Agenda item

Notice of Opposition Business

(time limit 30 minutes)

 

Motion 1

 

Councillor Al-Hamdani to MOVE and Councillor Hamblett to SECOND:

Pension Fund Divestment from Fossil Fuels

This Council recognises that:

  • Burning fossil fuels contributes significantly to global warming, jeopardising the stability of our climate upon which our well-being and economy depend. Such activity also has a negative impact upon air quality and so public health.
  • Research demonstrates that 80% or more of the world’s proven fossil fuel reserves will have to remain unburnt if we are to have a reasonable chance of keeping global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, the globally agreed target for climate change mitigation.
  • Since 80% of fossil fuels must remain in the ground, the reserves of the fossil fuel industry risk becoming ‘stranded assets’ with little or no value – representing a substantial financial risk for those that invest in them.
  • Greater Manchester Pension Fund currently has around £1.7 billion invested in the oil, coal and gas industries. This is environmentally and financially irresponsible.
  • To date, over 1,100 institutions representing over $14 trillion in assets have committed to divest from fossil-fuel companies.  These include the World Council of Churches, the Irish state, New York City, the British Medical Association and a growing number of UK local authority pension funds.
  • As a local authority with a commitment to become carbon-neutral by 2025, it is illogical for Oldham Council to make employer contributions towards a pension fund that is committed to investments in fossil-fuel companies.

 

Council resolves:

  • Not to invest directly in fossil fuel companies.
  • To mandate its representative to the Greater Manchester Pension Fund Board to call for the adoption of Responsible Investment policies which:
  • Immediately freeze any new investment in the top 200 publicly traded fossil fuel companies;
  • By the end of this year, divest from direct ownership of companies involved in coal mining;
  • Within two years, divest from direct ownership of all fossil fuel companies, along with any commingled funds that include any fossil fuel public equities and corporate bonds;
  • Set out an approach to quantifying and addressing climate change risks affecting all other investments, and
  • Focus future investments on areas that minimise climate change risk and, where possible, invest in local climate solutions that will benefit fund members, their families and the wider community.

 

  • To ask the Chief Executive to write to the Leaders and Chief Executives of the other 9 Greater Manchester local authorities outlining this Council’s position and asking for their support.

 

Motion 2

 

Councillor Murphy to MOVE and Councillor C Gloster to SECOND:

Pavement Parking: Options for Change

This Council notes that:

·         Pavement parking can pose a hazard to pedestrians, especially people with sight loss, parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users and other disabled people.

·         People with sight loss are especially at risk as they can be forced into the road and faced with oncoming traffic that they cannot see.

·         Pavements are not designed to take the weight of vehicles and so surfaces can become damaged or subside, presenting a further hazard for pedestrians, particularly those with disabilities.

Action to tackle pavement parking in this Borough is currently problematic because:

·         The current legislation on nuisance pavement parking is confusing.

·         The legal remedies available to tackle nuisance pavement parking are unsatisfactory.

·         Greater Manchester Police has previously refused a Council request for assistance with enforcement.

Council:

·         Awaits with interest the Government’s promised response to the public submissions made to the Department of Transport’s ‘Pavement Parking: Options for Change’ consultation, but regrets that this response, promised by 31 March, is now over three months late.

·         Anticipates that the outcome of the consultation will be for government to grant new powers to local authorities to address nuisance pavement parking, rather than imposing an unnecessary blanket ban that will be onerous on residents and costly and difficult for local authorities to enforce.

Council resolves to:

·         Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Transport requesting that the Government’s response to the consultation now be published as promised.

·         Ask the relevant Executive Director to conduct a survey amongst the elected members of this Council asking members to identify streets within their ward where nuisance pavement parking occurs.

·         Ask the relevant Cabinet Member to bring to a future meeting of this Council a report with the findings of this survey and details of the enforcement action that this Council proposes to take, taking account of any new powers the Government promises to make available to local authorities in their published response to the consultation.

 

 

 

Motion 3

 

Councillor H Gloster to MOVE and Councillor Kenyon to SECOND:

Hands off our Peak District National Park

Council notes that:

·         2021 is the 70th anniversary of the Peak District and other National Parks

·         Our precious National Parks represent an irreplaceable national natural resource which provide enjoyment, education and employment for countless thousands of people every year and are treasured and loved by millions more.

