Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition, on Oldham Council today announced his Leadership team for 2016/17.
Councillor Sykes said: “Following on from the unopposed appointment of myself as Leader and John McCann as Deputy Leader at our first Group meeting following the election, I am proud to now announce details of my full team for 2016/17.”
“The next twelve months will be challenging for Oldham as we face continued financial cuts from central government whilst adjusting to play our part in the Combined Authority that will manage devolved powers and a devolved budget for Greater Manchester.”
“I am confident that the Liberal Democrat Opposition team can collectively offer many new positive suggestions to the Administration to support the continued delivery of our core services, to reduce waste and bureaucracy, to give a voice to those marginalised in our communities and speak up for our districts, and to ensure that Oldham Borough’s needs are recognised within a devolved Greater Manchester”.…
Details of positions are below.
The Lib Dem Group:Leader – Cllr Howard Sykes; Deputy Leader – Cllr John McCann; Group Chair – Cllr Chris Gloster; Group Vice-Chair – Cllr Rod Blyth; Political Secretary – Cllr Garth Harkness; Treasurer – Cllr Derek Heffernan; Group Secretary – Cllr Diane Williamson.
Shadow Cabinet (Shadow Executive Members):
| Economy and Skills Cluster | |
| Howard Sykes | Economy and Enterprise (Opposition Leader) |
| Julia Turner | Education and Early Years |
| Garth Harkness | Employment and Skills |
| Health and Wellbeing Cluster | |
| Rod Blyth | Social Care and Safeguarding |
| Chris Gloster | Health and Wellbeing |
| Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives Cluster | |
| Diane Williamson | Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives |
| Dave Murphy | Environmental Services |
| Corporate Support | |
| John McCann | Finance and HR |
GM Fire and Rescue Authority: Cllr Derek Heffernan
Transport for Greater Manchester: Cllr Howard Sykes
Audit Committee: Spokesperson – Cllr Garth Harkness
Overview and Scrutiny Board: Spokesperson – Cllr Diane Williamson
Performance and Value for Money Committee: Spokesperson – Cllr Rod Blyth
Planning Committee:Spokesperson – Cllr Rod Blyth
Licensing Committee:Spokesperson – Cllr Chris Gloster
Standards Committee:Spokesperson – Cllr Diane Williamson
Health and Well-being Board:Spokesperson – Cllr Rod Blyth
Petitions and Traffic Regulation orders:Spokesperson – Cllr Chris Gloster
District Executive: Shaw and Crompton – Chair Cllr Diane Williamson