Labour councillors vote down Liberal Democrat plan to remove Oldham from Places for Everyone Greenbelt development  

Labour councillors vote down Liberal Democrat plan to remove Oldham from Places for Everyone Greenbelt development  

Oldham Council’s ruling Labour Group has voted down a proposal from the Liberal Democrats that would have removed Oldham from the controversial ‘Places for Everyone’ housing strategy.

Places for Everyone – which contains controversial plans to build on Greenbelt sites in Oldham – was signed off by Labour councillors at a Full Council meeting on Wednesday (13 March). 

Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “Labour’s decision to plough ahead with this Greenbelt development is a betrayal of Oldham residents.”

“Expensive luxury housing is not going to help people onto the housing ladder.  All Labour are doing is handing a blank cheque to developers.”

The Liberal Democrats have long argued against Places for Everyone and so far, the only council to remove itself from the Greater Manchester-wide plan is Stockport, which is controlled by the Liberal Democrats. 

Councillor Sykes said, “Oldham needs a ‘brownfield first’ strategy that prioritises ex-industrial sites and the sites and former housing developments that have been demolished but never replaced – like in Derker.” 

“Liberal Democrats have always argued that Oldham should develop its own plan for housing development instead of being led by the rest of Greater Manchester.  But Labour have taken the easy way out and signed over Oldham’s greenbelt which will be lost in return for unaffordable housing.”

Liberal Democrat amendment to final Places for Everyone report:

Recommendations

This Council resolves to:

i. Reject the Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan 2022-2039 and remove Oldham Borough from Places for Everyone.

ii. Pursue the development of an ‘Oldham Local Housing Strategy’ which prioritises ‘Brownfield First’ development and truly affordable housing.

“Big step forward” for Oldham Coliseum as Liberal Democrats win council vote to put Fairbottom Street renovations back on the table

“Big step forward” for Oldham Coliseum as Liberal Democrats win council vote to put Fairbottom Street renovations back on the table

A proposal submitted to a Council meeting by Oldham Liberal Democrats which aims to renovate the famous Fairbottom Street home of Oldham Coliseum has been approved by councillors. 

Liberal Democrat councillors Garth Harkness of Saddleworth North and Hazel Gloster of Shaw set out a motion which would see funding from other town centre projects reallocated to the renovation of the Fairbottom Street venue. 

Councillor Harkness said, “The Coliseum has put Oldham on the map.  Viability studies have now confirmed that the venue is not beyond repair and could be brought back into use.  Liberal Democrats are proposing that town centre regeneration funds are used so that the Coliseum can stay on Fairbottom Street where it belongs.”

Councillor Gloster urged councillors to “seize the day” and vote for the plan.

“Oldham Coliseum has been the jewel in Oldham’s crown, and we have to do everything we can to protect it for future generations”, she added.

The motion passed unanimously, after being amended by Labour, was heralded as a “big step forward” in the campaign to save Oldham Coliseum. 

Leader of Oldham Liberal Democrats councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “Since the Coliseum sadly closed its doors almost a year ago, the public support for the theatre has been enormous.  Our motion has now firmly put the home of the Coliseum at Fairbottom Street back on the agenda.”

“There have been a lot of failures and missed opportunities by Oldham Council and by Arts Council England and the fact is that we have had to embarrass Labour into taking real action.   This is the right approach for the Coliseum to remain a producing theatre.   It’s the right approach financially and it’s right for Oldham.  This is a big step forward in the effort to save Oldham Coliseum.”  

Places for Everyone – what was said when this was debated

Full Council 13/03/24

The Places for Everyone strategy will do nothing to tackle the housing crisis in Oldham. 

Expensive luxury housing on our Green Belt is not the answer for families and our young people struggling to get onto the housing ladder.

This strategy fails to deliver new infrastructure investment to support the homes it aims to build.

  • No new investment in roads. 
  • No proportionate contribution to new health care services. 
  • No new school places. 

Taking the right approach to development requires hard work to get the right redevelopments of our ex-industrial heritage buildings and to achieve the right mix of social rents as well as starter homes. 

But Labour is not prepared to do the hard work. 

Labour have tried to blame the Governments out of date housing targets – but the minister has now ruled those out some time ago – that is why near 50 councils have paused their local plans to take breath and have another look – something we asked for, but it was rejected.

Labour have taken the easy way out and they are handing a blank cheque to developers who will destroy our green spaces forever.

Just look at Derker – the subject of Housing Market Renewal nearly two decades ago.  Still there are vast tracks of former housing land that is just empty and an eye sore.  Why is that not being developed as we were promised?

I will tell you why because green land is cheaper and easier – it is just not good enough!

We should remove ourselves from Places for Everyone once and for all and do the hard but necessary work to create a local brownfield first housing strategy, truly affordable homes in the places people want to live and stop being Greater Manchester’s poodle on this matter!

If your child isn’t vaccinated they’re not protected

If your child isn’t vaccinated they’re not protected Childhood infections like measles and whooping cough are rising. These infections can have a huge impact on your child’s life. They can miss out on school due to time spent unwell, be hospitalised, and even experience life-long complications and disability.  If your child isn’t vaccinated, they’re not protected.  It is important for parents to take up the offer of the NHS’ free childhood immunisation to ensure your child has the best protection. However, if you or your child have missed a vaccine, it’s never too late to check if you can catch up.  Parents can check their child’s Red Book to see if they have missed any vaccines or check with their GP if they are unsure.   Visit www.nhs.uk/childhoodvaccinations for the full timetable of vaccinations and when to have them and information on how to book.

