Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

Councillors Brownridge and Jabbar each declared a ‘registerable interest’ in agenda items 12 and 22 (Creating a Better Place – Update) by virtue of the fact that they were both Council appointed Trustees of Northern Roots. Councillors Brownridge and Jabbar both left the room during the consideration and determination of these agenda items.

There were no public questions for this meeting of the Cabinet to consider.

The Minutes of the Cabinet meeting, held on 7^th April 2025, are attached for approval.

Resolved:
That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 7^th April 2025 be approved as a correct record.

Cabinet is asked to formally accept a grant award of £276,888 from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on behalf of Oldham Council, for the purpose of delivering the Refugee Support Project.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Education, skills and Early Years that requested the formal acceptance of a grant award of £276,888 from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) on behalf of Oldham Council, for the purpose of delivering the Refugee Support Project via the Get Oldham Working programme, over a two-year period commencing in May 2025.

The report advised that Oldham Council had secured £276,888 from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to deliver a two-year Refugee Support Project starting in May 2025. Developed in partnership with Action Together, the programme would enhance support for refugees and people seeking asylum through English language education, digital inclusion, volunteering, and employment support.

The projects were to be delivered in collaboration with the local Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector, aiming to support 250 individuals and improve integration and employment outcomes. A detailed mobilisation plan was in place, and all stakeholders — including elected members, council services, and delivery partners — had been consulted and were fully supportive.

Options/alternatives considered:

Option 1: To accept the Grant and Proceed with Project Delivery Under this option, Oldham Council would formally accept the £276,888 grant funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and proceed with the implementation of the Refugee Support Project as outlined in the approved proposal. Delivery would be undertaken in partnership with Action Together and the local Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector. This approach would enable the Council to address identified local needs by enhancing support for refugees and individuals seeking asylum through an integrated model focused on language skills, digital inclusion, volunteering, and employment support. Accepting the funding would contribute to the borough’s wider ambitions for community cohesion, inclusion, and socio-economic resilience. It would also demonstrate a continued commitment to collaborative working with local partners and the GMCA.

Option 2: to decline the Grant and Withdraw from Project Delivery. The Council could choose not to accept the grant funding and, as a result, would not proceed with the delivery of the Refugee Support Project.

The preferred Option was Option 1.

Resolved:

That the Cabinet agrees to accept the £276,888 grant funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and to proceed with delivery, enabling Oldham to meet identified local needs and strengthen community cohesion.

Agreement from Cabinet is sought to use the funds in the schemes proposed in this report, for funding that is being provided by Greater Manchester Combined Authority to participate in and deliver the Get Britain Working Health and Wealth Trailblazer.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Education, Skills and Early Years which presented a request that funding, provided by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), to participate in and deliver the Get Britain Working Health and Wealth Trailblazer be accepted and the associated grant funding agreement be agreed. Agreement was sought from the Cabinet to utilise the funds in the various schemes that were being proposed in the submitted report.

The GMCA had confirmed that Oldham will receive 6.6% of the £10 million allocated to GM for the Trailblazer. Following management and evaluation costs the actual amount to be allocated from GMCA to Oldham Council was £566,475.

The trailblazer had set criteria for working with residents who are economically inactive and those further away from the labour market.  The aim was to prioritise residents who were economically inactive due to a long-term health condition or learning difficulties and disabilities and those who are looking after the home. These represent two of the most significant groups within our population who are economically inactive, and for whom there is not currently a comprehensive employment support offer.

Therefore, as part of this pilot, the Council will not be focusing on other groups of residents that are “economically inactive” as per the definition, for example, students or those residents who are retired.

The trailblazer should provide the Council with an opportunity to build on existing assets, knowledge, relationships with the VCFSE, and experience to test approaches to supporting these residents to progress towards employment. 

Options/alternatives considered:

Option 1 – To accept the funding and proposed projects up to 31^st March 2026 and deliver the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer for Oldham residents.  This option secures additional support for economically inactive residents and community organisations in Oldham that would not normally be available. 

Option 2 - To decline the funding and proposed projects up to 31^st March 2026. This option effectively removes the provision, resource and support for residents who are economically inactive, provides capacity to the VCSF sector and supports the Oldham Partnership to embed LiveWell.

The preferred Option was Option 1.

Resolved:

1.    That the Cabinet accepts the funding from GMCA, in the sum of £566,475, along with acceptance of the associated grant agreement.

2.    That the Cabinet agrees to use funds as set out in the submitted report report. 

The Cabinet is requester to approve an extension to the funding provided by GMCA (Greater Manchester Combined Authority) as part of the UKSPF skills funding allocation for NEET support be accepted and any variations to the original contract agreement be agreed.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Eduction, Skills and Early Years that sought an extension to the funding provided by GMCA (Greater Manchester Combined Authority) as part of the UKSPF skills funding allocation for NEET support be accepted and that any variations to the original contract agreement be agreed.

