(Time limit 30 minutes)
Motion 1
Request for Land to build a Muslim Cemetery
Councillor Ghafoor to MOVE and Councillor Byrne to SECOND:
This council notes that:
Oldham is a multi-faith, diverse borough and that is something we can all be proud of.
The Muslim population in this borough has grown significantly in the last decade, both in terms of the raw number of people and as a percentage of the total population of Oldham, from 17.7% in 2011 to 24.4% in 2021.
There are 7 cemeteries across Oldham, but regarding cemeteries with existing separate burial sections for Muslims, there is only one, Chadderton. Other faiths have their own cemeteries with the borough, for example the Jewish Cemetery in Failsworth, whereas Muslims only have a section of a cemetery.
Within Islamic teaching, cremation is forbidden. For Muslims, that only leaves burial as an available funeral ceremony option. As our Muslim population in the borough increases, there will only be more need for space for burials as time goes on. Chadderton cemetery, as it is currently, has around 5 years remaining before it reaches capacity, and so the need to start planning for the future is essential.
This is a national problem, with discussions in the national press about a capacity crisis both across all types of cemetery and also specifically within Muslim cemeteries, a problem that was in the pipeline prior to, but exacerbated by, the Covid-19 pandemic. Any crisis in cemetery capacity will have an oversized impact on the Muslim community because, as seen above, burials are the only option for Muslims.
Given the looming capacity crisis and the rise in the Muslim population in Oldham, the need for an expansion of graveyard provision for Muslims across Oldham is clear.
What this motion proposes is the creation of a separate Muslim cemetery within the borough to help minimise the risk of a capacity crisis at Chadderton cemetery.
This motion proposes that a piece of council-owned land be identified by the Chief Executive and donated to the community, who will then be responsible for the creation and maintenance of the site, funding it through donations and burial fees, meaning that there will no expense to the council, other than the initial donation of the land.
The Council would also benefit as a new cemetery would ease capacity pressures on the existing cemeteries in the borough, reducing the need for imminent expansion at the sites. This motion could also act as a model for other faiths to make similar requests to the council regarding cemetery space, further easing pressure on the council’s cemeteries system.
This is a system that has worked elsewhere. The Gardens of Peace, which operates in London, has a similar model across its sites, costing taxpayers nothing whilst delivering for the community. Similar, privately run cemeteries have also been successful in other parts of the country, for example Keighley and Glasgow, as well as the Woodland Cemetery in Manchester. Indeed, the Jewish cemetery in Failsworth has this model and has operated . It is independent from the council, showing that a privately run religious cemetery can work in the borough.
This Council notes:
This council therefore resolves to:
Time for Oldham to get the basics right
Councillor Murphy to MOVE and Councillor Gloster to SECOND:
This Council believes that:
Residents across Oldham Borough expect and deserve first class
public services.
Residents feel that services such as schools, maintenance of roads, planning, park maintenance and drain clearance represent some of the most significant work that the council does because they affect the everyday lives of the people we represent.
When residents say they cannot rely on these services to be of consistent high quality, it undermines the trust that residents place in their council and their readiness to engage with services and that the Council should listen and take action.
Pride in service, strong communication, agility, resourcefulness and good interdepartmental cooperation are all essential values in delivering first class services across the board, and that these values must be set from the top down.
This Council notes that:
There is a growing trend of
complacent underperformance that affects much of the
council’s key service delivery and it needs
addressing. This is keenly felt by our
residents, who regularly tell us that they feel their council
“does not get the basics right.”
Fly-tipping offences have spiralled out of control in Oldham, with
the Borough seeing massive increases in offences when compared to
other authorities across the North-West.
Littering and dog-fouling offences continue unabated, with the council failing to issue Fixed Penalty Notices with any meaningful consistency or to come up with stronger solutions to tackle this ongoing issue.
Oldham’s schools are falling behind, with more than half now deemed as ‘needing improvement and it cannot continue.
This Council resolves to:
Move away from vanity projects that do not materialise and refocus
its priorities; directing as much effort and attention
intosupporting basic frontline services as it has done into
regeneration projects.
To take this motion to Overview and Scrutiny to see what can be done to improve the situation and provide a report to council on their findings.
