Oldham Council now fails to do summer planting while weeds continue to grow

Labour run Oldham Council has been slammed after failing to undertake summer planting while the weeds continue to grow around the Borough “like Day of the Triffids.”

Leader of Oldham Liberal Democrats councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “The barrier planters in Shaw and Crompton were emptied out months ago but there has been no sign of any summer planting.  The Council has missed the boat now and the place just looks a mess.  Meanwhile, weeds continue to grow out of control.  It’s like Day of the Triffids.  People notice and they tell me that they feel Oldham Council is letting the Borough look run down and unloved.”

The Liberal Democrat Leader hit out at Oldham Council bosses back in February when the ruling Labour Group, now supported by a number of so-called Independents, axed jobs and resources from the Environmental Services team, responsible for the maintenance of Oldham Borough’s parks and green spaces. 

Councillor Sykes said, “We warned the Council that these cuts to environmental Services would result in a much poorer service for residents, but we were assured by Labour councillors that this wouldn’t be the case.  However, the facts speak for themselves, and everybody can see the difference.  Just the latest case of not getting the basics right.” 

Picture is Howard Sykes with the winter planting which was removed months ago and the boxes are now empty.

More from Councillor Sykes on parks staff being redeployed after budget cuts (June 2024)
Oldham’s weeding woes: parks staff redeployed to tackle weeds despite promises cuts would not impact green spaces – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

More from Councillor Sykes on Oldham’s weeds contract  (July 2023)
It is like Day of the Triffids – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)