Agenda item

Notice of Administration Business

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1: Recognising Palestine and the famine in Gaza

To be Moved by Councillor Mushtaq
to be Seconded by Councillor Taylor

Next month will mark two years since the horrific attack of October 7^th, leaked data from the IDFs own figures indicate a civilian death rate of 83% in the Gaza war that followed those attacks, causing experts from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) to state “That proportion of civilians among those killed would be unusually high, particularly as it has been going on for such a long time.”

When compared to conflicts tracked by UCDP since 1989, only the Rwandan Genocide, the Russian siege of Mariupol and Srebrenica have a higher proportion of civilian casualties.

The number of civilians impacted by this war in Israel and Palestine is unpalatable to thousands of people across Oldham. The war is having a profound effect on millions of people worldwide as we witness unimaginable suffering.

This Council notes:

The UK Government’s announcement on 29 July 2025 that it will formally recognise the State of Palestine in September.
The joint statement issued on 21 July 2025 by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and 28 international partners, which condemned the Israeli government’s aid delivery model as “dangerous, fuelling instability and depriving Gazans of human dignity,” and called for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire”.
The speech delivered by UK Ambassador to the UN, Dame Barbara Woodward, on 23 July 2025, in which she described the Israeli aid system as “inhumane, ineffective, dangerous and fuelling instability,” and called for Israel to end attacks on civilians, cooperate with the UN, and uphold international humanitarian law.
The official declaration by the United Nations backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) and humanitarian agencies that famine conditions now exist in Gaza, with over 640,000 people facing catastrophic food insecurity and millions more in emergency or crisis conditions.
The IPC concluded that the decision was based on evidence of extreme food deprivation, acute malnutrition and starvation-related deaths.
That the famine is a man-made disaster, resulting from prolonged conflict, displacement, and severe restrictions on humanitarian access.

This Council believes:

That recognition of the State of Palestine is a vital step toward a just and lasting peace in the region.
That the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza demands urgent and coordinated international action to prevent further loss of life.
That Israel should immediately allow full and unrestricted humanitarian aid agencies into Gaza to immediately address the famine.
That the UK Government’s recent statements reflect a growing international consensus on the need for accountability, humanitarian access, and a political resolution, but the time for action has never been more apparent given that a famine has been declared.
That local authorities have a role to play in advocating for human rights, peace, and justice globally as our residents care deeply about these issues.
That residents across Oldham have displayed their commitment to supporting aid efforts and minimising suffering in Gaza by raising awareness and fundraising for charities.

This Council resolves to:

Welcome and support the UK Government’s commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a renewed peace process. Given that the Israeli Government hasn’t complied with the steps outlined by the UK Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary in July this Council reaffirms that now is the time for recognition of Palestinian statehood.
Endorse the joint statement of 21^st July 2025 and the UK’s position at the UN Security Council as expressions of moral leadership and international solidarity.
Urge the UK Government to accelerate and expand humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including through further diplomatic pressure for a ceasefire and unrestricted aid access.
Call on the international community to intensify efforts to end the famine and support long-term recovery and governance in Gaza.
Write to the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, and local MPs expressing this Council’s support for recognition of a Palestinian state and humanitarian action.

Motion 2: Setting out our ambition to become a ‘Defibrillator Friendly’ Borough

To be Moved by Councillor Brownridge
to be Seconded by Councillor Rustidge

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is one of the most urgent and time-critical medical emergencies — and without swift intervention, it is almost always fatal. Community defibrillators are a vital public health asset, offering immediate, life-saving support in those critical first minutes before emergency services arrive.

Thanks to the growing number of defibrillators across our borough, lives are already being saved. But we cannot afford to be complacent. The evidence is clear: rapid access to a defibrillator dramatically increases the chances of survival. Every second counts — and every community deserves to be protected.

By working in partnership with local organisations and empowering residents with the tools and knowledge they need, we can make Oldham a national leader, and potentially the first ‘Defibrillator Friendly’ borough in England.

