(time limit 30 minutes)
Motion 1
Councillor Murphy to MOVE and Councillor H Gloster to SECOND:
Save Our Rivers
This Council notes that:
· Every river in England is now polluted beyond legal limits; with the Environment Agency rating only 14% as Good in 2019.
· Our local rivers, the Beal, Irk, Medlock, and Tame all failed the most recent test for chemical pollution carried out by the agency.
· This chemical pollution is mostly caused by sewage discharges from water companies and the run-offs of nutrients from farms.
· The Rivers Irk and Tame are particularly threatened by further sewage-water discharges.
· Government funding to the Environment Agency to monitor river quality and regulate farms and water companies has dropped 75% since 2010/11.
· Farms are now almost never inspected, water quality is rarely tested, and water companies can pump raw sewage into rivers with virtual impunity.
· In addition, tyre rubber particles, metals from brake pads, and hydrocarbons from vehicle emissions, wash off road surfaces and into rivers, endangering wildlife and potentially introducing carcinogenic material into the water supply.
Council believes that, as host nation of COP-26 (the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties) in Glasgow on 31 October – 12 November 2021, the UK Government should commit to:
· Restoring Environment Agency budgets
· Increasing inspections of water companies and farms, and rigorously prosecuting offenders.
· Funding local and highways authorities to introduce treatment systems to prevent road pollutants from entering our water courses.
Council resolves to request the Chief Executive write to:
· The Environment Minister calling for the Government to make these commitments as host nation of COP-26.
· The Chief Executive of United Utilities calling for further urgent action to address the impact of waste-water discharges on our local rivers, particularly the Irk and Tame.
· The Regional Director of the National Farmers’ Union requesting clarification on the action being taken locally by farmers to prevent the run-off of nutrients into our rivers.
· The charity River Action expressing this Council’s support for their campaign to restore the health of Britain’s rivers.
With our three MPs to be copied into this correspondence and asked for their support.
Motion 2
Councillor Lancaster to MOVE and Councillor Woodvine to SECOND:
South Pennines National Park
This Council notes that:
This Council resolves to:
Motion 3
Councillor Al-Hamdani to MOVE and Councillor C Gloster to SECOND:
Future proofing our properties from flooding
Council notes that:
· Climate change will result in more incidents of flooding in the UK.
· The disaster relief charity ShelterBox estimated 5 million UK homes could be at risk of flooding by 2040.
· Properties in Shaw and Saddleworth have historically been flooded.
· It is becoming increasingly difficult to build defences capable of protecting all properties at risk of flooding.
· The campaign group ‘Know Your Flood Risk’ is calling upon central Government to make grants available to homeowners and small business owners in flood risk areas to make their properties ‘flood resilient’.
· Flood resilience means designing, building and adapting properties such that if they are inundated, they can be made liveable again within days or weeks. This can involve actions such as rendering indoor walls, relaying flooring in water-proof materials or raising kitchen units.
· Victims of major floods are eligible for £5,000 support after the event, but Council believes that a more sensible approach would be to provide grant aid in advance to homeowners and small business owners to help make their properties flood resilient and that this would reduce the long-term cost to the public purse. Such a proposal has the support of the National Flood Forum and the Royal Institute of British Architects.
· ‘Know Your Flood Risk’ also publishes online guidance for local authorities and home and business owners and offers individual flood risk surveys for property owners.
Council resolves to:
· Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs requesting the Minister look to introduce grant aid to homeowners and small business owners in areas of flood risk to facilitate flood resilience work.
· Ask the Chief Executive to copy in our three local MPs, the Greater Manchester Mayor and the Clerks of the Saddleworth and Shaw and Crompton Parish Councils asking for their support.
· Ask the relevant Cabinet Member and Chief Officer to ensure that information about the offer to residents and small business owners of the campaign group ‘Know Your Flood Risk’ is posted, with links, on the Council’s website, and make a request to the Saddleworth and Shaw and Crompton Parish Councils to do the same.