In August 2023, a Cabinet report (attached at Appendix 1) was considered and Members agreed to accept funding from the UKSPF Skills funding via GMCA to support NEET young people to re-engage and return to the EET (Education, Employment and Training) pathway.  This funding was a total of £720,000.

The report outlined the intention for the funding to be attached to the existing TIIAG (Targeted Independent Information, Advice and Guidance) contract as this would provide the most effective use of the additional resource.  This became the  “Empower Oldham” project currently being delivered by Positive Steps.  This grant agreement, contract and funding was made available until 31^st March 2025.

The Cabinet was advised that in December 2023, Oldham Council had applied to receive some additional funding from the UKSPF fund.  This request originated from GMCA and was known as “Growth Fund”.  Oldham was awarded an additional £19,000 (which increased our monitoring outputs by 10 young people reached).  The agreed use of this additional funding was to support the rental costs for the new provision Oldham College are developing at Positive Steps. In July 2024, Oldham Council was notified of GMCA’s intention to extend UKSPF funding and outcomes to September 2025.  The extension will provide an additional £240K to cover the costs of the programme.  A Cabinet report (attached at Appendix 2 to the submitted report) was taken and agreed to accept the extension.

The GMCA had recently confirmed their intention to continue to provide NEET support funding and have confirmed funding up to 31^st March 2026. Therefore the total amount of the additional funding requested, from the Cabinet, to be accepted, was £240,000.00.

Options/alternatives considered:

Option 1 - To accept the extension to the funding up to 31^st March 2026 and continue to deliver Empower Oldham for our NEET young people.  This option secured additional support for young people in Oldham that would not normally be available. 

Option 2 – To decline the extension to funding up to 31^st March 2026.   This option would effectively remove provision, resource and support for young people who were an identified vulnerable group.

Option 1 was the preferred Option.

Resolved:

That the Cabinet agrees to accept the additional funding, of £240,000.00, to deliver the extension to the scheme, known locally as “Empower Oldham” provided for the Brough of Oldham’ ‘NEET’ young people - this option provides additional support to our young people in Oldham, that would not normally be available.

A report that seeks Cabinet approval for three Capital Projects and for the allocation of funding from Basic Need Grant towards the schemes.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Education, Skills and Early Years that sough approval for three capital projects that would offer additional places and enhance provision for pupils with additional needs that are based in mainstream settings. The report also sought approval for the allocation of funding from Basic Need Grant towards the schemes.

The Cabinet was advised that the report related to three projects that would enhance existing provision and provide additional provision for pupils with additional needs.  These proposals were now developed sufficiently for costs and proposals to be placed before the Cabinet for a final decision.  The three projects would create a total of 55 places in mainstream primary and secondary schools for children with additional needs.  The three projects were proposed to be implemented at Woodlands Primary School, North Chadderton Secondary School and at Weneth Primary School.

Currently the Local Authority has around £4.7million of Basic Need funding and £8.3million of High Needs Capital Allocation Funding.  It was proposed that where projects will generate additional places that these projects be funded from the Basic Need Grant.

Options/alternatives considered:

Option 1 – To approve the above capital investment for the projects listed above to deliver the ambitions of the Send and Inclusion Strategy 2023 - 2027.

Option 2 – To not approve the projects and therefore risk not fulfilling the above strategy.

Option 1 was the preferred Option.

Resolved:

That Cabinet grants approval for the three projects, that were detailed in the Director of Education, Early Years and Skills’ report, to be funded from the Basic Need Grant.

A report that outlines how new policy changes and programmes will be delivered in Oldham and which seeks approval of the resources required to ensure smooth implementation in line with the national guidance.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director for Children and Young People which sought to support the Council to deliver the Children’s Social Care reforms outlined in the Children’s Wellbeing and School Bill and Families First Partnership Programme guide March 2025, Oldham Council had received a £2.2m Prevention Grant from the Department for Education (DfE).

The Cabinet were informed that the conditions of the grant, outlined expectations that up to 30% of the grant should be utilised for transformation resources, which would support the Local Authority to deliver significant reforms, as well as to support the delivery of partnership services under a new operating model. The submitted report also outlined how the new policy change and programme were to be delivered in Oldham and sought approval of the resources required to ensure a smooth implementation in line with the national guidance.

Options/alternatives considered:

Option 1 – To not recruit and/or procure additional programme resource, deliver the programme in Oldham within existing transformation and service capacity. This was not the recommended option as the required pace and scale of change will be hindered if existing staff were to deliver the programme whilst continuing with business-as-usual activity and competing priorities.

