(time limit 30 minutes)
Motion 1
Councillor Lancaster to MOVE and Councillor Woodvine to SECOND:
Levelling Up Motion
On Wednesday 2nd February, the UK Government announced its flagship ‘Levelling Up’ White Paper -a document which sets out a plan to transform the United Kingdom by spreading opportunity and prosperity to all parts of it, including across our Borough of Oldham.
This Council notes that:
- The UK Government has ably assisted our Borough throughout the pandemic, supporting the employment of almost 40,000 residents through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), the provision of several grant schemes available to thousands of local businesses, and in awarding funding to Oldham Coliseum through the Culture Recovery Fund.
- Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the UK Government has already made significant financial contribution and progress in encouraging growth across our Borough, including with a £6.5m award from the Brownfield Housing Fund, a £10.75m award from the Future High Streets Fund, a £24.4 million award from the Towns Fund, a £9.7m award for the Oldham Opportunity Area, a £22m uplift in school spending; and a new £4.5m diagnostics centre in Royton, set to be benefit up to 30,000 people across the Borough, and a £28m extension to the Oldham Royal Hospital via the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group.
- In designating Oldham as an Education Investment Area to drive school improvement, intervention in underperforming schools, growth of strong trusts and the retention of high-quality teachers, the UK Government has clearly recognised our Borough as being central to its national ‘Levelling Up’ agenda going forward.
- The twelve missions contained within the ‘Levelling Up’ White Paper, including productivity, public investment, pride in place, public transport, paths to home ownership, amongst others, represent the right priorities for this national agenda.
This Council resolves to:
- Proactively work with the UK Government in seeking further national investment, including making an application for our Borough to host the new home of the Great British Railways (GBR) Headquarters.
- Align with the UK Government’s ambition for Local Government Pension Funds to increase asset investment in projects which support local areas, and work with Tameside MBC and all other relevant stakeholders to ensure this ambition is realised with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) in our Borough.
- Proactively work with the UK Government, via the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), in the negotiation of a new devolution deal for the City Region.
- Support the establishment of and practically cooperate with the UK Government’s intended new independent body to assess performance and strengthen transparency across the local government sector.
- Ensure that its senior executive staff partake in the leadership capability training which will be made available through the new Leadership College for Government from April 2022.
- -Utilise the spatial modelling techniques for planning which the UK Government is investing in through an Office for National Statistics (ONS)-led collaboration platform and which is to be made available throughout local government.
- -Develop relations with the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, local businesses and research and development (R&D) institutions with a view to increasing R&D activity in our Borough, and to seek to derive benefit for our Borough from the UK Government’s new Innovation Accelerator for Greater Manchester.
- -Utilise the data and information to be made available through the Department for Education’s intended Unit for Future Skills, in order to inform local policies and provisions, alignment with labour market need, and the updating of apprenticeship programmes.
- -Adopt policies in favour of local community empowerment and partnership and to contribute the UK Government’s review of neighbourhood governance accordingly.
- -Support future bids to the UK Government’s Safer Streets Fund, building on the initial investment to the GMCA of £550k late last year.
Motion 2
Councillor H Gloster to MOVE and Councillor Al-Hamdani to SECOND:
Fly tipping
This council notes:
Increased levels of fly tipping at across Oldham Borough, in particular organised criminal, commercial dumping of waste, despite the best efforts of the Don’t Trash Oldham campaign.
The costs involved in responding to this problem, both in terms of the specific Don’t Trash Oldham campaign, but also the necessary costs of clearance and prosecution, where possible.
The widespread upset caused by the effect this has on residents’ environment, the associated health and safety issues, and the dangers of a further acceleration of this problem.
The connection residents make between this growing problem and the increased charges/reduced availability of bulky waste collection and household waste facilities.
That if convicted, fly-tippers can face unlimited fines, and up to five years in prison.
That the Government is currently investigating options to introduce a move towards a permit-based system for disposal of waste rather than registration.
This council agrees:
1. To produce an annual report, clearly detailing the costs of managing this issue, both specific campaigns, and associated clearances and prosecution, and any income generated through enforcement measures and bulky waste collections.
2. To ensure that the report also identifies any correlation between fly-tipping and other social factors.
3. To introduce a credible and effective enforcement strategy, with clear criteria and approaches for the introduction of fixed and mobile CCTV at or near known fly-tipping sites, and barriers to prevent access where necessary.
