25Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Sykes supports ‘Shopkeepers’ Campaign’ for business rates cut

Sykes supports ‘Shopkeepers’ Campaign’ for business rates cut

Borough news
The Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has shown his support for the ‘Shopkeepers’ Campaign’ that is calling for a cut in the business rates that high street retailers pay. In 2020, Revo, a membership group representing retailers, launched the campaign to cut and reform business rates for retail property. Since its introduction, this tax has increased by almost 50 per cent for bricks-and-mortar stores and is one of the largest costs paid by shopkeepers. It has led to the closure of many shops, leading to job losses and a loss of customer choice. During the COVID-19 Lockdown, non-food shops have been forced to close for long periods, and many more now face ruin. The government is conducting a Fundamental Review of Business…
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25Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government support runs dry leaving local businesses waiting

Government support runs dry leaving local businesses waiting

Borough news
Oldham Council is still waiting for the Government to provide further funding for local businesses which have been forced to close, despite the previous funding running out on February 15. The Conservative Government will not be providing the money, which is a lifeline for local people, until they provide information on how long businesses are likely to have to keep their doors closed. Leader of the opposition, and Shadow Cabinet Member with responsibility for coronavirus, Howard Sykes MBE said: “It is sadly unsurprising that the Conservative Government has left local businesses high and dry. For a Government which seems to be very good at organising coronavirus contracts for businesses owned by people they know, they seem incredibly bad at making payments for everyone else.” Once the Government confirms what is…
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25Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Conservatives ‘right to regenerate’ is another attempt to put developers first

Conservatives ‘right to regenerate’ is another attempt to put developers first

Borough news
The Conservative Government has continued its attack on public green spaces with a new consultation on ‘right to regenerate’, which proposes that “inefficient use of public sector land” should be challenged, and used to build developments.  The Government is suggesting that the current right to contest – which gives local authorities the right to refuse if the cost of selling would not be good value for the taxpayer – should be replaced, so that more sites would be made available for development.  Recent proposals from the Government on planning law show that the Conservatives are already trying to ensure that more developers get automatic approval for sites, rather than targeting environmentally friendly development that on sites actually in need of regeneration, with proper infrastructure support. Local Liberal Democrat campaigner Mark Kenyon said:…
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23Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Sudden hotline closure ‘an unexpected blow to GM crime victims failed by Mayor

Sudden hotline closure ‘an unexpected blow to GM crime victims failed by Mayor

Borough news
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE is dismayed that a hotline established to respond to the failure to record complaints from the 80,000 victims of crime across Greater Manchester is close on Friday 19 February. Councillor Sykes had just recently written to the Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to seek reassurance that such victims would continue to receive specialist support from Victims Support staff for the foreseeable future. The Greater Manchester Crime Support Line was only launched back in December after a damning report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services found systematic failures at Greater Manchester Police which led to the force failing to record 80,000 reported crimes – including one in four violent crimes and many instances of domestic violence. The report led to Greater Manchester…
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18Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
More frequent, more reliable train service for Greenfield

More frequent, more reliable train service for Greenfield

Borough news
Liberal Democrat Councillors want to see a half-hourly train service from Greenfield to Manchester and Huddersfield, and an hourly train direct to Leeds, to make rail travel more frequent and more reliable for passengers. Liberal Democrat Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, who represents Oldham on the Transport for Greater Manchester Board and is the Leader of the Opposition on Oldham Council, has responded to the Greenfield Rail Action Group to confirm that he supports the group’s aspirations for a better and more reliable train service to the only mainland train station actually located within the Oldham Borough.  Following the introduction of a new timetable in May 2018, rail services were thrown into chaos, and many passengers at Greenfield were left stranded waiting for trains that had a shocking record for punctuality…
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17Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat Leader appeals to Home Secretary over DBS checks for Councillors

Borough news, CSE
The Oldham Liberal Democrats have appealed to the Home Secretary to change the law to make it lawful and easier for local authorities to conduct enhanced criminal records checks (now called DBS checks) on local councillors. The Leader of the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has recently corresponded with the Disclosure and Barring Service, which is responsible for carrying out DBS checks. They informed him that under the law as it currently stands local authorities are unable to carry out such checks on elected members. Dismayed at the response, Councillor Sykes yesterday wrote to the Home Secretary, Priti Patel MP, asking her to ‘make Councillors a specifically listed role in the Exceptions Order to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (so) local authorities…
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16Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Sykes joins Lib Dem Leaders in call for permanent Universal Credit boost

Sykes joins Lib Dem Leaders in call for permanent Universal Credit boost

Borough news
Over 30 Liberal Democrat Council Leaders and elected Mayors in England have written to the government calling for the £20 a week increase in Universal Credit, introduced in March 2020, to be made permanent. The letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP follows a vote in Parliament held on Monday 18th January 2021 in which the government the abstained and in which all Liberal Democrat MPs attending voted in favour of maintaining the increase. The motion to increase Universal Credit was carried by 278 votes to nil. Councillor Howard Sykes MBE who serves as Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group at the Local Government Association, as well as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, was one of the signatories.…
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12Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Selective Licensing scheme is welcome, but should include similar/identical properties in Shaw

Selective Licensing scheme is welcome, but should include similar/identical properties in Shaw

Borough news
Shaw Liberal Democrat Councillor Howard Sykes MBE has welcomed Oldham Council proposals to introduce selective licensing for private-rented properties in Shaw but would like more properties included in the scheme. Lower housing demand, lower rents and higher tenant turnover can lead to private-rented properties being left empty for long periods or being poorly maintained or managed. In these circumstances, councils can introduce selective licensing which requires landlords to properly maintain and manage their properties. These schemes are self-financing as landlords pay a fee to license each property they own in each area, and properties are inspected before they can be licensed. Oldham Council is currently consulting landlords, tenants and residents about its plans to introduce schemes in six new areas, including Shaw, and Councillor Sykes has responded to the consultation.…
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11Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Liberal Democrats proposals to make Oldham ‘Healthier, Greener, and Cleaner’ presented

Liberal Democrats proposals to make Oldham ‘Healthier, Greener, and Cleaner’ presented

Borough news
Councillor Chris Gloster, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance and Green, had his first opportunity to present the Liberal Democrat budget amendments to fellow Councillors on the Performance Value-for-Money Committee for the first-time last night. The committee is responsible for scrutinising spending and saving proposals in advance of this year’s Budget Council meeting on 4 March. Kindly commended on ‘a grand job’ by Committee Chair, Councillor Riaz Ahmed OBE, Chris was also able to respond to a series of challenging questions from members on this cross-party committee on the detailed report he had produced with assistance from professional Council finance officers. The Liberal Councillors want to repurpose part of Labour’s capital investment programme and find more money from cutting bureaucracy and waste elsewhere in the Council’s budget to: Invest £18 million…
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09Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Addressing Oldham’s empty homes scandal would help save Green Belt

Addressing Oldham’s empty homes scandal would help save Green Belt

Borough news
More than 1,100 private homes are empty in Oldham, and the Liberal Democrats would like to see them brought back into use to help address homelessness and to reduce the pressure to build new housing on the Green Belt and green spaces. Figures recently released by Oldham Council showed that in November 2020, 1137 private homes were empty, many for long periods of time. Government figures published in December 2020 also show that 5,421 households were on Oldham Council’s housing waiting list. Councillor Howard Sykes MBE said: “Homes which remain empty for a long period of time are often neglected and fall into disrepair, leading to an area becoming blighted and driving down neighbouring property prices. At a time when families on the Council waiting list are in desperate need…
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