Agenda item

(time limit 60 minutes)

 

Motion 1: A new start for Oldham Borough

To be Moved by Councillor Harkness

To be Seconded by Councillor Al-Hamdani

 

This Council believes that:

Residents of Oldham Borough want their Council to change to reflect the priorities of the people. 

They want their Council to get the basics right, with a laser-focus on improving the performance of frontline services including drain clearance, road repairs and park and green space maintenance.  

Residents want their Council to tackle environmental crimes like littering, dog-fouling, fly-tipping and graffiti. 

 

It is also time to deliver fair funding to all districts and communities in Oldham Borough and not just keep pouring capital investment into Oldham Town Centre. 

 

This Council resolves:

To request the relevant officers to produce a budget report to explore how existing funding can be reprofiled to address the priorities set out in this motion and specifically addressing: environmental crime (including littering, dog fouling, fly-tipping and graffiti); frontline services (including drain clearance, road repairs, and park and green space maintenance) and delivering fair district funding.  

 

The report will come back to the next council where the report can be considered and voted upon.

 

 

Motion 2: Tackling Anti-social behaviour

To be Moved by Councillor Hanlon

To be Seconded by Councillor Eyre

 

This Council notes with deep concern and rising anger the linked problems blighting Oldham residents’ quality of life:

 

A. Masked and balaclava-clad youths on off-road motorbikes, high-powered e-bikes (including Surron-style machines) and similar vehicles terrorise our streets. They race at high speed on roads, pavements, parks and open spaces, weave recklessly through traffic and pedestrians, ride without lights in dark clothing, and vanish into estates. These vehicles fuel drug dealing, robbery, theft, criminal damage, intimidation and the exploitation of children. Fast speeding cars compound the danger—driven recklessly at excessive speeds through residential roads and estates, creating noise, fear and risk. Residents feel unsafe and powerless. Many say “no one can catch them.” Despite GMP operations such as Operation Hurricane, both problems remain widespread and unacceptable.

 

B. Illegal and nuisance fireworks. Under the Fireworks Regulations 2004 it is a criminal offence to use fireworks between 11:00 pm and 7:00 am (except limited permitted nights). Throwing or setting off fireworks in streets or public places is also illegal. Repeated early-hours explosions rob residents of sleep, distress children, older people, those with sensory issues or PTSD, and terrify animals. Areas including Chadderton report being woken at 2:00–3:00 am and beyond. Previous promises of better checks and mapping have failed to stop the nuisance.

 

Effective action demands tight, structured cooperation between the Council and GMP.

 

This Council believes:

 

Oldham residents should not have to endure masked bike thugs, reckless speeding cars or illegal midnight fireworks as “just the way it is.”

Existing powers under road traffic law, the Fireworks Regulations, the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, statutory nuisance rules, licensing and tenancy enforcement must be used systematically, robustly and visibly.

Better multi-agency working, intelligence-led targeting, clear escalation and significantly increased visible patrols and presence are essential.

 

This Council therefore resolves:

 

Instruct the Chief Executive to write within 14 days to the Chief Constable of GMP demanding enhanced cooperation on masked bikes, speeding cars and illegal fireworks, and seeking a written joint working protocol covering intelligence sharing, hotspot identification, increased targeted patrols and presence, escalation and regular performance reporting—agreed within three months.

 

Identify and regularly update hotspots for all three problems jointly with GMP, using resident reports, 101 calls and local intelligence. Maintain and review a current hotspot map at least quarterly.

 

Demand significantly increased intelligence-led targeted patrols and high-visibility presence by GMP (supported by Council officers where possible) in hotspots at peak risk times—more frequent, sustained and visible to deter offenders and reassure residents.

 

Ensure every relevant Council complaint is shared promptly with GMP and reinforce clear single points of contact so patterns of offending are spotted and acted on.

 

Establish a clear escalation process: joint case conferences and the full stepped use of warnings, Community Protection Notices, Public Spaces Protection Orders, licensing action, vehicle seizures, prosecutions, tenancy enforcement and all ASB powers.

 

Demand that anti-social and criminal use of off-road bikes, e-bikes and fast speeding cars be made a GMP force priority, with dedicated resources, specialist bike units, roads policing, drones, aerial support and maximum use of section 59 warnings and seizures.

 

Write within 14 days to the Home Secretary, Policing Minister and Mayor of Greater Manchester demanding extra dedicated funding for GMP and a review of laws to strengthen powers against masked riders and reckless speeding.

 

Launch within 28 days a high-profile, borough-wide public campaign stating zero tolerance, explaining how to report (including anonymously), seeking intelligence on storage locations, and publicising enforcement successes—running for at least 12 months.

