If your child isn’t vaccinated they’re not protected

If your child isn’t vaccinated they’re not protected Childhood infections like measles and whooping cough are rising. These infections can have a huge impact on your child’s life. They can miss out on school due to time spent unwell, be hospitalised, and even experience life-long complications and disability.  If your child isn’t vaccinated, they’re not protected.  It is important for parents to take up the offer of the NHS’ free childhood immunisation to ensure your child has the best protection. However, if you or your child have missed a vaccine, it’s never too late to check if you can catch up.  Parents can check their child’s Red Book to see if they have missed any vaccines or check with their GP if they are unsure.   Visit www.nhs.uk/childhoodvaccinations for the full timetable of vaccinations and when to have them and information on how to book.

My two allowed questions to the Leader of Oldham Council 13 March 24 – Environmental Services Cuts and Public Space Protection Orders

Environmental services cuts

Last month, this Labour administration took the astounding decision to cut 30 plus staff from the Environmental Team. 

This is a Council with an abysmal record on environmental crime. 

An administration that has been blasted in recent years for failing to tackle litter, dog-fouling and fly-tipping. 

And despite flashy PR campaigns like ‘Don’t Trash Oldham’ … the reality is that Labour just don’t have a grip on the basics. 

The impact statement that accompanied Labour’s budget cuts said that these job losses would not significantly impact frontline services. 

Are we really expected to believe that?

The loss of more than 30 staff posts is not going to have any impact on service delivery according to Labour.

I can recall what our parks used to be like – no go areas and unloved – before initiatives like Tulip Fund Days and Heritage Lottery grants and the award of Green Flags in all our parks.  All of which allowed them to become the well-used and loved spaces they are today.

So my question is… does the Leader stand by those staffing cuts and does she still insist that the people of Oldham will not suffer any decline in services because of them?

If so… this administration has either lost the plot… or they are being economical with the truth?

Which, is it?

Public Space Protection Orders

As if it wasn’t enough that this is administration is cutting back on staff for our vital green spaces… members of the public will be outraged to learn that this Labour administration has allowed Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) for our green and open spaces to lapse. 

This leaves this Council without the powers to protect some of our Borough’s special places such as our moors. 

Just one example – the PSPO on Crompton Moor ran out in November – along with all the protections that gives, against hunting, protecting nesting birds, against BBQs and fires, dog fouling, and camping to name just a few!

That is not the only example, and at best the PSPO might be back in place in April but could be June depending on any objections.

This failure to renew the orders in time leaves us powerless and exposed in some of our most precious and valued spaces.

So, my question is who in the Labour administration will be held to account for this failure and are there other similar orders that have not been renewed leaving the Council and residents even more exposed.

Scrutiny for Northern Care Alliance is on the Horizon!

Scrutiny for Northern Care Alliance is on the Horizon!

A lack of public accountability for the NHS has finally been addressed after the committee tasked with overseeing the Northern Care Alliance has been reformed, following consistent pressure from Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillor and Shadow Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care Louie Hamblett.

Cllr Hamblett said: “After almost four years of no accountability we can finally get back around the table with other local authorities to discuss the pressing issues that affects hundreds of residents in Oldham, Rochdale, Bury and Salford. Backlogs, waiting times and lack of services are key issues for many of our residents and this is about holding those to account.”

Opposition Liberal Democrats have been calling for a joint scrutiny of Northern Care Alliance after Labour failed to challenge them after they took over four hospitals without any further checks or scrutiny.

Cllr Hamblett added: “As I said before it has been clear for some time now, that the government has abandoned the NHS.  Our local services are struggling.  In the absence of proper leadership from the government, local councillors need work with healthcare leaders to get the best possible outcomes for our residents, I am glad that we will no longer be spectators on the side lines while our health services are struggling”

Car-charging solutions being blocked by Government

Car-charging solutions being blocked by Government

The Department of Transport must provide guidance for installing car charging for people without off-street parking, says local councillor Sam Al-Hamdani, who has written to Transport Minister Mark Harper requesting for the guidance to be issued as soon as possible.

At the moment, residents wanting electric cars are being blocked as Councils like Oldham’s are refusing to provide any option other than formal planning permission until the national guidance is issued.

Sam Al-Hamdani said: “There are people who want to buy electric cars, but without clear information on how they can install charging, they are effectively blocked from doing so.

“There are simple, safe and effective solutions on the market, but companies understandably want to ensure they are compliant with the law – and at the moment, the Government aren’t providing people with the information on how to do this.”

The lack of off-street parking in Oldham is a perennial issue; with anyone who has tried to find a space to mark on its many streets lined with terraced houses being all too familiar with the problem.

Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “The Tory Government makes a great deal out of supporting the marketplace. Well right now, people want to buy electric cars, companies want to sell them, and the Government is getting in the way.

“They need to stop making up issues to have arguments about, and get on with delivering practical solutions to help people – or let someone else do that instead.”

The letter to the Transport Minster, the The Rt Hon Mark Harper, reads:

11/03/2024

Dear Mr Harper,

In October 2023, the DfT published its Plan for Drivers (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/651fe3022548ca000dddee82/the-plan-for-drivers.pdf) which states that the DfT will be looking to provide councils with guidance on the safe use of cross-pavement solutions for car charging (page 24). Currently, this guidance has yet been issued to councils.

For towns like Oldham, where the majority of houses have no off-street parking, this advice is critical for people who want to buy electric vehicles. Installers of on street charging are requesting written confirmation from Councils that street provision is acceptable, but our Council are awaiting the guidance from the Government before they are prepared to do so.

