An Open for Growth Local Authority the Oldham story and messages from the PAS Open for Growth Peer Challenge - Cllr Shoab Akhtar (Oldham MBC)

The importance of certainty to investment Councillor Shoab Akhtar Deputy Leader, Oldham Council Executive Member for Business & Town Centres

3 Oldham in context 13 years of political instability 2001 Riots – not a place to invest 2008 lowest resident satisfaction 22% (Your Place Survey 2008 weak leadership (Audit Commission) £72m uncollected debt (council tax, rates) Decade of decline – lost 50% of manufacturing

4 What were our options? Carry on regardless – politics first Manage decline – best of a bad job SAY NO – Rewrite our history!

5 Our Journey 2008 Labour lose control Cross Party agreement to work for the good of the town Clear out management, recruit new team Get own house in order Clear debtors, control spend – can’t do anything without cash!

Labour return – but different Modernise governance – make relevant Co-operative Council – campaigning Bold vision – regenerate & jobs Financial house in order Political house stable Young leadership with stake in future

7 Set the scene Credible projects – achievable Scale and ambition – no 2 nd prize Build team of ambassadors Put your money where your mouth is

8 Building the team Internal – get the officer skills in place Specialist skills Ambassadors – local – regional – national LEADERSHIP – lead from the front

9 Credible Be clear on expectations Set the vision Make a decision …. and stick to it UNCERTAINTITY COSTS – TIME AND MONEY Thoughtful, logical, but with passion

10 Momentum Events and publications Website – people will want to know more Officers set up to respond, not frustrate Take opportunities and be flexible – but not lacking in focus Celebrate successes – manage blows

11 Oldham 2013 Most Improved council in the country Resident satisfaction from 22% to 65% £150m of cuts but £110m freed up for investment £200m of private sector investment Award winning Fairness Campaigns – Energy, Fares First UK public body to close accounts with £100k underspend Team Oldham – public and private sector working hand in hand Flagship Youth Guarantee

12 AMBITIOUS HUNGRY WRITING OLDHAM’S HISTORY TODAY

13 Old Town Hall Cinema Complex

14 Prince’s Gate, Eastern Gateway

15 Town Centre Hotel and Conferencing Centre

16 New Coliseum and Heritage Centre

17 Oldham Town Centre Leisure Centre

18 Independent Quarter

19 Did you know? Oldham – Cotton world leader – 360 mills 17.2m spindles Made world’s first computer World’s first test tube baby born in Oldham Home of Lancaster Bomber Winston Churchill – Oldham MP

20... The next world changing invention, event or product... in progress!

21 NEVER MISS A CHANCE TO SELL YOUR VISION!

Open for Growth Peer Challenge The peer challenge aims to assist the council to align its services to facilitate and support economic growth and is less about detailed processes and performance. To focus attention in the right places a peer team challenge team considers the following questions:

Open for Growth Peer Challenge Corporate and political leadership: is there clear commitment to growth evidence that this carries through from strategy to implementation and funding decisions? In delivering the growth strategy, what is the role of and relationships with, key local partners including neighbourhood forums, other local authorities and the local enterprise partnership?

Open for Growth Peer Challenge What is the authorities ‘offer’ to local businesses and potential investors? What can customers expect when looking to invest and is there a clear route to access support and advice? Is there evidence of integrated approaches to advising and helping customers, to using the council's assets and to making the best use of resources to deliver services and outcomes? The role of planning in helping to deliver economic growth.