Agenda item

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1: Adult Neurodevelopmental Assessment and Support

To be Moved by: Councillor Bishop
To be Seconded by: Councillor Harkness

 

The council notes that:

There is currently no NHS provision for adults in Oldham who have a neurological condition such as Autism, ADHD or Dyspraxia, to access diagnostic or appropriate therapeutic support. There has been no statutory support offer for neurodivergent adults in Oldham for years, and the result has had severe repercussions for our mental health services, who see many presentations from people who fall into this category and have not been able to cope with their condition without therapeutic support and intervention. It has also meant additional pressure for their carers, parents or families who are left to pick up the pieces and try to manage as best they can, often with no training or support themselves.

 

Currently, Northern Care Alliance’s (NCA) Paediatric Services provide assessment and diagnosis for children aged 0-18 years, diagnosing and planning the care management for children with neuro-developmental concerns, neuro-disabilities or complex health needs. Once diagnosed, children and young people with neurodevelopmental conditions have historically had an annual appointment with a consultant paediatrician, who assesses their ongoing needs and in turn signposts them to additional therapeutic services where appropriate. However, once they turn 18, they are discharged and there is no transitional support nor an adult equivalent service and those adults who are undiagnosed have no access to an assessment pathway at all.

 

On the NHS own website, it states, ‘We know that with earlier, well-targeted community support, many admissions and long stays in mental health inpatient units could potentially be avoided.’ So, this situation is not just an ethical one, it is also a pragmatic and a fiscally prudent one. With recognition and support, we could reduce the costs associated with mental health burnout, breakdowns and crisis presentations, as well as the number of people experiencing extreme distress.

 

Autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions are not something which only affect children. In fact, recent research has suggested that as many as 90% of adults who have Autism are undiagnosed. Additionally, according to a study by Willis Towers Watson (WTW), nearly three-quarters (70 per cent) of neurodivergent employees experience mental health issues. Therefore, there is a real impact upon productivity, absence rates and wellbeing in the workforce and avoiding addressing it is only compounding the problem.

 

Currently, if an adult visits their GP to request an assessment, they are directed towards the Right to Choose option, which invites them to access private provision. The problem with this is that it provides barriers to accessing future NHS support and medication if necessary. In other words, it is not a choice, and many vulnerable people are being failed, and our mental health services and economy are suffering the consequences, as well as those individuals experiencing distress.

 

The council further notes that:

•      There is currently no diagnostic or therapeutic support pathway for adults with a neurodevelopmental condition in Oldham.

•      The lack of such a service for adults with a neurodevelopmental condition is having a detrimental effect on the individuals themselves, their carers/families, mental health services and the local economy.

•      A significant percentage of those people presenting at A&E in mental health crisis are neurodivergent and it is important for many reasons to take proactive steps to reduce this.

 

The council resolves to:

1.    Work closely with the local health care authorities to support the expedition of the commissioning of a suitable assessment and therapeutic provision for neurodivergent adults in Oldham.

2.    Work closely with local health care authorities to provide a timeframe for actioning the commissioning of this service and to provide a suitable strategy for dealing with the backlog that many years with a lack of this service has resulted in.

3.    Commission a report for scrutiny on supporting adults with neurological developmental conditions within the community in the borough of Oldham, with suggested approaches to for further ways to achieve this.

 

 

Motion 2: Investing in Coldhurst: Resurfacing West End Street Pitch and Reclaiming Merton Fields for Open Community Use

To be Moved by Councillor Abdul Wahid
To be seconded by Councillor Montaz Ali Azad

 

Council Notes:

1.            Historic and Ongoing Underinvestment in Coldhurst Community Facilities. Coldhurst has experienced long-standing neglect in relation to youth and community sports infrastructure. Notably, the closure of Robin Hill Youth Centre — followed by the sale of the site to a private developer — resulted in the permanent loss of a vital youth provision hub. The play space adjoining the site has since deteriorated and is now deemed unplayable.

