12Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Making a green difference – 95% drop in single-use plastic bags welcomed

Making a green difference – 95% drop in single-use plastic bags welcomed

Borough news, Campaigns, Parliamentary news
The Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has welcomed recent news that sales of single-plastic bags at major supermarkets in England has dropped 95% since the 5 pence charge was brought in. The Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has published date that shows that the main supermarket retailers sold 226 million bags in the 2019/20 financial year compared to an estimated 7.6 billion bags handed out for free in 2015. Commenting Councillor Sykes said: “The introduction of a 5p charge for disposable single-use plastic bags was a Liberal Democrat policy in the Coalition Government. We wanted to introduce this to tackle the culture of shoppers routinely asking for a free bag and then disposing…
Read More
25Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat Leader seeks Covid-19 safety guarantees amidst a No-Deal exit from the European Union

Borough news, Campaigns
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council has written to the local MP over his concerns over the likely impact of a No-Deal Brexit, when combined with the Covid pandemic, on public safety.  On Friday 12th June, the UK government decided not to seek an extension of the existing transition period before exiting the European Union.  The UK will leave the European Union entirely on 31 December 2020. Councillor Sykes worries for the most vulnerable in society if Britain leaves the European Union without a deal whilst still reeling from the impact of Covid-19.  Commenting he said:  “A No-Deal Brexit combined with Covid would represent a double whammy.  Progress made so far on securing a future trade deal between the UK…
Read More
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…
Read More
22Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat welcome for Chancellor’s cheap eats announcements

Borough news, Campaigns
The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE has welcomed the reduction in VAT on food purchased in pubs, cafes and restaurants from 20% to 5% for a six-month period starting last week. This was one of the Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcements on the 8 July. Councillor Sykes is especially pleased because the Oldham Liberal Democrat Group proposed just such a VAT reduction in a motion almost six years ago to Oldham Council. Councillor Sykes: “In September 2014, the Liberal Democrats brought a motion before Oldham Council calling for a VAT cut to 5% from 20%. This was in support of Tax Parity Day, an annual event hosted by pub chains, such as Wetherspoons, where food is reduced in price…
Read More
22Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Time to close the legal loophole, says Liberal Democrat Leader

Borough news, Campaigns
The Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE is “dismayed” at the findings of a recent BBC investigation (9 July) which identified 164 cases of sports coaches engaging in sexual activity with 16- or 17-year olds in their care since 2016. The Oldham Liberal Democrats proposed a motion to the September 2019 meeting of Oldham Council demanding the Government “close this loophole” in the Sexual Offences Act, making this a criminal offence, as it is with teachers.  Commenting on the investigation, Councillor Sykes said: “It is incredibly sad and disturbing that despite the announcement of then Sports Minister Tracey Crouch that a change in the law had been agreed, three years on this Government has still not amended the…
Read More
12Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

How do we stop modern slums in Greater Manchester?

Borough news, Campaigns
Oldham Liberal Democrat Councillors Sam Al-Hamdani and Hazel Gloster will pose this question when they propose a related motion at the next full meeting of Oldham Council (15 July). Councillors Al-Hamdani and Gloster are seeking a guarantee that any new homes that are built in the Borough have natural light and a minimum space standard. They also want this guarantee to extend to former non-residential premises converted into homes. Councillor Al-Hamdani, who is proposing the motion, said: “In Watford last year, despite the strong objections of the Liberal Democrat Mayor and Liberal Democrat Council, planning permission was granted for flats that had no windows and were smaller than 37 square metres, which is below the government guidelines. While there are guidelines, there is nothing in law saying this cannot happen…
Read More
07Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Davey: we need a devolution revolution to drive the green revolution

Campaigns, Parliamentary news
Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey has delivered a keynote speech to the Local Government Association outlining his plan for a devolution revolution to drive a green revolution. Ed Davey called for the government to make £45bn new funding available to local authorities over three years alongside a range of new powers so that local government can spearhead the green recovery from the coronavirus crisis. Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Even as coronavirus has caused unbearable heartbreak and hardship, it has been truly uplifting to see the great work councils right across the country are doing to support local people. “The sheer cost of failing to prepare for the predicted risk of the pandemic crisis should be a dramatic wake up call to prepare properly, now,…
Read More
05Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Councillors call for Shaw and Crompton to support treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

Borough news, Campaigns
Councillor Louie Hamblett has put forward a motion in his capacity as the peace champion for Shaw and Crompton Parish Council in conjunction with The Oldham Pledge to Peace Forum, for the Parish council to declare its support for the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), a historic international treaty which once ratified will result in the complete prohibition of developing, testing and using nuclear weapons. Councillor Hamblett said: “Only nine countries have nuclear weapons. Many countries could make nuclear weapons but have as of yet decided not to do so.” He continued, “As it is written in The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons booklet; ‘a hundred and ninety-one countries have joined the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which prohibits the acquisition of nuclear weapons. The United States,…
Read More
25Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat Leader calls for free wifi to be restored on trams

Borough news, Campaigns
The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has written to Metrolink bosses calling for Wi-fi to be made available on available on tram services. Councillor Sykes sits as an Oldham representative on the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.  Councillor Sykes also represents Shaw Ward, which is located on the busiest Metrolink tram service and has the most used stop – Shaw and Crompton – on the Rochdale – Oldham line.  He was responding to a report from one of his constituents, himself a regular tram user, that the Wi-fi service has not been available on trams on the line since the onset of the Coronavirus Lockdown. Commenting, Councillor Sykes said: “I do not know why the Wi-fi service was…
Read More
24Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Continue Free Television Licences for Over 75s

Campaigns
Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council has appealed to the Government. This is in a letter to the Secretary of State of The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The intention is to provide enough funding to continue free television (TV) licences. This is for the over-75s beyond the current 1st August 2020 cut-off date. The call comes as Covid-19 prevents many elderly people who are shielding from going out as normal. For many who live alone, the television may be their sole companion. Not just a source of entertainment, the television allows people to stay informed on current Government advice in an ever-changing situation. Councillor Sykes comments: “Tragically, Covid-19 has taken far too many of our citizens, particularly our older…
Read More