4. To introduce a clear information and education strategy to sit alongside Don’t Trash Oldham to ensure residents are clear about what services are available for clearing waste, how to report fly tipping, and their responsibilities and the potential for prosecution if they do not dispose of waste correctly.
5. To ensure that the Council’s response to the current Government consultation strongly supports any measures which make it easier to crack down on commercial, criminal activity, and ensure that any revenue generated by this can be used by the Council to cut the costs of recycling and bulky waste removal for residents.
Motion 3
Councillor Arnott to MOVE and Councillor Sharp to SECOND:
Oldham CSE Motion
The Council notes that.
- After a number of significant delays, Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham made a firm commitment in December 2021, that the independent report by Malcolm Newsam CBE and Gary Ridgeway into the response to historic Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) in Oldham, would be published in week ending 28 January 2022.
- Just days before this latest deadline for publication, Mr Burnham released a further short statement, to the effect that the report would not be released in time to meet the deadline, with no further date for publication suggested.
- This series of delays causes considerable emotional distress to the victims and their families and a lack of trust in the integrity of the report from the public in Oldham.
- There is a growing feeling of unease amongst the residents of Oldham, and a suspicion that this latest delay of nearly eight weeks, is an indication that Mayor Andy Burnham is seeking to delay the publication of the report until after the local elections in May.
This Council resolves that:
- This council has lost its confidence in the ability, or ambition of the Mayor of Greater Manchester to publish the results of the review into CSE in Oldham with the urgency and expediency that the victims, their families, and the residents of Oldham deserve.
- The Chief Executive of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council write to the Home Secretary asking for urgent and immediate direct Government intervention and assistance in ensuring that the report is published as quickly as possible and without any further delay.
- The Home Secretary is further requested to establish whether previous delays could have been avoided, and to establish whether there had been any direct or indirect influence exerted to delay the publication of the report until after, or until a date very close to, the local government elections in May 2022.
Motion 4
Councillor Murphy to MOVE and Councillor Sykes to SECOND:
Speed Cameras
This Council notes that:
Current guidance from the National Government and Safer Roads Greater Manchester Partnership means that at least three separate collisions involving deaths or serious injuries must happen on a road before a fixed speed camera will even be considered for installation.
Statistics are not currently kept on non-injury incidents; it is estimated that for each injury incident or fatality there are between are up to 100 non-injury incidents, meaning there could be nearly 300 incidents at a location before action is even considered.
A freedom of information request sent by the BBC Panorama programme to all British police forces found that the road fatality rate has increased by five per cent, the first significant increase in 40 years, and that the same investigation revealed up to 50% of fixed cameras were not working.
Of the current speed cameras installed in Greater Manchester only around 40% are functional the rest are former ‘wet film cameras’ that are still waiting to be digitalised before they become operational.
From May 2022, local councils can apply to the Department for Transport for powers to enforce moving traffic offences. These can include the power to enforce school streets by issuing fixed penalty notice fines of up to £70 to anyone who violates them.
The council believes that:
· One serious injury on the road is one too many and we should not have to wait until a death to take enforcement action on dangerous drivers.
· Fair and appropriate measures must be taken to minimise the potential for dangerous driving, and to identify and stop dangerous drivers.
Council therefore resolves to:
1. write to the Safer Roads Greater Manchester Partnership and the Westminster Government to update the criteria for speed cameras, making it easier to install cameras where there is evidence to do so including community demands, without having to wait for serious injuries or deaths to occur.
2. write to the GMCA to reinforce the need for any non-working cameras to be replaced as soon as possible, as part of the work to replace ‘wet film cameras’ across the region with digital cameras.
3. endorse the 20s Plenty campaign, in line with Resolution 11 of the Stockholm Declaration, which was signed by the UK government in 2020, introducing 20mph as the default speed limit for residential streets – particularly streets around schools.
Minutes:
Councillor Arnott MOVED and Councillor Sharp SECONDED the following MOTION:
Motion 1 – Child Sexual Exploitation
The Council notes that.
After a number of significant delays, Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham made a firm commitment in December 2021, that the independent report by Malcolm Newsam CBE and Gary Ridgeway into the response to historic Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) in Oldham, would be published in week ending 28th January 2022.
Just days before this latest deadline for publication, Mr Burnham released a further short statement, to the effect that the report would not be released in time to meet the deadline, with no further date for publication suggested.
This series of delays causes considerable emotional distress to the victims and their families and a lack of trust in the integrity of the report from the public in Oldham.
