The Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council is furious with the Government. Councillor Howard Sykes has previously written to the Secretary of State of The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on this issue, seeking a continuation of free television (TV) licences for the over-75s.
Now the Conservative Government is going ahead with charging those over-75s and more than three million households will be required to start paying the £157.50 licence fee from the start of August.
For many who live alone, the television is their sole companion. Not just a source of entertainment, the television allows people to stay informed on current Government advice in an ever-changing situation.
Councillor Sykes comments: “Millions of pensioners have spent lockdown at home with TV. It has provided an invaluable source of information and solace during the crisis.”
He added: “The government have put lots of pressure on the BBC, financial pressure. The BBC is impartial, but it seems the government is seeking to influence them increasingly more. This decision should have been made by the BBC not by a bullying government short on cash.”
A number of you have been in touch regarding the current waste collection service and when it might get ‘back to normal’.
I wanted a senior council officer to re-confirm the situation before replying.
The current service is what the Council is confident it can maintain.
The current service is delivered with a number of staff shielding and those working having to social distance (i.e. only 2 in the bin waggon cabs now).
Staff have been taken and re deployed from the weekly green/food waste collection to fill in in gaps (and reduction of speed) created by above.
We therefore now have a grey bin collection, a blue bin collection and a brown/green every third week.
The situation is reviewed on a monthly basis.
Hope this explains, and hopefully in another month or two we can get back to normal, providing we do not have a spike in Covid 19.
From this week, the number of mourners who can attend a service in Hollinwood Crematorium Chapel, while continuing to social distance, has changed to a maximum of 22 people.
Further information on chapel services, funeral prayers, grave side services, and the burial or scattering of ashes is available here.
To find out more about headstones or memorials in Oldham’s crematorium and cemeteries, please contact the cemetery office on 0161 681 1312 or at env.cemeteries@oldham.gov.uk. The cemetery office is currently closed to visitors, but they will do all they can to assist you, online or on the phone.
My question concerns the issue of Coronavirus Local Lockdowns. It is a great tragedy that after four months we are still dealing with the impact in human suffering, lost lives, and, increasingly, the economic downturn caused by this terrible virus.
Just as the situation appeared to be slightly improving and people began to experience hope, on the 29th June, the health secretary announced that the first local lockdown would be applied. This was of course, in Leicester.
This included the closure of schools (except for the children of key workers), which partially reopened on 1 June, and non-essential retail, which reopened across England on 15 June.
Before the lockdown in Leicester, the Government had suggested that local restrictions would be handled by local leaders.
What actually happened, was that the imposition of lockdown in Leicester was decided by central Government. Boris Johnson’s leadership has overseen fatal communication blunders. These blunders kept ‘local leaders’ in the dark on what was happening with Covid-19, much too late.
When Leicester went into lockdown, the Government said that the local seven-day infection rate was 135 cases per 100,000 people, three times higher than the next highest city. How did it get to that clear level of cases and local politicians and officers hadn’t a clue what was going on?
The aim of a local lockdown is to control the spread of the Covid-19 by containing it within a localised area, but not necessarily by authority.
It means re-imposing social distancing restrictions across the whole of the affected area.
Sadly, Oldham has been harder hit than many other towns and cities in England by the Coronavirus Pandemic. I am optimistic that we have the right preparations in place for the worst-case scenario.
As the Government has given consistently conflicting and confusing advice and acted slowly and communicated slowly, please can he tell us what are we doing locally to make sure that we are ahead of the game, even if the Conservative Government is not?
I know tonight that we have another detailed report on Oldham’s response to the Covid-19 crisis, but I believe many of our concerned residents would welcome an honest appraisal of our local situation and a reassurance that Oldham is ahead of the game in lay person’s language.
So I am invite the Leader to provide that appraisal and reassurance tonight by telling us more about our Oldham plan if we are required to go into local lockdown?
And I would specifically welcome his assurance that the local track and trace testing data from the Department of Health and Social Care and its’ contractor Deloitte is now being passed onto our relevant health teams so they can act on them to help mitigate against any local spike in Covid-19 infection?
Q2: Turning the Frog into a Prince
Madam Mayor,
Later tonight, I will second the Cabinet Member for Finance’s motion attacking the Government for its failure to honour its promise to fully reimburse Councils like Oldham for the financial hit caused by Coronavirus, and I am happy to do this as he and I are both as one on this issue.
However, I regret that this Entente Cordial cannot extend to another issue concerning a town centre regeneration project which has dragged on…and on…
I am of course referring to the Princes Gate development.
