Agenda item

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1

Councillor Shah to MOVE and Councillor Chadderton to SECOND:

Violence Against Women and Girls

This Council notes the shocking prevalence of violence against women and girls, most recently made visible by the appalling murders of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa. This is fuelled by a toxic culture of misogyny, with a recent report from the APPG for UN Women finding that 71% of women of all ages in the UK have experienced some form of sexual harassment in a public space.

Tackling the violence and misogyny in society is a long-term challenge that requires a collective response, from the online companies that enable the sharing of harmful and abusive content to employers not doing enough to address inequality in the workplace.

This Council welcomes the recent publication of Greater Manchester’s Gender-Based Violence Strategy, which sets out a ten-year plan that includes every part of our society. In Oldham we also take a partnership approach to addressing gender-based violence, aiming to prevent future abuse (including by educating young people about healthy relationships), addressing the behaviour of those who have perpetrated abuse and providing support to survivors. The Council is looking to strengthen this approach further, with a new Domestic Abuse Strategy following work with the charity SafeLives to review Oldham’s current activity.

Where violence is committed against women and girls, it is important we have a robust response from our police to deliver justice. This Council notes the appalling statistic revealed by the Government’s End-to-End Rape Review that only 1.6% of rape cases brought to the police result in a charge.

The fresh approach brought by the new Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police since his appointment is important if we are to rebuild faith that justice will be served. The disbanding of GMP’s Serious Sexual Offences Unit in 2017 as part of a transformation in favour of omni-competence raised questions about the priorities of the force at the time.

This Council resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to Chief Constable Stephen Watson:

·         Welcoming the improvement plan he has produced for Greater Manchester Police, including a recognition of the importance of Think Victim training, and acknowledgement that there has been a lack of focus on support for those most vulnerable.

·         Welcoming the move away from the notion of omni-competence, and requesting information about what this will mean for specialist support for the victims of sexual violence

·         Requesting information about what training officers generally are given to support the victims of sexual violence given the reports of women being treated poorly by non-specialist officers of GMP in the past

This Council also resolves to work cross-party to promote the consultation on Oldham’s Domestic Abuse Strategy, which is published this week.

Motion 2

Councillor Jabbar to MOVE and Councillor Hulme to SECOND:

COP26

This Council notes the 26^th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), taking place in Glasgow, which aims to:

·         Secure global net zero emissions by the middle of the century, thereby sustaining the possibility of keeping global temperature rises within the 1.5 degrees target that will avoid climate catastrophe

·         Support countries to protect communities and natural habitats affected by climate change

·         Mobilise at least $100bn in climate finance per year

·         Finalise rules for countries, businesses and civil to collaborate based on the Paris agreement

This Council welcomes the Government’s decision to finally publish its long awaited net zero strategy. We note with concern however that much of the strategy relies on negative emissions technology that doesn’t currently exist or is largely untested. Dr Gavin Killip from the University of Oxford has called the strategy “a big disappointment”, noting that on home heating and efficiency “the level of financial support is too small, and too many important elements have been ignored.” Dr Meysam Qadrdan from Cardiff University has also stated that “the proposed funding fall short”, and Prof Kevin Anderson from the University of Manchester said “the UK’s Net Zero strategy falls far short of both its Paris and G7 temperature and equality commitments. … The numbers reveal a story of subterfuge, delusion, offsetting and piecemeal policies.” The Wildlife Trusts state that the strategy “falls short of tackling both the nature and climate emergencies. … It lacks the policies and investment needed to repair our broken natural world both on land and at sea, at the pace and scale required.”

While the publication of a strategy, however inadequate, is welcome, this Council notes the recent failures of the Government when it comes to implementation. The National Audit Office described the Government’s Green Homes Grants programme as “botched”, and noted that “as a result, its benefits for carbon reduction were significantly reduced”. The Federation of Master Builders described the Government’s interventions as “flash in the pan policies”. The New Economics Foundation have estimated that 19 million cold homes could be retrofitted for £11.7bn, a fraction of the money spent on the failed test and trace system. They have stated that “the scale of finance committed by the government in decarbonising our leaky housing stock is less than a quarter of what is actually needed by 2025.”