There is a growing feeling of unease amongst the residents of Oldham, and a suspicion that this latest delay of nearly eight weeks, is an indication that Mayor Andy Burnham is seeking to delay the publication of the report until after the local elections in May.
This Council resolves that:
1. This council has lost its confidence in the ability, or ambition of the Mayor of Greater Manchester to publish the results of the review into CSE in Oldham with the urgency and expediency that the victims, their families, and the residents of Oldham deserve.
2. The Chief Executive of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council write to the Home Secretary asking for urgent and immediate direct Government intervention and assistance in ensuring that the report is published as quickly as possible and without any further delay.
3. The Home Secretary is further requested to establish whether previous delays could have been avoided, and to establish whether there had been any direct or indirect influence exerted to delay the publication of the report until after, or until a date very close to, the local government elections in May 2022.
Councillor Lancaster spoke in favour of the Motion
Councillor Al-Hamdani spoke on the Motion
Councillor Shah spoke on the Motion
Councillor Hobin spoke on the Motion
Councillor Arnott exercised his right of reply
A recorded vote was requested and taken on the MOTION as follows:
|
COUNCILLOR |
|
COUNCILLOR |
|
|
Abid Sahr |
ABSENT |
Ibrahim Nyla |
APOLOGIES |
|
Ahmad Riaz |
AGAINST |
Iqbal Javid |
AGAINST |
|
Akhtar Shoab |
AGAINST |
Islam Mohammed Nazrul |
AGAINST |
|
Alexander Ginny |
AGAINST |
Jabbar Abdul |
AGAINST |
|
Al-Hamdani Sam |
FOR |
Kenyon Mark |
APOLOGIES |
|
Ali Mohon |
AGAINST |
Lancaster Luke |
FOR |
|
Alyas Mohammed |
AGAINST |
Leach Valerie |
APOLOGIES |
|
Arnott Dave |
FOR |
Malik Abdul |
AGAINST |
|
Bashforth Marie |
AGAINST |
McLaren Colin |
AGAINST |
|
Bashforth Steve |
AGAINST |
Moores Eddie |
AGAINST |
|
Birch Ros |
AGAINST |
Murphy Dave |
FOR |
|
Briggs Norman |
AGAINST |
Mushtaq Shaid |
AGAINST |
|
Brownridge Barbara |
AGAINST |
Phythian Clint |
AGAINST |
|
Byrne Pam |
FOR |
Phythian Kyle |
APOLOGIES |
|
Chadderton Amanda |
AGAINST |
Roberts Hannah |
AGAINST |
|
Chauhan Zahid |
AGAINST |
Salamat Ali Aqeel |
APOLOGIES |
|
Cosgrove Angela |
APOLOGIES |
Shah Arooj |
AGAINST |
|
Curley Jamie |
ABSENT |
Sharp Beth |
FOR |
|
Davis Peter |
AGAINST |
Sheldon Graham |
FOR |
|
Dean Peter |
APOLOGIES |
Shuttleworth Graham |
AGAINST |
|
Garry Elaine |
AGAINST |
Stretton Jean |
AGAINST |
|
Gloster Chris |
FOR |
Surjan Ruji Sapna |
AGAINST |
|
Gloster Hazel |
FOR |
Sykes Howard |
FOR |
|
Goodwin Chris |
AGAINST |
Taylor Elaine |
AGAINST |
|
Hamblett Louie |
FOR |
Toor Yasmin |
AGAINST |
|
Hindle Neil |
FOR |
Wilkinson Mark |
FOR |
|
Hobin Brian |
FOR |
Williamson Diane |
FOR |
|
Hulme George |
AGAINST |
Williams Steve |
AGAINST |
|
Hussain Aftab |
AGAINST |
Woodvine Max |
FOR |
|
Hussain Fida |
APOLOGIES |
Harrison Jennifer |
AGAINST |
On a recorded VOTE being taken 16 VOTES were cast in FAVOUR of the MOTION with 34 VOTES cast AGAINST and there were 0 ABSTENTIONS. The MOTION was therefore LOST.
Motion 2
Councillor Hazel Gloster MOVED and Councillor Al-Hamdani SECONDED the following MOTION:
Motion 2 – Fly Tipping
The Council notes that:
Increased levels of fly tipping at across Oldham Borough, in particular organised criminal, commercial dumping of waste, despite the best efforts of the Don’t Trash Oldham campaign.
