Agenda

(time limit 20 minutes)

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

(10 minutes)

Leader to address Council

(time limit 20 minutes)

There is no Youth Council business to consider.

(time limit 15 Minutes)

(time limit 90 minutes)

1. Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Growth – including the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held 21^st July, 8^th September, 22^nd September and 20^th October 2025; the minutes of meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held 22^nd August and 26^th September 2025.
2. Statutory Deputy Leader and Neighbourhoods Portfolio Holder
3. Deputy Leader and Finance, Corporate Services and Sustainability Portfolio Holder
4. Children and Young People’s Portfolio Holder
5. Adults, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder
6. Education and Skills Portfolio Holder
7. Culture and Leisure Portfolio Holder
8. Enterprise Portfolio Holder
9. Transport and Highways Portfolio Holder

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1: Improving Parking Provision at Royal Oldham Hospital

To be Moved by Cllr Zahid Chauhan
to be Seconded by Cllr Barbara Brownridge

This Council notes:

• That Royal Oldham Hospital provides essential health services for thousands of Oldham residents every week, including emergency, maternity, and specialist care.
• That patients, visitors, and NHS staff frequently report serious difficulties finding parking spaces at and around the hospital site.
• That parking shortages lead to missed or delayed appointments, added stress for patients and families, and unfair parking fines for staff and visitors.
• That the hospital’s current car park layout cannot meet the increasing demand from both hospital users and staff.

This Council believes:

• That access to healthcare should not be made more stressful by inadequate or unaffordable parking.
• That a multi-storey car park or other expanded parking solution would significantly improve accessibility and patient experience without consuming additional land.
• That NHS staff, particularly those working long or unsociable hours, should have access to safe and affordable parking.
• That dedicated and accessible parking should be available for people with mobility issues and wheelchair users.

This Council therefore resolves to:

1. Request that Oldham Council works collaboratively with the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) and relevant partners to explore options for:
   1. Developing a multi-storey or expanded car park at or near Royal Oldham Hospital;
   2. Introducing fair and affordable parking arrangements for patients attending A&E, those with regular appointments, and NHS staff;
   3. Creating dedicated parking directly opposite the A&E department for patients attending A&E only;
   4. Improving access and facilities for wheelchair users and those with mobility needs.
2. Write to the Chief Executive of the NCA and the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board (ICB) expressing this Council’s support for urgent improvements to parking provision at Royal Oldham Hospital.
3. Request that Oldham’s Members of Parliament lobby the national government and publicly support a campaign for better parking provision for Oldham residents attending Royal Oldham Hospital.

Motion 2:Strengthening Standards and Transparency for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

To be Moved by Councillor Hindle

To be Seconded by Councillor Hince

At its meeting of 16^th July 2025, this Council resolved to implement an Article 4 Direction in relation to small HMOs, this Direction will come into effect on 1^st January 2026, meaning planning applications must be made to convert a dwelling-house (C3) to a House in Multiple Occupation (C4).

The Housing Act 2004 and The Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation Regulations 2018 define an HMO and set out the framework of Licensing responsibilities that sit with local authorities.

This motion is the next step in raising standards for HMOs in the Borough of Oldham, sending a clear message to residents and landlords that we take our duties and responsibilities seriously, and that we want the highest standards permitted by legislation.

This Council notes:

The persistent concerns raised by residents regarding substandard living conditions, overcrowding, fire safety risks, and poor management practices in some HMOs. That while statutory standards  ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1: Tackling the Anti-Social Use of Off-Road Motorbikes, E-Bikes and E-Scooters

To be Moved by Councillor Williamson

To be Seconded by Councillor Marland

There has been a national spike in the anti-social use of off-road motorcycles, e-bikes, and scooters on UK roads and in public places.

And whilst there are trial schemes for e-bikes and e-scooters operating in Greater Manchester it is illegal for some vehicles and those not in trial schemes to be used on public highways and in public spaces.

There is a myth that the Police cannot do anything which is not true. The Police will act even when riders are not wearing helmets but only in a targeted approach made by trained officers. In fact, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has a dedicated team of Officers.

This Council Acknowledges:

• That Greater Manchester Police’s resources are finely stretched, and that Oldham Council cannot just ask for GMP to put resources into Oldham without a strongly evidenced basis. 
• Oldham Council recognises that GMP officers will use up-to-date intelligence to help direct them to areas of concern. Recent successes have been seen with Operation Vulcan and Operation AVRO - Oldham must do its bit to help the Police.

• Most motorbike, e-bike, scooter riders, use their vehicles in a safe and considerate manner and abide by the law. Sadly, there are those that don’t, and this poses a serious risk to not only themselves, but other road users also. 
• People can easily purchase e-bikes or e-scooters blissfully unaware they are not intended for use on the public highway or in public spaces having a logic that ‘if they weren’t legal, they wouldn’t sell them.’
• That Oldham Council must work more closely with communities and organisations to generate a campaign to advise our residents of how and when to report issues.
• Oldham Council must continue working alongside GMP, housing providers, other partners and communities to get a message out that is clear about what constitutes an irresponsible user so that those who pose no threat to others carry on enjoying them sensibly and legally, and those that are not can be dealt with appropriately

This Council is aware that:

• Criminals are also using these modes of transport to commit further crimes, including drug supply, burglary, and theft. The anti-social use of these vehicles causes misery within our communities, impacting on the quality of life and posing a danger to those using the region’s roads and open spaces.

·       This Council believes that:
Working closely with residents and partners not just the Police is key to tackling this behaviour.

• Greater Manchester Police officers will use up-to-date intelligence to help direct them to areas of concern to deter, detect and disrupt offences from taking place.

This Council resolves to:

1.    Write to the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police Sir Stephen Watson QPM thanking him, the Officers and staff of GMP and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) for their continued hard work and dedication in tackling the anti-social use  ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

The Council is requested to determine a Scheme for Members’ Allowances following consideration of a report of an Independent Remuneration Panel convened in accordance with the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003.

Council is requested to appoint a second Independent Member of the Audit Committee.

To consider the Leading Oldham Partnership Impact Report for 2024/25.

The Council is requested to approve the Oldham Children, Young People and Families Plan 2025/26.

A report seeking a change to the Constitution to enable electronic voting, and to clarify the procedure for use of electronic voting.

To update on recent changes that affect the Council’s political balance.

To consider Oldham Council’s Annual report – 2024/25