My two allowed Leader’s Questions for tonight’s Oldham council meeting 6 Nov 24

Q1 Leaders Question: IX Wireless

Thank you, Mr Mayor,

People across Oldham Borough have been left feeling ignored and angry with regards to the situation with IX masts – not least in Shaw, Crompton and Royton.

The communication with residents has been woeful by this company.  None-existent in many cases.  The first people know is if a notice pasted on a lamp post. 

You can then respond to the sham consultation – I am not aware of one proposal being amended following constructive suggestions from residents, businesses or councillors.

When you don’t communicate, you make the disruption worse for people.  And it leads to the resentment we’ve seen.  This is all completely or nearly avoidable with proper communication. 

So will the Leader please fully explain to the Council, what the current situation with IX Wireless’s highways licenses is?

On what basis was the permit revoked?

Will she commit to proactively informing councillors and members of the public – ahead of time – as to when the permit will be reinstated?

And will she write to the Technology Minister – Chris Bryant – to ask that companies are required to share broadband infrastructure where possible in order to minimise disruption for residents?  Something the law says but I see no evidence of this happening anywhere in our Borough.

Q2 Leaders Question: Eton Star Oldham

Thank you, Mr Mayor,

Last question time I asked the Leader why she thought the Eton Star 6^th Form Oldham project was necessary. 

It’s not a surprise that I and many others fail to be convinced…

But it seems that the new Secretary of State for Education was even less impressed, because since we last met, Bridget Phillipson has paused plans for the opening of 44 new state schools – including those backed by Eton. 

So, we can now add the Labour Secretary of State to the list of people who disagree with the Leader that Eton Star is the right thing for Oldham Borough.  That list includes:

• The National Education Union.
  
  
• Teaching professionals, parents and pupils in Oldham who have never been consulted.
  
  
• And even the Council’s own officers, who told Children’s Scrutiny Committee in March that Eton Star would not help bridge the post-16 gap we have in Oldham Borough.   
  
  

So, can I ask the Leader… what is her plan if her own Government decides she is wrong… and decides to mothball the Eton Star project?

Also, what is the current value of the Tommyfield Market site and is the true market value of the site going to be paid to the council or are we gifting it to Eton?

The Leader may not have that figure to hand – and if not I happy she writes to me with it, but she must know if we are being paid or gifting the land?

Stop the Winter Fuel Payment cuts say Oldham Liberal Democrats

Oldham Liberal Democrat councillors will force a vote at a council meeting this week (Weds 06/11) calling on the Labour Government to scrap planned cuts to Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners.

Saddleworth South representative councillor Helen Bishop, who will move the motion, said, “The Labour Government are taking Winter Fuel Payments off 10 million pensioners nationwide and 85% of pensioners here in Oldham.  This cut is too deep and too soon.  People have not been given time to plan for winter without this support.”

According to Department of Work and Pensions data obtained by the Liberal Democrats, an estimated 7,800 pensioners over the age of 80 who do not receive pension credit are set to lose their Winter Fuel Payment this winter.  85% of recipients in Oldham will lose out overall. 

Councillor Alicia Marland of Saddleworth West and Lees, who will support the motion, said, “Take up of Pension Credit has been worryingly low, more than one in three eligible pensioners are not signed up.  The council must do more to get pensioners in Oldham signed up to the pension credit that they are entitled to.  That should have been done well before any cuts to winter fuel allowance.  Now we must scramble to avoid a painful winter for many pensioners.”

Liberal Democrat motion in full: Stop the Winter Fuel Payment cuts

Proposed by: Councillor Helen Bishop
Seconded by: Councillor Alicia Marland

This Council notes that:

The recent announcement by the Labour Government to end universal Winter Fuel Payments has restricted eligibility to only those in receipt of Pension Credit, excluding too many vulnerable pensioners. Many pensioners on lower and middle incomes will no longer receive the payments.

Across England and Wales the number of people eligible for Winter Fuel Payments will fall by 10 million (from 11.4 million to only 1.5 million). According to data obtained by the Liberal Democrats from the Department of Work and Pensions, 85% of pensioners in Oldham Borough will lose out. There are an estimated 7,800 pensioners in Oldham over the age of 80 set to lose their winter fuel payment who do not receive pension credit.

This Council believes that:

The criteria for Winter Fuel Payments that the Labour Government is using will exclude too many pensioners who need help. Only those receiving a pension of less than £218.15 a week (or £332.95 a week for couples) are eligible for Pension Credit. This is significantly lower than the living wage rate.

Take up of Pension Credit has been worryingly low, more than one in three eligible pensioners are not signed up. We have a role to play to increase awareness of welfare support such as Pension Credit to ensure people get the help that they need.

This Council further notes that:

The Energy Price Cap has risen by 10% in October, which combined with the removal of Winter Fuel Payments will push thousands of local pensioners into fuel poverty.

This Council resolves to:

1. Instruct the Council’s Communications Team to urgently commence a significant awareness campaign to maximise uptake of Pension Credit. This should include a dedicated advice line, promotion in the local press as well as targeted letters to those who may be eligible.