The costs involved in responding to this problem, both in terms of the specific Don’t Trash Oldham campaign, but also the necessary costs of clearance and prosecution, where possible.
The widespread upset caused by the effect this has on residents’ environment, the associated health and safety issues, and the dangers of a further acceleration of this problem.
The connection residents make between this growing problem and the increased charges/reduced availability of bulky waste collection and household waste facilities.
That if convicted, fly-tippers can face unlimited fines, and up to five years in prison.
That the Government is currently investigating options to introduce a move towards a permit-based system for disposal of waste rather than registration.
This council agrees:
1. To produce an annual report, clearly detailing the costs of managing this issue, both specific campaigns, and associated clearances and prosecution, and any income generated through enforcement measures and bulky waste collections.
2. To ensure that the report also identifies any correlation between fly-tipping and other social factors.
3. To introduce a credible and effective enforcement strategy, with clear criteria and approaches for the introduction of fixed and mobile CCTV at or near known fly-tipping sites, and barriers to prevent access where necessary.
4. To introduce a clear information and education strategy to sit alongside Don’t Trash Oldham to ensure residents are clear about what services are available for clearing waste, how to report fly tipping, and their responsibilities and the potential for prosecution if they do not dispose of waste correctly.
5. To ensure that the Council’s response to the current Government consultation strongly supports any measures which make it easier to crack down on commercial, criminal activity, and ensure that any revenue generated by this can be used by the Council to cut the costs of recycling and bulky waste removal for residents.
AMENDMENT
Councillor Chadderton MOVED and Councillor Davis SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:
Insert before para 1:
The ongoing efforts to clean up Oldham as part of Don’t Trash Oldham. We recognise the huge impact Don’t Trash Oldham has had and the amount of work that has already been undertaken.
In six months Don’t Trash Oldham has:
However, we continue to see
Increased levels of fly tipping at across Oldham Borough,
Delete at para 1
in particular organised criminal,
Insert at para 1
Including the dumping of commercial waste
Delete at a para 1
despite the best efforts of the Don’t Trash Oldham campaign.
Insert at para 3
and the detrimental effect this can have on people’s lives.
Delete at para 3 and 4
the associated health and safety issues, and the dangers of a further acceleration of this problem.
The connection residents make between this growing problem and the increased charges/reduced availability of bulky waste collection and household waste facilities.
This council agrees:
Delete bullet points 1 and 2
Amend bullet point 3 to read
Update our enforcement strategy to ensure it reflects the learning from Don’t Trash Oldham and incudes the priorities we have identified since the start of Don’t Trash Oldham. Ensure this includes clear criteria and approaches for the introduction of fixed and mobile CCTV at or near known fly-tipping sites, and barriers to prevent access where necessary.
Amend bullet point 4 to read
Work with the newly recruited Environment Marshalls in each District to produce a plan to ensure residents are clear about what services are available for clearing waste, how to report fly tipping, and their responsibilities and the potential for prosecution if they do not dispose of waste correctly.
Amend bullet point 5 to read
To ensure that the Council’s response to the current Government consultation strongly supports any measures which make it easier to crack down on commercial, criminal activity.
Insert additional bullet point to read
Write to Greater Manchester Police asking for any information they have on criminal gangs dumping commercial waste and if so, what can the council do to support them to stamp this out.
The amended Motion to read:
This council notes:
The ongoing efforts to clean up Oldham as part of Don’t Trash Oldham. We recognise the huge impact Don’t Trash Oldham has had and the amount of work that has already been undertaken.
In six months Don’t Trash Oldham has:
However, we continue to see Increased levels of fly tipping across Oldham Borough, including the dumping of commercial waste.
The costs involved in responding to this problem, both in terms of the specific Don’t Trash Oldham campaign, but also the necessary costs of clearance and prosecution, where possible.
The widespread upset caused by the effect this has on residents’ environment and the detrimental effect this can have on people’s lives.
That if convicted fly-tippers can face unlimited fines, and up to five years in prison.
That the Government is currently investigating options to introduce a move towards a permit-based system for disposal of waste rather than registration.