Motion 4
Councillor Arnott to MOVE and Councillor Abid to SECOND:
Clean Air Zone
We note with disappointment that the Mayor of Greater Manchester (MoGM) and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) have decided to press ahead with a Clean Air Charge for Greater Manchester (Gtr Manchester). The Gtr Manchester Clean Air Zone will end up being the largest in the UK, measuring 493 square miles. With costs and expenditure set to fall on taxpayers who will have to foot the bill for the infrastructure, maintenance as well as monitoring of cameras and extra layers of red tape, the bureaucracy for billing and collection.
The MoGM and GMCA had two options, and they were:
•Non-charging Clean Air Zones.
•Charging Clean Air Zones.
The decision to charge was made by the MoGM and GMCA. The zone and plans to charge are ill
thought out and badly timed with the pandemic having hit Oldham and Gtr Manchester’s economy hard. With vans, buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles and lorries set to be hit and with many of them being self-employed or working as part of small businesses who already face immense financial difficulties. It is a tax on hard pressed workers and businesses.
The charge will mean that certain vehicles will pay £60 a day to drive within the zone, with vans paying £10 and taxi and private hire vehicles paying £7.50. Failure to pay will result in a £120 fine plus the daily charge.
We believe that this scheme and the required infrastructure will eventually lead to the charge being broadened out to charge motorists of all vehicles and is nothing more than a congestion charge by the back door.
This Council resolves that:
· Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council rejects the need to charge vehicles in the Gtr Manchester Clean Air Zone.
· That the people of Gtr Manchester including Oldham rejected congestion charging in 2008 via a referendum and that any attempt to charge vehicles in future must be put to a referendum once again.
· The Chief Executive and Leader of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council write to the MoGM and GMCA to inform them that Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council will unilaterally withdraw from the Gtr Manchester Clean Air Zone.
· That if required by law that Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council will look to implement a Non-charging Clean Air Zone should Oldham need to implement a Clean Air Zone.
Minutes:
Councillor Murphy MOVED and Councillor H Gloster SECONDED the
following MOTION:
Motion 1 - Save Our Rivers
This Council notes that:
· Every river in England is now polluted beyond legal limits; with the Environment Agency rating only 14% as Good in 2019.
· Our local rivers, the Beal, Irk, Medlock, and Tame all failed the most recent test for chemical pollution carried out by the agency.
· This chemical pollution is mostly caused by sewage discharges from water companies and the run-offs of nutrients from farms.
· The Rivers Irk and Tame are particularly threatened by further sewage-water discharges.
· Government funding to the Environment Agency to monitor river quality and regulate farms and water companies has dropped 75% since 2010/11.
· Farms are now almost never inspected, water quality is rarely tested, and water companies can pump raw sewage into rivers with virtual impunity.
· In addition, tyre rubber particles, metals from brake pads, and hydrocarbons from vehicle emissions, wash off road surfaces and into rivers, endangering wildlife and potentially introducing carcinogenic material into the water supply.
Council believes that, as host nation of COP-26 (the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties) in Glasgow on 31 October – 12 November 2021, the UK Government should commit to:
· Restoring Environment Agency budgets
· Increasing inspections of water companies and farms, and rigorously prosecuting offenders.
· Funding local and highways authorities to introduce treatment systems to prevent road pollutants from entering our water courses.
Council resolves to request the Chief Executive write to:
· The Environment Minister calling for the Government to make these commitments as host nation of COP-26.
· The Chief Executive of United Utilities calling for further urgent action to address the impact of waste-water discharges on our local rivers, particularly the Irk and Tame.
· The Regional Director of the National Farmers’ Union requesting clarification on the action being taken locally by farmers to prevent the run-off of nutrients into our rivers.
· The charity River Action expressing this Council’s support for their campaign to restore the health of Britain’s rivers.
With our three MPs to be copied into this correspondence and asked for their support.
Councillor Jabbar spoke in favour of the motion.