2.            Condition of West End Street Weather Pitch. The pitch at West End Street, once a popular and well-used grassroots football and recreation space, has fallen into disrepair. The surface is cracked, drainage is poor, and markings are faded — making it unsafe and unfit for its intended use.

3.            Community Effort and Engagement. In 2024–25, local volunteers, youth groups, and councillors began efforts to clean and reclaim the West End pitch. These community-led actions show a strong appetite for investment and governance of grassroots sports infrastructure.

4.            Council’s SportsTown Investment and Community Commitments. The Council has committed £6 million as part of the first phase of a £70 million “SportsTown” regeneration programme, which includes:

·                     £5 million from the Community Regeneration Fund to develop a new 3G pitch at Little Wembley, a new stand at Boundary Park, and supporting facilities.

·                     £1 million from Oldham Council for a new stitched pitch at Boundary Park and to secure a permanent base for Oldham Rugby League Football Club.

·                     Public commitments that SportsTown will benefit community access borough-wide, including increased opportunities for education, health, and sport.

5.            Merton Fields – A Missed Opportunity. Another key green space in Coldhurst, Merton Fields, has been leased to Hulme Grammar School. However, the land remains undeveloped and unused. In light of recent financial pressures facing private schools — including VAT changes on tuition fees — Hulme Grammar appears to be selling off assets rather than investing in facilities. This includes no plans for Merton Fields, which has significant potential to be developed as an open-access, community field.

 

Council Believes:

·                     That open-access, local sports facilities such as West End Street pitch and Merton Fields should be fully explored as part of Oldham’s wider ambitions for health, youth development, and community regeneration.

·                     That the borough’s regeneration strategies must include local, ward-level opportunities for inclusive sport and recreation.

·                     That it is in the public interest for the Council to review existing leases, funding options, and strategic opportunities for both sites in consultation with community stakeholders

Council Resolves to:

1.            Request that officers prepare a report for Cabinet and/or the Communities & Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Committee within six months, which will:

a.            Assess the current physical condition, legal arrangements, and ownership or lease status of:

b.            Explore opportunities to:

c.            Consider how existing and future government regeneration funding streams might be aligned with the improvement of community sports assets at ward level.

d.            Consult relevant community organisations, residents, and funding bodies in developing options.

·                     West End Street pitch (Coldhurst)

·                     Merton Fields (Hollinwood)

·                     Secure investment or external funding to improve access and quality of both sites

·                     Review or renegotiate lease arrangements if aligned with community benefit

·                     Develop open-access use models that prioritise youth, health, and local sport

2.            Ensure that any resulting recommendations are inclusive, transparent, and aimed at increasing the quality and accessibility of recreational spaces in Coldhurst and Hollinwood.

 

Motion 3: A revision of the ‘Don’t Trash Oldham’ Policy with regards to Gully Clearing

To be Moved by Councillor Byrne
To be seconded by Councillor Lancaster

 

This Motion asks for a revision of the ‘Don’t Trash Oldham’ Policy with regards to Gully Clearing.

 

This Policy sounded wonderful at the outset of DTO – to have a team in your Ward to not only flush out gullies but to remove detritus in those overgrown and those long forgotten and even tarmacked over.

 

We are now in our 3^rd fiscal year and last week my Ward of Saddleworth North has just begun. Alexandra Ward who were first must be suffering by now. In the past 18 months there has been some exceptional rainfall in the whole of the borough and the consequences of not clearing gullies, unless it floods properties, is a false economy.

 

Water does two things – has a life of its own and flows downhill- so damage can be much lower down than the gully. These gullies that feed into culverts need cleaning annually as it used to be.

 

There are many culverts which are still old Victorian even Georgian ones and when not running clearly present problems and thus expense. During downpours the culverts overflow and can cause considerable damage – often to private property as well as danger to traffic on the roads it flows into.

 

During these downpours old hillside water courses spring into life and blocked gullies add to this problem endangering property and making road surfaces unsafe and downright dangerous. Oldham and Saddleworth has few flat bits and more hills and our engineers who know water should be listened to.

 

This policy while achieving at the beginning has now lost its momentum and the damage from consequential flooding- with its cost is no longer working as was intended.

