Agenda item

(Time limit 90 minutes)

Leader and Cabinet Members to present their reports

Non-executive members may ask questions.

 

a.    Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Reform and Regeneration – including the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held 13^th November 2023, 11^th December2023 and 22^nd January 2024; urgent decisions made during 2023/24; and the meetings of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held 24^th November 2023, 15^th December 2023, 26^th January 2024 and 9^th February 2024

b.    Deputy Leader and Housing and Licensing Portfolio

c.    Deputy Leader and Children and Young People’s Portfolio

d.    Education and Skills Portfolio Holder

e.    Health and Social Care Portfolio Holder

f.     Communities and Culture Portfolio Holder

g.    Neighbourhoods Portfolio Holder

h.    Business, Employment and Enterprise Portfolio Holder

i.      Finance and Corporate Resources Portfolio Holder

Council agreed that the Council Procedure Rules would be varied so that there would be 10 minutes for questions to the Leader from Group Leaders and 10 minutes for the section on portfolio responsibilities.

 

Councillor Sykes, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group

 

Question 1: Environmental Services

Councillor Sykes noted that it was proposed that 30 posts were to be cut from the Council’s Environmental Services, despite the Council’s poor record in environmental enforcement. He asked what impact this will have, if any, on front-line services? Therefore, he asked, does the Leader still stand by the proposed staffing cuts and will the public be affected by this proposal?

 

Councillor Shah, Leader of the Council, replied that the Liberal Democrat group had not objected to this proposal at the Budget Council meeting on 28^th February 2024 and had not put forward any viable alternate options. The Leader of the Council noted that the austerity measures that had been forced onto the Council by central government, since 2010, had resulted in the Council having to make difficult decisions.

 

Question 2: Public Space Protection Orders

Councillor Sykes stated that several Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO), that were in place to protect some of the Borough’s most valued open and public spaces, had been allowed to lapse, such as Crompton Moor, which had expired in November 2023. The failure to have a PSPO in place left these spaces vulnerable to damage and vandalism. Councillor Sykes asked who in the Labour administration would be held accountable for the failure to renew the PSPOs that had lapsed? Are there other, similar, Orders that have not been renewed?

 

Councillor Shah, Leader of the Council, replied that the PSPOs were currently being reviewed by the Council and further discussions thereon would be held in due course.

 

Councillor Sheldon, Leader of the Conservative Group

Councillor Sheldon stated that in 2022/23 only about 94% of Council Tax monies in the Borough had been collected and that not once, since 2014, had the collection rate reached 95%, which equated to about £30 million of lost income. Councillor Sheldon asked if the Council was actively seeking to reclaim this money and what plans were in place to seek an improvement in future years.

 

Councillor Shah, Leader of the Council, replied that the Oldham’s Council Tax collection rates were in the top three for Greater Manchester authorities. 

 

Councillor Hobin, Leader of the Failsworth Independence Party

Councillor Hobin referred to recent successful resident well-being events that Failsworth Independence Party members had been promoting, which had seen the funding of porojects in green spaces, in Failsworth, via Section 106 funds. A wellbeing market was due to be held in Failsworth and Councillor Hobin asked if the successful template for these types of events could be rolled out across the Borough.

 

Councillor Shah, Leader of the Council replied, commending the work of the Failsworth Independence Party members in this regard and she agreed with Councillor Hobin’s suggestion. 

 

Councillor Ghafoor Leader of the Oldham Group

Councillor Ghafoor asked if the Council had devised a roadmap for addressing and reducing the levels of reserve funding that the Council is incurring and reducing the Council’s overall debts? He also asked if local businesses can be utilised to help with the problems associated with temporary housing accommodation?

 

Councillor Shah, Leader of the Council replied, disputing that the levels of reserves held by the Council were as low as was being suggested. The Council did have, as discussed at a recent ‘round table’ event a plan for addressing the housing crisis in Oldham, including the problems that arise from temporary accommodation.

 

Councillor Hince Leader of the Independent Group

Councillor Hince stated that on the day redundancy notices were issued to members of staff, the Council Leader was on social media ‘bragging’ about the new council offices in the Spindles shopping centre. He asked if the Leader of the Council would be apologising to those staff embers for her actions?

 

Councillor Shah, Leader of the Council replied, that she would not apologise for the interpretation of her activities that Councillor Hince has made and that the new office facilities at the Spindles will prove to be a great success in freeing up brownfield land in Oldham town centre for future development.

