Category: Saddleworth News

The Oldham Liberal Democrat Group supports Oldham Council’s proposal to consult on the establishment of a Public Space Protection Order on Saddleworth Moor to help combat moorland fires.  Commenting, Saddleworth North Liberal Democrat Councillor Garth Harkness said: “Like many residents of this borough, I have been distressed to witness the devastating fires on Saddleworth and Crompton Moors over Easter and before that.  I know these concerns are shared by my Liberal Democrat colleagues in Saddleworth West and Lees, Shaw and Crompton.” “These fires are now a regular occurrence when the weather gets hot and the ground is dry.  Some are doubtless ignited by natural causes, but, in all too many cases, they are the malicious work of arsonists or caused by irresponsibility on the part of day-trippers using portable disposable…

PLiberal Democrat Councillor Garth Harkness has written to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Amber Rudd MP, asking for carers or companions who accompany claimants with disabilities to medicals to be reimbursed their travel expenses and for travel expenses to be reimbursed in cash on the day. Councillor Harkness said: “The Department of Work and Pensions encourages claimants who apply for Employment Support Allowance and Personal Independence Payments to take along with them a carer or companion if they need assistance or support to attend their medical assessments.” “Most assessments are carried out at Albert Bridge House in central Manchester requiring travel for most claimants by public transport, yet only the claimant is currently entitled to the reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses. This seems manifestly unfair; it disadvantages…

Saddleworth North Liberal Democrat Councillor Garth Harkness has proposed a motion to Oldham Council (Wednesday 20 March) asking for further measures to be adopted to tackle speeding across the borough, including in his own ward. Councillor Harkness first asked for action in a letter sent last September to the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Arooj Shah. Unfortunately six months on, nothing seems to have changed. Councillor Harkness said: “Speeding is one of those issues that every ward councillor receives complaints about on a regular basis, yet action on this issue by this Labour Administration seems so slow. In contrast, the Liberal Democrats seek action on road safety issues.” “We have previously proposed 30mph zones on residential streets but, after a long look by the Overview and Scrutiny Board, nothing…

For many years we have had students at Saddleworth school who were promised a new school and yet are now well on into adulthood. Other school proposals have come and been built yet in Saddleworth we have a generation who have missed out. For too long the wishes of the school and the children have been ignored. We praise the work done by Saddleworth parents and children amongst many others who want the school built. The Liberal Democrats have always unanimously supported a new school wherever the Education Funding Agency saw was appropriate. We wanted a new school and have been open about this. We along with others have been abused at times for our position on the school. Having different views is fine but threats and abuse over someone’s…