Borough news – Page 19 – Saddleworth Liberal Democrats

30Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats welcome continued progress on electricity bill

Liberal Democrats are delighted to see the Local Electricity Bill continue to gain momentum in Parliament, as the issue once more comes up for discussion (30 November). Oldham Liberal Democrat Councillors put forward a motion to Council (July 2020) favouring the Local Electricity Bill, which received cross-party support and was agreed. Now the bill will feature as part of the ‘Empowering Community Energy Schemes’ Adjournment debate in Parliament on Tuesday 30th November at 2.30pm. Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE also used the opportunity of the recent COP26 climate change conference to write to newly appointed Energy Minister Greg Hands MP asking for the government’s support for the measure. “It is great to see Parliament once more debating this bill”, said councillor Sykes. “The Local Electricity Bill will…

29Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Further delays to CSE report ‘a breakdown of trust’

Borough news, CSE, domestic abuse and violence

The news that the independent report into child sex exploitation (CSE) in Oldham has been delayed until the new year is “further undermining the trust that needs to be rebuilt” according to Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani. GM Mayor Andy Burnham has announced that the report will now be released in the week commencing January 24, citing both delays with Queen’s Counsel Advice, and the wishes of victims of CSE not to release the report in the run up to Christmas. Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “The most important people in the whole process are the survivors of violence, and I absolutely respect their wishes not to see the report published at this time of year. “What I then question is why we had been told previously that the report would…

27Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Prognosis for new health centre for Shaw and Crompton looks promising

Borough news

“Best Christmas present ever if it happens,” is how local Liberal Democrat Shaw councillor Howard Sykes described the plan for a new health centre for the district. Shaw and Crompton councillors have been informed that a new health centre for Shaw and Crompton now looks possible by March 2023, but only if certain imminent deadlines are met. Local councillors have been fighting for a new health centre for local patients for many years, being increasing concerned local people are missing out and disadvantaged. Shaw Councillor and Liberal Democrat Group Leader Howard Sykes MBE said: “The current health centre is clearly no longer fit for purpose and we are in desperate need of a replacement modern facility. Shaw and Crompton residents have found it frustrating that, whilst their neighbours in Royton…

23Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Time for Oldham Borough’s fly-tippers to face the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA)

Borough news

Despite the Council’s ‘Don’t Trash Oldham’ call to residents, Liberal Democrats are dismayed to learn that the Labour Administration still chooses not to use its full legal powers to aid the prosecution of the selfish fly-tippers who do. Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE has written twice to the new Chief Executive Harry Catherall seeking reassurances that Council staff are using the special investigatory powers granted them under RIPA (the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000). This gives Councils’ powers to conduct covert surveillance to aid in the detection of certain offences and the prosecution of offenders. “Oldham’s Labour Council chooses not to use these powers against fly-tippers despite the law allowing them to do so,” said Councillor Sykes. “This seems short-sighted at a time when a further…

23Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats challenge GP waiting times after COVID

Borough news

Oldham’s Liberal Democrats have taken up the problems that many residents currently face on waiting times to get an appointment with their GP, after they uncovered that the data on which practices were doing well or poorly was not even being collected. Leader of the opposition on Oldham Council, Howard Sykes MBE, said: “Too many people are not getting the service they need from their GPs, and we were not getting any reasonable explanation as to why. “GP numbers in Oldham have risen over the last six years, while patient numbers per GP have fallen, yet that doesn’t match with people’s experiences of struggling to see a doctor. “After asking the Health and Wellbeing Board (16/11/21) for answers, I have been told that they will now start collecting this data,…

21Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Conservative government sends Northern rail plans into buffers

Borough news

For Oldham Liberal Democrats, the Conservative Government’s Integrated Rail Review, announced 18 November, represents a “total sell out” of promises to Northern rail passengers as plans to improve the rail line between Manchester and Leeds and introduce a high-speed link from Leeds to Birmingham are scrapped. So says Oldham Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, who also serves on the Transport for Greater Manchester committee. “The Prime Minister’s promise to make some of our key Northern rail routes fit for the twenty first century has, as have many of his other promises, come to nothing,” said Councillor Sykes. “How can we ever make rail attractive as a travel option when rail passengers continue to travel on a Victorian infrastructure that cannot accommodate high-speed trains, whilst paying sky-high rail…

18Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Over budget, late, cancelled

Borough news

Liberal Democrat Leader believes Labour’s track record on town centre regeneration projects does not bode well for Spindles Oldham’s Liberal Democrats are concerned that Labour’s decision to go it alone on the redevelopment of Spindles may lead to cost overruns, delays in delivery and money written off – if the Administration’s past record is anything to go by. Liberal Democrat Group Leader, councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has written to the Director of Economy, Emma Barton outlining his fears. “The Spindles – Town Square redevelopment is a hugely costly project. Not for nothing did we brand the project ‘Spendles’ for we discovered that the true cost of acquiring the shopping precinct was £10.6 million and Labour have allocated up to £65 million more to transform it,” said Councillor Sykes. “The fact…

17Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Best foot forward: Liberal Democrats call for more action to protect Oldham’s public rights of way

Borough news

The Oldham Liberal Democrats have written to senior council officers calling for more action to protect the borough’s public rights of way. “During the restrictions placed on all our leisure activities throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, our local countryside became more inviting, and many more residents have taken the opportunity to enjoy a walk along our local paths,” said Group Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE. “The recent welcome appointment of a new footpaths officer has meant that we now have more capacity to protect, register and promote our countryside footpaths for the benefit of Oldham residents. I am particularly keen to ensure that the new officer continues our good work with responsible local landowners and walkers’ groups. He also must work to bring back into use, make more accessible, and register…

16Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Portrait ‘demonstrates esteem’ for Queen, says Liberal Democrat Leader

Borough news

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has written to the Chief Executive and Leader asking for a portrait of the HM The Queen to be displayed in the Council Chamber. “Council debated this issue earlier this year when we sat in the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Now Councillors will finally be returning to the Council Chamber for their deliberations in December (delayed from November), it seems the opportune time to display a portrait of Her Majesty the Queen in the Council Chamber and at the Civic Reception, particularly as we celebrate her Platinum Jubilee next year,” said Councillor Sykes.

10Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Council must keep its promise to implement national recommendations on abuse

Borough news, CSE, domestic abuse and violence

Oldham Council are being held to account on their promise to implement any relevant findings of the Home-Office sponsored Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) by Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani. With the most recent report by the Inquiry covering child protection in religious organisations and settings, Councillor Al-Hamdani has written to the Council’s Managing Director of Children & Young People, and its interim Chief Executive Harry Catherall, to ask for an update on the work that has already taken place, and for what it has planned to do going forward. Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “The previous chief executive had confirmed that the Council would implement any relevant recommendations from the Independent Investigation, and I wanted to ensure that our incoming chief executive was fully aware of the work that…

Category: Borough news