 

The Deputy Mayor invited the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Members to present their reports and invited non-executive members to ask questions thereon, as follows:

 

a.    Leader and Reform and Regeneration Portfolio – including the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held 13^th November 2023, 11^th December2023 and 22^nd January 2024; urgent decisions made during 2023/24; and the meetings of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held 24^th November 2023, 15^th December 2023, 26^th January 2024 and 9^th February 2024.

 

Councillor Arnott - The Labour Party in Royton North are currently distributing an election leaflet focussing on the contentious issue of IX Wireless developments in the Royton area. Such are the inaccuracies and falsehoods stated in this blatant piece of electioneering with no regard, or perhaps even any real understanding of the issues, the residents group opposing IX Wireless developments have been moved to write to all councillors, the Chief Executive of the Council and the regions MPs expressing their outrage, and outlining how they have been left speechless by the use of an issue that has caused so much anxiety, as a piece of clumsy propaganda.

Following a meeting with residents and the Leader of the Council, facilitated by Councillor Lewis Quigg in December, Councillor Shah agreed to speak with IX Wireless regarding the positioning of a mast on Denbydale Way.  Residents are still waiting for an appropriate response.   

Following requests for updates from IX Wireless from Royton North councillors, the company has made it clear that they will only deal with the Leader of the Council.

Can Councillor Shah, therefore, update the council on this particular issue, and in general what progress she has made on challenging the developers with regards to their planning and practices which are causing so much concern to the residents of Royton.

It is accepted that in many ways, the council is bound by statute and legislation, but other councils and regions have been much more proactive in their scrutiny and more successful in holding companies such as IX Wireless to account.

Would the Council Leader commit to standing up for the residents of Royton North and undertake to work collaboratively with local elected councillors for their benefit.

 

Councillor Shah, Leader of the Council replied, that she and members of her administration will continue to support the residents of Royton North in their efforts to hold companies such as IX Wireless to account for their failings. Councillor Shah has personally lobbied IX Wireless for them to address the concerns of the residents of Denbydale Way or to find a suitable compromise. The Council’s powers though were only limited grounds on which they can be refused planning permission.

 

Question from Councillor Al-Hamdani - the council recently announced funding of £270,000 for the night-time economy, although with no details of how that would be spent.

Could the cabinet member responsible please give us the details of how this funding has/will be used?

 

Councillor Shah, Leader of the Council replied, that funding had been made available on the condition that it benefitted businesses in the Yorkshire Street/Union Street areas of the town centre and work was ongoing for achievement of ‘purple flag’ status for the town centre.

 

Question from Councillor Davis -  the Failsworth Councillors have met and agreed an alternative site for the Covid Memorial that would give it a proper place in the centre of Failsworth, the only issue is that the site in question needs a bit more TLC than we thought, is there any scope to look at what investment can be made to make sure we can do it justice and pay the proper respect to people who died during the pandemic?

 

Councillor Shah, Leader of the Council replied, commending Councillor Davis for the work that he has done in this regard and she confirmed that between £7,000 and £10,000 of funds would be made available for developing a fitting Covid memorial in Failsworth.

 

b.    Deputy Leader and Housing and Licensing Portfolio

The Deputy Leader and Housing and Licensing Portfolio Holder presented her report.

Question from Councillor Adams - The councils of Greater Manchester including Oldham have received notice that the Save Greater Manchester Greenbelt Group intends to pursue a legal action to oppose the adoption of the Places for Everyone plan. 

Is the council aware of the financial risk that it faces by choosing to go ahead and adopt the plan with legal action pending, and has it made suitable provisions to cover cost awards that could potentially result from a successful action brought by the GM group.

 

Councillor Taylor, Deputy Leader and Housing and Licensing Portfolio replied, that she was aware of the potential legal challenge. However, based on evidence provided the Council is confident that the inspectors have examined the plan properly and in detail and that the appropriate procedures have been followed and that there will be limited financial risk to the council.

 

Question from Councillor Sajed Hussain - I’ve seen in the report that 218 inspections were carried out in areas with selective licensing. How many of these inspections resulted in work being required on the property? Does this show that we are getting better results for residents in areas with selective licensing?

 

Councillor Taylor, Deputy Leader and Housing and Licensing Portfolio replied, that 264 condition audits of licensed properties have been carried out which allow for inspections of properties to be undertaken. If a property is found to be in disrepair a landlord is obliged to carry out appropriate remedial work in a specified time and, in this regard, a total of 25 landlords have had action taken against the for not carrying out the required remedial work.

