The Governance, Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board was scheduled to consider a range of topics, including proposals for a new Oldham Local Heritage List and the public consultation on the Oldham Heat Network. The board was also scheduled to review updates on Sites of Biological Importance and consider various service tenders and contract extensions.

Oldham Local Heritage List

The board was scheduled to consider proposals for the creation of an Oldham Local Heritage List. This list would identify non-designated heritage assets within the borough that are considered to have local historic or cultural importance. Approval was sought to carry out public consultation on the proposed list and accompanying guidance notes for its future revision. The report outlined that this initiative aligns with national planning policy, specifically the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which encourages local authorities to identify and consider non-designated heritage assets in planning decisions. The process for nominating and assessing potential heritage assets was detailed, including criteria such as historic interest, architectural merit, local significance, aesthetic value, group value, social or communal value, rarity, and archaeological interest. The report indicated that 280 assets were proposed for inclusion on the draft list, ranging from public houses and places of worship to cemetery buildings, parks, milestones, canal locks, bridges, and war memorials.

Oldham Heat Network - Local Development Order Public Consultation

The board was scheduled to consider a proposal to publicly consult on a draft Local Development Order (LDO) associated with the Oldham District Heat Network. An LDO is a planning tool that grants planning permission for specified types of development in defined locations over a set period, aiming to accelerate delivery by simplifying the planning process and providing certainty to investors. The report explained that this LDO would facilitate the efficient laying of pipes for the heat network across the town centre, which would otherwise require individual planning applications for each section of work. This approach was deemed necessary to avoid significant costs and delays for both contractors and the local planning authority. The report highlighted that any significant works not covered by the LDO, such as the construction of the central Energy Centre, would still require separate planning permission.

Oldham Heat Network - Zonal Boundary Consultation

In addition to the Local Development Order, the board was scheduled to consider a proposal to publicly consult on the draft Zonal Boundary associated with the Oldham District Heat Network Zone. This consultation is a key activity under the national Advanced Zoning Programme, in which Oldham is a Tier 1 participant. The report explained that new national legislation, expected in autumn 2026, will create Heat Network Zones across the UK where district heating is considered the most cost-effective solution. Within these zones, large heat users and new developments may be mandated to connect to heat networks. Oldham's proposed zone is centred around the town centre, with potential for significant infrastructure development. The consultation on the zonal boundary is a required step before formal designation, after which all qualifying buildings within the zone will be mandated to connect to heat networks.

Sites of Biological Importance Update

The board was scheduled to consider the adoption of changes to the Sites of Biological Importance (SBI) within the borough. SBIs are local nature designations that play a role in maintaining and improving important habitats. The report indicated that updates to these designations are necessary to inform robust planning decisions on applications within or near these sites. The risks of not adopting the changes were highlighted, including the potential for the council to make decisions based on outdated information and to fail in its Biodiversity Duty and its regard to the Greater Manchester Local Nature Recovery Strategy. The update included boundary changes at Fennifield Lilly Pond and Castleshaw Pasture, with Castleshaw Pasture being upgraded from Grade B to Grade A due to the quality and rarity of its grassland habitat.

Parent Infant Mental Health Services (PIMHS)

Approval was sought to extend the Parent Infant Mental Health Service (PIMHS), which is currently commissioned from Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust as part of the Family Hubs and Best Start in Life offer. The current contract was due to expire on 6 January 2027 and contained no option to extend. The service was reported to be performing well and providing specialist clinical support to vulnerable families. To ensure continuity and retain the skilled clinical workforce, it was proposed to undertake a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Direct Award Process C, awarding a further one-year contract. This would provide time to review and develop longer-term commissioning arrangements, taking into account the confirmed Best Start in Life grant funding through to 2029.

Parental Advocacy Tender

The board was scheduled to consider a request for permission to undertake a robust and transparent commissioning and procurement exercise to establish a new Parental Advocacy service. This service, funded through the Families First Partnership Grant, aims to empower parents to understand processes, plans, and decisions, enabling their full participation in Family Help assessments, child in need planning, child protection processes, and Family Group Decision Making. The service was proposed to have a funding envelope of £83,000 per annum and be awarded as a two-year contract with the option to extend for an additional year, subject to funding availability. The urgency was linked to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, which places a statutory duty on local authorities to offer Family Group Decision-Making and independent advocacy support. The budget for this service was sourced from an underspend in the Families First Partnership Grant, which needed to be fully committed by 31 March 2027.

