Agenda item

(time limit 20 minutes):-

a) 19^th December 2016

b) 23^rd January 2017

c) 27^th February 2017

The minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 19^th December 2016, 23^rd January 2017 and 27^th February 2017 were submitted.

Members raised the following questions:

1.       Councillor McCann – Cabinet Meeting, 27^th February 2017, Item 6: Proposal to Expand Greenfield CP School – Public Notice and Statutory Consultation Responses.  Councillor McCann commented on the statutory duty for the provision of school places and the current shortfall in Saddleworth and Lees.  The additional spaces would be provided to local children and gave his thanks to the Administration.  Councillor McCann asked, subject to the consultation and planning regulations, if a date could be given as to when the school would be started.

          Councillor Chadderton, Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years responded that shortfalls had been projected in Saddleworth.  A projected date was subject to planning.  Cabinet had agreed to the expansion.  Saddleworth schools predominantly take students from the local area more than any other.  The process for the school would be started and members and the public would be kept up to date.

2.       Councillor Goodwin – Cabinet Meeting, 23^rd January 2017, Item 6: Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates Tax Bases 2017/18.  Councillor Goodwin asked for an update on the changes to exemptions to Council tax.

          Councillor Jabbar, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Human Resources responded that following representations from several members a scheme would be brought forward for the exemption to care leavers aged 18 - 21.  By nature care leavers had a difficult time and for those who planned to live independently the Council would do what could to support them. 

3.       Councillor Blyth – Cabinet Meeting, 23^rd January 2017, Item 9: Foxdenton Development, Broadway, Chadderton, Oldham.  Councillor Blyth referred to the offer to pay money to help with infrastructure costs.  Was this a handout to developers?  How long would it be to get the money in council tax?  Councillor Blyth referred to the release of green belt, payment for infrastructure, schools were already full and where would further places come from?

          Councillor Jabbar, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Human Resources responded that Foxdenton was an extremely complicated development.  This was based on commercially sensitive discussions and proper answers could not be provided in the public domain.  Regeneration was needed for the creation of employment and quality homes for the realisation of aspirations.  Complete rigor and due diligence was in place and assurances provided.  The development was in phases, there was a statutory responsibility for school places which were reviewed annually.

Members raised the following observations:

1.       Councillor Ateeque Ur-Rehman – Cabinet Meeting, 19^th December 2016, Item 14:  Land to the Rear of the Former Centre for Professional Development, Rosary Road, Fitton Hill.  Councillor Ur-Rehman welcomed the decision to grant the lease to Fitton Hill Bulldogs as this had been a long-standing dream.  He thanked the whole of the Cabinet and the continued support to good standard of sporting facilities.

2.       Councillor Hudson – Cabinet Meeting, 23^rd January 2017, Item 9: Foxdenton Development, Broadway, Chadderton, Oldham.  Councillor Hudson’s observation referred to the support given to the application at Planning.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 19^th December 2016, 23^rd January 2017 and 27^th February 2017 be noted.

2.       The questions and responses on the Cabinet minutes be noted.

3.       The observations on the Cabinet minutes be noted.