 

Question from Councillor Harkness - there is currently no formal oversight structure for the licensing of HMOs in Oldham, which was raised by the Liberal Democrats last November (2023) at full council, following the discovery that multiple HMOs in the Borough had expired licenses.
This was due to be discussed at the housing round table in February.

Could the cabinet member responsible please provide the outcome of those discussions, and confirm what oversight is due to be put in place as a result?

 

Councillor Taylor, Deputy Leader and Housing and Licensing Portfolio replied, that the Housing round table had considered a number of options and plans for dealing with Oldham’s housing crisis including multiple HMOs in the Borough that had expired licenses. The licensing of HMOs is managed proactively by the Council’s Environmental health service which includes the licensing of HMOs where national legislation applies.

 

c.    Deputy Leader and Children and Young People’s Portfolio

The Deputy Leader and Children and Young People’s Portfolio Holder presented his report.

Question from Councillor Iqbal - Given the increasing demand at the MASH, what are we doing to support families so they’re not reaching crisis point and in need of intervention?

 

Councillor Mushtaq, Deputy Leader and Children and Young People’s Portfolio replied, that the Council screened all enquiries to MASH to gauge the level of response that will be provided and will work extensively with external agencies to secure an appropriate outcome. In doing this work the Council is acutely aware of the adverse impact that the cost-of-living crisis is having on the most vulnerable residents of the Borough

 

Question from Councillor Ibrahim - I’m pleased to see that the council is successfully recruiting new social workers and that the social work academy is going from strength to strength. Can you give an update on how we are working to retain social workers, which I know has been a real issue.

 

Councillor Mushtaq, Deputy Leader and Children and Young People’s Portfolio replied, that the Council has been successful in recruiting new social workers and the stability of staff has been a positive factor. There have been incentives for staff such as a ‘2 year’ bonus, reimbursement of professional fees and greater opportunities for career progression.

 

d.    Education and Skills Portfolio

The Education and Skills Portfolio Holder presented his report.

Question from Councillor Gloster - With the continued persistent absence increase in Oldham, what are we doing to increase attendance in our schools? 

Also, with the desperate situation around mental health of our children and the significant delays in Educational Psychology appointments and support, what are we doing to protect our children's welfare?

 

Councillor Ali, Education and Skills and Skills Portfolio Holder replied, that officers in the Education and Children’s Services were working hard to ensure that school attendances remained high. The delays regarding Educational Psychology appointments were due in part to a lack of funding from central government but staff were currently working to reduce the backlog.

 

Question from Councillor J. Harrison - I’m glad to see that Dame Christine Lenehan has chaired the first Local Inclusion Partnership Executive Board last month. Can Cllr Ali give assurance to members that the Priority Action Plan is progressing and that we are addressing the needs of Children with SEND in the borough?

 

Councillor Ali, Education and Skills and Skills Portfolio Holder replied, assuring Council that the Priority Action Plan was progressing as well as could be expected and that the Council was addressing the needs of Children with SEND throughout the Borough.

 

Question from Councillor Bishop - Students and staff continue to face unacceptable conditions at Newman College.  The building’s roof is in disrepair and the heating system is dangerously unfit for purpose. 
In January, Labour’s own Lord John Hutton was appointed as Chair of the new PFI liaison board. Concerningly, he recently commented that PFI contracts like the one at Newman College “do represent good value”. 
Meanwhile children are being failed and are losing days of education while those involved play the blame game and the school leaks like a colander. 
Does the Cabinet Member agree that students and staff at Newman College have experienced the exact opposite of “good value”?
And what is this administration doing to support Newman College with the spiralling costs and poor conditions they must deal with because of being locked into a bad contract?

 

Councillor Ali, Education and Skills and Skills Portfolio Holder replied, that the Council was continuing to work closely with the building’s owners, Amber Limited and a programme of works had been put forward to address the issues raised including the leaking roof.

 

e.    Health and Social Care Portfolio

The Health and Social Care Portfolio Holder presented her report.

Question from Councillor Charters – I note there is mention of an increase in MMR uptake in Oldham following a large outbreak in the West Midlands. I spoke with Cllr Brownridge and officers about issues with GP surgeries not offering this vaccine to children at the appropriate age and I’m grateful that this issue was resolved quickly. Can we have assurance that every GP practice has been contacted and reminded of their obligations to ensure there is sufficiency of appointments and vaccines, and that everyone eligible is offered them?

 

Councillor Brownridge, Health and Social Care Portfolio Holder replied, the increasing instances of these diseases was a concern. The rollout of vaccines is an issue for the Government to resolve but there had been reassurances from the department for Health that vaccines would be available at all schools and locations were being sought for pop-up clinics at which vaccines could be administered.