 

Write immediately to all major housing providers in Oldham requiring them to treat storage or use of vehicles linked to ASB or crime as a serious tenancy breach, share intelligence, take robust enforcement (including possession where appropriate) and report back within three months.

 

On illegal fireworks specifically:

 

Share all fireworks complaints promptly with GMP. 

Urge residents to report illegal use (after 11 pm) to GMP on 101 or online as it happens, and persistent nuisance to Environmental Health. 

Deploy the full toolkit against persistent offenders: warnings, CPNs, PSPOs, licensing reviews, seizures, prosecutions and ASB powers.

 

Scrutiny and prevention:

 

Require officers to report to the next Overview and Scrutiny Committee (then quarterly, and to the Community Safety Partnership) with data by ward, seizures, warnings, arrests, prosecutions, hotspots, patrols conducted (including increased presence), progress on every resolution, and clear reduction targets within six and twelve months.

 

Strengthen prevention and diversion work with youth services, schools, children’s services and Youth Justice while ensuring full use of powers against those who keep offending.

 

Report overall progress to full Council (or appropriate scrutiny) within six months and regularly thereafter.

 

This Council declares zero tolerance for masked youths on illegal bikes, dangerous speeding cars and illegal fireworks. 

 

No excuses. No delay. No dilution. We will hold ourselves, GMP, housing providers and partners to account until residents can live, sleep, walk, use parks and drive without fear or disturbance. The safety and quality of life of Oldham residents come first.

 

 

Motion 3: Beal Valley and Broadbent Moss: Ensuring a Robust Masterplan

To be Moved by Councillor Sharp

To be Seconded by Councillor Woodvine

 

Council notes that:

1. Places for Everyone (PfE) forms part of the statutory development plan for Oldham Council;
2. Policies JPA10 Beal Valley and JPA12 Broadbent Moss require development to be “in accordance with a comprehensive masterplan and design code as agreed by the local planning authority”, including an infrastructure phasing and delivery strategy in accordance with Policy JP-D1;
3. Council previously resolved to formulate the Beal Valley and Broadbent Moss masterplan as a Supplementary Planning Document and undertook public consultation on the draft document earlier this year. However, changes to the national plan-making regulations mean that the final adoption date for new Supplementary Planning Documents was 30 June 2026, meaning that the masterplan cannot now be adopted as a new SPD and will remain non-statutory guidance;
4. The masterplan is intended to provide a comprehensive framework for development across both allocations, including the protection and enhancement of ecological habitats and green and blue infrastructure, and PfE requires development to avoid fragmenting or severing connectivity between habitats;
5. PfE identifies a new Metrolink stop and Park and Ride facility south of Cop Road as a “necessary” transport intervention for both JPA10 Beal Valley and JPA12 Broadbent Moss;
6. The Council’s Environmental Screening Opinion for the Phase 1 planning application at Broadbent Moss identifies the need for school-place provision to be addressed strategically across the wider allocated sites, together with a full assessment of the requirements for health-service provision;
7. Policy JP-D1 requires an infrastructure phasing and delivery strategy for sites where development will be delivered by different developers or in phases, setting out what needs to be provided, by when, and who will fund and deliver it.

 

Council believes that:

The Beal Valley and Broadbent Moss masterplan should be sufficiently comprehensive, evidenced and deliverable to provide the framework required by Policies JPA10 and JPA12, including demonstrating that the cumulative environmental, infrastructure, education, health and transport impacts of development have been properly assessed and planned for, and that further work is required before it can fulfil that role effectively.

 

Council resolves that:

1. The relevant officer ask if the developer consortium would be willing, as part of their ecological assessments supporting their planning applications, to update the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal underpinning their section of the proposed spine road to reflect the revised route and assess its implications for habitats, protected species and ecological connectivity, with the findings reported to the Council as part of the planning applications;
2. An assessment of projected school-place requirements across the Beal Valley and Broadbent Moss masterplan area to 2039 be undertaken, taking account of the cumulative impact of development across both allocations, and reported to Council, including an assessment of whether land should be safeguarded for a primary school;
3. A Health Impact Assessment for the Beal Valley and Broadbent Moss masterplan area be undertaken and reported to Council, assessing the cumulative impact of the proposed development on local health services and associated infrastructure;
4. The existing infrastructure phasing and delivery strategy within the masterplan be reviewed and strengthened in accordance with Policy JP-D1, clearly identifying what infrastructure is required, when it is required, the trigger points for delivery, and who will fund and deliver each element, with the revised strategy reported to Council;
5. A report be requested from Transport for Greater Manchester setting out the current status and deliverability of the proposed Metrolink stop and Park and Ride facility south of Cop Road, including:
   • the necessary stages for progressing the proposal and what each stage entails;
   • TfGM’s current prospective timetable for those stages; and
   • the findings of any geotechnical assessments undertaken in relation to the Cop Road site, including any implications arising from the 2024 landslide affecting the Shaw-Derker line.