Motion 1: Adult Neurodevelopmental Assessment and Support

Councillor Bishop MOVED and Councillor Harkness SECONDED the following Motion:

The council notes that:

There is currently no NHS provision for adults in Oldham who have a neurological condition such as Autism, ADHD or Dyspraxia, to access diagnostic or appropriate therapeutic support. There has been no statutory support offer for neurodivergent adults in Oldham for years, and the result has had severe repercussions for our mental health services, who see many presentations from people who fall into this category and have not been able to cope with their condition without therapeutic support and intervention. It has also meant additional pressure for their carers, parents or families who are left to pick up the pieces and try to manage as best they can, often with no training or support themselves.

 

Currently, Northern Care Alliance’s (NCA) Paediatric Services provide assessment and diagnosis for children aged 0-18 years, diagnosing and planning the care management for children with neuro-developmental concerns, neuro-disabilities or complex health needs. Once diagnosed, children and young people with neurodevelopmental conditions have historically had an annual appointment with a consultant paediatrician, who assesses their ongoing needs and in turn signposts them to additional therapeutic services where appropriate. However, once they turn 18, they are discharged and there is no transitional support nor an adult equivalent service and those adults who are undiagnosed have no access to an assessment pathway at all.

 

On the NHS’s own website, it states, ‘We know that with earlier, well-targeted community support, many admissions and long stays in mental health inpatient units could potentially be avoided.’ So, this situation is not just an ethical one, it is also a pragmatic and a fiscally prudent one. With recognition and support, we could reduce the costs associated with mental health burnout, breakdowns and crisis presentations, as well as the number of people experiencing extreme distress.

 

Autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions are not something which only affect children. In fact, recent research has suggested that as many as 90% of adults who have Autism are undiagnosed. Additionally, according to a study by Willis Towers Watson (WTW), nearly three-quarters (70 per cent) of neurodivergent employees experience mental health issues. Therefore, there is a real impact upon productivity, absence rates and wellbeing in the workforce and avoiding addressing it is only compounding the problem.

 

Currently, if an adult visits their GP to request an assessment, they are directed towards the Right to Choose option, which invites them to access private provision. The problem with this is that it provides barriers to accessing future NHS support and medication if necessary. In other words, it is not a choice, and many vulnerable people are being failed, and our mental health services and economy are suffering the consequences, as well as those individuals experiencing distress.

 

The council further notes that:

•      There is currently no diagnostic or therapeutic support pathway for adults with a neurodevelopmental condition in Oldham.

•      The lack of such a service for adults with a neurodevelopmental condition is having a detrimental effect on the individuals themselves, their carers/families, mental health services and the local economy.

•      A significant percentage of those people presenting at A&E in mental health crisis are neurodivergent and it is important for many reasons to take proactive steps to reduce this.

 

The council resolves to:

1.    Work closely with the local health care authorities to support the expedition of the commissioning of a suitable assessment and therapeutic provision for neurodivergent adults in Oldham.

2.    Work closely with local health care authorities to provide a timeframe for actioning the commissioning of this service and to provide a suitable strategy for dealing with the backlog that many years with a lack of this service has resulted in.

3.    Commission a report for scrutiny on supporting adults with neurological developmental conditions within the community in the borough of Oldham, with suggested approaches to for further ways to achieve this.

 

AMENDMENT

Councillor Brownridge MOVED and Councillor Rustidge SECONDED the following AMENDMENT

 

The council notes that:

Currently the NHS provision for adults in Oldham who have a neurological condition such as Autism, ADHD or Dyspraxia, to access diagnostic or appropriate therapeutic support is provided by Right to Choose. Optimise Health Care is in the process of being contracted to undertake ADHD and autism diagnosis work in Oldham. This is to ensure continuity of support in the borough until NHS Greater Manchester puts a new triage process and pathway for assessment and diagnosis in place across the county.

 

Currently, Northern Care Alliance’s (NCA) Paediatric Services provide assessment and diagnosis for children aged 0-8 years, take referrals up to the age of 8 years old for those with ADHD and/or autism, and Oldham CAMHS, provided by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust support those over the age of 8. There are pathways in place to support the transition into adulthood, including in relation to medications, and at 18 they would be able to access services via Right to Choose, and going forward, Optimise Healthcare.

