Our happiness to be a council priority

Local targets must include car theft and early deaths

People from different backgrounds getting on well together in Oldham is a top priority for the council.

And people should be happy with their area.

But cutting serious violent crime, acquisitive crime such as thefts from cars, and anti-social behaviour are also high up the list.

The 28 local priorities have been published by the Communities’ Secretary Hazel Blears.

The council’s performance will still be measured across 198 indicators, but targets will only be set for the top local concerns.

And, if Oldham does well in tackling its chosen targets, it could qualify for extra cash.

Its achievements will be tracked over the next three years by independent auditors, and the results will be published.

Oldham’s other targets include cutting alcohol-related hospital admissions, reducing fires and fatal fires, curbing obesity in school children, and getting youngsters interested in positive activities.

Attacking Oldham’s early death rates, particularly from heart disease and cancer, plus stopping smoking are health priorities.

More people should be in work and off benefits, including 16-19 year olds not in employment, education or training.

Cleaner streets, more recycling, and cutting CO2 emissions are environmental targets.

People needing council care services should be treated with dignity, more should get direct support, carers should be assessed and helped to get advice or information, and people should be supported to live independently through social services.

In education, the aims are to increase GCSE grades especially in English and maths, and improve English and maths at key stages in schools, as well as improving results for children in care.

John Eley manages Oldham’s Partnership board of council, police, business and voluntary representatives. He said: “These targets have taken 10 months of negotiation with partners looking at things like health and the economy, with public consultation.

“We have been trying to tease out 28 targets where we can make a difference and so make Oldham feel a different place in three years’ time. This is now a contract with Government.”

Oldham Council’s priorities can be seen at www.localpriorities.communities.gov.uk