Agenda item

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1: Time to Scrap the Spin and Get the Basics Right

To be Moved by Councillor Marland

To be Seconded by Councillor Bishop

 

This Council notes that:

a.    Residents across Oldham repeatedly tell councillors that the Council is failing to get the basics right — overgrown weeds on pavements, crumbling roads, poorly maintained parks, blocked drains and widespread fly-tipping.

b.    Oldham is now one of the worst areas in the region for fly-tipping, with rubbish blighting neighbourhoods, attracting vermin and leaving residents feeling ignored.

c.     Potholes continue to damage vehicles and pose safety risks, while many repairs are temporary and fail within months.

d.    Weed growth along highways and pavements has been allowed to spiral out of control in many areas, making streets look neglected and poorly cared for.

e.    Blocked drains and gullies are frequently left uncleared, increasing the risk of surface water flooding during heavy rain.

f.      Parks and green spaces — once a source of pride — are too often left looking tired and under-maintained.

g.    This visible decline follows two years of deep cuts to Environmental Services and frontline maintenance budgets under the Labour and Independent Coalition.

h.    Rather than reversing these cuts, the administration has too often relied on flashy PR campaigns such as “Don’t Trash Oldham”, which may generate headlines but do not substitute for properly funded, routine street cleaning, enforcement and maintenance.

i.      In successive budgets, the Liberal Democrat Group has proposed amendments to invest more in highways maintenance, street cleaning, environmental enforcement and neighbourhood services — amendments which the ruling Coalition has chosen not to support.

This Council further notes that:

At the 2026/27 Budget-setting meeting, this Labour administration – backed by the Shaw & Crompton Independents – voted down Liberal Democrat alternative budget proposals including:

·       Additional investment in parks and green spaces.

·       Additional investment in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.

·       Additional investment in youth services.

This Council believes that:

·       Residents do not want slogans — they want clean streets, safe roads, maintained parks and visible action.

·       The Council should quietly and competently deliver the everyday services that residents pay their council tax to receive.

This Council therefore resolves to:

1.    Prioritise reversing the deep cuts to Environmental Services and neighbourhood maintenance in the next budget cycle.

2.    Reallocate funding away from non-essential publicity and marketing campaigns and into frontline services including:

o   Pothole prevention and permanent repairs.

o   Regular weed clearance on highways and pavements.

o   Systematic drain and gully cleaning.

o   Increased park maintenance.

o   Stronger enforcement and rapid response to fly-tipping.

3.    Produce a public action plan within three months setting out clear service standards and response times for environmental and highways issues.

4.    Report quarterly to Full Council on performance in tackling fly-tipping, potholes and street cleanliness, including benchmarking against neighbouring authorities.

 

 

Motion 3: Keep the Covenant

To be Moved by Councillor Arnott

To be Seconded by Councillor Adams

 

Following a campaign led by The Royal British Legion, the Armed Forces Covenant became enshrined in the Armed Forces Act 2011.

 

The Covenant outlines the nation’s obligation to look after those who serve in HM Armed Forces, have served, and their families, ensuring that members of the Armed Forces community face no disadvantage because of their service, and that special consideration be given in certain circumstances, such as for those who have been injured or bereaved.

 

Legislated through the Armed Forces Act 2021, the Armed Forces Covenant Duty was introduced in November 2022. This Duty places a legal obligation on local authorities to have due regard to the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant when exercising certain statutory functions in the fields of healthcare, education and housing.

 

In January 2026, the UK Government published the Armed Forces Bill. This legislation seeks to fully introduce the Covenant into law, by extending application of the Covenant Duty to all UK Government departments and devolved governments, and to cover an additional ten policy areas, including social care, childcare, social security benefits, among others.

 

Recommendations for Council

Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council notes that:

 

·       Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council first signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2013, committing to support local members of the Armed Forces community.

·       Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council is accredited with the Gold Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Award, demonstrating Forces-friendly employment practices.

·       The UK Government commitment to further extend the Armed Forces Covenant in law is welcome and provides opportunity to enhance support to the Armed Forces community.

·        

Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council resolves to:

·       Write to the Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher-Jones MP, in support of The Royal British Legion’s ‘Keep the Covenant Promise’ campaign:

·       To call for improved statutory guidance and funding to all public bodies in scope of the extended Duty, including local authorities, to deliver better support through the expanded Covenant Duty.

·       To ask that the UK Government implements a dedicated programme of promotional activity on the Armed Forces Covenant, in order to improve public awareness and positively recognise those who serve / have served in HM Armed Forces.

·       To ensure that the impact of the expanded Covenant Duty is thoroughly monitored, and that members of the Armed Forces community can access effective means of redress in cases where the Duty is not fulfilled.