 

Question from Councillor Lancaster – I recently met with Marie Curie – an organisation which Elected Members will know as the nation’s leading end-of-life charity, providing hospice care to those dying, and close support to their loved ones.

Marie Curie estimates that, in Oldham, 530 people do not receive the palliative care which they need each year, and more than 20,000 people are caring for a family member, friend or neighbour due to their long-term health issues.

Local authorities have a critical role to play in helping people die well, and many core services are central components of a high-quality approach to end-of-life care. To that effect, Marie Curie have established a checklist of actions for councils.

These requested actions include undertaking a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment for palliative care, ensuring eligibility for Council Tax Support for those living with terminal illness, and encouraging schools and local employers to adopt better bereavement policies, amongst others. 

Will the responsible Cabinet Member commit to exploring the full checklist, with a view towards Oldham Council meeting all actions requested by Marie Curie?

 

Councillor Brownridge, Health and Social Care Portfolio Holder replied, that she had asked officers in the Adult Social Care Services to investigate this matter.

 

Question from Councillor Williamson - As people are probably aware I have had a long stay in our local hospital, and I can’t count on my hands and toes how many times I needed a wheelchair for outpatients and inpatients use. You have to search round for them, and some were even locked up not being utilised. 

Now normally I would not go down this route, but I feel I need to if there had been wheelchairs at the front entrance of the hospital I would not have fallen and broken my elbow. 

Please can the cabinet member for social care to investigate this issue and report back. 

Also parking for disabled patients and visitors is appalling at the hospital. There is building work going on and half the car parking spaces are taken up by vans.  

Surely there is a solution - other hospitals have a dedicated car park near the entrance.  There is an empty former builder merchants ready to purchase which would make an excellent overflow car park could this land not be purchased?

 

Councillor Brownridge, Health and Social Care Portfolio Holder replied, undertaking to request that officers in the Adult Social Care Service investigate the issues raised by Councillor Williamson, with relevant colleagues in the NHS and to report back to Councillor Williamson.

 

f.     Communities and Culture Portfolio

The Communities and Culture Portfolio Holder presented his report.

Question from Councillor McLaren – I wanted to thank Cllr Dean for the work that has gone into the partnership hubs after a range of services are now available for residents at Chadderton wellbeing centre. When can we expect to see the other proposed hubs open?

 

Councillor Dean – Communities and Culture Portfolio Holder replied, outlining the extensive work that was ongoing to rollout partnership hubs and place-based work across the five districts of the Borough.

 

Question from Councillor Marland – could the Portfolio Holder update Council on community engagement activities that were happening in the Borough to help those in the Borough who were feeling lonely and isolated?

 

Councillor Dean – Communities and Culture Portfolio Holder replied, that the Council was doing its best to make services available and accessible at as many places as possible in the Borough, such as Libraries.

 

g.    Neighbourhoods Portfolio

The Neighbourhoods Portfolio Holder presented his report.

Question from Councillor Sykes - Businesses and individuals have suffered massively from the over-extended works on Oldham Way that are now running months late.

Could the cabinet member responsible please let us know what assessment that was carried out for the works on Oldham Way on businesses and individuals when the original timetable for works was agreed?

Could they confirm what additional assessment was made over the four and a half month delays, and what impact they have had?  What actions have the Council taken to ensure that this will not be repeated, and what are the consequences for the contractors of the delays?

 

Councillor Goodwin Neighbourhoods Portfolio Holder replied that the works on Oldham Way were essential due to the condition of the road, the reason they have overrun was largely due to the need to undertake further remedial works that had not originally been foreseen. and the urgent need to upgrade. External funding for the works had been secured from the Department for Transport.

 

Question from Councillor A. Hussain - recently received the Conservative leaflet claiming that Oldham Council has cut funding to fix potholes but in the same leaflet they announced the Government has funded Oldham £544,240 to fix potholes. Can the Cllr Goodwin explain this confusion?

 

Councillor Goodwin Neighbourhoods Portfolio Holder replied that Oldham Council has spent more on repairing potholes in the last 12 months that it did do in the previous three years. The £544,240 funding had been spent in line with regulations laid down for repairs to potholes.

 

Question from Councillor H. Harrison - The numbers in the report about the number of reports of rats & mice are staggering, the report says these numbers have doubled. I’m really grateful that the labour administration decided to make this a free service and to continue that with this year’s budget, can Cllr Goodwin just expand on the work that’s going on with united utilities to increase sewer baiting because I think this will help bring the numbers reported inside people’s houses down too.

