What is Oldham Community Leisure?
OCL is a community benefit society incorporated under the Industrial and Provident societies Act 1965. It is an independent legal entity, separate from Oldham Council. It has its registered office at Oldham Sports Centre reg no 29372R.
How OCL is organised
The Chief Executive is responsible for the day to day management of OCL’s affairs, and he is accountable to the Board of Directors, who appoint, remove and fix the Chief Executive's terms and conditions of employment.
The Board of Directors ensures that OCL conducts its affairs in accordance with its stated purpose. It sets the policies, strategies and objectives, and then supervises the Chief Executive and his staff who are responsible for delivering them. The Board is accountable to the members through elections and the power of removal.
In effect the Industrial and Provident Society (IPS) operates as a leisure trust which offers significant tax advantages and efficiencies which enhance capital re-investment into the facilities.
Composition of the board
The board aims to comprise:
- two community members who are users of OCLL’s facilities,
- three employee members elected by the employee members,
- two representatives of the voluntary sector,
- one representative of the sports sector,
- one representative of the health sector,
- one representative of the crime prevention sector,
- one representative of the business sector,
- two representatives of Oldham Council,
- two co-opted members,
- Company Secretary,
- OCL Chief Executive.
What does OCL do?
The company is responsible for the management, operation and development of fourteen Sports Centres/Swimming Pools and Synthetic Pitches in Oldham. In addition OCL is responsible for the Bishop Park Pitch and Putt and the bookings of grass pitches and playing fields in the district.
Since it was formed on 17th November 2002 OCL has operated the facilities in partnership with other agencies to improve the health, well being, and physical activity for the people of Oldham.
The management team have continued to work hard with partners to secure additional funding to improve the leisure stock within Oldham. From small beginnings OCL has:
- replaced the bowling green carpet at Oldham Sports Centre,
- refurbished the café at Oldham Sports Centre,
- replaced the fitness equipment at all its sites,
- replaced the synthetic pitches at Chapel Road and Royton and Crompton,
- significantly invested in the Saddleworth complex. Saddleworth saw £2m being invested to create a 55 station fitness suite and dance studio and three small sided 3G pitches.
In November 2009 the Chadderton Wellbeing Centre opened including a new swimming pool, 55 station gym and dance studio.
The annually reviewed Strategic Performance Plan (SPP)is now embedded in the culture of OCL and focuses on:
- continuous improvement in quality service delivery,
- the need to improve the health of Oldhamers,
- breaking down barriers in communities,
- offering health and physical activity to target groups in the community.
OCL has a Mission Statement of:
“a community more active more often”
Our vision is to create an environment in which sport, active recreation and leisure are integrated into the lifestyle of all Oldham citizens, in order that community cohesion and health benefits are continually improving.
Sport, leisure and active recreational activity will be used as an essential component in supporting and developing the infrastructure of the community and to improve the quality of life both physically and mentally. We will actively work with partner organisations in order to facilitate this development through a better understanding of the issues and a sharing of resources to achieve success.
The values of our organisation will be based on the concept of continuous improvement. This will be achieved through the use of external quality recognition schemes including Investors in People and Quest for Facility Management (Based on the European Business
Excellence Model).
OCL will seek to provide best value in delivering services for which it is responsible. It will deliver its core themes of Health, Adult, Young People and Families, Community Cohesion, the Environment and Quality of life in a context of sustainability, accountability, flexibility
and innovation.
In order to achieve this mission, representatives of the key stakeholders in OCL, The Management Committee, the management, staff and partners have worked together meeting annually to create a Strategic Performance Plan on which the Company and its Employees can focus on.
We are governed strategically by a board of directors who are appointed annually. They meet 6 times a year including the AGM which is open to shareholders to receive the annual report, the accounts and to vote the directors onto the board.
To attend the meetings individuals are required to purchase a share. Shares are available on a non redeemable, non transferable preference share costing £20 and available by emailing info@ocll.co.uk .
Becoming a member
Membership is open to anybody who is 16 or over, and who is employed by OCL (employee members) or who uses OCL facilities or has an interest in sport and leisure (community members). Young people who are under 16 but over 12 can become Associate members. They can join by filling in an application form and paying £1 for a share.
Members can attend members meetings, receive information about OCL, vote in the election of Board Members, seek nomination for serving on the Board, and take part in the other member activities which OCL provides.