 

Motion 1: Time to Scrap the Spin and Get the Basics Right

Councillor Marland MOVED and Councillor Bishop SECONDED the following Motion:

 

This Council notes that:

1.    Residents across Oldham repeatedly tell councillors that the Council is failing to get the basics right — overgrown weeds on pavements, crumbling roads, poorly maintained parks, blocked drains and widespread fly-tipping.

2.    Oldham is now one of the worst areas in the region for fly-tipping, with rubbish blighting neighbourhoods, attracting vermin and leaving residents feeling ignored.

3.    Potholes continue to damage vehicles and pose safety risks, while many repairs are temporary and fail within months.

4.    Weed growth along highways and pavements has been allowed to spiral out of control in many areas, making streets look neglected and poorly cared for.

5.    Blocked drains and gullies are frequently left uncleared, increasing the risk of surface water flooding during heavy rain.

6.    Parks and green spaces — once a source of pride — are too often left looking tired and under-maintained.

7.    This visible decline follows two years of deep cuts to Environmental Services and frontline maintenance budgets under the Labour and Independent Coalition.

8.    Rather than reversing these cuts, the administration has too often relied on flashy PR campaigns such as “Don’t Trash Oldham”, which may generate headlines but do not substitute for properly funded, routine street cleaning, enforcement and maintenance.

9.    In successive budgets, the Liberal Democrat Group has proposed amendments to invest more in highways maintenance, street cleaning, environmental enforcement and neighbourhood services — amendments which the ruling Coalition has chosen not to support.

This Council further notes that:
At the 2026/27 Budget-setting meeting, this Labour administration – backed by the Shaw & Crompton Independents – voted down Liberal Democrat alternative budget proposals including:

·       Additional investment in parks and green spaces

·       Additional investment in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour

·       Additional investment in youth services

This Council believes that:

·       Residents do not want slogans — they want clean streets, safe roads, maintained parks and visible action.

·       The Council should quietly and competently deliver the everyday services that residents pay their council tax to receive.

This Council therefore resolves to:

1.    Prioritise reversing the deep cuts to Environmental Services and neighbourhood maintenance in the next budget cycle.

2.    Reallocate funding away from non-essential publicity and marketing campaigns and into frontline services including:

a.    Pothole prevention and permanent repairs.

b.    Regular weed clearance on highways and pavements.

c.     Systematic drain and gully cleaning.

d.    Increased park maintenance.

e.    Stronger enforcement and rapid response to fly-tipping.

3.    Produce a public action plan within three months setting out clear service standards and response times for environmental and highways issues.

4.    Report quarterly to Full Council on performance in tackling fly-tipping, potholes and street cleanliness, including benchmarking against neighbouring authorities.

 

AMENDMENT

Councillor Shah MOVED and Councillor Jabbar SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:

 

This Council notes that:

1.     Fly-tipping blights neighbourhoods, attracts vermin and leaves residents feeling ignored. The council has cleared over 1,100 tonnes of illegally dumped waste in 2025, identified 38 fly-tipping hotspots across the borough for targeted enforcement and engagement, and is establishing a new Rapid Action Team in 2026/27 to further strengthen its response.

2.     Potholes continue to damage vehicles and pose safety risks, which is why the council invested £5.575 million in highway repairs in 2024/25, and has allocated £18 million for local roads in the 2026/27 budget with an additional £2 million from Council capital to accelerate repairs.

3.     Weed growth along highways and pavements remains a concern in some areas. Following the failure of an external contractor, the council brought weed spraying in-house, training its own staff and deploying specialist equipment across the borough.

4.     Blocked drains and gullies are cleared on a cyclical basis with the programme currently making its way through the 14^th ward on the schedule published on the Council’s website – while a second wagon returns to previously inaccessible blocked gullies or those needing repair.

5.     Parks and green spaces across Oldham are a source of pride for the Council and our residents.

6.     This visible pressure on Environmental Services and frontline maintenance budgets is the consequence of more than a decade of central government austerity and real-terms reductions to local government funding, aided by the Liberal Democrats decision to enter coalition with the Conservatives in 2010.

7.     The Don’t Trash Oldham programme has delivered measurable results: 38 hotspots identified, intensive enforcement in 29 residential areas, fly-tippers prosecuted, and community groups mobilised across the borough. Effective communication supports service delivery — it does not substitute for it.

8.     In successive budgets, the Liberal Democrat Group has accepted all savings identified in the Environment directorate; however, their alternative investment proposals are largely generic, aspirational statements that lack detailed justification and involve only small financial commitments.

