My two allowed questions to the Leader of Oldham Council 13 March 24.

Q1 Opposition Leader: Are Oldham’s MPs in Oldham’s corner?

Thank you, Mr Mayor,

Since the General Election we’ve had a welcome change of government but there has been little to cheer about for the people of our Borough. 

Oldham now has a Labour government in London, a Labour Mayor in Greater Manchester, and a Labour Administration in Oldham Borough, supported by some so-called Independents. 

There is nowhere left to hide, and no one left to blame. 

The new Prime Minister has said there will be painful times ahead. 

The question is, can Oldham Labour stand up to him?  Are they in our corner or not?  

We need to see the end of the two-child cap on universal credit. 

We need to know that pensioners in Oldham will be warm this winter, and that the government will stop this poorly thought out cut to winter fuel payments.    
Local government needs a cash injection now and long-term funding reform.  So that instead of circling the financial drain, this Council can fund the services our residents need and deserve.

For years, Oldham Labour have been telling us its Oldham first and politics second and challenging the government.  It’s time to practice what you preach.

If our three Labour MPs are truly in Oldham’s corner they will support calls for the end of the two-child cap, proper local government funding reform, and the continuation of winter fuel payments.

So, will the Leader agree to write to Oldham’s MPs urging them to pledge support for those causes in Parliament on behalf of all of the people in Oldham Borough who desperately need this government to fight their corner.

Q2 Opposition Leader: Who really benefits from Eton College Oldham? 

Thank you, Mr Mayor,

The Leader has expressed her enthusiasm for the Eton Star Oldham project on many occasions and does so again in her report on tonight’s agenda.
The decision to develop a 480-student selective sixth form in partnership with Eton College has been torn to shreds by the National Education Union.

They have pointed out the disruption this will likely cause to the current sixth form provision in our Borough, which already delivers a first-rate post 16 offer. 

There are also concerns that a selective offer will do nothing for disadvantaged young people in Oldham Borough and will only help a very small number of young people who are already achieving at a high level.

Last year’s Year 12 cohort saw an increase of nearly 300 young people.  And the numbers are expected to continue to rise until at least 2028. 

In Oldham there is a gap in our post-16 offer.  But we know that this gap is due to a lack of Entry Level study programmes. 

Back in March, Children’s Scrutiny Committee was told that Eton Star Oldham would not replace training provision that has been lost in the Borough over recent years and therefore does not enable us to bridge the gap.   

So, if Eton Star is not going to provide us with the courses our young people need… what is the Leader’s plan to bridge this very real and growing gap?

How is she working with our schools and Oldham College to ensure the right courses are on offer?

Have external providers been approached to help and if so how many and for what courses?

And can the Leader explain to the Council why she thinks Eton Star Oldham is necessary and how it will help solve these problems – never mind be offered one our Borough’s prime developed sites for its activities?