09Nov 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

A memorial fit for a Queen

Uncategorized
Crompton Councillor Louie Hamblett has written to Oldham Council leader Councillor Amanda Chadderton to ask whether a cross-party group of councillors could be created, with the task of making recommendations to this council for a truly fitting memorial to Queen Elizabeth II? The late Queen was our nation’s longest serving monarch and visited our borough more than once – even holding a garden party here in Oldham. A considered and collaborative tribute on behalf of this council is only fitting and Councillor Hamblett said: “I’m sure many members would want to play an active role in delivering this.” He added: “I look forward to hearing back from the leader on this, as her late Majesty was surely our greatest Monarch. Now, after seeing 70 years of great change and bringing…
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09Nov 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats slam “heartless” Government as more than 74,000 Oldhamers could be hit with benefit cuts

Borough news, Parliamentary news
Oldham’s Liberal Democrats have condemned the Government for their refusal to fund welfare payments in line with inflation. Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, "I’m horrified that support for the most vulnerable, could soon be cut to the bone, just when it’s needed most. I know many people are feeling anxiety over this potential blow, which could push many of them into poverty and hurt their ability to care for their loved ones.” The shocking figures come from the House of Commons Library research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats. Councillor Sykes warned that: “These real-terms cuts to Universal Credit do not include any additional cuts the new Chancellor might propose on November 17th.” The research shows that a staggering total of more than 74,000 people across Oldham could…
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01Nov 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

“No Confidence” in Andy Burnham’s handling of Greater Manchester Police

Borough news
Andy Burnham faces a vote of no confidence in his failed leadership of Greater Manchester Police, after Oldham’s Liberal Democrat group put forward a motion challenging his management of the force. In the review of historic child sex exploitation in Oldham, GMP refused to sign a data processing agreement to let the review team have access to information on nine of the 11 cases. Earlier this month, the Met police were issued with a damning report which found systemic racism and misogyny, and that hundreds of officers in the Met should be kicked out of the force. A freedom of information request from Oldham Liberal Democrats to GMP revealed that the equivalent information was not available from GMP, but that there were a minimum of 1,400 cases from 2017. Councillor…
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01Nov 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham Council still using CCTV equipment from Chinese supplier linked to human rights abuses

Borough news, fairer council
Oldham Council is using CCTV equipment supplied by Chinese company Hikvision, despite a House of Commons report last year which linked Hikvision to serious human rights violations against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has written to the Council urging them to blacklist Hikvision and if possible, remove their equipment from sites across Oldham where possible. A breakdown of Hikvision equipment owned and operated by the council was obtained by the Liberal Democrat Group after a freedom of information request was issued by councillor Sykes. Councillor Sykes said, “Hikvision have been blacklisted in the United States because of concerns about their role in human rights violations, targeting Uyghurs in Xinjiang. The firm has provided camera technology which has been used in internment camps in…
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31Oct 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Tory plan to build on national parks and green belt rejected

Tory plan to build on national parks and green belt rejected

Borough news
A request for local councils to put forward sites for building in national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty or green belt has been firmly opposed by Oldham’s Liberal Democrat team, with local Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani branding the policy “a disgrace”. Lib Dem Councillor Al-Hamdani immediately sought confirmation that the Council had no plans to take up the option – which would have opened large parts of protected land across the whole of Oldham up for development. The Council confirmed that they had no plans to apply for any new developments under this scheme. Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “I can’t understand how this Government thinks it can possibly be acceptable to abandon national parks and areas of outstanding national beauty.” Much of Saddleworth falls into the Peak District National Park, and…
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31Oct 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Councillor Sykes welcomes success of dogs on trams trial

Councillor Sykes welcomes success of dogs on trams trial

Borough news
Oldham councillor Howard Sykes has praised the success of a trial allowing dogs on trams across Greater Manchester. He was speaking at the meeting of Greater Manchester Transport Committee on Friday 14 October, where he reminded the committee, they rejected just such a proposal from him and the Liberal Democrats back in November 2015. Councillor Sykes added “This is something I have been campaigning on for years, so I’m pleased to see the trial going so well. This is a common sense move and I look forward to seeing dogs, and their responsible owners, on trams being made permanent.” The GM Mayor introduced the three-month pilot allowing up to two well-behaved pet dogs per passenger on trams and a supporting survey is due to close on 31 October. A decision…
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31Oct 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Final IICSA report lays bare the scale of abuse across the country

Final IICSA report lays bare the scale of abuse across the country

Borough news, domestic abuse and violence
Lib Dem Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani has insisted that the final, damning report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse (IICSA) is on the agenda for the first meeting of Oldham Council’s steering group tasked with tackling child sex exploitation in the borough. Oldham’s senior leadership team have already agreed to Liberal Democrat requests to ensure that any relevant recommendations from the IICSA reports are put into place in the borough. Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “This report shows that child sex abuse is a national problem that has been catastrophically under-reported, and the failings that were seen in Oldham have been also seen in cities and towns all across the UK. “We need to support those incredibly committed social workers, who we do have in Oldham, to really make changes that…
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31Oct 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Frustration as Conservatives block disabled access for Greenfield Station

Frustration as Conservatives block disabled access for Greenfield Station

Borough news, health and social care
An amendment to the forthcoming Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill which would have delivered disabled access for Greenfield Station, and others like it, has been voted down in the House of Commons, with not a single Conservative MP supporting it. The only train station in the whole of Oldham Borough, the station has no step-free access to the Huddersfield-bound platform, making it inaccessible for anyone in a wheelchair, with a pram or with mobility issues. Local Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “It’s all very well making the right noises, but when it comes to putting their money where their mouth is, the Conservatives don’t deliver. “The Government keep passing the buck – whether it’s saying it will be part of the line upgrade, or Access for All, or whatever policy this…
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31Oct 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Speed cameras left idle for years as road safety worsens

Speed cameras left idle for years as road safety worsens

Borough news, road safety
Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has said that Greater Manchester’s speed cameras are “falling behind”. The Shaw councillor, who sits on Greater Manchester’s Transport Committee, was speaking in response to a report on road safety recently presented to the Committee. Councillor Sykes said, “Speed cameras are put in place for a very good reason. Not only do they prevent accidents, but they also save lives.” In many cases, cameras have been left disconnected, having never been updated with newer, digital cameras. Now the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) set at long last to replace many speed cameras that are not working. Councillor Sykes has been continuously raising the issue of non-functional cameras where speeding is a real problem, yet the camera has been out of action for…
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24Oct 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

£5 million cycle bridge branded ‘latest pet project’ as local community walking and cycle routes go neglected

Borough news
Oldham Liberal Democrats have criticised Greater Manchester bosses for funding “large vanity projects” instead of local walking and cycling infrastructure after plans for a new £5M cycle bridge between Oldham and Ashton-under-Lyne were unveiled earlier this year. Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “This is yet another example of Labour leaders in Greater Manchester prioritising their latest pet projects and neglecting the very basics when it comes to walking and cycling investment. I am sure the bridge will be welcome by some, but most would want the £5M spent elsewhere.” “£5 million could be better spent bringing cycle provision across Oldham up to standard, making junctions safer and improving neglected pavements and footpaths. Many areas have zero safe cycle provision,” stated councillor Sykes. “Only recently I have…
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