Option 2 – To approve the governance arrangements and the recruitment and/or procurement of the additional resources detailed in this report, as required to deliver the programme at pace and in line with national guidance.

Option 2 was the preferred Option.

Resolved:

1.    That the implementation of the Families First Partnership Programme across the Borough of Oldham, be noted.

2.    That the Cabinet approves the governance arrangements, detailed in the submitted report, to oversee the co-design and implementation of the Families First Partnership Programme in Oldham.

3.    That the Cabinet approves the use of part of the Prevention Grant to recruit the roles as identified in the report to drive design and delivery.

4.    That the Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children and Young People and/or their nominee, to procure a Systems Transformation Lead in accordance with Contract Procedure Rules.

5.    That the Cabinet agrees to delegate authority for future decisions regarding the delivery of the programme, resources and use of the Prevention Grant to the Executive Director Children and Young People, in consultation with the relevant portfolio holder and the Director of Finance.

6.    That the Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to the Borough Solicitor and/or their nominees to carry out all necessary legal formalities.

To seek approval, from Cabinet, to extend the contract with the current provider, ABL Health Ltd, for two years.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Public Health that was seeking to ensure that Oldham residents continued to have access to high quality health improvement services, including smoking cessation support and specialist weight management services. The purpose of this report is to seek approval to extend the contract with the current provider, ABL Health Ltd, for another two years.

The Cabinet were advised that Local authorities had responsibility for improving the health and wellbeing of their local population and to reduce health inequalities across, including the provision of public health advice on smoking and tobacco, obesity and physical activity. Oldham’s adult population is less physically active, smokes more, and carries more excess weight than the England average, which contributes to higher numbers of people with recorded diabetes, and deaths from smoking-related diseases, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

The Council’s Public Health service, in collaboration with NHS ICB, commission a Health Improvement and Weight Management Service (HIWM Service). The service is currently delivered by ABL Health Ltd, under the service name of ‘Your Health Oldham’.  Your Health Oldham provide our specialist health improvement service through delivery of a range of interventions, including healthy weight, low level mental health and smoking cessation offers.

Options/alternatives considered:

Option 1- to extend the contract with ABL Health Ltd for another two years. This service has been performing well in the context of a high volume of referrals. Targeting those with greatest need, they achieve positive changes which contribute towards a healthy weight and smoking cessation. This contributes towards the prevention of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other preventable health conditions thus improving quality and longevity of life for the residents of Oldham and diverting pressure from NHS resources and addressing health inequalities.

Option 2- to not extend the contract with ABL Health Ltd and cease the health improvement and weight management service. The service is reaching capacity for certain elements due to high demand, such as adult weight management. The service received 1475 referrals in the last quarter. Out of those, 882 referrals were for weight management. Therefore, ceasing this contract could result in high numbers of lost opportunities for people to receive support and change health behaviours.  It could also result in increased demand on the rest of the system, in particular the NHS, as people try to access support to stop smoking, lose weight and/or move more from elsewhere. If people are not able to seek effective, evidence-based support, there is a potential that there will be greater demand on health and social care to support people living with preventable smoking or obesity related health conditions. For the NHS and wider public services, the lifetime value of a person stopping smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and being physically active, is considerable.   

Option 3- to commence a procurement process. As an integrated service with specialist weight management services, this service delivers good value for money compared with other areas and delivers comparable or better outcomes than other providers.  Not extending the contract and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

A report that updates Cabinet on the Creating a Better Place Programme

The Cabinet considered a report of the Assistant Director – Creating a Better Place which informed members that the  Creating a Better Place (CaBP) programme continued to be on track delivering significant transformational projects across the borough, to build much needed new homes, to create jobs and support businesses to grow, and to deliver against our Green New Deal commitments ensuring Oldham is a great place to live, work and visit with lots of family friendly and accessible places to go.

In alignment with previous recommendations from the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board, the submitted report provided the Cabinet with a formal update on the strategic progress of the CaBP regeneration and redevelopment programme, including external funding opportunities secured, benefits realised for specific projects and the associated social value generated to Create a Better Place.

The submitted report was seeking approval on the recommendations for various projects following a review of the Council’s regeneration and redevelopment capital programme, including outcome delivery, social value capture, positive opportunities and impacts for Oldham’s residents and local businesses, and where applicable note the challenges and mitigations in place linked to reprofiling of capital resource to allow the continued delivery and completion of flagship projects.

The Council and partners continue to make significant progress on the delivery of the CaBP programme which will ultimately reshape Oldham Town Centre but also reaches out across the borough. The submitted report sought to provide a comprehensive update on delivery achieved, it acknowledges the successes to date and sets out key milestones in respect of the flagship projects across the programme either in development or currently in delivery.

