Agenda and minutes

A minute silence was held following the death of the late, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

A minute silence was held following the death of Councillor Jean Stretton, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and former Leader of the Council.

Apologies for absence were received form Councillor Moores.

There were no public questions received.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd August 2022 be approved.

Report to follow

The Cabinet gave consideration a report of the Assistant Chief Executive which sought to outline proposals to be introduced by the Council in response to the ongoing cost of living crisis.

It was reported that in Oldham, some of parts of the Borough have the highest rates of deprivation in the country and that many residents would face hardships over the coming months with more people than ever facing some form of financial crisis.

As a result, Oldham Council was predicting a significant increase in demand for financial assistance, advice and support in the coming months with a need to increase investment in those services.

In response to the Council the Council were proposing a £3 million investment in services, support and funding to help reduce the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on all Oldham households but also to widen the safety net for those residents most vulnerable to financial crisis.

On the 27th of July 2022, Oldham Council held the Cost of Living Summit, bringing together residents, partners and voluntary organisations to discuss and plan for how to collectively respond to the crisis. The summit’s objective was to focus on the practical actions we could take locally to best support residents over the winter months.

The proposals outlined in the report reflected Oldham Council’s response to the Cost of Living Summit, providing a comprehensive package of support for our residents this winter.

Members welcomed the report and endorsed the support and interventions outlined.

Options/alternatives considered

Option 1 – To approve the interventions outlined in the report.

Option 2 – Not to approve the interventions outlined in the report.

RESOLVED – That the interventions outlined in the report, committing to providing a £3 million package of support to Oldham’s residents during the cost-of-living crisis be approved.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Leader of the Council which sought approval of new lease agreements for and renewal of the lease model for traders existing and new of Tommyfield Market.

It was reported that Tommyfield Market  was moving into the Shopping Centre and there were plans to redevelop the current market site when it was vacated. The proposals were for existing tenants to relocate into the heart of the Town Centre as requested at previous trader engagement meetings. 

In readiness for this relocation, this report sought approval to review existing tenancy arrangements to provide consistency and to ensure vacant possession could be obtained in a timely manner as soon as the opportunity arose.

Engagement sessions were continuing with tenants to help clarify their relocation requirements and to help map out their business plans. 

In addition, this report sought approvals to respond to market traders ask for financial assistance as they continued to report that the current trading situation was difficult. 

This was due to a slow recovery from the Covid pandemic, and the challenges associated with the current market site: traders haD asked for assistance to aid their sustainability during these currently challenging times and, ensure market continuation ahead of moving across to the new market site.

Options/alternatives considered

The options considered were mapped out in the report at Item 15 of the agenda. The options considered aid the future vacation of the Market site for its redevelopment and would help tenants in their ability to plan for the future.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information at Item 15 of the agenda before making a decision.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Leader of the Council which sought approval to roll out further activities over the next twelve months in support of the continuation of the Don’t Trash Oldham campaign, utilising funding commitments from earlier in the year

It was reported that clean streets and tackling issues of fly tipping and littering that blight Oldham’s communities remained a priority for Oldham residents and for the Council. The Don’t Trash Oldham (DTO) campaign commenced in September 2021, following Cabinet approval, which focused on community engagement, and confirmed the investment and resources required in order to strengthen current street cleaning and enforcement activity.

This report provided an end of year report and detailed the outcomes and achievements over the last twelve months; it examined the lessons learnt (what has worked and what could be improved) and proposed some new measures / targeted interventions for the next twelve months, following announcements earlier this year about a further financial commitment.

Members welcomed the report and the achievements of the campaign and asked that a vote of thanks be recorded for all the staff involved in the Campaign and the benefits it has achieved.

Option /alternatives considered

Option1 - Continue with the current approach and extend the campaign by revisiting the areas on rotation for one month in line with Appendix 1 of the report with enhanced visibility.

Option 2 -Target known hotspot locations with enforcement, engagement and dedicated clean up to induce behaviour change, and introduce a boroughwide ‘betterment’ plan to enhance all local communities / establish a DTO legacy.

Option 3 - Do nothing and bring the campaign to a close with the year end report, and convert the funds to support in-year funding pressures.

RESOLVED – That:

1.    The achievements of the Don’t Trash Oldham Campaign across the borough over the last twelve months be noted.

2.    The proposals to roll out further activities over the next twelve months in support of the continuation of the DTO campaign, utilising funding commitments from earlier in the year be noted.

3.    Option 2 as outlined in the report be approved for a focused and targeted delivery campaign to significantly improve the living conditions for our local communities, and to ensure a sustainable legacy is created with the available funding. 

4.    A vote of thanks be given to all staff involved in the Don’t Trash Oldham Campaign.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Leader of the Council which confirmed the value of the grant available to Oldham Council from the Mayoral Challenge Fund and the intention to add this additional resource to the Council’s Transport Programme.