This Council notes:

· Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of sudden death in the UK.

· Around 55 incidents occur per 100,000 people every year, and tragically, eight out of ten of these cardiac arrests happen at home.

· Survival rates remain desperately low, with only around 9% of patients surviving to hospital discharge.

· In these moments, every second counts, early CPR and access to a defibrillator can be the difference between life and death.

This Council further notes:

· Here in Oldham, we face a stark reality: 64 of our community defibrillators are currently offline.

· The local registered charity, Defibrillators Save Lives, has already proven its capability in supporting communities across Oldham, they have installed, maintained, and checked dozens of defibrillators.

· They work directly with the North West Ambulance Service to ensure these devices are correctly registered on The Circuit and activated in an emergency.

This Council resolves to work in collaboration with Defibrillators Save Lives to:

· Map and monitor all public-access defibrillators across the borough,

· Ensure offline devices are repaired, restored or replaced and brought back into service,

· Establish a routine checking and reporting system using The Circuit,

· Provide education and awareness so that residents not only know where defibrillators are but also how to use them with confidence, similar to the hugely success Defib Day they ran in The Spindles 9^th August.

This Council further resolves:

· To firmly state our ambition for Oldham to become the first ‘Defibrillator Friendly’ Borough in the England.

Minutes:

Motion 1: Recognising Palestine and the famine in Gaza

Moved by Councillor Mushtaq
Seconded by Councillor Taylor

When compared to conflicts tracked by UCDP since 1989, only the Rwandan Genocide, the Russian siege of Mariupol and Srebrenica have a higher proportion of civilian casualties.

This Council notes:

The UK Government’s announcement on 29 July 2025 that it will formally recognise the State of Palestine in September.
The joint statement issued on 21 July 2025 by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and 28 international partners, which condemned the Israeli government’s aid delivery model as “dangerous, fuelling instability and depriving Gazans of human dignity,” and called for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire”.
The speech delivered by UK Ambassador to the UN, Dame Barbara Woodward, on 23 July 2025, in which she described the Israeli aid system as “inhumane, ineffective, dangerous and fuelling instability,” and called for Israel to end attacks on civilians, cooperate with the UN, and uphold international humanitarian law.
The official declaration by the United Nations backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) and humanitarian agencies that famine conditions now exist in Gaza, with over 640,000 people facing catastrophic food insecurity and millions more in emergency or crisis conditions.
The IPC concluded that the decision was based on evidence of extreme food deprivation, acute malnutrition and starvation-related deaths.
That the famine is a man-made disaster, resulting from prolonged conflict, displacement, and severe restrictions on humanitarian access.

This Council believes:

That recognition of the State of Palestine is a vital step toward a just and lasting peace in the region.
That the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza demands urgent and coordinated international action to prevent further loss of life.
That Israel should immediately allow full and unrestricted humanitarian aid agencies into Gaza to immediately address the famine.
That the UK Government’s recent statements reflect a growing international consensus on the need for accountability, humanitarian access, and a political resolution, but the time for action has never been more apparent given that a famine has been declared.
That local authorities have a role to play in advocating for human rights, peace, and justice globally as our residents care deeply about these issues.
That residents across Oldham have displayed their commitment to supporting aid efforts and minimising suffering in Gaza by raising awareness and fundraising for charities.

This Council resolves to:

Welcome and support the UK Government’s commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a renewed peace process. Given that the Israeli Government hasn’t complied with the steps outlined by the UK Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary in July this Council reaffirms that now is the time for recognition of Palestinian statehood.
Endorse the joint statement of 21^st July 2025 and the UK’s position at the UN Security Council as expressions of moral leadership and international solidarity.
Urge the UK Government to accelerate and expand humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including through further diplomatic pressure for a ceasefire and unrestricted aid access.
Call on the international community to intensify efforts to end the famine and support long-term recovery and governance in Gaza.
Write to the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, and local MPs expressing this Council’s support for recognition of a Palestinian state and humanitarian action.

