Timber! New Tree Warden Scheme for Borough

Lib Dem Cllrs Garth Harkness and Diane Williamson were pleased that the March Council meeting approved their motion to establish a tree warden scheme for the borough.

Cllr Harkness said: “In other local authorities, like Stockport, tree warden schemes have been established so that residents can help preserve, and enhance, the woodland in their locality. Tree wardens are not expected to be experts – only enthusiasts – and there is an expectation that training and support will be made available from Council staff so that they can become progressively more skilled in their role.”

Cllr Harkness added: “In our borough, we already have members of Friends of Parks, Moors and green spaces groups who meet as a network hosted by Voluntary Action Oldham; these dedicated individuals represent a potential source of volunteers.”

Supporting the call, Diane said: “Following previous Liberal Democrat calls for more allotments and growing spaces in our borough, Oldham Council now has a Get Oldham Growing Strategy with more funds available for tree planting and a newly-appointed Tree Planting project officer. We can see the potential of tree wardens in supporting the work of this officer.”

“A tree warden scheme not only embodies our Council’s co-operative principle, but it would also provide worthwhile voluntary work to a great many people and help support our Forest Schools initiative.”

Lib Dems call for National Living Wage Accreditation

In Council, the Liberal Democrats had a second success on the night when members agreed to a Lib Dem resolution that the Council should seek accreditation as a National Living Wage employer.

The Leader of the Opposition and of the Group, Cllr Howard Sykes MBE, proposed the motion, supported by Cllr Diane Williamson.

Cllr Sykes said: “One of the moments of which I am most proud as a Councillor is when, in December 2013, Oldham Council adopted a resolution proposed by the Liberal Democrats to become a National Living Wage employer.”

“In April 2015, the National Living Wage was introduced for all Council staff, and five hundred and forty of our lowest paid staff received a pay rise as a result. The Council should be proud of this achievement and we should say so publicly. One way of doing this is by applying for accreditation with the National Living Wage Foundation.”

Cllr Williamson added: “The Liberal Democrats are glad that Council agreed to formal accreditation. This will allow the Council to publicly display the Living Wage Employer Mark. Not only would this be an example that other forward-thinking employers could follow in our borough, but it would be an outward sign that Oldham Council pays a decent wage to its employees.”

Root out Tax Evaders, Adopt 03/14 Test

The third Lib Dem motion at Council concerned tax evasion.  Lib Dem Cllrs Derek Heffernan and Rod Blyth asked Council to adopt a more rigorous standard when vetting prospective contractors to help root out firms that have evaded tax.

Cllr Heffernan said: “We believe that the Council should appoint outside contractors where they can clearly demonstrate they have paid their fair share in tax. Every prospective contractor has to complete documentation in the course of applying for a contract; our motion called for that documentation to include a robust set of questions about their tax payment record.”

The Liberal Democrat call mirrors the campaign by the charity Christian Aid to the UK Government and local authorities to clamp down on tax evasion and avoidance. As a result, the Government has now included new and more rigorous testing procedures where prospective contractors apply for large contracts.

Cllr Heffernan added: “According to an estimate by HMRC, in 2013 the UK lost around £30 billion in unpaid taxes. This has a serious impact on our ability to continue to fund our public services. Much of the unpaid tax is by large national and multi-national corporations using loopholes and sophistry to dodge what they rightly owe. This has an impact on our smaller local businesses who struggle to compete.”

“We asked Council to adopt the Government’s new and tougher test, the so-called Procurement Policy Note 03/14, for assessing tax compliance amongst its prospective bidders. This helps root out tax evaders and creates a more level playing field for local companies to fairly compete for council contracts.”

Labour amended the motion, claiming they have already done this. Cllr Heffernan responded: “This is welcome news to us so we shall look forward to receiving further reports on the progress made by this Administration.”

World Book Day Plea to make Libraries Places of Peace

On World Book Day – 3 March, Cllr Derek Heffernan, who is the Council’s Champion for Peace, joined forces with Maria Ellis, Chairperson of Peace Talks Oldham, to make a plea for peace book sections to be established in Oldham’s libraries.

Maria contacted Derek after finding no peace book section in the Library. She explained: “When I was visiting Central Library, I looked for a specific section on peace and was told there was none. Public libraries can be a tremendous force for good, yet our library shelves are full of books that glorify and glamorise violence, from Westerns to crime. In my view, we should also look to stock books that urge people to take the path of peace.”

Derek said: “I knew instantly that this was a worthy cause that I should take up. Oldham can lead the way, as the first borough in the United Kingdom to sign the European Pledge to Peace, in creating bespoke peace sections in our libraries.”

After writing a joint letter to senior library officers asking for action, a meeting has now been arranged in early April.

Derek and Maria have also written to the President of the United States. President Obama will establish his presidential library in Chicago, Illinois. Derek and Maria have asked him to a book section about people and movements working for peace as an example that every public library, and even the Library of Congress, can follow.

Above: Derek and Maria with books by the Ambassador of Peace Mr Prem Rawat – No Ordinary Box and Peace is Possible – that they would like to see in Oldham Library.

 World Water Day Call to End Water Poverty in Oldham

On World Water Day (22 March) Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillors Diane Williamson and Dave Murphy wrote written to housing associations, professional agencies and community groups asking for their help in helping to end water poverty in the borough.

Shadow Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Co-operatives, Cllr Diane Williamson said:  “UN World Water Day represented a perfect opportunity to re-launch our campaign to help the poorest residents of our borough access the financial help that is available from regional water provider United Utilities and the government to enable them to keep on track with their water bills.”

