Saddleworth West and Lees Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani backs a Liberal Democrat idea to support frontline Covid-19 workers in Oldham Borough.  At the next full meeting of Oldham Council (15 July), he will propose an amendment to a Labour motion on care workers.

The Liberal Democrats in Oldham believe the administration motion does not go far enough. They want to reward frontline Covid-19 workers for their bravery and professionally.  Not just financially, but also with the award of a pandemic service medal from the Government.

Councillor Al-Hamdani says: “These workers should receive an additional payment for every working day they have spent on the front-line of this crisis.  The Liberal Democrats would pay these workers an extra £29 per day.  It would be backdated to the start of the pandemic.  This would be very similar to what military personnel receive during active service in war.”

Councillor Al-Hamdani goes further: “These local heroes should be able to access a free 24-hour telephone support service provided by the Government.  Should the worst happen, they should also be entitled to a state-funded funeral should tragically they die from a condition related to Covid-19.”

Councillor Al-Hamdani’s ambition is backed by his Crompton colleague, Councillor Louie Hamblett. Commenting, Councillor Hamblett says: “This nation owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to NHS, care and key workers for their extraordinary service in saving lives and delivering services in these extraordinary times. Whilst we support the original motion, the Oldham Liberal Democrats believe that it needs to address the fact that workers in the NHS and Care sectors should, and must, be properly rewarded for their efforts.

“I would also add that I find it abhorrent that many people who have chosen to make a life here in our country and work in our brilliant NHS and Care sectors are still being financially punished and bogged down by a brutal bureaucratic system which they struggle to comprehend. They just want to get on with their lives and jobs and make their personal contribution to eradicating this dreadful disease and building Britain better.”

The meeting will be held on the 15^th July and starts at 6pm.

ENDS/…

The original motion reads:

This Council commends the incredible work of care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic caring for the most vulnerable people in Oldham. 

This Council notes the results of a survey conducted by UNISON North West which found that 8 out of 10 care workers would not receive their full normal pay if they were ill or had to self-isolate or shield because of COVID-19. As a result of the lack of occupational sick pay, some care workers said that they may have to attend work whilst ill as they could not afford to live off statutory sick pay (SSP). 

This Council believes that this situation poses a serious public health risk to people that receive care and frontline care workers. Indeed, official figures from the Office for National Statistics show that care workers are twice as likely to die from coronavirus than NHS staff. 

This Council acknowledges its responsibility under the Government’s Infection Control Fund to administer the distribution of additional funding to social care providers to reduce the spread of infection, including maintaining normal wages for COVID-19 related absence. 

This Council believes that no care worker should have to choose between their own health or hardship. This Council welcomes UNISON North West’s Care Workers vs COVID-19 Campaign which is calling for care workers to receive the support and resources they need to combat the virus.

This Council notes that 12 local authorities in the North West have already supported the Care Workers vs COVID-19 Campaign or made similar commitments around maintaining normal pay for all COVID-19 related absence. 

This Council undertakes to: 

1) Formally endorse the principles of UNISON’s Care Workers vs COVID-19 Campaign and commit to campaigning for the funding this Council requires to deliver on them; 

2) Communicate to providers that it is this Council’s view that additional funding is used by social care providers to pay care workers their full normal pay for all COVID-19 related absence, including sickness, self-isolation or shielding; 

3) Review procurement and commissioning policies with view to increasing the weighting of social value commissioning and to ensure it includes specific requirements around occupational sick pay. 

The Amendment:

Insert after paragraph 6 which ends with ‘related absence’, two new paragraphs, the second with bullet points as follows:

This Council also believes that the UK Government should provide greater financial rewards, ongoing support and proper recognition for care, NHS and key workers reflecting the personal danger and stress they have been placed in whilst caring for, treating or supporting residents and patients with Covid-19.

Specifically, this Council believes that such workers should:

–  receive an additional payment for every working day they have spent on the front-line of this crisis, amounting to £29 per day, backdated to the start of the pandemic. This would be akin to the deployment allowance military personnel receive during service in war-zones.

