13Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Councillor welcomes police reaction on Alexandra Park

Councillor welcomes police reaction on Alexandra Park

Borough news
Liberal Democrat Councillor Dave Murphy has welcomed the police reaction to his concerns over ongoing criminal behaviour in Alexandra Park, despite Labour disputing that there was a problem. The police have launched a dedicated response – Operation Fasica – with high visibility patrols in the area, and a dedicated resource in Alexandra Park. Councillor Murphy said: “I am glad that the police have stepped up and taken my concerns about criminal behaviour seriously, and not just issued a knee-jerk rebuttal. “Alexandra Park is a wonderful resource for our community, and I want to make sure that everyone in Oldham is able to use it safely, and without worrying about this kind of behaviour. “I want to thank the police teams for their commitment to making our parks safer, friendlier, and…
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11Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Domestic abuse victims to get priority for council accommodation

Domestic abuse victims to get priority for council accommodation

Borough news, CSE, domestic abuse and violence
Victims of violence in the home are to get automatically prioritised for council accommodation following a changes to the law in the Domestic Abuse Act. Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani has welcome the changes, saying that it is a “clear move to provide support for victims, and simple, practical improvements to help people get away from abusers”. Previously, victims had to be separately assessed as being ‘vulnerable’ as a result of domestic abuse to be identified as having a priority need. Now, domestic abuse will be a standalone reason for qualifying. Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “It’s terrifying to know how many people are victims of this. There are over 400 cases a month reported across the UK, and this is known to be a massively underreported crime. “How would you…
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09Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Liberal Democrat Leader seeks true cost to Council Tax payers of shopping centre purchase

Liberal Democrat Leader seeks true cost to Council Tax payers of shopping centre purchase

Borough news
‘What did it cost us?’ Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Real Opposition on Oldham Council wants an answer to that question in connection with the recent purchase of the Spindles and Town Square Shopping Centres. Councillor Sykes has submitted a request under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act to Deputy Chief Executive Helen Lockwood and Director of Finance Anne Ryans in order to drill down to the final bill for Oldham’s Council Tax payers. “Different figures have been bandied about in Council meetings and in media reports. I would like to know what the final bill is, and I am sure that our long-suffering ratepayers want to know too,” said Councillor Sykes. “The final bill is not just the agreed purchase price…
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07Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

New Parish Councillor vows to make a difference for the community

Borough news
Mick Scholes, selected as Parish Councillor for Springhead Lower with cross-party support, is looking forward to working with local residents to make a difference for Saddleworth. Following the retirement of Richard Darlington, who was forced to step down following serious health problems, he has taken on the role until the next parish council elections in two years time. He said: "I shall continue Richard's work, not only as a fellow lifelong environmentalist, but in supporting those in need of extra care and support, who he also championed. "I look forward to working hard to help deliver the Liberal Democrat aim of becoming carbon neutral as both a Council and across the Parish, and co-operating with all groups and individuals who strive to achieve a better, open and tolerant Saddleworth where all…
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05Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
New disabled parking spots for residents

New disabled parking spots for residents

Borough news
The wait is finally over for 30 fortunate families who will be getting disabled parking spots in the next twelve months, some of whom have been waiting for years. Officers confirmed the decision this week, after years wrangling over funding, and lengthy delays while new qualifying criteria were eventually produced. Mark Kenyon, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Grotton, Springhead & Lees, took up the cause after being contacted by a frustrated resident over a year ago and has led a campaign to provide disabled parking bays. Councillor Kenyon said: “Despite welcoming the decision by this council to provide these 30 spaces, I’m also incensed that there’s at least another 30 families who have missed out. A disabled parking spot is not a perk to be won in a council lottery, it’s…
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02Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

GM Pension fund must go green

Borough news
The Greater Manchester Pension Fund must divest from fossil fuels, not only to protect the planet, but to protect the pensions of thousands of people across the region. At the next full meeting of Oldham Council (Wednesday 14 July 2021), the Liberal Democrats will propose a motion to deliver exactly that. Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani, who will be proposing the motion, said: “It is time the Greater Manchester Pension Fund did the right thing by our environment and pulled out the money invested in fossil fuel industries that massively contribute to global warming, and instead reinvest it in green technologies which do good.” The Fund is currently one of the biggest investors in fossil fuels with over £1.7 billion in the oil, coal and gas industries. “As an employer, Oldham Council…
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01Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Liberal Democrats seek action on nuisance pavement parking

Liberal Democrats seek action on nuisance pavement parking

Borough news
The Oldham Liberal Democrats are proposing the Council gets ready to tackle nuisance pavement parking by preparing now for future legislation. A motion has been tabled by Lib Dem councillors Dave Murphy and Chris Gloster for consideration at the next full meeting of Oldham Council (14 July 2021). The Department of Transport carried out a consultation about pavement parking that ended in November last year. It is expected that the government will soon give local councils new powers to tackle problem parking, and the Liberal Democrats want to be ready. Councillor Dave Murphy explained: “The government consulted about a range of ‘options for change’ in the way that pavement parking is regulated. We made clear in our response that we opposed a blanket ban on all pavement parking as this…
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01Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Hands off our Peak District National Park, say Liberal Democrats

Hands off our Peak District National Park, say Liberal Democrats

Borough news
Liberal Democrat councillors are determined to fight to keep control of the Peak District National Park in local hands after rumours of a takeover by Whitehall mandarins. Councillor Hazel Gloster is bringing a motion to the next meeting of Oldham Council (14 July 2021) calling for the Peak District National Park Authority to be retained, rather than abolished and absorbed into a new National Landscape Authority. This drastic action was recommended two years ago after the Glover Review, and Councillor Gloster has no doubt this will be a retrograde step. Councillor Gloster outlined her concerns: “At present, our local National Park is managed locally by an authority board with local representatives, including one Councillor from Oldham Council. If the authority is abolished there will be no accountability to local people…
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29Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Safer streets fund opportunity for Oldham

Safer streets fund opportunity for Oldham

Borough news, CSE, domestic abuse and violence
The addition of £25 million from the Home Office into the Safer Streets fund is an opportunity for Oldham to improve its work in schools to combat violence against women and girls, and combat public street harassment, says local Liberal Democrat councillor Sam Al-Hamdani With the opportunity to bid for up to £550,000, Councillor Al-Hamdani has written to Oldham Council to ensure that they apply to run a programme later this year, such as introducing educational and community programmes across the Borough. Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “Oldham Council already pledged to support Our Streets Now’s work to improve education in schools to combat harassment, and it is vital that we take every opportunity to change the culture around violence and abuse.  “The release of the Ofsted review of sexual abuse emphasized…
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29Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Sykes seeks to pay Royal homage in Oldham parks and gardens

Borough news
Rose varieties named after Her Majesty the Queen and her late husband HRH Prince Phillip should be planted side-by-side in Oldham’s major public parks and gardens as a tribute to our Royal Family, suggests Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE. In a letter to Labour Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Councillor Amanda Chadderton, and Head of Parks and Countryside, Glenn Dale, Councillor Sykes feels that, as the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee will be celebrated across the nation next year, such an action will represent a fitting tribute to mark ‘this milestone in the exemplary contribution of Britain’s longest-serving monarch, and her late and faithful husband’. “Not only will the new rose beds be enjoyed by the many residents of our borough who already frequent our parks and gardens, but they…
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