Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Liberal Democrat and Opposition Leader Oldham Council, is concerned over the worrying slump in school performance in Oldham Borough.  Earlier this year before the outbreak of Coronavirus (Covid-19), the Department for Education has published school performance tables based on last summer’s GCSEs results (2019). 

The tables show that nine out of 16 Oldham schools were ‘below average’.  A further two schools were noted as being simply ‘average’ in their performance.  Councillor Sykes wants additional funding and says the way to get that help is not to mask the problems.  Pupils will now find it even harder to achieve academically and vocationally because of the outbreak of Covid-19 and the closure of schools.

“Many teachers and other staff in schools are going more than the extra mile to try and ensure students education continues via distance learning, stated Councillor Sykes.  “However, it is sad fact that despite these valiant efforts some of our most disadvantaged students will be the most impacted.”

Some schools are achieving only 30% to 45% of pupils achieving at least a pass grade in English or Maths. 

“Now more than ever we need to invest more in education.  We believe that early years support and education is key to having a good quality of life.” Said Councillor Sykes.  “Once schools, colleges and other educational establishments re open getting our students back on track needs to a very high priority.”

Councillor Sykes stated:  “The Council always congratulates themselves on yet another great year of results.  The problem is, Oldham Council forgets about the schools that are continually falling behind.  More than half of our schools are below the National average.  This will surely get worse now that the schools have closed.”

“To congratulate a step backwards is false.  Our schools don’t receive enough funding as it is.” 

“Our pupils are not in schools and colleges, this will be the case for weeks if not months.  Despite the best efforts of our local teaching staff to set up online classrooms, I am even more fearful that young people in Oldham Borough will be further disadvantaged by the Covid-19 crisis.”

Notes:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-performance-tables

For real time information: https://oldham.roadworks.org/

Criminals are using the current Coronavirus pandemic to try and trick people into handing over money and/or personal information. 

This leaflet contains helpful information to help protect residents from fraud and scammers. Please read it and share the information with your constituents.

https://www.gmp.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/greater-manchester/covid19/dfs—corvid-19-scam-leaflet.pdf

Liberal Democrat Councillor Howard Sykes MBE brings a promise made by the Mayor of Greater Manchester to the attention of Oldham Council. 

The GM Metro Mayor has pledged to work with local authorities and partners to unlock the potential in towns and urban centres.  Royton town centre in Oldham Borough was chosen to be part of this Town Centre Challenge.  Writing to council bosses, Councillor Sykes wants to make sure these promises are being fulfilled.  The Liberal Democrats believe that communities deserve no less, and proper attention must be given to local investment.

The Mayor wanted to focus on housing and sustainable communities.  The Challenge was launched at an event in Bury town centre on Friday 17 November 2018.

Councillor Sykes said:  “It’s been well over two years since the announcement.  I must ask what work the Mayor has conducted with Oldham Council to realise this vision.  Royton was chosen despite my requests for Shaw to be considered, however it appears little if anything has happened.”

“Not many people have heard about this challenge.  I’m sure the thousands of people who live in Royton, and across Oldham Borough would like to hear what’s practically been done.”

Copy Letter below:

2 April 2020

Deputy Chief Executive – People and Place, Oldham Council

Dear Helen Lockwood,

Re: Progress with the Royton Town Centre Challenge

The Mayor of Greater Manchester has pledged to work with local authorities and partners to break down barriers standing in the way of unlocking the potential in town and urban centres.

He wanted to focus on housing and sustainable communities.

I know that Royton town centre was chosen to be part of this Town Centre Challenge, but I am not sure what has happened so far as a result of this.

The Challenge was launched at an event in Bury town centre on Friday 17 November 2018.

As it has been well over two years now, I must ask what work the Mayor has conducted with Oldham Council to realise this vision.

What concrete outcomes or plans are now in place as a result of this initiative.

Yours sincerely,

Howard Sykes

https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/news/details/-/articleName/rspca-urges-owners-to-make-a-pet-care-plan

Following representation by your local Liberal Democrat Councillors in Shaw and Crompton we did manage to get some changes to the original proposals.

TfGM have seen a massive increase in tender prices across the Oldham area in recent months which led to much higher scrutiny being placed on expiring contracts.

They carried out a full review of contracts expiring in April 2020 (which included service 403) and devised a new network which included major changes to service 403, as follows:

• Revised route – running from Oldham, via Royal Oldham Hospital & Dr Kershaws Hospice (Turf Lane) to Shaw then following a revised anti-clockwise route via Buckstones and Cowlishaw back to Shaw then back to Oldham.
• No longer serving Rushcroft or High Crompton (where services 59, 408 and 435 provide alternatives)
• Reduced frequency – from every 30 minutes to hourly
• Reduced times of operation – from 0930 to 1430 (allowing the bus to also run a local school bus service)

Overall, while these and other network changes across Oldham reduced the number of buses required (by 4) contract costs were held at similar levels to the expiring contracts.

This change was initially reported to GMTCs January 2020 meeting but deferred.  

Subsequently, a meeting took place (I believe, set up by Cllr Williamson) on 11^th February between 6 local Councillors and James Lewis & Nick Roberts from TfGM.

At that meeting, the proposal was discussed and it was agreed the proposal would be revised so that Rushcroft and High Crompton would continue to be served, along with Cowlishaw, but the service would be removed from Buckstones.

Service 435 would be revised to run back towards Shaw, from Buckstones via Scarr Lane, Linney Lane and  Milnrow Road. However, Hannerton Road, Laneside, Rivington Drive and Kendal Drive would no longer be served.

This proposal was reported to GMTC’s February meeting and approved.

Service 403 will be operated by Stotts Tours.

Timetable leaflets are currently being produced.

See maps below:

We are asking vulnerable residents to call us if they are going to be struggling over the Easter weekend. They can call between 9am and 5pm on the community hotline 0161 770 7007 if they need emergency help.

Over the Easter weekend – from Friday to Monday – the hotline will be open from 11am to 2pm.