23Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats call to safely reopen Oldham’s waste site

Borough news
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Liberal Democrat and Opposition Leader Oldham Council, has written to Oldham Council Bosses to reopen local waste sites in Oldham Borough. “Other authorities across the UK are still providing these services.  Wigan Borough Council has now reopened its refuse facilities why can the rest of Greater Manchester (GM) Councils do the same,” asks Councillor Sykes. He wants Oldham Council to follow suit in a safe and orderly manner.  These calls have come following a month of lockdown closures from the start of the Coronavirus Pandemic.  There has also been a severe spike in fly tipping across the region. “If it is good enough for Wigan then it is good enough for Oldham, stated Councillor Sykes.  “I really do hope these pleas are listened to and actioned…
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23Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Building a future for our youth in a post-virus world

Borough news, Campaigns
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE is calling for more youth services in our communities – both youth workers and youth centres.  The Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Oldham Borough Council highlighted work done by parliament on knife crime.  Studies by a group of MPs showed that schools and youth centres play a central role in keeping children and young people safe.  These services should be granted necessary funding.  Local Liberal Democrat Councillors in Shaw and Crompton have repeatedly invested their limited local funds in youth services to offset government cuts. Currently, UK schools are underfunded.  Youth services have declined by 69% over the last decade.  On average councils have reduced spending on services such as social clubs and youth workers by 40%.  Some Authorities have seen funding plummet by 91% over…
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19Mar 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Where to volunteer

Borough news
If you want to volunteer to help with the current situation, please complete the form on the Action Together website: https://www.actiontogether.org.uk/volunteer/search-for-opportunities For the latest local information on the situation, please go to the Oldham Council website: http://oldham.gov.uk/coronavirus And for the latest information on health, please go to the NHS information portal: http://nhs.uk/coronavirus
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31Jan 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Self-harm in prisons at record high

Borough news
Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Daisy Cooper has called on the Government to scrap “pointless” short sentences and end prison overcrowding, as new figures reveal record high levels of self-harm in prisons. The latest Safety in custody statistics, published by the Ministry of Justice, show that there were 61,461 self-harm incidents in prisons in England Wales in the year ending September 2019. That is the highest rate on record and a 16% increase since the previous 12-month period. The self-harm rate in women’s prisons is almost 5 times higher than the rate in men’s prisons. There were 3,007 incidents per 1,000 women prisoners, compared to 633 per 1,000 men. Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “Our prisons are in crisis. It is a huge relief that rates of violence and deaths in prison…
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27Jan 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Councillors stand together with community for Holocaust Memorial Day

Borough news
On Sunday, Holocaust Memorial Day, members of the community of Shaw and Crompton came and “Stood Together” to remember those were who were killed in the Holocaust and the many other genocides across the world, at the Crompton War Memorial. Councillor Diane Williamson at the Crompton War Memorial “This year’s theme was “Stand Together” and that is exactly what residents, Councillors, primary school children and young people did, whilst listening to Rev Katy Cunliffe from Holy Trinity lead us in the service,” said Councillor Diane Williamson, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Crompton. The reason for this event is to make sure that future generations understand the causes of the Holocaust and reflect upon the consequences.  This was why two pupils from Crompton House School, read the stories of two survivors – Ivor…
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14Jan 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Saddleworth Liberal Democrats slam bus cuts

Borough news
Saddleworth Liberal Democrats have slammed proposals for yet more reductions to bus services in Saddleworth.  The proposals by Transport for Greater Manchester seek to abolish services 353, 354, 355 and 407.  They propose to expand the Saddleworth rambler service (356) to cover some of the shortfall but it will see some areas lose bus services and a reduced service for more.  Councillor Garth Harkness, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Saddleworth North, said: “Saddleworth have already experienced cuts in bus services to Dobcross, Diggle and Greenfield recently with First bus unwilling to engage with local members and local people.  Cutting early morning services and evening services is not satisfactory at all. These proposals will see yet more cuts to services and no guarantees over reliability and capacity to cope. “During the consultation for the…
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25Nov 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems will reverse school cuts in Oldham

Borough news
The Liberal Democrats have announced that they will spend £10 billion a year more on schools and hire 20,000 more teachers by the end of the next Parliament. Figures from the National Education Union show that next year (2020/21), schools in Oldham will have seen their budgets cut by over £12.million in real terms since 2015, once increasing pupil numbers are taken into account. This is equivalent to a cut of in funding per pupil of £346 in Oldham East and Saddleworth and £287 Oldham West and Royton since 2015 per pupil. Under current proposals nearly 1 in 4 schools in Oldham West and Royton will see further cuts next year. In Oldham East and Saddleworth that is 1 in 3 schools Councillor Garth Harkness, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Oldham…
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02Nov 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Councillors’ campaign for clean air in Oldham Borough

Borough news
Children are now often exposed to unsafe levels of pollutants outside of schools at peak times.  Road transport is one of the biggest contributors to pollution in Oldham Borough.  Councillor Diane Williamson wants “No-Vehicle-Idling zones” around schools across the Borough.  Harmful fumes from cars and buses waiting nearby schools can stunt lung growth and harm child development.  The Liberal Democrat team are bringing this new policy to Oldham Full Council on the 6th November 2019. Councillor Williamson states: “Only a handful of schools across the country are trialling No Vehicle Idling zones, yet these schemes bring many health benefits.  Not having any measures to prevent air pollution poses a serious threat to the health of young people.”  Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani, who is supporting the clean air motion criticises widespread inaction on…
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02Nov 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Anti-Bullying Week 2019 gets a special mention from Liberal Democrats

Borough news, Campaigns
This year's Anti-Bullying Week has the theme “Change Starts With Us”.  The awareness event is happening from Monday 11th November - Friday 15th November 2019.  Oldham Borough Liberal Democrats are seeking to refresh the Council’s anti bullying policy and raise awareness at the 6th November 2019 Full Council Meeting.  People of all ages are bullied because of their race, culture, faith, appearance, sex and identity.  Councillor Garth Harkness, who is also a teacher, says this bullying can take place in person but often happens online.  He wants to focus on the root problem in local schools and at the Council itself. Councillor Harkness states: “Bullying infiltrates every level of society.  Even in government.  This Council needs to communicate with schools in Oldham Borough about the packs released to schools for anti-bullying week.” “These…
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25Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Shock study shows Oldham Council losing war against deprivation

Borough news, Campaigns
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE says there is one league table Oldham do not want to rise up the ranks of which is the Indices of Deprivation.  A recent report by the Government, the Indices of Deprivation 2019 (IoD 2019) provides very detailed information on how well an area is doing.  This assessment is based on income, employment, education, health, crime, housing and living environment.  In terms of a real change, Oldham Borough has slid backwards and is not improving.  Liberal Democrat Councillor Sykes is demanding better from the Council in the work that must be done on local deprivation.  Oldham Borough has risen from the 27th most deprived local authority in England to the 16th most deprived area.  This is in only four years (2015 to 2019).  Oldham Borough is in the…
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