Sykes says, Worcester’s PooWatch a model Oldham should follow

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The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, was impressed to read recently of the success that the PooWatch scheme in Worcester has enjoyed since its launch in November 2015 and remains convinced that this is a model that Oldham Council should introduce to help tackle dog fouling in the Borough.

Councillor Sykes said: “I first wrote to Helen Lockwood, Executive Director of Co-operatives and Neighbourhoods, and Carol Brown, Director of Environmental Services in January of this year asking them to contact Worcester council officers about the scheme.  Twelve months on PooWatch has proven its value in helping to tackle the anti-social behaviour of irresponsible owners who do not clear up after their dog.”

 He added: “PooWatch is a new free web app for smartphones, tablets and personal computers.  I think this technology could be of great use in helping Oldham Council tackle this blight in our Borough.”

Through the Poowatch app, residents can record any dog litter they spot in the city. The information they provide helps identify dog litter hotspots so action can be targeted in areas of greatest need.

Worcester City Council has reported that PooWatch has “attracted much positive media attention and (they have) been overwhelmed with reports of dog fouling left on the city’s streets.”

Councillor Sykes feels that: “PooWatch empowers the public to be the Council’s eyes and ears in the community.  Using a smart phone they report real incidents in real time to enable prompt action to be taken against irresponsible dog owners and to contribute to both a more co-operative and a cleaner borough.”

The web app – which is free to access – uses GPS locaters to provide a simple and easy way for people to report dog mess and will help create an interactive map of the city showing the worst affected areas.  It also shows the nearest bin to the location of the person accessing the app.

Cllr Sykes added: “Dog fouling is one of those issues that my ward councillors and I are constantly asked about.  Now PooWatch has demonstrated its value in tackling the blight of dog fouling isn’t it now time for Council officers to introduce it here?”

Shaw and Crompton Green Belt under threat

imagesGreater Manchester Spatial Framework

Strategic Options consultation

Over the next 20 years there is a need to deliver continued sustainable economic growth, creating more jobs and new homes for the people of Greater Manchester.

The ten local authorities in Greater Manchester are working together on a joint plan called the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) this is being prepared to ensure that new homes and jobs are provided in the right places with the transport (roads, rail, Metrolink) and infrastructure to support the communities and manage growth sustainably.

The draft Greater Manchester Spatial Framework sets out:

  • How much housing and employment land is needed up to 2035
  • A number of strategic sites across Greater Manchester to assist in meeting these requirements
  • The importance of infrastructure such as, health, education, transport, green spaces and utilities to support neighbourhoods and employment
  • Ways to protect and improve the natural environment.

Public consultation on the draft version of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework runs from 31 October to 23 December 2016.  During this time, we would welcome any comments you may have on this document and supporting background papers. Views submitted will be considered and a final draft will be published in 2017 when another period of consultation will be held.

For further information on the consultation, to view and download the following documents please visit www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/GMSF:

Paper copies of the draft Greater Manchester Spatial Framework may be viewed at:

Local libraries in Oldham and at the Oldham Civic Centre Planning Reception,  West Street, Oldham, OL1 IUG (for Sat Navs use OL1 1NL).

A paper copy of the Integrated Assessment may be viewed at:

Civic Centre Planning Reception, West Street, Oldham, OL1 IUG (for Sat Navs use OL1 1NL).

Comments may only be made:

PO Box 532
Town Hall
Manchester
M60 2LA

All comments must be received by 5pm on 23 December 2016.

Please note all comments will be held by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and will be available to view publicly. Comments cannot be treated as confidential. Your personal information, such as your postal and email address will not be published, but your name and organisation (if relevant) will.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority maintains a database of consultees who wish to be kept informed about the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework. In responding to this consultation your contact details will automatically be added to the consultation database. If you do not want to be contacted about future Greater Manchester Spatial Framework consultations please state this in your response.

A series of events are being hosted across Greater Manchester which the public are invited to attend and discuss the draft Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

Drop-in sessions currently arranged are:-

  • 8 November – Performance Space, Oldham Library, Union Street, Oldham – 12noon till 8pm
  • 14 November – Shaw Lifelong Learning Centre, Shaw – 5pm till 6.30pm
  • 21 November – Uppermill Civic Hall, Uppermill – 4.30pm till 6.30pm
  • 24 November – Failsworth Town Hall, Failsworth – 5.00pm till 6.30pm
  • 28 November – Royton Library, Royton – 3pm till 7pm
  •  5 December –  Chadderton Wellbeing Centre, Chadderton – 4.00pm till 6.00pm

Please note: The drop-in sessions will provide an opportunity for members of the public to find out more about the GMSF and meet with Council officers on a one to one level or in small groups.

Additional events may be arranged and details will be published on the Council’s website.

http://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/200711/greater_manchester_plans/1399/greater_manchester_spatial_framework

Would you (or someone you care for) like some company over a bowl of freshly made soup, a crusty roll and a warm cup of tea?

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Would you (or someone you care for) like some company over a bowl of freshly made soup, a crusty roll and a warm cup of tea?

East Crompton St James, St James Street, Shaw.

We are hosting a monthly series of free soup lunches for all who would like to attend.

The first lunch will be Saturday 26th November 2016 at 12:00 for 12:30 in the Parish Church.

Come along for some friendly faces, a tasty lunch, a change of scenery and to share some company

Any enquiries to: Rev. Howard Moston 01706 847940 Or Mrs Kirsten Stott 0161 287 7645 (Or just turn up)!

Liberal Democrat Welcome for Commons Report on Puppy Farming

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Oldham Liberal Democrats have welcomed the recent publication of a report by Parliament’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee calling on the Government to bring forward legislation to outlaw puppy farming and to improve animal welfare.

At the full meeting of Oldham Council on 9 November, a Liberal Democrat motion was passed by councillors calling for similar action from government and committing the Council to work with animal welfare agencies and the public to look out for the well-being of puppies and dogs and to end puppy farming in the borough.

Commenting on the findings of the report, Liberal Democrat Councillor Julia Turner, who proposed the motion, said: “It is great to hear that the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee are echoing many of the demands of the Oldham Council Liberal Democrat Group.”

“Like the committee, we want to see the government bring forward the necessary secondary legislation to outlaw puppy farming; introduce greater regulation to ensure that breeders are registered and regulated; and provide more resources for local councils to enforce the law.”

“We would also welcome stronger sentences for people who engage in the abhorrent practice of raising pups that are isolated from their mothers, and then neglected or starved, before selling them for hundreds of pounds to unsuspecting buyers.”

Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, seconded the motion, added: “This is a real problem – only one in ten puppies is bred by a licensed breeder. Often illegally bred animals die or become sick shortly after being purchased because they are not vaccinated. And a buyer left with a dead animal or a sizable medical bill has little legal comeback – British customers have more rights when they purchase a refrigerator than they do a puppy.”

“A recent operation in Greater Manchester by the RSPCA, Operation Pagan, found ‘animal suffering on an almost industrial scale’, and Oldham residents from Chadderton, Failsworth and Shaw have been convicted of related offences so in the run-up to Christmas I would ask everyone to remain vigilant to the actions of puppy farmers”.