AMENDMENT 1

AMENDMENT 1 wad MOVED BY Councillor Ghafoor and SECONDED BY Councillor Wahid.

Next month will mark two years since the horrific attack of October 7^th, leaked data from the IDFs own figures indicate a civilian death rate of 83% in the Gaza war Genocide that followed those attacks, causing experts from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) to state “That proportion of civilians among those killed would be unusually high, particularly as it has been going on for such a long time.” This level of civilian death is as a result of deliberate ethnic cleansing, collective punishment, deliberate act of forced starvation as a weapon of war consistent with the definition of genocide.

When compared to conflicts tracked by UCDP since 1989, only the Rwandan Genocide, the Russian siege of Mariupol and Srebrenica have a higher proportion of civilian casualties.

The number of civilians impacted by this war Genocide in Israel and Palestine is unpalatable to thousands of people across Oldham. The war is having a profound effect on millions of people worldwide as we witness unimaginable suffering.

This Council notes:

· The UK Government’s announcement on 29 July 2025 that it will formally recognise the State of Palestine in September.
· The joint statement issued on 21 July 2025 by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and 28 international partners, which condemned the Israeli government’s aid delivery model as “dangerous, fuelling instability and depriving Gazans of human dignity,” and called for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire”.
· The speech delivered by UK Ambassador to the UN, Dame Barbara Woodward, on 23 July 2025, in which she described the Israeli aid system as “inhumane, ineffective, dangerous and fuelling instability,” and called for Israel to end attacks on civilians, cooperate with the UN, and uphold international humanitarian law.
· The official declaration by the United Nations backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) and humanitarian agencies that famine conditions now exist in Gaza, with over 640,000 people facing catastrophic food insecurity and millions more in emergency or crisis conditions.
· The IPC concluded that the decision was based on evidence of extreme food deprivation, acute malnutrition and starvation-related deaths.
· That the famine is a man-made disaster, resulting from prolonged conflict, displacement, and severe restrictions on humanitarian access not a natural disaster but a deliberate act of forced starvation as a weapon of war, consistent with the definition of genocide.

This Council believes:

· That recognition of the State of Palestine is a vital step toward a just and lasting peace in the region.
· That the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza demands urgent and coordinated international action to prevent further loss of life is the result of deliberate ethnic cleansing, collective punishment, and mass displacement that demands urgent accountability as well as humanitarian action.
· That Israel should immediately allow full and unrestricted humanitarian aid agencies into Gaza to immediately address the famine man-made famine and forced starvation.
· That the UK Government’s recent statements reflect a growing international consensus on the need for accountability, humanitarian access, and a political resolution failure of moral clarity when they praise “moral leadership” while continuing to arm and politically shield Israel.
· That local authorities have a role to play in advocating for human rights, peace, and justice globally as our residents care deeply about these issues and local authorities must not collude in the sanitisation of atrocity crimes. Our residents deserve honesty: this is genocide and ethnic cleansing, not simply a “humanitarian crisis.”
· That residents across Oldham have displayed their commitment to supporting aid efforts and minimising suffering in Gaza by raising awareness and fundraising for charities.

This Council therefore resolves to:

Welcome and support the UK Government’s commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a renewed peace process. Given that the Israeli Government hasn’t complied with the steps outlined by the UK Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary in July this Council reaffirms that now is the time for recognition of Palestinian statehood. This Council reaffirms that recognition is long overdue and must be accompanied by a full suspension of UK arms sales to Israel and support for international accountability.
Endorse the joint statement of 21st July 2025 and the UK’s position at the UN Security Council as expressions of moral leadership and international solidarity diplomatic progress, while recognising they fall short of calling out genocide and forced starvation by name.
Urge the UK Government to accelerate and expand humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including through further diplomatic pressure for a ceasefire and unrestricted aid access acknowledge genocide, suspend arms sales to Israel, accelerate and expand humanitarian assistance, and demand unrestricted aid access.
Call on the international community to intensify efforts to end the famine and support long-term recovery and governance in Gaza.
Write to the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, and local MPs expressing this Council’s support for recognition of a Palestinian state and humanitarian action calling not only for recognition of a Palestinian state but also for explicit recognition of genocide, suspension of arms sales, and support for international criminal accountability.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rules, 8.4(k) it was MOVED that this Council meeting be adjourned until Wednesday, 12^th November 2025 at 4.30 p.m.

