Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Jacques, Price, Taylor and Toor.

Councillor Surjan declared a personal interest at Item 14 as the organisation where she was employed had received funding through the Thriving Communities programme.

There were no public questions received.

The Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 18^th June 2019 are attached for approval.

Members queried the Clean Air Plan as an officer had not presented the report.  Members were informed that a briefing note was included on the work programme item on the agenda.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 18^th June 2019 be approved as a correct record.

The minutes of the Performance and Value for Money Select Committee held on 21^st March 2019 are attached for noting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Performance and Value for Money Select Committee held on 21^st March 2019 be noted.

The minutes of the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee meeting held on 26^th March 2019 are attached for noting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee held on 26^th March 2019 be noted.

The minutes of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Economy, Business Growth and Skills Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 12^th April 2019 and 14^th June 2019 are attached for noting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the GMCA Economy, Business Growth and Skills Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 12^th April 2019 and 14^th June 2019 be noted.

The minutes of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Housing, Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting  held on 11^th April 2019 are attached for noting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the GMCA Housing, Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny meeting held on 11^th April 2019 be noted.

The minutes of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Corporate Issues and Reform Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 19 March 2019 are attached for noting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the GMCA Corporate Issues and Reform Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 19^th March 2019 be noted.

The Board gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the progress related to the key components of the Work and Skills Strategy as requested by the Board on 11 July 2018.

The Work and Skills Strategy (2016 – 2020) sought to improve population skills outcomes which supported Oldham’s strategic goals.  It was intended to inform and raise awareness across the Oldham Partnership of the complexity of, and multiple challenges which faced the employment and skills systems and to position the Oldham economy in the context of emerging strategies for employments and skills across Greater Manchester (GM).

The Work and Skills Strategy was organised around four strategic goals supported by a new outcomes framework for work and skills.  The goals were:

1.     Create Jobs: which included targets for Phase 2 of Get Oldham Working;

2.     Social regeneration and in-work progression, which include the new pilot Career Advancement Service;

3.     Deliver the OESC and Improve the Colleges which included a commitment to support the sustainability of the post-Area Based Review settlement for Oldham; and

4.     Support a Thriving Private Sector, which included better representation on the six priority employment sectors in the partnership framework.

The strategy had been written to complement the new regeneration framework for Oldham by focussing particularly on ‘social regeneration’ objectives and developing share ownership of these across all partners and providers.  It acted as one of the three major components of the Oldham Strategic Investment Framework (SIF) for economic regeneration and positioned Oldham in the context of GM Devolution of employment and skills.

The following was highlighted:

·       The successful attraction of £2.3m of European Social Fund monies (to present) for the delivery of Skills Support For Employment, RAISE and National Careers service programmes, which enabled a full programme of employment and skills support to be delivered by Get Oldham Working.

·       Agreement with GM Combined Authority to maintain the £2.83m commitment to Oldham Lifelong Learning service for the delivery of Adult Education Budget related activity.

Members were also advised of the funding risks.

Members were informed of improvements in performance, work with the LGA Selected Programme and work alongside colleges and other providers for sectoral pathways.  Some of the key factors were Health & Social Care; Construction; Business Growth & Professional Services; and Manufacturing.  Members were informed that the Get Oldham Working targets had been reached 9 months early with 3,642 people in employment.  The programme was supported by European funding which was secure for the foreseeable future. There were 32 staff on the programme and support received from the Learning and Development Network. 

Members were informed that the Career Advancement Service was unique as it worked with people already in employment and as a consequence, increased attainment levels had had a £2.4m impact on the local economy.  Members were informed of promotion of the programme through GMCA, success in reprofiling work and work towards economic inclusion. 

Members queried the increase in the no education qualification, what was being done about long-term unemployment and work in terms of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

The Board gave consideration to an update on the progress of the Business and Investment Review as requested by the Board. 

