25Jun 2018 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats vow to fight to save Oldham’s Greenbelt from house building threat

Borough news
The Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council is gearing up for the next round in its fight to save Oldham’s Greenbelt from housing. In just a few weeks’ time, Labour’s Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham will be publishing his latest proposals for the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (the GMSF) which will identify where he wants housebuilding to take place across Greater Manchester over the next twenty years. Last year, public opposition, backed by support from Liberal Democrat Councillors across Greater Manchester, forced the new Mayor to withdraw the original proposals to build homes on greenbelt across the county, including many thousands in Shaw, Crompton, Saddleworth, Chadderton and Royton. The new proposals will be the subject of further public consultation. Commenting Shaw Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Opposition and…
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23Jun 2018 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats vow to fight to save Oldham’s Greenbelt from house building threat

Borough news
The Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council is gearing up for the next round in its fight to save Oldham’s Greenbelt from housing. In just a few weeks’ time, Labour’s Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham will be publishing his latest proposals for the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (the GMSF) which will identify where he wants housebuilding to take place across Greater Manchester over the next twenty years. Last year, public opposition, backed by support from Liberal Democrat Councillors across Greater Manchester, forced the new Mayor to withdraw the original proposals to build homes on greenbelt across the county, including many thousands in Shaw, Crompton, Saddleworth, Chadderton and Royton. The new proposals will be the subject of further public consultation. Commenting Shaw Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Opposition and…
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22Jun 2018 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Councillor Sykes urges Transport Minister to take action over Northern Rail’s lamentable performance

Borough news
The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has roundly condemned Northern Rail for its recent ‘lamentable performance’ following changes to the timetable and has called upon Transport Minister Chris Grayling to ‘get a grip on the situation’ and impose financial penalties on the company for its failure to operate a satisfactory train service. Councillor Sykes, who represents Oldham Council on the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “Northern Rail’s performance is simply unacceptable. They had plenty of time to prepare for these timetable changes and for the re-training of staff, but they clearly did not care enough about the long-suffering rail passenger to do so.  For Northern, maximising profits rather than customer service is clearly their priority.” He added:…
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22Jun 2018 by Sam Al-Hamdani

‘Unfair Fares Increase’ faced by Shaw and Crompton tram passengers under Greater Manchester Mayor’s Zone proposals

Borough news
The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has written directly to the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham opposing proposed fare increases for passengers taking the tram from Shaw and Crompton into Manchester. Under the Mayor’s recent proposals to introduce zonal fares across Greater Manchester, commuters travelling into Manchester from Shaw and Crompton, and vice versa, will be hit with a 4.5% to 6% fare increase. Councillor Sykes, who represents Oldham on the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, supports the introduction of zonal fares, contactless payment and daily fare capping, as these are all proposals that Liberal Democrat Councillors in Greater Manchester have been seeking for several years, but he has real concerns about the impact of the new zonal fares for…
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14Jun 2018 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Saddleworth Councillors back moves to tackle moorland fires

Borough news, Saddleworth News
Saddleworth North Liberal Democrat Councillor Garth Harkness has welcomed recent discussions between local agencies to tackle the moorland fires that have occurred in Saddleworth in recent weeks.   Councillor Harkness said: “In recent months we have witnessed several distressing instances of fire-starting by malicious individuals intent upon destroying our beautiful countryside or irresponsible individuals recklessly using barbeques at the Dovestone Country Park. This is an issue that affects all of us as we all lose out when the landscape that we all enjoy so much is damaged, sometimes irreparably.”   “I am glad to see that the Greater Manchester Police is taking a firm line in apprehending and prosecuting, to the full extent of the law, offenders, some of whom are juveniles, and I welcome the recent initiative that a…
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12Jun 2018 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Make GP clusters an opportunity for Saddleworth say Liberal Democrats

Borough news, Campaigns
Saddleworth Liberal Democrats have called on Oldham council and the NHS Oldham Clinical Commissioning group to work together to enhance Primary care health services in Saddleworth Liberal Democrat Councillor for Saddleworth North, Garth Harkness, said: “The NHS Oldham Clinical Commissioning group in Oldham are splitting the GP surgeries into clusters. Saddleworth would be in cluster 4 which would see it linked in with some practices in East Oldham.” John Eccles, Liberal Democrat campaigner, said: “The Cluster that Saddleworth sits in has nearly 55,000 patients. Saddleworth Medical Practice has the most patients. The staff are great  but it is bursting at the seams. The Clinical Commissioning groups should look at Saddleworth as the place to host more specialist services and provide a new larger health centre.” Councillor Garth Harkness added: “We…
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30May 2018 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet and team announced for 2018/19

Borough news
The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has today announced the appointment of his Shadow Cabinet Team and membership of outside bodies and committees for 2018/19. Councillor Howard Sykes said:  “I am looking forward to once more leading the opposition team on Oldham Council. The Council will have a new Labour Leader and a reshuffled administration.” “Voters can rest assured that the Oldham Liberal Democrats will remain constant in opposing waste and inefficiency and in always speaking up for fair treatment for our citizens and for value-for-money and common sense,” he added.  “As ever, the Liberal Democrats remain the only party holding Labour to account on Oldham Council, and we shall continue to take that responsibility seriously." Shadow Cabinet…
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30May 2018 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Out on a limb – Metrolink zone proposal will cost Oldham, Shaw and Crompton residents more!

Borough news, Campaigns
The Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has urged caution re the recent announcement by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham that he intends to introduce a zonal charging policy on the Metrolink tram system from next year. The Greater Manchester tram network will be split into four zones, with passengers charged one fare for travel within a single zone and a different fare for travelling across one or more zones. Shaw and Crompton is in Zone 4, whilst all of the remaining stations in the Borough will be in Zone 3. Derker is on the boundary. “This is just barmy,” stated Councillor Sykes. “Common sense says that Shaw and Crompton should be in the same zone…
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10May 2018 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham Council Liberal Democrat opposition leadership team announced for 2018/19

Borough news
At a Group meeting held on 9 May, the Oldham Borough Liberal Democrat Group appointed, unanimously and un-opposed, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE as their Leader and Councillor Chris Gloster as their Deputy Leader.  The Group also elected its other officers for the year. Councillor Howard Sykes said:  “I am grateful to my colleagues for their unanimous support once more for my work as Group Leader.  Sadly the former Deputy Leader John McCann lost his seat in last week’s local elections and I shall miss his expertise and enthusiasm, but I am looking forward to working with our new Deputy Leader, Chris Gloster.” “I am also pleased to welcome my new ward colleague, Councillor Hazel Gloster, to the group, and to welcome back Councillor Dave Murphy.  They both have proven records…
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28Apr 2018 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats back real help for the homeless

Borough news, Campaigns, Parliamentary news
The Oldham Liberal Democrats are backing real help for the homeless and those applicants who remain stuck on housing waiting lists. Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Oldham Liberal Democrat Group and Leader of the Opposition on Oldham Council, has recently discussed the matter at the party’s spring conference in Southport where housing policy was debated. Commenting, he said:  “I am pleased to report that Liberal Democrat councillors successfully tabled a motion that was accepted by conference as party policy allowing Councils to be able to scrap the ‘right to buy’ and the housing borrowing cap.” Councillor Sykes added: “Scrapping the automatic ‘right to buy’ will mean that no more council and housing association properties will be sold.  Scrapping the housing borrowing cap will mean that Councils can borrow…
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