Search decisions

The purpose of this report is to consider the introduction of Prohibition of Waiting restrictions (double yellow lines) on Howard Street at its junction with Huddersfield Road, Waterhead.

RESOLVED - That:
Prohibition of Waiting restrictions be implemented in accordance with the schedule at the end of this report

Following a competitive tender process for Phase 3 of the provision of A Bed Every Night (ABEN) rough sleeper accommodation project in Oldham the successful tenderer was DePaul. DePaul were awarded two contracts to deliver services between 1st September 2020 and 31st March 2021 for the main ABEN cohort and rough sleepers with No Recourse to Public Funds.
GMCA, the body that funds and monitors ABEN schemes across Greater Manchester, have confirmed intention to continue the initiative through to the end of March 2022, but have yet to secure the full funding required for this period. GMCA are however optimistic that the final funding picture will be confirmed by June 2021.
Due to these unexpected circumstances it has not been possible to carry out a full re-procurement exercise within required timescales. It is therefore proposed that the current ABEN contract be modified and extended by three months, with an option to extend for a further three if needed, on existing terms to enable sufficient time for new Phase 4 funding to be confirmed and appropriate procurement activity to take place.

RESOLVED - That:
Agree to extend the current ABEN Phase 3 contract and ABEN NRPF contracts by three months to 30th June 2021, with an option to extend for a further three months: This option would ensure there is no disruption to service users and provides a realistic timescale for commissioning and implementing the ABEN Phase 4 contract.

In order to achieve the saving of £389k within the 2021/22 approved budget it is proposed to restructure the Finance Service as set out in the finalised consultation document.

RESOLVED - That:1)To implement the proposed revised structure and ensure delivery of the full £389k savings for 2021/22 (plus £17k contributing to the corporate budget reduction)

The purpose of this report is to approve the usage of the Rough Sleeping Initiative Emergency Accommodation Allocation and seek approval to extend the current fixed term contract of the Move on Support Officer (MOSO) until 31st March 2022.

RESOLVED - That:
Extend the NSAP Move-On Support Officer post to March 2022 and utilise the remaining Rough Sleeping Initiative Emergency Accommodation Allocation monies for ongoing accommodation provision

Allocation of MHCLG Community Champions Programme Grant

RESOLVED - That: To allocate the Government grant funding to provide support to residents most at risk from Covid19 through a community engagement approach according to proposals brought forward and endorsed by the Community Champions Steering Group

The TTaS programme aims to offer twice weekly testing to people who cannot work from home and do not have symptoms of coronavirus.
Much of the current delivery model was able to mobilise at pace as the Council drew upon exemptions to procurement rules. To deliver at scale there were no alternatives to the current providers and current operating model.
To continue offering targeted testing at pace to workforces and business settings, Oldham needs outreach testing provision. In addition, training to support settings intending to establish themselves as a test site is to be provided, or support staff eligible for home testing.
Oldham Council has worked to commission a provider for the provision of Targeted Testing at Scale (TTaS) longer term provision – Outreach Testing and Training through an open competitive tendering procedure.
It was agreed on 16th February 2021 for the Chief Executive to use emergency powers in consultation with Councillor Fielding, Leader of the Council and Councillor Shah portfolio holder for COVID-19, to award the contract following completion of the tender evaluation processes, on behalf of the Council.
The recommendation is to award the contract for the Targeted Testing at Scale (TTaS) longer term provision – Outreach Testing and Training to BARDOC. Once approval is acquired, the final due diligence checks will be carried out and the contract awarded, subject to satisfactory outcomes of the checks.
The contract term is for a period of one year up to the end of 31 March 2022 with a value of £14 payable for each test completed in line with the requirements of the specification. Results uploaded to the national portal will be payable at this unit price regardless of positive, negative or void outcome. There is an option to extend the contract for up to a further one year.
The recommendation is subject to successful completion of a 5-day standstill period.

RESOLVED -
To award the contract for the provision of Oldham’s Targeted Testing at Scale (TTaS) longer term provision – Outreach Testing and Training as part of Oldham’s strategy to contain, manage and ultimately defeat Coronavirus. A change to the existing model is required to maximise cost effectiveness and ensure the service does not create a financial deficit for the Council.