Motion 3
Independent Public Enquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) (Historical & Present) within Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council (OMBC), including the actions and knowledge of Council Members and Officers.
Councillor Hobin to MOVE and Councillor Rea to SECOND:
Council notes that:
The Newsam and Ridgway review into historic Child Sexual Exploitation in Oldham was published on Monday 20th June 2022. The review found that some children had been failed by agencies that were meant to protect them and that there were serious failings in the handling of some cases.
The review was discussed at an Extraordinary Full Council Meeting on Mon 27 June 2022. The public were invited to submit questions to a panel that included the Council Leader and Greater Manchester Mayor. Councillors from all political parties were also invited to ask questions or make statements.
While questions were asked, sadly many were left unanswered, and some wholly ignored. Unfortunately, questions remain. We as a council, and as such members herein, have a duty to protect children and vulnerable people of the borough and beyond. The reality is, until we get to the root of the issue, we cannot move forward as we are unable to ensure that failings highlighted in the review are not continuing.
It is very clear there is significant dissatisfaction from the public and opposition parties with the contents of the report and that this has been further evidenced in the press and on social media. There is a significant groundswell of opinion that a fully independent public inquiry is needed to address the issue of CSE in Oldham, both historically and in the present.
The purpose of the Inquiry should be to fully investigate and establish the facts of child sexual exploitation across the Borough of Oldham, to identify if, and where, public, and other, services had failed and where possible, to establish who was accountable for any failure and to make recommendations for the future.
We acknowledge that Operation Sherwood, which has been set up by GMP, will look into the criminal activity and hopefully bring convictions on the perpetrators of these heinous crimes against children and the vulnerable in our Borough.
The Leader of the Council has previously stated that CSE has and in all probability will continue to occur in the Borough.
This issue is above any party-political leanings. Together we need to eradicate this corruption which lies within our society.
Council resolves that;
· The Chief Executive writes to the Home Secretary and the Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on behalf of the council requesting that they instigate a fully independent and broad ranging public inquiry as soon as is practically possible.
· That the Terms of Reference for the inquiry are set independently of the Greater Manchester and OMBC administrations, by Government and that all relevant documentation including those relating to the recent assurance review are made available to the inquiry.
· That a cross-party steering group works alongside the inquiry which will report to the council and the public on a regular basis and will function as a conduit between the inquiry team, council officers and elected representatives.
Minutes:
MOTION 1 - Request for Land to build a Muslim Cemetery
Councillor Ghafoor MOVED and Councillor Byrne SECONDED the following Motion:
This council notes that:
Oldham is a multi-faith, diverse borough and that is something we can all be proud of. The Muslim population in this borough has grown significantly in the last decade, both in terms of the raw number of people and as a percentage of the total population of Oldham, from 17.7% in 2011 to 24.4% in 2021.
There are 7 cemeteries across Oldham, but regarding cemeteries with existing separate burial sections for Muslims, there is only one, Chadderton. Other faiths have their own cemeteries with the borough, for example the Jewish Cemetery in Failsworth, whereas Muslims only have a section of a cemetery.
Within Islamic teaching, cremation is forbidden. For Muslims, that only leaves burial as an available funeral ceremony option. As our Muslim population in the borough increases, there will only be more need for space for burials as time goes on. Chadderton cemetery, as it is currently, has around 5 years remaining before it reaches capacity, and so the need to start planning for the future is essential.
This is a national problem, with discussions in the national press about a capacity crisis both across all types of cemetery and also specifically within Muslim cemeteries, a problem that was in the pipeline prior to, but exacerbated by, the Covid-19 pandemic. Any crisis in cemetery capacity will have an oversized impact on the Muslim community because, as seen above, burials are the only option for Muslims.
Given the looming capacity crisis and the rise in the Muslim population in Oldham, the need for an expansion of graveyard provision for Muslims across Oldham is clear.
What this motion proposes is the creation of a separate Muslim cemetery within the borough to help minimise the risk of a capacity crisis at Chadderton cemetery.
This motion proposes that a piece of council-owned land be identified by the Chief Executive and donated to the community, who will then be responsible for the creation and maintenance of the site, funding it through donations and burial fees, meaning that there will no expense to the council, other than the initial donation of the land.