Councillor Davis spoke on the Motion
Councillor Hazel Gloster exercised her right of reply
On being put to the vote, the MOTION as amended was CARRIED
RESOLVED that:
a. The Director of Environmental Services be requested to update the Council’s enforcement strategy to ensure it reflects the learning from Don’t Trash Oldham and incudes the priorities we have identified since the start of Don’t Trash Oldham. Ensure this includes clear criteria and approaches for the introduction of fixed and mobile CCTV at or near known fly-tipping sites, and barriers to prevent access where necessary.
b. The Director of Environmental Services be requested to work with the newly recruited Environment Marshalls in each District to produce a plan to ensure residents are clear about what services are available for clearing waste, how to report fly tipping, and their responsibilities and the potential for prosecution if they do not dispose of waste correctly.
c. The Director of Environmental Services be requested to ensure that the Council’s response to the current Government consultation strongly supports any measures which make it easier to crack down on commercial, criminal activity.
d. That the Chief Executive be requested to write to Greater Manchester Police asking for any information they have on criminal gangs dumping commercial waste and if so, what can the council do to support them to stamp this out.
Motion 3
Councillor Lancaster MOVED and Councillor Woodvine SECONDED the following MOTION:
Motion 3 – Levelling Up
The Council notes that:
On Wednesday 2nd February, the UK Government announced its flagship ‘Levelling Up’ White Paper -a document which sets out a plan to transform the United Kingdom by spreading opportunity and prosperity to all parts of it, including across our Borough of Oldham.
This Council notes that:
- The UK Government has ably assisted our Borough throughout the pandemic, supporting the employment of almost 40,000 residents through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), the provision of several grant schemes available to thousands of local businesses, and in awarding funding to Oldham Coliseum through the Culture Recovery Fund.
- Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the UK Government has already made significant financial contribution and progress in encouraging growth across our Borough, including with a £6.5m award from the Brownfield Housing Fund, a £10.75m award from the Future High Streets Fund, a £24.4 million award from the Towns Fund, a £9.7m award for the Oldham Opportunity Area, a £22m uplift in school spending; and a new £4.5m diagnostics centre in Royton, set to be benefit up to 30,000 people across the Borough, and a £28m extension to the Oldham Royal Hospital via the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group.
- In designating Oldham as an Education Investment Area to drive school improvement, intervention in underperforming schools, growth of strong trusts and the retention of high-quality teachers, the UK Government has clearly recognised our Borough as being central to its national ‘Levelling Up’ agenda going forward.
- The twelve missions contained within the ‘Levelling Up’ White Paper, including productivity, public investment, pride in place, public transport, paths to home ownership, amongst others, represent the right priorities for this national agenda.
This Council resolves to:
a. Proactively work with the UK Government in seeking further national investment, including making an application for our Borough to host the new home of the Great British Railways (GBR) Headquarters.
b. Align with the UK Government’s ambition for Local Government Pension Funds to increase asset investment in projects which support local areas, and work with Tameside MBC and all other relevant stakeholders to ensure this ambition is realised with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) in our Borough.
AMENDMENT
Councillor Shah MOVED and Councillor Akhtar SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:
Para 1, delete “[which] sets out a plan to transform the United Kingdom by spreading opportunity and prosperity to all parts of it, including across our borough of Oldham” and replace with:
“[which] fails in its ambition for Oldham and does not deliver the funding, powers or long-term prosperity plans this council strives for.”
At “This Council notes that…” delete all to “This Council resolves to…” and replace with:
Delete bullet point 1 from The UK Govt to (CJRS)
Insert
- The UK Government has provided some short-term assistance for our Borough in the last financial year – though it has not “covered the cost of the pandemic” as it promised to do. As well as some one-year funding,
Continue with:
schemes have included the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), allowing Oldham Council to design and administrate significant grants to businesses, and awarding funding to Oldham Coliseum through the Culture Recovery Fund.
Delete from a £22m uplift to NHS Group.
Add new bullet point 2
- Take the challenges of the pandemic into account, Oldham Council and its heroic staff have had to maintain vital services despite £230 million worth of cuts to its budget since 2010. Moreover, this is a council striving to achieve more for Oldham, making successful bids to a range of funds to bring investment to Oldham to compliment the extensive capital investment program we have developed locally – but it is still not enough.
Add new bullet point 3
- We congratulate Oldham Council in its work to deliver successful and strong bids and bring investment to Oldham, these include: £6.5m award from the Brownfield Housing Fund, £10.75m award from the Future High Streets Fund, £24.4 million award from the Towns Fund, £9.7m award for the Oldham Opportunity Area. We note that these are only achievable because of the visionary and aspirational investment plans already set out by Oldham’s Labour administration.
