Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Stretton.

There were no public questions received.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Economy which sought further approvals to formally accept new external funds to support various projects to proceed through to next stage of delivery, provided a summary of the community, business and market trader engagement for the Local Plan and Town Centre projects and an holistic update on the progress being made to ‘Create a Better Place’ and the acceleration of the delivery of new homes and job creation.

Councillor Shah, Leader of the Councillor advised the Cabinet that the ‘Creating a Better Place’ strategic framework was approved by Cabinet in January 2020 to provide a new focus on building more homes for residents, creating new jobs through Ton Centre regeneration and ensuring Oldham was a great place to visit with family accessible places to go.

The report provided details of :

·         Places for Everyone

·         Local Plan and Mills Strategy

·         Town Centre Engagement Update

·         Green New Deal

·         Cultural Quarter – New Theatre/Performance Space

·         Cultural Quarter Old Library Building

·         Tommyfield Market

·         Archive Store

·         New event Space

·         Town Centre Park

·         Spindles and Town Square

·         Town Centre Heat Network

·         Princes Gate/ Mumps Redevelopment Lidl

·         Royton Town Hall

·         Accessible Oldham Improvements

·         Alexandra Park Depot

·         New Saddleworth School

The update provided information on the above including the development progressing Planning application to be submitted for the development at Princes Gate later this year, the phased programme of works on Royton Town  Hall, brining the old Library back into use, moving the market into the Spindles Shopping Centre, the Local Plan and Mills strategy and how the Mills could be repurposed, the Town Centre Heat Network and feasibility work, the opening of the new Saddleworth School and the Alexandra Park Eco Depot to be completed in Winter 2022.

Members welcomed the report and the progress to date, thanking the Chief Executive, Director of Economy and Cabinet Members.

Options/alternatives considered

Members were asked to note the progress made on each project and consider the commercially sensitive information contained at Item 7 of the agenda.

RESOLVED – That:

1.    Members noted the various project implementations and progress to date.

2.    Members would consider the commercially sensitive information contained at Item 7 of the agenda.

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 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.

Consideration was given to the commercially sensitive information in relation to Item 5 ‘Creating a Better Place Update’.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations as detailed within the commercially sensitive report be approved.