·         At present, every National Park is managed by its own LOCAL Park Authority with LOCAL representatives who know and serve the community and keep LOCAL oversight. The Park District National Park Authority includes an appointed representative from Oldham Council.

Council is therefore gravely concerned that the Glover Review of 2019 proposed the replacement of the local National Parks Authorities with a National Landscape Service which would centralise services under one, nationally run, new organisation, and that the Government is giving active consideration to accepting this recommendation.

Council is opposed to the replacement of the locally run National Parks Authorities because:

·         It is contrary to the Government’s ‘levelling-up’ agenda which involves government decentralising power and working more directly with local partners and communities.

·         The 2019 Conservative Party Manifesto stated that “the days of Whitehall knows best are over” (p.26) and pledged to give communities of all sizes far more control. This Council questions how a centralist National Landscapes Service would achieve this.

·         The move is contrary to international good practice in the management of protected landscapes which emphasises the importance of management being undertaken with, and through, local people and mainly for, and by, them.

·         Locally run and locally managed National Parks consider local circumstances and take account of local feelings and requirements without the burdensome red-tape of national management.

Council therefore resolves to:

·         Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State urging them not to replace local National Parks Authorities with a National Landscape Service or to take any step which will remove or degrade their powers

·         Ask the Chief Executive to send a copy of this letter to the Chair of the Peak District National Park Authority

·         Ask the Chief Executive to also copy in our three local MPs and the Chief Executives of other local authorities covered by the Peak District National Park asking for their support and/or similar action

 

Motion 4

 

Councillor Sharp to MOVE and Councillor Abid to SECOND:

 

Oldham Regeneration

The Government Minister for local growth, Luke Hall, stated High Streets are the beating heart of our local communities. That is why we welcome the Conservative Government delivering over £10.7 million for Oldham from the Future High Streets Fund to improve accessibility, connectivity and to aid recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic.

On top of that a further £24.4 million was awarded by the Conservative Government’s Town Fund.

However, three of these projects, Northern Roots, the relocation of Tommyfield Market and the development of flexible working within Spindles, have raised considerable concerns with members of the public and businesses, particularly those in the markets.

This money was awarded to Oldham to kick start the recovery from the pandemic. That is why it is disappointing that little or no consultation was had with taxpayers, the private sector or Councillors when developing these plans. It is why we have concerns that many of these projects could end up going way over budget like previous projects have done and that they will saddle taxpayers with more debt and higher Council tax bills to pay for it.

This Council therefore resolves:

 • That it will properly consult with market traders, local taxpayers and the private sector to understand their concerns with these projects.

• That any future bids must include other parts of the Borough outside of the Town Centre.

 • That the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council convey to the Town Deal Board (the board), the concerns that have been raised by the public, and the board will, in future, consult and inform the public of any decision to be made.

• That the board will open itself to proper public scrutiny about any draft plans they consider putting forward.

• That a special committee is established with equal representation from all parties to oversee the planned projects to:

- Scrutinise and avoid wasteful expenditure of taxpayer’s money.

 -To avoid any of the projects overspending.

 - Provide proper overview and scrutiny of these projects.

• That these projects do not go over budget and that contracts and agreements are properly scrutinised before signing to avoid taxpayers footing the bill for a failure to deliver on time or on budget.

Minutes:

Motion 1 – Pension Fund Divestment from Fossil Fuels

 

Councillor Al-Hamdani MOVED and Councillor Hamblett SECONDED the following MOTION:

 

 

This Council recognises that:

 

·         Burning fossil fuels contributes significantly to global warming, jeopardising the stability of our climate upon which our well-being and economy depend. Such activity also has a negative impact upon air quality and so public health.

·         Research demonstrates that 80% or more of the world’s proven fossil fuel reserves will have to remain unburnt if we are to have a reasonable chance of keeping global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, the globally agreed target for climate change mitigation.

·         Since 80% of fossil fuels must remain in the ground, the reserves of the fossil fuel industry risk becoming ‘stranded assets’ with little or no value – representing a substantial financial risk for those that invest in them.

·         Greater Manchester Pension Fund currently has around £1.7 billion invested in the oil, coal and gas industries. This is environmentally and financially irresponsible.

