NO METROLINK SERVICE ANYWHERE – Sunday 20 October and Sunday 3 November.
Due to Tram System Hardware Testing no trams will operate on any line until 9:00am on both Sundays with services back to normal on most lines by approximately 10:30am.
A Metrolink replacement bus service will not be in operation as the scope of the work incorporates the entire network.
Secretive Oldham council needs a culture change says Lib Dem councillor
A Lib Dem Councillor has hit out at Oldham council for being secretive and needing a change in culture Councillor Garth Harkness has revealed the changes on Oldham Council since being re-elected in 2023 are for the worse.
Councillor Garth Harkness said “I have significant concerns that residents do not get responses to enquiries from council departments. Elected members are told to follow the same channels and get the same lack of response. Members are now having to put in freedom of information requests, which is a shameful indictment on this council’s transparency and accountability”
Councillor Garth Harkness also adds that the situation has got worse recently
“We were told when the new Labour and Shaw and Crompton Independents coalition took over the council we would have more collaborative working. We have seen less. Opposition councillors are banned from certain parts of the building and often don’t get access to information or answers. We find out the Chief Executive is going to Tameside through the press. This is just an example of arrogance of the leadership to exclude elected members”.
Councillor Garth Harkness called for a review on council communications at Oldham council on 11th September 2024 and suggested some remedies for the way of working which included each department having a dedicated member’s email enquiry inbox) and it should be monitored by a senior officer who triages work to the appropriate member of staff. There should be a guaranteed response time for initial findings and timeframes on future actions.
Despite chasing he is yet to receive a response.
Councillor Garth Harkness added “It is ironic that the point about not getting responses has not had a response. There has been swarms of senior officers leave Oldham Council. There is a toxic nature to full council meetings. All have a responsibility to act with respect. What we see as opposition councillors is a lack of transparency and culture in an organisation is down to leadership. Rather than troubleshooting other boroughs we need to address the issues in Oldham”.
Helping fellow residents this winter
If you know someone who is struggling, then let them know help is available this winter.
A winter campaign is underway to help residents maximise their income through the coming months.
It is estimated that £7.9 million is currently unclaimed in Oldham each year, with 3,288 pensioners eligible for the winter fuel allowance who are currently not claiming even though they are entitled to.
The campaign will also be signposting pensioners and others who are struggling, including families on lower incomes, to the support we and our partners offer.
How you can get involved
If a resident has immediate needs and requires support now, they can call our helpline on 0161 770 7007 or visit www.oldham.gov.uk/wecanhelp. From here, they can access information on how to heat their home, how to access help with bills, help from our welfare rights service, help in a crisis and much more.
If you know someone who might not be claiming pension credits they’re entitled to, then please direct them online in the first instance – https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator
They can also call the council on the above number, and they will arrange for someone to talk them through the process. Even if they don’t get pension credits, they should still get in touch so they can be talked through other support they may be able to receive that they aren’t aware of.
Please share the pension credit leaflet below.
River Beal bridge and walkway off Linney Lane leading to George’s Playing Fields, Shaw.
Please to report much needed repairs to the River Beal Bridge/ Ramp repair leading from Linney Lane to George’s Play Fields will now be undertaken.
Take down the CAZ signs and make sure it’s not Oldham footing the bill demand Oldham Liberal Democrats
Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has written to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham calling for Clean Air Zone signs across Oldham and Greater Manchester to be taken down.
Sykes’s letter to Burnham follows the recent announcement of the new Greater Manchester ‘Clean Air Strategy’, which replaces the controversial ‘Clean Air Zone’ pitched by Burnham in 2020.
Councillor Sykes said, “Now that common sense has been discovered and we are no longer looking at a city-wide clean air zone or at charging everyone for driving to work every day, it’s clear that the vast majority of CAZ signs will have to be removed.”
In July 2022, a Freedom of Information investigation conducted by Oldham Liberal Democrats revealed that Transport for Greater Manchester had spent more than £3 million on signage spanning the whole of Greater Manchester. The new clean air policy means the signage will no longer be required.
Councillor Sykes said, “Now that it’s clear that there will be no charging clean air zone, these signs need to be taken down. More than £3 million of public money has already been wasted on these signs. We want assurances that any fresh costs will not be passed onto local councils like Oldham.”
“These signs are an embarrassment especially with visitors to Greater Manchester. This is Mayor Burnham’s mess to clear up and his budget (still public cash) is big enough to cope.”
