27Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Anger as Shaw residents wait years for working speed signs despite the cash having been found

Borough news, road safety
Shaw councillor, Howard Sykes MBE hit out at council complacency today as he called the wait for replacement Vehicle Activated Speed (VAS) signs on Buckstones Road, Shaw “an absolute disgrace”. Councillor Sykes said, “Speeding on Buckstones Road is a huge concern for Shaw residents. These signs have been faulty many years. More than two years ago cash found to replace them and yet the council are still not getting the basic jobs done, like this. Meanwhile, drivers, horse riders, walkers, church goers and children in Shaw are left with an unnecessarily dangerous road. Lives are at risk or injury every week these sign are delayed.” When in operation, VAS signs have proven to be a cost-effective way to tackle speeding in areas where speed cameras have been refused like Buckstones…
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27Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Figures reveal Conservatives breaking police pledge as recruitment stalls

Figures reveal Conservatives breaking police pledge as recruitment stalls

Borough news, Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have slammed the Conservatives for being soft on crime, as new official figures show they are failing on their manifesto pledge to recruit 20,000 more police officers. A total of 4,814 extra officers were recruited in the second year of the uplift, well short of the Government’s 6,000 target. It means the recruitment rate would have to increase by a third, to 6,424 extra officers in the final year of the policy to meet the target of 20,000 by March 2023. Senior police chiefs are starting to warn that the target won’t be met. Acting Met Commissioner Stephen House told MPs last week that “We are experiencing issues in the Met and I think other large forces are starting to experience recruiting challenges.” Responding to the figures,…
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27Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Ed Davey demands rural cost of living rescue package including heating oil price cap

Ed Davey demands rural cost of living rescue package including heating oil price cap

Borough news, Parliamentary news
Lib Dems call for rescue package for struggling families in rural areasConservatives accused of leaving rural communities “out in the cold” after refusing to cap price of heating oilTop 25 areas most reliant on heating oil revealed The Liberal Democrats have demanded a rural cost of living rescue package, including a cap on heating oil prices to help struggling families off the gas grid. The party warned that the Conservatives are leaving rural communities “out in the cold” by refusing to help with soaring bills. Rural communities are bearing the brunt of the cost of living crisis with soaring heating bills, petrol prices and food costs all hitting struggling families. The rural cost of living rescue package would include a cap on heating oil costs to support the estimated 1.5…
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25Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Changes to bus services for Oldham, Shaw, and Crompton from Sunday 24 April

Changes to bus services for Oldham, Shaw, and Crompton from Sunday 24 April

Borough news
Significant changes to bus services across Oldham are due to come into effect from Sunday 24 April. The alterations are claimed to improve connectivity with a focus on improving access to the Metrolink whilst adding more evening and Sunday bus services. Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader and Shaw councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “It’s important that residents have access to public transport. With the cost-of-living crisis affecting people right across our community, more of us are turning to public transport as a way of keeping costs down. I give a cautious welcome to the introduction of new services covering Shaw and Crompton and I’m pleased that residents will benefit from extended service hours and weekend services.” “The loss of the 408 will impact on some people but there are at least…
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15Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Council urged to use powers to punish fly-tippers as Government scraps ‘Tip Tax’

Council urged to use powers to punish fly-tippers as Government scraps ‘Tip Tax’

Borough news
News that the Government plans to scrap charges for the disposal of DIY materials has been welcome by Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader and Shaw councillor, Howard Sykes MBE. “Placing the financial burden of waste disposal onto residents who are trying to do the right thing was wrong and it’s right that the charges should be axed. The ‘Tip Tax’ has created more problems than it has solved as residents have been turning to private collectors. In many cases fly-tipping has increased because of these unregulated operators,” stated councillor Sykes. “This will be welcomed as even more people than usual are doing DIY due to the cost-of-living crises. But fly-tipping will continue to be an issue in our communities unless the Labour council gets tougher with offenders,” councillor Sykes explained. Under…
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14Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Councillors demand action as Shaw and Crompton Health Centre redevelopment stalls

Councillors demand action as Shaw and Crompton Health Centre redevelopment stalls

Borough news, health and social care
After the last-minute announcement from Oldham’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) that the planned redevelopment of Shaw and Crompton’s Health Centre would not go ahead as currently planned, Shaw councillor and Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader Howard Sykes and Crompton councillor Louie Hamblett, the health and social care spokesperson, have held a meeting with CCG representatives to get answers for the delay and to push for the work to go ahead. “I have already got assurance from Oldham Council (the Chief Executive) they will keep the land for this project and do what they can to make this happen,” stated councillor Sykes. At an urgent meeting on April 7 the CCG set out the “unforeseen” factors that had contributed to its decision including a rise in the cost of building materials. Councillor…
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07Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Councillors deeply disappointed that the Dunwood Park Café, Shaw has closed three months earlier than planned

Borough news
Shaw and Crompton councillors have been informed of the early closure (31 March) of the café in Dunwood Park for operational/staff reasons. Pure Innovations who operated the café have been forced to close it now due to staff departures since they announced they would be closing in July. They continue to pay rent until the end of their notice period in July. “This does mean that Oldham Council has not yet had time to make alternative provision. However, interest has been great, and people can, if they want to find out more and fancy running the café please click on this link: https://www.unitypartnership.com/property/ ,” stated Shaw councillor Howard Sykes on behalf of all his colleagues. “This is a great loss to the local community, and we will be doing all…
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03Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Plans for a new Shaw and Crompton Health Centre dropped at last minute

Borough news, health and social care
Shaw and Crompton communities have had a bomb shell delivered that the plug has just been pulled on their new Health Centre at the last minute. Shaw and Crompton councillors have been informed that a new health centre for Shaw and Crompton is now not affordable, and so Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have axed the scheme. “Shaw and Crompton councillors have worked incredibly hard to reach the position where this was ready to go, with the site ready to go, capital funding allocated, a developer commissioned, and plans developed. This is a massive kick in the teeth and a great disappointment to our local community and those who use and work in the current Health Centre,” stated Shaw councillor and Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Howard Sykes. Shadow Cabinet Member…
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01Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Cutting speeds through community action

Cutting speeds through community action

Borough news, road safety
Making the roads safer in Oldham is one of the highest priorities for people who live in Oldham and Saddleworth says Liberal Democrat Councillor for Grotton, Springhead and Lees, Mark Kenyon. He has campaigned over the last year to introduce a community speedwatch scheme in the borough and has just got the go-ahead that the scheme will finally be piloted by Greater Manchester Police. The scheme will be run by the Police but operated by community volunteers. The aim is to make motorists who speed through neighbourhoods aware of the impact of their actions on local people, or the danger they pose to other road users and pedestrians. A team of local residents who are willing to volunteer a small amount of time each week are trained and issued with…
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22Mar 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Millions lost on failed PoliceWorks system – who will pay?

Millions lost on failed PoliceWorks system – who will pay?

Borough news
Responding to the news that the PoliceWorks system – the failed part of GMPs iOPS computer system costing millions of pounds – will be scrapped, Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani called for those responsible to be held accountable. Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “We have waited years for GMP and the police and crime commissioner to finally step up and acknowledge this massive failure. Now they have accepted it, who is going to carry the can? “We have just seen a substantial increase in the Mayoral precept for every Council Tax payer in Greater Manchester. Is that money going straight from everyone’s pockets to cover this catastrophic investment in a failed IT system?” Councillor Al-Hamdani, who has raised the iOPS system at the last two Oldham Council meetings after repeated failures to…
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