(time limit 15 Minutes)
Minutes:
1. Question received from Julie Heywood
‘I attended the big conversation event where I asked a question of Arooj Shah regarding why she originally failed to declare her ownership of Gelato's ice lounge. The leader of Oldham council responded by clearly stating she had been wrongly advised by a council officer when making this declaration, can the appropriate member responsible please confirm: 1. What actions have been taken against this officer who offered this unlawful guidance?; 2. What steps, if any, have been made to review all other councillor declarations to make sure that they have not made the same mistake as Arooj Shah in failing to declare interests in a business that they own?; and, 3.What training, if any has been implemented to make sure that Oldham council officers that advise councillors are familiar with the law?’
Councillor Stretton, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, replied… ‘that, it would be inappropriate for the council to comment on any action or proceedings relating to individual members of staff. we can confirm that all staff who support members in filling in their declarations are trained and that elected members are provided with guidance and support in making their declarations.’
2. Question received from Paul Shilton
‘Following another incident of treacherous ice and snow causing traffic chaos on ungritted major roads, many residents in Saddleworth West and Lees did their communities proud by assisting the Council in gritting major roads to prevent serious injuries, accidents and keeping traffic flowing. Many streets were identified where additional grit boxes were needed, yet, multiple requests for siting of essential grit boxes have been rejected without consideration, citing a failure to meet winter criteria. Residents have been frustrated by receiving a stock e-mail response that fails to provide confidence that the request has actually been considered. These grit boxes are only being requested where a real need has been identified, and siting should be considered as an exceptional circumstance. Will the Council review the winter criteria in exceptional circumstances in order to enable the community to assist the Council during annual incidences of severe ice and snow?’
Councillor Chadderton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, replied… ‘that it is inevitable that some disruption will occur during heavy snowfall, the Highways team monitor conditions and forecasts 24/7 throughout the winter months with all major roads being gritted in advance, during and after winter weather as they are included in the primary gritting network.
I can assure you that grit bin requests are all considered independently against a well-established criteria that reflects such things as land height, gradient and climatic zone, however we do not place grit bins on roads treated as part of our primary gritting network.
In light of your feedback I have asked that the full assessment for each grit bin request is shared with the resident making the request going forward.’
3. Question received from Gareth Evans
‘We at Hollinwood FC who have been in existence since the 1960’s and provide football for all ages from age 6 up to open age in the Hollinwood. We were the first and the last users of Chapel Road and was one of the main tenants throughout all the years it was open. The bidding procedure for the transfer of ownership of this sports site started in 2018 and we and our local community backed Oldham’s Sixth form’s bid on this site. Ultimately the sixth form won the bid and I believe reading council minutes it was approved in June 21. To date nearly 7 months after the agreement nothing has been heard by Oldham Sixth form. Obviously we as a club have been nomadic for the last 4 years playing a lot of the time outside the borough and are desperate to get back to our roots as our the local girls league. Could someone please tell us the time frame when the keys to the property will be handed over so the site can once again be used by thecommunity for the purpose it was designed for. At the moment the premises are in a state of disrepair and will become a hazard if it’s not brought up to scratch soon?’
Councillor Chadderton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, replied…’Many thanks for submitting this question - a sales marketing exercise was undertaken in July 2018 which resulted in a preferred bidder being selected. However, this decision was legally challenged therefore the Council took full account of the challenge and cancelled the tender exercise.
Following a full review of the site status, the needs of the adjoining school and other uses and the disposal processes the Council decided to proceed with the disposal through an open procurement exercise.
The Council commenced a new procurement exercise in November 2020 and the successful tenderer was confirmed at the end of January 2021, and the contract for sale to the successful tenderer was completed in June 2021.
The disposal of the site, and the grant of a lease to the adjoining school, both require the approval of the Secretary of State. The application was made in November 2020 and a decision is awaited. The Council is not in control of the timing of the consents, but we continue to liaise with the Secretary of State to support progression.
The Council is committed to working with the successful tenderer to facilitate the regeneration of the site but is unable to give a timetable for when the successful tenderer will be able to proceed with the necessary works.
It is acknowledged that the site has been targeted by vandals, but the Council continue to carry out appropriate repair work while formal processes are completed.’
4. Question received from Debbie Barratt Cole
‘Due to recent leaks in national newspapers and Sky News regarding the Review under Gary Newsom and Malcom Ridgway will the council leader Arooj Shah now call for a Full Public Investigation that is fully needed not only the Victims but the Entire Borough and Will the Council Leader now step aside and allow a full examination of all council files that have been hidden from authorities and Victims?’
Councillor Shah, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economic and Social Reform replied that… ‘when the full report is published a public meeting would be held to discuss the findings.’
5. Question from Karl Bardsley
‘Over recent weeks, there has been announcements of early retirements of 4 high profile management positions in the catering and cleaning department at the council and coupled with the lack of staff recruitment over the last year, front line catering and cleaning staff are getting worried about losing there jobs in the near future. Can I ask the council are you planning on closing down the councils catering and cleaning department? If not could you please reassure the front line staff of the catering and cleaning dept that their jobs are safe and not under threat, thank you?’
There are absolutely no plans to close down the catering or cleaning services – the Council remain committed to delivering both services, especially given the importance of providing quality food for our young people and protecting living wage/local employment opportunities.