– be able to access a free 24-hour telephone support service funded by the Government.

– receive a state-funded funeral should they die from a condition related to Covid-19.

– receive, once the crisis is ended, a pandemic service medal from the Government.

And that in addition all migrants working in the NHS & social care during this crisis should be given the right to stay in the UK, with no visa fees and no bureaucracy.

Insert after bullet point 3) in the resolution two new bullet points 4) and 5) as follows:

4) Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Health and the Home Secretary asking them to:

– institute a daily front-line service payment, backdated to the start of the pandemic

– establish a 24-hour helpline

– provide state-funded funerals

– issue a pandemic service medal

– make changes to immigration rules to grant immigrants working in health and social care the right to stay and a waiver on visa fees and bureaucracy.

5) Ask the Chief Executive to copy in our three local MPs and the Mayor of Greater Manchester to ask for their support on these issues.

The motion as amended to read:

This Council commends the incredible work of care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic caring for the most vulnerable people in Oldham. 

This Council notes the results of a survey conducted by UNISON North West which found that 8 out of 10 care workers would not receive their full normal pay if they were ill or had to self-isolate or shield because of COVID-19. As a result of the lack of occupational sick pay, some care workers said that they may have to attend work whilst ill as they could not afford to live off statutory sick pay (SSP). 

This Council believes that this situation poses a serious public health risk to people that receive care and frontline care workers. Indeed, official figures from the Office for National Statistics show that care workers are twice as likely to die from coronavirus than NHS staff. 

This Council acknowledges its responsibility under the Government’s Infection Control Fund to administer the distribution of additional funding to social care providers to reduce the spread of infection, including maintaining normal wages for COVID-19 related absence. 

This Council believes that no care worker should have to choose between their own health or hardship. This Council welcomes UNISON North West’s Care Workers vs COVID-19 Campaign which is calling for care workers to receive the support and resources they need to combat the virus.

This Council notes that 12 local authorities in the North West have already supported the Care Workers vs COVID-19 Campaign or made similar commitments around maintaining normal pay for all COVID-19 related absence. 

This Council also believes that the UK Government should provide greater financial rewards, ongoing support and proper recognition for care, NHS and key workers reflecting the personal danger and stress they have been placed in whilst caring for, treating or supporting residents and patients with Covid-19.

Specifically, this Council believes that such workers should:

–  receive an additional payment for every working day that have spent on the front-line of this crisis, amounting to £29 per day, backdated to the start of the pandemic. This would be akin to the deployment allowance military personnel receive during service in war-zones.

– should be able to access a free 24-hour telephone support service provided by the Government.

– receive a state-funded funeral should they die from a condition related to Covid-19.

– receive, once the crisis is ended, a pandemic service medal from the Government.

And that in addition all migrants working in the NHS & social care during this crisis should be given the right to stay in the UK, with no visa fees and no bureaucracy.

This Council undertakes to: 

1) Formally endorse the principles of UNISON’s Care Workers vs COVID-19 Campaign and commit to campaigning for the funding this Council requires to deliver on them; 

2) Communicate to providers that it is this Council’s view that additional funding is used by social care providers to pay care workers their full normal pay for all COVID-19 related absence, including sickness, self-isolation or shielding; 

3) Review procurement and commissioning policies with view to increasing the weighting of social value commissioning and to ensure it includes specific requirements around occupational sick pay. 

4) Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Health and the Home Secretary asking them to:

– institute a daily front-line service payment, backdated to the start of the pandemic

– establish a 24-hour helpline

– provide state-funded funerals

– issue a pandemic service medal

– make changes to immigration rules to grant immigrants working in health and social care the right to stay and a waiver on visa fees and bureaucracy.

5) Ask the Chief Executive to copy in our three local MPs and the Mayor of Greater Manchester to ask for their support on these issues.

The Amendment is proposed by Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani, The Amendment is seconded by Councillor Louie Hamblett

All 20 recycling centres across Greater Manchester are open seven days a week and accepting most recycling apart from textiles, clothes and shoes.