 

On the NHS’s own website, it states, ‘We know that with earlier, well-targeted community support, many admissions and long stays in mental health inpatient units could potentially be avoided.’ So, this situation is not just an ethical one, it is also a pragmatic and a fiscally prudent one. With recognition and support, we could reduce the costs associated with mental health burnout, breakdowns and crisis presentations, as well as the number of people experiencing extreme distress.

 

Autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions are not something which only affect children. In fact, recent research has suggested that as many as 90% of adults who have Autism are undiagnosed. Additionally, according to a study by Willis Towers Watson (WTW), nearly three-quarters (70 per cent) of neurodivergent employees experience mental health issues. Therefore, there is a real impact upon productivity, absence rates and wellbeing in the workforce and avoiding addressing it is only compounding the problem.

 

There has nationally been a rise in demand for ADHD and autism assessments, and as mentioned, NHS Greater Manchester is working on a new model for this as part of re-doing the entire pathway for adults, which is currently being consulted on with the public, and we need to be part of shaping these proposals for our residents so that access to assessments and treatment is timely, and also that the support provided is of a high quality.

 

The council resolves to:

1.    To work closely with NHS Greater Manchester on the new pathway and model of services for adults.

2.    To ask NHS Greater Manchester, who are the commissioners of these mental health services for our residents, to come to the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Board to provide updates and an account. We need assurance that there will be robust provision of these vital health services for adults, and that there will be a safe transition for children and young people into adult services at the appropriate time.

 

A vote was taken on the AMENDMENT which was CARRIED.

 

On being put to the vote the MOTION as AMENDED was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED:

The council resolves to:

1.    That the Council works closely with NHS Greater Manchester on the new pathway and model of services for adults.

2.    That the Council requests that NHS Greater Manchester, who are the commissioners of these mental health services for our residents, to come to the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Board to provide updates and an account. We need assurance that there will be robust provision of these vital health services for adults, and that there will be a safe transition for children and young people into adult services at the appropriate time.

Motion 2: Investing in Coldhurst: Resurfacing West End Street Pitch and Reclaiming Merton Fields for Open Community Use

Councillor Wahid MOVED and Councillor Azad SECONDED the following Motion:

 

Council Notes:

a.    Historic and Ongoing Underinvestment in Coldhurst Community Facilities. Coldhurst has experienced long-standing neglect in relation to youth and community sports infrastructure. Notably, the closure of Robin Hill Youth Centre — followed by the sale of the site to a private developer — resulted in the permanent loss of a vital youth provision hub. The play space adjoining the site has since deteriorated and is now deemed unplayable.

b.    Condition of West End Street Weather Pitch. The pitch at West End Street, once a popular and well-used grassroots football and recreation space, has fallen into disrepair. The surface is cracked, drainage is poor, and markings are faded — making it unsafe and unfit for its intended use.

c.    Community Effort and Engagement. In 2024–25, local volunteers, youth groups, and councillors began efforts to clean and reclaim the West End pitch. These community-led actions show a strong appetite for investment and governance of grassroots sports infrastructure.

d.    Council’s SportsTown Investment and Community Commitments. The Council has committed £6 million as part of the first phase of a £70 million “SportsTown” regeneration programme, which includes:

·         £5 million from the Community Regeneration Fund to develop a new 3G pitch at Little Wembley, a new stand at Boundary Park, and supporting facilities.

·         £1 million from Oldham Council for a new stitched pitch at Boundary Park and to secure a permanent base for Oldham Rugby League Football Club.

·         Public commitments that SportsTown will benefit community access borough-wide, including increased opportunities for education, health, and sport.

e.    Merton Fields – A Missed Opportunity. Another key green space in Coldhurst, Merton Fields, has been leased to Hulme Grammar School. However, the land remains undeveloped and unused. In light of recent financial pressures facing private schools — including VAT changes on tuition fees — Hulme Grammar appears to be selling off assets rather than investing in facilities. This includes no plans for Merton Fields, which has significant potential to be developed as an open-access, community field.

