councillor Murphy paid tribute to the work of Councillor Chadderton and Councillor C Gloster during their time served on the Council

 

Councillor Charters paid tribute to the work of Councillor Roberts during her time served on the Council.

 

Councillor Moores paid tribute to the work of Councillor Munroe during her time served on the Council

 

Councillor Shah paid tribute to the work of Councillor Kyle Phythian during his time served on the Council

 

Councillor Davis paid tribute to the work of Councillor Wilkinson during his time served on the Council

 

Councillor Al-Hamdani paid tribute to the work of Councillor Wilkinson during his time served on the Council

 

Councillor Williamson paid tribute to the work of Councillor Kyle Phythian, Councillor Roberts and Councillor Williams during their time served on the Council

 

Councillor Sheldon paid tribute to the work of Councillor Barnes during his time served on the Council

 

Councillor Hamblett paid tribute to the work of Councillor Williams during his time served on the Council

 

Councillor Woodvine paid tribute to the work of Councillor McManus during his time served on the Council

 

Councillor Al-Hamdani paid tribute to the work of Councillor McManus during his time served on the Council.

 

The Mayor referred to the recent death of former Councillor Ian McInnes. Accordingly, Councillor Sykes addressed Council paying his individual condolences and a tribute.

 

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

 

The Mayor permitted Councillor Shah, Leader Elect of the Council, to address the meeting. Councillor Shah announced that the Chief Executive, Mr Harry Catherall, would be leaving Oldham Council at the end of the year and expressed appreciation for the work he had done since being appointed Chief Executive and continues to do.

8.

To note the report of the Returning Officer containing the results of the Local Elections which took place on 4th May 2023 pdf icon PDF 152 KB

To receive a report from the Returning Officer as to the persons elected to the office of Councillor on 4th May 2023.

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report of the Returning Officer which informed members of the results of the Local Election which had taken place on 4th May 2023.

 

RESOLVED that the results of the Local Election be noted.

9.

Appointment of Leader of the Council pdf icon PDF 145 KB

Minutes:

Councillor Taylor MOVED and Councillor Mushtaq SECONDED a report of the Director of Legal Services, which asked that consideration be given to a report regarding the appointment of the Leader of the Council, in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000 as amended.

 

RESOLVEDthat the appointment of Councillor Shah, as the Leader of the Council, from the 24th May 2023 and ending on the day when the Council holds its first annual meeting after the Leader’s normal day of retirement as Councillor, as outlined at paragraph 2.1 of the report, be noted.

10.

Appointment of the Deputy Leader, Cabinet Members and Deputy Cabinet Members and allocation of portfolios and delegation of Executive functions pdf icon PDF 148 KB

To receive a report from the Leader of the Council on -

 

(i) the number of councillors appointed to the Cabinet;

(ii) appointments made to the Cabinet;

(iii) the appointment of the Deputy Leader)

(iv) the allocation of responsibilities (portfolios). 

(v)  the appointment of Deputy Cabinet Members

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report of the Leader of the Council which detailed the Cabinet portfolios and the appointments to the Cabinet for the 2023/2024 Municipal Year.

 

RESOLVED that the appointment of the Deputy Leaders, Cabinet Members, Deputy Cabinet Members, the allocation of portfolios to Cabinet Members and the determination of delegations to executive functions for 2023/2024 be noted as outlined below:

                         

Councillor Arooj Shah

Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Reform and Regeneration

Councillor Elaine Taylor

Statutory Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Licensing

Councillor Shaid Mushtaq

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People

Councillor Abdul Jabbar

 

Councillor Mohon Ali

Councillor Barbara Brownridge

Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Resources

Cabinet Member for Education and Skills

Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care

Councillor Peter Dean

Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture

Councillor Fida Hussain

Cabinet Member for Business, Employment and Enterprise

Councillor Chris Goodwin

Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods

Councillor Josh Charters

Deputy Cabinet Member for Children and Young People

Councillor Marie Bashforth

Deputy Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care

Councillor Ros Birch

Deputy Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture

Councillor Umar Nasheen

Deputy Cabinet Member for Education and Skills

Councillor Nazrul Islam

Deputy Cabinet Member for Business, Employment and Enterprise

 

 

 

 

Note - the executive functions are those as described in Part 3 of the constitution as amended by item 15.

11.

Main Opposition Nominations to the Shadow Cabinet 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 163 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the appointment of the main Opposition Leader and the Shadow Cabinet, as circulated at the meeting and as set out below, be noted:

 

Conservative Group Leader – Councillor Graham Sheldon

Deputy Group Leader – Councillor Kamran Ghafoor

 

Conservative Group Shadow Cabinet:

Councillor Graham Sheldon

Shadow Cabinet Member for Reform and Regeneration

Councillor Max Woodvine

Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Resources

Councillor Abdul Wahid

 

Councillor Pam Byrne

Shadow Cabinet Member for Children and Young People

Shadow Cabinet Member for Education and Skills

Councillor Christine Adams

 

Councillor Luke Lancaster

Shadow Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care

Shadow Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods

Councillor Abdul Wahid

Shadow Cabinet Member for Housing and Licensing

Councillor Beth Sharp

Shadow Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture

Councillor Kamran Ghafoor

Shadow Cabinet Member for Business, Employment and Enterprise

 

12.

