Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

There were no public questions received.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 23^rd April be approved.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Head of Democratic Services seeking appointments to the Failsworth Trust Cabinet Sub-Committee.

The Cabinet noted that the Failsworth Trust Committee was a Sub-Committee of the Cabinet which dealt with the land in Failsworth which was held by the Council on charitable trust.

The Cabinet had previously established a Sub-Committee of three Members to consider issues relating to the trust and appointments to the Sub-Committee were requested.

Options/Alternatives considered:-

Option 1 – Appoint Members to sit on the Sub-Committee.

Option 2 – Do not appoint Members to sit on the Sub-Committee

RESOLVED that the Leader and the Portfolio Holders with responsibility for Housing and Neighbourhoods Services, be appointed to sit on the Failsworth Trust Cabinet Sub-Committee with full delegated powers to consider the next steps for the land which is held on charitable trust.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Head of Democratic Services seeking appointments to the Shareholder Sub-Committee.

Cabinet noted that the Shareholder Committee was a Sub-Committee of Cabinet and had the following high-level remit and responsibilities:

·         Represented the Shareholder (the Council) and would meet quarterly.

·         Set the tone and direction of the company to ensure that it fully supported the Council’s co-operative agenda.

·         Considered significant company resource issues.

·         Sanctioned/approved decisions taken by the Unity Partnership Ltd Board of Directors and was able to call on the company Managing Director and members of the Unity Partnership Board to discuss specific items.

·         Determined “reserved matters”.

·         Approved a waiver of any conflicts of interest relating to the Unity Partnership Ltd Board of Directors.

·         Granted an indemnity to all Members and Officers acting as Directors on the company Board.

Options/Alternatives considered:-

Option 1 – Appoint Members to sit on the Sub-Committee.

Option 2 – Do not appoint Members to sit on the Sub-Committee

RESOLVED - That the Leader and the Portfolio Holders with responsibility for COVID-19 Recovery, Finance and HR be appointed to sit on the Shareholder Committee, with full delegated powers in relation to any matter to consider the interests of the Council following the acquisition of the Unity Partnership Ltd.

Consideration was given to a report of the Strategic Director Communities and Reform which sought approval of a new Workforce Strategy for #TeamOldham 2020 – 2023 and the implementation of developing delivery plans to support its embedding across #TeamOldham organisations.

It was reported that a workforce strategy was required to set the ambitions and strategic direction for the #TeamOldham workforce and it was at the core of realising organisational priorities. The strategy detailed within this report had been developed following widespread research, analysis and consultation and reflects the inputs of key stakeholders and strategic plans.

The Strategy would be translated into a delivery plan ensuring a coherent and cohesive approach to workforce design and development over 2020-2023.

The strategy was framed with the following purpose at its core:

‘To successfully create a One Team Oldham and embed our co-operative values in all we do’

The strategy had been developed thematically, as follows:

·         Supporting Our Staff:                     

·         Leadership and Culture:                

·         Planning for the Future:                 

·         Organisational Design

The strategy also set out anticipated outcomes against each strand as a measure of success and to bring each theme to life.

Members welcomed the report particularly the need to take immediate action to improve our recruitment process and to broaden the diversity of the workforce to reflect the Oldham community.

Options/alternatives

Option 1 - Do nothing

Option 2  -Endorse the Workforce Strategy as detailed in this report and at Appendix 1.

Option 3  - Adopt an alternative approach to the development and implementation of a Workforce Strategy.

RESOLVED -  That Cabinet endorsed the #TeamOldham Workforce Strategy, supported its full embedding and implementation across the workforce and advocated the principles within.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Head of Strategy and Performance which provided a review of Council performance to March 2020

The report provided the Cabinet with an overview of the Council’s performance against priorities outlined within the Corporate Plan, which had been monitored in the period .

 Options/Alternatives considered:-

To note the Council performance January to March 2020.

RESOLVED – That the Council Performance Report March 2020 be noted.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Public Heath which sought an extension to the current contract for the Integrated Sexual Health Service until 31 March 2022 in collaboration with Bury and Rochdale, at the current contract value.

The Integrated Sexual Health Service had been provided by the current provider since January 2016 as part of a cluster commissioning arrangement with Bury and Rochdale.

The contractual extension period to this contract was due to complete 31 March 2021. Preparatory work in advance of a tender process had commenced earlier in 2020 but had been suspended as a direct result of the need to respond to COVID-19. This paper outlined proposals to extend the contract under Regulation 72 (1)( c) of the PCR2015 for a period of 12 months (1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022) due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

If the contract extension was approved, then the planned redesign of the sexual health service and the associated procurement exercise would take place at a later date, when it was appropriate and safe to do so. Rochdale Council would act as the lead commissioner for the service, and STAR Procurement (Stockport, Trafford and Rochdale Procurement) would lead the procurement.

Options/alternatives considered

Options would be considered at Item 13 of the agenda.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information contained at Item 13 of the agenda before making a decision.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Public Health which sought to extend the contract for the provision of an integrated substance misuse service for a period of one year commencing 1 April 2021 until 31 March 2022.

The contract was a collaborative commission with Rochdale Council. An Inter-Authority Collaboration Agreement has been signed by both Councils which agreed that Oldham Council was the lead contract authority. Rochdale Council had given delegated authority for Oldham Council to extend the contract on its behalf.

Options/alternatives considered

Options would be considered at Item 14 of the agenda.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information contained at Item 14 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 10 - Request for an extension to the Integrated Sexual Health Services contract.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations as contained within the report be approved.

The Cabinet gave consideration to the commercially sensitive information in relation to Item 11 - Request to extend the contract for the provision of Oldham and Rochdale collaborative substance misuse treatment and recovery service

RESOLVED – That the recommendations as contained within the report be approved.