Borough news – Page 16 – Saddleworth Liberal Democrats

23Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Councillor welcomes progress on Huddersfield Road junction

Borough news, Campaigns, road safety, Saddleworth News

Plans to remodel the junction of Huddersfield Road and Stamford Road have moved a step further, with a survey of over 150 local residents whose houses are closest to the junction having gone out this week, so that planners can work with parking needs and current access. Local Liberal Democrat councillor Sam Al-Hamdani, who organised for the survey to happen, said: “People have been shocked by the two fatal incidents which have happened right outside their own houses. Just last week a car was overturned in an incident at the top of Dunham Street. “With limited parking being a very pressing issue, I wanted to make sure that this survey took place at the start of planning – so residents’ requirements came baked into the design work. “We need Stamford Road…

22Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Tax on caring unfair and unjust

Borough news, health and social care

Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillor Louie Hamblett who is the Shadow Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care expressed alarm at the recent announcement by the government to end free COVID tests. Councillor Hamblett said: “Charging people for the tests they need to safely see vulnerable loved ones is a tax on caring, that risks leaving millions of people in lockdown by stealth. Throughout the pandemic, people have been trying hard to do the right thing and keep others safe. The Government should not be making that harder.” The latest figures show that every week nearly four million people take regular Covid tests, taking two tests a week on average. This includes people who take tests to protect their elderly relatives and friends, or vulnerable workers who work in people-facing industries…

18Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Houses off Denbigh Drive, Shaw approved despite pleas from local councillors and residents

Borough news, housing and development

Despite the best efforts of Crompton Ward Councillor Dave Murphy, speaking at February's Planning Committee the application for 42 houses was approved by Oldham’s Labour-dominated planning committee, after two Conservative members left the meeting because they had failed to put enough money in the parking meter. Despite one of the directly-affected, local residents speaking passionately to the Committee, telling them about the impact this development will have on him and his neighbours, the majority of the Committee agreed decision to approve. “The main aim of the Other Protected Open Land (OPOL) policy is that the designation is to protect it from development – but Oldham’s is out of date – which means that this type of land designation becomes a free-for-all to developers. Haven Lane was passed last year and…

14Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Conservatives fail to do Equality Impact Assessment and try to steal Lib Dem clothes

Borough news, fairer council

The failure of the so-called Conservative budget proposals to assess their impact was just one of the flaws highlighted at their presentation at Oldham Council's Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee [8 February]. Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillor Diane Williamson said: ”The Conservatives kept telling the Committee that they did not have enough time to put forward a budget – so instead they stole most of what the Liberal Democrats have put together over the last four to five years and submitted that; rebadged slightly – but still what Lib Dems have suggested years before, and most of which they had previously voted against!” The Conservatives have been on Oldham Council for many years now and have sat in numerous Budget Council meetings. They also have dedicated staff now, so there really…

09Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats demand opportunity to hold those responsible to account on CSE report

Borough news, CSE, domestic abuse and violence

Oldham’s people deserve the chance to question those responsible for its policing and care services at a Council meeting covering the independent investigation into CSE, say Oldham’s Liberal Democrats. The Council has previously agreed to the Liberal Democrats’ request for a specific meeting to address the topic when the report is finally released. The Liberal Democrats want this pledge reaffirmed. They are also calling for GMP chief constable Stephen Watson, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, and the senior leadership of the Council, in particular the Cabinet Member for children’s services, to face questioning on any issues that the report brings up. Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “It is vital for the people of Oldham to have confidence not only in the report, but in obtaining justice for survivors, and ensuring that…

07Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Former Shaw & Crompton Town Crier, Andrew Powell, has passed away

Borough news

“My colleagues and I are devastated to hear the news that Andrew Powell, Shaw & Crompton's Town Crier for 30 years, until his retirement from the voluntary role in 2018 has passed away suddenly,” stated Shaw Liberal Democrat councillor Howard Sykes MBE. “Andrew was very supportive to the community and the Parish Council and attended many events in Shaw and Crompton throughout the years and was loved by all. Young children were fascinated by him, often mistaking him for a pirate,” he added. As late as last week he was still to be seen walking around Shaw town centre with his wife and soulmate Win. “Andrew summed up everything that is good about Shaw and Crompton, he loved the place, loved the people and was selfless with his voluntary work…

07Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Energy price hike: Lib Dems set out cost of living rescue package, to save struggling families in Oldham almost £1,000

Borough news, Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats have set out a “cost of living rescue plan” that would save thousands of struggling families in Oldham nearly £1,000 this year. It comes after Ofgem announced a crippling rise to people’s heating bills, with the energy price cap set to soar by 54% to £1,971 in April. Energy bills for homeowners in Oldham are forecast to soar by an estimated £692 per household in April, according to analysis by the Liberal Democrats. Meanwhile, broadband bills are set to rise by 9.3% with inflation at its highest rate in almost thirty years. The Liberal Democrats warned that Rishi Sunak's proposals to deal with soaring energy bills will just be "spreading the pain over the coming years" while clobbering local families with tax hikes. The cost of living…

07Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

So-called Conservative Government levelling up agenda is all fur coat and no knickers

Borough news, housing and development

The Conservative Government’s announcements on the "levelling-up" agenda included dropping targets for gigabit broadband across the country, on the heels of dropping high speed rail lines across the north. Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “The Government has abandoned crucial targets, and failed to provide the funding needed to meet these new ones. It is a fig leaf for a Prime Minister who everyone can see for what he is.” “If the Government is serious about levelling up, why has it just abandoned plans for local high speed rail? “Why is it loading the bill for social care on to local council tax payers, particularly those like Oldham? “Why did it abandon its target for high-speed broadband to 85% of homes by 2025? “Levelling-up is just the latest Tory buzzword…

07Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats say residents will be safer, greener, and cleaner in their budget proposals

Borough news, environment, housing and development, road safety

Safer, greener, and cleaner, these are the watch words when the Liberal Democrats present their budget amendment proposals to the Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 8th February (6pm). Shaw Councillor Chris Gloster, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance and Green, is looking forward to presenting the budget amendment to the committee and believes that the Liberal Democrats have come up with sensible adjustments to the budget that will have no impact on council finances but deliver maximum impact to residents whose valuable input as to what residents want to see is at the heart of the proposals. “The Oldham Liberal Democrats want to make further efficiencies in civic centre bureaucracy to squeeze out more money for our priorities, and those of the public – more cash to spend on…

04Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Shaw and Crompton come together for “One Day” for Holocaust Memorial Day

Borough news

– Shaw and Crompton Councillors attended the annual Holocaust Memorial Day service. This year's Holocaust Memorial Day service, held at Crompton War Memorial, was about “One Day”* and passages were read by Sade, (Farrowdale House Preparatory School pupil), Aizah (Crompton Primary School pupil) as well Crompton Councillor Dave Murphy. “It was an absolute pleasure and delight to see so many young children taking part in the service,” said Councillor Diane Williamson. “We had three different schools in attendance, which also included Royton and Crompton EACT-Academy; this has been our vision from the very start – that school children attend and take back the understanding of the Holocaust and never forget.” After the service, stones were laid on Crompton War Memorial. The act of placing visitation stones is significant in Jewish…

Category: Borough news