Agenda item

(time limit 90 minutes)

a.    Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Growth – including the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held 24^th March 2025 and 7^th April 2025; the minutes of meetings of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held 28^th March 2025 and 30^th May 2025; and the minutes of the meetings of the AGMA Executive Board held 28^th March 2025.

b.    Statutory Deputy Leader and Neighbourhoods Portfolio Holder

c.    Deputy Leader and Finance, Corporate Services and Sustainability Portfolio Holder

d.    Children and Young People’s Portfolio Holder

e.    Adults, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder

f.     Education and Skills Portfolio Holder

g.    Culture and Leisure Portfolio Holder

h.    Enterprise Portfolio Holder

i.      Transport and Highways Portfolio Holder

In respect of this agenda item Councillor Woodvine MOVED and Councillor Lancaster SECONDED that Council Procedure Rule Part 4a, section 2.1.3 be suspended, to permit Councillor Woodvine to ask a question to the Leader of the Council, if time runs out on this item. On being put to the vote, the Motion was LOST.

 

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

 

a.    Councillor Shah, Leader and Building a Better Oldham Portfolio Councillor Shah presented her report, including the Minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held 24^th March 2025 and 7^th April 2025, the Minutes of the meetings of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held 28^th March 2025 and 30^th May 2025 and the minutes of the meeting of the AGMA Executive Board held 28^th March 2025.

 

Councillor Wahid, Deputy Leader of the Oldham Group

Question 1: Genocide by Israel in Gaza

Councillor Wahid refers to what he describes as the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, by Israeli forces, in Gaza. The Oldham Group have, he adds, consistently displayed solidarity with the citizens of Gaza, since the beginning of the conflict in October 2023, whereas Labour have remained quiet. He asked if the Leader of the Council will acknowledge that actions taken by Israeli forces amount to genocide and will she lobby the United Kingdom’s government to do the same. In the same vein, Councillor Wahid, asks if the leader will lobby the government to ensure that British citizens who have participated in the genocide, by Israeli forces, are prosecuted under International Law.

Councillor Shah, in replying to Councillor Wahid acknowledged that his question did not relate to the contents of the report that she presented to this Council meeting, included in the agenda pack for this meeting. Councillor Shah stated her heartfelt sorrow for the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza but refused to allow Oldham Council to politicise this issue.

 

Question 2:

Survivors and family member of survivors welcome the U-turn by the Government to initiate a national enquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation. Councillor Wahid refers to earlier meetings of the Council’s Child Sexual Exploitation Steering Group where, he stated, that Councillor Shah had said that people calling for a National Enquiry were jumping on a bandwagon and also described campaigning on this issue as fashionable. Does, Councillor Wahid asked, Councillor Shah regret making those remarks and will she take the opportunity to apologise for making them?

Councillor Shah replied, that the issues referred to by Councillor Wahid were raised in a private meeting of the Council’s Council’s Child Sexual Exploitation Steering Group, which was attended by leaders of the Council’s political groups. The information that Councilor Wahid has included in his question should not have been addressed in a public forum, it the way that it was, without context and which mispresents the discussions that were held in that meeting.

 

b.    Councillor Taylor, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Decent Homes

Councillor Taylor presented her report.

Question from Councillor Shuttleworth: An article last month, in The Independent, stated?that 21% of private rented homes - more than 1m homes - do not meet the Decent Homes Standard, with almost 500,000 privately rented homes affected by category 1 hazards, reserved for issues that pose a serious and immediate risk to health and safety. 

What checks do the local authority undertake to ensure that such properties within the borough meet the Decent Homes Standard? 

Councillor Taylor repiled that the Decent Homes Standard is?a set of criteria for social housing in England to ensure properties are safe, in a reasonable state of repair, have modern facilities, and provide a comfortable living environment.?The standard is currently under review, with potential implications for the private rented sector through the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Bill.   

Locally, the Environmental Health team respond to private rented disrepair cases and undertake a detailed Housing Health and Safety rating System inspections to identify category 1 and 2 hazards.  So everyone is aware, category 1 hazards are very serious and the law dictates enforcement action must be taken by the Council when these sorts of hazards are found.   

In 2024/25,910service requests regarding Housing Standards were reported to the Council and investigated.  

