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.
To seek authority to appoint an Interim
Director of Finance for the Council
Decision Maker: Cabinet Member - Value for Money & Sustainability and Deputy Leader
Decision published: 06/02/2025
Effective from: 28/01/2025
Decision:
RESOLVED - That: authority to appoint an
Interim Director of Finance be granted
Lead officer: Steve Hughes
The Council seeks to provide funding to local
community organisations
Decision Maker: Director of Communities
Decision published: 28/01/2025
Effective from: 09/01/2025
Decision:
RESOLVED:
That the recommendations detailed in the Director of Communities'
confidential report, be approved.
Lead officer: Ann-Marie McGinn
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 20/01/2025 - Cabinet
Decision published: 24/01/2025
Effective from: 01/02/2025
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 20/01/2025 - Cabinet
Decision published: 24/01/2025
Effective from: 01/02/2025
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 20/01/2025 - Cabinet
Decision published: 24/01/2025
Effective from: 01/02/2025
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 20/01/2025 - Cabinet
Decision published: 24/01/2025
Effective from: 01/02/2025
Decision:
The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Economy that sought approval for the publication of the Oldham’s Monitoring Report (AMR) 2023/2024.
Under Regulation 34 and 35 of The Town and Country (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012, local planning authorities must make monitoring information available for inspection as soon as possible after the information becomes available. The Monitoring Report covers the previous financial year that is 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024. In terms of housing land supply, the Monitoring Report presents the position as at 1st April 2024.
Oldham’s Monitoring Report was attached at Appendix One to the submitted report. In line with the Regulations the Monitoring Report provided details on whether the council is meeting the milestones set out in the Local Development Scheme (LDS) for preparing the various Local Plan documents. Performance is monitored against the LDS that was in place at the start of the monitoring period. The Monitoring Report also monitors a range of planning indicators, such as housing, employment and biodiversity, which seek to assess the effectiveness of the council’s land-use planning policies, and whether they are achieving their objectives and delivering sustainable development. The submitted report was Oldham Council’s 20th Monitoring Report.
Options/alternatives considered:
Option 1 – To approve the authorities Monitoring Report and send it to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). (Advantages – approving the Monitoring Report will help with implementing and reviewing our local planning policies, whilst also being transparent and meets the requirements of the regulations). (Disadvantages – there are no disadvantages to approving the Monitoring Report and sending it to MHCLG.)
Option 2 – To not approve the authorities Monitoring Report 2023 – 2024 and not send it to MHCLG. (Advantages – there are no advantages in not approving the Monitoring Report.) (Disadvantages – not approving the Monitoring Report could result in less certainty and confidence in developments coming forward and would result in us not meeting the regulations.)
Preferred Option: Option 1.
Resolved:
That the Cabinet approves the Monitoring Report 2023/2024 for publication.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 20/01/2025 - Cabinet
Decision published: 24/01/2025
Effective from: 01/02/2025
Decision:
The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Education, Early Years and Skills which sought the acceptance of the funding allocation for the academic year 2024/2025 for the Lifelong Learning Service.
The submitted report detailed the funding offer received from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) in respect of the Adult Education Budget grant for the 2024/2025 academic year and highlighted how this funding will be used to meet GMCA’s and the Council’s key priorities.
The Cabinet were informed that following devolution of the Adult Education Budget, the Council’s Lifelong Learning Service is now funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (prior to devolution this was directly awarded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency). The Service is designed to meet the GMCA Strategy, the Council’s ambition and key objectives as set out in the Corporate Plan and to support the Oldham Partnership Our Future. The Service works with the 5 district partnerships with a focus upon the Council’s ‘Get Oldham Working’ campaign and the Co-operative Agenda. The funding will support the Service to specifically assist the Council to deliver outcomes against the Healthier, Happier Lives corporate mission.
Options/alternatives considered:
Option 1: To accept the funding and to enter into suitable funding agreements.
Option 2: To decline the funding.
Preferred Option: Option 1.
Resolved:
That the Cabinet accepts the Adult Education funding offer from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority for the academic year 2024/2025.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 20/01/2025 - Cabinet
Decision published: 24/01/2025
Effective from: 01/02/2025
Decision:
The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Public Health that sought approval for the award of the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise Sector (VCSFE) infrastructure grant of £270,500 per annum to Action Together CIO and for a grant funding agreement to be entered into with Action Together CIO under which the total funding of total £811,500 would be provided for the period1st April 2025 – 31st March 2028 (3 years).
The Cabinet was informed that the Council had, for a number of years, provided grant funding to Action Together CIO (AT) in contribution to a project designed and delivered by AT under which free support is provided to a range of voluntary, community and faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector organisations. The grant is funded through the Council's Priority Programme Fund (PPF). The grant funding includes VCFSE infrastructure provision.
AT provided a range of VCFSE infrastructure support in Oldham, as well as in both Tameside and Rochdale. They also play a prominent role in the leadership of the sector at a Greater Manchester level through 10GM and the GM VCFSE Leadership Group which champions the role of communities in devolution. Further, AT has an influential voice within these forums, which contributes to Oldham’s co-operative ambition to influence across the Greater Manchester city region.