 

 

Motion 4: Strengthening Controls on the Sale and Use of Fireworks

To be Moved by Councillor Brownridge

To be Seconded by Councillor M. Ali

 

This Council has repeatedly highlighted the serious impact that the anti-social use of fireworks has on residents, animals, emergency services and local communities. Despite existing restrictions on the sale and use of fireworks, complaints continue throughout the year. Enforcement remains difficult because proving who has actually discharged a firework is often challenging, even when anti-social use is clearly taking place. 

 

Whilst fireworks can be enjoyed safely as part of properly organised celebrations and community events, the current regulatory framework is no longer fit for purpose. The growth of online sales and the widespread availability of fireworks throughout the year has made it increasingly difficult for enforcement agencies to prevent misuse. 

 

This Council believes that a more robust permitting and accountability system is required.

 

Fireworks intended for private use should only be available in connection with approved events, with clear responsibility placed upon those obtaining the fireworks and organising their use. 

 

This Council notes: 

 

• Anti-social use of fireworks continues to generate significant complaints from residents across Oldham. 

• Fireworks can cause distress to vulnerable residents, including those with sensory sensitivities, veterans suffering from PTSD, young children, and pet owners. 

• Current legislation places significant limitations on enforcement because agencies often need to identify the individual who discharged a firework before action can be taken. 

• Greater accountability for the purchase, possession and use of fireworks would strengthen enforcement and improve public safety. 

• Local authorities currently have limited powers to regulate fireworks beyond existing national legislation. 

 

This Council further notes:

·       That the Government has launched a UK-wide consultation entitled"Fireworks and Pyrotechnics in the UK", published on 16 July 2026, which specifically seeks views on reforms to fireworks legislation aimed at addressing noise nuisance, anti-social behaviour, public safety concerns and the impact of fireworks on vulnerable people and animals. The consultation acknowledges growing public concern regarding the misuse of fireworks and recognises the need to consider stronger regulatory controls whilst maintaining the ability for communities to celebrate safely and responsibly

 

 

This Council resolves to: 

1.    Request that the Chief Executive write to the Secretary of State urging the Government to introduce legislation that would:

a.    Restrict the sale of fireworks solely to named individuals acting under a permit issued for a specific event. 

b.    Make possession of fireworks without a valid permit an offence, subject to appropriate exemptions for licensed retailers and professional operators. 

c.     Place legal responsibility upon the named permit holder or holders for compliance with permit conditions, regardless of who physically discharges the fireworks. 

d.    Strengthen enforcement powers available to police and local authorities. 

2.    Request that the Chief Executive of the Council write to the Mayor of Greater Manchester seeking support from all Greater Manchester local authorities for a coordinated campaign calling for reform of national fireworks legislation. 

3.    Request that the Mayor of Greater Manchester be encouraged to work with other combined authority mayors and regional leaders to build wider support for changes to the law. 

4.    Request that the Monitoring Officer investigate whether any existing by-law, Public Spaces Protection Order, licensing power or other local mechanism could be utilised to introduce stronger controls on the possession and use of fireworks within Oldham, and report findings to the appropriate committee. 

5.    Submit a formal response to the Government's consultation on Fireworks and Pyrotechnics in the UK, supporting stronger controls on the sale, possession and use of fireworks, including consideration of a permit-based system restricting sales to named individuals for authorised events only.

6.    Continue to support measures aimed at reducing noise nuisance, improving public notification of organised displays and protecting vulnerable residents and animals from the harmful effects of anti-social firework use. 

7.    For all group leaders to engage with their counterparts in other authorities to ensure that this proposal has genuine cross party support nationwide.

 

Motion 5: A Borough-Wide Strategy to Reduce Child Poverty and Improve Life Chances for Children in Oldham

To be Moved by Councillor Z. Ali

To be Seconded by Councillor Arstan

 

This motion seeks a practical, measurable and cross-party programme for reducing child poverty in

Oldham, building on work already undertaken by the Council and learning from effective approaches elsewhere.

This Council notes that:

• Child poverty and deprivation continue to affect too many children and families across Oldham, with particularly severe pressures in some of the borough's most deprived communities.