In addition, since the introduction of Selective licensing,477 audits of privately rented properties have been conducted to address Housing Standards.

 

Question from Councillor Lancaster: Question to the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods regarding rewarding volunteers from the local VCFSE sector?
Councillor Taylor replied that each year Volunteer’s Weekis held in early June,it is a time to celebrate and thank volunteers. Oldham’s VCFSE infrastructure organisation Action Together work with the sectorto celebrate the amazing contributions of volunteers across our communities. They shine a light on the power of volunteering, showcase local volunteers and their impact, and thank those who give their time to make a difference. (Volunteer stories can be found here: Volunteers' Week | Action Together) 

Alongside volunteering week, Action Together launched the Volunteer Celebration Fund. The grants give VCFSE groups the opportunity to say thank you to their volunteers, recognising the importance of their contribution & commitment. The fund may also be an opportunity for groups to focus on recruitment of new volunteers & in particular to consider how they might look to diversify their team of volunteers by engaging with under-represented communities. There is a fund of £20,000 and groups can bid for up to £500 grants, with 33 groups awarded grants so far this year. 

(There are case studies from last year’s fund here: Volunteer Celebration Fund | Case Studies 2024-25 | Action Together) 

Throughout the year Action Together provide support to volunteer managers across the sector through the volunteering hub. This includes a wide range of training and resources for organisations to support them in implementing good practice in managing volunteers, which includes keeping volunteers engaged and inspired, treating them fairly and rewarding appropriately. (More information about this here: Volunteer Manager Zone | Action Together) They also provide training for volunteers to prepare them for taking on volunteering roles. 

During 24-25 1,139 new volunteers registered with the volunteer hub, 750 applied to new roles, and 1,752 people were engaged through volunteering events. 

According to the last State of the Sector review (2021) there are 45,720 volunteers in Oldham (including committee and board members) giving 166,910 voluntary hours each week estimated to be worth £82m per annum. 

 

Question from Councillor Murphy: Given the state of our drains, parks and roads and a rising number of missed bin collections – and given the fact that weeds seem to be going untreated, with no suitable maintenance arrangement in place for well over a year now. What does the Cabinet Member propose to do to demonstrate to residents that the council can get a grip of the basics. And will confirm that following the latest round of cuts we will be left with even fewer Environmental Services staff than we currently have? 

Councillor Taylor undertook to provide Councillor Murphy with a detailed written response to his question.

 

c.    Councillor Jabbar, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate Resources and Sustainability

Councillor Jabbar presented his report.

Question from Councillor Woodvine: Councillor Woodvine stated that the spending powers for local authorities under the current Labour government were reducing, so the Council lobby the government in this regard and would Council Tax in the Brough of Oldham continue to rise and, if so, by how much?

Councillor Jabbar replied that the Council lobby the government, on an ongoing basis, to provide more funds for essential services in the Borough.

 

Question from Councillor Charters: Given the continued pressures in Social Care and Temporary Accommodation, how is the Council planning to strengthen financial resilience in those areas for 2025/26? 

Councillor Jabbar replied that the aim of the Council is to reduce financial pressures in these areas by both improving howwe work and working in a more preventative way, in order to reduce demand.  

In terms of Temporary Accommodation (TA), for example, we have worked to reduce the number of households in TA by almost a quarter since numbers peaked, and will continue to build on this work to ensure as many families as possible are able to stay in their current homes, or find an alternative as quickly as possible.  

At the same time, we are working with housing partners to identifyways to reduce cost by using different models of procuring TA (for example by leasing housing), and also to improve supply of move-on accommodation to get people out of TA more quickly. 

The Council is working proactively to address the rising demandacross Social Care services. For example, we are building internal capacity in Children’s Services to avoid using costly external placements outside of the borough. We are working with partners on the enablement offer to residents in Adult Social Care and looking at using new technology and building capacity in Borough as part of the Transformation agenda.  

As approved at Budget Council in March 2025, the demand growth in these areas was £18m and the Council will continue to robustly monitor and review the delivery of approved savings in these areas.Updates will be included in the Budget Monitoring reported to Cabinet.  

 

d.    Councillor Mushtaq, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People

Councillor Mushtaq presented his report.