The Council would also benefit as a new cemetery would ease capacity pressures on the existing cemeteries in the borough, reducing the need for imminent expansion at the sites. This motion could also act as a model for other faiths to make similar requests to the council regarding cemetery space, further easing pressure on the council’s cemeteries system.
This is a system that has worked elsewhere. The Gardens of Peace, which operates in London, has a similar model across its sites, costing taxpayers nothing whilst delivering for the community. Similar, privately run cemeteries have also been successful in other parts of the country, for example Keighley and Glasgow, as well as the Woodland Cemetery in Manchester. Indeed, the Jewish cemetery in Failsworth has this model and has operated. It is independent from the council, showing that a privately run religious cemetery can work in the borough.
This Council notes:
This council therefore resolves to:
AMENDMENT
Councillor Hince MOVED and Councillor Hobin SECONDED the following AMENDMENT
This Council notes that:
Oldham is a multi-faith, diverse borough and that is something we can all be proud of. The Muslim population in this borough has grown significantly in the last decade, both in terms of the raw number of people and as a percentage of the total population of Oldham, from 17.7% in 2011 to 24.4% in 2021.
There are 7 cemeteries across Oldham, but regarding cemeteries with existing separate burial sections for Muslims, there is only two, Chadderton and Greenacres.
Within Islamic teaching, cremation is forbidden. For Muslims, that only leaves burial as an available funeral ceremony option. As our Muslim population in the borough increases, there will only be more need for space for burials as time goes on.
What this motion proposes is the creation of extra capacity in our cemeteries for all faiths, including those of the Islamic faith.
This Council will cater for all faiths and those of none. There is a duty of care as set out in statue to run efficient and well organised burial grounds. We do not believe it is appropriate or right to gift public land to a private organisation that then excludes the majority of the tax paying public. Nor do we believe that the Council should be allowed to opt out of its responsibility to one section of our community.
Public cemeteries are for all communities. Indeed as we seek to live harmoniously with each other in life, then we should do so in death.
This Council notes:
That all faiths deserve a place to be buried and as we live in a tolerant multi faith society that we accommodate people's needs in a dignified way.
This Council therefore resolves to:
· Accommodate needs of Oldham’s communities through expanding burial sections in all Oldham Council run cemeteries
· Ask the Chief Executive to identify a plot of public owned land in the Civil Parish area of Saddleworth suitable for a new cemetery which will cater for all.
· Make provision for a Muslim section in all existing Council run cemeteries.
A vote was taken on the AMENDMENT which was LOST.
A recorded vote was requested and taken on the MOTION as follows:
A recorded vote was requested and taken on the Motion, as follows:
|
COUNCILLOR |
|
COUNCILLOR |
|
|
Adams Christine |
AGAINST |
Hussain Junaid |
AGAINST |
|
Akhtar Shoab |
AGAINST |
Hussain Sajed |
AGAINST |
|
Al-Hamdani Sam |
ABSTAIN |
Ibrahim Nyla |
AGAINST |
|
Ali Mohon |
AGAINST |
Iqbal Nadeem |
AGAINST |
|
Arnott Dave |
AGAINST |
Irfan Muhammed |
FOR |
|
Ball Sandra |
ABSENT |
Islam Mohammed Nazrul |
AGAINST |
|
Bashforth Marie |
AGAINST |
Jabbar Abdul |
AGAINST |
|
Bashforth Steven |
AGAINST |
Kenyon Mark |
ABSTAIN |
|
Birch Ros |
AGAINST |
Lancaster Luke |
FOR |
|
Bishop Helen |
ABSTAIN |
Malik Abdul |
AGAINST |
|
Brownridge Barbara |
AGAINST |
Marland Alicia |
ABSTAIN |
|
Byrne Pam |
FOR |
McLaren Colin |
AGAINST |
|
Charters Josh |
AGAINST |
Moores Eddie |
AGAINST |
|
Cosgrove Angela |
AGAINST |
Murphy Dave |
ABSTAIN |
|
Davis Peter* |
ABSENT |
Mushtaq Shaid |
AGAINST |
|
Dean Peter |
AGAINST |
Nasheen Umar |
AGAINST |
|
Fryer Paul |
AGAINST |
Quigg Lewis |
AGAINST |
|
Ghafoor Kamran |
FOR |
Rea Lucia |
AGAINST |
|
Gloster Hazel |
ABSTAIN |
Salamat Ali Aqeel |
AGAINST |
|
Goodwin Chris |
ABSENT |
Shah Arooj |
AGAINST |
|
Hamblett Louie |
ABSTAIN |