On being put to the VOTE, the MOTION was CARRIED.

RESOLVED: That the Council meeting be adjourned until Wednesday, 12^th November 2025 4.30 p.m.

The meeting commenced at 6.00pm and was adjourned at 8.27pm.

COUNCIL

12/11/2025 (reconvened) at 4.30 pm

Councillor Moores (Mayor) in the Chair

Councillors Adams, Akhtar, Al-Hamdani, M Ali, Z Ali, Arnott, Aslam, Ball, Bashforth, Bishop, Brownridge, Byrne, Charters, Chauhan, Chowhan, Cosgrove, Davis, Dean, Ghafoor, Goodwin, Hamblett, Harkness, Harrison, Hince, Hindle, Hobin, A Hussain, F Hussain, J. Hussain, S. Hussain, Islam, Jabbar, Kenyon, Kouser, Lancaster, Malik, Marland, McLaren, Murphy, Mushtaq, Nasheen, Navesey, Quigg, Rustidge, Shah, Sharp, Sheldon, Shuttleworth, Sykes, Taylor, Wahid, and Woodvine

On being reconvened the Mayor reminded Council that the meeting on 17^th September had been adjourned, approximately 27 minutes into consideration of Agenda Item 10 - Notice of Administration Business – and Council was considering Motion 1 - ‘Recognising Palestine and the famine in Gaza’. At the precise time of the adjournment Members were considering Amendment 1 from the Oldham Group.

The Mayor advised that any Member who was not at the meeting on the 17^th September could remain in the Chamber to observe this item, however they could not take part in the discussion or vote on this matter as they were not present to hear the full debate, but were able to take part in the remainder of the business on the agenda.

In line with Council Procedure Rule 2.1.6, any motion under debate will be put to the vote and any outstanding motions will be moved and seconded and a vote taken.

Councillor Ghafoor MOVED and Councillor Wahid SECONDED a MOTION to suspend Council Procedure Rule 13.3, to allow for the amendment of the Oldham Group’s submitted Amendment to this Motion.

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	AGAINST	Iqbal Nadeem	AGAINST
Arnott Dave	FOR	Islam Mohammed Nazrul	AGAINST
Aslam Naseem	AGAINST	Jabbar Abdul	AGAINST
Azad Montaz Ali	APOLOGIES	Kenyon Mark	FOR
Ball Sandra	AGAINST	Kouser Aisha	FOR
Bishop Helen	FOR	Lancaster Luke	Absent on 17^th September
Bashforth Marie	APOLOGIES	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	AGAINST	Nasheen Umar	AGAINST
Chowhan Naveed	FOR	Navesey Lisa	AGAINST
Davis Peter	AGAINST	Quigg Lewis	Absent on 17^th September
Dean Peter	AGAINST	Rustidge Ken	AGAINST
Ghafoor Kamran	FOR	Shah Arooj	AGAINST
Goodwin Chris	AGAINST	Sharp Beth	FOR
Hamblett Louie	FOR	Sheldon Graham	Absent on 17^th September
Harkness Garth	FOR	Shuttleworth Graham	AGAINST
Harrison Holly	AGAINST	Sykes Howard	FOR
Hince Marc	AGAINST	Taylor Elaine	AGAINST
Hindle Neil	AGAINST	Wahid Abdul	FOR
Hobin Brian	AGAINST	Wilkinson Mark	APOLOGIES
Hughes Jade	ABSENT	Williamson Diane	ABSENT
Hurley Maggie	ABSENT	Woodvine Max	FOR
Hussain Aftab	AGAINST	Eddie Moores (MAYOR)	AGAINST

On a recorded VOTE being taken 19 VOTES were cast in FAVOUR of the MOTION with 31 VOTES cast AGAINST and there were 0 ABSTENTIONS. The MOTION was therefore LOST.

