People in Oldham reassured council services are running as normal

People living in Oldham will still have their bins collected and services will run normally despite an ongoing deadlock over who wants to run the borough.

In an update, chief executive Shelley Kipling said the council was ‘dealing with an unprecedented set of circumstances’ but progress was being made.

The council has been in a stalemate after the local elections in May where Labour lost eight seats but still remains the largest party. Labour said they would step aside and Reform refused to do any backroom deals but no group has the numbers to take control by themselves.

There have been two meetings now to try and find a way through. Despite some progress with appointments to key committees and the selection of a ceremonial mayor on June 15, a bid by Reform was blocked by a majority of councillors.

During this time, the council said day-to-day council services will continue to operate as normal though no changes to council policy or the budget are expected until a new leadership is in place. Any operations are currently being led by chief executive Shelley Kipling, the most senior officer at the organisation.

Responding to questions put to the council by the LDRS, Ms Kipling said: “We are dealing with an unprecedented set of circumstances and must work through them carefully to achieve a stable and sustainable administration.

“It is important that a resolution is reached. Officers can not and should not seek to replace or replicate the role of an administration.

“All parties are engaging constructively in what is an unfamiliar and complex situation. While it presents challenges, there is a shared commitment to finding a workable solution.

“This was always likely to be challenging, but there is goodwill across the groups and a clear understanding of their responsibilities to residents. Members are working to meet those expectations.”

The chief executive added: “The conversations taking place between group Leaders have been productive. Progress is being made, and that can be seen in a Mayor being elected, committees like planning, licensing and scrutiny are up and running, and this helps keep the council functioning for residents and businesses.”

With no cabinet or leader making key decisions, the council is keen to assure the public key support services are still running and ‘will continue uninterrupted’.

Ms Kipling said: “This includes waste collection, safeguarding vulnerable children and families, and the full range of statutory responsibilities. Council officers remain committed to serving the community, and we will continue to meet residents’ expectations.”

She added: “The residents of Oldham have a clear expectation that the people they elected make decisions about how council services are run.
“I would not take significant decisions without political consensus. My focus is on maintaining continuity and stability.

“We will continue to deliver statutory services fully within the powers available to us. However, setting the strategic direction of the organisation is not the role of the chief executive in the absence of an administration.”