28Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Shaw Selective Licensing ‘slow going and lacks sense’, says Sykes

Shaw Selective Licensing ‘slow going and lacks sense’, says Sykes

Borough news
Five months on from responding to Oldham Council’s consultation on a new Selective Licensing scheme for borough, Shaw Liberal Democrat Councillor Howard Sykes MBE is frustrated both by the pace of change, with seemingly little action being taken to implement new standards to police the conduct of both private-sector landlords and tenants, and by the lack of sense in the proposals, with certain streets in need of regulation still being excluded. Councillor Sykes first wrote to the Head of Public Protection, Neil Crabtree, who leads the Council’s project team, on 10 February seeking an update on progress and clarification on whether his ideas for improvements to the scheme in Shaw will be taken up. A response despite reminders is still not forthcoming. Commenting on the proposals, Councillor Sykes said: “I…
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28Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Trent Road hot food takeaway

Trent Road hot food takeaway

Borough news
A controversial planning application on Trent Road, High Crompton, Shaw has been submitted to Oldham Council; the application is for a change of use from a retail premises to a hot food take away. This application has been refused twice before because it was considered that the nature of the proposed hot food takeaway use is such that it is not compatible with the predominant residential use within the locality. The proposal would introduce a night-time use that is not in keeping with the primarily quiet, residential nature of the area. In addition, due to the lack of adequate parking facilities and the proximity of the site to a bus waiting area, the proposal would cause unacceptable level of congestion on the highway. Furthermore, conflict with the use of the…
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28Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Liberal Democrats propose Local Plan to stop Green Belt development

Liberal Democrats propose Local Plan to stop Green Belt development

Borough news
Liberal Democrat Councillors will be proposing that Oldham Council refuse to participate in Labour’s ‘Places for Everyone’ plan and instead develop only a Local Plan for housing development to save the borough’s Green Belt. At the special Council meeting (from 6pm, Wednesday 28 July), Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE will be proposing an amendment to the report presented to Council calling for withdrawal from ‘Places for Everyone’ and the creation of only a Local Plan. The amendment will be seconded by the Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani. Councillor Sykes said: “Places for Everyone is simply the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework repackaged; it is still predicated upon the flawed assumption that it is right and necessary to build thousands of new homes on…
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28Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat leader sources true cost of ‘Spendles’ purchase at more than £10.6M

Borough news
The Leader of the Oldham Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has just received a response to his letter asking for clarification of the final cost to ratepayers from the acquisition by the Council of Oldham’s two main shopping centres. As well as purchasing the property, the Council had also to buy out a lease on the former Top Man unit. The initial sale price was £9.5 million, but with the extra cost of purchasing the Top Man lease, and with fees and stamp duty, the final bill amounts to £10,616,000. Councillor Sykes has also received reassurance from the Director of Economy at Oldham Council, Emma Barton, that there are no further outstanding costs to meet and no further leaseholds to buy out. Commenting, Councillor Sykes said: “Of course,…
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26Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Liberal Democrats to lead battle in Council to save Oldham’s Green Belt

Liberal Democrats to lead battle in Council to save Oldham’s Green Belt

Borough news
Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE and his party colleagues will vehemently oppose the Places for Everyone plan when it is debated by Oldham Council at a special meeting on 28 July. Oldham Council’s Labour Cabinet is expected to approve taking the plan to Council when it meets on 28 July, and Councillor Sykes and the Liberal Democrat Group will be leading the battle in Council to save Oldham’s green belt from the threat of housing development. “Oldham residents should be in no doubt that Places for Everyone is simply the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework rebadged and repackaged. It contains the self-same fatal flaw – an assumption that it is right and necessary to build thousands of new homes on our precious and irreplaceable Green Belt and on…
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21Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Oldham Liberal Democrats back campaign to end Summer holiday hunger

Oldham Liberal Democrats back campaign to end Summer holiday hunger

Borough news
Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Councillors have backed a call from the National Education Union to the government to end school summer holiday hunger. The councillors have co-signed a letter to the Prime Minister seeking the return of a special payment to poorer families of £15 per week for each child normally in receipt of means-tested free school meals. This is to provide families with extra food to compensate them for the loss of free school meals for that child during the summer holidays. Commenting, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE said: “Last year, the government finally listened to the many voices, including ours, calling for an end to kids going hungry over the summer and did the decent thing by introducing this payment whilst Britain was in the grip of the COVID pandemic.…
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21Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Former Very Site – Planning application – Shaw

Former Very Site – Planning application – Shaw

Borough news
Oldham Council Planning Committee will consider an ‘all matters reserved’ application with regards to the proposal to build 400 houses on the former Very site on Thursday 22nd July 2021 which will purely look at access to the site from both the Beal Lane and Linney Lane entrances, Shaw. The application is recommended for approval by Oldham Council Planning Department based on a report by Highway Engineers. Councillor Howard Sykes, Liberal Democrat Councillor for the Shaw Ward said: “there are very mixed views in relation to the development of the site for housing. Whilst most welcome the use of the site for housing as an alternative to building on green space we also recognise that an increase in housing will bring additional pressures to Shaw not only on the roads,…
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14Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Ten years on from Dilnot, Tories have Done ‘Nowt’ about social care

Ten years on from Dilnot, Tories have Done ‘Nowt’ about social care

Borough news, Parliamentary news
Ten years on after the Dilnot Report made recommendations to fairly and properly fund social care, the Conservative Government has still woefully failed to act in the face of a worsening underfunding crisis. Oldham Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, is dismayed that after a decade of inaction under Tory ministers Britain’s elderly and most vulnerable people in receipt of care still face a future of anxiety and uncertainty. “Whilst in the recent Queen’s speech contained just nine words about social care and no more money,” laments Councillor Sykes. “The Dilnot Report was published on 4 July 2011 during the Coalition Government. It sought a commitment that Dilnot would be delivered, but the commitment was soon ditched once the Tories ruled alone." Councillor Sykes added: “The Prime Minister…
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14Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Firebombing of Cllr Arooj Shah’s car – leader of Oldham Council

Borough news
This attack is appalling. It is a frightening attack on an individual, but it is also demonstrates the threat to people in public life and stops decent people from being involved in it. This cannot be allowed to continue, and not only must we stop this criminal attack, but also the abusive approach that has been too much of the politics in Oldham recently, and the UK, in recent years. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, with respect, and with fairness. Abuse and “dog-whistle” politics can have no part in our society. This is a time when we must stand together. If you are a decent, fair-minded person, you must stand up against this appalling attack, and defend the values of our country – honesty, decency and fairness. Statement…
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13Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
GM Mayor says Police report to remain secret until ‘appropriate’ to publish it

GM Mayor says Police report to remain secret until ‘appropriate’ to publish it

Borough news
Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE is ‘disappointed’ to hear that the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham does not intend to publish a report he commissioned about the failings of Greater Manchester Police until it is deemed ‘appropriate’. Commenting Councillor Sykes said: “This report was paid for with public money to identify the failings of a public service also paid for with public money, so my view is the sooner it is in the public domain the better. I am glad that the Mayor has at least finally responded (after a reminder), but this is a letter which says nothing, gives no real promises and sets no deadline as to when this report will see the light of day. “The Oldham Liberal Democrat Group will continue to…
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