It was reported that the Council had secured additional funding for scheme delivery, on behalf of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), via the Mayor’s Challenge Fund (MCF).

The Greater Manchester Mayor established a £160M Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund for cycling and walking infrastructure to kick-start delivery of the Greater Manchester Bee Network in June 2018.

The fund was being used to deliver the first phase of the walking and cycling elements of the wider Bee Network, which will transform Greater Manchester’s transport system. This network, once completed, would cover circa 1,800 miles and be the longest, integrated, planned network in the country connecting every neighbourhood of Greater Manchester.

Transport for Greater Manchester successfully bid to MCF Tranche 6 in November 2019 for the Greater Manchester Bee Network Crossings scheme.

The scheme represented a rolling programme of highway crossing interventions across all districts in Greater Manchester, designed to reduce severance for walkers and cyclists. Phase 1 is currently delivering a package of crossings in Bury and Manchester.

Phase 2 of the GM Bee Network Crossings scheme would deliver new and upgraded crossing facilities to overcome highway severance at 7 sites located throughout Bolton, Oldham, Stockport, and Wigan.

This Phase 2 package of works haD been developed in collaboration with Local Authority partners. The release of the funding for Phase 2 delivery was approved at GMCA on 29^th July 2022.

Option 1 - Accept the grant offer, enter into the delivery agreement with TfGM for the proposed Oldham schemes and progress the delivery of all schemes in the appropriate timescales.

Option 2 - Do not accept the grant offer and do not enter into the delivery agreement with TfGM to deliver the schemes

RESOLVED – That:

1.    The grant offer from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund (MCF) for delivery of the Bee Network Crossings scheme in Oldham be accepted.

2.    The Council enter into a Delivery Agreement with Transport for Greater Manchester for the proposed scheme.

3.    The intention to bring the additional resource into the transport capital programme in 2022/23 and complete delivery of the schemes in the appropriate timescales be noted.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Leader of the Council which sought o review and approve a request made by Hackney Carriage trade representatives for an increase in Hackney Carriage (taxi) fares.

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 allows the Council to set the maximum costs and fares that drivers may charge the public for journeys taken in a taxi.

In setting taxi fares, the Council must balance any increase of taxi fares against the needs of the travelling public. A review of taxi fares last took place in 2012.

It was reported that Taxi fares have remained static since 2012, despite the increase in the cost of living.

The trade had seen an increase in costs associated with licensing, maintaining, and running a taxi over the previous 10 years, and were now requesting the Council review the fares they are permitted to charge in order to mitigate those costs.

The existing and proposed fares were detailed at Appendix 1 to the report.

Options/Alternatives considered

Option 1: Approve the request

Option 2: Do not approve the request

RESOLVED – That:

1.    The request to increase Hackney Carriage Taxi fares as detailed at appendix 1 to the report be approved.

2.    Any objections to the statutory notices issued following approval of this report are delegated to the Leader of the Council.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Director of Adult Social Care which sought approval for the arrangements for the implementation of the Living Wage, following the commitment included in the 2022/23 Revenue Budget report (approved 2 March 2022) to implemented by October 2022.

It was reported that due to the timescales for the submission to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) of the Fair Cost of Care proposals by the 14 October 2022, approval was sought to delegate authority to sign off the report submission to the Director of Adult Social Care, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care. An update report would then follow to Cabinet to note the decisions made.  

This report provided an overview of the Fair Cost of Care (FCoC) exercise which the Council was required to submit to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), including the timeline and approval process required.  Additionally, the paper confirmed the implementation plan for the Living Wage Foundation National Living Wage (FLW).

Option/alternatives considered

Option 1 – Delegate authority to the Director of Adult Social Care to sign off the report submissions.

Option 2 – Require a Cabinet Decision on the Fair Cost of Care Submissions. Due to the internal approval process if this option is chosen it would not be possible to achieve the submission deadline of the 14 October, which risks not only the reputation of the council but also may affect the funding received in year and expected in future years.

Options in relation to Foundation Living Wage.

Option 3 – Pay the Foundation Living Wage at the Current rate of £9.90 effective from 1 October, with implementation by the end of October 2022.

Option 4– Implement the Foundation Living Wage at the September announced level by the end of October 2022.

Option 5 – Not to implement the Foundation Living Wage.

RESOLVED – That:

1.    The proposed delegation of authority for the submissions required by 14 October 2022 to the Department of Health and Social Care.. A Cabinet report to follow to note the decision made and costs and models agreed.