 

Council Believes:

·         That open-access, local sports facilities such as West End Street pitch and Merton Fields should be fully explored as part of Oldham’s wider ambitions for health, youth development, and community regeneration.

·         That the borough’s regeneration strategies must include local, ward-level opportunities for inclusive sport and recreation.

·         That it is in the public interest for the Council to review existing leases, funding options, and strategic opportunities for both sites in consultation with community stakeholders.

Council Resolves to:

 

1.            Request that officers prepare a report for Cabinet and/or the Communities & Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Committee within six months, which will:

a. Assess the current physical condition, legal arrangements, and ownership or lease status of:

b. Explore opportunities to consider how existing and future government regeneration funding streams might be aligned with the improvement of community sports assets at ward level.

c. Consult relevant community organisations, residents, and funding bodies in developing options.

·         West End Street pitch (Coldhurst).

·         Merton Fields (Hollinwood).

·         Secure investment or external funding to improve access and quality of both sites.

·         Review or renegotiate lease arrangements if aligned with community benefit.

·         Develop open-access use models that prioritise youth, health, and local sport.

2.Ensure that any resulting recommendations are inclusive, transparent, and aimed at increasing the quality and accessibility of recreational spaces in Coldhurst and Hollinwood.

 

AMENDMENT

Councillor Malik MOVED and Councillor Jabbar SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:

 

Council Notes:

• Coldhurst, like many working-class communities across the country, has suffered from years of national government austerity and underinvestment in youth and community sports infrastructure. Notably, the closure of Robin Hill Youth Centre and the loss of the adjoining play space reflect the wider challenges imposed by more than a decade of cuts to local government budgets.

• The pitch at West End Street, once a popular and well-used grassroots football and recreation space, has fallen into disrepair. The surface is cracked, drainage is poor, and markings are faded — making it unsafe and unfit for its intended use.

• Cold??hurst’s Labour councillors — notably Cllr Abdul Jabbar and Cllr Abdul Malik — have worked consistently to highlight these challenges and advocate for improvements at West End Street, in close collaboration with local residents, volunteers and youth groups.
• That thanks to an intervention by Cllr Jabbar, the West End Street pitch was included in Oldham’s Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy (2025) agreed by Cabinet in March this year.
• In 2024–25, local volunteers, youth groups, and councillors — including longstanding Labour representatives — continued efforts to clean and reclaim the West End pitch. These actions build on work led by Coldhurst Labour councillors and Jim McMahon MP, who have been working on a masterplan to bring this asset back into full community use through the establishment of a community co-operative.

 

• The Council has endorsed £6 million as part of the first phase of a £70 million “SportsTown” regeneration programme, which includes:

 

1.  The Council administered a £5 million grant from the Government’s Community Regeneration Fund to develop a new 3G pitch at Little Wembley, a new educational centre at Boundary Park, and supporting community facilities.

2.  £1 million was invested for a new stitched pitch at Boundary Park and to secure a permanent base for Oldham Rugby League Football Club and enhanced community use.

3.  Public commitments that SportsTown will benefit community access borough-wide, including increased opportunities for education, health, and sport.

·      These investments demonstrate the Council’s commitment to ensuring regeneration funding reaches communities like Coldhurst, building resilience and opportunity where it’s most needed.

 

Council further notes:

• That West End Street Pitch and associated changing rooms exist because of the work of Cllr Abdul Jabbar to secure a grant from Sports England and SRB1 in 1998.
• Both Cllr Malik and Cllr Jabbar have consistently raised the condition of West End Street pitch with officers and Cabinet colleagues and continue to explore opportunities for resources to improve the facility for the community.
• That in February 2025 all five of Oldham’s district community councils had the opportunity to input into Oldham’s Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy (2025) and there was unanimous agreement amongst elected members that West End St pitch is a vital community resource and must be protected and enhanced.
• That a community consultation day will be held over the future of West End Street pitch over the summer.

