Campaigns – Page 4 – Saddleworth Liberal Democrats

18Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats vow to protect green, open spaces

Saddleworth Liberal Democrats are campaigning for local footpaths and green spaces to be kept open and accessible to all. The recent lockdown measures have again shown how vital it is for everyone to have local green spaces, and the benefits these places have on mental and physical health. Whether a local park, playing field, the open countryside, or just a little corner of greenery, access and enjoyment is important to all, especially those in poorer households and areas, who usually have less green space nearby – some of the people we must protect the most. Liberal Democrat Councillor Garth Harkness said: “I am very pleased that my campaigning with local people to restore the bridges around Diggle, Dobcross and Uppermill has worked, and we will soon be able to return to…

16Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

From rail to refuge, let’s keep victims safe!

Borough news, Campaigns

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Leader of the Opposition on Oldham Council, is trying to rally Greater Manchester bosses around a new way to help victims of domestic abuse. The ‘Rail to Refuge’ scheme, is an essential but little-known lifeline. It provides a lifeline to those fleeing domestic violence. Rail to Refuge supports victims of domestic abuse by advising them to seek safety in a refuge well away from their abuser. There have been worries that the scheme is not well publicised and that this is a temporary fix. Rail to Refuge helps by purchasing a rail ticket for the victim to flee a situation of abuse. Unfortunately, the Scheme has been time limited to the Covid-19 lockdown period. Councillor Sykes is calling for…

10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats tax relief for public transport

Borough news, Campaigns

In October 2013, then journalist and now Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for employees to be “allowed to pay for their [public transport] season tickets from their pre-tax income”. Oldham Liberal Democrat Councillors Garth Harkness and Louie Hamblett are now calling the Prime Minister’s bluff, with a new motion to the first Oldham Council meeting since the start of the Coronavirus Pandemic. The idea behind the policy is to make a saving for passengers while actively encouraging people to reinvest in public transport. The scheme would be on seasonal travel tickets throughout the public transport network in Greater Manchester. Passengers would save hundreds of pounds a year. Councillor Harkness commented: “It will be interesting to see if the Prime Minister makes good on this. After all, it is his idea! …

02Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Opening up Saddleworth’s blocked and obstructed footpaths

Borough news, Campaigns

During the Coronavirus lockdown, thousands of Saddleworth residents have been walking regularly from home for an hour for exercise. Unfortunately, walkers have found many local footpaths blocked, obstructed or are in a poor condition. Liberal Democrat spokesperson Mick Scholes said: “As more council resources become available after the hard work done fighting the effects of Coronavirus, we are asking Oldham Council to prioritise complaints of paths and stiles being blocked or obstructed by landowners as this is restricting residents’ access to the countryside.” Among the problems are: an unsafe bridge across Chew Brook, with a hole large enough for walkers to fall through and break a leg;notices erected by some landowners saying “No public right of way” when there is a right of way, and many Public Footpath signposts have disappeared;fallen trees blocking part…

01Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham Borough, hit hard by Covid-19, will now gets less cash

Borough news, Campaigns

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Opposition leader on Oldham Council, is appalled at a shocking new study, which shows the areas worst hit by Covid-19 will now receive some of the largest cuts in Government support. Oldham Borough is in the top ten Councils worst hit by the virus. More than £100 million of public money has been diverted away from councils in the bottom half of the English deprivation index. Oldham Borough is unfortunately one of those council areas. Conservative run areas are not receiving funding cuts in the same way. Many believe this is a sly political move by Boris Johnson and the Conservatives. Oldham Borough will now not receive £1.1 million diverted monies. Councillor Sykes said: “The cash was supposed to…

01Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham Liberal Democrats send strong message on education to the Government

Borough news, Campaigns

The Oldham Liberal Democrats and Councillor Howard Sykes (Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Opposition Leader on Oldham Council) have all signed a letter of support to aid vulnerable children and protect local education. The National Education Union (NEU) Councillors Network wrote the letter to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson for local councillors to sign up to. Schools have been underfunded and struggling and the Covid-19 world has increased that mounting pressure. The signed letter has several key demands: Assurance that families will be eligible for free school meals (FSM) will be given food vouchers during summer holidays.Government to work with local authorities to protect vulnerable children.Supporting calls from the teaching profession that schools be reopened when it is safe to do so, for both staff and students.Local authorities be given…

01Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

An opportunity for green transport

Borough news, Campaigns

Councillor Howard Sykes, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, has suggested a five point response to deal with the way that Covid-19 has impacted on our local travel. Councillor Sykes said: “This could kickstart our local transport needs in a green direction. The Council could be been given up to £500,000 by the Mayor of Manchester to make streets safer. The five points are a solid guide on how to spend that money.” He suggested: A commitment to provide additional financial support to our local public transport network. Power for Highways Authorities to introduce dedicated cycle lanes.Councils should be able to solve problem areas by changing the limit where appropriate.Protection for Local Authorities using the enhanced Traffic Reduction Orders against legal challenge.Get the…

19May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems launch calls for more mental health support for health and care staff in Oldham

Borough news, Campaigns

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to ramp up mental health support for health and care staff in Oldham to ensure “world-class” support for those tackling the virus head on. Highlighting the “deep scar” coronavirus will leave on health and care staff in Oldham, the local Liberal Democrats have put forward a package of mental health measures, including: 24/7 access to mental health support for health and social care workers, through a dedicated helplineGuarantees that health and care staff will no longer be penalised for time off due to mental or physical ill health, including when transitioning between rolesIntroduce an ‘occupational health passport’ so workers do not have to relive mental health traumas when they change jobs.Additional training to ensure there are mental health first-aiders in every health and care workforceSteps to standardise…

27Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

The Liberal Democrat plan to support frontline healthcare staff and their families

Borough news, Campaigns

Councillor Howards Sykes MBE, Liberal Democrat and Opposition Leader on Oldham Council, reveals a new plan for frontline works in the National Health Service (NHS). This is a Liberal Democrat idea that will give frontline staff an extra £29 a day. Better PPE equipment and increased support for their families would also be provided. The NHS is a vital part of British life, and our NHS is needed now more than ever before. NHS frontline workers should have the same privileges as those serving on the frontline in war. This is their war in the fight against Covid-19. It is a sad truth that some NHS staff and care staff are being put at unnecessary risk because the personal protective equipment (PPE) they need is not readily available. This Liberal…

24Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Saddleworth plan ignored with bus cuts

Borough news, Campaigns

Despite strong and repeated representations from Saddleworth Liberal Democrats, Transport for Greater Manchester have gone ahead with bus cuts to subsidised bus services in Saddleworth. The 353, 354 & 355 have been scrapped and partially replaced by 356 Saddleworth Rambler which no longer serves Greenfield Station. Instead it is rerouted from Uppermill along Bridge Street, Carr Lane, Queensway, Wellington Road, Chew Valley Road, Shaw Hall Bank Road, Church Road and High Grove Road to Mossley Road and then to Top Mossley and Ashton Liberal Democrat Councillor for Saddleworth North Garth Harkness said: “Important areas will now have no service, and the new links are poor. I raised concerns about this but I was given reassurances that it would not be as bad as we thought. Instead it is worse as…

Category: Campaigns