 

This Council further notes that:
At the 2026/27 Budget-setting meeting, this Labour administration proposed a budget which directly addresses the issues raised in this motion, the Liberal Democrat Group voted against it but it included;

·       £18 million for local roads, with an additional £2 million from Council capital to accelerate repairs;

·       A new Rapid Action Team to tackle fly-tipping, with local apprentices to be recruited into the roles;

·       The bulky waste collection service brought back in-house at a simplified fee of £10 per item, reducing a key driver of fly-tipping;

·       £100,000 for strengthened youth services across districts.

On Sunday 22^nd March the Labour Government announced that Oldham Council would receive part of £18m fund to upgrade and restore playgrounds in the Borough.

 

This Council believes that:

·       Residents want clean streets, safe roads, maintained parks and visible action.

·       The Council should competently deliver the everyday services that residents pay their council tax to receive.

 

This Council therefore resolves to:

1.     Prioritise frontline neighbourhood maintenance in future budget cycles.

2.     Continue to invest in frontline services including:

a.    Pothole prevention and permanent repairs.

b.    Regular weed clearance on highways and pavements.

c.     Systematic drain and gully cleaning.

d.    Increased park maintenance.

e.    Stronger enforcement and rapid response to fly-tipping.

3.     Produce a public action plan within six months setting out clear service standards and response times for environmental and highways issues.

4.     Report annually to Full Council on performance in tackling fly-tipping, potholes and street cleanliness.

 

On being put to the VOTE the AMENDMENT was CARRIED.

 

On being put to the VOTE the MOTION AS AMENDED was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED:

1.    Prioritise frontline neighbourhood maintenance in future budget cycles.

2.    Continue to invest in frontline services including:

a.    Pothole prevention and permanent repairs.

b.    Regular weed clearance on highways and pavements.

c.     Systematic drain and gully cleaning.

d.    Increased park maintenance.

e.    Stronger enforcement and rapid response to fly-tipping.

3.    Produce a public action plan within six months setting out clear service standards and response times for environmental and highways issues.

4.    Report annually to Full Council on performance in tackling fly-tipping, potholes and street cleanliness.

Motion 2: Keep the Covenant

Councillor Arnott MOVED and Councillor Adams SECONDED the following Motion:

 

Following a campaign led by The Royal British Legion, the Armed Forces Covenant became enshrined in the Armed Forces Act 2011.

 

The Covenant outlines the nation’s obligation to look after those who serve in HM Armed Forces, have served, and their families, ensuring that members of the Armed Forces community face no disadvantage because of their service, and that special consideration be given in certain circumstances, such as for those who have been injured or bereaved.

 

Legislated through the Armed Forces Act 2021, the Armed Forces Covenant Duty was introduced in November 2022. This Duty places a legal obligation on local authorities to have due regard to the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant when exercising certain statutory functions in the fields of healthcare, education and housing.

 

In January 2026, the UK Government published the Armed Forces Bill. This legislation seeks to fully introduce the Covenant into law, by extending application of the Covenant Duty to all UK Government departments and devolved governments, and to cover an additional ten policy areas, including social care, childcare, social security benefits, among others.

 

Recommendation for Council

Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council notes that:

a.    Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council first signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2013, committing to support local members of the Armed Forces community.

b.    Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council is accredited with the Gold Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Award, demonstrating Forces-friendly employment practices.

c.     The UK Government commitment to further extend the Armed Forces Covenant in law is welcome and provides opportunity to enhance support to the Armed Forces community.

Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council resolves to:

1.    Write to the Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher-Jones MP, in support of The Royal British Legion’s ‘Keep the Covenant Promise’ campaign.

2.    To call for improved statutory guidance and funding to all public bodies in scope of the extended Duty, including local authorities, to deliver better support through the expanded Covenant Duty.

3.    To ask that the UK Government implements a dedicated programme of promotional activity on the Armed Forces Covenant, in order to improve public awareness and positively recognise those who serve / have served in HM Armed Forces.

4.    To ensure that the impact of the expanded Covenant Duty is thoroughly monitored, and that members of the Armed Forces community can access effective means of redress in cases where the Duty is not fulfilled.

 

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Chief Executive be requested to write to the Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher-Jones MP, in support of The Royal British Legion’s ‘Keep the Covenant Promise’ campaign.

2.    To call for improved statutory guidance and funding to all public bodies in scope of the extended Duty, including local authorities, to deliver better support through the expanded Covenant Duty.

3.    To ask that the UK Government implements a dedicated programme of promotional activity on the Armed Forces Covenant, in order to improve public awareness and positively recognise those who serve/have served in HM Armed Forces.

4.    To ensure that the impact of the expanded Covenant Duty is thoroughly monitored, and that members of the Armed Forces community can access effective means of redress in cases where the Duty is not fulfilled.