 

Council Believes:

• That open-access, local sports facilities such as West End Street pitch should continue to be fully explored as part of Oldham’s wider ambitions for health, youth development, and community regeneration.
• That the borough’s regeneration strategies must include local, ward-level opportunities for inclusive sport and recreation.
• That it is in the public interest for the Council to review existing leases, funding options, and strategic opportunities.
• That residents themselves should have a meaningful say in the use and future of these facilities, and that a community cooperative model should be explored for the West End Street pitch — governed by and for the people who use it.
• The current plan, devised by the Council, ward Councillors and supported by Jim McMahon MP to create a co-operative ownership model, will successfully bring this asset back into community use.

 

Council Resolves to:

• Reaffirm its full support for widening access to local sports and recreation facilities and recognises that the plan in place for West End Street will help deliver this.
• Request that officers prepare a report for Place Scrutiny Committee at the earliest opportunity, which will:

a.    Assess the current physical condition, legal arrangements, and ownership or lease status of: West End Street pitch (Coldhurst)

b.    Explore further opportunities to:

o   Consider how existing and future government regeneration funding streams might be aligned with the improvement of community sports assets at ward level.

o   Consult relevant community organisations, residents, and funding bodies in developing options.

o   Secure investment or external funding to improve access and quality to West End Street Pitch.

o   Develop open-access use models that prioritise youth, health, and local sport.

o   Consider how existing and future government regeneration funding streams might be aligned with the improvement of community sports assets at ward level.

o   Consult relevant community organisations, residents, and funding bodies in developing options.

o   Ensure that any resulting recommendations are inclusive, transparent, and aimed at increasing the quality and accessibility of recreational spaces in Coldhurst.

• Recognise and endorse the ongoing work of Cllrs Abdul Jabbar and Abdul Malik in championing improvements to West End Street, and the long-standing leadership of Jim McMahon MP in supporting regeneration for the Coldhurst community as Member of Parliament and now as a government minister.
• Write to Jim McMahon MP to confirm the Council’s formal support for this project and to thank him for his efforts in championing the interests of Coldhurst residents at a national level and confirm what the government can do to support this.
• Continue to explore the feasibility of establishing a community-led cooperative model to govern the use and programming of West End Street pitch — ensuring the space is managed with and for the local community.

 

A vote was taken on the AMENDMENT which was CARRIED.

 

On being put to the vote the MOTION as AMENDED was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED:

The council resolves to:

1.    Reaffirm its full support for widening access to local sports and recreation facilities and recognises that the plan in place for West End Street will help deliver this.

2.    Request that officers prepare a report for Place Scrutiny Committee at the earliest opportunity, which will:

a.    Assess the current physical condition, legal arrangements, and ownership or lease status of: West End Street pitch (Coldhurst)

b.    Explore further opportunities to:

·         Consider how existing and future government regeneration funding streams might be aligned with the improvement of community sports assets at ward level.

·         Consult relevant community organisations, residents, and funding bodies in developing options.

·         Secure investment or external funding to improve access and quality to West End Street Pitch.

·         Develop open-access use models that prioritise youth, health, and local sport.

·         Consider how existing and future government regeneration funding streams might be aligned with the improvement of community sports assets at ward level.

·         Consult relevant community organisations, residents, and funding bodies in developing options.

·         Ensure that any resulting recommendations are inclusive, transparent, and aimed at increasing the quality and accessibility of recreational spaces in Coldhurst.

3.    Recognise and endorse the ongoing work of Cllrs Abdul Jabbar and Abdul Malik in championing improvements to West End Street, and the long-standing leadership of Jim McMahon MP in supporting regeneration for the Coldhurst community as Member of Parliament and now as a government minister.

4.    Write to Jim McMahon MP to confirm the Council’s formal support for this project and to thank him for his efforts in championing the interests of Coldhurst residents at a national level and confirm what the government can do to support this.

5.    Continue to explore the feasibility of establishing a community-led cooperative model to govern the use and programming of West End Street pitch — ensuring the space is managed with and for the local community.