Councillor Stretton, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, replied… that ‘while members of the senior management team have decided to retire recently, we have supported and respected their individual decisions after years of service to the Council, their services and our communities. Alternative management arrangements in place and teams are actively recruiting to vacant positions.’
6. Question from Stephen Ingham
‘Can the Cabinet Member for Housing tell me what progress is being made in implementing the Council’s Housing Strategy and building more homes that are truly affordable for people on the Housing Register?’
Councillor Roberts, Cabinet Member for Housing, replied that…’Oldham’s Labour Council is investing to deliver the many more quality, modern, affordable homes we need. We will provide a diverse housing offer that meets the needs of people at different times in their lives, championing carbon efficient affordable homes. Too many people live in poor quality housing affecting their health and prospects. We’ve achieved a lot in recent years including the direct delivery of 19 five-bedroom eco-friendly homes at Primrose Bank and a 20-apartment purpose-built supported housing scheme at Holly Bank, Limehurst Village.
Our Housing Delivery Strategy, reviewed at Cabinet next week, sets out how we will lead the way to get up to 3,000 much-needed new homes built on more than 20 council-owned sites across the borough, including in the Town Centre. Unlocking key brownfield sites, they include 140 new homes in Derker and 150 new homes around the former Oldham Mumps railway station.
In Derker. 44 affordable homes will be constructed to carbon neutral standards and 90 market sale homes will be built using low carbon standards. The whole development will be gas free so residents will enjoy far cheaper heating costs.
I can confirm that the Council, as land owner of the other sites, will ensure that at least 25% of new homes will be affordable, rather than the 10% normally required as part of the Planning Process. On many sites the numbers will be higher.
We also plan to build around 31 council owned wheelchair or accessible and adaptable homes across vacant brownfield sites. The homes will be a mix of two and three-bedroom bungalows and three and four-bedroom houses and will be either low or zero carbon. These will be owned by the council and let at an affordable rent through the Housing Register to households with a disabled person. This type of accommodation is in high demand but in very short supply and unlikely to be provided by other housing developers due to the additional costs involved in constructing level access homes.’
7. Question from Lisa Phillips
‘The recent Cabinet meeting agreeing next steps on Creating a Better Place included an update on the Mills Strategy. Can the Cabinet Member for Housing say this will be publicly available and how it will help Oldham deliver a Brownfield First policy?’
Councillor Roberts, Cabinet Member for Housing, replied that…’ Oldham’s Mills Strategy can be found online on the council’s Local Plan Review Evidence webpage. (Oldham Mills Strategy/Oldham Mills Strategy/Oldham Council)
It sets out a robust strategy to ensure the sustainable future of the textile mill stock across Oldham, which considers their potential for future development for residential, employment and other uses.
The strategy forms a key part of our positive approach to making the most efficient use of brownfield land and existing buildings, reducing the need for additional pressure on greenfield sites and reducing our carbon footprint.’
8. Question from Gary Tarbuck
‘I am firstly a father of two children in this town. With the recent further delays to the CSE report being published I, like many fathers in Oldham, have a deep concern for the safety of my children. Irrespective of when or if the repeatedly delayed CSE report will ever be published, the Council knows the truth of what has taken place. I ask the leader of Oldham Council to clarify once and for all, did her Labour Party controlled Council cover up the grooming and gang rape of our town’s children or is it to quote your ex leader “all bare faced lies?”
Councillor Shah, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economic and Social Reform replied that… ‘it would be inappropriate to comment prior to the publication of the independent report being undertaken into this matter’.
9. Question from Neil Wilby
On 8th March 2022, on the Recusant Nine Facebook page it was revealed, in open space, that at least one member of the local Conservative Group had leaked documents to the operator of that site. Can the Mayor, the Leader of the Council and the Group Leader of the Conservatives all please assure Full Council that an appropriate investigation into that admitted leak will take place? Thank you.
Councillor Shah, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economic and Social Reform replied denying that any Members of the Labour Group had leaked any document to the operator of the Recusant Nine Facebook page. Councillor Sheldon, Leader of the Conservative Group, addressed the Council, denying that any Members of the Labour Group had leaked any document to the operator of the Recusant Nine Facebook page.
10.Question from Leanne Munroe
Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in St James ward, particularly around Derker, has been increasing over recent years. A small number of people are making the lives of the majority a misery. I was pleased to see recent reports that one of the perpetrators of the ASB has now been jailed. Can the relevant cabinet member tell me what more Oldham Council, Greater Manchester Police and other partners, are doing to stamp this out?
Councillor Chadderton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, replied…’we recognise that the issues in Derker and the St James ward as a whole and we are working together with partners in the neighbourhood to reduce anti-social behaviour and crime. The Council, GMP and wider partners have been undertaking a significant amount of work to offer support to victims and witnesses, and to take action against individuals involved in anti-social behaviour and crime.
It is essential that residents continue to report incidents and crimes directly to GMP either by telephone or through the online portal at www.gmp.police.uk This will ensure they receive a log or crime number and can be kept up to date on progress by the officer in the case.
In addition to criminal prosecutions, we are exploring opportunities to use civil powers too as much as we can, such as criminal behaviour orders and tenancy enforcement, through joint working with the Neighbourhood Policing Team, the Community Safety Team and FCHO.
This work will continue and where we are able to do so, information will be shared with the wider community on the actions being undertaken to make our neighbourhoods safer places.