16Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat idea to reduce air pollution around schools

Borough news
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE asks for special restrictions to be placed on vehicles waiting outside of schools.  This is to reduce air pollution.  Restrictions apply at peak times in other parts of the UK to reduce air pollution in problem areas.  Councillor Sykes wants to trial this locally for Oldham Schools.  This could successfully reduce traffic and encourage more families to walk and cycle to school.  The Greater Manchester Clean Air plan is unclear when it comes to its school’s policy and the Liberal Democrats want Oldham to lead the way. In the current version of the Greater Manchester Clean Air plan, the only mention of schools is a couple of sentences saying Greater Manchester Combined Authority should find ways to help people use their cars less.  There is no…
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15Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Transport bosses challenged to boost tourism in Oldham Borough

Borough news
On tram stations across Oldham Borough there are very photogenic scenes of Didsbury park in south Manchester advertised to Metrolink passengers.  These are part of a recent tourism drive.  Councillor Howard Sykes MBE applauds the strategy to advertise different parts of the region and contacted Transport for Greater Manchester to see how they can build on this.  He wants Oldham Borough to get a fair share of the benefit.  This is so that local businesses and people can profit from additional foot fall.  “Right across Oldham Borough we have a rich industrial heritage.  Impressive architecture and areas of astounding and unique rural beauty are our daily gift.  I have asked that adverts supporting Oldham’s tourism and first class countyside might appear on Metrolink platforms across Greater Manchester.” “It is an…
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15Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Millions missing from electoral register could mean less cash for councils and other public services

Borough news, Campaigns
Research published by the University of East Anglia says there is no efficient tool to know if people are missing from the electoral register.  The report notes that up to eight million people could already ‘be missing’ from the register in the UK.   Councillor Howard Sykes MBE fears thousands of pounds will be lost by Oldham Council and other public services like health, police and fire.  Population and electoral register figures have a huge say on how much money public bodies can receive or access.  Liberal Democrat Councillor Howard Sykes MBE wants to know how many electors the Oldham Council thinks ‘are missing’ from the electoral register in the Borough. Councillor Sykes MBE says: “If we appear to have less population in the eyes of the Government, this will leave…
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15Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems call for urgent action to tackle rising hate crimes

Parliamentary news
The government has today released figures which reveal that the number of hate crimes that took place last year was a ten per cent increase on the previous year. There were 103,379 hate crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales in 2018/19. Responding, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Christine Jardine said: “There can be no doubt that divisive, inflammatory rhetoric from right-wing, pro-Brexit politicians – including Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage – has contributed to this shocking rise in hate crime.“All of us with a public platform must stand up to those whose language spreads hate – whether on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or anything else.“Liberal Democrats will tackle the appalling rise in hate crimes by making them all ‘aggravated offences’, so that hate…
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14Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Swinson: Queen’s speech is a charade

Parliamentary news
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson has today slammed this Queen’s speech as nothing more that a “charade”. Jo Swinson said: “This Queen’s speech is a charade. “Boris Johnson is pursuing a Brexit deal that will be hugely damaging for our economy, our NHS and our security. “There is nothing in this Queen’s speech that will bring comfort to the factory worker set to lose their job, or the families struggling to put food on the table because of his Brexit policy. “The Liberal Democrats want to stop Brexit, and keep the best deal we have as members of the European Union.”
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14Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Urgent action needed in mental health and learning disability services – Lib Dems

Parliamentary news
Today the publication of CQC’s ‘State of Care 2018/19’ report reveals a rise of inpatient services for people with learning disabilities and/or autism that were rated inadequate. The report also shows a rise of child and adolescent mental health inpatient services rated inadequate. Responding to the report, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Vince Cable said: “It is rare for a public body such as the Care Quality Commission to be so scathing of the effects of Government policy. Their honesty is to be congratulated. “They highlight graphically the decline in standards for mental health and learning disability inpatient services. This means some of the most vulnerable are not receiving anything like the standards of care that they need. “Staffing shortages, coupled with inadequate funding solutions has…
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08Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat conference outlined ambitious UK strategy on climate change, young carers and business reforms

Campaigns, Parliamentary news
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE has welcomed plans agreed by Liberal Democrat Conference (14–17 September 2019), which he attended, to tackle economic, social and environmental problems. The conference held last month in Bournemouth debated net zero-carbon emissions in the UK by 2045.  It also aimed to tackle the ever-growing number of Young Carers who are still missing out on important life skills due to heavy care responsibilities.  Conference voted to draw clear support guidelines for Young Carers and declare a series of initiatives to combat the UK’s carbon footprint. The Liberal Democrats also backed a radical tax shake up for businesses.  Liberal Democrats have already brought the issue forward locally in Oldham Borough at the July 2019 Council meeting.  They want big companies to pay their fair share just like everyone else…
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30Sep 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats seek assurances about allegations of child sexual exploitation dating back to 2013

Borough news, CSE, domestic abuse and violence
Oldham Liberal Democrat councillors are aware of allegations currently circulating on social media with regards to historic child sexual exploitation and the suggestion of a subsequent cover up by senior Labour councillors and council officers dating back to 2013. Consequently, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats’ on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE has raised the matter the Chief Executive of Oldham Council Dr Carolyn Wilkins, on the 9 September 2019, to establish how the Council intends to deal with these allegations in order to restore public confidence.  Councillor Sykes said:  “Although no contact has been made by anyone making allegations, it is only right and proper that in view of the scale and momentum of these allegations that they properly investigated and refuted, confirming the outcome of the 2013 investigation.  …
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16Sep 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham Liberal Democrats declare a climate change emergency

Borough news
World leaders have acknowledged that there is a climate change emergency affecting every one of us.  Liberal Democrat Councillor Garth Harkness, who has brought the issue forward, wants to declare a Climate change Emergency at the 11 September Oldham Council Meeting.  “People across the UK and Councils across Greater Manchester have spoken out in favour of declaring a climate change emergency.  Now it’s time for Oldham Borough to do the same,” stated Councillor Harkness.    There is already an Environment Plan by the Greater Manchester authorities to become carbon neutral by 2038.  Liberal Democrats want the Council to expand on this and announce the Climate Change Emergency through media outlets and other partners to get wider support in cooperating against climate change.  Liberal Democrats want Oldham Council to be carbon Neutral by…
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16Sep 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Boroughwide ban on fast food and energy drinks advertising

Borough news
We all like a bag of chips from time to time, but we also like to live a longer, healthier life.  This is why Councillor Hazel Gloster and the Oldham Liberal Democrats want to ban Councils advertising fast food.   The Liberal Democrat policy concerns publicly owned poster sites, notices on any building owned by the Council and on Greater Manchester Tram/Bus Network property.  The wider scope of this idea which will be brought to Oldham Council meeting on the 11th of September will seek to tackle the national problem of poor health and death caused by fatty and sugary foods. This Liberal Democrat plan sets out to tackle Oldham Borough first. Councillor Hazel Gloster stated that:  “Eating large amounts of fast food and sugared drinks contributes massively to obesity, tooth decay,…
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