·         To date, over 1,100 institutions representing over $14 trillion in assets have committed to divest from fossil-fuel companies.  These include the World Council of Churches, the Irish state, New York City, the British Medical Association and a growing number of UK local authority pension funds.

·         As a Local Authority with a commitment to become carbon-neutral by 2025, it is illogical for Oldham Council to make employer contributions towards a pension fund that is committed to investments in fossil-fuel companies.

 

Council resolves:

 

·         Not to invest directly in fossil fuel companies.

·         To mandate its representative to the Greater Manchester Pension Fund Board to call for the adoption of Responsible Investment policies which:

·         Immediately freeze any new investment in the top 200 publicly traded fossil fuel companies;

·         By the end of this year, divest from direct ownership of companies involved in coal mining;

·         Within two years, divest from direct ownership of all fossil fuel companies, along with any commingled funds that include any fossil fuel public equities and corporate bonds;

·         Set out an approach to quantifying and addressing climate change risks affecting all other investments, and

·         Focus future investments on areas that minimise climate change risk and, where possible, invest in local climate solutions that will benefit fund members, their families and the wider community.

 

·         To ask the Chief Executive to write to the Leaders and Chief Executives of the other 9 Greater Manchester local authorities outlining this Council’s position and asking for their support.

 

Councillor Al-Hamdani spoke on the motion.

Councillor Hamblett spoke on the motion.

 

AMENDMENT

 

Councillor Jabbar MOVED and Councillor Hulme SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:

 

This Council recognises that:

 

·         Burning fossil fuels contributes significantly to global warming, jeopardising the stability of our climate upon which our well-being and economy depend. Such activity also has a negative impact upon air quality and so public health.

 

·         Research demonstrates that 80% or more of the world’s proven fossil fuel reserves will have to remain unburnt if we are to have a reasonable chance of keeping global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, the globally agreed target for climate change mitigation.

 

·         Since 80% of fossil fuels must remain in the ground, the reserves of the fossil fuel industry risk becoming ‘stranded assets’ with little or no value – representing a substantial financial risk for those that invest in them.

 

·         Greater Manchester Pension Fund currently has around £1.7 billion invested in the oil, coal and gas industries.

 

·         To date, over 1,100 institutions representing over $14 trillion in assets have committed to divest from fossil-fuel companies.  These include the World Council of Churches, the Irish state, New York City, the British Medical Association and a growing number of UK local authority pension funds.

 

Council resolves:

 

·         Not to invest directly in fossil fuel companies.

 

·         To mandate its representative to the Greater Manchester Pension Fund Advisory Panel to support the current Responsible Investment policies, which seek to:

 

o   Invest to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest, in line with the Paris Agreement;

o   Collaborate with partners including Make My Money Matter and the Paris Aligned Asset Owner group, and use the Net Zero Investor Framework to develop a 2030 target in line with the PICC’s 1.5-degree pathway which sets out an approach to quantifying and addressing climate change risks affecting the Fund’s investments;

o   Be a responsible shareowner activist and proactively work to campaign for all companies in which the fund has an interest to pursue carbon neutrality and environmentally friendly practices to create real world impact and reductions in emissions;

o   Manage financial risks and continue to be in the top quartile of performance of LGPS Pension Funds, which has resulted in over £3.4 billion return in excess of average fund performance through a Just Transition to protect the interests of pension holders, workers and taxpayers across Greater Manchester. Set out an approach to quantifying and addressing climate change risks affecting all other investments, and

o   Focus future investments on areas that minimise climate change risk and, where possible, invest in local climate solutions that will benefit fund members, their families and the wider community.

 

·         To ask the Chief Executive to write to the Leaders and Chief Executives of the other 9 Greater Manchester local authorities outlining this Council’s position and asking for their support.

 

 

Councillor Sykes spoke AGAINST the amended motion.

Councillor Al-Hamdani exercised his right of reply. ??????

Councillor Jabbar exercised his right of reply.?????

 

ON being put to the vote, XX votes were cast in FAVOUR of the AMENDMENT and XXX votes were cast AGAINST with 9 ABSTENTIONS.  The AMENDEMNT was therefore CARRIED.

 

Councillor Al-Hamdani exercised his right of reply.