Delegated Authority for Funding and Recruitment of Key Roles to Strengthen Early Identification and Preventative Support through the Best Start in Life Programme

Approval was sought to accept an additional ringfenced Children with Additional Needs allocation of £1,756,100 from the Department for Education (DfE) as part of the Best Start in Life Programme. This funding is intended to strengthen early identification, intervention, and inclusion support for babies and young children with emerging additional needs. To comply with DfE grant conditions, approval was requested to create and recruit to specific posts: one Integrated Team Manager, five Early Years Quality Practitioner posts, and seven Best Start Inclusion Practitioner posts, all funded until 31 March 2029. Delegated authority was also sought for the Executive Director for Children and Young People, in consultation with the Director of Finance, to determine the allocation of the remaining funding according to programme priorities and DfE grant conditions. The urgency was driven by the need to mobilise delivery arrangements within the funding period and commence recruitment processes promptly.

Extend the Changing Futures to support the Enhanced Live Well Model as prescribed by GMCA

The board was scheduled to consider extending the Changing Futures Team to support the Enhanced Live Well Model, as prescribed by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). This proposal followed the end of the national Changing Futures Programme on 1 April 2026. The decision sought approval to accept a £600,000 per annum Enhanced Live Well Grant for three years, with approximately 50% of the funding to be invested in Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) partners. The remainder would support the Local Authority team, including two new fixed-term posts. The aim was to maintain continuity of support for residents with multiple and complex needs, strengthen local authority staffing capacity, and enable the future development of VCFSE and outreach services within the wider Live Well Neighbourhoods Model.

Future Delivery Model for Oldham Leisure Services

The board was scheduled to decide on the most appropriate future delivery model for Oldham's leisure services to ensure long-term financial sustainability, operational resilience, and alignment with corporate and health and well-being priorities. The current arrangements with Oldham Active (Oldham Community Leisure Limited - OCL) were approaching a transition point. An interim review had considered four models: in-house delivery, a Council-owned organisation (such as a Local Authority Controlled Trading Company - LATCo), a joint venture company, and a competitive procurement process. The assessment concluded that a Council-owned organisation provided the optimal model, retaining Council ownership and strategic control while offering greater operational flexibility and commercial capability.

DPDA Life of Client (LOC) Extension Report - Domestic Property Disability Adaptations

Approval was requested to exercise the contractual extension options for a further two-year period for providers currently delivering the Domestic Property Disability Adaptations (DPDA) Life of Client Framework. This service, jointly commissioned by Oldham and Tameside Councils, provides specialist adaptation equipment to support disabled residents across both boroughs. The service is funded via the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) and aims to enable individuals to remain safe and independent in their own homes. All providers were reported to have delivered satisfactory services with no significant concerns identified. The extension was sought to ensure continuity of service, value for money, and stability for residents requiring essential adaptations.

Extend the contract term for delivery of Accommodation Based Services for 12 months until 31st March 2028

The board was scheduled to approve the modification and extension of three Accommodation Based Service contracts for a further 12 months, from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2028. This extension was proposed pending the implementation of a new national supported housing regulatory framework, the completion of the Council's Supported Housing Needs Assessment, and the publication of a new Supported Housing Strategy for Oldham. The services in question were the Generic Service (Regenda Limited, delivered by Petrus), the Young People's Service (Depaul UK), and the Women's Service (Regenda Limited, delivered by Safenet). The extension was deemed necessary to maintain continuity of support for vulnerable residents and protect accommodation capacity during a period of continuing homelessness pressures.

Award of LEVI Contract - preferred supplier

Approval was sought for Oldham Council to authorise Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to award the contract for the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) project to the preferred supplier. Oldham Council was also to be a signatory to both the concession contract and the GM Authority Agreement to benefit from this arrangement. The LEVI programme aims to increase the deployment of local electric vehicle charging infrastructure by encouraging Charge Point Operators (CPOs) to supply, install, and operate EVCI in areas lacking off-street parking or public EVCI. Oldham's allocation of LEVI funding is £1,563,174, with a further £579,577 from the City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) allocation being included in the project. The report also noted that existing TfGM-provided electric vehicle chargers on Oldham Council land would be considered for removal or extension.

Work Programme

The board was scheduled to consider its Work Programme for 2026/2027. This would typically involve reviewing and potentially adjusting the schedule of topics to be discussed in future meetings.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

The board was scheduled to consider the exclusion of the press and public for four specific items of business. This was to be done pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, on the grounds that discussions might involve the likely disclosure of exempt information under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and that the public interest would not be served by publishing the information. These items related to confidential recommendations concerning the Future Delivery Model for Oldham Leisure Services, Contract Extension – Domestic Property Disability Adaptions (DPDA) Framework, extending the contract term for Accommodation Based Services, and the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) contract.