News – Page 135 – Saddleworth Liberal Democrats

31Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Scrapping foreign aid shows Government abandoning world stage

Responding to reports that the Chancellor is set to scrap Foreign Aid, Liberal Democrat International Development spokesperson Wendy Chamberlain said: “For too many vulnerable people in need around the world, UK foreign aid has made the difference between life and death. “Despite previous assurances, the mask has now slipped and we can see the callous Tories for who they really are. “By scrapping foreign aid, the Government is abandoning the world stage and turning a blind eye to the crippling poverty children face around the world.“Now more than ever we need oversight and scrutiny by retaining the ICAI, the International Development Committee and a Development Minister in Cabinet."

30Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham fails to protect ‘protected’ land

Borough news

Once again, the Labour administration at Oldham Council has shown no regard for land designated as other protected open land (OPOL). At the Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday 27 August 2020, the application for outline planning permission with all matters reserved except for the principal means of access from Cocker Mill Lane for a residential development following demolition of existing buildings was considered. “Despite the pros and cons to this development, the Liberal Democrats are not opposed to housing being built on the former abattoir site; we are opposed to the weight of OPOL (other protected open land) not being given the full merit of what the area deserves” said Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillor Diane Williamson. “The Council has hidden behind the fact that the policy is out of date. But rather…

30Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat Leadership Team, Group Officers and Shadow Cabinet announced for 2020/21 – Covid 19 up date

Borough news

Considering the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic the Liberal Democrats on Oldham Council have had a minor reshuffle. Group Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE takes on the Covid 19 portfolio and Councillor Diane Williamson takes over the HR and Corporate Reform portfolio. This reflects what has been happening in practice for some time and is effective from 1 September 2020 (00:01).

30Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Missed test and trace targets show need for inquiry

Parliamentary news

Responding to figures revealing the Government's test and trace system has missed its 80% target for a ninth consecutive week, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “With students going back to school and autumn arriving, the priority must be keeping people safe as lockdown is eased. "Despite it being months since we went into lockdown, 1 in 4 close contacts are consistently not being contacted. The Government must take a serious look at its efforts to deliver the comprehensive strategy to test, trace and isolate every case of coronavirus that is needed to keep people safe. "Given the multitude of mistakes made by this Government throughout the pandemic, an inquiry must be launched now so that all levels of Government can learn lessons to prevent further spread of the…

30Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Kept in the dark on Saddleworth School

Borough news

Saddleworth Councillors Garth Harkness and Sam Al-Hamdani have expressed concerns about being kept in the dark about Saddleworth School. This follows a rumour that had circulated that the land sale at Uppermill would not now go ahead. Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “We need to know what is going to happen to the Uppermill site that currently occupies Saddleworth School and the rumours appear to contradict what we have been told. If so, we have either been misled or something substantial has changed and we need to know why?” Councillor Garth Harkness said: “We were told that the land sale in Uppermill was required to help fund a new school and highways work in Diggle. We have asked to be kept informed and involved throughout and are disappointed to…

30Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

‘The times they are a changing’: Liberal Democrat Leader calls for halt to Labour’s Green Belt homes plan

Borough news, Parliamentary news

“New Conservative planning proposals will now make Labour’s old plans to build thousands of homes on Oldham’s Green Belt redundant”, says Liberal Democrat Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE. “It is time to stop and take stock.” Earlier this month, the Conservative Government published a consultation document on their proposals to bring in new legislation, called ‘Planning for the Future’, that will radically alter how new homes and businesses are developed in the future. Each local authority will be required to develop its own new Local Plan within thirty months of the legislation being passed, based on new ‘zones’. Councillor Sykes commented: “This legislation will ultimately be passed, and it will make Labour’s current plans redundant and unfit for purpose immediately they are adopted”. He has written to the Leader of the Council,…

27Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Ed Davey elected Lib Dem Leader

Parliamentary news

Ed Davey has today been elected as the new leader of the Liberal Democrats. Ed Davey, the MP for Kingston and Surbiton, won the leadership election this morning, receiving 42,756 votes. In his acceptance speech he announced his plans to begin rebuilding the party to national relevance and launched a national listening project, stating that for the Party "it is time to start listening". Speaking at the declaration today, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: "I’m determined our Party backs a Britain that works with other countries across the world for peace and prosperity. But it is my love of our party that makes me recognise that we have to change. "We have to wake up and smell the coffee. Nationally, our party has lost touch with too…

26Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Boris Johnson put saving his advisor above the national interest

Parliamentary news

New survey data from the Office for National Statistics shows that the Dominic Cummings scandal eroded people’s belief that the UK would emerge more united from the coronavirus crisis. The proportion of people believing that Britain would emerge from the pandemic “very or somewhat united” fell from 49% the week before the Cummings scandal broke, to 43% the week after, and has fallen further since to 28%. Meanwhile, the proportion saying we will be “very or somewhat divided” jumped from 31% to 38% when the scandal broke, and now stands at 55%. Responding to the figures, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Despite the enormous toll that the coronavirus crisis is taking, the British people have shown a powerful desire to pull together as a country. We…

26Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Williamson allowing someone else to take the blame for exam fiasco

Parliamentary news

Responding to the news that Ofqual head Sally Collier has resigned, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “It is incredibly disappointing that Gavin Williamson has refused to take responsibility for the combination of initial school return failure and the more recent exam fiasco and has instead allowed to let someone else take the blame. “He has lost the trust of students, parents and teachers who he failed to consult, leaving universities and colleges in chaos. “Meanwhile the Prime Minister is still yet to apologise for the stress and harm his government caused to students, parents and teachers. "Gavin Williamson is simply not the person the deliver a safe return to schools and must resign.”

24Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Two storey permitted development a nightmare for neighbours

Borough news, Parliamentary news

Housing Minister Robert Jenrick has announced that, from 31 August, householders will be able to build a two-storey extension to their property with the normal planning rules ceasing to apply, and the Oldham Liberal Democrats are far from happy about the change. Under the new permitted development rules, Liberal Democrat Councillors are concerned that there will be few checks and balances on what goes up, and that poorly planned and executed developments, which ride roughshod over local objections, could be an eyesore and cause neighbourhood tensions. Commenting the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, said: “There has always been an opportunity for homeowners to extend their property, but only if planning considerations are met and neighbours are consulted. Now with this change, these planning safeguards will be…