The TTaS programme aims to offer twice weekly testing to people who cannot work from home and do not have symptoms of coronavirus.
Much of the current delivery model was able to mobilise at pace as the Council drew upon exemptions to procurement rules. To deliver at scale there were no alternatives to the current providers and current operating model.
To continue offering targeted testing at pace under a new model under a clinic based multi-site delivery model (for example a pharmacy-led) where there are no direct site costs, no direct staffing costs, no direct clinical waste costs, no additional clinical governance to be commissioned nor additional clinical insurance requirements to the LA.
Oldham Council has worked to commission a framework for a clinic based multi-site delivery model (for example a pharmacy-led) has been tendered under the Pseudo Dynamic Purchasing System whereby individual entities bid to deliver the testing service. The Pseudo DPS allows suppliers who have previously completed a tender and failed to gain entry onto the DPS, they have an opportunity to complete a tender again at any time. Throughout the duration of the DPS, any supplier can complete and submit a tender to be admitted onto the system as long as they can meet the mandatory requirements and minimum quality standards laid out in the Tender documents.
It was agreed on 16th February 2021 for the Chief Executive to use emergency powers in consultation with Councillor Fielding, Leader of the Council and Councillor Shah portfolio holder for COVID-19, to award the contract following completion of the tender evaluation processes, on behalf of the Council.
The recommendation is to admit the providers that met criteria.The contract term is for a period of one year up to the end of 31 March 2022.

RESOLVED - That:
To award contracts for the provision of Oldham’s Targeted Testing at Scale longer term provision – Pseudo Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) as part of Oldham’s strategy to contain, manage and ultimately defeat Coronavirus. A change to the existing model is required to maximise cost effectiveness and ensure the service does not create a financial deficit for the Council.

The report seeks approval for a restructure of the Family Connect Service as set out in the staff consultation report and amended following consultation with staff and trade unions.
As part of the wider development of place based working, and in order to support delivery of better outcomes for children and families, the proposed restructure reorganises the service around five district teams, together with a Development and Domestic Abuse team, and the inclusion of early help staff in an integrated children’s services team in the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub. The proposals are a first phase in developing an integrated, multi-agency early help offer.

RESOLVED - That: the restructure be approved in order to deliver service improvement together with an agreed budget saving.

The purpose of the report is to gain approval to allocate financial resource to a number of areas to deliver Targeted Testing at Scale (TTaS) post the 6-week surge period which was then extended through to the end of 31 March 2021. A new model has already sought and gained approval for delivery commencing 1st April 2021 and is currently published on CHEST NW portal as 2 tender opportunities.
From the 18th January 2021 to the end of February 2021 rapid antigen lateral flow tests have been undertaken. These were undertaken either at one of the ATS sites, in workplaces by the mobile teams, or by workplaces that have received training by our commissioned service or the military outreach teams.
Recommendations within the paper;
•To note the progress to date with the current delivery of TTaS in Oldham.
•To note the wider testing requirements as National Government moves through the 4 step plan.
•To approve the additional financial, spend for the period of March 2021 for site hire, site maintenance, workforce, waste disposal and programme management.
•Understand the financing model we are undertaking with regards to draw down.

RESOLVED - That: Approval gained to continue operation of Targeted Testing at Scale from 1st March 2021 to 31st March 2021 to deliver testing for asymptomatic individuals in line with Greater Manchester and National Government’s Community testing programme.

To request approval from the Cabinet Member for Finance and Green for the adoption of a new policy to support officers and members to manage unreasonable behaviour from customers. The report also seeks approval for the updating of the current Corporate Complaints Policy.

RESOLVED - That:
That the Unreasonable Behaviour Policy and updated Corporate Complaints Policy is approved.
The approval of these policies will support officers and members to understand clearly what is expected of them, what options for action are available when customer and complainant behaviour is unreasonable, and who can authorise these actions

Procurement of enforcement services to support the collection of Council Tax and Business Rates

Decision (s) That an extension is provided for the External Enforcement Contract for 12 months under the Council’s Constitution - Contract Procedure Rule 21.3 (j) – where an exemption for a particular period can be justified

The opening of the Egyptian Room as a food hall will significantly enhance the Parliament Square area and town centre economy, as part of the Creating a Better Place strategic framework and the corporate recovery plans following the CV19 pandemic.
The purpose of this decision report is to: Approve the letting and award a fitout contract following a procurement exercise.

RESOLVED - That:
The approval of a letting of The Egyptian Room to a company who will operate a food hall.
Award a fitout and associated works contract to the successful tenderer following a procurement exercise.