Sharp Beth |
FOR |
|
Harkness Garth |
ABSENT |
Sheldon Graham |
FOR |
|
Harrison Holly |
AGAINST |
Shuttleworth Graham |
AGAINST |
|
Harrison Jennifer |
AGAINST |
Surjan Ruji Sapna |
AGAINST |
|
Hince Marc |
AGAINST |
Sykes Howard |
ABSTAIN |
|
Hindle Neil |
AGAINST |
Taylor Elaine |
AGAINST |
|
Hobin Brian |
AGAINST |
Wahid Abdul |
FOR |
|
Hurley Maggie |
AGAINST |
Williamson Diane |
ABSTAIN |
|
Hussain Aftab |
AGAINST |
Woodvine Max |
FOR |
|
Hussain Fida |
AGAINST |
Chauhan Zahid (MAYOR) |
AGAINST |
*Councillor Davis having earlier an interest in this agenda item and he left during the room during the consideration of this Motion.
On a recorded VOTE being taken 8 VOTES were cast in FAVOUR of the MOTION with 39 VOTES cast AGAINST and there were 9 ABSTENTIONS. The MOTION was therefore LOST.
Motion 2 - Time for Oldham to get the basics right
Councillor Murphy MOVED and Councillor Gloster to SECONDED the following Motion:
This Council believes that:
Residents across Oldham Borough expect and deserve first class
public services. Residents feel that services such as schools,
maintenance of roads, planning, park maintenance and drain
clearance represent some of the most significant work that the
council does because they affect the everyday lives of the people
we represent.
When residents say they cannot rely on these services to be of consistent high quality, it undermines the trust that residents place in their council and their readiness to engage with services and that the Council should listen and take action.
Pride in service, strong communication, agility, resourcefulness and good interdepartmental cooperation are all essential values in delivering first class services across the board, and that these values must be set from the top down.
This Council notes that:
There is a growing trend of
complacent underperformance that affects much of the
council’s key service delivery and it needs
addressing. This is keenly felt by our
residents, who regularly tell us that they feel their council
“does not get the basics right.”
Fly-tipping offences have spiralled out of control in Oldham, with
the Borough seeing massive increases in offences when compared to
other authorities across the North-West.
Littering and dog-fouling offences continue unabated, with the council failing to issue Fixed Penalty Notices with any meaningful consistency or to come up with stronger solutions to tackle this ongoing issue.
Oldham’s schools are falling behind, with more than half now deemed as ‘needing improvement and it cannot continue.
This Council resolves to:
Move away from vanity projects that do not materialise and refocus
its priorities; directing as much effort and attention
intosupporting basic frontline services as it has done into
regeneration projects.
To take this motion to Overview and Scrutiny to see what can be done to improve the situation and provide a report to council on their findings.
On being put to the vote the MOTION was LOST.
Motion 3 - Independent Public Enquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) (Historical & Present) within Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council (OMBC), including the actions and knowledge of Council Members and Officers.
Councillor Hobin MOVED and Councillor Rea SECONDED the following Motion:
Council notes that:
The Newsam and Ridgway review into historic Child Sexual Exploitation in Oldham was published on Monday 20th June 2022. The review found that some children had been failed by agencies that were meant to protect them and that there were serious failings in the handling of some cases.
The review was discussed at an Extraordinary Full Council Meeting on Mon 27 June 2022. The public were invited to submit questions to a panel that included the Council Leader and Greater Manchester Mayor. Councillors from all political parties were also invited to ask questions or make statements.
While questions were asked, sadly many were left unanswered, and some wholly ignored. Unfortunately, questions remain. We as a council, and as such members herein, have a duty to protect children and vulnerable people of the borough and beyond. The reality is, until we get to the root of the issue, we cannot move forward as we are unable to ensure that failings highlighted in the review are not continuing.
