Sykes challenges Oldham Council Leader over Places for Everyone vote or would have if the meeting not been adjourned
Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has challenged the Labour Leader of Oldham Council over her administration’s refusal to honour a vote of elected members and write to the government calling for Oldham to be removed from the controversial Greater Manchester housing strategy – Places for Everyone.
Councillor Sykes said, “At the last meeting, councillors clearly voted to write to the Secretary of State asking for Oldham to be removed from Places for Everyone. It is clear that Labour’s strategy to concrete over our green spaces and line the pockets of developers is not what the people of Oldham Borough want. That’s part of the reason Labour no longer have a majority on the council.”
“Since the local elections, the Liberal Democrats have been clear about our promise to force another vote to leave this scheme. We have had that vote and the result was clear. But Labour are using every trick in the book to block the outcome.”
At a meeting of Oldham councillors this evening (18/12) councillor Sykes challenged council Leader Arooj Shah directly in the council chamber.
Councillor Sykes said, “Instead of honouring a democratic decision made by the council that they lead, this Labour administration has used every trick in the book to avoid writing to the Secretary of State.”
“They think they are being clever. I want them to understand that they are destroying the reputation of Oldham Borough. They are making a mockery of local democracy.”
“Will she now do what is the clear will of this Council and write to the Secretary of State requesting that Oldham is removed from the Places for Everyone scheme?”
“And, if she will not, is the Labour Group’s policy that this Council will have to vote again on Places for Everyone, just because they don’t like the result of the last vote?”
More from Oldham Liberal Democrats on Places for Everyone
Liberal Democrats win vote to protect Green Belt as Oldham Council rejects Places for Everyone report – Howard Sykes
Leaders Question: Places for Everyone
18/12/24
Thank you, Mr Mayor,
In November, this Council voted – by 30 votes to 29 – to write to the Secretary of State calling for Oldham to be removed from Places for Everyone in favour of our own local housing strategy.
Everybody in the Chamber knew what that vote was for.
That was clear from the speeches made by both Labour and opposition members – there was no doubt on the night.
What the Labour Group have done since is absolutely shameful.
Instead of honouring a democratic decision made by the Council that they lead, this Labour Administration has used every trick in the book to avoid writing to the Secretary of State.
They think they are being clever.
I want them to understand that they are destroying the reputation of Oldham Borough.
They are making a mockery of local democracy.
And they are proving to the people of Oldham, that Labour doesn’t care about the views of local people or their elected representatives – only when it suits their agenda.
So here in the open, in the full view of this Council and everyone watching, I want to give the Leader an opportunity to come clean and do the right thing.
Will she now do what is the clear will of this Council and write to the Secretary of State requesting that Oldham is removed from the Places for Everyone scheme?
And… if she will not…
Is the Labour Group’s policy that this Council will have to vote again on Places for Everyone, just because they don’t like the result of the last vote?