13Feb 2023 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Councillor Sykes calls on transport bosses to allow bicycles on trams

Councillor Sykes calls on transport bosses to allow bicycles on trams

Borough news
Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE and GM Transport spokesperson has called on Greater Manchester’s transport bosses to consider a trial period for allowing bicycles on trams. Councillor Sykes said, “We should be focused on making public transport as accessible to as many people as possible and as joined up with other forms of active travel as possible. Greater Manchester’s Transport should explore the possibility of allowing people to bring cycles onto trams on a trial basis.” Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) recently concluded a successful trial for dogs on trams, which resulted in the policy being made permanent earlier in January. Councillor Sykes said, “I first called for dogs to be allowed on trams more than eight years ago. Hopefully it doesn’t take TfGM another eight years…
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11Feb 2023 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Clean Air Zone latest: “Burnham and Government must finally show some common sense”

Borough news, road safety
Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader and GM transport spokesperson councillor Howard Sykes MBE has again called for “common sense” on Greater Manchester ‘clean air zone’ proposals. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is expected to announce the latest on the Clean Air Zone soon following indications from the government that they will allow/force a charging zone to go ahead. Councillor Sykes said, “The Tory Government and the GM Mayor must finally show some common sense. Everyone can see the original proposals were oversized and ridiculous. If anything, we need a very small city centre Clean Air Zone and for the charges to be scrapped. Why on Earth would we want to see more costs heaped onto the people of Oldham during a cost-of-living crisis?” The Liberal Democrat Leader also slammed a…
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10Feb 2023 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham Coliseum has been “failed, failed and failed again” say Liberal Democrats

Borough news
Howard Sykes MBE, and leader of Oldham Councils' Liberal Democrat Opposition said, "For all the talk of levelling up, the Council and the Government have had a decade to really make a difference for our town." In 2013, a ten-year refurbishment of the Oldham Coliseum building triggered a raft of plans to rejuvenate arts and culture in Oldham. Councillor Sykes said, "Instead, plans came and went. The clock was run down, until the Arts Council pulled the rug from under the feet of an organisation that was only just still standing. Now the Coliseum has simply run out of time and resources. A decade of missed opportunities from the Government and the Labour Council have brought us to this situation." In 2013, proposals for a new building collapsed. In 2019,…
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07Feb 2023 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Budget proposals set out for fair futures in a safe, clean, and green Oldham Borough

Borough news, environment, fairer council, health and social care, road safety
New funding for ’20 is Plenty’ streets  New parks and recreational spaces fund  More cash to tackle roads, footways, and public footpath More action on enviro crimes (litter, fly-tipping, dog fouling) New children’s social care residential home Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Opposition Group have set out their alternative budget proposals ahead of a crucial Council vote on 1 March, where councillors will agree to spending plans.  Prior to that Council meeting the proposals go to scrutiny on Tuesday 7 February. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and Shadow Executive Member for Finance and Low Carbon, councillor Chris Gloster said: “The Liberal Democrats’ priority is to make Oldham Borough a safer, cleaner and greener place to be for all of us, but especially for the next generation. “In the future, Oldham must be able…
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03Feb 2023 by Sam Al-Hamdani
<strong>Levelling up: cash for Conservative heartlands “while the rest of us bid on the scraps” </strong>

Levelling up: cash for Conservative heartlands “while the rest of us bid on the scraps” 

Borough news
Leader of Oldham Liberal Democrats councillor Howard Sykes has slammed the governments latest “levelling-up” offer, accusing the government of offering “handouts to Conservative councils in the south, while the rest of us bid on the scraps.” The recently announced round of levelling up grants saw Oldham awarded £20m towards business and cycle infrastructure, but a bid to secure a further £20m towards the redevelopment of the Lyceum Theatre and the Old Library was unsuccessful.  Councillor Sykes said, “The Conservatives have been promising to level up deprived parts of the country for years now.  Oldham is one of the most deprived towns in the country.  But when it comes to stumping up the cash, Oldham got less money than Rutland, one of the least deprived areas that submitted a bid.” Prime Minister…
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03Feb 2023 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Sykes slams Arts Council England as Oldham Coliseum snubbed in favour of London venues

