Search decisions

Use this page to find information regarding recent decisions that have been taken by the council’s decision making bodies.

Alternatively you can visit the officer decisions page for information on officer delegated decisions that have been taken by council officers.


Decisions published

04/12/2025 - Complaints Policies Refresh ref: 5587    Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)

The Council is required to maintain clear, accessible, and compliant policies for handling complaints in line with statutory frameworks.

Approving the refreshed Complaints Policy, Unreasonable Behaviour Policy, Housing Complaints Policy, and Children’s Residential Homes Complaints Policy will ensure:
• Consistency with current legislation, Ombudsman Codes, and Council governance standards.
• Clear guidance for residents, staff, and elected members on how complaints are managed across all directorates.
• Strengthened transparency, accountability, and learning from feedback in line with the Council’s resident focus priority.
• A single, up-to-date policy suite published to meet statutory and regulatory expectations.

Without this approval, there is a risk that existing policies may fall out of alignment with statutory guidance and best practice, potentially impacting compliance, resident confidence, and audit assurance.

Decision Maker: Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Growth

Decision published: 10/12/2025

Effective from: 18/12/2025

Decision:

RESOLVED - That:
To approve the refreshed policies, ensuring alignment with statutory requirements, Ombudsman
Codes, and the Council’s resident focus priority.

Lead officer: Fran Lautman


01/12/2025 - Treasury Management Strategy Mid -Year Review 2025/26 ref: 5583    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 01/12/2025 - Cabinet

Decision published: 03/12/2025

Effective from: 01/12/2025

Decision:

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Finance which advised that in April 2023 the Authority had adopted the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s Treasury Management in the Public Services: Code of Practice (the CIPFA Code), which required the Authority to approve, as a minimum, treasury management semi-annual and annual outturn

reports.

 

The submitted report included the requirements that were set out in the 2021 Code for quarterly reporting of the treasury management prudential indicators.

 

The Authority’s Treasury Management Strategy for 2025/26 was approved at the Budget Council meeting on 6th March 2025. The Authority had borrowed and invested substantial sums of money and was therefore exposed to financial risks including the loss of invested funds and the revenue effect of changing interest rates.  The successful identification, monitoring and control of risk remains central to the Authority’s Treasury Management Strategy.

 

The Council was required to consider the performance of the Treasury Management function to comply with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Treasury Management (revised 2021). The submitted quarterly report provides an additional update and included the new requirement in the 2021 Code, mandatory from 1st April 2023, of quarterly reporting of the treasury management prudential indicators. This report therefore sets out the key Treasury Management issues for Members’ information and review and outlined the following:

• An economic update for the first half of 2025/26 (External Context).

• Net Borrowing and Investments (Local Context).

• A review and updates of the Council’s current treasury management position.

• Council Borrowing.

• Treasury Investment Activity.

• Treasury Performance for the first half of the year.

• Compliance

• Treasury Management Prudential Indicators.

 

Options/Alternatives considered:

In order that the Council complies with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Treasury Management, the Cabinet has no option other than to consider and approve the current Treasury Management position. Therefore, no options/alternatives can be presented in respect of factual information contained in this report.

 

In considering the report, Cabinet was mindful that the report had previously been endorsed by the Audit Committee, at its meeting on 26th November 2025 and that it would be presented to the Council for determination on 10th December 2025.

 

Resolved

That the Cabinet:

1.    Notes the Treasury Management Half Year Review report, and the Treasury Management activity and projected outturn for 2025/26.

2.    Commends the report to Council, on 10th December 2025.


08/10/2025 - Distribution of Household Support Fund to support with Housing Costs ref: 5584    Recommendations Approved

This report seeks delegated officer approval to award funding from the Household Support Fund (HSF) to Early Break, an established partner organisation currently engaged in homelessness prevention work in Oldham. The Cabinet Member report of 7th of April 2025 made provision for £450,000 to be allocated towards meeting housing costs, supporting the sustainability of tenancies, and assisting families living in temporary accommodation. As the HSF allocation must be fully utilised by 31st of March 2026, working in partnership with an experienced organisation such as Early Break will enable the effective distribution of funds to residents in need and ensure that resources are targeted and maximised.