Options/alternatives:

Option 1 – to approve the report.

Option 2 – to reject the recommendations in the report.

Option 1 was the preferred Option.

Resolved:

That the Cabinet will consider the confidential recommendations, detailed in the report, at agenda item 22.

The Cabinet is asked to approve and accept Local Growth and Place Flexible Grant Programme (LGPFG) grant allocation (previously known as the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)).

The Cabinet considered a report of the Assistant Director – Creating a Better Place which asked members to approve and accept the £2,175,336.90 Local Growth and Place Flexible Grant Programme (LGPFG) grant allocation, previously known as the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), following confirmation of award from the Integrated Settlement Fund and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) in April 2025.

The Cabinet were advised that the Borough of Oldham had been allocated a £2.175m grant from LGPFG. The Council had focused its proposals on accessible public realm; rehabilitation of green space including infrastructure for community and visitor use; town centre infrastructure and cultural events programme and supporting local business growth to improve the local shopping environment.

The proposed programme was drawn from the Creating a Better Place strategy and action plan and would support a range of projects that will meet the core 3 interventions, namely:

1.    E1 – Accessible Oldham –

a.    Jubilee Park Phase 1 – increase accessibility into and around the town centre park.

b.    Town Centre Park Staff Members – facilitate the expansion of the town centre green space that has been created in the Town Centre

2.    E6 – Town Centre Infrastructure and Cultural Events Programme

a.    Co-design cultural events to support Oldham’s Place Marketing approach, a core element of the Cultural Strategy and will support the emerging Creative Improvement District and Night-Time Economy strategy and action plan. Creating a safe, welcoming and vibrant town centre with wayfinding and town centre wardens/ambassadors.

3.    E22 – Town Centre Shop Front Business Grants and Support

a.    Providing financial assistance to owners and tenants who wish to enhance their shopfronts. Supporting local business growth, improves the local shopping environment and raises the town’s appeal.

Option 1: To do nothing.  Failure to accept the grant allocation from the LGPFG would reflect negatively on the perception of the town and its ambitions. It would have significant implications for delivery of the project budgets and, therefore, the achievement of regeneration ambitions and objectives.

Option 2: Formally accept the LGPFG award allocation for £2.175m and enter into the Grant Funding Agreement as set out in this report.

The preferred Option was Option 2.

Resolved:

That the Cabinet will consider the confidential recommendations, detailed in the report, at agenda item 23.

A report seeking aproval for the Oldham Council Local Full Fibre Network (LFFN).

The Cabinet considered a report of the Interim Director of IT and Digital which followed-on from the Oldham Council Local Full Fibre Network (LFFN) Cabinet report (dated 22^nd February 2022), which approved capital funding to deliver a LFFN Fibre network into 71 Oldham Council assets/buildings. The submitted report to this meeting provided costs for the 45 Non-LFFN (dubbed Oldham One) Council buildings deemed out of scope for the Greater Manchester One LFFN project but will benefit from a more cost-effective network solution via the Greater Manchester One contract.

Options/alternatives considered:

The options and alternatives, that the Cabinet considered, were detailed in the confidential report, relating to this matter, at agenda item 24.

Resolved:

That the Cabinet will consider the confidential recommendations, detailed in the report, at agenda item 24.

The Cabinet is requested to approve proposals, detailed in the report, concerning the Local Authority Housing Fund – Acceptance of Additional Funding.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Assistant Director of Planning, Transport and Housing Delivery which advised that the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) had launched a third round of the Local Authority Housing fund (LAHF) to run over the financial years of 2024-25 and 2025-26.

In October 2024, Oldham Council had accepted a funding allocation of £1,506,000 to deliver 16 homes.

In January 2025, an Expression of Interest process was launched by MHCLG for additional funding and Oldham Council had secured a further £372,000 to provide four additional homes.

The Council had only received interest from Cromwood Housing to deliver the additional homes, as detailed in the submitted report.  To deliver the homes, Cromwood required an additional £320,574 and without this additional funding the project would not be deliverable.  

A revenue cost from the Council of £40k per annum would achieve a revenue saving of £61k per annum by virtue of a one-off capital investment therefore delivering an annual revenue saving of £21k.

The Cabinet was informed that the report had been considered by the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board, held on 12^th June 2025, where the recommendations were supported and endorsed.

Options/alternatives considered:

Option 1 – Award grant monies to Cromwood Housing to enable Cromwood to deliver the housing project. If the Council passported the £372,000 grant monies from MHCLG and it provided Cromwood with additional grant funding of £320,574 from its own budget monies, Cromwood would identify, purchase, refurb, manage and maintain the homes.  The homes would be available for letting by December 2025 at the latest. Cromwood have a strong track record of delivery from the previous LAHF Programmes. 

