The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has expressed his disappointment that the Alexandra Rose Charity (www.alexandrarose.org.uk) has chosen not to partner at this time with Oldham Council on developing a new pilot project to promote healthy eating to low-income mothers in the Borough.

Commenting Councillor Sykes said: “I commend the efforts of Council officers in putting together an excellent bid at short notice, and I thank the Alexandra Rose Charity for considering our bid and for their feedback, most of which was very complimentary.”

The Alexandra Rose charity has run three successful projects in London, where low-income women in recipient of Healthy Start vouchers, which are redeemed for fruit, vegetables and milk, receive additional vouchers from Alexandra Rose.  The charity had invited local authorities in Northern England to apply to partner with them in establishing pilot projects in their municipalities.

Councillor Sykes added: “The Alexandra Rose charity hopes to secure further funding to enable it to invite a second round of bids. I am sure that we will put together an even-better bid second-time around and, as we are clearly a Borough with a demonstrable need for such a project, I remain optimistic that Oldham will eventually partner with the charity.”

The Leader of the Opposition is though still concerned that the take-up of the existing Healthy Start scheme is still low and rather than see the Council sitting on its laurels want it to promote Healthy Start more widely.

He said: “When I wrote to Cabinet Members asking them to apply to join Alex Rose, I also asked them to look at the recommendations published in the ‘Beyond the Food Bank’ report which identified ways in which London Councils could promote the take up of Healthy Start.  Although many low-income families can claim it, only seventy five percent of those eligible do so.

“Healthy Start provides low-income mothers with vouchers to spend on good things that will help them maintain their health.  I would like to see Oldham Council take these recommendations forward locally, and I have written again to the Labour administration asking them to do so.  Like Community Shop, this represents another practical suggestion from the Liberal Democrats to help women in our Borough struggling to make ends meet and faced with food poverty.”