25Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham needs its fair share of 20,000 promised police officers

Borough news
More than twenty thousand police officers have been taken off UK streets over the last ten years.  Now the Government announces that thousands of new Police Officers will be recruited.  Councillor Howard Sykes MBE wants to make sure Oldham Borough gets a fair share of these replacement crimefighters.  The Liberal Democrat Leader on Oldham Council contacted Greater Manchester Police to see how many new officers Oldham Borough will get. “There have been many announcements both local and national about recruiting new Police Officers.  I want to make sure what we are hearing from the Government matches up with local people’s needs and expectations.” “As leader of the opposition on Oldham Borough Council, I want to ensure that we have enough officers on our streets to deal with the many issues…
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17Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Stop the threat of fracking in Oldham

Borough news, Campaigns
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE and the Oldham Liberal Democrats have consistently campaigned on environmental issues, locally and nationally.  At a time when climate change activists are taking to the streets to campaign against the negative effects of climate change.  Councillor Sykes MBE reveals the Council’s weak policy when it comes to shale gas extraction (also known as Fracking).  Councillor Sykes MBE has challenged Council Bosses on their Fracking position. Oldham’s Fracking policy within the 2013-2020 environmental strategy is incredibly vague.  Within the document, shale gas extraction is mentioned as something the Council will consider. There is a possibility fracking can take place locally.  No Fracking currently takes place in Oldham Borough, but this weak policy means it might happen soon. “We have green countryside and a stable water table in…
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16Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat idea to reduce air pollution around schools

Borough news
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE asks for special restrictions to be placed on vehicles waiting outside of schools.  This is to reduce air pollution.  Restrictions apply at peak times in other parts of the UK to reduce air pollution in problem areas.  Councillor Sykes wants to trial this locally for Oldham Schools.  This could successfully reduce traffic and encourage more families to walk and cycle to school.  The Greater Manchester Clean Air plan is unclear when it comes to its school’s policy and the Liberal Democrats want Oldham to lead the way. In the current version of the Greater Manchester Clean Air plan, the only mention of schools is a couple of sentences saying Greater Manchester Combined Authority should find ways to help people use their cars less.  There is no…
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15Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Transport bosses challenged to boost tourism in Oldham Borough

Borough news
On tram stations across Oldham Borough there are very photogenic scenes of Didsbury park in south Manchester advertised to Metrolink passengers.  These are part of a recent tourism drive.  Councillor Howard Sykes MBE applauds the strategy to advertise different parts of the region and contacted Transport for Greater Manchester to see how they can build on this.  He wants Oldham Borough to get a fair share of the benefit.  This is so that local businesses and people can profit from additional foot fall.  “Right across Oldham Borough we have a rich industrial heritage.  Impressive architecture and areas of astounding and unique rural beauty are our daily gift.  I have asked that adverts supporting Oldham’s tourism and first class countyside might appear on Metrolink platforms across Greater Manchester.” “It is an…
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15Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Millions missing from electoral register could mean less cash for councils and other public services

Borough news, Campaigns
Research published by the University of East Anglia says there is no efficient tool to know if people are missing from the electoral register.  The report notes that up to eight million people could already ‘be missing’ from the register in the UK.   Councillor Howard Sykes MBE fears thousands of pounds will be lost by Oldham Council and other public services like health, police and fire.  Population and electoral register figures have a huge say on how much money public bodies can receive or access.  Liberal Democrat Councillor Howard Sykes MBE wants to know how many electors the Oldham Council thinks ‘are missing’ from the electoral register in the Borough. Councillor Sykes MBE says: “If we appear to have less population in the eyes of the Government, this will leave…
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30Sep 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats seek assurances about allegations of child sexual exploitation dating back to 2013

Borough news, CSE, domestic abuse and violence
Oldham Liberal Democrat councillors are aware of allegations currently circulating on social media with regards to historic child sexual exploitation and the suggestion of a subsequent cover up by senior Labour councillors and council officers dating back to 2013. Consequently, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats’ on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE has raised the matter the Chief Executive of Oldham Council Dr Carolyn Wilkins, on the 9 September 2019, to establish how the Council intends to deal with these allegations in order to restore public confidence.  Councillor Sykes said:  “Although no contact has been made by anyone making allegations, it is only right and proper that in view of the scale and momentum of these allegations that they properly investigated and refuted, confirming the outcome of the 2013 investigation.  …
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16Sep 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham Liberal Democrats declare a climate change emergency

Borough news
World leaders have acknowledged that there is a climate change emergency affecting every one of us.  Liberal Democrat Councillor Garth Harkness, who has brought the issue forward, wants to declare a Climate change Emergency at the 11 September Oldham Council Meeting.  “People across the UK and Councils across Greater Manchester have spoken out in favour of declaring a climate change emergency.  Now it’s time for Oldham Borough to do the same,” stated Councillor Harkness.    There is already an Environment Plan by the Greater Manchester authorities to become carbon neutral by 2038.  Liberal Democrats want the Council to expand on this and announce the Climate Change Emergency through media outlets and other partners to get wider support in cooperating against climate change.  Liberal Democrats want Oldham Council to be carbon Neutral by…
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16Sep 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Boroughwide ban on fast food and energy drinks advertising

Borough news
We all like a bag of chips from time to time, but we also like to live a longer, healthier life.  This is why Councillor Hazel Gloster and the Oldham Liberal Democrats want to ban Councils advertising fast food.   The Liberal Democrat policy concerns publicly owned poster sites, notices on any building owned by the Council and on Greater Manchester Tram/Bus Network property.  The wider scope of this idea which will be brought to Oldham Council meeting on the 11th of September will seek to tackle the national problem of poor health and death caused by fatty and sugary foods. This Liberal Democrat plan sets out to tackle Oldham Borough first. Councillor Hazel Gloster stated that:  “Eating large amounts of fast food and sugared drinks contributes massively to obesity, tooth decay,…
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16Sep 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Closing the loophole on exploitative sex in Oldham Borough

Borough news, CSE, domestic abuse and violence
A dangerous loophole has been found that is threatening young people’s safety. Liberal Democrat Councillor Diane Williamson wants to close the loophole on adults that can have sex with people just over the age of consent in the UK (currently 16).  This loophole concerns adults in a position of authority not defined in the law highlighted in an NSPCC campaign to change the law.  “Teachers are currently covered by the law preventing sex between them and 16/17-year olds, but faith workers, youth workers and sports coaches are currently exempted,” stated Councillor Williamson.  “These are people who could potentially exploit young people for sex and there have been many cases where they have.” The Liberal Democrats want Oldham Council and the Mayor of Greater Manchester to be ahead of the curve,…
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15Sep 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat heads shake at Greater Manchester Labour charging OAPs £10 to ride on public transport

Borough news
Liberal Democrat Councillor Howard Sykes MBE has criticised Labour bosses in Manchester for their hypocrisy.  Pensioners who currently enjoy free travel on public transport across Greater Manchester are being forced to pay an annual fee if they want to travel from A to B.  The new Charge will be £10, whereas before it was free.  This tax will be live possibly as early as January 2020. Councillor Sykes MBE commented:  “Pensioners currently enjoy free train, tram and bus travel weekdays, on weekends and public holidays.  This is a great way to enable older people access to the full network free of financial burden.” “This £10 charge is simply a Labour shakedown to stealth tax our elderly.  OAPs now have to pay for TV licences and struggle with heating bills in…
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