OCL is committed to a number of things, for example carrying on its business for the benefit of the community, retaining (and not distributing) its profits, respecting the rights of people and openness in the way it conducts its affairs.
Current Management Committee Members:
Nigel Harrison (Chair - Voluntary Sector) Nigel is currently the Director of West Yorkshire Sport, having set it up as the first employee 10 years ago. The role involves coordinating a range of partners from local authorities, National Governing Bodies and the Education sector which has given him a wide experience of the sports sector. On behalf of the 49 CSPs Nigel is the lead Director for liaison with the NGBs at a national level, enabling CSPs to work better on their behalf to implement the Whole Sport Plans. Nigel is currently a member of a range of strategic groups across West Yorkshire leading and assisting on District wide sports strategies. The latest entailed Nigel to lead the writing of the Bradford Sports Strategy that will be launched this summer. Nigel has also co-authored the sports strategies in Leeds and Kirklees. Nigel has a BA (Hons) degree in Sport and Recreation and is currently studying for an MBA at Leeds Business School. Nigel was born in Oldham and lived most of his life there, currently living in Royton with his wife and two grown up children. Nigel's very first job in sport was as a Sports Assistant at Oldham Sports Centre when I was 18 years old. Tony Smith (Vice Chair - Facility User) Having served in Local Government and Leisure Service for 40 years (29 years in Oldham) Tony has a wide experience of the operational, administration, staff relation, financial and technical demands of delivering such services and has extensive experience in staff and contract negotiations.
Nigel has 22 year's experience of working in local authority leisure. His early career was in sports facility management.
The proposal for a cooperative as an alternative to the then council was created by Tony, who was also the mover to persuade the Council to allow staff to bring such a contract bid forward. As Chair/Convener of UNISON and Chair of a local charity Tony is conversant with committee workings.
Tony's original Qualifications were in Electrical Engineering in the RN, but subsequently he has gained various other Qualifications of which H&S (AMISO), Social Sciences and Employment Law are probably the most relevant.
Laura Windsor Welsh (Additional Skills)
Laura attended The Blue Coat School and Sixth Form in Oldham, then the University of Ripon and York St John, BA (Hons) Theology and Applied Social Science, then Huddersfield University, Post Grad in Professional Studies (Youth and Community)
Laura has worked with children and young people in Oldham for 12 years, starting out as an education welfare officer, before becoming a Connexions adviser and Outreach and Detached Worker. For the last four years Laura has managed Oldham Children and Youth Alliance and the Voluntary Sector Hub. Both these networks bring together those working with children and young people across the statutory and community sector to improve outcomes for young people.
Laura has been a member of the Church Lads and Church Girls Brigade for 25 years, at 18 she became a young leader and since has volunteered for the organisation as a youth worker.
Laura is a keen footballer and 3 years ago set up a women's football team ‘the Goaldham Girls', the ethos of the team is more about women who normally wouldn't play football to come and get fit, than it is winning!
Mohammed Rahiem (Facility User)
Mohammed Rahiem has been involved with many notable organisations within the local community including being the lead officer for the OMBC race hate forum. Other bodies include Community Sports development officer for Glodwick SRB and Regional Sports Development Manager, North of England - Sporting Equals Ltd. Rahiem is the managing director of PS Events Ltd. His contribution to the Oldham Community Leisure board will be drawing on his experience of working with so many different organizations and understanding the needs of the community he serves.
Councillor Roger Hindle (Council representative)
Roger has lived in Oldham all of his life and has been a Councillor representing the St. James Ward since 1996. In May 2012, he was appointed to the OCLL Board
He is also a Council representative on the main boards of Oldham Coliseum Theatre and First Choice Homes Oldham.
In 2009, Roger was one of the participants in the "Get Moving to Health" programme which was supported by, amongst others, OCLL & the Oldham Chronicle and as such used the OCLL facilities at the Oldham & Royton sites.
Councillor Barbara Brownridge (Council representative)
Barbara is the cabinet member for Co-operatives and Community Development, appointed in May 2010. Living in Chadderton, Barbara also sits on the following groups Chadderton Sick Poor Charity, Cultural Partnership, FCHO Main Board, Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale, Oldham Citizen's Advice Bureau, Oldham Economic Development Association Board, Oldham Partnership Economic Development and Enterprise Block, Southlinks Developments Ltd and Voluntary Action Oldham.