I would first of all like to request that all efforts are made to ensure that the creates options for people to install cross-pavement solutions for car charging.

If we are not consistent and joined-up in the way that we do this, we will fail to meet environmental ambitions. Using petrol and diesel cars has a particular impact in wards like mine where there are schools located on cul-de-sacs and heavy traffic at pickup and drop-off times results in children being left in a fug of pollutants. We need to encourage more children to walk to school, but we also need to minimise pollutants from car fumes in these locations, and electric cars will achieve that.

I would also like to request that this guidance is issued to councils as a matter of priority. People are making decisions about the purchase of electric vehicles all the time, and the market for them is growing. A failure to provide this guidance means that legislation is getting in the way of the market – which I am sure is a problem that goes against your values.

I would be grateful for any information you can provide on the likely direction of the guidance and publication timetable.

Best regards, 

Local elections – are you vote ready?

Local elections – are you vote ready?

Elections will be held in Oldham on Thursday 2 May; so now is the time to make sure you are registered to vote and also have your Voter ID ready. 

If you live in one of Oldham’s 20 wards, when you vote, you will be electing a ward councillor to represent the area you live in.

Each ward has three councillors and one of these three seats will be contested in each ward.

If you are not already registered to vote, or have moved house, you need to register by Tuesday 16 April online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or by calling our Elections team on 0161 770 4718. 

If you are already registered to vote, you will receive your poll card through the post by Tuesday 2 April. Please read your poll card carefully, as your polling station may have changed.

To be able to vote at a polling station you will need photo ID such as:

  • A passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country
  • A driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
  • A Blue Badge  
  • A Proof of Age Standards Scheme card (PASS)
  • Other government-issued ID such as Biometric Immigration Document, Defence Identity Card, National Identity Card
  • Certain concessionary cards for local travel  

 Not able to vote at a polling station?

To vote by post, you will need to complete a postal vote application online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote before 5pm on Wednesday 17 April. You will receive your ballot paper in the post by Friday 26 April.

Liberal Democrats slam Oldham Labour as crucial debate on Places for Everyone housing plan is quietly side lined

Liberal Democrats slam Oldham Labour as crucial debate on Places for Everyone housing plan is quietly side lined

Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has hit out at Oldham Council’s Labour leadership after the final debate on the controversial ‘Places for Everyone’ development scheme has been effectively side lined. 

Councillor Sykes said, “Places for Everyone is Labour’s flagship housing strategy.  But it contains unpopular plans to use Green Belt land for development and it has been criticised for prioritising expensive luxury housing over affordable and social homes.  It should really be called Palaces for Everyone.”

The Places for Everyone proposals – which have also been spearheaded by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham – are now in their final stages and require one final vote of approval from each of Greater Manchester’s ten councils.

Oldham Council will make its decision this week on Wednesday 13th March.  But Places for Everyone comes in at item 16, last on a packed agenda, for which there is a 3.5 hour cut off for any debate.  The Liberal Democrats have accused the ruling Labour Group of trying to limit debate on an issue they know is controversial.

Councillor Sykes said, “The Labour Group are being extremely cynical by putting this crucial vote at the end of the meeting.  They are clearly hoping that we will run out of time, allowing Places for Everyone to pass under the radar.  Given that lots of the supposed benefits of this policy that Labour councillors have spent the last several years defending have now been whittled away and removed, it’s little wonder that they are trying to avoid defending Places for Everyone in public.”

NOTES:

The full agenda for the next meeting of Oldham’s Full Council can be found here.

Commonwealth Day 11 March

The theme for Commonwealth Day 2024, and the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, is ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth’. 

The theme highlights how the 56 member countries must harness their strengths by building resilience, unlocking potential, leveraging the ‘Commonwealth Advantage’ and fostering a connected, digital Commonwealth. This transformation is vital to ensure a resilient common future where no one is left behind.

Half of adults and a third of all children in Oldham and Greater Manchester not seen by a dentist Liberal Democrats reveal

Half of adults and a third of all children in Oldham and Greater Manchester not seen by a dentist Liberal Democrats reveal

Oldham Liberal Democrats have uncovered shocking new data that shows more than 35% of children across Oldham and Greater Manchester have not been seen within the 12-month timeframe recommended by NHS England.

According to research compiled by the House of Commons Library, more than 220,000 children across the Greater Manchester region have waited longer than 12 months for an appointment. 

Leader of Oldham Liberal Democrats councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “Children are being failed by this government, who have allowed NHS dentistry to fall into crisis.  The consequences four our children can be very serious.”

“Tooth decay is now the leading cause of hospital admissions for children aged 6-10.”

The Liberal Democrats also warned of a crisis facing adult dental services after research revealed that more than 1 million adults across Greater Manchester had not been seen within the 24-month period required by NHS England. 

Despite these figures, it has been estimated that a record £400 million in NHS Dentistry funding was left unspent in 2023 due to a shortage of dentists willing to take on NHS work.

Councillor Sykes said, “There are steps the government could take to put an end to this dentistry crisis.  Liberal Democrats want to use the millions of pounds that have been left unspent to boost appointments and guarantee an NHS dentist for anyone needing emergency care.”

“The government should also help families by removing VAT from children’s toothbrushes and toothpaste.”

NOTES:

The research from the House of Commons Library can be found here
Tooth decay being the leading cause of hospital admissions for children aged 6-10 can be found here.
It has previously been estimated that the NHS budget was underspent by a record £400m last year, due to dentists not finding it economical to take on NHS work.