This Council resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to request that they:

·         Enable local authorities to take the lead on developing the projects that will get us to net zero. Local authorities know their areas better than anyone, and with sufficient long-term resource can develop solutions that work for their community, addressing the climate emergency and driving sustainable economic growth and green jobs

·         Put the climate emergency and green jobs at the heart of the “levelling up” agenda

·         Demonstrate their commitment to Oldham, levelling up and the climate emergency by providing funding for our innovative town centre heat network proposals as originally included in our Towns Fund bid

Motion 1

Councillor Shah MOVED and Councillor Chadderton SECONDED the following MOTION:

Motion 1 - Violence Against Women and Girls

This Council notes the shocking prevalence of violence against women and girls, most recently made visible by the appalling murders of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa. This is fuelled by a toxic culture of misogyny, with a recent report from the APPG for UN Women finding that 71% of women of all ages in the UK have experienced some form of sexual harassment in a public space.

Tackling the violence and misogyny in society is a long-term challenge that requires a collective response, from the online companies that enable the sharing of harmful and abusive content to employers not doing enough to address inequality in the workplace.

This Council welcomes the recent publication of Greater Manchester’s Gender-Based Violence Strategy, which sets out a ten-year plan that includes every part of our society. In Oldham we also take a partnership approach to addressing gender-based violence, aiming to prevent future abuse (including by educating young people about healthy relationships), addressing the behaviour of those who have perpetrated abuse and providing support to survivors. The Council is looking to strengthen this approach further, with a new Domestic Abuse Strategy following work with the charity SafeLives to review Oldham’s current activity.

Where violence is committed against women and girls, it is important we have a robust response from our police to deliver justice. This Council notes the appalling statistic revealed by the Government’s End-to-End Rape Review that only 1.6% of rape cases brought to the police result in a charge.

The fresh approach brought by the new Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police since his appointment is important if we are to rebuild faith that justice will be served. The disbanding of GMP’s Serious Sexual Offences Unit in 2017 as part of a transformation in favour of omni-competence raised questions about the priorities of the force at the time.

This Council resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to Chief Constable Stephen Watson:

·         Welcoming the improvement plan he has produced for Greater Manchester Police, including a recognition of the importance of Think Victim training, and acknowledgement that there has been a lack of focus on support for those most vulnerable.

·         Welcoming the move away from the notion of omni-competence, and requesting information about what this will mean for specialist support for the victims of sexual violence

·         Requesting information about what training officers generally are given to support the victims of sexual violence given the reports of women being treated poorly by non-specialist officers of GMP in the past

This Council also resolves to work cross-party to promote the consultation on Oldham’s Domestic Abuse Strategy, which is published this week.

Councillor Toor spoke in favour of the motion.

Councillor Mushtaq spoke in favour of the motion.

Councillor Roberts spoke in favour of the motion.

Councillor Al-Hamdani spoke in favour of the motion.

Councillor Goodwin spoke in favour of the motion.

Councillor Williamson spoke in favour of the motion.

Councillor Shah exercised her right of reply.

On being put to the vote, the MOTION was unanimously CARRIED.

Councillor Ahmad MOVED and Councillor Shah SECONDED that the time allowed for this Item be extended by 15 minutes.

On being put to the vote, the MOTION was CARRIED.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The Chief Executive be asked to write to Chief Constable Stephen Watson:

·         Welcoming the improvement plan he has produced for Greater Manchester Police, including a recognition of the importance of Think Victim training, and acknowledgement that there has been a lack of focus on support for those most vulnerable.

·         Welcoming the move away from the notion of omni-competence, and requesting information about what this will mean for specialist support for the victims of sexual violence

·         Requesting information about what training officers generally are given to support the victims of sexual violence given the reports of women being treated poorly by non-specialist officers of GMP in the past

2.    The Council would work cross-party to promote the consultation on Oldham’s Domestic Abuse Strategy, which was published this week.

