‘May Ramadan be generous to you’.

Do it now to be sure and beat the rush!

If you don’t want to vote in person, or cannot due other commitments (work/ill/away etc.) at the elections on Thursday 4 May, 2023, for any reason, then you can apply for a postal vote by writing to:

Elections Office, Oldham Council, West Street, Oldham OL1 1UL. Or calling: 0161 770 4718. Or emailing: elections@oldham.gov.uk

Completed applications need to be returned NO LATER than 5pm on Tue

On 23 March 2023, let’s all come together for the third UK National Day of Reflection – an opportunity to remember our loved ones who’ve died, support people who are grieving, and connect with each other. 

Please join us once again to mark the day with a minute’s silence at noon, a nationwide network of Walls of Reflection, and a series of grief-themed online programmes.

https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support

Oldham Liberal Democrats have hit out at the Conservative government for “neglecting cash-strapped young parents” after it emerged that childcare costs in the region have soared by £225 per year.

Leader of Oldham Liberal Democrats councillor Howard Sykes said, “Cash-strapped young parents are already seeing their income squeezed by the Conservative cost-of-living crisis.  Every child and every family should have access to great care; and it shouldn’t break the bank.  The Conservatives are neglecting hard working families.”

Liberal Democrat analysis of the figures in the 2022 Coram Childcare Report and the 2023 Coram Childcare Report show a £225 rise for parents paying for 25 hours of childcare a week.

For children aged two and over, the figures show an average rise of £4.33 a week, meaning an annual rise of £225.16 for hard pressed families.  

For children under the age of two, the figures show an even greater annual rise of £318.76 for parents in the North West.

Councillor Sykes said, “The UK already has some of the highest childcare costs in the world.  Parents up and down the country are struggling to afford their nursery fees, while for others the crippling costs of childcare mean they simply can’t afford to return to work.

“The Government needs to address this childcare crisis urgently and invest properly in our children’s future.”

Liberal Democrat analysis of Coram Childcare Reports 2022 & 2023

Childcare Costs 2023 – Google Sheets

Oldham Council will now back calls for the Greater Manchester Pension Fund to stop its investment in fossil fuels, following an amendment from Liberal Democrats which was passed last night [15/03/23].

The amendment called for the pension fund – the largest in the local government pension scheme, with over 375,000 members – to divest from fossil fuels by 2030, in line with the borough’s zero-carbon target, and in the meantime to provide an annual report on exactly how it is using its investment to pressure companies to go green.

Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “I am delighted that the Council has changed tack and backed this commitment. Other pension funds have committed to divest, and that GMPF was planning to invest in fossil fuels until 2050 is just wrong.

“GMPF has previously argued that its investments can be a driver for change. Well, let’s see the proof. I want to see an annual report detailing exactly how they are doing that, and a solid target for companies, so that they know if they are still working in fossil fuels at the end of this decade, then they will lose our investment.

“Wishy-washy targets for the middle of this century are no incentive for anyone.”

A previous divestment motion from the Liberal Democrats in 2021 was opposed by the Labour Council, but they were prepared to back the new proposals after six other GM councils backed calls for change by 2038.

Councillor Al-Hamdani said: Oldham has a carbon-neutral target of 2030. It would be hypocritical if we still weren’t asking GMPF to stop investing fossil fuels by the same deadline.

“We are currently in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis – driven in part by massive energy price hikes. The UK can’t carry on the same way – we need to wean ourselves off this addiction to international fossil fuels.

We need to be doing everything that we can to move to a sustainable, reliable, low-cost energy market, and that means investing in UK-based green solutions. It’s better for our economy, our environment, and most importantly, for people who have been hammered by huge energy bills.”

Kevin Sinfield – Freedom of the Borough of Oldham – very proud to be able to formally second this proposal to make him a Honorary Freeman last night (20/03/23)

Kevin Sinfield has Oldham in his DNA, and it is only right and proper we make him a Freeman of our Borough.

A former player at Waterhead ARLC the boy has done well to say the least.  And I say that as St Anne’s fan myself!

Fly – half for Leeds Rhinos and captain – proper big boy rugby and a credit to his Town. 

He also played on the international stage with both England and Great Britain.

Kevin is a seven-time Super League champion, two-time Challenge Cup and triple World Club Challenge winner.

To this day, Kevin stills holds the record as the highest points scorer for the Rhinos at 3,697 and the Super League record of 3,443.

Following his playing career, of which he is widely regarded as one of the greatest kickers in rugby league history, Kevin was appointed Rugby Director of the Rugby Football League in 2016.

He helped lead England to the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Final before returning to Rhinos the following year as their first-ever Director of Rugby.

Kevin left Leeds a second time for Rugby Union, when he became defence coach for Leicester Tigers.

