Q. How can I get involved in local issues that effect me?
The Council has established 13 Community Councils which deal with issues at a local level. You can attend a meeting of the relevant Community Council and raise issues of local concern at Public Question Time. For details of dates/venues/times please see the 'Council' section of the Oldham website or contact the Committee Section on 0161 770 4728.
Q. Can members of the public attend council meetings?
Yes – all the Council’s Committees are open to the public except where exempt and confidential business is being discussed as defined by legislation. At meetings of the Council, the Executive, Overview & Scrutiny, Planning, Licensing and all 13 Community Councils there is an opportunity for the public to ask questions of the Council. Contact the Committee Section for details of how to put your question, dates, times and venues of meetings on 0161 770 4728.
Q. Where can I get details of council discussions?
The Minutes of all meetings of the Council and its Committees are usually available five working days following the meeting. Minutes of the Executive and Overview and Scrutiny Committees are available to view on the Oldham website. Contact Committee Section on 0161 770 4728 for more information.
Q. How do I contact my local Councillor?
Details of Councillors’ contact addresses and telephone numbers are available on the Oldham website, at public libraries or from the Members’ Secretariat contact 0161 770 4013.
Q. Why does Oldham have a Mayor?
Oldham was granted Borough status on 23rd November 1973 by Her Majesty the Queen, which allows the Council to have a Mayor. Councils without Borough or City status may not have a Mayor but have a Chairman of the Council.
This is a complex formula based on the number of seats held in any year by the Political Groups on the Council. When a Mayor is selected points are deducted from that Group’s holding and hence the Mayor is representative of the Council as a whole.
Q. How long does the Mayor stay in office?
The Mayor is elected at the Council’s Annual meeting held in May each year. This is known as the Municipal Year.
Q. What are the Mayor's main duties?
The Mayor is the first citizen of Oldham and represents the Borough at events and ceremonial occasions. The Mayor is the Chair at all full Council meetings and presides over Council as long as he/she is present in the Council Chamber.
Q. Why does the Mayor wear robes and chain?
The Mayor in the case of a Borough, which Oldham is, wears the robes and chain of office at Council meetings and other ceremonial occasions. Most important of the insignia at Council meetings is the Mace, which is the emblem of power and dignity of the Mayor and the symbol of authority.
Q. How do I invite the Mayor to my event?
Write to the Mayor at the Civic Centre. The Mayor will consider your request together with other demands on his time and will inform you if he is able to attend by a letter of confirmation and an engagement form for you to fill in. The engagement form should be returned to the Mayor’s office and will then be entered into the Mayor’s diary. Any questions please contact the Mayor’s office on 0161 770 4012/4013.
Q. Does the Council undertake emergency planning in the event of a major disaster or accident?
The Council has an Emergency Plan drawn up in consultation with other public bodies such as the emergency services, hospitals etc. The Council will activate the plan when necessary to respond effectively and efficiently to major incidents. The Council will do everything it can to protect people, property and the environment by minimizing the effects of a disaster and endeavouring to continue its services whilst returning the situation to normal as speedily as possible. The Council will ask public, private and voluntary organizations for their co-operation and support in resolving any difficulties in a combined and co-ordinated response.
Q. Who should I contact regarding Emergency Planning?
The Council’s Emergency Planning Officer can be contacted on 0161 770 4729 during normal office hours. In the event of an emergency special telephone numbers will be activated and publicized through the local media. The Council’s out of hours service can be contacted on 0161 770 4580 if an emergency arises.