The Business and Investment Review looked at how the Council could optimise business engagement and provided a competitive business support offer to maximise business growth and investment in the Borough.

Since the implementation of the review in January 2018, there had been considerable progress in staffing, improved business engagement and the development of the Oldham business support offer. 

Additional resources had been recruited to support existing staff.  Their responsibilities were outlined in the report.

The report outlined improved business engagement which required the development of shared approach to business intelligence, engagement and marketing across a range of partners who were working with businesses in Oldham.  Achievements since July 2018 included data sharing and working protocols established with the Business Growth Hub, implementation of an account management approach to business engagement led by the Council and the Business Growth Hub, a refresh of Team Oldham to ensure consistency of representatives so there was a single representative for manufacturing, start-up, finance as well as alignment of their services with the account management approach and supported the delivery of the 2019 Oldham Business Awards. 

Members were also informed on the development of the Oldham business support offer.  Oldham had a strong business offer but remain competitive. There were areas that needed to be strengthened to support business start-up, growth and investment.  Members were advised of progress as outlined in the report.  Members were informed of the European funding element and the impact of Brexit had delayed the programme.  Work was ongoing to increase business sustainability, 1700 business had spoken to the Council, 900 had been assisted with 12 hours or more support.

Members were provided an update on the Key Performance Indicators and informed that the services was on track to achieve above target.

Members commented that work with start-ups was good.  Members asked about European funding and Brexit and if there was a risk and what would be done after that.  Members were informed that funding was guaranteed until 2022, shared Prosperity Funding was seen as a replacement.  There were concerns about the lack of consultation at this time.  There had been suggestions put forward for alternative funding strategies.

Members asked about work undertaken with the third sector.  Members were informed of work with the Oldham Enterprise Trust.  The Oldham survival rate had increased.  Enterprise skills were being supported and the Council had agreed to double the number of cooperative business supported.   Social enterprises could not depend on grants to survive.

RESOLVED that:

1.         The update on the Business and Investment Review be noted.

2.         An update on the Business and Investment review to be scheduled at an appropriate stage.

The Board gave consideration to a report which provided an overview of services provided by the Heritage, Libraries and Arts to school.  Collaborative approaches and new initiatives were highlighted to the Board.  This included:

·       Library service officers of class visits, self-directed class visit and activity of staff in local schools as well as homework and study space;

·       Gallery Oldham whose offer included self-guided visits and resources provided by the gallery and cross-curricular facilitated sessions;

·       Oldham Theatre Workshop;

·       Oldham Arts Development;

·       Local Studies and Archive;

·       Oldham Music Service which provided whole class and individual music tuition; and

·       Cross-service collaborations.

New initiatives included Story Walks and Poverty Proofing Schools Project.  The Heritage Schools Programme was developed in response to the government report on cultural education in England.  Members were informed new resources available in 2019/20.  Members were also informed of challenges which included financial in response to budget pressures, transport as schools were concerned about the cost of coach hire and communications with schools. 

The integrated programme work with Oldham Theatre Workshop was highlighted to members which worked with children with special needs and mainstream schools together.  Members were informed of the offer which combined services such as using music and heritage artefacts.  Work was also ongoing to support home educated young people and this had received positive feedback.  Charges had been introduced for some workshops, but this had not impacted on the take up of classes. 

Members asked about the challenges in transport and how many schools could not come to events.  Members were informed that the service was not aware of any schools who did not choose to visit libraries.  As well as transport, risk assessments had become difficult.

Members asked about the funding strategy and were informed of the link to the Heritage Schools Programme and funding for two projects through the Prince’s Trust which had allowed engagement with schools which had not previously visited the service.  The funding had been a one-off opportunity.

Members sought further clarification on the transport issues for schools and the possibility of access funding with Friends of Schools and link to other aspects such as sport and suggested a discussion which was supported.

Members asked about the charges which had been introduced and it was clarified that charges were for facilitated workshops, schools could still visit the library for fees.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The overview of the Heritage, Libraries and Arts’ Offer to schools be noted.