Option 2 – Council to Self-Deliver. If the Council were to retain the MHCLG Grant and self-deliver the programme, this option would require the Council to find an additional £0.5M. The Council would be responsible for finding the home, purchasing, completing refurbishment works and all on-going management and maintenance.  The Council would own the properties and retain rental income. Capacity and skills for managing the works outlined above would also need to be identified.

Option 3 – To decline the grant. The Council could decline to accept the MHCLG grant and not take part in the scheme.  Any grant received through signing the MoU would be returned to MHCLG.

Option 1 was the preferred option.

Resolved:

That the Cabinet will consider the confidential recommendations, detailed in the report, at agenda item 25.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the Draft Validation Checklist for planning applications submitted to the Council and approve it for public consultation.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive, which asked the Cabinet to consider the Draft Validation Checklist for planning applications submitted to the Council and to approve it for public consultation.

The Cabinet was advised that officers, having reviewed the existing Validation Checklist, given its age (it was last updated in 2011) and the recent changes in legislation, national policy and local planning policy, there was a need to update the Checklist.  The proposed revised Validation Checklist is attached at Appendix 1, to the submitted report.

The submitted report was therefore seeking approval to publicly consult on the revised Validation Checklist.  The consultation would be an open consultation on the council’s consultation platform, with any member of the public or interested party able to comment.  A specific invitation to comment via the consultation will be sent out to planning agents and consultants who regularly use our Planning Service, given they are most affected by the Validation Checklist.

Options/alternatives considered:

Option 1  - To approve the public consultation on the revised Validation Checklist. There were no disadvantages to this preferred option, as it was considered positive to review the Validation Checklist regularly and consult on the revisions. Conversely, the advantages were considered significant, to facilitate the efficient validation of planning applications, and ensure that appropriate information is submitted with an application so that their determination is not delayed.

Option 2 – To do Nothing, and continue to use the March 2011 Validation Checklist. This option brought no benefits and would continue to create delays in the processing of applications, both at validation stage and in determining planning applications caused by the fact that the authority does not receive the necessary information with an application when it is first submitted.

Option 1 was the preferred Option.

Resolved:

1.    That the Draft Validation Checklist be approved for public consultation.

2.    That authority to agree amendments to the Validation Checklist to take onboard comments from the public consultation and to then adopt the Validation Checklist be delegated to the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods.

The Cabinet is requested to approve the Housing Delivery Interim Planning Position Paper for publication on the council’s website, to assist in the interpretation and implementation of existing planning policies in Oldham’s Local Plan.

The Cabinet received a report of the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive  that sought approval for the publication of the Housing Delivery Interim Planning Position Paper on the council’s website, to assist in the interpretation and implementation of existing planning policies in Oldham’s Local Plan.

Cabinet was advised that the Interim Planning Position Paper supported the implementation of policies within Oldham's Local Plan – The Joint Core Strategy and Development Management Development Plan Document, adopted November 2011. The paper supersedes the previous ‘Affordable Housing Interim Planning Position Paper’ published by the council in March 2022.

The submitted report sets out the council's updated position in relation to:

a.    Housing mix – size, type and tenure – including housing mix for affordable housing;

b.    Affordable housing requirements, including affordable housing thresholds and exceptions (including the application of Vacant Building Credit).

c.    Housing in the Green Belt including the application of the affordable housing ‘Golden Rule’.

The paper was intended to be used as guidance for developers in preparing development proposals and as a material consideration when assessing planning applications and development proposals for residential development.

The report was intended to be read alongside PfE and the Local Plan as a whole, but in particular - PfE policy JP-H2 ‘Affordability of New Housing’, JP-H3 ‘Type, Size and Design of New Housing’ and also policy 3 ‘Address of Choice’, policy 10 ‘Affordable Housing’ and policy 11 ‘Housing’ of Oldham’s Local Plan.

The report was therefore informed by the council’s Local Housing Needs Assessment (LHNA) (2024). The LHNA was a key evidence base document and sets out information on local housing needs of different groups (including affordable housing, provision for older people and disabled people), housing mix – including size, tenure and type, and sets out recommendations and policy guidance.

The council's approach to updated national guidance and local evidence will be considered further and inform policy preparation as part of the Local Plan Review. 

The Cabinet was informed that the report had been considered by the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board, held on 12^th June 2025, where the recommendations were supported and endorsed.

Options/alternatives considered:

Option 1 - To approve the Housing Delivery Interim Planning Position Paper for publication on the council’s website, to assist in the interpretation and implementation of existing planning policies in Oldham’s Local Plan.

Option 2 – To not approve the Housing Delivery Interim Planning Position Paper for publication on the council’s website.

Option 1 was the preferred Option.

