Right Care, Right Person change to how Greater Manchester Police will operate from 30 September 24. 

On Monday 30 September, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are introducing Right, Care Right Person, or RCRP, across all ten boroughs of GM..

The RCRP will provide a framework for those calls to be directed to providers who are better placed to help.

The new model, I am told, is designed to ensure that individuals receive the right support from the right organisation at the earliest opportunity.

RCRP has already been introduced in other parts of the country and is aimed at identifying the most appropriate agency, council, NHS, housing providers, etc to provide support to our communities.

I have been informed Council staff have worked closely with GMP around pathways and shared information about the best way to access our support and services.

What does this mean for the council and its staff? 

Under RCRP, when an issue is reported to GMP, call centre staff will look to identify the nature of the concern, assess the situation, and where suitable, signpost the caller to the most appropriate agency or council service to meet their needs. 

So, for example, if GMP receives a call that they deem to be non-urgent and does not require a police officer to attend, they may signpost the person to the relevant section on the Oldham Council website so they can self-serve or get information on how to contact the team that is best placed to help them out.

In Greater Manchester, RCRP will apply to concern for welfare calls about:

• Mental health (where there is no real and immediate threat to life or risk of serious harm) 
• Physical health (medical episodes, falls, or injuries) 
• Social issues (such as housing, debt management, or drug support) 
• People who have walked out of medical or care settings 

What will GMP continue to respond to?

RCRP does not replace GMP’s existing legal duties.

It will not stop the police from attending incidents where there is a threat to life, a risk of serious or significant harm to an adult or child, or a crime or potential crime is involved.

GMP has a duty to protect our communities and will continue to do so.

For more information visit the Right Care Right Person Intranet webpage

We will see how this works, my colleagues and I have some concerns and will be monitoring its impact closely.

For help and advice.

Victoria station – welding works are taking place on 15 and 29 September:

The work over these two Sundays will begin at 02:00 and finish at 10:00, meaning Metrolink services will not pass through Victoria until after 10:00 on these days.

Further information on service patterns is available on the TfGM website.

https://tfgm.com/

Labour block move to end zero hours contracts.

Oldham’s Labour Council, backed by their coalition partners, have blocked a move to end zero hours contracts for staff at the same time as putting through a motion condemning zero hours contracts [11/09/24].   

A Labour motion to full Council supporting the new Employments Rights Bill said that “fair pay and decent working conditions are fundamental rights for all workers”, and endorsed a ban on zero hours contracts.

However, when the Liberal Democrats proposed that the Council should practice what it preaches and stop using zero hours contracts, it was immediately blocked by the Labour party and its coalition partners.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani, who proposed the amendment, said: “Labour is very good at saying the right thing. However, they don’t seem to be interested in doing the right thing. 

“This was a classic Labour motion, which asks other people to ‘do the right thing’. We added one simple step – one which protects workers in our borough by the Council by taking a simple action. Sadly, it was voted down immediately.

“In short order, we have seen Oldham’s Labour MPs vote to remove Winter Fuel Payments from 85% of local pensioners, and the Council refuse to back an end to the two child benefit cap, and refuse to end zero hours contracts. You have to ask yourself, who are Labour representing, if it’s not local pensioners, people struggling to make ends meet, and even their own staff?” 

Oldham Labour refuse to call on government to scrap the two-child benefit cap

A motion put forward by Oldham Liberal Democrats calling on the new Labour government to scrap the two-child cap on universal credit was voted down by Labour councillors at Full Council meeting (11/09.)  The cap, which prevents families from claiming Child Tax Credit or Universal Credit for more than two children in a household, was introduced by the Conservatives in 2017 and has been widely criticised by children’s charities and anti-poverty campaigners.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “It’s deeply disappointing that instead of speaking out for the more than 11,000 children in Oldham who are living in poverty, Labour instead chose to change the motion so that it protects their MPs in government.” 

A Labour amendment which changed the motion so that instead of calling on the government to act now, the Labour-run council wants the government to act ‘when finance allow.’  The Liberal Democrats called Labour’s response a “cop out” and a “missed opportunity to stand up for Oldham Borough.”

Councillor Sykes said, “It is estimated that child poverty costs the UK economy £39 billion each year, whereas scrapping the two-child cap will cost £1.3 billion.  This is a no-brainer.  So, while Labour argue that we cannot afford to take this step, we’re arguing that we cannot afford not to.  Labour’s position is a cop out and a missed opportunity to stand up for people in Oldham.” 