Chris Hamilton (Sports Sector)
Born and raised in Oldham, Chris Hamilton is passionate about the town and its people and was responsible for the launch of a new professional rugby club in 1997. Since then he has been Chief Executive of the club and Chairman apart from a two year period.
His professional background is as an accountant and he has lived in Oldham all his life.
Besides rugby he follows football with his son and is a keen sports fan who is delighted to be given this opportunity to contribute to the wellbeing of people via OCL.
Chris Sykes (Crime Reduction)
Chris Sykes is a Chief Superintendent in Greater Manchester Police, currently working in Stockport. From 2007 to 2011 Chris worked in a number of roles in Oldham and latterly head up the Partnerships Crime and Disorder agenda.
Alison Tootill (Additional Skills)
Alison has been teaching Special Educational Needs (SEN) PE for 15 years. Her present role is Head of PE at New Bridge School in Oldham where she runs an Outstanding Department (OFSTED Nov 2011).
She has worked on a consultant basis for a variety of agencies such as Youth Sport Trust (YST) and Sports Coach UK as a tutor and workshop developer, recently in the development of the Inclusive Coaching; Disability workshop.
Alison has also worked with governing bodies of sport addressing how athletes can be developed by the addition of outside agencies and wrap around care to develop potential talent.
Tariq Rafique (Voluntary Sector)
Tariq is currently the Director of Oldham Race Equality Partnership. The role involves leading on race equality, community cohesion, development of strategic projects working for the betterment of the community.
Tariq has over 20 years of experience in the field of community relations and youth developmental work having started his career as a Youth Officer within Oldham.
Tariq has also been involved in community initiatives such as Governor at the Waterhead academy and member of the Abaseen Welfare Charity.
Tariq graduated from the University of Manchester with a BA Honours Degree in Social Policy.
Jo Farrington (Health Sector)
Jo has worked in Public health for more than 20 years. She is a long term resident of Oldham and went to school here.
Jo is an expert on diet and cardiovascular health and has worked with professional colleagues to produce national guidelines for diet and heart disease and also wrote for the Dietitians textbook on heart disease.
Jo is a keen climber and has worked with the British Mountaineering Council helping to present workshops for international coaches and athletes on nutrition and climbing at national centres and world cup events.
Lesley Clegg (Employee representative)
Lesley was one of the original Management Committee staff representatives in 2003 and with five years' experience on the board Lesley has knowledge and commitment which proves beneficial.
As one of the original staff representatives Lesley fought hard to keep the same working conditions OCL had with Oldham Council and will continue to strive for better working environments such as new buildings and technology.
Lesley is employed as OCL's Assistant Finance Manager dealing with the day to day running of finance. Her role is to ensure that staff and creditors are paid on time and that all income is recorded safely and accurately.
Lesley's beliefs and commitment have not changed over the years and she believes that communication is important.
Lisa Collins (Employee representative)
Lisa has been employed within OCL since 1985 working in a number of roles. Lisa is employed as the Administrative Manager dealing with direct debits and has a great knowledge and understanding of the membership process within the company.
Lisa is not afraid to speak her mind and is committed to the company. Outside of work Lisa is a keen swimmer and enjoys spending time with her family and dogs.
Kelly Tattersall (Employee representative)
Kelly has been a member of the Oldham Community Leisure team for nearly six years in a variety of roles, including the ‘Girls Together Project' encouraging young females to take part in more physical activity and sport as well as creating new opportunities, then became the Health & Physical Activity Development Officer - Young People for the Health & Physical Activity Team working at the time very closely with our local schools, coordinating OCL School Holiday provision and in my most recently role taking over the ‘Active Adults Project' focusing on working directly in the local communities of Oldham provide greater opportunities to get ‘inactive' people leading a more active lifestyle on their doorstep and in turn increasing the chances of these individuals attending our facilities.
During Kelly's time at OCLL she has worked with many different individuals and teams within OCLL to create and promote the fantastic opportunities for our local residents, including dressing up for various events that you may have seen her at with one being the Oldham Carnival.
Kelly is a bubbly person with a big personality also a very caring individual and is honoured to be the voice of the staff and put views, comments, fears and feedback to the board.
Vacant (Business Sector)
Minutes of Board meetings are available to Shareholders upon request
You can contact OCL or its Directors via info@ocll.co.uk or by writing to:
C/O Oldham Sports Centre, Lord Street, Oldham. OL1 3HA
Page Updated February 2013
