29Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Most wanted: damning police report still remains at large

Most wanted: damning police report still remains at large

Borough news
One month after Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE wrote to Andy Burnham requesting publication of a report into the management and performance of Greater Manchester Police, the Greater Manchester Labour Mayor has failed to honour his promise to make the report public. Mayor Burnham contrived to delay publishing the report before his mayoral re-election, claiming that it would be inappropriate to do so before the new Police chief, Chief Constable Stephen Watson QPM, was sworn in. That happened over a month ago and the report has yet to see the light of day. Commenting Councillor Sykes said: “It is unsurprising really that Mayor Burnham, who also acts as Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commissioner, doesn’t want to publish this report as I understand it is critical about…
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22Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Safer streets fund opportunity for Oldham

Safer streets fund opportunity for Oldham

Borough news
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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17Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
It’s time to ‘jump start’ electric vehicle charging points

It’s time to ‘jump start’ electric vehicle charging points

Borough news
Oldham Liberal Democrats are concerned that Oldham is failing to keep up with the increasing demand for electric vehicle charging points as Britain makes the radical move to go green from 2030. In January 2021, the Department of Transport reported 31 public charging points in Oldham, or 13 for every 100,000 people, less than half the UK average of 31; and this was four less than in October 2019. The energy company Centrica also identified Oldham as one of 126 local councils with no plans to install on-street electric vehicle chargers. Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, is dismayed that Oldham is falling behind, especially as it is a Council and Borough committed to be carbon-neutral within ten years. Commenting, Councillor Sykes MBE said: “For example, at a…
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16Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Councillor fears a flagship Oldham park will end up off-limits

Councillor fears a flagship Oldham park will end up off-limits

Borough news
Liberal Democrat Councillor for Crompton Dave Murphy and Shadow Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods has written to the Deputy Chief Executive of Oldham Council demanding that action be taken to curb the issues happening in Alexandra Park. Councillor Murphy said: “I have raised issues at Alexandra Park at my regular Shadow Cabinet meetings on several occasions. The park features too much in reports for my liking with incidents reported on a regular basis by the Police and our own Council staff. Alexandra Park is our flagship park and a park to be proud of and I grow increasing concerned that it will become off-limits for families scared to use its facilities. Councillor Dave Murphy Cllr Murphy added: “I have recently seen a report with three disturbing incidents in additions to ones…
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16Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Roadmap delay represents further blow to hospitality fears Sykes

Borough news, Parliamentary news
Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, fears the Prime Minister’s announcement that Covid-19 restrictions will last another month will mean yet more local pubs being lost, unless further financial support is soon forthcoming. “Whilst I understand that the Prime Minister has made this decision based upon scientific advice, the delay will put further pressure on hospitality business which have been impacted disproportionately by lockdowns and trading restrictions since March of last year”, said Councillor Sykes. Last week, the British Institute of Inn-keeping estimated that 1 in 10 pubs nationwide was expected to fail if there was a delay in the easing of restrictions, and the trade body UKHospitality has said that the delay will cost the sector around £3bn in sales. Councillor Sykes added: “Hospitality is one of…
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16Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
New proposals for Lees housebuilding

New proposals for Lees housebuilding

Borough news
Proposals for an additional 42 homes to be built at the rear of Maltby Court are being brought forward by developers, and local Liberal Democrat Councillor Mark Kenyon is encouraging as many local residents to respond to the current consultation as possible. At the moment, no formal application to the Council has been brought forward, but a planning application from Wiggett Group is expected in September. Councillor Kenyon said: “It is vital that as many people as possible have the opportunity to respond on the application, and have their voices heard. “We should not wait for this to come to the planning committee, which can only consider the legalities of an application. The earlier that people can respond and ensure that their concerns are put across, the better. If we…
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16Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Oldham Liberal Democrats call on public to support Clean Air Day

Oldham Liberal Democrats call on public to support Clean Air Day

Borough news
This Thursday 17 June is National Clean Air Day, and Oldham Liberal Democrats councillors are asking residents of the borough to support the event to help improve our health and our environment. Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Oldham Liberal Democrats, said: “Many people will have noticed the lack of traffic during Lockdown and many more people took up exercise, walking and cycling, since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Now as we see the removal of the remaining lockdown restrictions, it would be great if we could avoid going back to our old habit of turning to our car for every journey. “Many of the short journeys we take in our daily lives, whether popping to the shops or for the school run, can be made on foot…
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16Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

We need real investment in post-Covid education catch up for our children

Borough news
Oldham Liberal Democrat Councillors have all joined a call to Prime Minister Boris Johnson for real government investment to be made in education to provide further tuition to school children to catch up on learning lost because of Covid-19. Local Liberal Democrat Councillors signed the open letter to Prime Minister Johnson, which is being coordinated by the teachers’ representative body, the National Education Union. Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, explained why they had done so: “Although the government has talked a lot about ‘levelling up’, investing to tackle inequalities in Britain after Covid, it has singularly failed to do so when it comes to the education of our children. The government’s own Education Recovery Tzar resigned in protest because only £1.4 billion was made available for extra…
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14Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Warm Shaw welcome for new Waxxy Warehouse

Warm Shaw welcome for new Waxxy Warehouse

Borough news
Shaw councillor Howard Sykes MBE has offered the latest new business in Shaw a ‘warm welcome’ and his best wishes for its success.  Demilee Morgan, a Shaw resident, has taken possession of the former fancy dress shop at 2 Market Street and will soon be reopening the premises as a bespoke manufacturer and retailer of candles, Waxxy Warehouse Ltd. “This new shop will be great for Shaw”, said councillor Sykes. “Shoppers want to see more than the usual suspects on their high street and this kind of business – artisan, independent and local – is exactly what I would like to see in our town centre.  If Shaw can offer something unique it will attract more visitors from further afield to shop and make our local economy more vibrant.  This…
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11Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham Youth Service Summits

Borough news
Shaw and Crompton Liberal Democrat councillors have been informed that some exciting provision from Oldham Youth Service is happening in three of our local secondary schools.  Shaw Councillor, Howard Sykes said “Crompton House School, The Oldham Academy North and Royton & Crompton School have been offered some tailored youth work for pupils at the schools.  Part of this will see a Youth Violence Summit held on 23 June 2021 – guest speakers will be talking pupils from across the borough as well.”  The schools were asked how they would like the youth service to work with their young people and this has resulted in different types of engagement.  “Royton & Crompton School are having an afterschool drama and dance provision, focusing on the school’s values and creating a drama piece to…
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