Delete original bullet point 3, add as bullet point 4
- Oldham’s schools have seen millions cut from their budget collectively since 2010, if the Government wants to “Level Up” it should start with investing in skills, schools, and further education. We call on the Government to work with us and our hard-working educational organisations who are already “Levelling Up” students and life chances for Oldham’s young people.
Continue with original bullet point 4 as new 5
- The twelve missions contained within the ‘Levelling Up’ White Paper, include productivity, public investment, pride in place, public transport, paths to home ownership, amongst others. Delete from represent to national agenda
Add new bullet point at end
- We and towns across the North know that the occasional new building does not “Level Up” a place. Government must realise that only by empowering strong communities, through investing in people and their long-term wellbeing and life chances will we truly “Level Up”. Oldham Council and Oldham Labour have plans to do this and have been delivering for the last decade, despite Conservative cuts to Oldham’s ambitions.
At “This Council resolves to…”
Delete bullet point 1 replace with new bullet point 1
- Continue with our ambitious improvement and capital investment programs to truly deliver “Levelling Up” to Oldham. We ask Government to proactively work with us in seeking further national investment.
Add: continue to at start of bullet point 2
Bullet point 3 unchanged
Delete original bullet point 4 & 5.
Retain original bullet point 6 as new 4
Add continue to as start of existing bullet point 7 (now bullet point 5)
Retain original; bullet point 8 as new 6
New bullet point 7 previously 9 add continue to at the beginning and delete from the UK Govt to end – insert as a leading co-operative council-
New bullet point 8 previously 10 delete from building ‘on the’ to ‘late last year’
- Add at end new bullet point 9
- Note that while the Government talks the talk on “Levelling Up” it has cut £230 million from our budget since 2010 and so cannot begin to walk the walk while public services – especially in areas such as skills - continue to be cut year on year.
The amended Motion to read:
On Wednesday 2nd February, the UK Government announced its long awaited ‘Levelling Up’ White Paper - a document which fails in its ambition for Oldham and does not deliver the funding, powers or long-term prosperity plans this council strives for.
This Council notes that:
- The UK Government has provided some short-term assistance for our Borough in the last financial year – though it has not “covered the cost of the pandemic” as it promised to do. As well as some one-year funding, schemes have included the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), allowing Oldham Council to design and administrate significant grants to businesses, and awarding funding to Oldham Coliseum through the Culture Recovery Fund.
- Take the challenges of the pandemic into account, Oldham Council and its heroic staff have had to maintain vital services despite £230 million worth of cuts to its budget since 2010. Moreover, this is a council striving to achieve more for Oldham, making successful bids to a range of funds to bring investment to Oldham to compliment the extensive capital investment program we have developed locally – but it is still not enough.
- We congratulate Oldham Council in its work to deliver successful and strong bids and bring investment to Oldham, these include: £6.5m award from the Brownfield Housing Fund, £10.75m award from the Future High Streets Fund, £24.4 million award from the Towns Fund, £9.7m award for the Oldham Opportunity Area. We note that these are only achievable because of the visionary and aspirational investment plans already set out by Oldham’s Labour administration.
- Oldham’s schools have seen millions cut from their budget collectively since 2010, if the Government wants to “Level Up” it should start with investing in skills, schools, and further education. We call on the Government to work with us and our hard-working educational organisations who are already “Levelling Up” students and life chances for Oldham’s young people.
- The twelve missions contained within the ‘Levelling Up’ White Paper, include productivity, public investment, pride in place, public transport, paths to home ownership, amongst others.
- We and towns across the North know that the occasional new building does not “Level Up” a place. Government must realise that only by empowering strong communities, through investing in people and their long-term wellbeing and life chances will we truly “Level Up”. Oldham Council and Oldham Labour have plans to do this and have been delivering for the last decade, despite Conservative cuts to Oldham’s ambitions.
a. Continue with our ambitious improvement and capital investment programs to truly deliver “Levelling Up” to Oldham. We ask Government to proactively work with us in seeking further national investment.
b. Continue to align with the UK Government’s ambition for Local Government Pension Funds to increase asset investment in projects which support local areas, and work with Tameside MBC and all other relevant stakeholders to ensure this ambition is realised with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) in our Borough.
c. Utilise the spatial modelling techniques for planning which the UK Government is investing in through an Office for National Statistics (ONS)-led collaboration platform and which is to be made available throughout local government.
d. Proactively work with the UK Government, via the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), in the negotiation of a new devolution deal for the City Region.
e. Continue to develop relations with the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, local businesses and research and development (R&D) institutions with a view to increasing R&D activity in our Borough.
f. Utilise the data and information to be made available through the Department for Education’s intended Unit for Future Skills, in order to inform local policies and provisions, alignment with labour market need, and the updating of apprenticeship programmes.
g. Continue to adopt policies in favour of local community empowerment and partnership as a leading cooperative council.
h. Support future bids to the UK Government’s Safer Streets Fund.
i. Note that while the Government talks the talk on “Levelling Up” it has cut £230 million from our budget since 2010 and so cannot begin to walk the walk while public services – especially in areas such as skills - continue to be cut year on year.