From Monday 13 July, the final restrictions will be lifted and vehicles with trailers will be allowed access to the recycling centres for disposing of household waste only. Trade waste is not permitted.

Save Oldham’s Services 

The COVID-19 outbreak is placing massive pressure on services provided by both Oldham Council and the NHS.  

Team Oldham, the voluntary sector and the community have worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic to keep Oldham residents safe. This vital work has come at a massive financial cost to Oldham Council. 

Although further government funding has been announced, it is not enough to fully support the people of Oldham. 

We’re calling on the community to say thanks to those who have been working to look after others, the care workers, waste disposal teams, emergency helpline operators and more. 

To enable us to keep being there for our residents we now need the support from Government in the form of fair funding. 

This funding will help make up the costs the council has had to spend on its priority – keeping Oldham residents safe.  

Oldham Council Leader Sean Fielding said: “I can’t thank the people of Oldham enough for their extraordinary efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“All of Oldham has pulled together to be there for each other during this incredibly difficult period. Everyone who has worked to ensure we get through this is an example of what makes Oldham such a special place”

“To properly thank our local heroes, we now need Government to provide the funding we so vitally need. Our key workers have done their part, we’re now asking the community to join us by signing this letter, which asks Government to do theirs.”

Leader of the Opposition, and the Liberal Democrat Group,  Councillor Howard Sykes MBE said: “Oldham’s local heroes have been working tirelessly to keep us safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have to ensure their vital work can continue, no matter the cost.”

“Making sure our borough gets the funding it needs goes beyond politics – it is what must be done to keep the people of Oldham safe.”

“Join us in our call for fair funding by signing our letter to Government”.

To say thanks to those who have selflessly worked to support the most vulnerable throughout this crisis, sign here today – https://www.oldham.gov.uk/SOSOldham 

#SOSOldham 

Oldham Liberal Democrat Councillors Dave Murphy and Chris Gloster are supporting the Local Electricity Bill. This is supported by over one hundred and fifty Members of Parliament. 

Local authorities can play a central role in creating sustainable communities. The Local Electricity Bill would allow Councils and local community groups to work together to generate electricity from renewable sources to supply local homes, schools and businesses. Money received by Councils from the sale of local renewable electricity can be used to help fund measures to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions and to help fund local services and facilities.

Councillor Murphy said: “We are calling for the Council and our local Members of Parliament to ask the UK Government to enact this legislation. If they did so, it would make the setup and running costs of selling renewable electricity to local customers proportionate by establishing a Right to Local Supply.  This Bill is widely popular and has already received cross-party support from 151 Members of Parliament.”

“People are very concerned about the planet and the environment.  With this motion we will help build local communities that are sustainable”, commented Councillor C. Gloster.

The Council meeting will be held on 15^th July and starts at 6pm.

Copy of Motion:

Council July 15, 2020 – Notice of Opposition Business

Motion 3 – The Local Electricity Bill

This Council notes:

• Making these financial costs proportionate to the scale of a renewable electricity supplier’s operation would create significant opportunities for councils to supply locally generated renewable electricity directly to local people and businesses.
• Revenues received by councils from the sale of local renewable electricity can be used to help fund measures to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions and to help fund local services and facilities.
• The recent reintroduction of the Local Electricity Bill under the Ten-Minute Rule. If enacted the new law would make the setup and running costs of selling renewable electricity to local customers proportionate by establishing a Right to Local Supply.
• This Bill has received the support of 151 Members of Parliament.
• We should make every attempt to build a sustainable Britain after the Coronavirus crisis has passed. Our support for the Bill and this motion helps us achieve that.

Council resolves to:

• Write to the relevant Government Minister asking them to enact this legislation as soon as possible.
• Ask our local Members of Parliament to support the Bill.
• Write to the campaign promoting the Bill, Power for People, (at 8, Delancey Passage, Camden, London, NW1 7NN) expressing the Council’s support for the campaign and the Local Electricity Bill.

Proposed by:  Councillor Dave Murphy, Seconded by: Councillor Chris Gloster                                                                  

The Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Chris Gloster, will be seconding a motion at the next full meeting of Oldham Council (July 15) which calls on the Government to back the Council in its fight against Covid-19 with more cash.