2.    The implementation the Foundation Living Wage by the end of October 2022 be approved at the current rate and from the first of April 2023 move to the rate announced in September 2022 (which was announced with six months to implement) at an estimated cost of £1M from October 2022 - March 2023.This would include an increase in the fees paid to providers and contract variations to ensure the increase is passed on to social care staff.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Director of Adult Social Care which sought approval for a proposed 12 month interim funding arrangement for day services and to re-engage Age UK Oldham to deliver a service during that period.

It was reported that it was important to support the continuation of day care delivery in the short term and to support the ongoing relationship that Age UK Oldham, as a respected strategic partner have developed with the community in Oldham.

Age UK Oldham were proactive in redefining their local offer throughout 2020 as the Covid Pandemic emerged and had continued to provide valued and relevant services to local residents.

Option/alternatives considered

The options were considered at Item 17 of the agenda.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information as detailed at Item 17 of the agenda.   

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Executive Director, Place and Economic Growth which sought approval of the appropriate budget to proceed with identified prioritised work within the Property Management Programme.

This report provided a review of a 3-year plan of Backlog Maintenance agreed in 2021.as detailed at appendix A to the report

It was stressed that several schemes previously identified had already been delivered. All schemes had been reviewed and some reprioritised based upon site knowledge of technical officers and risk analysis. Several schemes were currently in progress therefore already committed as proposed delivery for 2022/2023.

A detailed review of known current maintenance and investment schemes had been completed and included a review of outstanding schemes previously captured in a report by the ‘Head of Strategic Assets & Facilities’ from April 2021 along with additional schemes that had been identified in recent months.

A collaborative meeting was held on 6^th May 2022 to collectively review and agree the property management programme based on priority assessment, asset strategy, budget availability and procurement considerations. Technical officers in collaboration with colleagues in finance, procurement, highways, estate management and education had confirmed the specific schemes which were required in either 2022/2023, 2023/2024 or 2024/2025.

The review had included revision to previous budget cost of each scheme to reflect the current scope of works whilst also considering the current commercial procurement market.

It was considered that the current contractor market was volatile resulting in tender return increases. Consequently, budget cost had been reviewed to avoid future budget increases.

Where possible, schemes had been re-prioritised with a view to doing essential works only thus affording further time to realign with wider considerations such as Decarbonisation and Disposal programmes

Specific schemes had been identified as being beyond the realms of maintenance due to scale, complexity, and cost. It was considered that these such schemes are more appropriately addressed in alternative programmes.

Options/Alternatives

Option 1 - Do nothing, which was not considered viable as the schemes identified are considered as priority maintenance works that were required necessary either to maintain the full operational use of the buildings, to mitigate legal risks, are of a health and safety issue, or are considered needed to meet statutory legislation requirements.

Option 2 – To approve the budget and to commission the required works in accordance with the Council's Contract Procedure Rules. This would assist to maintain and facilitate improved functional use of the corporate assets, whilst mitigating relevant operational and health and safety risks.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information as detailed at Item 16 of the agenda before making a decision.

That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they contain exempt information under paragraph(s) 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and it would not, on balance, be in the public interest to disclose the reports.

RESOLVED that, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they contain exempt information under paragraphs 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and it would not, on balance, be in the public interest to disclose the reports.

The Cabinet gave consideration to the commercially sensitive information in relation to Item 7 - Tommyfield Market - Lease Management.

RESOLVED – That:

1.    The offer of a new lease agreement to existing tenants of Tommyfield Market as detailed within the commercially sensitive report be approved.

2.    The new lease arrangements be offered to all new tenants for fairness and equality during this financial period of trading in this existing location.

3.    The rental model though the new lease arrangements be reviewed which would provide a rent reduction on full price charges through the new lease agreement providing the tenant is in compliance with their existing tenancy agreement and have no rental arrears as detailed with options in the commercially sensitive report.

4.    Further engagement takes place with tenants as detailed within the commercially sensitive report.

5.    Authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place and Economic Growth to finalise the terms and conclude the new tenancy agreements, together with any ancillary documentation.

6.    Authority to be delegated to the Director of Legal Services or his nominated representative to sign and affix the Common Seal of the Council to all contractual documentation necessary to give effect to the above authorisations and delegations.

The Cabinet gave consideration to the commercially sensitive information in relation to Item 13 - Property Management Programme Update.

RESOLVED – That the budget as detailed in the report be approved to enable commission of the required works in accordance with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules. This would assist to maintain and facilitate improved functional use of the Council’s Corporate assets, whilst mitigating relevant operational and health and safety risks.

The Cabinet gave consideration to the commercially sensitive information in relation to Item 12 - Day services contract provided by Age UK Oldham.

RESOLVED – That:

1.    The proposed interim funding arrangements as detailed within the commercially sensitive report for the day services for 12 months be approved.

2.    The re-engagement of AGE UK to deliver a service during that 12 months be approved.

3.    All further detail in the recommendation within the commercially sensitive report be approved.