 

On being put to the vote, xx votes were cast in FAVOUR of the SUBSTANTIVE MOTION and xx votes were cast AGAINST with xx ABSENTIONS.  The SUBSTANTIVE MOTION was therefore CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED -

 

1.    Not to invest directly in fossil fuel companies.

 

2.    To mandate its representative to the Greater Manchester Pension Fund Advisory Panel to support the current Responsible Investment policies, which seek to:

 

o   Invest to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest, in line with the Paris Agreement;

o   Collaborate with partners including Make My Money Matter and the Paris Aligned Asset Owner group, and use the Net Zero Investor Framework to develop a 2030 target in line with the PICC’s 1.5-degree pathway which sets out an approach to quantifying and addressing climate change risks affecting the Fund’s investments;

o   Be a responsible shareowner activist and proactively work to campaign for all companies in which the fund has an interest to pursue carbon neutrality and environmentally friendly practices to create real world impact and reductions in emissions;

o   Manage financial risks and continue to be in the top quartile of performance of LGPS Pension Funds, which has resulted in over £3.4 billion return in excess of average fund performance through a Just Transition to protect the interests of pension holders, workers and taxpayers across Greater Manchester. Set out an approach to quantifying and addressing climate change risks affecting all other investments, and

o   Focus future investments on areas that minimise climate change risk and, where possible, invest in local climate solutions that will benefit fund members, their families and the wider community.

 

 

3.    To ask the Chief Executive to write to the Leaders and Chief Executives of the other 9 Greater Manchester local authorities outlining this Council’s position and asking for their support.

 

 

Motion 2 – Pavement Parking: Options for Change

 

Councillor Murphy MOVED and Councillor C Gloster SECONDED the following motion:

 

This Council notes that:

 

·         Pavement parking can pose a hazard to pedestrians, especially people with sight loss, parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users and other disabled people.

·         People with sight loss are especially at risk as they can be forced into the road and faced with oncoming traffic that they cannot see.

·         Pavements are not designed to take the weight of vehicles and so surfaces can become damaged or subside, presenting a further hazard for pedestrians, particularly those with disabilities.

 

Action to tackle pavement parking in this Borough is currently problematic because:

 

·         The current legislation on nuisance pavement parking is confusing.

·         The legal remedies available to tackle nuisance pavement parking are unsatisfactory.

·         Greater Manchester Police has previously refused a Council request for assistance with enforcement.

·         Council:

·         Awaits with interest the Government’s promised response to the public submissions made to the Department of Transport’s ‘Pavement Parking: Options for Change’ consultation, but regrets that this response, promised by 31 March, is now over three months late.

·         Anticipates that the outcome of the consultation will be for government to grant new powers to local authorities to address nuisance pavement parking, rather than imposing an unnecessary blanket ban that will be onerous on residents and costly and difficult for local authorities to enforce.

·         Council resolves to:

·         Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Transport requesting that the Government’s response to the consultation now be published as promised.

·         Ask the relevant Executive Director to conduct a survey amongst the elected members of this Council asking members to identify streets within their ward where nuisance pavement parking occurs.

·         Ask the relevant Cabinet Member to bring to a future meeting of this Council a report with the findings of this survey and details of the enforcement action that this Council proposes to take, taking account of any new powers the Government promises to make available to local authorities in their published response to the consultation.

 

Councillor Williams spoke on the motion.

 

 

AMENDMENT

 

Councillor Williams MOVED and Councillor Hulme SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:

 

This Council notes that:

 

·         Pavement parking can pose a hazard to pedestrians, especially people with sight loss, parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users and other disabled people.

·         People with sight loss are especially at risk as they can be forced into the road and faced with oncoming traffic that they cannot see.

·         Pavements are not designed to take the weight of vehicles and so surfaces can become damaged or subside, presenting a further hazard for pedestrians, particularly those with disabilities.

 

Action to tackle pavement parking in this Borough is currently problematic because:

 

·         The current legislation on nuisance pavement parking is confusing.

·         The legal remedies available to tackle nuisance pavement parking are unsatisfactory.

·         Greater Manchester Police has previously refused a Council request for assistance with enforcement.

·         Council:

·         Awaits with interest the Government’s promised response to the public submissions made to the Department of Transport’s ‘Pavement Parking: Options for Change’ consultation, but regrets that this response, promised by 31 March, is now over three months late.