A vote was 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 this Council resolves to:
1. Continue with our ambitious improvement and capital investment programs to truly deliver “Levelling Up” to Oldham. We ask Government to proactively work with us in seeking further national investment.
2. Continue to align with the UK Government’s ambition for Local Government Pension Funds to increase asset investment in projects which support local areas, and work with Tameside MBC and all other relevant stakeholders to ensure this ambition is realised with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) in our Borough.
3. Utilise the spatial modelling techniques for planning which the UK Government is investing in through an Office for National Statistics (ONS)-led collaboration platform and which is to be made available throughout local government.
4. Proactively work with the UK Government, via the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), in the negotiation of a new devolution deal for the City Region.
5. Continue to develop relations with the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, local businesses and research and development (R&D) institutions with a view to increasing R&D activity in our Borough.
6. Utilise the data and information to be made available through the Department for Education’s intended Unit for Future Skills, in order to inform local policies and provisions, alignment with labour market need, and the updating of apprenticeship programmes.
7. Continue to adopt policies in favour of local community empowerment and partnership as a leading cooperative council.
8. Support future bids to the UK Government’s Safer Streets Fund.
9. Note that while the Government talks the talk on “Levelling Up” it has cut £230 million from our budget since 2010 and so cannot begin to walk the walk while public services – especially in areas such as skills - continue to be cut year on year.
Motion 4
Councillor Murphy MOVED and Councillor Sykes SECONDED the following MOTION:
Motion 4 – Speed Cameras
This Council notes that:
Current guidance from the National Government and Safer Roads Greater Manchester Partnership means that at least three separate collisions involving deaths or serious injuries must happen on a road before a fixed speed camera will even be considered for installation.
Statistics are not currently kept on non-injury incidents; it is estimated that for each injury incident or fatality there are between are up to 100 non-injury incidents, meaning there could be nearly 300 incidents at a location before action is even considered.
A freedom of information request sent by the BBC Panorama programme to all British police forces found that the road fatality rate has increased by five per cent, the first significant increase in 40 years, and that the same investigation revealed up to 50% of fixed cameras were not working.
Of the current speed cameras installed in Greater Manchester only around 40% are functional the rest are former ‘wet film cameras’ that are still waiting to be digitalised before they become operational.
From May 2022, local councils can apply to the Department for Transport for powers to enforce moving traffic offences. These can include the power to enforce school streets by issuing fixed penalty notice fines of up to £70 to anyone who violates them.
The council believes that:
• • One serious injury on the road is one too many and we should not have to wait until a death to take enforcement action on dangerous drivers.
• • Fair and appropriate measures must be taken to minimise the potential for dangerous driving, and to identify and stop dangerous drivers.
Council therefore resolves to:
1. write to the Safer Roads Greater Manchester Partnership and the Westminster Government to update the criteria for speed cameras, making it easier to install cameras where there is evidence to do so including community demands, without having to wait for serious injuries or deaths to occur.
2. write to the GMCA to reinforce the need for any non-working cameras to be replaced as soon as possible, as part of the work to replace ‘wet film cameras’ across the region with digital cameras.
3. endorse the 20s Plenty campaign, in line with Resolution 11 of the Stockholm Declaration, which was signed by the UK government in 2020, introducing 20mph as the default speed limit for residential streets – particularly streets around schools.
AMENDMENT
Councillor Chadderton MOVED and Councillor Garry SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:
Delete bullet point 3.
The amended Motion to read:
Current guidance from the National Government and Safer Roads Greater Manchester Partnership means that at least three separate collisions involving deaths or serious injuries must happen on a road before a fixed speed camera will even be considered for installation.
Statistics are not currently kept on non-injury incidents; it is estimated that for each injury incident or fatality there are between are up to 100 non-injury incidents, meaning there could be nearly 300 incidents at a location before action is even considered.
