Agenda item

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1: Strengthening Standards and Restoring Confidence in Local Democracy

To be Moved by Councillor Harrison

To be Seconded by Councillor Shuttleworth

This Council notes:

• The Government’s recent response to its consultation on strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England, following widespread concerns about inconsistent enforcement and inadequate sanctions under the current regime.
• The proposals include:
  • A mandatory minimum code of conduct for all local authorities.
  • A requirement for formal standards committees to oversee breaches and publish investigation outcomes.
  • New powers to suspend councillors or mayors for serious misconduct, including interim suspensions in complex cases.
  • A national appeals body to ensure consistency.
  • A new category of disqualification for gross misconduct or repeated breaches.
  • Measures to empower victims of councillor misconduct and improve transparency.

This Council believes:

• High standards of conduct are essential to maintaining public trust in local democracy.
• A clear, consistent, and enforceable framework will help councillors uphold the integrity of public office and protect the reputation of local government.
• These reforms will strengthen accountability and ensure that misconduct is dealt with swiftly and fairly across all tiers of local government.

This Council resolves to:

1. Welcome the Government’s proposals to strengthen the standards regime and restore confidence in local democracy.
2. Commit to adopting the mandatory minimum code of conduct once implemented in legislation.
3. Ensure our Standards Committee is fully prepared to meet the new requirements, including publishing investigation outcomes transparently and regularly reporting these outcomes to Council.
4. Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government expressing our support for these reforms and urging timely implementation.
5. Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Local Government Association, urging them to consider the development of a training programme aligned with the new standards regime.
6. Ask our Standards Committee to work with the relevant Officers locally to review Oldham’s elected member behaviour standards training programme and ensure it is fit for purpose, with a view to making it a mandatory training unit.

Motion 2: Fairer Parking Charges at Manchester Airport

To be Moved by: Councillor Shah
to be Seconded by: Councillor Charters

This Council notes:

• Manchester Airport is the third busiest airport in the UK and a vital gateway for Greater Manchester residents and businesses.

·       Current drop-off and pick-up charges at Manchester Airport are £5 for five minutes, £6.40 for up to 10 minutes, and £25 for up to 30 minutes, with fines of £100 (reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days) for late payment under the barrierless system. 

·       The RAC has ranked Manchester Airport among the most expensive UK airports on a cost-per-minute basis. 

·       Jim McMahon MP has called for a full review of signage, an end to the practice of stacking up charges, an extension of the time allowed to pay, and greater transparency on income from these charges.

This Council believes:

• Parking charges should be fair, transparent, and not penalise genuine mistakes.
• The current system risks disproportionately impacting local residents and visitors, especially given the complexity of the barrierless payment process.
• Clear signage and user-friendly payment options are essential to avoid confusion and unnecessary fines.

This Council resolves:

1. To formally support Jim McMahon MP’s campaign for fairer and more transparent parking charges at Manchester Airport.
2. To ask the Chief Executive to write to Manchester Airport Group urging:
   • A review of the current charging structure with a view to reducing costs.
   • Improved signage and introduction of a “tap-out” payment option at exit points.
   • Publication of data on income from drop-off and pick-up charges.
   • A fair and accessible appeals process that does not increase penalties for unsuccessful appeals.
3. To ask the Chief Executive to write to the Mayor of Greater Manchester and Leaders of the other 9 GM Local Authorities to share this motion seek wider regional support.