It is very clear there is significant dissatisfaction from the public and opposition parties with the contents of the report and that this has been further evidenced in the press and on social media. There is a significant groundswell of opinion that a fully independent public inquiry is needed to address the issue of CSE in Oldham, both historically and in the present.
The purpose of the Inquiry should be to fully investigate and establish the facts of child sexual exploitation across the Borough of Oldham, to identify if, and where, public, and other, services had failed and where possible, to establish who was accountable for any failure and to make recommendations for the future.
We acknowledge that Operation Sherwood, which has been set up by GMP, will look into the criminal activity and hopefully bring convictions on the perpetrators of these heinous crimes against children and the vulnerable in our Borough.
The Leader of the Council has previously stated that CSE has and in all probability will continue to occur in the Borough.
This issue is above any party-political leanings. Together we need to eradicate this corruption which lies within our society.
Council resolves that;
· The Chief Executive writes to the Home Secretary and the Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on behalf of the council requesting that they instigate a fully independent and broad ranging public inquiry as soon as is practically possible.
· That the Terms of Reference for the inquiry are set independently of the Greater Manchester and OMBC administrations, by Government and that all relevant documentation including those relating to the recent assurance review are made available to the inquiry.
· That a cross-party steering group works alongside the inquiry which will report to the council and the public on a regular basis and will function as a conduit between the inquiry team, council officers and elected representatives.
A recorded vote was requested and taken on the Motion, as follows:
|
COUNCILLOR |
|
COUNCILLOR |
|
|
Adams Christine |
FOR |
Hussain Junaid |
AGAINST |
|
Akhtar Shoab |
AGAINST |
Hussain Sajed |
AGAINST |
|
Al-Hamdani Sam |
FOR |
Ibrahim Nyla |
AGAINST |
|
Ali Mohon |
AGAINST |
Iqbal Nadeem |
AGAINST |
|
Arnott Dave |
FOR |
Irfan Muhammed |
FOR |
|
Ball Sandra |
ABSENT |
Islam Mohammed Nazrul |
AGAINST |
|
Bashforth Marie |
AGAINST |
Jabbar Abdul |
AGAINST |
|
Bashforth Steven |
AGAINST |
Kenyon Mark |
FOR |
|
Birch Ros |
AGAINST |
Lancaster Luke |
FOR |
|
Bishop Helen |
FOR |
Malik Abdul |
AGAINST |
|
Brownridge Barbara |
AGAINST |
Marland Alicia |
FOR |
|
Byrne Pam |
FOR |
McLaren Colin |
AGAINST |
|
Charters Josh |
AGAINST |
Moores Eddie |
AGAINST |
|
Cosgrove Angela |
AGAINST |
Murphy Dave |
FOR |
|
Davis Peter |
AGAINST |
Mushtaq Shaid |
AGAINST |
|
Dean Peter |
AGAINST |
Nasheen Umar |
AGAINST |
|
Fryer Paul |
AGAINST |
Quigg Lewis |
FOR |
|
Ghafoor Kamran |
FOR |
Rea Lucia |
FOR |
|
Gloster Hazel |
FOR |
Salamat Ali Aqeel |
AGAINST |
|
Goodwin Chris |
ABSENT |
Shah Arooj |
AGAINST |
|
Hamblett Louie |
FOR |
Sharp Beth |
FOR |
|
Harkness Garth |
ABSENT |
Sheldon Graham |
FOR |
|
Harrison Holly |
AGAINST |
Shuttleworth Graham |
AGAINST |
|
Harrison Jennifer |
AGAINST |
Surjan Ruji Sapna |
AGAINST |
|
Hince Marc |
FOR |
Sykes Howard |
FOR |
|
Hindle Neil |
FOR |
Taylor Elaine |
AGAINST |
|
Hobin Brian |
FOR |
Wahid Abdul |
FOR |
|
Hurley Maggie |
FOR |
Williamson Diane |
FOR |
|
Hussain Aftab |
AGAINST |
Woodvine Max |
FOR |
|
Hussain Fida |
AGAINST |
Chauhan Zahid (MAYOR) |
AGAINST |
.
On a recorded VOTE being taken 25 VOTES were cast in FAVOUR of the MOTION with 32 VOTES cast AGAINST and there were 0 ABSTENTIONS. The MOTION was therefore LOST.