Saddleworth West and Lees representative and Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said, “It was Labour Party policy to scrap the cap until late last year.  In government, so far there has been little difference between Labour and the Conservatives and the reason for that is those Labour politicians that do speak out against the government on child poverty are kicked out.  They are scared of their leaders.”

“So far, every major decision this government has made, whether it’s on child benefits or winter fuel payments for pensioners, is going to hit ordinary people in Oldham Borough hard.  Oldham Labour are just watching from the sidelines and people deserve more.”

Liberal Democrat Motion in full:

Full council 11 Sept 2024 – Notice of Opposition Motion

Scrap the two-child benefit cap

Proposed by: Councillor Howard Sykes
Seconded by: Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani

The Two Child limit to benefit payments was introduced by the Conservative Government in 2017 and is supported by the current Labour Government.  It prevents families from claiming Child Tax Credit or Universal Credit for more than two children in the household.

Council notes the recent research conducted by the End Child Poverty Coalition which has found that:

• 1.5 million children in the UK live in households subject to the two-child limit on benefit payments. That is roughly one-in-ten children in the UK.
• In 2023/24 the two-child limit cost families up to £3,235 per child each year.
• There is a strong correlation between families affected by the two-child limit and those who are living in poverty.
• Scrapping the two-child limit would lift 250,000 children out of poverty overnight, and significantly reduce the level of poverty that a further 850,000 children live in.
• Scrapping the two-child limit would cost £1.3 billion, however it is estimated that child poverty costs the economy £39 billion each year.

In Oldham 11,340 children in 3,160 households are currently affected by the two-child limit to benefit payments.  That is 18% of all children in the authority area.  At the same time 27,760 local children are living in poverty.

Council strongly believes that the two-child limit to benefit payments is a cruel and harmful policy that should be scrapped.  Research from the University of York has shown its introduction has had no positive impacts on employment and earnings. Instead, it has dragged thousands of local families into poverty.

Council notes the Liberal Democrats have consistently opposed the two-child limit to benefit payments since it was introduced – calling for it to be axed in their 2017, 2019 and 2024 manifestos.  Council notes with concern the stance of the Labour Government who are committed to keeping the cap – going as far as suspending the whip from MPs who rebel against this position.

Council resolves to:

1. Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister outlining Oldham Council’s strong belief that the two-child limit to benefit payments should be scrapped – which would help more than 11,000 children across Oldham.
2. Further instruct the Chief Executive to write to all of Oldham’s MPs, asking them to commit their public support to the campaign to end the cruel two child limit to benefit payments.
3. Ensure the number of children a family has is considered when a hardship grant is given out by the council.
4. Explore ways to support families impacted by the two-child limit across Oldham Borough, including through free school meals.

My two allowed questions to the Leader of Oldham Council 13 March 24.

Q1 Opposition Leader: Are Oldham’s MPs in Oldham’s corner?

Thank you, Mr Mayor,

Since the General Election we’ve had a welcome change of government but there has been little to cheer about for the people of our Borough. 

Oldham now has a Labour government in London, a Labour Mayor in Greater Manchester, and a Labour Administration in Oldham Borough, supported by some so-called Independents. 

There is nowhere left to hide, and no one left to blame. 

The new Prime Minister has said there will be painful times ahead. 

The question is, can Oldham Labour stand up to him?  Are they in our corner or not?  

We need to see the end of the two-child cap on universal credit. 

We need to know that pensioners in Oldham will be warm this winter, and that the government will stop this poorly thought out cut to winter fuel payments.    
Local government needs a cash injection now and long-term funding reform.  So that instead of circling the financial drain, this Council can fund the services our residents need and deserve.

For years, Oldham Labour have been telling us its Oldham first and politics second and challenging the government.  It’s time to practice what you preach.

If our three Labour MPs are truly in Oldham’s corner they will support calls for the end of the two-child cap, proper local government funding reform, and the continuation of winter fuel payments.

So, will the Leader agree to write to Oldham’s MPs urging them to pledge support for those causes in Parliament on behalf of all of the people in Oldham Borough who desperately need this government to fight their corner.

Q2 Opposition Leader: Who really benefits from Eton College Oldham? 

Thank you, Mr Mayor,

The Leader has expressed her enthusiasm for the Eton Star Oldham project on many occasions and does so again in her report on tonight’s agenda.
The decision to develop a 480-student selective sixth form in partnership with Eton College has been torn to shreds by the National Education Union.

They have pointed out the disruption this will likely cause to the current sixth form provision in our Borough, which already delivers a first-rate post 16 offer. 

There are also concerns that a selective offer will do nothing for disadvantaged young people in Oldham Borough and will only help a very small number of young people who are already achieving at a high level.

