Agenda and draft minutes

Opportunity for Board members to meet informally over refreshments before the workshop begins.

The Chair welcomed everyone to meeting

Apologies given and noted

During introductions, members shared their aspirations for Alt & Holts over the next ten years. Common themes included stronger community voice and influence, greater pride in the area, improved opportunities for young people, safer and more connected communities, better use of local assets and a desire for residents to play a central role in shaping future decisions. Several members reflected that parts of Alt & Holts have at times felt overlooked and welcomed Pride in Place as an opportunity to help address this and strengthen community influence.

A presentation was delivered outlining the Pride in Place programme, including its purpose, objectives and governance arrangements.

Members were advised that Pride in Place is a ten year programme designed to support communities in shaping the future of their neighbourhoods through long term investment, community leadership and local influence. The presentation highlighted the importance of building on existing strengths, assets, partnerships and activity already taking place within Alt & Holts. It also outlined opportunities to align Pride in Place with local, Greater Manchester and national initiatives to maximise impact, avoid duplication and create opportunities for additional investment and resources in the future.

The respective roles of the Neighbourhood Board and Oldham Council were outlined. It was noted that the Board's role is to help shape the vision, priorities and future direction of the programme, whilst Oldham Council acts as the accountable body, providing governance, financial management, procurement and programme support.

Discussion took place regarding the long term implications of investment decisions, including the ongoing maintenance and sustainability of buildings and community assets. Members discussed the importance of involving appropriate technical expertise when developing proposals and considering future maintenance responsibilities, operating costs and long term viability. Members recognised the importance of ensuring local people play a central role in shaping the Place Plan and future priorities for Alt & Holts.

Actions: None noted.

Decisions: None noted.

John Atherton facilitated a governance and decision making workshop for Board members.

The workshop explored the distinction between governance and day to day management, highlighting the Board's role in setting direction, providing oversight, agreeing priorities and acting in the best interests of the Pride in Place programme and local communities.

Members were introduced to a consensus based approach to decision making, including the concepts of consensus, consent and collective responsibility. The workshop encouraged members to consider the difference between a personal preference and a valid concern when making decisions on behalf of the wider community.

The proposed decision making process was outlined, including:

Presentation of proposals.

• Clarifying questions.
• Initial responses and testing for agreement.
• Exploration of concerns and potential amendments.
• Reaching consensus where possible.
• Deferring decisions or moving to a vote where required.

The principle of proportionality was also discussed, recognising the importance of applying an appropriate level of scrutiny based on the significance of the decision being considered.

Members participated in a practical exercise and considered a proposal to adopt the decision making approach as the basis for future Board decisions. Members welcomed the approach and agreed that future Board decisions should seek consensus wherever possible, whilst retaining flexibility where agreement could not be reached.

Decision: The Board agreed to adopt the proposed decision making process for future Board decisions.

7.1 Understanding Alt & Holts

Members identified a range of strengths, opportunities and challenges within Alt & Holts.

Strengths highlighted included community spirit, local assets, schools, community facilities and the area's green spaces and natural environment. Opportunities identified included building on existing community assets, strengthening engagement, supporting young people and improving opportunities for residents. Challenges included poverty and deprivation, crime and anti social behaviour, transport and connectivity, community trust and ensuring all residents feel able to influence future decisions.

7.2 Looking forward

Members considered what success could look like for Alt & Holts in 2036 and discussed the long term outcomes they would like Pride in Place to help achieve.

Common themes included safer neighbourhoods, improved opportunities for young people, stronger community pride, increased aspirations, improved employment opportunities and a more connected and thriving community.

Members highlighted the importance of creating lasting change, building on the area's strengths and ensuring future generations benefit from the programme.

7.3 Community engagement Members discussed how local people, communities and partners should be involved in shaping the Place Plan and future priorities for Alt & Holts.

Members highlighted the importance having robust data of make up and demographics. Also the need to engaging with a diverse range of residents, particularly those whose voices are not always heard through traditional consultation and engagement activity.

Discussion focused on the need to build on existing community networks, make use of existing community venues and activities, and ensure engagement is accessible, inclusive and meaningful.

Members identified young people, underrepresented groups, residents with English as a second language and people experiencing barriers to participation as important groups to engage as the programme develops.

There was a strong view that engagement should be ongoing, demonstrate how resident feedback influences decisions and provide opportunities for local people to play an active role in shaping the future of Alt & Holts.

8.1 Elected Member Representative Appointment (Attachments x3)

8.2 Future Meeting Schedule

8.3 Communications, Photography Proposal (Attachment)

8.4 Actions Arising from Workshop Discussion

8.1 Elected Member Representative Appointment

Following the governance and decision making workshop, the Board applied the agreed decision making process to the appointment of elected member representatives.

Board members considered the applications received for the elected member positions and discussed the skills, experience, local knowledge and commitment demonstrated within the applications. Members welcomed the interest shown by elected members in supporting the work of the Board and recognised the importance of ensuring effective ward representation within the Pride in Place boundary. Following discussion, the Chair sought views from members and a consensus position was reached. The Board agreed the appointment of Councillor Zahid Chauhan as the Alexandra Ward representative.

The Board agreed the appointment of Councillor Mark Kenyon as the Saddleworth West & Lees Ward representative. The newly appointed representatives will join the Board with immediate effect.

8.2 Future Meeting Schedule

The Board considered the proposed meeting schedule.

Members agreed the importance of maintaining momentum and continuing engagement between formal Board meetings.

The board agreed a Keeping in Touch meeting will be held on 4 September 2026 via Teams. Future meeting arrangements will continue to be reviewed at this meeting.

8.3 Communication

The Board considered the proposed communications, marketing and photography approach to support future engagement, awareness raising and promotion of Pride in Place across Alt & Holts.

Members noted the importance of building awareness of the programme, promoting the strengths of the area and developing a high quality image library to support future communications and engagement activity.

Members were advised that the proposed expenditure would be shared across both Alt & Holts and Chadderton to maximise value and make efficient use of programme resources. The Board was also advised that opportunities to develop additional video and content creation activity were being explored and that any associated costs would be brought forward separately for consideration at a future meeting. Following discussion and application of the agreed decision making process, the Board supported the proposal

The Board approved expenditure of £4,030 for communications, marketing and photography activity and supported the principle of sharing resources across both Pride in Place areas where appropriate.

8.4 Actions Arising from Workshop Discussion

The Board reflected on the themes emerging from the workshop discussions.

Key themes included community voice and influence, community pride, young people, community safety, skills and employment, community assets and the importance of meaningful engagement with all residents of Alt & Holts.

It was agreed that the outputs from the workshop would be used to inform development of the Place and engagement plan.

Actions

8.4 Programme team to develop an engagement plan informed by workshop outputs for discussion at the Keeping in Touch meeting on 4 September 2026.

Decisions

8.1 The Board approved expenditure of £4,030 for communications, marketing and photography activity and supported the principle of sharing resources across both Pride in Place areas where appropriate.

8.2 The Board agreed the appointment of Councillor Zahid Chauhan as the Alexandra Ward representative.

The Board agreed the appointment of Councillor Mark Kenyon as the Saddleworth West & Lees Ward  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

None noted.

4^th September – Teams - Keeping in Touch Follow up of todays meeting