Councillor Gloster commented on the professionalism and sacrifice of the medical, care and key workers across the borough who are in the front-line leading that fight:

“I want firstly to praise and thank the medical, care and key workers across the borough, many of whom are employed by this Council, and the many volunteers from amongst our communities, who have worked tirelessly and selflessly during this time of national crisis. We should all be grateful for and proud of their efforts; their dedication and professionalism continue to be an inspiration to us all as we work together to see off the Covid-19 pandemic and Build Back Better.”

Addressing the specifics of the motion, Councillor Gloster added:

“Oldham Council has incurred significant additional costs and suffered a significant loss of revenue as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Like the NHS and our emergency services, our workforce provides front-line services to those who are most vulnerable and at risk in our communities. The Oldham Liberal Democrats are gravely concerned that if the Conservative Government fails to honour its promise to fully reimburse Oldham Council for these extra costs and lost income that this will place us in a serious financial crisis. Simply put it will force us to cut some of the key services that the people in Oldham are currently relying upon and will continue to rely upon in the future.

“Oldham has already suffered more than its fair share of the burden of austerity. We have cut £221 million from our budget and in the next financial year, and the next, we already face demands from the Conservative Government for still more cuts. I just wish I had the opportunity to sit next to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, to tell him frankly that we cannot take anymore. If the Government truly wants Councils like Oldham to be partners in the fight against Covid, they need to give us more cash.”

The next full meeting of Oldham Council starts at 6 pm on Wednesday 15 July.

The text of the motion

Council 15 July 2020 – Motion: Funding Recovery, Jobs and Services

This council notes with thanks the combined efforts of council officers, our public sector partners, volunteers and businesses in working together to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. From carers looking after older residents and putting themselves at risk, to the waste team quickly finding new ways of working to keep our bins empty, to the huge army of volunteers distributing food parcels to those in need, the crisis has shown Oldham at its best.

We must also acknowledge the funding and support packages that the Government has put in place to assist businesses in Oldham, some of which have been administered by the council. Without this Government support many businesses would have ceased trading and more Oldhamers would be facing unemployment.

However, whilst there has been a range of Government support, the council is facing a significant financial challenge. Some Government funding has been received, including £14.2m of unring fenced grant. A further funding package was announced on 2^nd July but it did not provide the clarity required for the council assess the extent of the additional financial support. However, it is evident that it will fall far short of the funding required to compensate for the additional expenditure being incurred and for the income that has been lost in this financial year. 

If the Government does not provide any more support the council will have to consider making cuts to key services in order to manage its finances effectively. This will also have an impact in 2021/22 which already has a budget reduction target of £23m. Any additional financial pressure will be on top of the £221m of budget reductions that the council has been forced to make as a result of the Government’s austerity regime.

It is important to note that on 16^th March the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, told English council leaders “This government stands with local councils at this difficult time. Everyone needs to play their part to help the most vulnerable in society and support their local economy. The government will do whatever is necessary to support these efforts.”  By 14 April the message had changed and Jenrick told council leaders that councils would have to “share the burden” of coronavirus-related costs.  We need the Government to honour its original statement and do whatever is necessary to support councils in their response to COVID-19 – including fully funding the extra financial pressures.

This council resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to:

• The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to fully fund councils for the extra costs and lost income arising from COVID-19 in line with his communication of 16^th March
• The LGA to confirm the council’s support in their lobbying of Government for increased funding for local government in response to financial pressures arising from COVID-19
• Key partner organisations across Oldham, requesting their support for our campaign for central government funding that protects the jobs of key workers and enables Oldham to build back better

Proposed Councillor Abdul Jabbar MBE, Seconded Councillor Chris Gloster

Oldham Liberal Democrat Councillors Garth Harkness and Diane Williamson are concerned that a culture of ‘fast fashion’ prevails in the UK which leads to the over-production and over-consumption of clothing. At the same time, they can also see that people on low-incomes in the Borough are sometimes unable to afford the clothing that they need for themselves and their families, and that workers in the clothing trade are badly exploited.