The BBC on 19 November 2014 reported Oldham Council’s announcement of the ‘game changer’ and the promise of a 150,000 square foot retail development, with 800 homes and 700 parking spaces.
Now after the withdrawal of Marks and Spencers, we now no longer have a ‘game changer’. We have the promise of a 28,500 square feet retail development and a hotel. And the promised “missing retail giants” are now Lidl and Travelodge, not M+S.
However, anyone passing the site, probably on a tram, can see nothing is happening.
Yet the Council’s Town Centre Vision, agreed in June of last year, promised work ‘due to start on site autumn 2019’.
It is interesting to contrast this inactivity with that seen in the centre of another town that you go to by tram from Mumps. And that town is Rochdale.
Here you can step straight off a tram and into the new Riverside retail and leisure development.
Councillors there also called Riverside a ‘game changer’.
For phase One is a development totalling 200,000 square feet, including 24 shops, restaurants and a six-screen cinema. Not only can you play indoor golf and watch a film, but Rochdale offers visitors a new Marks and Spencer Foodhall.
Work on site started in 2018. In April the Foodhall opened and in the last few days, other units in the development have started to open as promised.
Two years on, bang on time. Despite Coronavirus.
From time to time in Council meetings, we gently rib our neighbours in Rochdale, but on this, Madam Mayor, they have got things so right and we so wrong.
The Leader will be very aware that we are fast approaching our sixth anniversary of inactivity at the Mumps site.
So, for my second question tonight I would like to ask him when will this Frog finally be turned into a Prince?
When will we finally see something begin to happen at Mumps?
Councillor Chris Gloster, Liberal Democrat Deputy Group Leader, Oldham Council. 15 July 2020
Saddleworth West and Lees Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani backs a Liberal Democrat idea to support frontline Covid-19 workers in Oldham Borough. At the next full meeting of Oldham Council (15 July), he will propose an amendment to a Labour motion on care workers.
The Liberal Democrats in Oldham believe the administration motion does not go far enough. They want to reward frontline Covid-19 workers for their bravery and professionally. Not just financially, but also with the award of a pandemic service medal from the Government.
Councillor Al-Hamdani says: “These workers should receive an additional payment for every working day they have spent on the front-line of this crisis. The Liberal Democrats would pay these workers an extra £29 per day. It would be backdated to the start of the pandemic. This would be very similar to what military personnel receive during active service in war.”
Councillor Al-Hamdani goes further: “These local heroes should be able to access a free 24-hour telephone support service provided by the Government. Should the worst happen, they should also be entitled to a state-funded funeral should tragically they die from a condition related to Covid-19.”
Councillor Al-Hamdani’s ambition is backed by his Crompton colleague, Councillor Louie Hamblett. Commenting, Councillor Hamblett says: “This nation owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to NHS, care and key workers for their extraordinary service in saving lives and delivering services in these extraordinary times. Whilst we support the original motion, the Oldham Liberal Democrats believe that it needs to address the fact that workers in the NHS and Care sectors should, and must, be properly rewarded for their efforts.
“I would also add that I find it abhorrent that many people who have chosen to make a life here in our country and work in our brilliant NHS and Care sectors are still being financially punished and bogged down by a brutal bureaucratic system which they struggle to comprehend. They just want to get on with their lives and jobs and make their personal contribution to eradicating this dreadful disease and building Britain better.”
The meeting will be held on the 15th July and starts at 6pm.
ENDS/…
The original motion reads:
This Council commends the incredible work of care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic caring for the most vulnerable people in Oldham.
This Council notes the results of a survey conducted by UNISON North West which found that 8 out of 10 care workers would not receive their full normal pay if they were ill or had to self-isolate or shield because of COVID-19. As a result of the lack of occupational sick pay, some care workers said that they may have to attend work whilst ill as they could not afford to live off statutory sick pay (SSP).
This Council believes that this situation poses a serious public health risk to people that receive care and frontline care workers. Indeed, official figures from the Office for National Statistics show that care workers are twice as likely to die from coronavirus than NHS staff.
This Council acknowledges its responsibility under the Government’s Infection Control Fund to administer the distribution of additional funding to social care providers to reduce the spread of infection, including maintaining normal wages for COVID-19 related absence.
This Council believes that no care worker should have to choose between their own health or hardship. This Council welcomes UNISON North West’s Care Workers vs COVID-19 Campaign which is calling for care workers to receive the support and resources they need to combat the virus.