Resolved:

1.    That the Cabinet notes the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board endorsement and support for the recommendations, detailed in the submitted report, on this item, from their meeting held on 12^th June 2025.

2.    That the Cabinet notes that this item will be exempt from call-in, under Rule 14 of the Constitution, as the report has already been considered by the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board.

3.    That the Cabinet approves the Housing Delivery Interim Planning Position Paper for publication  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

The Cabinet is asked to approve the publication of Oldham Council’s Housing Delivery Test Action Plan (2025 update).

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive that was seeking approval for the publication of Oldham Council’s Housing Delivery Test Action Plan (2025 update)

The Cabinet was advised that this report provided an update on the Housing Delivery Test (HDT) position in respect of Oldham. It also sets out an updated position to the previous Housing Delivery Test Action Plan published in July 2024.

The HDT was introduced by the Government as a monitoring tool to demonstrate whether local areas are building enough homes to meet their housing need. The HDT measures net additional dwellings provided over the past three years against the homes required over the same period. The thresholds for consequences for under-delivery remain as per the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The latest HDT results (and which will be reported in the HDT Action Plan 2025)  were published 19 December 2024.

Oldham Council had delivered 91% of its housing need over the past three years (2021/22 to 2022/23). This was the same as the 2021 and 2022 measurement result (91%) and an improvement from the 2020 result of 80%.

The pass rate for the HDT was now 95%. There were consequences of not achieving 95% in the HDT that require some form of action, as set out in the NPPF.

As Oldham had delivered 91% of the housing required, we are required to prepare an Action Plan to address housing delivery. Oldham’s previous Action Plan was published inJuly 2024, as such it is proposed to update the Action Plan as required. Action Plans should be published within six months from the measurement publication date.

This is Oldham Council’s fifth Action Plan, drawn up in response to the Housing Delivery Test: 2023 Measurement, published December 2024.

The Cabinet was informed that the report had been considered by the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board, held on 12^th June 2025, where the recommendations were supported and endorsed.

Options/alternatives considered:

Option 1 – To approve the Housing Delivery Action Plan 2025 for publication in line with the requirements of the Housing Delivery Test: 2023 Measurement results (published December 2024). 

Option 2 – To not approve the Housing Delivery Test Action Plan 2025 for publication. This would not comply with the requirements of the Housing Delivery Test Rule Book and the Housing Delivery Test: 2023 Measurement results (published December 2024).

Option 1 was the preferred Option.

Resolved:

1.    That the Cabinet notes the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board endorsement and support for the recommendations, detailed in the submitted report, on this item, from their meeting held on 12^th June 2025.

2.    To note that this item will be exempt from call-in, under Rule 14 of the Constitution, as the report has already been considered by the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board.

3.    To approve the Housing Delivery Action Plan 2025 (Part One and Part Two) for publication in line with the requirements of the Housing Delivery Test: 2023  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

The Cabinet is asked to agree that the Council is content for the Local Nature Recovery Strategy to be published and to authorise the Assistant Director Planning, Transport and Housing Delivery to confirm the same in writing to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive that sought approval that the Council would be content for the Local Nature Recovery Strategy to be published, on the Council’s website and to authorise the Assistant Director Planning, Transport and Housing Delivery to confirm the same in writing to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and the Mayor of Greater Manchester (GM), as the responsible body for the GM Local Nature Recovery Strategy.?

The Environment Act 2021 introduced the requirement for Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) to cover the whole of England, to set out where and how efforts should be focused locally to contribute to halting and reversing the decline in biodiversity.

The GM LNRS represented an opportunity to set out a long-term vision for a greener city region, where nature is returning, and more people have better access to greenspace.

The strategy covered the following:

a.    A shared vision for nature recovery in Greater Manchester

b.    Shared priorities and targets for nature recovery

c.    Actions we can all work towards to help deliver them

d.    Maps of a Greater Manchester Nature Network made up of:

e.    Core local nature sites - existing valuable areas for nature

f.     Nature Recovery Opportunity Areas - opportunity areas where action should be focused across the city-region.

Officers at Oldham Council had inputted into the LNRS through various workshops and meetings. The LNRS was also publicly consulted on between November 15^th 2024 and January 31^st 2025.

The Cabinet was informed that the report had been considered by the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board, held on 12^th June 2025, where the recommendations were supported and endorsed.

Options/alternatives considered:

Option 1 - Oldham Council to agree that they are content for the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) to be published; and authorise the Assistant Director Planning, Transport and Housing Delivery to confirm the same in writing to the GMCA and the Mayor as the responsible body for the GM LNRS.?This would allow support for the GM LNRS to be expressed, allowing the LNRS to be published once all supporting authorities have confirmed their support. There are no disadvantages to this option.