At the next meeting of the full Council (15 July), Councillors Harkness and Williamson are proposing that Oldham Council works with representatives from the clothing manufacturers and retailers; the trades unions in these sectors; and campaign groups to develop a strategy to end clothing waste, meet clothing need and tackle the exploitation of garment workers in this Borough.

Councillor Garth Harkness, who will be proposing the motion, said: “The Oldham Liberal Democrat Group has previously proposed motions to take action on food poverty, fuel poverty, water poverty, and period poverty. Now we are turning our spotlight on clothing poverty. As the Covid-19 Lockdown begins to be lifted, we need to look again at ways that we can Build Britain Better. Two of our priorities must be finding ways to tackle climate change and finding ways to address poverty and social injustices in our society.”

“Clothing waste is just criminal when we have so many of our citizens in need. We want to create a virtuous circle by putting the two together – taking the clothes that people don’t want and matching them up to those who need them. And by doing so we will reduce the number of clothes that hang unloved in wardrobes or are simply dumped. Its common-sense really and there are some good projects from around the country that we can learn from to help us do so.”

Not only does clothing over-production eat up natural resources it results in the financial exploitation of workers in the clothing industry.  Councillor Diane Williamson, who is seconding the motion, said: “We need to identify how the Council and politicians can best support workers in the clothing sector at risk of exploitation.   Many of these exploited workers are women producing garments on low-pay and under pressure in their own homes. Tackling the exploitation of clothing workers should be a priority as part of our collective effort to tackle poverty in our Borough.”

It is for these reasons that the Oldham Liberal Democrats are bringing a motion to the 15^th July 2020 Council meeting.  The meeting starts at 6pm.

Copy of Motion:

Council July 15, 2020 – Notice of Opposition Business

Motion 2 – Tackling clothing poverty and waste

This Council notes that:

• The culture of ‘fast fashion’ which prevails in the UK and elsewhere leads to the over-production and over-consumption of clothing.
• Over-production represents the excessive depletion of precious natural resources and the financial exploitation of workers in the clothing industry.  This exploitation is often close to home.
• Over-consumption can lead to clothing being worn once or never at all.
• In contrast, many residents of Oldham Borough living on a low-income struggle to afford to buy much-needed clothing for themselves, and for those in their family.
• This is an environmental disaster and a waste. It is the underutilisation of good clothing that could go to other people in need.
• Whilst there are charitable providers of free clothing in Oldham Borough to those in need, not every district is well served and there is a lack of awareness of provision.
• In parts of the UK, innovative schemes exist such as ‘community clothing exchanges’, where at regular events participants can swap clothes; ‘community clothes banks’, where clothing racks are sited in prominent locations in the community to enable unwanted clothing to be left for others; and ‘community sewing clubs’, where attendees repair and alter clothing to make better use of what they have.

Council resolves to:

• Work to end clothing poverty and waste, and the exploitation of clothing workers as part of our collective effort to tackle social deprivation and make this Borough carbon-neutral.
• Map and promote the current provision of free clothing available to those in need and identify where and how to address any shortfall in this provision.
• Identify innovative schemes which can be replicated in this Borough and establish a timetable and plan to do so.
• Identify how the Council and its partners can best support workers in the garment sector at risk of exploitation.
• Consult the voluntary sector, local clothing manufacturers and retailers, trades unions in the clothing sector, and the campaigning groups Wrap, Labour Behind the Label, and Home Workers World Wide on these issues.
• Bring a report back to full Council with findings and recommendations by July 2021.

Proposed by:  Councillor Garth Harkness , Seconded by: Councillor Diane Williamson                                                          

Oldham Liberal Democrat Councillors Sam Al-Hamdani and Hazel Gloster will pose this question when they propose a related motion at the next full meeting of Oldham Council (15 July).

Councillors Al-Hamdani and Gloster are seeking a guarantee that any new homes that are built in the Borough have natural light and a minimum space standard. They also want this guarantee to extend to former non-residential premises converted into homes.