Appointment to Committees and Composition of Political Groups 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 213 KB

To appoint to committees of the Council in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and give consideration to some committees not allocated strictly in accordance with proportionality under the Act 

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Shah MOVED and Councillor Sheldon SECONDED the report of the Director of Legal Services which sought a review of the political composition of committees and the composition of political groups as previously notified under Regulation 8(1) of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990 and under Sections 15 and 16 of the Local Government Housing Act 1989.

 

RESOLVED that:

1.    The composition of the political groups as shown in paragraph 1.1, of the submitted report, be noted;

2.    The several Committees detailed at paragraph 1.5be constituted with the Terms of Reference and delegated powers as detailed in the Constitution.

3.    The number of seats on the various Committees for the 2023/2024 Municipal Year be as detailed in paragraph 1.6 be approved and the terms of office referred to therein.

4.    Council confirms the allocation of seats to the political groups and makes appointments to fill the seats in accordance with Sections 15 and 16 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, as detailed in Appendix 1, as far as is practicable, including those Committees that are not strictly politically balanced: - Scrutiny Boards, Appeals Committee and Standards Sub-Committee.

5.    Council appoints a Chair and Vice-Chair of each of the various Committees for the 2023/2024 Municipal Year, as detailed in Appendix 1, except for Selection and Appeals Committees.

6.    The Council appoints District Lead and Deputy Lead Members as follows:

                                          i.    Central District Lead – Councillor Salamat (no Deputy Lead Member required)

                                        ii.    North District Lead – Councillor S. Bashforth and Deputy Lead – Councillor Williamson

                                       iii.    East District Lead – Councillor Cosgrove and Deputy Lead – Councillor Al-Hamdani

                                       iv.    South District Lead – Councillor Davis (no Deputy Lead Member required)

                                        v.    West District Lead – Councillor Shuttleworth (no Deputy Lead Member required)

7.    The Co-opted Members detailed at paragraph 1.9 of the report be appointed to the Overview and Scrutiny Board and the Statutory Co-opted Members be given full voting rights in respect of education matters only.

8.    Any outstanding appointments to be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Leader of the main opposition group.

13.

Appointment to Outside Bodies 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 30 KB

To appoint Councillors to serve on Outside Bodies:

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Shah MOVED and Councillor Sheldon SECONDED a report of the Director of Legal Services which detailed the appointments to Outside Bodies for the Municipal Year 2023/2024.

 

RESOLVED that:

1.         The appointments to the Outside Bodies as listed in the Appendices as circulated for the 2023/2024 Municipal Year be confirmed.

2.         Any outstanding appointments be delegated to the Chief Executive to determine, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Leaders of the two main Opposition Groups.

3.        The non-administration appointments to Positive Steps, Miocare and Oldham Community Leisure be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Leaders of the two main opposition groups.

14.

Council Meetings and Municipal Calendar 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 132 KB

a)    To confirm the meetings of Full Council will be held on the undermentioned dates during the 2023/24 Municipal Year, commencing at 6.00pm unless otherwise shown:

Wed 12th July 2023

Wed 6th September 2023

Wed 1st November 2023

Wed 13th December 2023

Wed 28th February 2024 (Budget)

Wed 13th March 2024

b)    To approve the calendar of meetings for the 2023/224Municipal Year.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Legal Services which set out the Calendar of Meetings for the 2023/2024 Municipal Year.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1.    The meetings of Full Council be held on the undermentioned dates during the 2023/2024 Municipal Year, commencing at 6.00pm unless otherwise shown:

 

12th July 2023

6th September 2023

1st November 2023

13th December 2023

28th February 2024

13th March 2024

 

2.    The Council’s calendar of meetings for 2023/2024 be approved.

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

15.

Council Constitution pdf icon PDF 980 KB

To approve the Constitution and Scheme of Delegation. 

Minutes:

Councillor Shah MOVED and Councillor Sheldon SECONDED a report of the Director of Legal Services which requested that Council considers amendments to the constitution and to re-affirm the Council Constitution as a matter of good governance.

 

RESOLVED

That Council re-affirms its Constitution, subject to the inclusion of revisions to the Council Procedure Rules, the Officer Scheme of Delegation, Responsibility for functions in respect of Employment Appeals, Scrutiny functions, the Planning Committee, Audit Committee and Charitable Trust Committee and Petitions Protocol as identified in the Director of Legal Services’ report.

16.

Notice of Administration Business

(time limit 30 minutes)

 

None received

Minutes:

There were no item of Administration Business for Council to consider.

17.

Notice of Opposition Business

(time limit 30 minutes)

 

None received

Minutes:

There were no items of Opposition Business for Council to consider.