15Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Council urged to use powers to punish fly-tippers as Government scraps ‘Tip Tax’

Council urged to use powers to punish fly-tippers as Government scraps ‘Tip Tax’

Borough news
News that the Government plans to scrap charges for the disposal of DIY materials has been welcome by Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader and Shaw councillor, Howard Sykes MBE. “Placing the financial burden of waste disposal onto residents who are trying to do the right thing was wrong and it’s right that the charges should be axed. The ‘Tip Tax’ has created more problems than it has solved as residents have been turning to private collectors. In many cases fly-tipping has increased because of these unregulated operators,” stated councillor Sykes. “This will be welcomed as even more people than usual are doing DIY due to the cost-of-living crises. But fly-tipping will continue to be an issue in our communities unless the Labour council gets tougher with offenders,” councillor Sykes explained. Under…
Read More
07Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Councillors deeply disappointed that the Dunwood Park Café, Shaw has closed three months earlier than planned

Borough news
Shaw and Crompton councillors have been informed of the early closure (31 March) of the café in Dunwood Park for operational/staff reasons. Pure Innovations who operated the café have been forced to close it now due to staff departures since they announced they would be closing in July. They continue to pay rent until the end of their notice period in July. “This does mean that Oldham Council has not yet had time to make alternative provision. However, interest has been great, and people can, if they want to find out more and fancy running the café please click on this link: https://www.unitypartnership.com/property/ ,” stated Shaw councillor Howard Sykes on behalf of all his colleagues. “This is a great loss to the local community, and we will be doing all…
Read More
03Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Plans for a new Shaw and Crompton Health Centre dropped at last minute

Borough news, health and social care
Shaw and Crompton communities have had a bomb shell delivered that the plug has just been pulled on their new Health Centre at the last minute. Shaw and Crompton councillors have been informed that a new health centre for Shaw and Crompton is now not affordable, and so Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have axed the scheme. “Shaw and Crompton councillors have worked incredibly hard to reach the position where this was ready to go, with the site ready to go, capital funding allocated, a developer commissioned, and plans developed. This is a massive kick in the teeth and a great disappointment to our local community and those who use and work in the current Health Centre,” stated Shaw councillor and Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Howard Sykes. Shadow Cabinet Member…
Read More
21Mar 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Credit where credit’s due: Lib Dem proposals for recycled roads are making their way forward

Credit where credit’s due: Lib Dem proposals for recycled roads are making their way forward

Borough news, road safety
Shaw and Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillors, Dave Murphy and Hazel Gloster sat astonished as Cllr Amanda Chadderton, Deputy Leader of the Council, waxed lyrical about a trial using tyres when answering a Liberal Democrat question, without ever acknowledging that this had been repeatedly proposed by the Liberal Democrats, and refused each time by the Labour administration. Cllr Murphy said: ”This is unbelievable. Yet again we suggest something to the administration either in our budget amendments or a notice of motion and the administration say it can't be done – yet they are now trialling the use of tyres in road surfaces, which is something the Liberal Democrats have spoken about.“ Recycled car tyres could soon be used to resurface roads across the country after a pioneering trial found that it…
Read More
09Mar 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Action needed on speed cameras to save lives say Liberal Democrats

Action needed on speed cameras to save lives say Liberal Democrats

Borough news, road safety
Oldham Liberal Democrats are calling for rules on speed cameras to be changed to save lives. Current rules require at least three separate collisions involving deaths or serious injuries to have occurred before they are even considered. “These rules are out of date and a straight jacket that prevents the installation of speed cameras in many areas and as a result accidents are not prevented and lives can be lost,” stated Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillor Dave Murphy. “These regulations do not include non-injury incidents which it is estimated there are a 100 of for every injury or fatality meaning there could be 300 accidents before any action is considered. We think this is just not good enough.” “Road fatality rates are on the increase,” said Councillor Murphy. “This is why…
Read More
09Mar 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Urgent need to tackle fly tipping driven by Oldham Liberal Democrats