Councillor Ghafoor MOVED and Councillor Wahid SECONDED a MOTION to suspend Council Procedure Rule 12.4, to allow for the withdrawal of the Oldham Group’s AMENDMENT to the Labour group’s Motion.

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	ABSTAINED
Ali Zaheer	AGAINST	Iqbal Nadeem	AGAINST
Arnott Dave	FOR	Islam Mohammed Nazrul	AGAINST
Aslam Naseem	AGAINST	Jabbar Abdul	AGAINST
Azad Montaz Ali	APOLOGIES	Kenyon Mark	ABSTAINED
Ball Sandra	FOR	Kouser Aisha	ABSTAINED
Bishop Helen	FOR	Lancaster Luke	Absent on 17^th September
Bashforth Marie	APOLOGIES	Malik Abdul	AGAINST
Brownridge Barbara	AGAINST	Marland Alicia	ABSTAINED
Byrne Pam	FOR	McLaren Colin	AGAINST
Charters Josh	AGAINST	Murphy Dave	ABSTAINED
Cosgrove Angela	AGAINST	Mushtaq Shaid	AGAINST
Chauhan Zahid	AGAINST	Nasheen Umar	AGAINST
Chowhan Naveed	FOR	Navesey Lisa	AGAINST
Davis Peter	AGAINST	Quigg Lewis	Absent on 17^th September
Dean Peter	AGAINST	Rustidge Ken	AGAINST
Ghafoor Kamran	FOR	Shah Arooj	AGAINST
Goodwin Chris	AGAINST	Sharp Beth	ABSTAINED
Hamblett Louie	ABSTAINED	Sheldon Graham	Absent on 17^th September
Harkness Garth	FOR	Shuttleworth Graham	AGAINST
Harrison Holly	AGAINST	Sykes Howard	ABSTAINED
Hince Marc	ABSTAINED	Taylor Elaine	AGAINST
Hindle Neil	AGAINST	Wahid Abdul	ABSTAINED
Hobin Brian	ABSTAINED	Wilkinson Mark	APOLOGIES
Hughes Jade	ABSENT	Williamson Diane	ABSENT
Hurley Maggie	ABSENT	Woodvine Max	ABSTAINED
Hussain Aftab	AGAINST	Eddie Moores (MAYOR)	AGAINST

On a recorded VOTE being taken 20 VOTES were cast in FAVOUR of the MOTION with 27 VOTES cast AGAINST and there were 3 ABSTENTIONS. The MOTION was therefore LOST.

Council voted on the AMENDMENT 1, submitted by the Oldham Group.

