Borough news – Page 12 – Saddleworth Liberal Democrats

15Jun 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Somewhere over the rainbow

Since July 2019 Crompton Councillor Louie Hamblett has repeatedly asked when Oldham will have its own splash of rainbow in the town centre. While many other authorities up and down the country have painted their steps or zebra crossings in a show of support to the LGBT+ community Cllr Hamblett may have finally been told it could go ahead after nearly 4 years. Councillor Hamblett said: “As the Liberal Democrat Diversity and Inclusion spokesperson along with being one of the openly LGBT+ members on this council, I think it’s quite poor it’s taken them this long to give me and the community an answer. I am grateful that the council have finally come to offer Oldham pride funding and other support to ensure the weekend goes ahead. Cllr Hamblett added:…

13Jun 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

‘Keep Clean Air Zone free’ say Oldham Liberal Democrats

Borough news, environment

Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has called for common sense as Andy Burnham’s war of words with the government over the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) continues. The Greater Manchester Mayor is locked in a bitter stalemate with Conservative ministers after he rejected Government proposals to limit the Clean Air Zone to Manchester City Centre only. Councillor Sykes said, “It’s about time we had some common sense instead of bickering between Mayor Burnham and the Conservatives. The Liberal Democrats want to see people’s jobs and income protected at a time when many are struggling. Keeping CAZ free is the best way forward if we want to protect jobs during the cost-of-living crisis. “If the Conservative government force a charging zone on Greater Manchester then the area affected by…

13Jun 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Conductors on trams needed tackle anti-social behaviour and restore user confidence

Borough news

Oldham’s Liberal Democrat councillors have renewed their calls for Metrolink conductors/staff presence to be put in place on the Rochdale – Oldham line after it emerged that fear of anti-social behaviour preventing people using Metrolink, something the Liberal Democrats have said for several years now (2018). Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Shaw representative councillor Howard Sykes said, “The Metrolink is a huge asset for our communities. The continuing failure of Metrolink and Oldham’s Council to tackle anti-social behaviour has led to residents telling us that they are afraid to use the tram.” Last month, a report from Onward UK gave a damning insight into the realities of travelling around Oldham by tram. One respondent to the Onward UK study confessed they felt as though “you take your life into…

07Jun 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham falls behind as demand for electric vehicle charging points grows

Borough news, environment

Council plans to increase electric vehicle usage across Oldham Borough have been labelled as “ineffective and empty words” by Oldham’s Liberal Democrats after it emerged that Oldham has just 36 charging points and has missed key opportunities to expand its supply. Oldham Liberal Democrat councillors have previously raised concerns about the Labour controlled Council’s strategy for electric vehicles, pointing out existing plans would not be good enough if Oldham is to reach the key target of 3,000 charging points by 2025. Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE said: “Labour have dragged their heels on this for too long now. We have Mayor Burnham rolling ahead with Clean Air Zone plans that will make electric vehicles ever more important, but lack of action from our Labour controlled council has…

07Jun 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

A glorious day for a glorious occasion in Shaw and Crompton

Borough news

In Shaw Memorial Gardens on Thursday evening the community of Shaw and Crompton came together to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the lighting of the beacon. Councillor Diane Williamson, Liberal Democrat for Crompton said: “I was absolutely thrilled with the amount of people that came along to the event, to watch the performances from Crompton House School choir and band as well as the phenomenal Elizabeth Phillips – they were fantastic.” The event would not have happened without New Image, who provided lighting and music, Shaw & Crompton Town Crier, First Response, Liberty, Crompton House School, Elizabeth Phillips, the six Shaw and Crompton Liberal Democrat Borough Councillors and the District Co-ordinator. "The weather held off so we could light the beacon at 9:45pm; the community was in fine voice…

07Jun 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham recycling rates are the worst in Greater Manchester and 231st in the country

Borough news, environment

Oldham Council has been slammed for its pitifully low recycling rates. Data from LetsRecycle.com shows that, in Oldham Borough, only 36.7% of household waste was sent for reuse, recycling or composting last year. Labour controlled Oldham council ranks 231st on the national recycling league tables and is tied with Manchester City Council as the worst local authority in Greater Manchester for recycling. The best local councils in the country are St. Albans, South Oxfordshire, Three Rivers District and Vale of White Horse District Council Councils. All four are run by the Liberal Democrats. Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE said: “These figures are a disgrace. Residents expect the council to be leading on recycling. People want to do their bit for the environment, but these figures show that…

01Jun 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham Council shamed by staff survey results

Borough news, fairer council

A survey into council staff satisfaction has exposed a culture of slipping standards at Oldham Civic Centre, with 50% of council workers saying they would not recommend Oldham Council as a place to work. Liberal Democrat Group Leader and Leader of the Opposition, councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “These results show that a long-term culture of falling standards is developing under Labour’s leadership of Oldham Borough Council. The Labour administration has failed to get the basics right under successive council leaders and we now have a mountain to climb to get our staff back on board.” Sykes’s comments come after 2021 staff survey data revealed that the council’s performance as an employer had dropped sharply across the board when compared with the last staff survey which was completed in 2016.…

30May 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Shaw and Crompton Jubilee Celebrations

Borough news

Shaw and Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillors are delighted to announce that they will be hosting an event in the Memorial Gardens, on Thursday 2 June for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee (see below). Cllr Diane Williamson said: “There have been a number of complications, but we can finally announce what will be happened on the start of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.” 2pm in the Memorial Gardens – the Town Crier will read the proclamation. Evening Running order:8:30pm - Performances Choir / Band / Soprano9:00pm - Performances Choir / Band / Soprano9:35pm – Flute player – Dui Regnard (Flute player from Crompton House School)9:40pm – Cornet Players – ‘Majesty’9:45pm – Lighting of the beacon in conjunction with the Choir and Soprano singing ‘A Life Lived With Grace'9:50pm - Event ends “We…

30May 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Hospital trusts accountability must return

Borough news, health and social care

Oldham’s patients will be left unrepresented and uncared for if Oldham Council persists with no scrutiny of the new Northern Care Alliance, says Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillor Louie Hamblett, with the Council having not replaced the board which previously oversaw the activities of the now dissolved Pennine Care. With current IT failures causing huge problems across the Alliance, the importance of being able to scrutinise the trust has been placed firmly in the spotlight. The Shadow Cabinet Member for Health said: “No-one will be speaking up for patients in the new system, and there is already confusion over services being provided in different hospitals. “Currently there are patients who are getting services in hospitals which are not covered by the Northern Care Alliance – they are contracting in services in…

30May 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

A jubilant year ahead!

Borough news

As the gavel was struck on Tuesday 24th May at the Shaw and Crompton Annual Parish Council meeting, Councillor Louie Hamblett was unanimously appointed as Chair of Shaw and Crompton Parish Council 2022-23. Cllr Hamblett thanked council for their support and his predecessor Councillor Berry for his support also. He also added that voluntary service is an integral part of our communities and he will be working to support some hard-working charities this year. His chosen charities are Pennine Mencap (Autistic and SEND Support), Royal British Legion (Shaw and Crompton Branch) and Dr Kershaw’s Hospice. His partner Stephen will be his consort for his civic year and they will become the first openly LGBT+ couple to hold the post, along with Cllr Hamblett being the first autistic Chair for the…

Category: Borough news