·         Anticipates that the outcome of the consultation will be for government to grant new powers to local authorities to address nuisance pavement parking, rather than imposing an unnecessary blanket ban that will be onerous on residents and costly and difficult for local authorities to enforce.

 

·         Council resolves to:

·         Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Transport requesting that the Government’s response to the consultation now be published as promised.

·         Ask the responsible Cabinet member to share with members the outcome of the ongoing GM consultation on pavement parking and discuss how it can be implemented in their wards

 

Councillor S Bashforth spoke on the amendment.

Councillor C Gloster spoke on the amendment.

Councillor Murphy spoke on the amendment.

 

 

ON being put to the vote, XX votes were cast in FAVOUR of the AMENDMENT and XXX votes were cast AGAINST with xxx ABSTENTIONS.  The AMENDEMNT was therefore CARRIED.

 

 

On being put to the vote, xx votes were cast in FAVOUR of the SUBSTANTIVE MOTION and xx votes were cast AGAINST with xx ABSENTIONS.  The SUBSTANTIVE MOTION was therefore CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED –

 

1.    Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Transport requesting that the Government’s response to the consultation now be published as promised; and

2.    Ask the responsible Cabinet member to share with members the outcome of the ongoing GM consultation on pavement parking and discuss how it can be implemented in their wards

 

Motion 3 – Hands off our Peak District National Park

 

Councillor H Gloster MOVED and Councillor Kenyon SECONDED the following MOTION:

 

Council notes that:

 

·         2021 is the 70th anniversary of the Peak District and other National Parks

·         Our precious National Parks represent an irreplaceable national natural resource which provide enjoyment, education and employment for countless thousands of people every year and are treasured and loved by millions more.

·         At present, every National Park is managed by its own LOCAL Park Authority with LOCAL representatives who know and serve the community and keep LOCAL oversight. The Park District National Park Authority includes an appointed representative from Oldham Council.

·         Council is therefore gravely concerned that the Glover Review of 2019 proposed the replacement of the local National Parks Authorities with a National Landscape Service which would centralise services under one, nationally run, new organisation, and that the Government is giving active consideration to accepting this recommendation.

·         Council is opposed to the replacement of the locally run National Parks Authorities because:

·         It is contrary to the Government’s ‘levelling-up’ agenda which involves government decentralising power and working more directly with local partners and communities.

·         The 2019 Conservative Party Manifesto stated that “the days of Whitehall knows best are over” (p.26) and pledged to give communities of all sizes far more control. This Council questions how a centralist National Landscapes Service would achieve this.

·         The move is contrary to international good practice in the management of protected landscapes which emphasises the importance of management being undertaken with, and through, local people and mainly for, and by, them.

·         Locally run and locally managed National Parks consider local circumstances and take account of local feelings and requirements without the burdensome red-tape of national management.

 

Council therefore resolves to:

 

·         Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State urging them not to replace local National Parks Authorities with a National Landscape Service or to take any step which will remove or degrade their powers

·         Ask the Chief Executive to send a copy of this letter to the Chair of the Peak District National Park Authority

·         Ask the Chief Executive to also copy in our three local MPs and the Chief Executives of other local authorities covered by the Peak District National Park asking for their support and/or similar action

 

 

AMENDMENT

 

Councillor McLaren MOVED and Councillor S Bashforth SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:

 

Council notes that:

 

·         2021 is the 70th anniversary of the Peak District

·         Our precious National Parks represent an irreplaceable national natural resource which provide enjoyment, education and employment for countless thousands of people every year and are treasured and loved by millions more.

·         At present, every National Park is managed by its own LOCAL Park Authority with LOCAL representatives who know and serve the community and keep LOCAL oversight. The Peak District National Park Authority includes an appointed representative from Oldham Council.

·         Council is therefore gravely concerned that the Government response to the Glover Review of 2019 suggests the possible replacement of the local National Parks Authorities with a National Landscape Service. This would centralise services under one, nationally run, new organisation. The Government appears to be giving active consideration to this idea subject to consultation with partners later this year.

 

Council is opposed to any proposal to reduce or replace locally run National Parks Authorities because:

 

·         It is contrary to the Government’s ‘levelling-up’ agenda which involves government decentralising power and working more directly with local partners and communities.