In July 2015, both councillors took a motion to Oldham Council calling on the government to end water poverty and for the Council to promote the support schemes available to customers facing water poverty. The motion was carried.

Cllr Williamson added: “For customers on low incomes, whether hard hit by welfare reform, in low-paid jobs or receiving monthly Universal Credit payments, water bills can represent a real headache. Studies have shown that where customers are expected to pay more than three percent of their household income on meeting water bills they often get into arrears. There is much that the Council and its partners can do to make local people aware of the help that is available.”

Regional water provider United Utilities has three million customers with around 300,000 in arrears at any one time. There are several schemes to support customers struggling to pay a bill or settle arrears, and the Government has schemes that allow direct bill payments from benefits and that cap bills for customers with larger families or certain medical conditions.

Cllr Williamson said: “Unfortunately all too often those customers who could most benefit won’t have heard of any of them! So Cllr Murphy and I have contacted almost 200 organisations asking them to help raise awareness amongst customers in difficulty and we have sent each of them a copy of a bespoke handbook that we co-produced with staff from United Utilities outlining the help schemes available.”

Lib Dems work for better mental health services in borough

The Shadow Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, Cllr Garth Harkness, is pleased that his letter to Labour Cabinet members asking them to help him establish a MIND Training Academy in the borough has finally been answered.

At the Training Academy, individuals would be able to access training courses and therapeutic services to help them cope better with a mental health condition and to prepare for employment.

Cllr Harkness said: “I have been working with MIND to develop more services for residents of our borough with mental health needs. MIND would like to be able to use the Link Centre free as the location of the academy.”

In addition, Cllr Harkness has worked with Mind to establish new services for young people at Saddleworth School and for patients at a GP’s surgery. He added: “Mind is keen to establish satellite provision in Saddleworth as it is not always easy for local residents to access services in Oldham town centre. I have provided some financial support to make this happen, as well as assistance towards meeting the travel costs of young people travelling to access specialist services at Mahdlo.”

Keep Restorative Justice Funding, say Lib Dems

Lib Dem Cllr Diane Williamson wrote recently to the Minister of Justice Michael Gove MP and the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd asking them to continue funding restorative justice programmes.

Cllr Williamson believes that Restorative Justice has a big part to play in reducing repeat offending and in supporting the victims of crime. She said: “Restorative Justice brings together victims and offenders, so that victims can explain to offenders the real impact the crime has had on their life, and so offenders can face the consequences of their actions. This helps bring closure for the victim and can assist them in moving forward with their lives.”

“Research by the Ministry of Justice found that 85% of victims who participated in Restorative Justice Programmes were satisfied with the experience and that there was an estimated 14% reduction in the frequency of re-offending.”

Funding for Restorative Justice Programmes in now in jeopardy after the expiry of a three year funding programme initiated whilst the Liberal Democrats formed part of the Coalition Government.

Cllr Williamson added: “Under the Coalition Government £29 million was made available for Restorative Justice Programmes, most to Police and Crime Commissioners, over a three year period from 2013 to16.  The Greater Manchester Commissioner received £298K in 2014-15 and £611K for 2015-16.  Now this money is under threat.”

“I have asked the Secretary of State to ensure the current Government lifts this threat.  I have also written to the Greater Manchester Crime Commissioner asking him to maintain funding even if the government grant is withdrawn as the benefits to society substantially outweigh the financial costs.”

Damning report shows homelessness will rocket

A recently-released report from the Local Government Association shows that councils fear the Conservative Housing Bill will see a sell off of homes that will not be replaced and a rocketing of homelessness in communities across Britain.

The survey results are stark; of the councils which responded:

–          78% said there would be an increase in homelessness

–          90% of councils surveyed said their number of council homes would decrease

–          74% said the homes sold under RTB would not be replaced

Commenting, Lib Dem Group Leader Cllr Howard Sykes MBE, said: “This report, which was called for by the Liberal Democrats on the Local Government Association, paints a very grim picture.  It is clear that this Conservative government is intent on devastating social and affordable housing for those most in need. As a result there is likely to be a colossal rise in homelessness as poorer households struggle to find homes that are within their means.  Be in no doubt, the blame for this lies firmly at the Government’s door.”

“We need to stop this before it’s too late. Liberal Democrats in the Lords have launched a major attack on the reforms and will be fighting them to the bitter end.”

“At December’s Council, the Liberal Democrats tabled an amendment calling for a local assessment to be carried out of the impact of the Housing Bill on the residents of this borough.  I fear that the poorer residents of this borough will suffer the devastating consequences of this mean-spirited legislation.”

 Lib Dems condemn Ending of School Meals Grant to Small Schools

Lib Dem Cllr Garth Harkness has condemned the Conservative Government for scrapping a fund for small schools to provide free hot meals.

The fund worth £2,300 per year was provided to almost 3,000 primary schools.

Cllr Harkness, who is the Shadow Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “The Government has done this on the quiet without fanfare and, whilst the withdrawal of a £2,300 annual grant may not seem a lot, the worry is that the provision of school meals will suffer in some of our smaller primaries.”

“The Liberal Democrats on Oldham Council called on the Government to expand free school meals to all primary aged pupils in line with a recommendation in a report that the Government itself commissioned. This is instead an about turn in totally the wrong direction. For some poorer pupils, a lunchtime meal can be their only hot meal of the day, and children with empty bellies simply cannot learn.”

Liberal Democrat Lord Storey asked a question on this matter in the House of Lords on behalf of Cllr Harkness.

Cllr Harkness added: “I am grateful to my party colleague for his intervention as it was only through this that we have identified that six schools in our borough will lose this money. That’s almost £14,000 a year lost that could have been spent on providing nutritious food for hungry pupils in this Borough.”