Question from Councillor Bishop: Could the Cabinet Member provide an update on the latest developments regarding the local inquiry into historic child sexual exploitation in Oldham, which is to be led by Thomas Crowther KC? Additionally, is the Cabinet Member confident that the powers granted to the Crowther Inquiry are sufficient to fully implement the recommendations of the Casey Report? How is the Council ensuring that these recommendations will be effectively addressed through this process?

Councillor Mushtaq replied that, the Home Office is currently working at pace to establish the national inquiry as recommended by Baroness Casey in her Audit, published on 16 June. The national inquiry will be established under the Inquiries Act 2005 and will comprise a national commission that will initiate local investigations with statutory powers. We are expecting the Home Office to announce further details of the national inquiry shortly and will confirm then what that means for the next steps on a local investigation in Oldham.

 

Question from Councillor Malik:  Can the Cabinet Member confirm how residents can find out about and join in with HAF activities this summer? What kind of activities will be on offer and who will be eligible? 

Councillor Mushtaq replied, confirming that that the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is running again this summer, and it’s a fantastic way for children and young people to stay active, healthy, and connected during the school holidays. 

The programme is free for families eligible for benefits-related free school meals, and there’s a wide range of activities on offer—everything from sports, drama, and dance to outdoor adventures, arts, crafts, and cooking. A healthy meal is provided each day too. 

Families can find out more and book places online through the Council’s website or by searching "Oldham HAF". Information is also being shared through schools, children’s centres, and community partners, so keep an eye out locally. 

Places are going quickly, so we’re encouraging eligible families to get involved and make the most of what’s on offer this summer.

 

Question from Councillor Charters: The Castleshaw Air bnb looks to be a brilliant scheme that allows the council to make money from one of its best assets - how are we ensuring that Castleshawremains primarily a facility for young people in the borough?

Councillor Mushtaq replied that, the focus of the work done at Castleshawwill absolutely remain young people focused with the majority of the adventurous activity continuing to be led by the team. 

 Over 8,000 young people us the centre each year for all types of activity including walking, hill scrambling, climbing, camping, kayaking and more recently paddleboarding to name a few activities.   

The centre is also available for team building and as you mention when there is down time is taking bookings for Air bnb stays.

 

Question from Councillor Rustidge: The report says 597 children are in the care of the local authority – how many of these children are in in house foster care? And can the Cabinet Member explain what a Mockingbird Hub is and how it can help to support Oldham’s Foster Carers?

Councillor Mushtaq replied that 54% of children looked after are placedwithin internal foster care.  This is a number that is comparatively higher than our statistical neighbours.   

Mockingbird is awell-established evidence-based initiative designed to support foster carers providing advice and respite from an experienced ‘hub’ carer who links with up to eight other foster carer placements.  The initiative is designed to support foster carers and provides an extra layer of support to prevent placement breakdowns.  

Oldham is progressing well with their Mockingbird project, with two ‘hub’ carers established and supporting foster families, with a third recently recruited.  

 

Councillor Al-Hamdani MOVED and Councillor Harkness SECONDED that Council Procedure Rule 14 (Rules of Debate) be suspended, for the remainder of this agenda item, to enable more time for non-executive members to put questions to Portfolio Holders. On being put to the vote the Motion was LOST.

 

e.       Councillor Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing

Councillor Brownridge presented her report.

 

Question from Councillor Ibrahim: Councillor Ibrahim sought clarification on actions that were being taken to stop the spread of measles, following recent outbreaks in the North-West region, especially with regard to vaccinations?

 

Councillor Brownridge replied that Measles is very infectious and can spread from person to person quickly. Little can be done to prevent measles spreading if people are unvaccinated. The MMR vaccination is the most effective way to control the spread of measles. 

We need 95% of the population to be vaccinated or immune to measles to stop the spread of the infection.  Nationally, regionally and locally, we do not achieve this.  There are outbreaks currently in other parts of the UK, including Liverpool.  

