Power to the people

PLANS for a co-operative council will be unveiled by Oldham Council leader Jim McMahon at a community meeting next week.

The Labour chief is set to meet with the Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents’ Association on Tuesday to be quizzed about the new idea.

Councillor Jean Stretton, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods, will also be taking part in the debate.

Launched by the Labour party earlier this year, the idea is to give more power to local people.

In Oldham, this could mean establishing district offices and local town halls.

Councillor McMahon will also aim to explore how services can be run closely with communities by empowering local groups to become involved.

He’ll discuss devolving decision-making, including funding decisions, to a more local level through district partnerships.

Secretary of the residents’ group, Mike Rooke, said: “We want to find out what the co-operative council will be and how the role of community groups like ours will fit into the scheme.

“Also, in order for them to happen, what, if anything, will be dropped in its place.

“This the first conversation about this subject so I think we will be able to have a really good debate about the plans.”

Community groups could also be given help to take on council-owned buildings and lease-hold sites to create community hubs.

Anyone is welcome to attend the meeting at Greenfield Methodist Church on Tuesday from 7.30pm.