Liberal Democrats announce shadow cabinet team and other key roles as the real opposition while Oldham Labour cling to power.
Oldham Liberal Democrats have announced their official shadow cabinet line-up for the forthcoming year, which is sure to see political drama as Labour cling to power despite not controlling a majority of seats.
The Liberal Democrats will continue as the largest opposition group after a vote to oust the Labour leadership lost by a single vote, when so-called Independent councillors opted to back the Labour administration in return for positions.
Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “It is very clear that Labour have not learnt any lessons from their multiple defeats at the last few rounds of local elections. They seem to think that they can carry on as usual if they simply offer a few grace and favour positions to the so-called Independents.”
“We have shown already that we will work in the interest of the people of Oldham and put their issues on the agenda. Whereas Labour have already got off to a terrible start, cutting meetings short so that they can swan off to watch the football.”
“The Liberal Democrats have set out our priorities for the year ahead and we have a fantastic shadow cabinet team who are ready to fight to win every vote on the issues that matter to the people we represent.”
Following the local election results, which gave no party overall control of Oldham Council, the Liberal Democrats set out their priorities for the borough.
1. Fight for a full public inquiry into historic child sex exploitation
2. Fight to remove Oldham from ‘Places for Everyone’ and protect our green spaces
3. Save Oldham Coliseum by keeping the theatre on Fairbottom Street, where it belongs
4. Get the basics right by reversing Labour’s cuts to environmental services so that littering, dog-fouling, fly tipping and other offences can be dealt with properly
DETAILS BELOW:
Group Leader: Councillor Howard Sykes MBE
Deputy Group Leader: Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani
Group Chair: Councillor Dave Murphy
Group Secretary: Councillor Diane Williamson
Group Treasurer: Hazel Gloster
Group Political Secretary: Councillor Garth Harkness
Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet 2024/25:
Building a Better Oldham: Councillor Howard Sykes MBE
- Strategy & Performance
- Transformation
- Greater Manchester
- Economic Growth & Regeneration
- Capital Projects & Assets
- Corporate Property & Assets
- Communications
- Bee Network Delivery
Value for Money & Sustainability: Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani
- Finance
- Climate Change & Green New Deal
- HR & OD
- Legal & Governance
- IT, Digital and Transformation
Don’t Trash Oldham: Councillor Dave Murphy
- Waste, Cleansing & Greenspaces
- Public Protection (Environmental Health, Pest Control, Waste Enforcement, Building Control & Trading Standards)
- Highways & Engineering
- Emergency Planning
Children and Young People: Councillor Diane Williamson
- Child Safeguarding
- Children’s Social Care
- Children’s Commissioning
- Youth Service
- Early Years
- Early Help & Family Hubs
Adults Health & Wellbeing: Councillor Louie Hamblett
- Adult Social Services
- Adult Safeguarding
- Adult’s & Public Health Commissioning
- Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Public Health
- Integrated Care System Development
Education and Skills: Councillor Helen Bishop
- Education & Skills
- SEND
- Apprenticeships
- Lifelong Learning
Thriving Communities & Culture: Councillor Alicia Marland
- Culture, Leisure & Sport
- Libraries, Heritage & Arts
- Night Time Economy
- Visitor Economy
- Resident Focus
- VCSFE Sector
- Customer Services
- Justice & Community Safety
- PBI & Districts
Decent Homes: Councillor Garth Harkness
- Strategic Housing
- Planning
- Homelessness
- Housing Needs
- Housing Enforcement
- Selective Licensing
Enterprise: Councillor Howard Sykes
- Employment & Employability
- Get Oldham Working
- Business Support
- Business Networking
Liberal Democrat Lead Members on Boards and Committees (Spokespeople in bold):
Licensing Committee: Councillor Louie Hamblett & Councillor Helen Bishop
Audit Committee: Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani & Councillor Howard Sykes
Planning Committee: Councillor Garth Harkness &Councillor Diane Williamson
Standards Committee: Councillor Alicia Marland
Employment Committee: Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani
Governance, Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board: Councillor Diane Williamson and Garth Harkness
Children, Young People & Families Scrutiny Board: Councillor Helen Bishop
Adults Social Care and Health Scrutiny Board: Councillor Louie Hamblett
Place, Economic Growth and Environmental Scrutiny Board: Councillor Dave Murphy & Councillor Diane Williamson
Traffic Regulation Panel: Councillor Dave Murphy
Commons Registration Committee: Councillor Helen Bishop
Charitable Trust Committee: Councillor Alicia Marland
Appointments Committee: Councillor Howard Sykes
Appeals Committee: Councillor Louie Hamblett
Health and Well Being Board: Councillor Howard Sykes
Liberal Democrat District Leads:
East District Deputy Lead: Councillor Helen Bishop
North District Lib Dem Spokesperson: Councillor Diane Williamson