31May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Irony of Labour call for “residents first” planning approach

Irony of Labour call for “residents first” planning approach

Borough news
The call for a “residents first” planning approach by new council leader Arooj Shah has been called “deeply ironic” by local Liberal Democrat councillor Sam Al-Hamdani. In recent years the Labour Council has changed the rules around being able to challenge planning applications, making it increasingly difficult for them to be heard in public. With just one resident allowed three minutes to speak, it has left residents feeling more and more excluded from the planning process, especially on contentious applications, such as the recent application from 256 houses at Knowls Lane in Lees and Springhead. Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “I would love for there to be a ‘residents first’ planning approach in Oldham. That would mean changing the system to better engage with residents, and to make sure their voices are…
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31May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Liberal Democrats delivery on transparency promise

Liberal Democrats delivery on transparency promise

Borough news, Saddleworth News
The introduction of new standing orders for Saddleworth Parish Council has delivered a promise from Saddleworth’s Liberal Democrats to increase public involvement and transparency in the way the Council works. They have scrapped a clause from the previous standing orders which required members of the public to submit questions to the Council in writing two working days before the date of a meeting. With Council meetings taking place on Mondays, that meant that questions would in practice have to be submitted on the Wednesday of the week before. This meant that it was virtually impossible for urgent matters to be brought to the Council to be addressed. Sam Al-Hamdani, the leader of Liberal Democrats on the Parish Council, said; “Councils must be as close to the communities they serve as…
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31May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Sykes seeks immediate publication of damning police report

Borough news
Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has written to Andy Burnham asking the Mayor of Greater Manchester to immediately publish a long-awaited report into the management and performance of Greater Manchester Police. Mayor Burnham delayed publishing the report before his mayoral re-election, claiming that it would be inappropriate to do so before the new Police chief was in post. Chief Constable Stephen Watson QPM has now been sworn in, and councillor Sykes wants the Mayor to keep his promise. “Now the new Chief Constable is in post, there really is no longer an excuse to delay the publication of this report,” said councillor Sykes. “From what I have heard the report is damning, with serious criticisms about the culture, management and performance of Greater Manchester Police that go…
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27May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Berry reappointed as Shaw and Crompton Parish Chairman

Borough news
At the recent Shaw and Crompton Annual Parish Council meeting, Councillor Ken Berry was unanimously re-appointed as Chair of Shaw and Crompton Parish Council 2021–22. His chosen charities are Age UK and Royton, Shaw and Crompton Blind Support Group based at Downey House Royton. Cllr Berry, who due to covid restrictions last year couldn’t raise any funds for his charities, has been given a second chance at doing so now that restrictions are due to be lifted. His colleague Councillor Louie Hamblett has also been re-appointed as Vice Chair for the ensuing year.
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26May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Prompt action on cramped one-room “home” sets standard that must be kept

Prompt action on cramped one-room “home” sets standard that must be kept

Borough news
Prompt enforcement action on the “box home” that had been advertised for rent in Oldham town centre sets a standard for enforcement that must be continued. The cramped room with a chemical toilet, which was advertised as a home for rent on social media, has been inspected by the Environmental Health team at the Council, and formal notice is being served to prevent it from being rented out. Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani followed up the incident with officers. “I was pleased to hear that they were already taking action. It is important that the enforcement teams do their job, and are seen to be doing it.” The shadow cabinet member for housing had said that the “home” was one of the worst examples he had ever seen of…
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25May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham Conservative Candidate’s comments on Mayor “an all-time low”

Borough news
A candidate for the Conservatives in the recent local elections has sunk to an all-time low, by inferring those councillors who serve as the Mayor of Oldham are “parasites” for “just putting a faux fur coat on and parading around in chains”. Councillor Diane Williamson, recently re-elected Liberal Democrat councillor for Crompton, said: “I am absolutely appalled at these comments that Mr Lewis Quigg made on his Facebook Page, considering the Leader of the Conservative Group on Oldham Council seconded the nomination for the new Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Jenny Harrison on Wednesday 19 May 2021 and that the former Leader of the Conservative Group, Councillor John Hudson OBE, served as Mayor of Oldham for the municipal year 2013-14.” Councillor Williamson is well-aware of the honour that serving Oldham Borough…
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25May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Liberal Democrat Leader calls for urgent government action on moorland fires

Liberal Democrat Leader calls for urgent government action on moorland fires

Borough news
The Leader of the real Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has written to the Conservative Government calling for a national ban on the sale of disposable barbecues, which are often the cause of moorland fires, and for greater court punishments for those found guilty of negligently or wilfully set fire to our moors. Councillor Sykes has written to the Secretary of State for the Environment, George Eustice MP, calling for action. Councillor Sykes said: “Action is long overdue. For several years now, people in Oldham, myself included, have been shocked and saddened by the repeated fires that we have witnessed on Crompton, Marsden and Saddleworth Moors. We love our moors, more so after a year when many of us have had to spend…
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24May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Salud! Shaw nightlife to get some Post-Covid Spanish Sparkle

Borough news
Shaw Liberal Democrat Councillors are wishing tapas bar Bar Vida Viva every success as it prepares to open after Lockdown. Councillor Howard Sykes MBE said: “It is great that we will soon finally see the opening of a new tapas and cocktail bar in the old Barclays Bank on Market Street, Shaw. With Gin Gin on Milnrow Road, Bar Vida Viva represents a new type of night-time offering for Shaw’s residents and visitors to our town, complimenting the existing pubs on our high street.” Vida Viva is hosting a ticket-only gala launch night on Saturday 22 May and then will be opening to the public two weeks later. In recent years, Shaw town centre has suffered the loss of pubs and restaurants, and local councillors hope this opening represents the…
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21May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Councillor disappointed by lack of support for IDAHOBIT

Borough news
Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillor Louie Hamblett was very dismayed this week to see that Oldham Council’s media pages both on Twitter and Facebook did not mention nor promote the fact May 17th was IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia) Day was made at all in spite of the a flag was flown above the civic centre in celebration on the day. This also included what information they sent out to elected and staff members. Cllr Hamblett said: “As one of the few elected openly LGBT+ elected members the Council at times can feel cold and unwelcoming towards the LGBT+ community, and any efforts made towards our community is done in a very half-hearted way. "I hope that the Council does learn and takes this on board so that…
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21May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat Leader announces real opposition team

Borough news
Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has announced his Real Opposition team for 2021/22. The Liberal Democrat Group has also elected its officers. Councillor Howard Sykes said: “I am looking forward to once more leading the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council. I am especially pleased that the Group is being joined by Mark Kenyon who joins Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani representing Saddleworth West and Lees. I know that Mark will really help make a difference.” “The Liberal Democrats remain the only group holding Labour to account on Oldham Council, and we shall continue to take that responsibility seriously,” added councillor Sykes. “Voters can rest assured that the Oldham Liberal Democrats will continue to oppose Labour’s waste at the Civic Centre and their indulgent spending on vanity projects, such…
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