• Oldham Council already provides important support through financial assistance, Family Hubs, early help, food and holiday support, housing and welfare advice, and employment and skills programmes.

 

The Council's existing work provides a strong foundation on which to build.

 

• In 2024, Oldham Council resolved to support the development of a national Child Poverty Strategy and to explore further support for families affected by the two child limit, including through free school meals.

• Oldham Council's current support includes more than £5.7 million of financial-crisis support for

2026/27, including assistance for families and around 21,000 children eligible for Free School Meals during school holidays.

• Oldham's Children and Young People Scrutiny Board has recognised the importance of intervention rather than waiting for crisis, and has discussed poverty, Family First, breakfast clubs and the expected impact of changes to the two-child benefit cap.

• Local government cannot eliminate child poverty alone. However, the Council can use its convening power, services, partnerships, procurement, data, community networks and political voice to reduce the impact of poverty and improve children's life chances.

• Approaches to tackling child poverty have been developed by councils elsewhere in England.

Oldham should learn from proven practice while developing a strategy specifically suited to the

borough's communities and circumstances.

 

This Council believes that:

• No child should have their life chances determined by the income or circumstances of their family.

• Reducing child poverty should be treated as a long-term corporate priority, with clear outcomes,

measurable targets and democratic accountability.

• Prevention and early intervention are more effective than waiting until families reach crisis point.

• Children, parents, schools, health services, voluntary organisations, faith groups, businesses and

communities should have a meaningful role in shaping solutions.

• Action should be focused particularly on communities experiencing the greatest levels of deprivation while ensuring that families across the borough can access support.

• A cross-party approach gives Oldham the best opportunity to maintain progress over successive

administrations.

This Council therefore resolves to:

1 Develop an Oldham Child Poverty Reduction Strategy within 12 months, led by the Council

and developed with partners, children, young people and families. The Strategy should establish a

clear baseline, identify priority interventions and set measurable targets and timescales.

 

2 Establish a cross-party Child Poverty Partnership comprising councillors from across the

political groups, relevant Council officers, schools and education leaders, health and public-health

partners, voluntary and community organisations, faith groups, local businesses, parents, children

and young people. Its purpose should be to advise on, monitor and help deliver the Strategy.

 

3 Introduce an annual Child Poverty and Family Wellbeing Impact Statement alongside the

Council's major budget and policy decisions, identifying where decisions may increase or reduce

financial pressure on children and families and setting out appropriate mitigation where necessary.

 

4 Publish an annual Child Poverty Scorecard for Full Council, including progress against agreed

indicators such as child poverty, free-school-meal eligibility, food insecurity, school attendance and

attainment, access to early help, housing insecurity, employment and financial resilience, with data

broken down where appropriate to identify inequalities between communities.

 

5 Prioritise early intervention and prevention, including strengthening the reach of Family Hubs,

breakfast provision, holiday food and activity programmes, welfare and debt advice, housing

support, employment and skills support, and routes into training and secure work.

 

6 Improve access to support by reviewing how residents are informed about available help and by

developing a simple, coordinated communications approach across Council services and partner

organisations, with particular attention to families who may not currently access support.

 

7 Work with schools and education partners to identify practical opportunities to reduce the effects

of poverty on children's education, including access to free school meals, uniform and essential-cost support, attendance initiatives, enrichment and digital access.

 

8 Use the Council's convening and commissioning role to bring together public, voluntary,

community, faith and business partners to identify additional resources, funding opportunities and

practical initiatives that can reduce hardship and improve children's life chances.

 

9 Ask officers to identify external funding and best-practice opportunities and report to the

relevant scrutiny body on potential initiatives that could be adapted for Oldham.

 

10 Write to Oldham's Members of Parliament and the Government's relevant Child Poverty Task

Force setting out the scale of the challenge in Oldham, sharing local evidence and calling for

national measures and funding that will help reduce child poverty.

 

11 Bring the completed Strategy and first-year implementation plan to Full Council for

consideration and debate within 12 months, followed by an annual progress report.

 

Implementation and accountability.

The Strategy should complement, rather than duplicate, existing Council plans and statutory

responsibilities. Before finalising the Strategy, officers should map current provision, identify gaps,

establish a baseline and assess the resources required. Any new expenditure should be subject to the Council's normal financial, legal and equality-assessment processes.

 

A clear message from Oldham

Child poverty should not be accepted as inevitable. Oldham has communities with significant strengths, committed public services and a strong voluntary and community sector. This motion asks the Council to bring those assets together around a single, measurable ambition: to reduce child poverty, prevent families falling into crisis and give every child in Oldham the strongest possible start in life.