Motion 2

Councillor Jabbar MOVED and Councillor Ahmad SECONDED the following MOTION:

Motion 2 - COP26

This Council notes the 26^th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), taking place in Glasgow, which aims to:

·         Secure global net zero emissions by the middle of the century, thereby sustaining the possibility of keeping global temperature rises within the 1.5 degrees target that will avoid climate catastrophe

·         Support countries to protect communities and natural habitats affected by climate change

·         Mobilise at least $100bn in climate finance per year

·         Finalise rules for countries, businesses and civil to collaborate based on the Paris agreement

This Council welcomes the Government’s decision to finally publish its long awaited net zero strategy. We note with concern however that much of the strategy relies on negative emissions technology that doesn’t currently exist or is largely untested. Dr Gavin Killip from the University of Oxford has called the strategy “a big disappointment”, noting that on home heating and efficiency “the level of financial support is too small, and too many important elements have been ignored.” Dr Meysam Qadrdan from Cardiff University has also stated that “the proposed funding fall short”, and Prof Kevin Anderson from the University of Manchester said “the UK’s Net Zero strategy falls far short of both its Paris and G7 temperature and equality commitments. … The numbers reveal a story of subterfuge, delusion, offsetting and piecemeal policies.” The Wildlife Trusts state that the strategy “falls short of tackling both the nature and climate emergencies. … It lacks the policies and investment needed to repair our broken natural world both on land and at sea, at the pace and scale required.”

While the publication of a strategy, however inadequate, is welcome, this Council notes the recent failures of the Government when it comes to implementation. The National Audit Office described the Government’s Green Homes Grants programme as “botched”, and noted that “as a result, its benefits for carbon reduction were significantly reduced”. The Federation of Master Builders described the Government’s interventions as “flash in the pan policies”. The New Economics Foundation have estimated that 19 million cold homes could be retrofitted for £11.7bn, a fraction of the money spent on the failed test and trace system. They have stated that “the scale of finance committed by the government in decarbonising our leaky housing stock is less than a quarter of what is actually needed by 2025.”

This Council resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to request that they:

·         Enable local authorities to take the lead on developing the projects that will get us to net zero. Local authorities know their areas better than anyone, and with sufficient long-term resource can develop solutions that work for their community, addressing the climate emergency and driving sustainable economic growth and green jobs

·         Put the climate emergency and green jobs at the heart of the “levelling up” agenda

·         Demonstrate their commitment to Oldham, levelling up and the climate emergency by providing funding for our innovative town centre heat network proposals as originally included in our Towns Fund bid

AMENDMENT

Councillor C. Gloster MOVED and Councillor Hamblett SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:

Insert a new paragraph after the third paragraph ending ‘by 2025’. The new paragraph to read:

‘However, Council also recognises that, as a local authority ambitious to become a carbon neutral council by 2025 and a carbon neutral borough by 2030, we must lead the local drive towards Net Zero by making practical and time-bound commitments.’ 

After the conclusion of the original motion which ends ‘Towns Fund bid’ insert the following new wording:

‘In addition, Council also resolves to:

·         Deliver the town centre heat network proposals once the money is found.

·         Support the development of other renewable energy and battery storage projects, either alone or with private or public sector partners and communities, within the borough.

·         Reduce the carbon footprint of its estate and vehicle fleet by divesting itself of surplus or energy-inefficient properties, retrofitting existing buildings, investing in solar and other renewable technology to light and heat its estate, and replacing diesel-petrol powered vehicles with electric, hydrogen or hybrid models wherever possible.

·         Retrofit all streetlamps over time with more efficient and less costly LED lights.

·         Work with public and private sector partners to accelerate the provision of electric vehicle charging points across the borough.

·         Deliver 20mph zones to reduce vehicle speed, increase public safety and improve air quality.

·         Increase tree coverage in the borough by retaining existing trees and engaging in the extensive planting of new woodland, particularly of native variants.

·         Work to make this authority single plastic-use free.

·         Work with supermarket retailers to establish reverse vending machine sites in the borough.

·         Establish new planning guidance under the Local Plan requiring developers to achieve higher standards of insulation, take account of the impact of heatwaves and flooding, provide for greater in-situ self-generation of power and heat (through renewable technologies), and make provision for on-site electric vehicle charging points.