This Council notes that 12 local authorities in the North West have already supported the Care Workers vs COVID-19 Campaign or made similar commitments around maintaining normal pay for all COVID-19 related absence.
This Council undertakes to:
1) Formally endorse the principles of UNISON’s Care Workers vs COVID-19 Campaign and commit to campaigning for the funding this Council requires to deliver on them;
2) Communicate to providers that it is this Council’s view that additional funding is used by social care providers to pay care workers their full normal pay for all COVID-19 related absence, including sickness, self-isolation or shielding;
3) Review procurement and commissioning policies with view to increasing the weighting of social value commissioning and to ensure it includes specific requirements around occupational sick pay.
The Amendment:
Insert after paragraph 6 which ends with ‘related absence’, two new paragraphs, the second with bullet points as follows:
This Council also believes that the UK Government should provide greater financial rewards, ongoing support and proper recognition for care, NHS and key workers reflecting the personal danger and stress they have been placed in whilst caring for, treating or supporting residents and patients with Covid-19.
Specifically, this Council believes that such workers should:
– receive an additional payment for every working day they have spent on the front-line of this crisis, amounting to £29 per day, backdated to the start of the pandemic. This would be akin to the deployment allowance military personnel receive during service in war-zones.
– be able to access a free 24-hour telephone support service funded by the Government.
– receive a state-funded funeral should they die from a condition related to Covid-19.
– receive, once the crisis is ended, a pandemic service medal from the Government.
And that in addition all migrants working in the NHS & social care during this crisis should be given the right to stay in the UK, with no visa fees and no bureaucracy.
Insert after bullet point 3) in the resolution two new bullet points 4) and 5) as follows:
4) Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Health and the Home Secretary asking them to:
– institute a daily front-line service payment, backdated to the start of the pandemic
– establish a 24-hour helpline
– provide state-funded funerals
– issue a pandemic service medal
– make changes to immigration rules to grant immigrants working in health and social care the right to stay and a waiver on visa fees and bureaucracy.
5) Ask the Chief Executive to copy in our three local MPs and the Mayor of Greater Manchester to ask for their support on these issues.
The motion as amended to read:
This Council commends the incredible work of care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic caring for the most vulnerable people in Oldham.
This Council notes the results of a survey conducted by UNISON North West which found that 8 out of 10 care workers would not receive their full normal pay if they were ill or had to self-isolate or shield because of COVID-19. As a result of the lack of occupational sick pay, some care workers said that they may have to attend work whilst ill as they could not afford to live off statutory sick pay (SSP).
This Council believes that this situation poses a serious public health risk to people that receive care and frontline care workers. Indeed, official figures from the Office for National Statistics show that care workers are twice as likely to die from coronavirus than NHS staff.
This Council acknowledges its responsibility under the Government’s Infection Control Fund to administer the distribution of additional funding to social care providers to reduce the spread of infection, including maintaining normal wages for COVID-19 related absence.
This Council believes that no care worker should have to choose between their own health or hardship. This Council welcomes UNISON North West’s Care Workers vs COVID-19 Campaign which is calling for care workers to receive the support and resources they need to combat the virus.
This Council notes that 12 local authorities in the North West have already supported the Care Workers vs COVID-19 Campaign or made similar commitments around maintaining normal pay for all COVID-19 related absence.
This Council also believes that the UK Government should provide greater financial rewards, ongoing support and proper recognition for care, NHS and key workers reflecting the personal danger and stress they have been placed in whilst caring for, treating or supporting residents and patients with Covid-19.
Specifically, this Council believes that such workers should:
– receive an additional payment for every working day that have spent on the front-line of this crisis, amounting to £29 per day, backdated to the start of the pandemic. This would be akin to the deployment allowance military personnel receive during service in war-zones.
– should be able to access a free 24-hour telephone support service provided by the Government.
– receive a state-funded funeral should they die from a condition related to Covid-19.
– receive, once the crisis is ended, a pandemic service medal from the Government.
And that in addition all migrants working in the NHS & social care during this crisis should be given the right to stay in the UK, with no visa fees and no bureaucracy.
This Council undertakes to:
1) Formally endorse the principles of UNISON’s Care Workers vs COVID-19 Campaign and commit to campaigning for the funding this Council requires to deliver on them;
2) Communicate to providers that it is this Council’s view that additional funding is used by social care providers to pay care workers their full normal pay for all COVID-19 related absence, including sickness, self-isolation or shielding;
3) Review procurement and commissioning policies with view to increasing the weighting of social value commissioning and to ensure it includes specific requirements around occupational sick pay.
4) Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Health and the Home Secretary asking them to:
– institute a daily front-line service payment, backdated to the start of the pandemic
– establish a 24-hour helpline
– provide state-funded funerals
– issue a pandemic service medal
– make changes to immigration rules to grant immigrants working in health and social care the right to stay and a waiver on visa fees and bureaucracy.
5) Ask the Chief Executive to copy in our three local MPs and the Mayor of Greater Manchester to ask for their support on these issues.
The Amendment is proposed by Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani, The Amendment is seconded by Councillor Louie Hamblett
All 20 recycling centres across Greater Manchester are open seven days a week and accepting most recycling apart from textiles, clothes and shoes.
From Monday 13 July, the final restrictions will be lifted and vehicles with trailers will be allowed access to the recycling centres for disposing of household waste only. Trade waste is not permitted.
The COVID-19 outbreak is placing massive pressure on services provided by both Oldham Council and the NHS.
Team Oldham, the voluntary sector and the community have worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic to keep Oldham residents safe. This vital work has come at a massive financial cost to Oldham Council.
Although further government funding has been announced, it is not enough to fully support the people of Oldham.
We’re calling on the community to say thanks to those who have been working to look after others, the care workers, waste disposal teams, emergency helpline operators and more.
To enable us to keep being there for our residents we now need the support from Government in the form of fair funding.
This funding will help make up the costs the council has had to spend on its priority – keeping Oldham residents safe.
Oldham Council Leader Sean Fielding said: “I can’t thank the people of Oldham enough for their extraordinary efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“All of Oldham has pulled together to be there for each other during this incredibly difficult period. Everyone who has worked to ensure we get through this is an example of what makes Oldham such a special place”
“To properly thank our local heroes, we now need Government to provide the funding we so vitally need. Our key workers have done their part, we’re now asking the community to join us by signing this letter, which asks Government to do theirs.”
Leader of the Opposition, and the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE said: “Oldham’s local heroes have been working tirelessly to keep us safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have to ensure their vital work can continue, no matter the cost.”
“Making sure our borough gets the funding it needs goes beyond politics – it is what must be done to keep the people of Oldham safe.”
“Join us in our call for fair funding by signing our letter to Government”.
To say thanks to those who have selflessly worked to support the most vulnerable throughout this crisis, sign here today – https://www.oldham.gov.uk/SOSOldham
Oldham Liberal Democrat Councillors Dave Murphy and Chris Gloster are supporting the Local Electricity Bill. This is supported by over one hundred and fifty Members of Parliament.
Local authorities can play a central role in creating sustainable communities. The Local Electricity Bill would allow Councils and local community groups to work together to generate electricity from renewable sources to supply local homes, schools and businesses. Money received by Councils from the sale of local renewable electricity can be used to help fund measures to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions and to help fund local services and facilities.
Councillor Murphy said: “We are calling for the Council and our local Members of Parliament to ask the UK Government to enact this legislation. If they did so, it would make the setup and running costs of selling renewable electricity to local customers proportionate by establishing a Right to Local Supply. This Bill is widely popular and has already received cross-party support from 151 Members of Parliament.”
“People are very concerned about the planet and the environment. With this motion we will help build local communities that are sustainable”, commented Councillor C. Gloster.
The Council meeting will be held on 15th July and starts at 6pm.
Copy of Motion:
Council July 15, 2020 – Notice of Opposition Business
Motion 3 – The Local Electricity Bill
This Council notes:
Making these financial costs proportionate to the scale of a renewable electricity supplier’s operation would create significant opportunities for councils to supply locally generated renewable electricity directly to local people and businesses.
Revenues received by councils from the sale of local renewable electricity can be used to help fund measures to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions and to help fund local services and facilities.
The recent reintroduction of the Local Electricity Bill under the Ten-Minute Rule. If enacted the new law would make the setup and running costs of selling renewable electricity to local customers proportionate by establishing a Right to Local Supply.
This Bill has received the support of 151 Members of Parliament.
We should make every attempt to build a sustainable Britain after the Coronavirus crisis has passed. Our support for the Bill and this motion helps us achieve that.
Council resolves to:
Write to the relevant Government Minister asking them to enact this legislation as soon as possible.
Ask our local Members of Parliament to support the Bill.
Write to the campaign promoting the Bill, Power for People, (at 8, Delancey Passage, Camden, London, NW1 7NN) expressing the Council’s support for the campaign and the Local Electricity Bill.
Proposed by: Councillor Dave Murphy, Seconded by: Councillor Chris Gloster
