Fresh from local election results which saw the largest group of Liberal Democrat councillors elected to Oldham Council since 2015, Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has today announced his Real Opposition team for 2023/24.

Councillor Howard Sykes said: “I am proud to be leading the Liberal Democrat Group and to be at the head of a team that is growing year by year and is holding the Council and Labour to account.  This year we celebrate two new members of our team, councillor Helen Bishop for Saddleworth South, who will be covering Education and councillor Garth Harkness of Saddleworth North who will lead on Housing and Licensing.”  

“Trust in politics is at an all-time low.  The London soap-opera politics from Conservative politicians playing ‘pass the leadership’ is a distraction that does absolutely nothing for the people we represent here in Oldham.  What matters is quality local services, local schools, and hospitals, safeguarding our places of natural beauty, as well as roads, footpaths, and green spaces.”

“At the local elections, people saw fit to deal the Labour administration a hammer blow.  Labour have consistently failed to get the basics right.  But under my leadership, the Liberal Democrats have consistently been proven right on the big local issues that matter.”

“On failed town centre regeneration schemes like Prince’s Gate.  On Labour’s wasteful spending on defunct Clean Air Zone signs.  On new health facilities for Shaw and Crompton.  On Cost-of-Living support for our most vulnerable.  The Liberal Democrats are always first with the ideas that will move Oldham Borough forward.”

“We now have 10 seats on the Council, our largest group since 2015.  Each Liberal Democrat councillor is a strong local champion who will never take the support from their community for granted.  We are ready to serve our communities and stand up to an increasingly tired Labour administration which is running out of road.”

Details of the appointments follow:

Group Leader: Councillor Howard Sykes MBE
Deputy Group Leader: Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani
Group Chair: Councillor Louie Hamblett
Group Secretary: Councillor Diane Williamson
Group Treasurer: Councillor Hazel Gloster
Group Political Secretary: Councillor Mark Kenyon

Liberal Democrat Spokespeople 2023/24:
Reform and Regeneration: Councillor Howard Sykes

• City Region
• Economic Growth
• Cost-of-Living Response
• Transport
• External Relationships & Partnerships
• Capital Projects & Assets
• Corporate Property & Assets
• Borough Strategy
• Communications
  

Finance & Corporate Resources: Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani

• Finance
• Green New Deal
• Energy
• Revenues & Benefits
• HR and OD
• Legal Services
• Performance
• Customer Services
• IT, Digital and Transformation

Children and Young People: Councillor Hazel Gloster

• Child Safeguarding
• Children’s Partnership
• Looked After Children
• Adoption and Fostering
• Youth Service
• Early Years
• Early Help
• Children’s Health & Wellbeing
  

Health and Social Care: Councillor Louie Hamblett

• Adult Social Services
• Adult Safeguarding
• Disability Services & Adaptations
• Mental Health & Wellbeing
• Isolation
• Integrated Care System Development
• Provider Services
• Health Improvement

Education and Skills: Councillor Helen Bishop

• Education & Skills
• School Place Planning
• Looked After Children (Educational Performance)
• Apprenticeships
• Lifelong Learning
• Work & Skills Strategy
  

Neighbourhoods: Councillor Dave Murphy

• Environmental Services
• Waste & Recycling
• Parks & Countryside
• Emergency Planning
• Highways
• Registrars & Cemeteries
• Justice & Community Safety
• Community Cohesion

Housing and Licensing: Councillor Garth Harkness

• Strategic Housing
• Planning
• Homelessness
• Housing Quality & Enforcement
• Building Control
• Trading Standards & Licensing
• Landlord Licensing
  

Communities and Culture: Councillor Alicia Marland

• Culture
• Leisure
• Libraries, Heritage & Arts
• Sports & Sport Development Events
• Social Infrastructure
• PBI & Districts
• VCSFE Sector

Business, Employment and Enterprise: Councillor Mark Kenyon

• Employment & Employability
• Get Oldham Working
• Business Support
• Business Networking
• Markets

Liberal Democrat Lead Members on Boards and Committees

Spokespersons in bold

Name of Councillor(s)	Board / Committee
Helen Bishop, Louie Hamblett & Mark Kenyon	Licensing Committee
Sam Al-Hamdani & Howard Sykes	Audit Committee
Hazel Gloster & Garth Harkness	Planning Committee
Diane Williamson	Standards Committee
Sam Al-Hamdani	Employment Committee
Sam Al-Hamdani	Governance, Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board
Helen Bishop	Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Board
Louie Hamblett	Adults Social Care and Health Scrutiny Board
Diane Williamson	Place, Economic Growth and Environmental Scrutiny Board
Dave Murphy	Traffic Regulation Panel (TRO)
Helen Bishop	Commons Registration Committee
Alicia Marland	Charitable Trust Committee

Liberal Democrat District Leads:

Name of Councillor	District
Diane Williamson	North Deputy District Lead and Lib Dem Spokesperson
Sam Al-Hamdani	East Deputy District Lead and Lib Dem Spokesperson

New bin for Crompton Moor

Or perhaps I should say, following some considerable effort, we now have a bin near the viewing and notice board area just like there used to be previously.

With this and the other bins now aready in the area, including the one empted by the Friends of Crompton Moor, there really is no excuse to litter or not clean up after dogs (which most people do already).

Very pleased to have helped get this ‘new bin’.

