Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Curley, Leach, Toor and Williamson.

There were no public questions received.

The Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 27^th November 2018 are attached for approval.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 27^th November 2018 be approved as a correct record.

The minutes of the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee held on 15^th November 2018 are attached for noting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee held on 15^th November 2018 be noted.

The minutes of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Housing, Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 11^th October 2018 and 15^th November 2018 are attached for noting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Housing, Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny meetings held on 11^th October 2018 and 15^th November 2018 be noted.

The minutes of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Corporate Issues and Reform Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 23^rd October 2018 and 20^th November 2018 are attached for noting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Corporate Issues and Reform Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 23^rd October 2018 and 20^th November 2018 be noted.

The minutes of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Economy, Business Growth and Skills Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 12^th October 2018 and 16^th November 2018 are attached for noting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Economy, Business Growth and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 12^th October 2018 and 16^th November 2018 be noted.

The Board were provided with a detailed update on Oldham’s progress against the Written Statement of Action (WSOA) related to the SEND Inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in October 2017.  The Board had requested an update following the previous report in October 2018.  The report also contained information on key related areas of work requested by the Board.

Oldham had been subject to bi-monthly joint monitoring/support meeting from the Department for Education (DfE) and NHS England related to progress against the WSOA.  The outcome in September 2018 had been very positive with confirmation of a forward direction of travel and continuous improvement made in all areas.  The inspection process by Ofsted had changed and all local areas with a WSOA for SEND would now be re-inspected and it was anticipated that this would take place anytime from March 2019.  As part of the new process Oldham’s bi-monthly monitoring/support with DfE/NHS England would continue until the revisit took place.

The DfE and NHS England recognised the work progress on the ‘AMBER/GREEN’ priority Area 3, particularly related to the timeliness of Education Health Care Plans within the 20-week statutory timescale.  It was noted that significant progress had been made with reference to the timeliness of issuing plans being 100% with a similar figure predicted for February due to a more robust process being put into place and additional staffing.

The Board had requested an update on key areas at the meeting held in October.  These included:

A Voice of the Child Corporate Strategy, which included SEND, had been developed with engagement and involvement of children and young people across numerous services. The delivery of the strategy would be co-ordinated under each agreed objective within the document.  Communication plans would also be developed.  The objectives were outlined in the report.

The contract on waiting times for intervention with reference to Children and Adolescents Mental Health Services demonstrated 100% compliance with key performance indicators with referrals screened within 24 hours and first contact within 12 weeks of referral.

The percentage of young people with Education and Health Care Plans (EHCs) in Oldham compared to statistical neighbouring and GM authorities was outlined in the report.

Members were informed that 10 EHC plans had been issued so far this year compared to none at this point last year.

The Board was invited to a SEND event on Sunday, 3^rd February 2019.

Members thanked the staff for the hard work.

Members sought and received clarification on 12-week wait for healthy young minds and urgency was looked at as part of triage and put in place where needed.  The whole school framework was an early intervention model.  Members asked what was planned for the increasing number of home-schooled children and informed that funding had been made available for a co-ordinator doing home visits to assist where there was limited information and use the health visiting assessment which demonstrated joint working.

Members were pleased about young people and parents being involved in the design  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

The Board gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the Oldham Council Libraries’ Performance and outlined current challenges and developments. 

Oldham Libraries had made significant progress on library service improvements which built on past achievements and continued to innovate and invest in both service and staff development.  Members were informed of improvements to library environments which reflected the changing use of libraries offering greater flexibility to use the space for cultural and digital events.  Funding had been approved for the new Royton Library.  Members were also informed that a Sensory Room had been launched in March 2018 and Oldham was the first library service in Greater Manchester to provide this type of facility. 

Members were informed of activity work with youth workers and partners across Oldham, the working relationship with Manchester University and participation in the Carnegie Library Lab development programme which encouraged children between the ages of 3 – 6 to explore, investigate and learn through counting and coding activities.  Oldham was also chosen as one of four authorities to deliver the ‘Reading Friends’ and had been provided with funding to deliver the programme across all 10 GM authorities.  As part of this programme groups were being helped to combat social isolation through social reading activities.

The mixed model of the Home Library Services which included access to the RNIB service, collection by friend for family or home delivery by a volunteer and the digital officer which included the introduction of Micro:bit lending, coding clubs and e-books offer was also highlighted.  The service had also been shortlisted for the North West Cultural Education Awards and awarded funded places for staff on courses and conferences.  The volunteer offer was being strengthened by working with Arts and Heritage. 

The Board were provided with the key performance statistics.

The Board were informed of significant building infrastructure challenges and continued investment was also required to upgrade self-service kiosks, wifi infrastructure and people counters to ensure Resident First continued to be supported as well as the ‘digital by default’ agenda.  Libraries were welcoming and accessible at the forefront of the digital agenda.  The service was working with colleagues to develop digital inclusion to understand needs but this was still being developed.