He is the current defence coach for the England national rugby union team, and certainly has his work cut out in that role.

But some of Kevin’s biggest achievements are to massively raise the profile of Motor Neurone Disease or MND as it is called.

His former Leeds team-mate Rob Burrows was diagnosed with MND.  And Kevin his former captain and close friend set about raising money and the awareness of MND.

Seven marathons in seven days in 2020.  Kevin raised more than £2.7 million for his friend Rob and the MND Association.

Most recently a staggering seven ultramarathons in seven days. Smashing his original fundraising target of £777,777, Seven being Rob’s former number.

So, his sporting achievements merit this award on their own. 

However, it’s his work for charity and especially MND and his mate Rob Burrows that clearly takes him well over the try line and between the sticks.

We all need to be a little more Kevin!

I am honoured to second the proposal to make Kevin Sinfield OBE a Freeman of the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham.

The Government has introduced new legislation which means photographic identification will be compulsory for anyone voting in person in this year’s elections.  

Voters attending the polls on Thursday 4 May will be refused a ballot if they do not show Government-approved photo ID.  Accepted ID includes:

• passports
• driving licences
• concessionary bus passes
• a PASS card (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
• Blue Badge
• Voter Authority Certificate

Expired ID is also accepted as long as the photo is a true likeness. You can visit the Electoral Commission website for a full list of accepted forms of voter ID

If residents don’t have any of these forms of ID, they can apply for a free voter ID which is also called a Voter Authority Certificate. A website has been set up to register for free voter ID  

People can also get help getting online at any library if they need some support, or the Elections Team is able to answer question and they can be contacted at 0161 770 4318 or elections@oldham.gov.uk  

You can also register to vote by post as normal, and postal votes will not require further ID. For more information, visit www.oldham.gov.uk/voterid

March Month of Madness

Madame Mayor.

My question relates to roadworks across Oldham and what I and others would describe as March the Month of Madness.

Next week more 25 streets have programmed works then there will be the emergency ones or late notice on top of that.

Our roads are in a crumbling state of neglect.  Because of this, emergency repairs are often needed and even though these can be disruptive, I think most people in Oldham accept that they are necessary.

What people are sick and tired of Madam Mayor, is what is now becoming known as the March Month of Madness on our roads.

Every year it seems to get worse and worse.  Jobs that could have been prioritised are just rolled into March and the result it is mayhem on the roads. 

Is it because we aren’t taking the utility companies to task?

When, instead of applying for permits to do planned work they lazily say the work is deemed an emergency repair and get on with it when it suits them and their shareholders, not when it suits the people who rely on those roads every day?

The council also does a disproportional amount of work towards the end of the financial year in rush to spend up.

So, when you add UU, Gas, Electric, broadband, and Council you get road works everywhere.  This is not just an Oldham problem.

It impacts on all road users, bus timetables become meaningless. 

The road works that impact around Oldham town centre is worth a special mention for the chaos they cause and continue to especially at peak times.

There must be a better way of doing this. 

Does the Leader agree that we need a proper enforceable licensing approval scheme in place? 

And will she start to take a tougher approach with utility companies to ensure that works are carried at the earliest opportunity and for the benefit of people who use the roads, rather than being crammed into March – which has become the Month of Madness on our roads?

Clean Air Zone Camera Use

Madam Mayor, we’ve all seen the latest from Mayor Burnham in the Clean Air Zone saga. 

After nearly two years, three Prime Ministers and countless back-and-forth exchanges between the Manchester Mayor and the government.  We are now told that the Clean Air Zone will only be a charging zone in Manchester and in Salford. 

At least £3.3 million has been spent on signage across all Greater Manchester, including across Oldham Borough.  A scandalous example of reckless spending.

We’ve had the creation of a new clean air committee across Greater Manchester.  You would think after the farce they made of the Clean Air Zone, Labour would want this to be a truly cross-party and collaborative committee.

But no.  It’s not politically balanced and you need three members to agree a call-in.  So, nothing will happen on this new committee unless Labour say so.   

One thing that should concern us in Oldham is the use of the cameras that have been put up across our borough for the enforcement of the original clean air zone. 

These cameras are no longer needed for their original purpose.

So, what will they be used for?  Are they going to be turned over to Greater Manchester Police?  Is there going to be any public consultation on their use?

We already have more CCTV cameras per head of population than any other democratic country Madam Mayor.  And Greater Manchester is the second city after London by number of cameras

Is all of this helping GMP catch criminals?  Not with 96% of burglars going uncharged in 2022 Madam Mayor. 

So does the Leader agree with me that the future usage of these cameras must not be decided in a back room somewhere. 

What is her position on the future use of these cameras? And if we need these cameras at all, will she make sure that the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester are consulted on their use?