My two allowed questions to the Leader of Oldham Council 13 March 24 – Environmental Services Cuts and Public Space Protection Orders

Environmental services cuts

Last month, this Labour administration took the astounding decision to cut 30 plus staff from the Environmental Team. 

This is a Council with an abysmal record on environmental crime. 

An administration that has been blasted in recent years for failing to tackle litter, dog-fouling and fly-tipping. 

And despite flashy PR campaigns like ‘Don’t Trash Oldham’ … the reality is that Labour just don’t have a grip on the basics. 

The impact statement that accompanied Labour’s budget cuts said that these job losses would not significantly impact frontline services. 

Are we really expected to believe that?

The loss of more than 30 staff posts is not going to have any impact on service delivery according to Labour.

I can recall what our parks used to be like – no go areas and unloved – before initiatives like Tulip Fund Days and Heritage Lottery grants and the award of Green Flags in all our parks.  All of which allowed them to become the well-used and loved spaces they are today.

So my question is… does the Leader stand by those staffing cuts and does she still insist that the people of Oldham will not suffer any decline in services because of them?

If so… this administration has either lost the plot… or they are being economical with the truth?

Which, is it?

Public Space Protection Orders

As if it wasn’t enough that this is administration is cutting back on staff for our vital green spaces… members of the public will be outraged to learn that this Labour administration has allowed Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) for our green and open spaces to lapse. 

This leaves this Council without the powers to protect some of our Borough’s special places such as our moors. 

Just one example – the PSPO on Crompton Moor ran out in November – along with all the protections that gives, against hunting, protecting nesting birds, against BBQs and fires, dog fouling, and camping to name just a few!

That is not the only example, and at best the PSPO might be back in place in April but could be June depending on any objections.

This failure to renew the orders in time leaves us powerless and exposed in some of our most precious and valued spaces.

So, my question is who in the Labour administration will be held to account for this failure and are there other similar orders that have not been renewed leaving the Council and residents even more exposed.

Scrutiny for Northern Care Alliance is on the Horizon!

Scrutiny for Northern Care Alliance is on the Horizon!

A lack of public accountability for the NHS has finally been addressed after the committee tasked with overseeing the Northern Care Alliance has been reformed, following consistent pressure from Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillor and Shadow Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care Louie Hamblett.

Cllr Hamblett said: “After almost four years of no accountability we can finally get back around the table with other local authorities to discuss the pressing issues that affects hundreds of residents in Oldham, Rochdale, Bury and Salford. Backlogs, waiting times and lack of services are key issues for many of our residents and this is about holding those to account.”

Opposition Liberal Democrats have been calling for a joint scrutiny of Northern Care Alliance after Labour failed to challenge them after they took over four hospitals without any further checks or scrutiny.

Cllr Hamblett added: “As I said before it has been clear for some time now, that the government has abandoned the NHS.  Our local services are struggling.  In the absence of proper leadership from the government, local councillors need work with healthcare leaders to get the best possible outcomes for our residents, I am glad that we will no longer be spectators on the side lines while our health services are struggling”

Car-charging solutions being blocked by Government

Car-charging solutions being blocked by Government

The Department of Transport must provide guidance for installing car charging for people without off-street parking, says local councillor Sam Al-Hamdani, who has written to Transport Minister Mark Harper requesting for the guidance to be issued as soon as possible.

At the moment, residents wanting electric cars are being blocked as Councils like Oldham’s are refusing to provide any option other than formal planning permission until the national guidance is issued.

Sam Al-Hamdani said: “There are people who want to buy electric cars, but without clear information on how they can install charging, they are effectively blocked from doing so.

“There are simple, safe and effective solutions on the market, but companies understandably want to ensure they are compliant with the law – and at the moment, the Government aren’t providing people with the information on how to do this.”

The lack of off-street parking in Oldham is a perennial issue; with anyone who has tried to find a space to mark on its many streets lined with terraced houses being all too familiar with the problem.

Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “The Tory Government makes a great deal out of supporting the marketplace. Well right now, people want to buy electric cars, companies want to sell them, and the Government is getting in the way.

“They need to stop making up issues to have arguments about, and get on with delivering practical solutions to help people – or let someone else do that instead.”

The letter to the Transport Minster, the The Rt Hon Mark Harper, reads:

11/03/2024

Dear Mr Harper,

In October 2023, the DfT published its Plan for Drivers (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/651fe3022548ca000dddee82/the-plan-for-drivers.pdf) which states that the DfT will be looking to provide councils with guidance on the safe use of cross-pavement solutions for car charging (page 24). Currently, this guidance has yet been issued to councils.

For towns like Oldham, where the majority of houses have no off-street parking, this advice is critical for people who want to buy electric vehicles. Installers of on street charging are requesting written confirmation from Councils that street provision is acceptable, but our Council are awaiting the guidance from the Government before they are prepared to do so.

I would first of all like to request that all efforts are made to ensure that the creates options for people to install cross-pavement solutions for car charging.

If we are not consistent and joined-up in the way that we do this, we will fail to meet environmental ambitions. Using petrol and diesel cars has a particular impact in wards like mine where there are schools located on cul-de-sacs and heavy traffic at pickup and drop-off times results in children being left in a fug of pollutants. We need to encourage more children to walk to school, but we also need to minimise pollutants from car fumes in these locations, and electric cars will achieve that.

I would also like to request that this guidance is issued to councils as a matter of priority. People are making decisions about the purchase of electric vehicles all the time, and the market for them is growing. A failure to provide this guidance means that legislation is getting in the way of the market – which I am sure is a problem that goes against your values.

I would be grateful for any information you can provide on the likely direction of the guidance and publication timetable.

Best regards,