The Cabinet of Oldham Council scheduled a meeting to discuss several topics, including the borough's revenue and capital budget, houses of multiple occupation, and transport and highways. The meeting was scheduled to take place on 22nd September 2025.

Revenue Monitor and Capital Investment Programme

The cabinet were scheduled to consider the Revenue Monitor and Capital Investment Programme 2025/26. The report provided an update on the council's forecast revenue budget position as of 30 June 2025, as well as the financial forecast of the Dedicated Schools Grant and the Housing Revenue Account. It also covered the financial position of the capital programme and the revised capital programme for 2025/26 to 2029/30.

The report noted that the forecast overspend for 2025/26 was £20.822m, and that management actions were in place to reduce expenditure.

Every effort must be made to reduce the forecast variance by the year end to mitigate any potential impact on the 2026/27 budget, together with the projected budget gap for the following year.

The report also provided an update on the capital programme, noting that the revised capital programme budget for 2025/26 was £116.579m as of the close of Quarter 1. Actual expenditure to 30 June 2025 was £10.553m.

Introduction of Article 4 Direction for Houses of Multiple Occupation

The cabinet were scheduled to consider a report about the introduction of an Article 4 Direction for Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The report set out the issues and position regarding HMOs across the borough, and responded to recent motions presented to the full council.

The report noted that HMOs can provide a source of housing for various groups, but that poorly managed HMOs can have a detrimental impact on local areas. To address these concerns, the council can adopt an Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights, requiring planning permission for the change of use from a dwelling house (Use Class C3) to a small HMO (Use Class C4).

The report recommended making a non-immediate Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights for the change of use from Use Class C3 to C4 on a boroughwide basis. If this was agreed, a six-week consultation would take place, after which the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Councillor Elaine Taylor, would consider whether to confirm the direction and bring it into effect on 1 January 2026.

An Article 4 Direction Background Evidence Paper was included in the report pack. It stated that as of July 2025, there were approximately 384 HMOs in the borough, representing 0.38% of the total dwelling stock. It also noted that HMOs are predominantly located within inner Oldham, along key transport routes, and within and around district centres.

Asylum Dispersal Grant

The cabinet were scheduled to discuss a report seeking approval to formally accept £898,800 from the Home Office in Asylum Dispersal Grant for the period 2025/26.

The Asylum Dispersal Grant is a 'burdens' grant to mitigate the pressure of asylum dispersal, and does not have to be spent specifically or solely for expenditure on asylum seekers. The funding can be spent on statutory services such as education, social care, waste collection, public health, planning, housing, road maintenance, or library services, or on non-statutory services such as leisure, community initiatives, wellbeing, interpreting, intervention, and signposting services.

Young People's Substance Misuse and Sexual Health Service Contract Extension

The cabinet were scheduled to consider a report seeking approval to extend the contract for the Young People's Sexual Health and Substance Misuse Service by two years, from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028.

The report noted that the current provider, Early Break, has been delivering the service to the requirements set out in the specification and meeting performance requirements. It was proposed to extend the contract to ensure the continuation of high-quality service provision for local young people. The total value of the proposed two-year extension would be £940,500.

Future Commissioning Arrangements for Care at Home, Extra Care Support, Night Provision Support Services

The cabinet were scheduled to discuss a report seeking approval to proceed with a procurement process for the re-tendering of Care at Home services, with the implementation of new arrangements effective from 1 April 2026.

Care at Home services provide essential care and support to adults in Oldham, enabling them to live independently and safely in their own homes. The current contracts were awarded in April 2019 and are due to expire on 31 March 2026.

The report noted that the proposed procurement would follow a compliant route in accordance with the council's contract procedure rules and the Procurement Act 2023, and would be designed to reflect current and future demand, market capacity, and best practice in domiciliary care.

Highways Maintenance Frameworks Contracts

The cabinet were scheduled to consider a report requesting approval to establish new frameworks and contracts to deliver and facilitate Highways Maintenance in the Borough of Oldham. The previous framework ended in October 2024.

The value of the new frameworks and contracts was estimated to be circa £70,000,000 - £100,000,000 over the full term of all agreements.

Grant Acceptance: City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS)

The cabinet were scheduled to discuss a report seeking acceptance of £7.3m capital grant funding from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) towards the delivery of two projects in Oldham: the Oldham Edge and Higginshaw Active Travel Link, and the Oldham Town Centre Sustainable Connectivity Links.

The report noted that the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has agreed to reprioritise £190 million of CRSTS1 capital funding to address underspend and delivery challenges, and that Oldham has been awarded funding for the development of Outline and Full Business Cases for the two projects.