In considering the report the Cabinet expressed their gratitude to the Portfolio Holder, Councillor Dean, the Director of Public Health and her staff and to Action Together for the work involved in the compilation of this report.
Options/alternatives considered:
Option 1 - Cabinet approves the award of the VCFSE infrastructure grant of £811,500 (£270,500 per year) to Action Together CIO (subject to a satisfactory subsidy control assessment), and authority is given for the Council to enter into a suitable form of grant funding agreement with Action Together CIO for a period of three years (1st April 2025 – 31st March 2028), as detailed in this report. The grant funding agreement would be drafted by Legal Services on standard terms and conditions and subject to a fit for purpose project specification. Also, Cabinet approves the Borough Solicitor carries out all necessary legal formalities. The grant does not cover the full costs of delivery and represents a real term cut year on year taking into account the increase of costs. Given the limitations of the funding available the agreement should ensure continued focus on core provision of community development, volunteering and strategic representation. The option would provide medium-term continuity of provision and strategic support for the wider VCFSE sector.
Option 2 – The VCFSE Infrastructure Grant is renewed for a further one year (1st April 2025 – 31st March 2028) at the same level. This would be out of line with current NAVCA best practice and commitment in the Greater Manchester GM VCFSE Accord. The short-term nature of the agreement may impact on the level and quality of support available for the wider VCFSE sector.
Option 3 – Do not award the infrastructure grant. This is not regarded as a viable option as there would be a loss of infrastructure support to the VCFSE sector in Oldham. This would impact upon the capacity of the sector to develop and grow, the recruitment and placement of volunteers, and opportunities for securing external funding.
Preferred Option: Option One.
Resolved:
1. Cabinet approves the recommendation that a VCFSE infrastructure grant of £811,500 to Action Together CIO is approved (subject to a satisfactory subsidy control assessment), and that authority is given for the Council to enter into a suitable form of grant funding agreement with Action Together CIO for a period of three years (1st April 2025 – 31st March 2028), as detailed in this report. The grant funding agreement would be drafted by Legal Services on standard terms and conditions and subject to a fit for purpose project specification.
2. Cabinet is also asked to grant approval for the Borough Solicitor, or his nominated representative, to carry out all necessary legal formalities.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 20/01/2025 - Cabinet
Decision published: 24/01/2025
Effective from: 01/02/2025
Decision:
The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Economy, which outlined a project to develop a clear vision and delivery plan incorporating surveys and appraisals of a minimum of five heritage buildings. The aim was to increase the understanding of at-risk heritage buildings with the objective of enabling their restoration and repurposing back into viable uses.
The delivery of the project aligned with the Creating a Better Place framework to regenerate and enhance Oldham town centre and across the wider borough.
The Cabinet was advised that the listed and heritage buildings in Oldham town centre make a positive contribution to the town’s character. However, the historic nature of the buildings and associated high costs to repurpose has discouraged their renovation and occupation leading to their declining use and creating a heritage deficit. The recommendations contained in this report seek to unlock these obstacles by setting out a clear pathway to understand the costs to refurbish, repurpose and align future uses to provide a sustainable economic and social value.
The proposed Heritage Vision and Asset Delivery Plan responds to the concerns of the local community about the deterioration of Oldham town centre heritage assets, obtained during public conversations and consultations including Oldham’s Big Conversation; the Oldham Town Centre Vision linked to the Creating a Better Place strategic regeneration framework; and meetings of the Oldham High Street Partnership (since February 2024) and Oldham Town Centre Board (since February 2020).
Options/allternatives considered:
Option 1: to accept the external revenue grants offered by Historic England and Greater Manchester Combined Authority. This will commit the Council to providing revenue funding to the maximum value of £100,000 for spend by 31 March 2026.
Option 2: decline the offer of external grants from Historic England and Greater Manchester Combined Authority. This would lead to there being insufficient budget to proceed with the project and increase hurdles to the future use and occupation of the heritage buildings in the town centre.
Preferred Option: Option 1.
Resolved:
The Cabinet authorises the following:
1. The delivery of a project to survey a minimum of five heritage buildings in Oldham town centre and generate a new strategic vision and delivery plan for these assets by 31st March 2026.
2. The acceptance of a revenue grant worth £200,000 from Historic England.
3. The acceptance of a revenue grant worth £100,000 from Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
4. The Council to provide match funding towards the external grants at a ratio of 25% subject to a maximum Council commitment of £100,000.
5. The delegation of approval to the Cabinet Member for Building a Better Oldham in consultation with the Director of Economy, the Borough Solicitor and Monitoring Officer, the Director of Finance (or their appointed nominees) to:
(i) appoint external advisors (for the provision of professional services) up to contract value of £400,000 in accordance with the Council’s procurement procedures and
(ii) select the buildings which are to be part of the project.
6. The Borough Solicitor and Monitoring Officer or his nominated representative to sign and/or affix the Common Seal of the Council to all the documents and associated or ancillary documents referred to above and/or required to give effect to the recommendations in this report.