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

COUNCILLOR		COUNCILLOR
Adams Christine	ABSTAINED	Hussain Fida	AGAINST
Akhtar Shoab	ABSTAINED	Hussain Junaid	AGAINST
Al-Hamdani Sam	ABSTAINED	Hussain Sajed	AGAINST
Ali Mohon	AGAINST	Ibrahim Nyla	FOR
Ali Zaheer	ABSTAINED	Iqbal Nadeem	AGAINST
Arnott Dave	ABSTAINED	Islam Mohammed Nazrul	AGAINST
Aslam Naseem	AGAINST	Jabbar Abdul	AGAINST
Azad Montaz Ali	APOLOGIES	Kenyon Mark	FOR
Ball Sandra	ABSTAINED	Kouser Aisha	FOR
Bishop Helen	ABSTAINED	Lancaster Luke	Absent on 17^th September
Bashforth Marie	APOLOGIES	Malik Abdul	AGAINST
Brownridge Barbara	AGAINST	Marland Alicia	FOR
Byrne Pam	ABSTAINED	McLaren Colin	AGAINST
Charters Josh	AGAINST	Murphy Dave	FOR
Cosgrove Angela	AGAINST	Mushtaq Shaid	AGAINST
Chauhan Zahid	AGAINST	Nasheen Umar	AGAINST
Chowhan Naveed	ABSTAINED	Navesey Lisa	AGAINST
Davis Peter	AGAINST	Quigg Lewis	Absent on 17^th September
Dean Peter	AGAINST	Rustidge Ken	AGAINST
Ghafoor Kamran	ABSTAINED	Shah Arooj	AGAINST
Goodwin Chris	AGAINST	Sharp Beth	FOR
Hamblett Louie	ABSTAINED	Sheldon Graham	Absent on 17^th September
Harkness Garth	ABSTAINED	Shuttleworth Graham	AGAINST
Harrison Holly	AGAINST	Sykes Howard	FOR
Hince Marc	AGAINST	Taylor Elaine	AGAINST
Hindle Neil	AGAINST	Wahid Abdul	FOR
Hobin Brian	AGAINST	Wilkinson Mark	APOLOGIES
Hughes Jade	ABSENT	Williamson Diane	ABSENT
Hurley Maggie	ABSENT	Woodvine Max	FOR
Hussain Aftab	AGAINST	Eddie Moores (MAYOR)	AGAINST

On a recorded VOTE being taken 0 VOTES were cast in FAVOUR of AMENDMENT 1, with 30 VOTES cast AGAINST and there were 20 ABSTENTIONS. AMENDMENT 1 Was therefore LOST.

AMENDMENT 2

Councillor Al-Hamdani MOVED and Councillor Sykes SECONDED AMENDMENT 2 as follows:

Next month will mark two years since the horrific attack of October 7th, leaked data from the IDFs own figures indicate a civilian death rate of 83% in the Gaza war that followed those attacks, causing experts from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) to state “That proportion of civilians among those killed would be unusually high, particularly as it has been going on for such a long time.”

When compared to conflicts tracked by UCDP since 1989, only the Rwandan Genocide, the Russian siege of Mariupol and Srebrenica have a higher proportion of civilian casualties. The number of civilians impacted by this war in Israel and Palestine is unpalatable to thousands of people across Oldham. The war is having a profound effect on millions of people worldwide as we

witness unimaginable suffering.

This Council notes:

• The UK Government’s announcement on 29 July 2025 that it will formally recognise the State of Palestine in September, unless Israel meets certain conditions.

• The joint statement issued on 21 July 2025 by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and 28 international partners, which condemned the Israeli government’s aid delivery model as “dangerous, fuelling instability and depriving Gazans of human dignity,” and called for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire”.

• The speech delivered by UK Ambassador to the UN, Dame Barbara Woodward, on 23 July 2025, in which she described the Israeli aid system as “inhumane, ineffective, dangerous and fuelling instability,” and called for Israel to end attacks on civilians, cooperate with the UN, and uphold international humanitarian law.

• The official declaration by the United Nations backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) and humanitarian agencies that famine conditions now exist in Gaza, with over 640,000 people facing catastrophic food insecurity and millions more in emergency or crisis conditions.

• The IPC concluded that the decision was based on evidence of extreme food deprivation, acute malnutrition and starvation-related deaths.

• That the famine is a man-made disaster, resulting from prolonged conflict, displacement, and severe restrictions on humanitarian access.

This Council believes:

• That recognition of the State of Palestine is a vital step toward a just and lasting peace in the region, and should not be a bargaining chip in negotiations.

• That the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza demands urgent and coordinated international

action to prevent further loss of life.

• That Israel should immediately allow full and unrestricted humanitarian aid agencies into

Gaza to immediately address the famine.