Councillor Al-Hamdani, who is proposing the motion, said: “In Watford last year, despite the strong objections of the Liberal Democrat Mayor and Liberal Democrat Council, planning permission was granted for flats that had no windows and were smaller than 37 square metres, which is below the government guidelines.  While there are guidelines, there is nothing in law saying this cannot happen in Oldham or anywhere else in the UK.

“The Oldham Liberal Democrats want to ensure that the residents of any new or converted homes in this borough enjoy access to natural light and good space standards; accommodation that provides anything less can only be considered oppressive and not fit-for-purpose in our modern age.”

Councillor Hazel Gloster, who is seconding the motion, added: “The regulations are constantly changing and are being increasingly relaxed.  We want the Council to write to the Secretary of State urging the law be changed so that councils can have the final say on dwelling standards. And we want the Mayor of Greater Manchester and Oldham Council to put something in place to make sure people have excellent living conditions.

“With the proposals to build thousands of new homes under the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, many in my own ward, it is vital that we secure such guarantees. Homes with no natural light and cramped rooms should be rejected on humanitarian grounds.”

The Council meeting will be held on 15^th July and starts at 6pm.

Copy of Motion: Council July 15, 2020 – Notice of Opposition Business

Motion 1 – Preventing modern slums in Oldham Borough

This Council notes that:

• In 2019,15 oppressive flats got the go ahead in Watford through a planning loophole.  These dwellings were below the government’s advisory space guidelines for homes, and some had no access to natural light.
• Homes without natural light are inhumane for people to dwell in.  This is not an acceptable standard for people to live by in Oldham Borough, nor anywhere for that matter.
• The Government minimum recommended size for dwellings built or renovated is 37 square metres.  However, this is not a legal requirement.
• The current legislation allows offices and warehouses to be converted to flats without planning permission.  This is how the inhumane dwellings in Watford got around the council’s humanitarian objections.
• We live in a time where it is decent and common practice that farm animals get to see sunlight as part of their daily living conditions.
• A government review of these regulations is underway.
• Oldham Borough Council must prevent modern slums from slipping through the planning net locally.  An oppressive environment would have a serious impact upon the health of future occupiers.

This Council resolves to:

• Write to the Secretary of State urging that the General Permitted Development Order be changed so that councils can have the final say on dwellings and that those proposals with no natural light be rejected on humanitarian grounds.
• Write to Mayor Andy Burnham to request that the Greater Manchester Spatial framework notes the inhumane nature of this policy when assessing the use of brownfield sites.
• That proposed dwellings with no natural light will not be built in Oldham Borough as an oppressive living environment would have a serious negative impact upon physical and mental health.
• This Council has a commitment to providing homes that are of an acceptable modern standard.

Proposed by:  Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani, Seconded by: Councillor Hazel Gloster

Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet member for Housing and Homelessness Sam Al-Hamdani is calling on Oldham Council to urgently repair the online systems for checking on the status on conservation areas and listed buildings.

Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “The Council has moved many of its services online – and for the most part it is of great benefit to residents. However, that reliance means that we need to ensure that those services stay available.

“One of my local residents had an issue with an overhanging tree – a large branch had fallen into her garden, and she was understandably worried about the risk of it happening again in the future, particularly because her husband is registered blind, and their garden is a safe space for him to go out. Before we got any work done, I wanted to check on anything that could cause any problems.”

Residents who take down or cut back trees in a conservation area, or where there is a tree preservation order in place, are at risk of substantial fines if they do not follow the correct procedures.

Councillor Al-Hamdani continued: “The systems to check online are broken – and have been since at least the start of June. Despite being reported, they remain broken. These aren’t just needed for checking on trees; it is particularly an issue for planning application – and making it easier to preserve our local heritage.

“Planning was the first of the council’s committees to move online, in order to be able to respond to the backlog of applications. It is vital that the services which support that are up and running, when people have no alternative, such as coming into the civic centre.”

For real time information: https://oldham.roadworks.org/

This was slightly delayed while the Council ensured this was OK with the family.

Book of condolence for former Councillor Angie Farrell