An important communication from your Ward Councillors Hazel Gloster and Howard Sykes regarding a planning application affecting the Clough area of Shaw.

Dear Resident,

We have been informed that the Lilac View Close, Clough, Shaw, Planning Application will be heard at the Shaw and Crompton Parish Council Planning Committee on the 13^th June 2023 at 6.00pm.

It is important to note that the Parish Council are only a statutory consultee in the overall planning process however, the committee’s recommendations will form part of the final report to be presented to Oldham Council’s Planning Committee at a date in the future.

The planning application number is FUL/350791/23 and can be viewed online at www.oldham.gov.uk and navigate to the Planning Portal where the full application can be viewed. Online comments with regards to this application have now closed, but residents are still able to comment by emailing or writing to the planning department quoting the above reference number.

Members of the public attending the meeting can comment, speak in support or objection of an application during the ‘Open Forum’ segment of the meeting, but not during the councils’ deliberations later. However, they may be asked to provide clarity on details of the application during the Parish Council deliberations, at the invitation of the person Chairing the meeting.

The meeting will commence at 6pm on Tuesday 13 June at:

The Parish Council Offices, 1 Kershaw Street East, Shaw, Oldham OL2 8AB.

If you require any clarification of details or specific access requirements, please contact the Clerk to the Council on 01706 847590

With Kindest Regards

Cllr Hazel Gloster                                 Cllr Howard Sykes

hazel.gloster@oldham.gov.uk          howard.sykes@oldham.gov.uk

Finding out your risk of type 2 diabetes only takes a few minutes, but it could be the most important thing you do today… Right now, millions of people across the UK are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is serious and every diagnosis is life-changing. It’s a relentless condition, and the fear of serious complications is a lifelong reality for millions in the UK. But it doesn’t have to be this way. With the right care and support many cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or put into remission. Diabetes UK’s free, online Know Your Risk tool, supports people to understand their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It takes just a few minutes to complete, advises you on your risk and some next steps to help reduce this. You can access this tool on their website at: https://riskscore.diabetes.org.uk/start Anyone at high risk of type 2 diabetes, or with a history of gestational diabetes, can ask their GP to refer them for a free place on the local Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. Those referred to the programme receive tailored, personalised support to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You can find out more here: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/number-people-living-diabetes-uk-tops-5-million-first-time

Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has slammed UK water companies including United Utilities – who are the North West’s provider – after “years of sewage scandal”.  United Utilities contributed to an apology statement issued by Water UK on May 18. 

Councillor Sykes said, “Apologies won’t do anything to improve the quality of our waterways.  This statement is meaningless without proper reform of water companies, who have spent years destroying our waterways and putting public health at risk.”

Liberal Democrats have called for an overhaul of UK water companies and an end to bonus for bosses presiding over sewage dumping practices. 

Councillor Sykes said, “It’s a disgrace that the government has continually allowed water company bosses to profit from polluting our waterways.  Now that United Utilities have taken some responsibility for this environmental catastrophe, will the Conservative government step up?  Or will they continue to vote to block reform of water companies, as they have consistently done over recent years?”   

NOTES

Full Water UK statement here: Water and sewage companies in England apologise for sewage spills and launch massive transformation programme | Water UK

Oldham Liberal Democrats “Save Our Rivers” campaign: Save Our Rivers: Liberal Democrats call for Sewage Tax on river polluters – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

Pop along for advice, help or to discuss any issue or matter with your local Liberal Democrat councillors.

Shaw and Crompton Advice Surgeries (no appointment necessary) held on the following Thursdays at Shaw Lifelong Learning Centre – 7:30pm to 8:30pm.

May 25; June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.

Memorial events are set to be held across Greater Manchester to remember those who lost their lives in the Manchester Arena attack six years ago today. Among the 22 victims being remembered are Alison Howe and Lisa Lees from Royton. On 22 May we also remember Royal Fusilier Lee Rigby who was murdered on this day 10 years ago. The focal point for personal remembrance and reflection will be the Manchester city centre Glade of Light memorial, which was officially opened last May by the now Prince and Princess of Wales, ahead of the fifth anniversary.  Two separate one-minute silences will take place at Manchester Victoria Station. During the day – at 12 noon and then at 22.31pm, the exact anniversary of the attack. Candles will also be available for people to light.

Greater Manchester memorial events

Shocking figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats show that 69% of car thefts in Greater Manchester went unsolved in 2022.  The figures were branded “shocking” by Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE. 

Councillor Sykes said, “People in Oldham and across Greater Manchester are told the same thing by Conservative and Labour politicians alike.  They say they are putting more police on the streets and more resources into tackling crime.  But the reality is, criminals are getting away with making our streets less safe.”

Across England and Wales, just 1 in 30 incidents of car theft resulted in a suspect being charged in 2022.  Previous research conducted by the Liberal Democrats shows that police failed to even attend three out of four car thefts in the same year. 

Councillor Sykes said, “The government has run police forces into the ground.  Greater Manchester Police was taken out of special measures in October 2022.  These figures from the same year show that nothing much has improved.”

“People expect and deserve a police force that can properly investigate crimes and bring charges against criminals, but right now, people in Oldham and across Greater Manchester can’t even be sure that the police will show up.”

NOTES

Full analysis including a breakdown by force is available here. 
Data taken from Home Office: Police recorded crime outcomes open data tables
Previous research on police attendance for car thefts is available here. This data was uncovered by an FOI to all 45 police forces in the UK.