Borough news
Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has slammed Arts Council England bosses for “shameful neglect of Northern heritage” after their decision to cut funding for the Oldham Coliseum. Councillor Sykes said, “The decision to withdraw all funding from the Coliseum is particularly hard to take given that venues in London and the South are still attracting tens of millions of pounds, despite having their funding reduced.” “No reductions here in Oldham though. The Arts Council has completely pulled the plug instead. The Coliseum is a treasured institution with a stellar regional and national identity. This is shameful neglect of northern arts heritage.” On Monday, the Fairbottom Street venue announced it would cancel all programming after March 26th after its bid for continued Arts Council funding was rejected, bringing…
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03Feb 2023 by Sam Al-Hamdani

255 pubs, restaurants, and cafes in Oldham face cost of living cliff edge

Borough news
255 hospitality businesses in Oldham are facing a combined energy bill increase of more than £1M (£1,091,860) once Government support is slashed in April, new analysis from the Liberal Democrats has revealed. The analysis shows that the average bill increase for each business is likely to be £4,282. Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “Our pubs, restaurants and cafes have endured so much already in recent years, so for them to have support withdrawn by the same Conservative government that has caused this cost-of-living crisis? That will come as an insult to people who are working flat out just to stay afloat. They are also a lifeline for those who use them in terms of their mental well-being amongst other things.” The Government initially capped the cost…
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03Feb 2023 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Ctrl-alt-deliver: councillors get computers for Air Training Corps

Ctrl-alt-deliver: councillors get computers for Air Training Corps

Borough news
A new suite of computers is being delivered for the 2200 (Oldham) Squadron Air Training Corps following a successful bid to Oldham’s Local Improvement Fund from the Grotton, Springhead and Lees councillors. The computers will enable the volunteers at the Squadron to better deliver the vast range of training they give to the cadets, which includes the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, leadership skills and radio communications.  Flight Lieutenant Joe Lord, the OC (Officer Commanding) for the squadron, said: “Getting this grant is amazing. We train cadets to succeed in many areas; providing them with skills to support our local community, and developing them both for the world of work and further education. “These computers will help us to continue delivering this training at a high level. The skills developed…
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03Feb 2023 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lees ecohub ‘makers and creators’ scheme backed by councillors

Lees ecohub ‘makers and creators’ scheme backed by councillors

Borough news
An innovative weekly ‘makers and creators’ sessions at Lees Ecohub is starting soon, offering free community classes for young people in the area, with the backing of a successful Local Improvement Fund bid from the local councillors, Alicia Marland, Mark Kenyon and Sam Al-Hamdani Organiser Karen Flowers said: “There is no current after-school club like this in the area. It will be a warm, safe space for young people in the area to feel welcome, while learning about how they can make a difference in their area and be part of the community. “We’ll provide warm drinks and snacks, and educate young people from all backgrounds in recycling and reusing items in a creative way. In addition, they’ll learn about food: how it grows, cooking and nutrition. “We can’t wait…
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25Jan 2023 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Greater Manchester leaders must ‘think inside the box’ for new-born babies

Borough news, health and social care
Liberal Democrat Leader and Shaw representative councillor Howard Sykes MBE has called on Greater Manchester leaders to adopt a new support strategy for new-born babies across the city region. The ‘baby box’ was trialled in Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Trust in 2018 but councillor Sykes says it should be put into place across the whole of Greater Manchester. Councillor Sykes said, “The early years are so crucial and new parents feel the stress of trying to provide the best possible start for their children. We know that child poverty is on the rise in Britain, and it’s made worse by the cost-of-living crisis.” Across England, one in every three babies are born into poverty. However, in Oldham, rates of infant poverty are even higher - closer to four in ten…
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