Members asked about support for areas without libraries and if the Library could supplement schemes delivered by partner organisations.  Officers could discuss this arrangement and look at a model similar to that of materials delivered to residential homes.

Members asked what was included in the audio offer and were informed that the press reader was included which included 100’s of newspapers and other periodicals accessed with a library card. 

Members commented on the innovative projects.  Members asked about work with schools and how students were encouraged to use libraries.  Members were informed of a revised school’s offer and work in partnership with Gallery Oldham which included a whole day visit, co-ordination and development of a young people’s volunteer scheme and targeting teenaged young people.  Officers were developing a young people’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

The Board gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the Generation Oldham Community Energy Programme.

Oldham Community Power was the largest community energy provider in Greater Manchester and had consolidated its position over the last 12 months.  The wider Generation Oldham programme was progressing with the Council working with Forum for the Future to develop ‘Power Paired’ which was an online service to match up community energy groups with the owners of assets which could be used for community energy schemes.  Oldham’s leadership at GM level continued with the delivery of the COALESCCE EU funding project and a potential new approach to community energy modelling with a social investment managing organisation.  The Council would be a partner in a consortium bid to develop this new approach to which Oldham Community Power and other community energy organisations across GM could take advantage.

Oldham Community Power was the largest community energy scheme in Greater Manchester.  A number of performance measures were recorded which included total money saved by the sites, total carbon saved since installation, value of community shareholding and number of society members. 

Generation Oldham was established to help the community, engage on climate change, address more jobs across Greater Manchester in the low carbon economy and provide opportunities for benefits to residents. 

Members queried other methods being used other than solar panels. Members were informed of renewable heating incentives such has mass boilers and heat pumps and owners being encouraged to retrofit.

Members raised the issue of providing energy to those in fuel poverty.  Members were informed of spare power being provided to the grid at the present time.  A consultation was expected on changes to the scheme.

Members queried Phases 2 and 3 and were informed that there was a challenge in the identification of buildings. 

RESOLVED that:

1.       The update on Generation Oldham be noted.

2.       The Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Board meet with the Cabinet Member and the Strategy Partnerships and Policy Manager regarding Phases 2 and 3.

3.       A Generation Oldham Update be provided to the Overview and Scrutiny Board in 12 months on how the programme was being promoted across Greater Manchester.

The Board is requested to note decision that have been taken under Rule 16 or 17 of the Council’s Constitution since the last meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 27^th November 2018.  The Board is requested to note that there were no decisions taken under Rule 16 or 17 since the last meeting.

There were no General Exceptions or Urgent Decisions to be noted.

The Board gave consideration to a report which provided an update on two motions which had been referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Board by Council. 

The first motion was entitled “Keeping Our Villages and Rural Areas HGV Free”.  A workshop had been convened on 8 January 2019 with members from the Board, Residents’ Associations, Head of Public Protection and Highways Officers.

The workshop agreed to:

1.       Work with residents’ associations, starting with one or two pilot schemes within existing weight restriction areas in place with six to eight observers who would be trained by Trading Standards.  Funding would be an issue for any signage and would need to be addressed.

2.       Current weight restriction areas be reviewed with regard to signage.

3.       Highways England be approached regarding signage on the M60 to continue through to the M62 and not via Broadway.

4.       Diversion signs in the event of any M62 closure be progressed with Highways England.

The second motion was entitled “Improving Public Safety in Oldham’s Night Time Economy”.  Full Council resolved to ask the Overview and Scrutiny Board to examine, in conjunction with relevant partners, including the Oldham College, Oldham Sixth Form College, University Campus Oldham, schools with post-16 provision, licensed premises and public and private hire taxi businesses, the practicality of establishing such schemes as soon as possible in our town and district centres.

The Board determined to have a workshop to address the motion’s resolution.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The outcomes of the Overview and Scrutiny workshop held on 8^th January 2019 as outlined in the report be endorsed.

2.       A workshop be organised to address the ‘Improving Public Safety in Oldham’s Night Time Economy’ motion.

The Board is requested to comment on and note the Overview and Scrutiny Board Work Programme for the 2018/19 Municipal Year.

The Board gave consideration to the Overview and Scrutiny Board Work Programme for 2018/19.

RESOLVED that the Overview and Scrutiny Board Work Programme for 2018/19 be noted.

The Board is requested to note the latest Key Decision Document.

The Board gave consideration to the Key Decision Document which listed key decisions to be taken from 14^th January 2019.

The Board requested a report on Alexandra Park and the Northern Roots reports be scheduled for a future meeting and address what was being planned and how to use the Co-operative Council to include local residents. 

RESOLVED that:

1.       the Council’s Key Decision Document be noted.

2.       A report on Alexandra Park and Northern Roots be brought to future meetings.

The date and time of the next Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting will be Tuesday, 5^th March 2019 at 6.00 p.m.

RESOLVED that the date and time of the next Overview and Scrutiny Board to be held on Tuesday, 5th March 2019 at 6.00 p.m. be noted.