We had an outbreak recently which mainly involved young children in Oldham.  We had seven cases in total.  Public Health, UKHSA, NHS GM, and the NCA worked closely to manage the outbreak and stop the spread.  We work closely with healthcare workers to ensure that they can recognise measles and respond appropriately.  We have a strategic group in Oldham to improve vaccination rates.   It is important for everyone of all ages to be fully vaccinated with two doses of MMR to fully protect everyone from measles

 

Question from Councillor Davis: It is excellent that Oldham does not have a waiting list for care at home services - how will the Council maintain or improve that record during the transition to the new commissioning framework? 

Councillor Brownridge replied that the Council was proud that Oldham currently had no waiting list for care at home services. This achievement reflected the strength of the commissioning model introduced in 2019, the dedication of our Adult Social Care teams, and the commitment of our local care providers. 

It’s important that we do need to re-tender the services, not only as the contract is due to expire in March 2026, but also as it provides an excellent opportunity for us to approach the local market.  As we move into the new commissioning framework, we will be retaining the same core model, because it works. It has proven effective in supporting timely, high-quality care, and we are determined to maintain this success. 

The new framework will build on this strong foundation, with improvements that include: 

·         Sustaining close partnerships with providers, ensuring continuity of care during the transition. 

·         Retaining our commitment to the Real Living Wage, and having this as a contractual requirement, which supports recruitment and retention by valuing care workers fairly. 

·         Maintaining flexibility in our commissioning model, allowing us to respond quickly to changing needs and demands. 

·         Strengthening monitoring and oversight, so we can intervene early if pressures emerge (for example, hospital discharges). 

·         Ensuring social value and benefit to Oldham is realised in communities across the borough, maximising positive social, economical, and environmental impacts on residents and the local area. 

·         Continuing to develop care at home services alongside health commissioners, that are able to meet complex needs.   

·         Continue to work with health partners to develop and expand the ‘blended role’ service offer in the borough. 

Through this approach, we are confident that Oldham will continue to deliver responsive, person-centred care at home, with no to little waiting list and a strong, supported care workforce. 

 

f.        Councillor Mohon Ali, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills

Councillor Mohon Ali presented his report.

 

Question from Councillor Harrison: The rollout of Universal Free School Meals and the National Breakfast Club is clearly a welcome step in tackling child hunger and supporting families. However, with only seven schools currently offering free breakfasts in Oldham, how do you plan to ensure this initiative reaches all eligible children across the borough—particularly in areas of highest deprivation—and what early evidence is there that it’s having the desired impact on attendance and attainment?

 Councillor Mohon Ali replied, that is a really important challenge, and one we’ve been focused on from the very start. The MegaHub isn’t just about introducing young people to the world of tech—it’s about breaking down the systemic barriers that have historically kept too many of our residents, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, locked out of these high-growth industries. By being the first borough in Greater Manchester to invest in this programme, we’ve been clear: Oldham’s young people shouldn’t have to leave the borough to access world-class opportunities.  

That’s why we’ve partnered with industry leaders like IBM, Microsoft, and QinetiQ—not just for prestige, but to give our students direct routes into real careers. These aren’t theoretical opportunities—they’re tangible pipelines into apprenticeships, training, and jobs.  

We’re embedding this work into our schools and colleges and making sure the CyberFirst and MegaHub programmes are accessible, not just to the academically gifted, but to all young people with potential. That includes those who may not see themselves in tech—yet. We’re working with community groups, parents, and educators to shift that narrative and raise aspirations. And we’re thinking long-term. This isn’t a one-off project; it’s a strategic investment in Oldham’s economic future. We want our borough to be known as a centre of innovation, where local talent thrives and stays. It’s about giving young people the skills, the confidence, and the networks to succeed—not in 10 years, but right now. 

 

Question from Councillor Harkness: As a leader of a Resourced Provision, I welcome the introduction of a Resourced Provision, SEND unit and alternative provision. The cost to this project appears to exceed what I have experienced with similar schemes in Manchester. Can you provide a breakdown of costs? Is the plan to build new extensions rather than regeneration of the existing buildings? What will be the criteria for these provisions? Will students require an EHCP and will places be available for young people across the borough or is it for the local catchment area of the individual schools? 

Councillor Mohon Ali replied, thanking Councillor Harkness for his question and for his ongoing support for the development of Resourced Provision in Oldham.

The new developments are an important part of our strategy to expand inclusive education and improve outcomes for children and young people with additional needs.? We have an extensive capital programme of which the three projects you have enquired about form part.? 