Following the introduction of a new legal obligation to self-isolate if someone tests positive for COVID-19 or is identified as a contact by NHS Test and Trace, the Government has also introduced a new Test and Trace Support lump sum payment of £500 to support those on low incomes if they cannot work during their self-isolation period and will suffer a loss of income as a result. This payment is being administered by Local Authorities.
The Government is also providing Local Authorities with a discretionary fund to support those who also require financial support because they must self-isolate but do not meet the full criteria for the main Test and Trace Support payment.
The purpose of the report is to inform Members about the Government’s Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme which is effective from 28 September and to seek approval for the proposed policy for the Discretionary Test and Trace Support Payment scheme which must be in place by 12 October 2020. The policy replicates an agreed approach across Greater Manchester Local Authorities to ensure consistency for residents across the region.
The Government has provided the Council with funding to deliver the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme of £129,000 and funding of £77,403 to deliver discretionary support to those who are ineligible for the main scheme. The scheme supports those on low incomes to ensure they self-isolate when they test positive or are identified as a contact, and to encourage more people to get tested.
This report sets out the proposal for how the council should award the Discretionary grants of £500 to help to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, reduce hardship and avoid further societal and economic restrictions, including local lockdowns.

The Discretionary Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme was approved as presented in the report which ensures that the policy and approach is consistent with that taken by Local Authorities across Greater Manchester

Appointment of Construction Partner and award of Pre-construction Services Agreement

RESOLVED - That:
Option 1 - Implement the outcome of the first stage tender process to appoint the preferred contractor to progress the NCSE project to the next stage.

This report seeks delegated approval of:
•The cost of resurfacing Buckstones Road

RESOLVED - That:
the delegated approval for these works is accepted and that the contract for the works are awarded to Tarmac Trading Ltd

Northern Roots is a complex project requiring specialist skills and experience in respect of strategy, project design and delivery, communications and delivery of economic, social and environmental benefits.
The project is at a critical stage as it transitions to charitable status and commences work on the complex planning application to enable delivery of the masterplan. The continuation of consultant, Anna da Silva to lead on this is essential.
Her unique skills, experience and existing relationships are entirely appropriate for the Northern Roots project and provide what is needed to continue delivery.

RESOLVED - Agreed to the continued appointment of professional consultancy to support the further design, development and delivery of the Northern Roots project and secure investment to enable project delivery to continue.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval to award grant funding for the provision of voluntary sector infrastructure support, including intensive and specialist organisational development, in Oldham for 2021/22.

RESOLVED - That: The grant agreement be renewed for one year.

To obtain approval for the adoption of highways as Highway Authority and to identify the likely associated revenue costs to the Council.

RESOLVED - That:
the highways listed in Schedule 1 of this report be adopted as highways maintainable at public expense

To obtain approval for the adoption of highways as Highway Authority and to identify the likely associated revenue costs to the Council.

RESOLVED - That:
the highways listed in Schedule 1 of this report be adopted as highways maintainable at public expense

To obtain approval for the adoption of highways as Highway Authority and to identify the likely associated revenue costs to the Council.

RESOLVED - That:
the highways listed in Schedule 1 of this report be adopted as highways maintainable at public expense

To award the contract for the provision of Oldham’s Genetic Outreach Service and to ensure that Oldham has a high quality community outreach service addressing genetic risk in place from 1st April 2021 for an initial period of three years up until 31 March 2024 with an option to extend for a further period of two years dependent on performance, achievement of Key Performance Indicators, continued funding and local need. The annual funding envelope is £40,000 with £20,000 funded through Public Health budgets and £20,000 funded through Oldham CCG.

RESOLVED - That:
To award the contract to the most economically advantageous tender in accordance with the results of the tendering exercise (based on quality, social value and financial modelling).

The purpose of this report is to consider the implementation of traffic calming measures in connection with the extension and refurbishment of Mayfield Primary School, Mayfield Road, Oldham

RESOLVED - That:
the traffic calming measures and Traffic Regulation Orders associated with this scheme are approved, in accordance with the plans and schedule at the end of this report