Councillor Murphy exercised his right of reply.
On being put to the vote, the MOTION was CARRIED.
RESOLVED that:
The Chief Executive be requested to write to:
With the three MPs to be copied into this correspondence and asked for their support.
Motion 2
Councillor Lancaster to MOVED and Councillor Woodvine to SECONDED the following MOTION:
Motion 2 - South Pennines National Park
This Council notes that:
· the UK Government’s commitment to protect 30% of our land by 2030, an ambition now shared by all G7 Members following the recent Summit in Cornwall, is very welcome
· the South Pennines, covering much of Saddleworth, Crompton Moor and Moorside in our Borough, ought to be included in any additional protected land allocation and can significantly contribute to meeting this national 30% target
· South Pennines Park (formerly ‘Pennine Prospects’) and other groups campaigning for a Regional Park for the South Pennines have undertaken significant and applaudable work, but this proposal would not provide equal status and support as is enjoyed by the other ten existing National Parks in England
· the South Pennines was first considered for National Park designation in the original Hobhouse Committee of seventy years ago, and its suitability for such designation remains strong today
This Council resolves to:
· proactively engage with, and present a case for National Park designation to, the upcoming Natural England assessment into England’s landscapes in the 21st Century, and progress any further opportunities which may arise to advance this designation
AMENDMENT
Councillor McLaren MOVED and Councillor Roberts SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:
To add bullet point 6 under ‘This Council notes’
The amended motion to read:
This Council notes that:
· the UK Government’s commitment to protect 30% of our land by 2030, an ambition now shared by all G7 Members following the recent Summit in Cornwall, is very welcome
· the South Pennines, covering much of Saddleworth and Crompton Moor in our Borough, ought to be included in any additional protected land allocation and can significantly contribute to meeting this national 30% target
· Pennine Prospects and other groups campaigning for a Regional Park for the South Pennines have undertaken significant and applaudable work, but this proposal would not provide equal status and support as is enjoyed by the other ten existing National Parks in England
· the South Pennines was first considered for National Park designation in the original Hobhouse Committee of seventy years ago, and its suitability for such designation remains strong today
· Engage with the Peak District National Park Authority and National Parks England to seek further advice and information as to the best possible means of protecting the South Pennines landscape in the light of the Glover Report and in the present financial climate.
This Council resolves to:
· work with the Local Authorities, any other key stakeholders and those with relevant expertise within the South Pennines geographic remit to build a case for and promote the South Pennines National Park concept
· proactively engage with, and present a case for National Park designation to, the upcoming Natural England assessment into England’s landscapes in the 21st Century, and progress any further opportunities which may arise to advance this designation
Councillor Lancaster exercised his right of reply and indicated he
accepted the amendment.
A vote was then taken on the AMENDMENT, which was CARRIED and became the SUBSTANTIVE MOTION.
On being put to the vote, the MOTION as amended was CARRIED.
RESOLVED that:
The Council would
1. Work with the Local Authorities, any other key stakeholders and those with relevant expertise within the South Pennines geographic remit to build a case for and promote the South Pennines National Park concept
2. Proactively engage with, and present a case for National Park designation to, the upcoming Natural England assessment into England’s landscapes in the 21st Century, and progress any further opportunities which may arise to advance this designation
Councillor Al-Hamdani MOVED and Councillor C Gloster SECONDED the
following MOTION:
Motion 3 - Future proofing our properties from flooding
Council notes that:
· Climate change will result in more incidents of flooding in the UK.
· The disaster relief charity ShelterBox estimated 5 million UK homes could be at risk of flooding by 2040.
· Properties in Shaw and Saddleworth have historically been flooded.
· It is becoming increasingly difficult to build defences capable of protecting all properties at risk of flooding.
· The campaign group ‘Know Your Flood Risk’ is calling upon central Government to make grants available to homeowners and small business owners in flood risk areas to make their properties ‘flood resilient’.
