Review points to extra cash for districts

BIGGER budgets for District Partnerships could be on their way after Oldham Council’s cabinet considers plans for the future of area working tomorrow.

The latest plans are based on the findings of an interim review of the first six months of work by the District Partnerships.

A full review will then be presented to annual council in May.

Councillor Rod Blyth, cabinet member for people and communities, said: “The first six months have been very valuable in helping the council plan and deliver services locally. A great deal of work has been carried out across the borough with the results from Chadderton and East Oldham, areas that were given an additional £100,000 budget, being especially valuable in helping us to look at how we go forward.

“The council is committed to area working and, if agreed by cabinet, it will mean bigger budgets and more significant decisions being made by District Partnerships, decisions that will be properly supported and resourced by the council and its partners.

“Different parts of the borough have different needs and by giving real powers and resources to all District Partnerships will mean that there will be more flexibility to work with partners and come up with solutions that are right for the local area.”

Decisions taken at the meetings are based on the issues that people have raised at the People and Communities Together (PACT) meetings.