24Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Charity shops or bust? UK charities on the brink of crisis in post Covid-19 world

Borough news
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Leader of the Opposition on Oldham Council, says our High Street faces unprecedented challenges in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.  He has written to Oldham Council bosses over concerns for the future of the charity economy in Oldham Borough. Charity shops provide essential revenue for charities in Oldham Borough, Greater Manchester and across the UK.  They also provide an affordable option for many people to shop locally.   Councillor Sykes has asked a number of questions to Oldham Council about how to protect this important sector of the Oldham community: How can Oldham Council support and help charity shops in Oldham Borough as we move out of this crisis?Have you spoken to the Charity Retail Association or any local charities…
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18Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats vow to protect green, open spaces

Borough news, Campaigns
Saddleworth Liberal Democrats are campaigning for local footpaths and green spaces to be kept open and accessible to all.  The recent lockdown measures have again shown how vital it is for everyone to have local green spaces, and the benefits these places have on mental and physical health.  Whether a local park, playing field, the open countryside, or just a little corner of greenery, access and enjoyment is important to all, especially those in poorer households and areas, who usually have less green space nearby – some of the people we must protect the most. Liberal Democrat Councillor Garth Harkness said: “I am very pleased that my campaigning with local people to restore the bridges around Diggle, Dobcross and Uppermill has worked, and we will soon be able to return to…
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16Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

From rail to refuge, let’s keep victims safe!

Borough news, Campaigns
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Leader of the Opposition on Oldham Council, is trying to rally Greater Manchester bosses around a new way to help victims of domestic abuse.  The ‘Rail to Refuge’ scheme, is an essential but little-known lifeline.  It provides a lifeline to those fleeing domestic violence.  Rail to Refuge supports victims of domestic abuse by advising them to seek safety in a refuge well away from their abuser.  There have been worries that the scheme is not well publicised and that this is a temporary fix. Rail to Refuge helps by purchasing a rail ticket for the victim to flee a situation of abuse.  Unfortunately, the Scheme has been time limited to the Covid-19 lockdown period.  Councillor Sykes is calling for…
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13Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Plea from Deputy Leader that Businesses check eligibility for vital scheme

Borough news
Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Gloster, who has responsibility as shadow cabinet member for Finance is appealing to all Oldham Borough business owners.  This is to ensure they have applied for a business grant if they have not already done so.   Councillor Gloster said:  “With the outbreak of Covid-19, and the subsequent lockdown, £55 million became available to fund qualifying local businesses in the sum of either £10,000 or £25,000 dependent upon the rateable value of their business premises, even if rates were not payable.  This is a grant, not a loan, and is designed to help businesses through this difficult time.   “Currently the council have paid out in excess of £40 million, to about 80% of qualifying businesses, and have written to business premises twice to alert them to this…
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12Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Chatty Checkouts and Chatty Cafes: let’s get people talking!

Borough news
One of the hidden impacts of the lockdown has been the massive affect that is has had on people's mental health, with social isolation worsening existing problems for many people. As we start the process of ending lockdown, Liberal Democrat Councillors Dave Murphy and Chris Gloster have brought a motion for the 17 June Oldham Council meeting to try and combat this. The idea behind Chatty Checkouts and Chatty Cafes is to get people speaking to one another. This is at designated tables in cafes and shop checkouts counters.  People can forge friendships and escape the trap of isolation. Oldham has already begun to pioneer this idea, but the Liberal Democrats want to take this further and get Oldham Council behind it. Councillor Murphy comments: “Councillors should be constantly to looking at…
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats tax relief for public transport

Borough news, Campaigns
In October 2013, then journalist and now Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for employees to be “allowed to pay for their [public transport] season tickets from their pre-tax income”. Oldham Liberal Democrat Councillors Garth Harkness and Louie Hamblett are now calling the Prime Minister’s bluff, with a new motion to the first Oldham Council meeting since the start of the Coronavirus Pandemic.  The idea behind the policy is to make a saving for passengers while actively encouraging people to reinvest in public transport. The scheme would be on seasonal travel tickets throughout the public transport network in Greater Manchester.  Passengers would save hundreds of pounds a year. Councillor Harkness commented:  “It will be interesting to see if the Prime Minister makes good on this.  After all, it is his idea! …
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05Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat Leadership Team, Group Officers and Shadow Cabinet announced for 2020–21

Borough news
Following a recent Group meeting in May, the Oldham Borough Liberal Democrat Group has announced their appointment, unanimously and unopposed, of Councillor Howard Sykes MBE as their Leader and Councillor Chris Gloster as their Deputy Leader.  Councillor Sykes has also announced the appointment of his Shadow Cabinet Team for 2020/21. Councillor Howard Sykes said: “I am delighted and honoured that Chris and I have once again received the unanimous support of our party colleagues.  The Liberal Democrats remain the only effective opposition holding Labour to account on Oldham Council. “Citizens can rest assured that the Oldham Liberal Democrats will continue to oppose Labour’s waste, inefficiency and centralisation tendancies and we will always speak up for fair treatment for our residents and for value-for-money services and common sense solutions”.  He added. …
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02Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Opening up Saddleworth’s blocked and obstructed footpaths

Borough news, Campaigns
During the Coronavirus lockdown, thousands of Saddleworth residents have been walking regularly from home for an hour for exercise. Unfortunately, walkers have found many local footpaths blocked, obstructed or are in a poor condition. Liberal Democrat spokesperson Mick Scholes said: “As more council resources become available after the hard work done fighting the effects of Coronavirus, we are asking Oldham Council to prioritise complaints of paths and stiles being blocked or obstructed by landowners as this is restricting residents’ access to the countryside.”  Among the problems are: an unsafe bridge across Chew Brook, with a hole large enough for walkers to fall through and break a leg;notices erected by some landowners saying “No public right of way” when there is a right of way, and many Public Footpath signposts have disappeared;fallen trees blocking part…
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01Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham Borough, hit hard by Covid-19, will now gets less cash

Borough news, Campaigns
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Opposition leader on Oldham Council, is appalled at a shocking new study, which shows the areas worst hit by Covid-19 will now receive some of the largest cuts in Government support.   Oldham Borough is in the top ten Councils worst hit by the virus.  More than £100 million of public money has been diverted away from councils in the bottom half of the English deprivation index.  Oldham Borough is unfortunately one of those council areas. Conservative run areas are not receiving funding cuts in the same way.  Many believe this is a sly political move by Boris Johnson and the Conservatives.  Oldham Borough will now not receive £1.1 million diverted monies.  Councillor Sykes said: “The cash was supposed to…
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01Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham Liberal Democrats send strong message on education to the Government

Borough news, Campaigns
The Oldham Liberal Democrats and Councillor Howard Sykes (Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Opposition Leader on Oldham Council) have all signed a letter of support to aid vulnerable children and protect local education.  The National Education Union (NEU) Councillors Network wrote the letter to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson for local councillors to sign up to.  Schools have been underfunded and struggling and the Covid-19 world has increased that mounting pressure.  The signed letter has several key demands:  Assurance that families will be eligible for free school meals (FSM) will be given food vouchers during summer holidays.Government to work with local authorities to protect vulnerable children.Supporting calls from the teaching profession that schools be reopened when it is safe to do so, for both staff and students.Local authorities be given…
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