(time limit 15 Minutes)
Minutes:
1. Question from Hannah Roberts
Can the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care confirm NHS advice on taking paracetamol during pregnancy and why it is important that parents and carers follow NHS guidance on childhood vaccinations? Can she also outline what action the Council is taking to promote childhood vaccinations and whether there are any plans for Family Hubs to support parents and carers in making sure children get protection from dangerous diseases such as measles, rubella, polio, diphtheria, hepatitis B, tetanus and whooping cough?
Councillor Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Adults, \health and Wellbeing replied that paracetamol remains the recommended pain relief option for pregnant women when used as directed. Oldham GPs continue to prescribe it to our Oldham mothers and encourage its use amongst family members safe in the knowledge this advice is based on the best evidence we have. Fever and untreated pain are much more serious risks to mothers and unborn children
Vaccinations are a safe and effective way of protecting children from serious diseases, which if contracted can lead to long term health problems and in some cases, loss of life. Vaccinations protect the individuals receiving them, as well as other people in the community who have not reached the minimum age to be vaccinated or may not be able to have vaccinations due to severe allergies, or weakened immune systems.
Oldham Council have funded voluntary sector Community Health Champions who have taken part in VaxChat training. They have been using this learning to share vaccination messages with the communities they support. Oldham Council are working with two of our Health Champion organisations to gather insights from communities with low take up of MMR vaccination to better understand the barriers to vaccine take-up so that we can tailor our future approach.
Oldham Council funds the integrated children’s and families service that operates out of the family hubs. This includes health visitors providing clear and evidence-based information to parents and carers about the benefits and safety of vaccines. They can help address misinformation and help our communities understand what vaccines are due and when.
2. Question from Jenny Harrison
It really was useful to be able to use pensioner and disabled bus passes before 09.30 on Bee Network buses during August.
Are there any plans to put this in place permanently?
And how is the new 28-day Bee Network bus pass for 18–24-year-olds, costing £40 a month, being promoted to ensure that as many young people as possible benefit?
Councillor Goodwin, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways replied, stating that Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is responsible for this initiative, which aligns with its broader Bee Network strategy to improve connectivity, reduce barriers to travel, and enhance public transport access for residents across Greater Manchester.
Oldham Council actively supports these initiatives, reflecting its ongoing commitment to securing the best outcomes for local communities. Through close collaboration with TfGM and the Bee Network, the council continues to champion improved transport options that meet the needs of Oldham’s residents.
We will continue to promote these offers to our residents through our usual communication channels.
3. Question from Rosalynn Birch
The Labour Government has increased support for parents to help with childcare costs for children from 9 months to starting school. This includes introducing 30 hours a week free childcare for eligible working parents from September 2025. Is the Cabinet Member able to say how may parents in Oldham have benefited and how much this saves in nursery fees? And what support is Oldham Council giving to childcare providers to be able to deliver this increased offer?
Councillor Mushtaq, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People replied that, the expansion of 30 hours of free childcare for eligible working parents from September 2025 is providing significant additional support for families in Oldham. Government data shows that at the end of the summer term, 3,054 families were already accessing the working parents entitlement, and since September, a further 906 families have taken up the extended offer.
In terms of savings, while the Government estimates that families could save up to £7,500 per child per year, our local analysis based on average nursery fees of £6.33 per hour for 1,140 funded hours suggests a potential saving of around £7,216 annually for each child. This represents a substantial reduction in childcare costs for working parents in Oldham.
To ensure providers can deliver this increased entitlement, Oldham Council is offering a comprehensive package of support. This includes training and networking opportunities, dedicated working groups, and access to both capital and revenue grants. These measures are designed to help providers expand capacity and maintain high-quality provision for families.
4. Question from Valerie Leach
Given the acknowledged importance of the Saddleworth School site in providing much needed housing, including truly affordable housing which is really difficult to find in Saddleworth, please can the Cabinet Member tell us the timetable for development and when homes will start to be built?