1. Breakdown of Costs 

The costs for the development of these provisions vary by site, reflecting differences in building condition, required adaptations, and scale of provision. We will provide you with a more detailed site-specific breakdown in writing for all three projects agreed at Cabinet on 9 June.? 

2. New Extensions vs Regeneration 

Across the wider programme we are seeking to adapt and reconfigure existing school buildings. However, in several cases, extensions or modular builds are necessary due to: 

·         Lack of suitable space within the existing footprint 

·         Accessibility and safeguarding considerations 

·         The need for purpose-built sensory or therapeutic spaces 

We are balancing cost-efficiency with delivering long-term, inclusive and high-quality learning environments. 

3. Admission Criteria and EHCP Requirement 

·         Children placed in these provisions will require an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), and placements will be made via the local authority’s SEND panel. 

4. Access and Catchment 

Places in all provisions will be centrally commissioned and allocated via Oldham's SEND placement process. They are borough-wide provisions, not restricted to local school catchment areas. This ensures equitable access based on assessed need rather than postcode. 

 

Question from Councillor Quigg: Could the Cabinet member responsible for education advise what is being done to address the increasing language barriers pupils face in schools given that a number of schools in Oldham no longer have English as their first language. One school in Oldham was found to have 97% of pupils where English is no longer the first language for the majority of pupils.  

Can the Cabinet member also confirm if the Council produces material and any translation costs in non-English languages and how much that has cost over the last three financial years? 

If it will be discontinuing such services given the cost to the taxpayer and the need for residents to be able to communicate with local service providers in English. 

Councillor Mohon Ali replied that school censuses from 2023, 2024 and 2025 show that the proportion of pupils for whom English is an Additional Language is broadly static at 68.5%, 68.1% and 68% respectively. So, the data does not indicate that there are increasing language barriers faced by school pupils. 

English as an Additional Language refers to learners whose first language is not English. These pupils often speak another language at home and may require support to develop proficiency in English, often alongside their first language. This support is provided in school. 

21 of 107 schools have the proportion of pupils with English as an Additional Language over 50%, i.e. a majority. School level data on English as an Additional Language range from 0% to 98.5%. 

The Council’s Communications Team doesn’t produce materials in non-English languages.

 

g.    Councillor Dean, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure

Councillor Dean presented his report

 

Question from Councillor Iqbal:The free gym and swim offer for 14–16-year-olds is fantastic; is there an intention to continue or expand this beyond summer, particularly during other school holidays?

Councillor Dean replied that the free gym and swim pass for 14-16 year olds rolls out again this summer for those eligible to attend HAF provision. This offer has been available for over a year and will continue for the foreseeable future. The passes also include access to fitness classes at any Oldham Active site. The passes are active for 2 months and are renewed when activated, meaning that access to the gym, swim and classes are funded for the whole year. 

 

Question from Councillor Marland: Please could the Cabinet member give an update on the work being done to progress getting Diggle clock tower and loom works back into use? Local councillors had an update some time ago, but we have not heard anything recently. This community asset had funding ring fenced to eventually bring this back into future use as part of the Saddleworth School moving to the Diggle site. Can you confirm that all this funding is still available for the eventual future use of this listed building?

Councillor Dean replied, thanking Councillor Marland for her question, adding that I should just start by saying that I absolutely love this building, and I’m also constantly asking for updates on where we’re up to during portfolio meetings because I think it deserves a proper use.  

What I can say is that a programme of works has been undertaken to stabilise the fabric of the building.  Refurbishment proposals are still under consideration and engagement with the school is on-going as to any future potential use of building. 

Obviously given the close proximity to the Saddleworth School there are safeguarding issues that need to be taken into account with regard to future uses.  

 

Question from Councillor Arnott: Councillor Arnott sought an explanation as to why the swimming pool in Royton would be closed over the summer months, including the school holiday period.

Councillor Dean replied that due to contractual arrangements with the firm undertaking the works, the earliest date that they could get on site, to carry out the essential remedial work, was 5^th August 2025.