Urgent need to tackle fly tipping driven by Oldham Liberal Democrats

Borough news, environment
The dramatic increase in fly tipping in specific hotspots across the Borough has resulted in a call for action by the Liberal Democrats on the Council, with a motion to the March meeting calling on the Council to show whether current measures are actually effective. Shaw Councillor Hazel Gloster said: “This has got beyond a nuisance; there are criminal gangs who are taking advantage, in particular of the ‘grey market’ around house clearance, and it is local residents who are suffering. “People from every part of the town suffer, and as these gangs look for isolated spots in which to tip the waste, it is often the most picturesque parts of the town that suffer. “While the Council teams are very good at clearing fly-tipping once it is happened, we…
Read More
18Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Houses off Denbigh Drive, Shaw approved despite pleas from local councillors and residents

Borough news, housing and development
Despite the best efforts of Crompton Ward Councillor Dave Murphy, speaking at February's Planning Committee the application for 42 houses was approved by Oldham’s Labour-dominated planning committee, after two Conservative members left the meeting because they had failed to put enough money in the parking meter. Despite one of the directly-affected, local residents speaking passionately to the Committee, telling them about the impact this development will have on him and his neighbours, the majority of the Committee agreed decision to approve. “The main aim of the Other Protected Open Land (OPOL) policy is that the designation is to protect it from development – but Oldham’s is out of date – which means that this type of land designation becomes a free-for-all to developers. Haven Lane was passed last year and…
Read More
07Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Former Shaw & Crompton Town Crier, Andrew Powell, has passed away

Borough news
“My colleagues and I are devastated to hear the news that Andrew Powell, Shaw & Crompton's Town Crier for 30 years, until his retirement from the voluntary role in 2018 has passed away suddenly,” stated Shaw Liberal Democrat councillor Howard Sykes MBE. “Andrew was very supportive to the community and the Parish Council and attended many events in Shaw and Crompton throughout the years and was loved by all. Young children were fascinated by him, often mistaking him for a pirate,” he added. As late as last week he was still to be seen walking around Shaw town centre with his wife and soulmate Win. “Andrew summed up everything that is good about Shaw and Crompton, he loved the place, loved the people and was selfless with his voluntary work…
Read More
07Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Liberal Democrats say residents will be safer, greener, and cleaner in their budget proposals

Liberal Democrats say residents will be safer, greener, and cleaner in their budget proposals

Borough news, environment, housing and development, road safety
Safer, greener, and cleaner, these are the watch words when the Liberal Democrats present their budget amendment proposals to the Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 8th February (6pm). Shaw Councillor Chris Gloster, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance and Green, is looking forward to presenting the budget amendment to the committee and believes that the Liberal Democrats have come up with sensible adjustments to the budget that will have no impact on council finances but deliver maximum impact to residents whose valuable input as to what residents want to see is at the heart of the proposals. “The Oldham Liberal Democrats want to make further efficiencies in civic centre bureaucracy to squeeze out more money for our priorities, and those of the public – more cash to spend on…
Read More
04Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Shaw and Crompton come together for “One Day” for Holocaust Memorial Day

Shaw and Crompton come together for “One Day” for Holocaust Memorial Day

Borough news
– Shaw and Crompton Councillors attended the annual Holocaust Memorial Day service. This year's Holocaust Memorial Day service, held at Crompton War Memorial, was about “One Day”* and passages were read by Sade, (Farrowdale House Preparatory School pupil), Aizah (Crompton Primary School pupil) as well Crompton Councillor Dave Murphy. “It was an absolute pleasure and delight to see so many young children taking part in the service,” said Councillor Diane Williamson. “We had three different schools in attendance, which also included Royton and Crompton EACT-Academy; this has been our vision from the very start – that school children attend and take back the understanding of the Holocaust and never forget.” After the service, stones were laid on Crompton War Memorial. The act of placing visitation stones is significant in Jewish…
Read More