Councillor Taylor, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods replied, thanking Valerie Leach for her question. The former Saddleworth School site is earmarked for housing development as a council-owned site in our medium-term housing land supply. Officers have been addressing negotiations over the relocation of a telecoms mast on the site until recently, and the site could not come forward for development until that matter was concluded. Now that matter is resolved, the housing delivery team will be looking to bring the site to market in the near future.
However, developing a site for housing is not a quick process, bearing in mind land deals need to be negotiated and planning permission sought before a spade can even be put in the ground. As such, it will be at least two years before we see the first home completed on the site.
5. Question from Dave Barter
Oldham bus users have been affected by the strikes on Stagecoach, Metroline and First buses, and Oldham residents working on the buses have been affected by many years of low pay and poor working conditions - while all three firms have seen a rise in profits and are doing very well out of the network. Could the Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways tell us how the council is pressing operators to listen to their staff and ensure any pay offer is fair and above inflation, for the benefit of passengers and workers on our buses?
Councillor Goodwin, Cabinet member for Transport and Highways replied, thanking Mr Barter for raising this important issue.
The council recognises the significant disruption that recent industrial action has caused for passengers in Oldham, and we also acknowledge the concerns of bus workers who have faced years of low pay and challenging conditions.
Although pay negotiations are a matter between the operators and their staff, the council – through the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester – has been actively pressing for fair treatment of workers.
I’m firmly of the view that any pay offer should reflect the rising cost of living and be above inflation, ensuring that drivers are properly rewarded for the essential service they provide.
Recent progress shows that this approach works: following sustained pressure and dialogue, Unite members at First Bus secured an exceptional pay deal worth up to 20%, and Stagecoach drivers have agreed improved offers of around 12%, alongside better conditions such as holiday entitlement and sick pay. These agreements were only reached because we insisted that operators return to the table with realistic proposals that respect the workforce and maintain service stability for passengers.
Looking ahead, we will continue to use every lever available under the Bee Network franchising model to hold operators to account. Our priority is to ensure that the network delivers for passengers and that those who keep it running are treated fairly. We will keep monitoring pay and conditions and work with unions, operators, and TfGM to prevent disputes escalating and to maintain a reliable, high-quality bus service for Oldham residents.
6. Question from Steven Croft
'What action will the council take to secure removal of unsightly and inappropriate IX Wireless masts from residential areas in line with successes in other GMCA authority areas?'
Councillor Taylor, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods replied, thanking Mr Croft for his question. The Council can only consider taking action to secure the removal of telecoms apparatus where the apparatus is not permitted development, and an appropriate permission has not been secured.
Whilst IX Wireless did not secure the appropriate approvals before installing some apparatus in certain other GM boroughs – and so those authorities were able to secure the removal of that unpermitted apparatus – IX Wireless have followed the correct procedure when working in Oldham and secured the appropriate planning approvals before installing their apparatus, where permission was needed.
7. Question from Nicola Walsh
The gullies in Lees were supposed to be
cleared in May but, after they were done in August, I’ve
noticed some which were missed and now look hazardous, a worry as
the colder weather is due to hit which will cause an issue with
freezing water on pavements and roads.
One in particular on Den Lane where the
bottom of Taylor Green Way meets it is completely blocked, already
there is a steady flow of water onto the bad bend on Stamford Road
near St John’s Church.
When are the council going to attend to these missed gullies in
Lees?
Councillor Goodwin, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, replied that gully cleansing programme commenced late September 2024 to progressively work through all 47,500 gullies in the borough using two gully wagons, one being brought in additionally just for the task.
After just over a year, out of the 20 wards in the borough, the programme has visited over half of these, currently progressing in the 11th ward, achieving an initial clearance rate of between 70 & 80% on average.
The aim of the programme was to clear as many gullies as possible as quickly as possible. Gullies that have been found to be either more solidly blocked or inaccessible are now being dealt with, with one team currently going through the first ward on the programme again. Some gullies need digging out, others repairing, and some accessed by removal of parked cars – this process is happening in parallel. Members are helping operatives where possible ensure cars are moved in advance. Teams will inform ward members when a revisit to the ward is made.