 

h.    Councillor Fida Hussain, Cabinet Member for Enterprise

Councillor Hussain presented his report

 

Question from Councillor Murphy: The Labour Government’s belated U-turn on the Welfare Bill after significant political pressure is very welcome news. Does the Cabinet Member agree that it is regrettable the Government chose to target people on ‘in-work’ benefits rather than focus on energy giants, social media companies, or water company bosses? What steps is the Council taking to strengthen access to welfare for those who need it most, including pensioners and people living with disabilities?

Councillor Fida Hussain replied that while national policy decisions are ultimately for Government, here in Oldham we’re focused on ensuring residents who need support — including those on low incomes, with disabilities, and older people — get practical help to thrive. 

Through Get Oldham Working, we provide wraparound support including skills training, therapy, and in-work progression. We’re also working closely with Disability Employment Advisors at the Jobcentre, and developing new projects like the Trailblazer programme and MEA, which aims to relaunch subsidised jobs for people with disabilities. 

Our approach combines employment, health and welfare advice, so people can access the right support at the right time — including pensioners, carers, and those furthest from the labour market. 

The Council also offers support through the Welfare Rights team to make sure that residents are able to access the benefits that they are entitled to. 

 

Question from Councillor Sajed Hussain: The feedback from people who have used Get Oldham Working is powerful and shows the impact that the council has on people’s lives when dealing with difficult circumstances. Is there any way we can get feedback from employers to see how Get Oldham Working has supported them too? 

Councillor Fida Hussain replied, that the Council is incredibly proud of the feedback we receive from individuals who’ve been supported by Get Oldham Working (GOW), especially those who’ve overcome significant personal challenges to move into training or employment. But you're right—employers are a vital part of that success story, and their feedback is just as important, and alongside the positive feedback from residents, we’ve also had strong feedback from local employers about the impact of Get Oldham Working. 

We provide free recruitment support, host sector-based training academies, and run bespoke jobs fairs to help employers find job-ready candidates. 

One care home manager told us, “We hired 10 people in a month thanks to GOW.” 

We supported Cygnet Kenney House to fill over 135 roles and continue to help employers with staff retention, wellbeing, and wraparound support like therapy and coaching. 

We're also working with schools, the NHS, and exploring 700 new jobs through Iceland’s relocation. 

Our approach was praised during our recent Matrix reaccreditation, where the assessor highlighted the strength of our employer partnerships. 

We also welcome any suggestions or ideas on how we can further enhance our feedback processes — including gathering more insights from employers to continue improving our offer. 

 

Question from Councillor Harrison: The fall in unemployment is very welcome. Can the Cabinet Member explain more about the work done by the Restart Programme and Vanguard? Who takes part and what do the programmes offer? 

Councillor Fida Hussain replied, that the fall in unemployment has seen 420 fewer universal credit claimants since March – which is welcome news. Programmes like Restart and Vanguard have helped in supporting residents back into work. 

The Restart Programme supports residents who’ve been out of work for 9+ months, offering personalised help with job searching, CVs, interviews, and wellbeing. Participants have contact at least every two weeks, often weekly, with workshops and tailored support. The aim is for 36% of participants to earn over £5,000, verified through HMRC. 

The Vanguard Programme focuses on residents in work but struggling. It offers 1:1 coaching, access to 26 weeks of therapy, gym passes, and strong links with Oldham’s social prescribing. The goal is to help people stay in work, improve wellbeing, and progress their careers. 

Both programmes are about more than just finding a job—they’re about helping people build skills, overcome obstacles, and move towards a better future at their own pace. And we're seeing real success stories across Oldham as a result. 

 

i.        Councillor Goodwin, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport

Councillor Goodwin presented his report.

 

Question from Councillor Al-Hamdani: The Government has put forward plans to invest in regional transport infrastructure, but as of yet there is no indication of any solid plans for high-speed infrastructure which connects Liverpool–Manchester section to the Hull–East Yorkshire section. What will Oldham Council be doing to ensure that plans do not reduce the number of trains running to already underserved stations in and around Oldham including Saddleworth?

Councillor Goodwin replied agreeing that national plans for high-speed rail have had fluctuating commitments, Oldham Council has been actively working to protect and enhance local transport links through its Transport Strategy and Delivery Plan. 

Oldham’s Transport Strategy aligns with Greater Manchester’s 2040 vision, aiming for connections that support sustainable growth and equitable access. 