2.       A discussion be scheduled related to access funding.

The Board gave consideration to a report which provided an update on progress of the Thriving Communities programme. 

The Board were informed that the Oldham model, the Council and its partners, were committed to a co-operative future for Oldham where ‘everyone does their bit and everybody benefits’.  The Partnership’s Oldham Plan 2017 – 2022 set out the Oldham Model for delivering tangible and sustained change.  To deliver the common objectives of the Thriving Communities element and deliver the common objectives of the health and social care integration, funding was agreed from the Greater Manchester Transformation Fund.  There was a three-year programme which focused on building upon strengths and support groups in the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector; supported people earlier in the care pathway and drove the shift to earlier intervention and prevention by helping Oldham residents make better life choices and not progress into higher levels of need.

Key projects and updates were highlighted which included:

·         More than medical support (social prescribing) which helps with residents make better life choices;

·         The Social Prescribing Network in Oldham West which was bridging the gap between medical care and the community;

·         Fast Grants which was delivering £60k each year into grassroots community groups;

·         Social Action Fund would be used over 3 years to commission five projects to tackle loneliness;

·         Working closer health improvement and public health;

·         Communications, media and profile for Oldham;

·         Workforce Development; and

·         A stronger focus on evidence and evaluation with the Thriving Communities index.

Members were informed about the support provided earlier in the care pathway to prevent high levels of need and were informed that 150 people had been supported in Oldham West via links with community groups who delivered multiple interventions.  This had resulted in a positive trend with a reduction in attendance at the accident and emergency unit.  A contract had been awarded to Action Together which was mobilised across the whole of the borough.

Members were informed of the Fast Grants which were a way of getting support into a community.  Another tranche would be awarded at the end of the month.  Groups assisted included Oldham Play Action Group, Groundwork Consortium, Street Angels which would be additional asset to tackle homelessness and Workforce Development to enhance the Health and Care workforce. 

Engagement had taken place with members and further sessions were planned.

Members commented on the good work and the results in the reduction in GP visits and asked of there were plans to get better data.  Members were informed that data was being used from a small cohort.  Work was ongoing with Oldham Cares for data collection to assess what happens in life afterwards.  Information governance was a challenge.

Members sought and received clarification on reduction in demand in GPs and savings made. Members were informed that the health and care economy should feel relief in costs, but the costs could not be quantified at this time.

Members referred to the reference to improve connections and informed of an asset management map  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

The Board were advised of two motions which had been referred to them at the Full Council meeting held on 10^th July 2019. 

1.         Youth Council Motion related to Knife Crime:

“In the Year up to March 2018, in a report by the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS), analysis of knife crime figures showed that the number of fatal stabbings in England and Wales was at its highest level since 1946.  With just less than 5,000 young people, aged 10 to 17, cautioned or convicted of a knife related crime and an 45% increase in the number of people, aged 16 to 24, that had been a victim of knife crime, it appears to be at epidemic levels.

It must be mentioned as well that this is not a London based problem as suggested by some media.  Thankfully the report showed Oldham was not in the top ten when looking at numbers of homicides per 100,000 population, however, other North West areas were in the top 10 rankings of ‘worst place for killings’.

In our 2018 Make Your Mark consultation, 2,167 young people voted to ‘Put an End to Knife Crime’ as their number one issues that needs to be tackled in Oldham.  This was the top issue, coming higher than ending homelessness and equal pay for equal work.  Given this was voted by our constituents we have made this a priority.  As such Oldham Youth Council wanted to dig deeper into this issue so used 10-forward survey, going out into our communities to consult with young people to find out why they feel knife crime is an issue and what can be done to reduce it.