·         The 2019 Conservative Party Manifesto stated that “the days of Whitehall knows best are over” (p.26) and pledged to give communities of all sizes far more control. This Council questions how a centralist National Landscapes Service would achieve this outcome.

·         Such a move would be contrary to international good practice in the management of protected landscapes which emphasises the importance of management being undertaken with, and through, local people and mainly for, and by, them.

·         Locally run and locally managed National Parks consider local circumstances and take account of local feelings and requirements without the burdensome red-tape of national management.

·         Council therefore resolves to:

·         Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State urging them not to consider replacing local National Parks Authorities with a National Landscape Service or to take any step which will remove or downgrade their powers

·         Ask the Chief Executive to send a copy of this letter to the Chair and the Chief Executive of the Peak District National Park Authority

·         Ask the Chief Executive to also copy in our three local MPs and the Chief Executives of other local authorities covered by the Peak District National Park asking for their support and/or similar action

 

 

ON being put to the vote, XX votes were cast in FAVOUR of the AMENDMENT and XXX votes were cast AGAINST with xxx ABSTENTIONS.  The AMENDEMNT was therefore CARRIED.

 

 

On being put to the vote, xx votes were cast in FAVOUR of the SUBSTANTIVE MOTION and xx votes were cast AGAINST with xx ABSENTIONS.  The SUBSTANTIVE MOTION was therefore CARRIED.

 

1.    Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State urging them not to replace local National Parks Authorities with a National Landscape Service or to take any step which will remove or degrade their powers; and

2.    Ask the Chief Executive to send a copy of this letter to the Chair of the Peak District National Park Authority;and

3.    Ask the Chief Executive to also copy in our three local MPs and the Chief Executives of other local authorities covered by the Peak District National Park asking for their support and/or similar action.

 

The Mayor advised that as each of the main opposition parties had equal numbers, it had been proposed that this item be  extended by 10 minutes to provide the Conservative Group to proposed the motion as detailed below.

 

Council agreed the above proposal.

 

Motion 4 – Oldham Regeneration

 

Councillor Sharp MOVED and Councillor Abid SECONDED the following MOTION:

 

 

The Government Minister for local growth, Luke Hall, stated High Streets are the beating heart of our local communities. That is why we welcome the Conservative Government delivering over £10.7 million for Oldham from the Future High Streets Fund to improve accessibility, connectivity and to aid recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic.

On top of that a further £24.4 million was awarded by the Conservative Government’s Town Fund.

However, three of these projects, Northern Roots, the relocation of Tommyfield Market and the development of flexible working within Spindles, have raised considerable concerns with members of the public and businesses, particularly those in the markets.

This money was awarded to Oldham to kick start the recovery from the pandemic. That is why it is disappointing that little or no consultation was had with taxpayers, the private sector or Councillors when developing these plans. It is why we have concerns that many of these projects could end up going way over budget like previous projects have done and that they will saddle taxpayers with more debt and higher Council tax bills to pay for it.

This Council therefore resolves:

 

·         That it will properly consult with market traders, local taxpayers and the private sector to understand their concerns with these projects.

·         That any future bids must include other parts of the Borough outside of the Town Centre.

·         That the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council convey to the Town Deal Board (the board), the concerns that have been raised by the public, and the board will, in future, consult and inform the public of any decision to be made.

·         That the board will open itself to proper public scrutiny about any draft plans they consider putting forward.

·         That a special committee is established with equal representation from all parties to oversee the planned projects to:

 

- Scrutinise and avoid wasteful expenditure of taxpayer’s money.

 -To avoid any of the projects overspending.

 - Provide proper overview and scrutiny of these projects.

 

·         That these projects do not go over budget and that contracts and agreements are properly scrutinised before signing to avoid taxpayers footing the bill for a failure to deliver on time or on budget.

 

AMENDMENT

 

Councillor Shah MOVED and Councillor Roberts SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:

 

The Government Minister for local growth, Luke Hall, stated High Streets are the beating heart of our local communities. That is why we welcome the Council’s successful bid for over £10.7 million for Oldham from the Future High Streets Fund to improve accessibility, connectivity and to aid recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic.

 

On top of that the Council secured a further £24.4 million from the Town Fund, endorsing the Labour Administration’s vision for Northern Roots, the relocation of Tommyfield Market and the development of flexible working within Spindles.