 

Councillor Goodwin Neighbourhoods Portfolio Holder replied there is great demand for pest control services and Council officers were working closely with external agencies, such as United Utilities, to combat the problems posed by rats and mice.

 

Councillor Rea referred to a question that was raised earlier in the meeting, during Public Questions and sought clarification on issues relating to gang violence in Failsworth? 

 

Councillor Goodwin Neighbourhoods Portfolio Holder replied that the incident referred to was reported in the local media and that he wasn’t sure why local councillors were not informed about the incident.

 

h.    Business, Employment and Enterprise Portfolio

The Business, Employment and Enterprise Portfolio Holder presented his report.

 Question from Councillor Lancaster - In recent months, I have received a small handful of representations to promote a ‘plant-based treaty’ for Oldham, and I am sure other Elected Members may have also.

I have discussed this with the Countryside Alliance, and I share their support for farmers. The agricultural sector should be celebrated for its great contribution to food sustainability and security, employment, and the economy, and to all communities, urban and rural.

Furthermore, farming must be part of the solution to climate change. For example, purchasing of home-grown produce reduces food miles to our dinner tables, and shopping local is environmentally friendly.

Can I invite the Cabinet Member to reject the harmful approach of ‘plant-based treaty’ advocacy, and confirm that Oldham Council recognises the immense importance of farming? Can I further ask the Cabinet Member to commit that, where possible, all food and drink provided at Council-organised events is sourced from local suppliers, and ensures dietary choice by including meat and dairy alongside vegetarian and vegan options?

 

Councillor F. Hussain Cabinet Member for the Business, Employment and Enterprise Portfolio replied outlining initiatives that were in place to promote the agricultural sector in the Borough and developing and encouraging local supply chains.

 

Question from Councillor Salamat - Can Cllr Hussain talk us through the procurement event the council recently held for local construction businesses?

 

Councillor F. Hussain Cabinet Member for the Business, Employment and Enterprise Portfolio replied that the event, which he hoped would the first of many such or similar events, was well attended by business concerns based across the Borough and some larger companies who engage on projects in the Borough. The event was successful and should bring extensive business opportunities in the future, benefitting local people.

 

Question from Councillor Kenyon - Who signed off the outline plan that will result in the new theatre and replacement for the Coliseum changing from a production theatre to a performance space?

 

Councillor F. Hussain Cabinet Member for the Business, Employment and Enterprise Portfolio replied that this was not part of his portfolio remit. The Leader of the Council, Councillor Shah, undertook to provide Councillor Kenyon with a written answer to his question.

 

i.      Finance and Corporate Resources Portfolio

The Finance and Corporate Resources Portfolio Holder presented his report.

Question from Councillor Hamblett - £60 pay-out at Christmas failure can the cabinet member update the council regarding last Christmas’s Household Support Fund vouchers with confusion about how they will be used, a run at the tills and shops being equally confused as to how these vouchers were offered.

Some residents have still yet to be paid. 

Can the Cabinet member respond by letting our residents know when this mess will be sorted?

 

Councillor Jabbar Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Resources replied that it was not a mess but a vital support service for residents of the Borough. 10,165 residents had been helped by this initiative. The payments were now available at pay-points across the borough which meant that affected residents could access the fund more quickly.

 

Question from Councillor Murphy - Oldham Council staff do a fantastic job for us in very challenging times and most of us really appreciate everything they do. Cuts and the way some of our staff are treated by certain elected members and some members of the public is disgraceful. Oldham Council for some has become not a nice place to work.

In the recent staff survey, there was not one question in relation to elected members, how can that possibly be right in an elected member led council? - where was the mechanism to say how right or how wrong elected members got it.

Can the Leader or Cabinet member provide assurances that when elected members do get it wrong and a member of staff raises concerns the staff member will be fully supported from their line manager right up to Executive Director level?  I know of at least two incidents where this has not been the case.

 

Councillor Jabbar Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Resources replied and reiterated Councillor Murphy’s comments about the excellent work that staff at the Council do. Since the Conservative government was first elected, in 2010, the Council had lost approximately on third of its workforce. Councillor Jabbar advised the rationale for the questions on the Council’s staff survey and encouraged any staff member, who had an issue with Member conduct to raise these via the Council’s Monitoring Officer. Councillor Shah, Leader of the Council, emphasised the comments made by the portfolio Holder adding that any attack on Council staff, by members of the Council was unacceptable and should be dealt with appropriately.