• That the UK Government’s recent statements reflect a growing international consensus on

the need for accountability, humanitarian access, and a political resolution, but the time for

action has never been more apparent given that a famine has been declared.

• That local authorities have a role to play in advocating for human rights, peace, and justice

globally as our residents care deeply about these issues.

• That residents across Oldham have displayed their commitment to supporting aid efforts

and minimising suffering in Gaza by raising awareness and fundraising for charities.

This Council resolves to:

1. Welcome and support the UK Government’s commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a renewed peace process. Given that the Israeli Government hasn’t complied with the steps outlined by the UK Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary in July. This Council reaffirms that now is the time for recognition of Palestinian statehood.

2. Endorse the joint statement of 21^st July 2025 and the UK’s position at the UN Security Council as expressions of moral leadership and international solidarity.

3. Urge the UK Government to accelerate and expand humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including through further diplomatic pressure for a ceasefire and unrestricted aid access.

4. Call on the international community to intensify efforts to end the famine and support long-term recovery and governance in Gaza.

5. Write to the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, and local MPs expressing this Council’s support for recognition of a Palestinian state and humanitarian action.

On being put to the VOTE ANMENDMENT 2 was declared LOST.

On being put to the VOTE the MOTION was CARRIED.

RESOLVED

This Council resolves to:

1. Welcome and support the UK Government’s commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a renewed peace process. Given that the Israeli Government hasn’t complied with the steps outlined by the UK Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary in July this Council reaffirms that now is the time for recognition of Palestinian statehood.

2. Endorse the joint statement of 21^st July 2025 and the UK’s position at the UN Security Council as expressions of moral leadership and international solidarity.

Urge the UK Government to accelerate and expand humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including through further diplomatic pressure for a ceasefire and unrestricted aid access.
Call on the international community to intensify efforts to end the famine and support long-term recovery and governance in Gaza.
Write to the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, and local MPs expressing this Council’s support for recognition of a Palestinian state and humanitarian action.

Motion 2: Setting out our ambition to become a ‘Defibrillator Friendly’ Borough

Moved by Councillor Brownridge
Seconded by Councillor Rustidge

This Council notes:

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of sudden death in the UK.
Around 55 incidents occur per 100,000 people every year, and tragically, eight out of ten of these cardiac arrests happen at home.
Survival rates remain desperately low, with only around 9% of patients surviving to hospital discharge.
In these moments, every second counts, early CPR and access to a defibrillator can be the difference between life and death.

This Council further notes:

Here in Oldham, we face a stark reality: 64 of our community defibrillators are currently offline.
The local registered charity, Defibrillators Save Lives, has already proven its capability in supporting communities across Oldham, they have installed, maintained, and checked dozens of defibrillators.
They work directly with the North West Ambulance Service to ensure these devices are correctly registered on The Circuit and activated in an emergency.

This Council resolves to work in collaboration with Defibrillators Save Lives to:

Map and monitor all public-access defibrillators across the borough,
Ensure offline devices are repaired, restored or replaced and brought back into service,
Establish a routine checking and reporting system using The Circuit,
Provide education and awareness so that residents not only know where defibrillators are but also how to use them with confidence, similar to the hugely success Defib Day they ran in The Spindles 9^th August.

This Council further resolves:

To firmly state our ambition for Oldham to become the first ‘Defibrillator Friendly’ Borough in the England.

On being put to the VOTE the MOTION was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

1. This Council resolves to work in collaboration with Defibrillators Save Lives to:

a. Map and monitor all public-access defibrillators across the borough.

b. Ensure offline devices are repaired, restored or replaced and brought back into service.

c. Establish a routine checking and reporting system using The Circuit,

d. Provide education and awareness so that residents not only know where defibrillators are but also how to use them with confidence, similar to the hugely success Defib Day they ran in The Spindles 9^th August.

2. This Council further resolves, to firmly state our ambition for Oldham to become the first ‘Defibrillator Friendly’ Borough in the England.

Supporting documents: