I have just been informed that due to operational issues, the council has been unable to undertake food and garden collections on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 February from properties on the smaller rural vehicle (country round).
Residents are advised that they will now return on their next scheduled collection dates (Thursday 23 and Friday 24 February).
Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and Shadow member for Finance councillor Chris Gloster has blasted Conservative councillors after they brought forward plans to cut cost-of-living support in Oldham by £1.29 million.
Councillor Gloster said, “The Conservative Group is bringing proposals to Council next month that would hammer any hope we have of offering meaningful cost-of-living support to the most vulnerable people in Oldham. During the worst fall in living standards for decades, the Conservative’s plan is to cut cost-of-living support by £1.29 million is simply callous.”
Oldham Council’s Policy Overview and Scrutiny committee met the other week to consider Opposition budget amendments ahead of March 1st, when councillors will vote on the council’s budget plans for 2023/24. Conservative proposals came under fire after it was revealed that their costings included an 86% cut to the council’s cost-of-living support fund. By contrast, Liberal Democrat proposals set out by councillor Gloster were unanimously recommended by the committee.
Councillor Gloster said, “As the only meaningful Opposition to Labour in Oldham, the Liberal Democrats have set out an alternative to the administration’s budget plans.”
“We have a plan that will make Oldham a greener, cleaner, and safer place to be and provide fairer futures for the next generation. Our priorities are improving social care provision, tackling environmental crime, and investing in roads, footpaths and cycleways.”
“Those are the things people want to see the council prioritising. It’s high time that Oldham Council started getting the basics right.”
Liberal Democrats set out budget proposals for 2023/24
Anyone can ask to vote by post.
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 Tuesday 18 April.
The Leader of Oldham Council’s Liberal Democrat Opposition, councillor Howard Sykes MBE has called on Oldham Council bosses to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
Councillor Sykes said, “On Friday February 24th, it will be a year since Putin invaded Ukraine. I have called on Oldham’s leadership to respectfully mark the date that Putin made war in Europe a terrible reality once again.”
In a letter to the Oldham’s Chief Executive, councillor Sykes said, “Over the last year, we have seen the horror and hardship that the people of Ukraine have been subjected to at the behest of a tyrant. But we have also seen the bravery and courage of ordinary Ukrainians in defence of their homeland.”
“Most people I have spoken to expect the Council to lead on an appropriate marking of this very tragic event 12 months ago,” added councillor Sykes.
Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader and GM Transport spokesperson councillor Howard Sykes MBE has called on Greater Manchester’s transport bosses to consider a trial period for allowing bicycles on trams.
Councillor Sykes said, “We should be focused on making public transport as accessible to as many people as possible and as joined up with other forms of active travel as possible. Greater Manchester’s Transport should explore the possibility of allowing people to bring cycles onto trams on a trial basis.”
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) recently concluded a successful trial for dogs on trams, which resulted in the policy being made permanent earlier in January.
Councillor Sykes said, “I first called for dogs to be allowed on trams more than eight years ago. Hopefully it doesn’t take TfGM another eight years to bring forward a trial for bikes. There will be some complications because extra space and storage will be required. Trams may require some adaptations and we’ll need to see proper dual-carriage services consistently throughout peak times. They may also have to be a limit at times on the number allowed.”
“But these are problems we need to be able to solve because demand for Metrolink services has never been higher. People want choices when they travel, and our public transport system has to reflect that.”
Following the Earthquakes across Turkey and Syria and the unfolding humanitarian disaster, Action Together has updated its international crisis support info on the website, with information on on how local people can help if they want to.
For more details follow the link here.
Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader and GM transport spokesperson councillor Howard Sykes MBE has again called for “common sense” on Greater Manchester ‘clean air zone’ proposals. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is expected to announce the latest on the Clean Air Zone soon following indications from the government that they will allow/force a charging zone to go ahead.
Councillor Sykes said, “The Tory Government and the GM Mayor must finally show some common sense. Everyone can see the original proposals were oversized and ridiculous. If anything, we need a very small city centre Clean Air Zone and for the charges to be scrapped. Why on Earth would we want to see more costs heaped onto the people of Oldham during a cost-of-living crisis?”
The Liberal Democrat Leader also slammed a “staggering waste of money” on Clean Air Zone signage across Oldham and Greater Manchester.
Councillor Sykes said, “Last year, the Liberal Democrats revealed that Clean Air Zone signs across Greater Manchester costed more than £3million. It’s a staggering waste of money given the future and scope of the scheme is still unclear.”
NOTES
CAZ signs costed more than £3m