Councillor Sykes writes to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham over CAZ signs
Andy Burnham
Mayor of Greater Manchester
Dear Mr Burnham,
Removal of CAZ signs across Oldham and Greater Manchester
Following the recent update of the Greater Manchester Clean Air Strategy, it is now clear that the vast majority of CAZ road signs will have to be removed, including those in Oldham Borough.
As you will be aware, a significant amount of public money has been wasted on CAZ signs given the review which very quickly followed after they were put up across Greater Manchester.
I am writing to ask when this work is set to be carried out? I would be grateful if you could provide a breakdown of the anticipated costs involved and provide assurances that costs will not be passed on to local authorities.
I look forward to your detailed response.
Best wishes,
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE
Oldham Liberal Democrats reveal the cost of Burnham’s CAZ signs (July 2022)
Clean Air Zone: More than £3 million spent on signs Liberal Democrats reveal – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)
“Good for the planet and good for people’s pockets”: Sykes urges government to extend £2 bus fares.
Liberal Democrat Group Leader and Greater Manchester Transport Spokesperson councillor Howard Sykes MBE has joined calls for the Government to extend the funding that supports the £2 bus fare cap.
Single bus fares in England have been capped at £2 since January last year, but the Labour Government has declined to say whether the policy will continue past the current end date of December 31.
Councillor Sykes said, “Bus companies and passengers need certainty during a cost-of-living crisis that is still ongoing. The £2 cap on fares has clearly encouraged more people to use public transport. We need to encourage that because it’s good for the planet and good for people’s pockets.”
“Liberal Democrats want to see the cap extended into 2025 and beyond.”
“If the fare cap is not extended, people making journeys from rural areas or between towns and cities are likely to see the biggest rise in the cost of their journeys.”
“These are the sort of journeys that people from across Oldham Borough make every day. So, it’s vital that the cap is extended and costs are kept down for people next year.”
Councillor Sykes welcomes capped fares but warns of cuts to services
Liberal Democrat Leader welcomes capped fares but warns of ‘vicious cycle of cut services’ – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)
Oldham Council updates stray dog policy after pressure from Sykes
Oldham Council have issued a new policy just one day after Liberal Democrat Group Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE slammed the lack of support available to residents trying to report a stray dog.
Councillor Sykes said, “Residents got in touch because they were frustrated with the lack of support available on the council website if you come across a stray dog.”
“At long last, the Council has now provided some contact details that residents can use.”
Residents can report a stray or lost dog to Acorn Kennels on weekdays (Monday to Friday), between 8am and 3.45pm by using the online reporting page or by phoning 01948 662931.
Councillor Sykes slams Oldham Council for having “no plan” for stray dogs
Oldham Council slammed for having “no plan” for stray dogs – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)
World Mental Health Day – 10 Oct.
The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in support of mental health.
The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.
Shaw police surgery Wed 16 Oct.
Oldham Council slammed for having “no plan” for stray dogs
Liberal Democrat Group Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has slammed Oldham Council for having “no plan” for how to handle stray dogs in the Borough.
Councillor Sykes said, “Residents have been contacting us after they’ve come across a stray dog, looked at how to report the problem and found there is no real support from the Oldham Council.”
“The information on the Oldham Council website is. Unless you’re able to catch the dog and safely drive it to Harpurhey, there’s really not much advice at all.”
A ‘stray animals’ advice page on the Council website states that “The Council is in the process of implementing new arrangements for the collection of stray dogs… We expect this to be in place by Autumn 2024.”
Residents are advised that they can take a stray dog to Manchester Dogs Home in Harpurhey between the hours 9am-4pm. The Council state that “If you cannot keep the dog secure, please contact an animal rescue centre, and they might be able to assist you.” No contact details for local rescue centres are provided.
Councillor Sykes said, “This ‘advice’ is really poor and even unsafe. Is the council really suggesting that residents should have to take matters into their own hands and potentially put themselves in harms way? When will proper arrangements be in place? Oldham is full of dog-owners and you only have to have a look at local community groups on social media to know that pets do get lost. This is no plan at all and the Council needs to do better, this is just another case of not getting the basics right.”
“It’s certainly not good enough to tell people to contact a rescue centre without providing any contact details. I hope this is urgently put right so that people looking to do the right thing are properly supported by their Council.”
The Oldham Council advice page for stray dogs can be found here.