Without approval for funding it will not be possible to operate the targeted testing at scale that is part of Oldham’s strategy to contain, manage and ultimately defeat Coronavirus.
The purpose of the report is to gain approval to change the model of delivery for targeted testing at scale for the next 12 months, commencing 1st April 2021. The TTaS programme aims to offer twice weekly testing to people such as those who cannot work from home and do not have symptoms of coronavirus.
Between the 18th January 2021 and 31st March 2021, Oldham has been delivering a targeted community testing programme, based on the national Community Testing programme. Much of the current delivery model was able to mobilise at pace as the Council drew upon exemptions to procurement rules. To deliver at scale there were no alternatives to the current providers and current operating model.
Funding is based on a payment by results method with the Government allocating £14 per completed test. The Council has developed a model that can support a high volume of people to undertake twice weekly testing.
Although the letter from Lord Bethell dated 24th December 2020 stated that Local Authorities would not be out of pocket where reasonable measures had been taken to minimise costs, we are unclear at this point how the reimbursement will operate, to what coverage of deficit it will extend to and over what time period.
The model has since been refined to bring costs down, reducing bays, days and hours of operation and increasing outputs of each operatives. This has drastically reduced the staffing costs, but site fees remain high.
The government has stated that this programme is to run to the end of June 2021, but there is every indication that there will be a requirement to deliver this for the longer term. This will require a new model that is more financially resilient and that requires a less intensive ask on across a breadth of Team Oldham staff.
A new model is proposed – that being a clinic based multi-site delivery model for example a pharmacy-led model where there are no direct site costs, no direct staffing costs, no direct clinical waste costs, no additional clinical governance to be commissioned nor additional clinical insurance requirements.
The proposal is to develop a commissioning framework for a clinic based multi-site delivery model for example a pharmacy-led model whereby individual entities can bid to deliver tenders.
Tender 1 will be the delivery of LFT tests at a clinic/ pharmacy site paid on units of activity.
Tender 2 outreach and training testing provision payable based on a unit of activity.
It is proposed that clinics/pharmacies are asked to bid for a 12-month contract with an option to extend for a further 12 months.

RESOLVED - That
Agree to extend the TTaS programme for up to 12months under a new delivery model that is most cost effective and that can be more easily stood down if required and approve the decision to proceed to tender the opportunity. Agree delegated authority to the director of public health in consultation with the portfolio holder for COVID-19 to award any contracts.

Oldham Council’s Lifelong Learning Service offers a range of courses to upskill the residents of Oldham and move them closer to employment. The impact of Covid 19 restrictions has required the service to move learning onto an online platform. Current feedback in respect of remote/virtual learning measures that have been put in place due to COVID-19 show that a high volume of learners do not have the digital resources and or internet access to engage with their learning.
The Service applied to Greater Manchester Combined Authority Skills Capital fund and was successfully a £50k grant. The bid set out the desire to create a digital resource loan scheme that would be put in place for these learners to enable them to carry out their remote learning and this will, where required, include packages for internet access.
Learners needs are currently being assessed in respect of their access to digital resources and data. It is proposed that those who do not have digital resources, causing a barrier to them enrolling/carrying out their course of learning, are loaned a digital resource.
It is anticipated that as this scheme is rolled out an ongoing need for remote learning and development of further online courses will continue. The digital devices will enable the most disadvantaged learners to access provision.
The system will be robust and will monitor and check equipment to ensure that it can continue to be reused with the next cohort of learners
We will collect initial and ongoing feedback from learners that shows how this scheme has helped them in terms of quality and learning experience. We will use this feedback to review the system and make any changes that may be required in respect of these findings.
The report requests to use £50k of GMCA grant(100% externally funded) to purchase between 300-340 android tablets. A request for service and quotes have been carried out. It has been decided to purchase a small number of sim-enabled devices to allow the service to over data-packages to those that do not have access to broadband. The cost of the data packages will be funded by the “Dedicated Learner Support” fund – part of the Adult Education Budget allocation.

RESOLVED - That:
The report seeks to spend £50,000 Capital IT grant following a successful bid to GMCA to buy Android Tablets to loan to learners to enable learners to access online training provision delivered by Lifelong Learning Service.

This report seeks delegated approval of:
•The cost of resurfacing Baytree Avenue
•The approval of the appointment of the contractor for the works.

RESOLVED - That:
the delegated approval for these works is accepted and that the contract for the works are awarded to J Hopkins Contractors Ltd

Updated allocation of Emergency Assistance Grant Allocation.
The purpose of the report is to request Cabinet Member approval to allocate grant funding to support residents with emergency assistance and food during the COVID 19 crisis period. The report sets out the updated proposed allocation of government funding to support Oldham residents access to food and essentials.

RESOLVED - That: To allocate the Government grant funding to support residents with emergency assistance and food during the COVID 19 crisis according to proposals brought forward and endorsed by Community Bronze. This will assist in supporting rapid deployment of activity during a critical period for Oldham to support vulnerable residents to stay safe.