Oldham Council has approved a new package of interim governance arrangements designed to strengthen democratic oversight and provide political leadership across key service areas.
The arrangements were approved by Council on 16 September. They include the creation of interim Lead Member and Deputy Lead Member roles aligned to the Council's four directorates.
How the arrangements work
Chief Executive Shelley Kipling will continue to exercise delegated executive powers, while Lead Members provide political oversight, advocacy and a visible link between residents, councillors and services. The interim Lead Member roles carry no executive decision-making powers.
The four interim Lead Member portfolios have been allocated to the Council's four largest political groups, with deputy roles assigned from the same groups.
The four portfolios
Resources: Political oversight of the Council's finances, budget management, transformation programme, corporate services, governance, workforce and organisational performance.
Place: Regeneration, economic growth, planning, housing, highways, environmental services, transport and the delivery of major projects that support Oldham's future prosperity.
Children and Young People: Oversight and advocacy for children's social care, education, safeguarding, special educational needs and early help services. The Lead Member will also undertake the statutory Lead Member role for children's services as far as practicable within the interim arrangements.
Health and Adult Care: Adult social care services, public health, support for vulnerable residents, wellbeing programmes and partnership working with health organisations across the borough.
Background
The arrangements form part of a wider governance framework developed following legal advice, engagement with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and discussions between political group leaders.
Chief Executive Shelley Kipling said: "The approval of these arrangements marks an important step in strengthening transparency, accountability and political oversight while the Council continues to seek a longer-term leadership solution. By bringing representatives from the Council's largest political groups into clearly defined Lead Member roles, we are creating stronger links between elected members, residents and services while ensuring decisions continue to be taken effectively."