Option 2 - Oldham Council to disagree that they are content for the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) to be published; and to give a publication advisory notice to the responsible authority outlining that they disagree with the publication of the strategy based on one the grounds under article 15 of the LNRS regulations within 28 days of the receipt of the final LNRS. This would allow for any valid objections to be raised and considered but would delay a nature recovery network being published.

Option 1 was the preferred Option.

Resolved:

1.    That the Cabinet notes the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board endorsement and support for the recommendations, detailed in the submitted report, on this item, from their meeting held on 12th June 2025.

2.    That Cabinet notes that this item  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

The Cabinet is asked to approve a report to adopt and publish the Oldham Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy and Action Plan.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Place/ Deputy Chief Executive that sought adoption and publication the Oldham Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Strategy and Action Plan.

The Oldham Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Strategy and Action Plan sets out the future direction for EVCI in Oldham. It would ensure that the Council’s plans will align with relevant national, regional and local policies, as well as Oldham’s goals to decarbonise the borough by 2030.

The strategy outlined how Oldham Council was committed to making EVCI more accessible, appropriate and available for our residents - a significant step in overcoming the barriers to EV ownership and helping to make the borough a more attractive place to live and work.

The Action Plan outlined a phased approach over the next three years of smaller work packages that lay the foundations for larger, more ambitious schemes. Each action works towards the overall vision of the strategy and will utilise grant funding where available, whilst acknowledging the role commercial charge-point operators will also play.

The Oldham EVCI Strategy and Action Plan was intended to support the borough’s ambitions for growing the EVCI network across the borough, with key actions set out over the next three years to support this.

The Cabinet was informed that the report had been considered by the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board, held on 12^th June 2025, where the recommendations were supported and endorsed.

Options/alternatives considered:

Option 1 - To adopt and publish the Oldham Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Strategy and Action Plan for the borough. To use the strategy and action plan to guide us towards our vision of making EVCI more accessible, appropriate and available for our residents. To use currently available and future grant funding opportunities to improve the EVCI offer across Oldham. 

Option 2 – To not adopt and publish the Oldham Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Strategy and Action Plan for the borough. To not use the strategy and action plan to guide us towards our vision of making EVCI more accessible, appropriate and available for our residents. To not use currently available and future grant funding opportunities to improve the EVCI offer across Oldham. 

Option 1 was the preferred Option.

Resolved:

1.    That the Cabinet notes the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board endorsement and support for the recommendations, detailed in the submitted report, on this item, from their meeting held on 12^th June 2025.

2.    Cabinet notes that this item will be exempt from call-in, under Rule 14 of the Constitution, as the report has already been considered by the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board.

3.    That the Cabinet authorises the adoption and publication of the Oldham Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Strategy and Action Plan for the borough.

4.    That the Cabinet agrees to use the strategy and action plan to guide us towards our vision of making EVCI more accessible, appropriate and available for our residents.

5.    That the Cabinet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

To consider that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following four items of business, pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that discussions may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, under paragraph 3 as defined in the provisions of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

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 four items of business, on the grounds that they contain exempt information under paragraph 3 Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and it would not, on balance, be in the public interest to disclose the reports.

To consider confidential recommendations

The Cabinet considered the commercially sensitive information in relation to agenda item 12: ‘Creating a Better Place – Update’.

Resolved:

1.    That the Cabinet notes and approves the progress being made in relation to the Creating a Better Place (CaBP) Programme that supports revenue savings generated, progress towards the borough’s carbon reduction targets, creation of new jobs, apprentice opportunities, new homes for Oldham’s residents and increased social value.

2.    That the Cabinet notes and approves the social value gained for Oldham’s residents and communities through the design, development and delivery of the projects within the CaBP programme.

3.    That the Cabinet notes and approves the technical, legal and commercial recommendations for certain projects are contained within this report., including the relevant financial, contractual or legal recommendations for each of the projects within the Council’s CaBP capital programme as set out in section 4 of the submitted, confidential, report.

4.    That the Cabinet notes and approves the recommendations following a further review of the CaBP capital programme assessing the risks, impacts of change, deliverability, financial impact and contractual challenges to identify any potential opportunities to ensure alignment of the projects with the political priorities of the Council.

5.    That the Cabinet approves the delegation of approval to the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant portfolio holders and the Directors of Growth, Finance and Legal for any further contractual, technical or financial decisions for the delivery of the CaBP projects referenced (all of which follow previous Cabinet approvals on the holistic detail and parameters for project delivery, contractual obligations and financial management) in full consultation with the relevant portfolio holder(s).

6.    That the Cabinet approves the delegation of authority to the Interim Borough Solicitor, or his nominees, to formalise any necessary legal requirements including signing and/or sealing any documentation required to give effect to the recommendations and/or delegations in this report.