· Flood resilience means designing, building and adapting properties such that if they are inundated, they can be made liveable again within days or weeks. This can involve actions such as rendering indoor walls, relaying flooring in water-proof materials or raising kitchen units.
· Victims of major floods are eligible for £5,000 support after the event, but Council believes that a more sensible approach would be to provide grant aid in advance to homeowners and small business owners to help make their properties flood resilient and that this would reduce the long-term cost to the public purse. Such a proposal has the support of the National Flood Forum and the Royal Institute of British Architects.
· ‘Know Your Flood Risk’ also publishes online guidance for local authorities and home and business owners and offers individual flood risk surveys for property owners.
Council resolves to:
· Ask the Chief Executive to copy in our three local MPs, the Greater Manchester Mayor and the Clerks of the Saddleworth and Shaw and Crompton Parish Councils asking for their support.
· Ask the relevant Cabinet Member and Chief Officer to ensure that information about the offer to residents and small business owners of the campaign group ‘Know Your Flood Risk’ is posted, with links, on the Council’s website, and make a request to the Saddleworth and Shaw and Crompton Parish Councils to do the same.
Councillor Sheldon spoke in favour of the motion.
Councillor Al-Hamdani exercised his right of reply.
On being put to the vote, the MOTION as amended was CARRIED.
RESOLVED that:
1. The Chief Executive be asked to write to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs requesting the Minister look to introduce grant aid to homeowners and small business owners in areas of flood risk to facilitate flood resilience work.
2. The Chief Executive be asked to write to copy in our three local MPs, the Greater Manchester Mayor and the Clerks of the Saddleworth and Shaw and Crompton Parish Councils asking for their support.
3. The relevant Cabinet Member and Chief Officer be asked to ensure that information about the offer to residents and small business owners of the campaign group ‘Know Your Flood Risk’ is posted, with links, on the Council’s website, and make a request to the Saddleworth and Shaw and Crompton Parish Councils to do the same.
Motion 4
Councillor Sharp MOVED and Councillor Sheldon SECONDED the
following MOTION:
Motion 4 – Clean Air Zone
We note with disappointment that the Mayor of Greater Manchester (MoGM) and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) have decided to press ahead with a Clean Air Charge for Greater Manchester (Gtr Manchester). The Gtr Manchester Clean Air Zone will end up being the largest in the UK, measuring 493 square miles. With costs and expenditure set to fall on taxpayers who will have to foot the bill for the infrastructure, maintenance as well as monitoring of cameras and extra layers of red tape, the bureaucracy for billing and collection.
The MoGM and GMCA had two options, and they were:
· Non-charging Clean Air Zones.
· Charging Clean Air Zones.1
The decision to charge was made by the MoGM and GMCA. The zone and plans to charge are ill thought out and badly timed with the pandemic having hit Oldham and Gtr Manchester’s economy hard. With vans, buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles and lorries set to be hit and with many of them being self-employed or working as part of small businesses who already face immense financial difficulties. It is a tax on hard pressed workers and businesses.
The charge will mean that certain vehicles will pay £60 a day to drive within the zone, with vans paying £10 and taxi and private hire vehicles paying £7.50. Failure to pay will result in a £120 fine plus the daily charge.
We believe that this scheme and the required infrastructure will eventually lead to the charge being broadened out to charge motorists of all vehicles and is nothing more than a congestion charge by the back door.
This Council resolves that:
· Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council rejects the need to charge vehicles in the Gtr Manchester Clean Air Zone.
· That the people of Gtr Manchester including Oldham rejected congestion charging in 2008 via a referendum and that any attempt to charge vehicles in future must be put to a referendum once again.
· The Chief Executive and Leader of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council write to the MoGM and GMCA to inform them that Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council will unilaterally withdraw from the Gtr Manchester Clean Air Zone.
· That if required by law that Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council will look to implement a Non-charging Clean Air Zone should Oldham need to implement a Clean Air Zone.
On being put to the vote, the MOTION was LOST.