Our surveys would suggest that most of Oldham’s young people do not carry bladed weapons, but 14% of respondents did admit to having carried a knife.  Half of these suggested they carried a knife for legitimate reasons, such as for Duke of Edinburgh Award or for eating their lunches, but the other half felt they needed it for protection.  If this result is suggestive of the numbers of young people carrying bladed weapons it would seem to be much higher than the number of young people cautioned or convicted, which represents less than 1% of the 10 to 17-year-old population.  The survey responses also showed that nearly 40% of young people knew someone who had carried a knife.  While this doesn’t give an indication of levels of knife crime it may suggest that young people who do carry knives or bladed weapons are happy to share this fact to brag or intimidate, which, may lead to more fear in young people and a need for protection that they assume a knife brings.

Those who don’t carry knives were concerned that they could be arrested and that they could be injured by carrying knives.  This would appear to show that current awareness and education is working for young people but probably only for those who wouldn’t pick up knives anyway.  We as Oldham  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

The Board gave consideration to the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2018/19.  The report detailed the purpose of Overview and Scrutiny, the roles and responsibilities of the Overview and Scrutiny Board, the Performance and Value for Money Select Committee and the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee.  The report was a summary of the work undertaken by the committees during the 2019/19 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED that the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2018/19 be commended to full Council.

The Board is requested to note the decisions 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 18^th June 2019.

If a detailed explanation is required and an officer is to attend the meeting to provide further information, please contact Constitutional Services by 12.00 noon on Thursday, 18^th July 2019.

The Board gave consideration to a report advising of the decisions related to the “Establishing a Local Improvement Fund for Districts” and the “Provision for Temporary Accommodation” items which had been authorised under Rule 17 (General Exception) of the Council’s Constitution.

RESOLVED that the report and the authorisations granted under Rule 17 (General Exception) be noted.

The Board is requested to comment and note the Overview and Scrutiny Board Work Programme for the 2019/20 Municipal Year.

The Board gave consideration to the Overview and Scrutiny Board Work Programme for 2019/20, noting that the Work Programme would require amendment in light of decisions taken at the meeting.

Members noted the Clean Air Update provided as a result from an action from the previous Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting.  The briefing provided an update on the issues related to the idling of vehicles and the implications for non-compliant buses after 2021 as Greater Manchester met the requirements of the Government Directive on air quality.

Members noted the Dog Fouling update provided as a result from an action from the previous Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting.  The briefing provided an update on issues related to dog fouling and nuisance across the borough and explored opportunities provided by other potential stakeholders such has behaviour change campaigns and educational material. The Board was requested to consider nominating a representative to work with officers to explore the material and initiatives promoted by charities.

The Board also gave consideration to an update on the Tackling Speeding motion which had been requested at the previous Board meeting.  Members requested a separate workshop to discuss the issues.

The Board gave consideration to a request from the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Board to establish a Task and Finish Group to investigate the nature and extent of support available to community groups who sought to acquire the use of Council owned assets to promote community initiatives.  The Board supported the proposed Task and Finish Group.

RESOLVED that:

1.         The Overview and Scrutiny Board Work Programme be noted.

2.         The update related to the Clean Air – Idling of Vehicles and Bus Fleet Implications be noted.

3.         The update related to Tackling Dog Fouling and Nuisance be noted.

4.         Councillor Curley be nominated as the representative from the Overview and Scrutiny Board to work with officers to explore the campaign material and initiatives.

5.         The update related to the Tackling Speeding motion be noted and that a workshop be arranged to discuss the way forward on the matter.

6.         A Task and Finish Group be established to investigate the nature and extent of support available to community groups who sought to acquire the use of Council owned assets for the promotion of community initiatives.

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 1 July 2019.

RESOLVED that the Council’s Key Decision Document be noted.

The date and time of the next Overview and Scrutiny Board will be Tuesday, 10^th September 2019 at 6.00 p.m.

RESOLVED that the date and time of the next Overview and Scrutiny Board to be held on Tuesday, 10^th September 2019 at 6.00 p.m. be noted.