A freedom of information request sent by the BBC Panorama programme to all British police forces found that the road fatality rate has increased by five per cent, the first significant increase in 40 years, and that the same investigation revealed up to 50% of fixed cameras were not working.
Of the current speed cameras installed in Greater Manchester only around 40% are functional the rest are former ‘wet film cameras’ that are still waiting to be digitalised before they become operational.
From May 2022, local councils can apply to the Department for Transport for powers to enforce moving traffic offences. These can include the power to enforce school streets by issuing fixed penalty notice fines of up to £70 to anyone who violates them.
The council believes that:
• • One serious injury on the road is one too many and we should not have to wait until a death to take enforcement action on dangerous drivers.
• • Fair and appropriate measures must be taken to minimise the potential for dangerous driving, and to identify and stop dangerous drivers.
Council therefore resolves to:
2. write to the GMCA to reinforce the need for any non-working cameras to be replaced as soon as possible, as part of the work to replace ‘wet film cameras’ across the region with digital cameras.
A recorded vote was requested and taken on the MOTION, as AMENDED, as follows:
|
COUNCILLOR |
|
COUNCILLOR |
|
|
Abid Sahr |
ABSENT |
Ibrahim Nyla |
APOLOGIES |
|
Ahmad Riaz |
FOR |
Iqbal Javid |
FOR |
|
Akhtar Shoab |
FOR |
Islam Mohammed Nazrul |
FOR |
|
Alexander Ginny |
FOR |
Jabbar Abdul |
FOR |
|
Al-Hamdani Sam |
AGAINST |
Kenyon Mark |
APOLOGIES |
|
Ali Mohon |
FOR |
Lancaster Luke |
AGAINST |
|
Alyas Mohammed |
FOR |
Leach Valarie |
APOLOGIES |
|
Arnott Dave |
AGAINST |
Malik Abdul |
FOR |
|
Bashforth Marie |
FOR |
McLaren Colin |
FOR |
|
Bashforth Steve |
FOR |
Moores Eddie |
FOR |
|
Birch Ros |
FOR |
Murphy Dave |
AGAINST |
|
Briggs Norman |
FOR |
Mushtaq Shaid |
FOR |
|
Brownridge Barbara |
FOR |
Phythian Clint |
FOR |
|
Byrne Pam |
AGAINST |
Phythian Kyle |
APOLOGIES |
|
Chadderton Amanda |
FOR |
Roberts Hannah |
FOR |
|
Chauhan Zahid |
FOR |
Salamat Ali Aqeel |
APOLOGIES |
|
Cosgrove Angela |
APOLOGIES |
Shah Arooj |
FOR |
|
Curley Jamie |
ABSENT |
Sharp Beth |
AGAINST |
|
Davis Peter |
FOR |
Sheldon Graham |
AGAINST |
|
Dean Peter |
APOLOGIES |
Shuttleworth Graham |
FOR |
|
Garry Elaine |
FOR |
Stretton Jean |
FOR |
|
Gloster Chris |
AGAINST |
Surjan Ruji Sapna |
FOR |
|
Gloster Hazel |
AGAINST |
Sykes Howard |
AGAINST |
|
Goodwin Chris |
FOR |
Taylor Elaine |
FOR |
|
Hamblett Louie |
AGAINST |
Toor Yasmin |
FOR |
|
Hindle Neil |
AGAINST |
Wilkinson Mark |
AGAINST |
|
Hobin Brian |
AGAINST |
Williamson Diane |
AGAINST |
|
Hulme George |
FOR |
Williams Steve |
FOR |
|
Hussain Aftab |
FOR |
Woodvine Max |
AGAINST |
|
Hussain Fida |
APOLOGIES |
Harrison Jennifer |
FOR |
On a recorded vote being taken, 34 VOTES were cast in favour of the MOTION, as AMENDED with 16 VOTES cast AGAINST and there were 0 ABSTENTIONS. The MOTION as AMENDED was therefore caried.
RESOLVED that:
1. The Chief Executive be requested to write to the Safer Roads Greater Manchester Partnership and the Westminster Government to update the criteria for speed cameras, making it easier to install cameras where there is evidence to do so including community demands, without having to wait for serious injuries or deaths to occur.
2. The Chief Executive be requested to write to the GMCA to reinforce the need for any non-working cameras to be replaced as soon as possible, as part of the work to replace ‘wet film cameras’ across the region with digital cameras.