 

Motion 3: A revision of the ‘Don’t Trash Oldham’ Policy with regards to Gully Clearing

Councillor Byrne MOVED and Councillor Lancaster SECONDED the following Motion:

 

This Motion asks for a revision of the ‘Don’t Trash Oldham’ Policy with regards to Gully Clearing.

 

This Policy sounded wonderful at the outset of DTO – to have a team in your Ward to not only flush out gullies but to remove detritus in those overgrown and those long forgotten and even tarmacked over.

 

We are now in our 3^rd fiscal year and last week my Ward of Saddleworth North has just begun. Alexandra Ward who were first must be suffering by now. In the past 18 months there has been some exceptional rainfall in the whole of the borough and the consequences of not clearing gullies, unless it floods properties, is a false economy.

 

Water does two things – has a life of its own and flows downhill- so damage can be much lower down than the gully. These gullies that feed into culverts need cleaning annually as it used to be.

 

There are many culverts which are still old Victorian even Georgian ones and when not running clearly present problems and thus expense. During downpours the culverts overflow and can cause considerable damage – often to private property as well as danger to traffic on the roads it flows into.

 

During these downpours old hillside water courses spring into life and blocked gullies add to this problem endangering property and making road surfaces unsafe and downright dangerous. Oldham and Saddleworth has few flat bits and more hills and our engineers who know water should be listened to.

 

This policy while achieving at the beginning has now lost its momentum and the damage from consequential flooding- with its cost is no longer working as was intended.

 

A recorded vote, in line with the Regulations was then taken on the MOTION, as follows:

COUNCILLOR		COUNCILLOR
Adams Christine	FOR	Hussain Fida	AGAINST
Akhtar Shoab	FOR	Hussain Junaid	AGAINST
Al-Hamdani Sam	FOR	Hussain Sajed	AGAINST
Ali Mohon	AGAINST	Ibrahim Nyla	FOR
Ali Zaheer	FOR	Iqbal Nadeem	AGAINST
Arnott Dave	FOR	Islam Mohammed Nazrul	AGAINST
Aslam Naseem	AGAINST	Jabbar Abdul	AGAINST
Azad Montaz Ali	ABSENT	Kenyon Mark	APOLOGIES
Ball Sandra	FOR	Kouser Aisha	FOR
Bishop Helen	FOR	Lancaster Luke	FOR
Bashforth Marie	AGAINST	Malik Abdul	AGAINST
Brownridge Barbara	AGAINST	Marland Alicia	FOR
Byrne Pam	FOR	McLaren Colin	AGAINST
Charters Josh	AGAINST	Murphy Dave	FOR
Cosgrove Angela	AGAINST	Mushtaq Shaid	AGAINST
Chauhan Zahid	APOLOGIES	Nasheen Umar	AGAINST
Chowhan Naveed	FOR	Navesey Lisa	ABSTAINED
Davis Peter	AGAINST	Quigg Lewis	FOR
Dean Peter	AGAINST	Rustidge Ken	AGAINST
Ghafoor Kamran	APOLOGIES	Shah Arooj	AGAINST
Goodwin Chris	AGAINST	Sharp Beth	FOR
Hamblett Louie	FOR	Sheldon Graham	FOR
Harkness Garth	FOR	Shuttleworth Graham	AGAINST
Harrison Holly	AGAINST	Sykes Howard	FOR
Hince Marc	ABSTAINED	Taylor Elaine	AGAINST
Hindle Neil	FOR	Wahid Abdul	FOR
Hobin Brian	ABSTAINED	Wilkinson Mark	FOR
Hughes Jade	FOR	Williamson Diane	FOR
Hurley Maggie	FOR	Woodvine Max	FOR
Hussain Aftab	AGAINST	Eddie Moores (MAYOR)	AGAINST

.

On a recorded VOTE being taken 27 VOTES were cast in FAVOUR of the MOTION with 26 VOTES cast AGAINST and there were 3 ABSTENTIONS. The MOTION was therefore CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED:

That the Director of Environment be requested to carry out a revision of the ‘Don’t Trash Oldham’ Policy with regards to Gully Clearing.