10Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Labour axe health centres but carry on spending another £68M on Spindles

Labour axe health centres but carry on spending another £68M on Spindles

Borough news
Labour in Oldham voted against the construction of three health centres in Shaw & Crompton, Chadderton and Saddleworth, while voting to carry on spending more than £68 million on the renovation of Spindles shopping centre in the next five years. Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “During the council meeting, there was a very emotive speech by one of the Labour councillors about being unable to put money towards health centres while there was hunger in the borough. I don’t understand why that doesn’t apply when it comes to spending on shopping centres.” The £68.3 million spending is in addition to the original purchase price for the centre, which was more than £10 million. Councillor Al-Hamdani continued: “Regeneration of the town centre is vital. We need to have ambitious plans…
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23Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

When will new computer system finally be an asset to GM policing?

Borough news, Campaigns
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Leader of the Opposition on Oldham Council, has written once more to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham with his concerns about the continued shortcomings of the new iOPS (Integrated Operating Policing System).  Councillor Sykes originally wrote to Mayor Burnham on this issue in October 2019 after a number of police officers contacted him about the failings of the new system, and he also met recently with the Mayor and raised the issue with him in person. iOPS replaced three existing computer systems in July 2019 after a 16-month delay and at an unknown cost, stated at various times to be between £27 and £60 million. The system has been plagued with technical faults and has so far failed to…
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20Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must be held accountable for coronavirus failings

Parliamentary news
Responding to Michael Gove's appearances on Sophy Ridge and Andrew Marr, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Michael Gove's media round further reveals a government in crisis. It is becoming clearer day by day that this Government is failing to respond effectively to the spread of coronavirus. “The fact that the damning report in the Sunday Times is only ‘slightly off beam’, will further alarm many. The Government must be held accountable for their initial failure to take this virus seriously, especially when it's clear the issues the country is now facing, such as the dire lack of PPE, was raised by many, including ourselves, months ago. “Today, the Liberal Democrats have put forward a support package that would help ensure our frontline workers get the protective equipment they need and…
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