In accordance with the Council's stated policy on the website, ad hoc visits to clear gullies where there is a significant risk of internal flooding or highway safety will take place as part of the routine reactive highways maintenance service.
8. Question from Lynne Thompson
About 12 months ago there was a stage 1 assessment of Diggle clock tower and looking at options to bring it back to use. When will this move onto the next stage? I understand there was some funding allocated in a cabinet meeting some time ago. With some of the other capital projects going on, is this money still available to move things forward to the next stage?
Councillor Shah, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Growth replied, that works have been undertaken to Diggle Clock Tower to ensure the building remains ‘wind and watertight’ and is protected.
We have reprofiled some funding we had set aside for extra emergency works given the previous works have been successful.
As the building is located within the perimeter of Saddleworth Secondary School, discussions have been on-going with the school about potential future uses for the building.
The Council are also considering other alternatives uses for the building and hope to be able to bring something forward in the near future, at which point we will find the money to do this building and project justice.
9. Question from Syed Maruf Ali
Recent reports and census data suggest that thousands of homes across Oldham are currently vacant, with many classed as long-term empty properties. Some sources indicate figures ranging from around 1,100 to over 4,700 empty dwellings in recent years.
Could the Council please provide the most up-to-date figures on the number of empty and long-term empty homes in Oldham?
Furthermore, what action is being taken to bring these properties back into use, and how is the Council ensuring that these homes contribute towards addressing the borough’s housing shortage and supporting local families in need of accommodation?
Councillor Taylor, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for
Neighbourhoods, replied, thanking Mr Ali for his question. The
number of empty homes in the Borough fluctuates, and the majority
are only empty for a short period, while work is carried out, or
because the property is in probate. Latest Council Tax data
indicates that there are 884 empty properties in Oldham, of which
561 are classed as “long term empty”, meaning they have
been vacant for a period of at least 12 months. It is these
long-term empty properties which have the potential to become
problematic for neighbours, as well as representing a wasted
opportunity, at a time when so many are struggling for secure
housing.
While
the Council makes use of a variety of powers available to us around
empty homes, addressing these properties can be a complex issue,
often involving significant investigative work, in order to ascertain ownership, make contact with the owner, and support them to
identify the best way to bring their property up to standard and
back into use.
Having looked at best practice from elsewhere, we are currently working with GMCA on options to work more closely with the owners of empty properties, to ensure that these houses are more quickly made available for people in Oldham.
10. Question from Lucia Rea
Can the Council confirm whether it intends to move forward with the local CSE inquiry independently and if so, whether this will begin prior to the start of the national inquiry?
What discussions have taken place to date with the Home Office regarding the establishment of this inquiry?
What progress has been made in securing a start to the inquiry, including whether the Council has formally discussed appointing Tom Crowther KC as Chair of the inquiry?
It was never made clear to survivors or the community that the commencement of Oldham’s inquiry was reliant on the timing of the national inquiry.
Councillor Mushtaq, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People replied,
In January this year, following the announcement by Government of support for five local inquiries into child sexual exploitation, Oldham Council began the process of commissioning its local inquiry, including engaging Tom Crowther KC, who had undertaken the Telford local inquiry, as its potential chair.
However, while this work was underway, in June, Baroness Casey published the outcome of her audit on group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse which included a recommendation for a national inquiry to include targeted local investigations.
At this point conversations with the Home Office focused on whether it might be better for a local inquiry in Oldham to form part of this statutory national inquiry with the additional legal powers available to it. Conversations were held about how this could be implemented and what it would mean for our existing plans here in Oldham. An update was provided to survivors to explain that this process was underway and was likely to take some time.
We continue to await news from the Home Office of the proposed chair of the national inquiry and confirmation of Oldham’s position in relation to that inquiry.
Officers have requested an update on Oldham’s position within the planned national inquiry and the timescales for that information to be made available.
We will continue to seek the best outcome we can that ensures survivors have their testimony heard and get the answers they deserve.