Last year’s Year 12 cohort saw an increase of nearly 300 young people.  And the numbers are expected to continue to rise until at least 2028. 

In Oldham there is a gap in our post-16 offer.  But we know that this gap is due to a lack of Entry Level study programmes. 

Back in March, Children’s Scrutiny Committee was told that Eton Star Oldham would not replace training provision that has been lost in the Borough over recent years and therefore does not enable us to bridge the gap.   

So, if Eton Star is not going to provide us with the courses our young people need… what is the Leader’s plan to bridge this very real and growing gap?

How is she working with our schools and Oldham College to ensure the right courses are on offer?

Have external providers been approached to help and if so how many and for what courses?

And can the Leader explain to the Council why she thinks Eton Star Oldham is necessary and how it will help solve these problems – never mind be offered one our Borough’s prime developed sites for its activities?

Pictured: Marc Hince with former ally Raja Miah

Using a motion to settle a score is not on!

Independent Councillor Marc Hince, part of the Labour/Independent administration on Oldham Council, has been criticised for using Council time to settle a score with a former ally, using the fiasco of the Collective Spirit Free School and the children who were let down there.

Councillor Hince was pictured with the former director of the school during his election campaign, and appeared campaigning with him on social media, reportedly working together to get Councillor Hince elected – all of which took place after reports highlighting failings at the Collective Spirit Free School had been published.

Councillor Hamblett said: “Councillor Hince said nothing about the school when he was working with its former director – who, despite concerns, was not found guilty of anything. Now that he has fallen out with him, he has suddenly found his voice. 

“Both schools in Oldham and Manchester failed and badly let down pupils and their families. It is absolutely the case that this should be fully investigated, but it is sad that Councillor Hince appears to be piggybacking on what has happened to them, and using Council time to try and settle personal scores. If he was so concerned, why has he not already written to the Department for Education?”

EMERGENCY SERVICES DAY – 9th SEPTEMBER each year.

Emergency Services Day (also known as 999 Day) is a national day across the UK. It is supported by HM The King, HRH The Prince of Wales, the Prime Minister and First Ministers of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

999 Day is your chance to support the heroic men and women of the NHS and emergency services.

#999Day promotes the work of the emergency services, promotes using the emergency services responsibly, educates the public about basic lifesaving skills, and promotes the many career and volunteering opportunities available.

Volunteers are an essential part of the emergency services family and they play a core part in keeping Britain safe. 999 volunteer roles include; Special Constables, Retained Firefighters, NHS Community Responders, St John Ambulance, RNLI, Search and Rescue and Coastguard volunteers.

Find out more or get involved: https://www.999day.org.uk/

Oldham Way overnight closures: 9 – 22 Sept

Oldham Way will be closed in both directions for 11 nights from Monday 9 September through to Thursday 20 September.

I have been told the full closure is needed to carry out drainage work on Waterloo Street Bridge and also complete remedial work.

In addition, EON street lighting will be using the closures to complete essential maintenance which will again minimise further disruption in the future.

The closures will be in place from Manchester Road roundabout up to the junction of Prince Street/Oldham Way between 8pm and 5am.  

Signposted diversions will be in place.

Separately the M62 will also be closed at night during this period. Because of this, the number of vehicles on the network may increase. In mitigation, the contractor has additional measures in place to allow emergency services through traffic management if required.

Mass Grave in Royton Cemetery

Over the last few days you will have seen reports in the media and on social media about the discovery of a mass grave in Royton Cemetery.

I have been informed the council as a matter of urgency is looking at an appropriate way to recognise those buried in Royton by providing a suitable memorial.

This is not a newly discovered grave. Sadly, the burying of people, including babies and children, in unmarked graves happened in graveyards all around the country years ago.

Thankfully, things have changed and improved over the years. The Government now pay for the funerals of stillborn babies and anyone up to the age of 18 if necessary. Public graves are no longer used.

This news will be upsetting for a lot of people and my thoughts are with them.

The cemeteries team have already helped many families to find deceased relatives including stillborn babies.

If you are affected please contact the Cemetery Office at Hollinwood on 0161 681 1312 or via env.cemeteries@oldham.gov.uk where the records are held in written burial books.

The grave has always been available to research and is online for anyone to search for their deceased relatives, including stillborn children by using the link on our Council website below, the grave in Royton Cemetery numbered 1A-360 was first opened in 1924 and the last burial took place in 1972. 

Families searching for their relatives will need to know the surname and approximate date of death. 

Please use the link below:

https://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/200388/cemeteries_graves_and_memorials/641/cemeteries