2. Instruct the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for the policy on linking Winter Fuel Payments to Pension Credit receipt to be immediately paused and introduce a new threshold to determine eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments.

Council further requests the Leader of the Council write to Oldham’s three MPs asking them to give their formal support to halting these changes to the Winter Fuel Payment eligibility.

Christmas lights face uncertain future in Shaw and Crompton but safe for this year

Liberal Democrat Councillors have again agreed to fund the Christmas Lights in Shaw town centre this year in totality after the ‘so-called Independent’ councillors refused to share the costs of the Christmas Lights in Shaw town centre.

Councillor Howard Sykes said, “For years Shaw and Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillors have funded the Christmas lights, which includes purchasing motifs, repairs, storage, electrical testing, installation, and removal costs.  In addition, we provide a grant to the Events Committee so that we do something extra for our residents rather than just switching the lights on.  We have concerns that as our budgets are no doubt reduced further by Oldham Council that the future of the Christmas lights and the event are in jeopardy and could be cancelled completely in future years which would be a massive backward step.”

Councillor Diane Williamson who is the Opposition Spokesperson for the districts teams added, “This is quite a lot of money from our local budgets, but it is what people have told us they want.  Perhaps the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future can visit councillors Marc ‘Ebenezer’ Hince and Lisa ‘Scrooge’ Navesey to convince them sharing the costs, putting politic on one side, is the right thing to do for our residents.  It now means that even less money is now spent throughout the year on other projects and issues in Shaw and Crompton.”

Notes

Please see below email from council officers confirming that Independents refuse to share costs.

Hi All

Just to confirm that we have asked the Shaw Independent Cllrs whether they would like to part fund the Christmas lights this year and they have declined. So that means that you will all be part funding the lights together as discussed at our last briefing.

North District Team, Oldham Council

Happy Diwali.

CLOSED UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD (Back Market Street) AT MARKET PLACE CAR PARK AT REAR OF TESCO EXPRESS SHAW – from 4 November

Oldham Council intend to make a Temporary Order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended, the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicles from proceeding along that part of Unnamed access road at Market Place Car Park at rear of Tesco Express Shaw from Farrow Street East for 15 metres in a northerly direction.

The alternative route will be via Farrow Street East/Market Street/High Street/Westway.

The Order is to be made because of contractors carrying out roof repairs on the Tesco Express building and will be in force for 4 weeks from 4th November 2024, or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

FOR HELP AND ADVICE – Shaw and Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillor Surgeries (no appointment necessary) in November 2024.

Pop along for advice, help or to discuss any issue or matter with your local Liberal Democrat councillors.

Shaw and Crompton Advice Surgeries (no appointment necessary) held on the following Thursdays at Shaw Lifelong Learning Centre – 7:30pm to 8:30pm.

November: 7, 14, 21 and 28.

Salmon Fields Royton Traffic island and traffic safety improvement works 9pm to 5am over 2 nights 4+5 November.

The road will be closed on both of these dates at these times.

The restrictions are required to facilitate traffic island and traffic safety improvements and will be in force on both 4^th and 5^th November 2024 between 9pm and 5am each night or until the works are completed whichever is the lesser period .

Bonfire Night and Firework Extravaganza Shaw Cricket Club Saturday 2 November 24.

Shaw Cricket Club promises a ‘night to remember’ at their annual bonfire event.

With a bar, food and fairground rides open from 4pm, the fire lighting at 6pm and fireworks from 7.30pm.

The organisers have asked attendees to consider using public transport to attend as there will be no parking at the club. 

Saturday, November 2 – Shaw Cricket Club, Mark Lane, OL2 8QG.

Tickets are £5 for adults, £3 for kids or £15 for family (two adults, two kids).

Those with accessibility needs should email: treasurershawcc@gmail.com

Parish councillors push for health in planning.

The desperate need for healthcare to be taken into account when considering planning applications has been raised by Saddleworth Parish Councillors Michael Powell and Sam Al-Hamdani.

The Councillors ensured Saddleworth Parish Council will write to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Department of Housing to challenge the legal restrictions on planning decision makers to consider lack of healthcare when making planning decisions.

Michael said: “We hear the same thing again and again: when planning decisions come up, people say ‘Where are the GPs, and where are the dentists?’. The problem is not that people are against houses, it is simply that they are against houses without the infrastructure that is needed with them. And they are right.

“Right now, the Government are planning to increase targets for housebuilding in our area by around 40%. How can they do that without increasing GP provision and without providing more NHS dentists?”

The Parish Council heard the motion at its October 28 meeting. While the Parish Council has no authority to change the rules on this, it is in a position to advocate for change.

Sam added: “This is one of the things a good Parish Council can do. People feel unheard. There’s only so many times you can make the same complaint with nothing happening before you decide people aren’t on your side.

“Well we are on people’s side, and we are listening. I’ll always be honest about what we can achieve, and what powers we have, but if you’re one of the people who has said ‘but what about access to doctors?’ then we’re on your side, we’re listening, and we want the same thing.”

NO METROLINK SERVICE ANYWHERE – Sunday 3 and 17 November until 9.00am, normal service back by 10:30am.

Due to Tram System Hardware Testing no trams will operate on any line until 9:00am, 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.