To consider confidential recommendations

The Cabinet considered the commercially sensitive information in relation to agenda item 13: ‘Local Growth and Place Flexible Grant Acceptance’.

Resolved:

1.    That the Cabinet approves the acceptance of the £2,175,336.90 LGPFG grant against the three interventions approved for funding by GMCA broken down as follows:

a.    E1 – Accessible Oldham – allocation £1,131,786.90.

b.    Jubilee Park Phase 1 – increase accessibility into and around the town centre park.

c.    Town Centre Park Staff Members – facilitate the expansion of the town centre green space that has been created in the Town Centre.

d.    E6 – Town Centre Infrastructure and Cultural Events Programme – allocation £543,550.

e.    Co-design cultural events to support Oldham’s Place Marketing approach, a core element of the Cultural Strategy and will support the emerging Creative Improvement District and Night-Time Economy strategy and action plan. Creating a safe, welcoming and vibrant town centre with wayfinding and town centre wardens / ambassadors.

f.     E22 – Town Centre Shop Front Business Grants and Support – allocation £500,000.

g.    Providing financial assistance to owners and tenants who wish to enhance their shopfronts. Supporting local business growth, improves the local shopping environment, and raises the town’s appeal.

2.    That the Cabinet notes that as accountable body for LGPFG, GMCA has issued a Funding Agreement in respect of the grant, which has been reviewed by the Council ‘s legal services.

3.    That the Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive to agree the terms of the Funding Agreement issued by GMCA in respect of the grant award in consultation with the Director of Finance and the Interim Borough Solicitor and to approve appointments of professional teams and contract award in respect of the agreed budgets.

4.    That the Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to the Interim Borough Solicitor, or his nominated representative, to finalise and enter into the Funding Agreement issued by GMCA in respect of the grant award subject to the completion of any necessary due diligence on subsidy control compliance and authority to agree and complete any project change requests under the Funding Agreement.

5.    That the Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to the Interim Borough Solicitor, or his nominated representative, to formalise any necessary legal requirements including signing and/or sealing any documentation referred to and/or required to give effect to the recommendations and/or delegations in this report.

6.    That the Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to the Director of Growth, or their nominated representative, to agree approval of spend, works or individual grants for the Accessible Oldham projects, Town Centre Infrastructure and Cultural Events Programme projects and Town Centre Shop Front Business Grants and Support project.

7.    That the Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to the Director of Growth, or their nominated representative, to agree monitoring and evaluation of defined outputs and negotiations thereupon as required over the grant delivery period of 2025–2026.

8.    That the Cabinet notes and endorses that the internal governance and administration for the LGPFG grant will be performed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

To consider confidential recommendations

The Cabinet considered the commercially sensitive information in relation to agenda item 14: ‘Oldham Council (Non-LFFN) Sites’.

Resolved:

That the cabinet agrees that that Oldham Council shall enter into a collaboration agreement with Greater Manchester Combined Authority for the network provision to the non-LFFN (Oldham One) council sites via a three-year (with options for year 4 and 5) contract.

To consider confidential recommendations

The Cabinet considered the commercially sensitive information in relation to agenda item 15: ‘Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) - Acceptance of Additional Funding’.

Resolved:

1.    That the Cabinet notes the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board endorsement and support for the recommendations, detailed in the submitted report, on this item, from their meeting held on 12th June 2025.

2.    That Cabinet notes that this item will be exempt from call-in, under Rule 14 of the Constitution, as the report has already been considered by the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board.

3.    That the Cabinet approves acceptance of the additional £372,000 grant from MHCLG.

4.    That the Cabinet approves a capital grant of £320,574 to be awarded by the Council to Cromwood Housing Limited from the Flexible Housing Fund.

5.    That the Cabinet agrees to delegates authority to the Director of Growth, or their nominee, to agree and enter into a grant agreement with Cromwood Housing Limited under which:

a.    Up to £692,574 (£372,000 MHCLG grant and £320,574 Council grant) would be payable to Cromwood in grant monies to bridge the funding gap for Cromwood’s design and delivery of its own housing scheme in the Oldham Borough.

b.    Cromwood’s housing scheme will deliver 3 homes for temporary accommodation and 1 home under the re-settlement co-hort.

c.    Cromwood’s housing scheme will align with the LAHF priorities.

d.    Fit for purpose grant terms and conditions are imposed.

6.    That the Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to the Interim Borough Solicitor, or his nominee, to formalise any necessary legal requirements including signing and/or sealing any documentation required to give effect to the recommendations and/or delegations in the submitted report.

7.    That the Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to the Director of Growth, or their nominee, to approve the appointment of external legal advisors, as required, to protect the Council’s interests and give effect to the recommendations in the submitted report.