Agenda

Minutes of the meeting held on 28^th February 2024 to follow.

(time limit 20 minutes)

There have been no Petitions received.

(time limit 20 minutes)

There is no Youth Councill business.

(time limit 15 Minutes)

(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 Reform and Regeneration – including the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held 13^th November 2023, 11^th December2023 and 22^nd January 2024; urgent decisions made during 2023/24; and the meetings of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held 24^th November 2023, 15^th December 2023, 26^th January 2024 and 9^th February 2024

b.    Deputy Leader and Housing and Licensing Portfolio

c.    Deputy Leader and Children and Young People’s Portfolio

d.    Education and Skills Portfolio Holder

e.    Health and Social Care Portfolio Holder

f.     Communities and Culture Portfolio Holder

g.    Neighbourhoods Portfolio Holder

h.    Business, Employment and Enterprise Portfolio Holder

i.      Finance and Corporate Resources Portfolio Holder

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1

To be moved by Councillor Shah

Seconded by: Councillor Birch

This Council calls for a lasting peace in Palestine & Israel

The loss of civilian life in Palestine and Israel since October is intolerable, Save the Children estimates that over twelve-thousand children have died in Gaza since the start of this conflict.

The conflict has had a deep and emotional impact on many Oldhamers, some of whom may have friends or relatives in the region.

Whilst this Council is limited in our ability to affect change in foreign policy, we have a duty to express the concerns of our residents.

This Council Notes:

·         that the House of Commons passed a resolution backing calls for a ceasefire and the immediate release of hostages.

·         that members of this Council, led by the Mayor Cllr Dr Zahid Chauhan and Leaders of all Political Groups, called for a ceasefire in early November.

·         the international community is increasingly backing calls for a ceasefire and welcomes comments in this regard by the UK Foreign Secretary and US President but recognises that words are not enough, and Palestinian civilians need urgent action to prevent further loss of life.

·         the International Court of Justice’s provisional measures and expresses concerns at reports that Israel has failed to comply with this ruing.

·         that Tell MAMA recorded over 2,000 incidents of anti-muslim hatred since October 7^th – the largest volume of cases recorded in four months since Tell MAMA was founded in 2011.

·         that the Community Safety Trust recorded 2,699 incidents of anti-Jewish hate between October 7^th and the end of the year – totalling two-thirds of all incidents reported in 2023.  

This Council:

·         condemns the terror attacks carried out by Hamas on 7^th October 2023.

·         reiterates calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, observed by all sides, to allow urgent aid into Gaza.

·         urges all international powers to work together to establish a diplomatic process to deliver the peace of a two-state solution, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state.

·         recognises that a Palestinian state is key to lasting peace in the region, and that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people and not in the gift of any neighbour.

This Council further:

·         resolves to support the Oldham Interfaith Forum and Community Safety Partnership to combat any incidents of Islamophobia and antisemitism in Oldham.

·         supports diplomatic efforts to ensure rapid and unimpeded humanitarian relief is provided in Gaza.

·         regrets that previous attempts to pass a ceasefire resolution at the UN Security Council have failed.

Believes an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah risks catastrophic humanitarian consequences and must not take place.

Motion 2

To be moved by Councillor Taylor

Seconded by: Councillor Holly Harrison

Bee Network

Bus deregulation was a failed experiment. Passengers lost out and vital public transport routes were lost.

Once Tranche 2 of bus franchising in Greater Manchester launches at the end of March over half of Greater Manchester buses will  ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1 (Liberal Democrats)

To be moved by Councillor Harkness

Seconded by Councillor Gloster

Save Oldham Coliseum Theatre

This Council believes:

Oldham Coliseum Theatre was a treasured local asset that has drawn audiences from across the country to Fairbottom Street for more than 135 years. Its productions have put Oldham on the map and brought acclaim from across the UK’s arts and culture sector.

For many years, the Coliseum has been one of only a handful of producing theatres outside of London, providing a platform for the development of new work. The closure of its Fairbottom Street home signifies a serious failure by all parties involved, with the withdrawal of ACE funding – and the failure to secure the long-term future of the site, despite missed opportunities linked with town centre regeneration projects.

This Council notes that:

Since the Coliseum announced that it would close in March 2023, the public support for the Theatre has been phenomenal. Oldham residents, theatregoers from across the country, as well as some of the biggest names in UK performing arts are united by a desire to resolve the difficulties facing the Oldham Coliseum; and keep it on Fairbottom Street where it belongs.

In September 2023, despite the then leadership of this Council publicly stating

otherwise, a study commissioned by the Coliseum Board concluded that the Fairbottom Street building is not beyond repair and could be used again and brought up to a modern standard with the appropriate investment.

Investing in the Fairbottom building could be a much more cost-effective proposal freeing up millions for other projects and much needed regeneration.

This Council resolves to:

1. Examine the feasibility of refurbishing and investing into the Fairbottom Street building.

2. Explore funding streams that could help finance the redevelopment of the existing venue, including the reallocation of funds from other initiatives linked with the future of Oldham Coliseum.

3. Bring a report to cabinet as soon as possible outlining the steps that this Council can take to support the Oldham Coliseum Theatre to remain at home, on Fairbottom Street, which would also help regenerate that part of Oldham town centre and Yorkshire Street.

Motion 2 (Conservative Party)

To be moved by Councillor Quigg

Seconded by Councillor Sheldon

Confidence in Oldham Council Leadership

In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Marcellus states that “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” and sadly following the closure of Oldham’s Coliseum theatre by this Council, these words echo across the empty stage and stalls as a warning to this Boroughs Leader. For instead of Denmark, the people of this town believe “Something is rotten in Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council”.

Driven by the next press release or online video, Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council (OMBC) and this Labour administration continues in its quest for the ‘Game Changing’ Holy Grail that will fix the town’s decline. The numerous town centre focused projects that go over budget; such as the thirty two million pound overspend on the Cinema, the failed Hotel Future and  ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

To update council on actions from the previous Council meeting held on 13^th December 2023 and meetings earlier in the 2023/24 municipal year.

Member’s Annual Reports received are attached

To approve a Members Allowance Scheme for 2024/25

To consider the appointment of two Independent Persons to the standards committee under the Localism Act 2011.

A Joint Development Plan Document for Nine Greater Manchester Local Authorities (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan) 2022-2039 (The Places for Everyone Plan)

A report updating Council on revisons to the authority’s political balance