So, while high-speed links between Liverpool and Hull may remain uncertain, Oldham Council is actively working to ensure that local stations like Greenfield are not left behind and, where possible, are better served in the future.

 

Question from Councillor Akhtar asking for clarification on the list of gullies that have been cleaned across the borough on a ward-by-ward basis.

Councillor Goodwin replied undeeaking to provide a written response to Councillor Akhtar.

 

Question from Councillor Aslam: The new EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy is a welcome development, but how will you ensure equitable access across wards, particularly in areas without off-street parking? 

Councillor Goodwin replied that the council is acutely aware of the challenges that we face in parts of Oldham regarding pavement parking, limited off-street parking and EV Charging facilities.  We are working with GMCA colleagues and other district areas who are facing similar issues to help find solutions and work this through. 

We are also awaiting an announcement later this week from the Department of Transport which may assist us with new solutions to these concerns, as the announcement is expected to include £25 million funding support to allow cross-pavement charging solutions. This is a huge development in the nationally agreed highway standards and will  allow residents without driveways to safely run cables beneath pavements for home charging access. 

There’s also the promise of modernised EV signage on major roads, grants for depot charging, and support for NHS fleet electrification, all as part of a broader £63 million investment to accelerate EV infrastructure nationwide. 

 

Question from Councillor Iqbal: Given the significant number of streets visited and inspections conducted, are there opportunities to share that proactive inspection data with residents to demonstrate improvements? 

Councillor Goodwin replied that throughout the year, the Highways service proactively inspects the over 800km of adopted highways according to a planned, risk assessed and prioritised regime– this aligns directly with national standards.  

This results in all adopted roads/streets being visited as a matter of course,with inspection regimes of monthly, 3 monthly and annually, depending on the assessed category of the road. 

For example, in the last financial year over 3,750KM of network was inspected by the Council’s inspection team equating to 8,588 streetsvisited. This extensive regime of planned inspections, when combined with ad hoc inspections because of member/public enquiries directly results in constant and ongoing repairs to the highway to ensure the continued safety of our communities.  

The data fromthese inspections,together with annual condition inspections, speed and traffic volume surveys, inform the capital programme process, leading to targeteduse of resources to improve the highway condition, and introduce effective safety engineering schemes.  

We will review your request to provide better visibility of this data as part of the ongoing review of performance reporting.

 

Question from Councillor Hamblett: IX Wireless is currently under investigation by Ofcom. Rochdale Council have had poles installed by them removed, as have Bolton. While the Internet Service Providers Association has set out guidance for companies to follow when installing, IX Wireless are not a member. There have been health and safety issues with IX Wireless work in Oldham, and the company have refused to respond to concerns from residents and councillors. When will Oldham Council do the right thing, and support residents in stopping this company from having apparently free reign to do what they like on our streets? 

Councillor Goodwin replied that for some time now the council had fully recognised both resident and member concerns regarding IX wireless operations.   

From a Planning perspective, IX Wireless have generally followed proper process and applied for Prior Approval for their Masts before installing them.  I understand this has not always been the case in Bolton and Rochdale, which led to some IX Wireless Masts being removed.  However, the vast majority of IX Wireless infrastructure involves telegraph poles, which do not require planning permission, and so, Local Authorities cannot require their removal under Planning legislation.   

From a Highways Permit perspective, where issues were identified during their operations in Oldham that didn’tcomply with highway safety, Council Officers took prompt and effective action, resulting in the suspension of IX permits and operations until inspectors were satisfied that they were compliant with legal requirements.  Operations were only allowed to restart once compliance was achieved.   

We continue to have meetings with IX on a regular basis, just as we do with other major utilities to encourage collaboration and lessons learnt. During all stages, members and residents were updated.  

We will continue to monitor the outcome of the Ofcom investigation for implications/learning from an Oldham perspective.  

 

RESOLVED:

1.      That the Leader and Portfolio Holder reports be noted.

2.      That the Minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held 24^th March 2025 and 7^th April 2025; the minutes of meetings of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held 28^th March 2025 and 30^th May 2025; and the minutes of the meetings of the AGMA Executive Board held 28^th March 2025, be noted.