 

This money was awarded to Oldham to kick start the recovery from the pandemic. That is why it was so important to engage in thorough consultation with taxpayers, the private sector and Councillors when developing these plans.

 

This Council notes that:

 

o   Earlier this year over 2,000 residents responded to the Council’s consultation on preferences for the town centre, Spindles and Tommyfield Market, with a further 400 contributing via social media. The responses showed overwhelming support for action.

o   A separate survey was also conducted with the Tommyfield Market traders

o   A further consultation will be taking place this Summer, so that residents can continue to play an active role in shaping the Council’s plans for the town centre

o   Northern Roots has held more than 60 direct stakeholder engagement activities, and conducted a wide range of consultation events and activities, ranging from online surveys, to focus groups, to face to face events, engaging almost 1,000 people to date

o   Several rounds of consultation have taken place with key stakeholders and industry experts on the proposals for a new performance space, and further consultation with stakeholders and residents will take place in the next phase of development

o   The Town Deal Board includes a range of local stakeholders, including business people, representatives of the voluntary and community sector, and our major public institutions, and that all agendas and minutes from the Board’s meetings are published on the council website

o   The Government mandated the geographic area for which bids could be made to the Towns Fund, meaning areas like Royton, Saddleworth and Chadderton were excluded.

 

This Council therefore resolves:

 

·         That it will continue to properly consult with market traders, local taxpayers and the private sector to understand their concerns with these projects.

·         That the Council continues to invest in the whole Borough, and encourages councillors to submit bids to the Local Improvement Fund for projects that will enhance their local area.

·         That the Town Deal Board (the board) continue to respond to the issues raised by the public through the extensive consultation that has taken place to date, and the board will, in future, consult and inform the public of any decision to be made, including through the specific consultation sub-group of the Town Deal Board

·         That the board continue to publish all agendas and minutes from board meetings to enable proper public scrutiny about any draft plans they consider putting forward.

·         That projects continue to be brought to the cross-party Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration, including the update on “Creating a Better Place and Spindles Shopping Centre” scheduled to come before the Committee in November

·         That project management systems, processes and procedures continue to be strengthened, and projects go through a robust rigorous gateway process as each business case progresses, as agreed as part of the funding criteria, to ensure these projects do not go over budget and that contracts and agreements are properly scrutinised before signing to avoid taxpayers footing the bill for a failure to deliver on time or on budget.

 

 

Councillor Sharp exercised her right of reply (out of order amendment)

 

 

ON being put to the vote, XX votes were cast in FAVOUR of the AMENDMENT and XXX votes were cast AGAINST with xxx ABSTENTIONS.  The AMENDEMNT was therefore CARRIED.

 

 

On being put to the vote, xx votes were cast in FAVOUR of the SUBSTANTIVE MOTION and xx votes were cast AGAINST with xx ABSENTIONS.  The SUBSTANTIVE MOTION was therefore CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED -

 

1.    That Council will continue to properly consult with market traders, local taxpayers and the private sector to understand their concerns with these projects; and

2.    That the Council continues to invest in the whole Borough, and encourages councillors to submit bids to the Local Improvement Fund for projects that will enhance their local area; and

3.    That the Town Deal Board (the board) continue to respond to the issues raised by the public through the extensive consultation that has taken place to date, and the board will, in future, consult and inform the public of any decision to be made, including through the specific consultation sub-group of the Town Deal Board; and

4.    That the Board continue to publish all agendas and minutes from board meetings to enable proper public scrutiny about any draft plans they consider putting forward; and

5.    That projects continue to be brought to the cross-party Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration, including the update on “Creating a Better Place and Spindles Shopping Centre” scheduled to come before the Committee in November; and

6.    That project management systems, processes and procedures continue to be strengthened, and projects go through a robust rigorous gateway process as each business case progresses, as agreed as part of the funding criteria, to ensure these projects do not go over budget and that contracts and agreements are properly scrutinised before signing to avoid taxpayers footing the bill for a failure to deliver on time or on budget.

7. That these projects do not go over budget and that contracts and  
    agreements are properly scrutinised before signing to avoid taxpayers  
    footing the bill for a failure to deliver on time or on budget.