Decision Maker: Director of Communities

Decision published: 03/12/2025

Effective from: 08/10/2025

Decision:

RESOLVED - That:It is recommended that a grant of £56,000 from the Household Support Fund (HSF) be awarded to the Early Breaks Pathfinder service, with all funds to be spent by 31st of March 2026.This allocation will ensure that HSF resources:

? Reach the widest possible range of residents,
? Contribute directly to homelessness prevention and relief,
? Are utilised fully and within the specified timeframe.


Lead officer: Clare Ocansey


14/11/2025 - Low Carbon Heat Network GPR & Topo Surveys – appointment of Met Geo ref: 5580    Recommendations Approved

To appoint Met Geo to carry out Ground Penetrating Radar and Topographical surveys for the Oldham Low Carbon Heat Network project, at a cost of £240,845 excl. VAT.

Decision Maker: Director of Communities

Decision published: 03/12/2025

Effective from: 14/11/2025

Decision:

RESOLVED - That:
That the Council appoint Met Geo to carry out the required surveys.

Lead officer: Andrew Hunt


14/11/2025 - Heat Network Early Works – appointment of 3DTD consultants ref: 5581    Recommendations Approved

To appoint 3DTD consultants to deliver RIBA Stages 3, 4, 5 and 6 design for the proposed
Town Centre Heat Network Early Works, to be funded from the Council’s £7.8m Green Heat
Network Fund Construction Grant.
The value of the appointment is £679,595.12 inclusive of Bloom 5% fee and VAT. The value of
this appointment makes it a Key Decision. The Cabinet report of 26 February 2024 delegates
authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) to make this appointment.

Decision Maker: Director of Communities

Decision published: 03/12/2025

Effective from: 14/11/2025

Decision:

RESOLVED - That:
That the Council appoints 3DTD consultants to deliver detailed design for the Heat
Network Early Works.

Lead officer: Andrew Hunt


24/10/2025 - Commission of an evaluation partner for Family Hubs Investment ref: 5573    Recommendations Approved

Family Hubs and Start for Life funding from DfE into Oldham is approx. £1.38m for 2025/26. This is the fourth year of funding as a national initiative which seeks to enhance and connect a range of services that support families at universal and targeted level in deprived local authorities. There is an expectation that the investment will be evaluated. It has been agreed that through a competitive procurement process, an evaluation partner would be commissioned to undertake this work. The allocated Family Hubs budget for evaluation is £67k.

Decision Maker: Director of Education, Skills & Early Years

Decision published: 28/11/2025

Effective from: 24/10/2025

Decision:

RESOLVED - That: The most economically advantageous bidder would be awarded the contract to deliver the evaluation of the family hubs investment.

Lead officer: Anna Tebay


25/11/2025 - Lower Turf Lane, Scouthead – Prohibition of Turning Order ref: 5582    Recommendations Approved

The purpose of this report is to seek approval for the introduction of turning bans at the junction of Lower Turf Lane and Huddersfield Road, and Heywood Lane and Huddersfield Road to improve the safety for vehicles and non motorised users.

Decision Maker: Director of Environment

Decision published: 27/11/2025

Effective from: 25/11/2025

Decision:

RESOLVED - That:
It is recommended that the following be introduced in accordance with the schedules at the end of this report:-
- Prohibition of Right Turn on Huddersfield Road into Lower Turf Lane
- Prohibition of Left Turn on Lower Turf Lane onto Huddersfield Road
- Waiting restrictions at the junction of Huddersfield Road with Heywood Lane and with Lower Turf Lane

Lead officer: Jeannette Whitney