The amended motion to read:

This Council notes the 26^th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), taking place in Glasgow, which aims to:

·         Secure global net zero emissions by the middle of the century, thereby sustaining the possibility of keeping global temperature rises within the 1.5 degrees target that will avoid climate catastrophe

·         Support countries to protect communities and natural habitats affected by climate change

·         Mobilise at least $100bn in climate finance per year

·         Finalise rules for countries, businesses and civil to collaborate based on the Paris agreement

This Council welcomes the Government’s decision to finally publish its long awaited net zero strategy. We note with concern however that much of the strategy relies on negative emissions technology that doesn’t currently exist or is largely untested. Dr Gavin Killip from the University of Oxford has called the strategy “a big disappointment”, noting that on home heating and efficiency “the level of financial support is too small, and too many important elements have been ignored.” Dr Meysam Qadrdan from Cardiff University has also stated that “the proposed funding fall short”, and Prof Kevin Anderson from the University of Manchester said “the UK’s Net Zero strategy falls far short of both its Paris and G7 temperature and equality commitments. … The numbers reveal a story of subterfuge, delusion, offsetting and piecemeal policies.” The Wildlife Trusts state that the strategy “falls short of tackling both the nature and climate emergencies. … It lacks the policies and investment needed to repair our broken natural world both on land and at sea, at the pace and scale required.”

While the publication of a strategy, however inadequate, is welcome, this Council notes the recent failures of the Government when it comes to implementation. The National Audit Office described the Government’s Green Homes Grants programme as “botched”, and noted that “as a result, its benefits for carbon reduction were significantly reduced”. The Federation of Master Builders described the Government’s interventions as “flash in the pan policies”. The New Economics Foundation have estimated that 19 million cold homes could be retrofitted for £11.7bn, a fraction of the money spent on the failed test and trace system. They have stated that “the scale of finance committed by the government in decarbonising our leaky housing stock is less than a quarter of what is actually needed by 2025.”

However, Council also recognises that, as a local authority ambitious to become a carbon neutral council by 2025 and a carbon neutral borough by 2030, we must lead the local drive towards Net Zero by making practical and time-bound commitments. 

This Council resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to request that they:

·         Enable local authorities to take the lead on developing the projects that will get us to net zero. Local authorities know their areas better than anyone, and with sufficient long-term resource can develop solutions that work for their community, addressing the climate emergency and driving sustainable economic growth and green jobs

·         Put the climate emergency and green jobs at the heart of the “levelling up” agenda

·         Demonstrate their commitment to Oldham, levelling up and the climate emergency by providing funding for our innovative town centre heat network proposals as originally included in our Towns Fund bid

In addition, Council also resolves to:

·         Deliver the town centre heat network proposals once the money is found.

·         Support the development of other renewable energy and battery storage projects, either alone or with private or public sector partners and communities, within the borough.

·         Reduce the carbon footprint of its estate and vehicle fleet by divesting itself of surplus or energy-inefficient properties, retrofitting existing buildings, investing in solar and other renewable technology to light and heat its estate, and replacing diesel-petrol powered vehicles with electric, hydrogen or hybrid models wherever possible.

·         Retrofit all streetlamps over time with more efficient and less costly LED lights.

·         Work with public and private sector partners to accelerate the provision of electric vehicle charging points across the borough.

·         Deliver 20mph zones to reduce vehicle speed, increase public safety and improve air quality.

·         Increase tree coverage in the borough by retaining existing trees and engaging in the extensive planting of new woodland, particularly of native variants.

·         Work to make this authority single plastic-use free.

·         Work with supermarket retailers to establish reverse vending machine sites in the borough.

·         Establish new planning guidance under the Local Plan requiring developers to achieve higher standards of insulation, take account of the impact of heatwaves and flooding, provide for greater in-situ self-generation of power and heat (through renewable technologies), and make provision for on-site electric vehicle charging points.

A vote was then taken on the AMENDMENT, which was LOST.

Councillor Jabbar exercised his right of reply.

On being put to the vote, the MOTION was CARRIED.

RESOLVED that:

The Chief Executive be asked to write to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to request that they:

·         Enable local authorities to take the lead on developing the projects that will get us to net zero. Local authorities know their areas better than anyone, and with sufficient long-term resource can develop solutions that work for their community, addressing the climate emergency and driving sustainable economic growth and green jobs

·         Put the climate emergency and green jobs at the heart of the “levelling up” agenda

·         Demonstrate their commitment to Oldham, levelling up and the climate emergency by providing funding for our innovative town centre heat network proposals as originally included in our Towns Fund bid