Display the attached posters to welcome or deter trick or treaters.
Why not also ask if your ‘older’ neighbours would like one of these to display.
Oldham Lib Dems join Fair Deal Devo campaign
The Leader of the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has pledged the support of Oldham Liberal Democrats for the Fair Deal Devo campaign launched by the Manchester Evening News, Bolton News, Wigan Evening Post and Oldham Evening Chronicle.
Cllr Sykes: “Although the Chancellor has talked a lot about devolution and about the fabled Northern Powerhouse, the Government has yet to prove that it is sincere in its intention by offering a fair funding deal for Greater Manchester.”
“Liberal Democrat Councillors in Greater Manchester are ready and willing to accept the challenge and responsibility of devolution to make our region still Greater, but we need to have the cash to make it happen. This is why we welcome and are backing the Deal Devo campaign.”
The Oldham Liberal Democrat Group has been calling for fair transport funding for the region to close the gap between London and Greater Manchester, and is opposed to further Police and local authority funding cuts and the government proposals to close both of the borough’s courthouses.
Cllr Sykes added: “Devolution represents an exciting opportunity for local authorities across Greater Manchester to work together to transform the lives of the region’s residents and to make service improvements that reflect local needs and that create local jobs. But it will not work if Government money does not follow the transfer of power, and we will not accept any attempt by Government to merely pass on responsibility for carrying out difficult cuts.”
The Oldham Liberal Democrats are firmly committed to seeing transparency in the work of the new Combined Authority – where all the Greater Manchester councils work together using the devolved powers and budget.
“It isn’t enough just to tell people what’s going on. The new Combined Authority will be assuming responsibility for a massive devolved budget amounting to many billions of pounds and will be taking on board new areas of work affecting the lives of millions of people.”
“The Liberal Democrats do not believe in telling people what we will do and then doing it for them. We want to actively involve Greater Manchester residents in making the decisions that affect their lives and in shaping the services that their taxes pay for. And we want to work with people and communities to deliver those services more effectively and in a more responsive and accountable way.”
“So we want information to be in plain English, and available on-line and on demand, and we want all meetings to be open to the public and to be webcast so taxpayers can call their representatives to account. That’s real democracy and that’s what as Oldham Liberal Democrats we aspire for in the new structure for the Combined Authority.”
Proposal to close Oldham Magistrates’ and Oldham County Courts
Very happy to put my name to this letter and support the campaign (as are all my Lib Dem colleagues) to try and retain our local law courts. Court Closure Letter Oldham Borough Council
My two allowed Leader’s questions for tonight’s Oldham Council meeting
LQ1 – OFSTED Children’s Services Report
My first question to the Leader tonight concerns the recent report by OFSTED about the performance of our children’s services department and the Safeguarding Board.
In 2012, when OFSTED last published a report on these services they were judged to be Good. In the August 2015 report they were deemed to be Requiring Improvement – a significantly worsened position.
Mercifully, in the report, OFSTED affirms positively that the four children’s homes operated by the local authority “were judged to be good or outstanding in their most recent Ofsted inspection” and that “There are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm”.
I am sure that this news will at least be a relief to all members in this chamber given recent tragedies involving vulnerable children and young people elsewhere; tragedies that I have previously raised in questions to the Leader.
But the report also states damningly that “The authority is not yet delivering good protection and help for children, young people and families” and that it is “not yet delivering good care” for looked after children and young people.
OFSTED also states that “Leadership, management and governance require improvement” and that “the characteristics of good leadership are not in place”.
I am sure that like me the Leader will share the expectation of OFSTED that “all children and young people in Oldham receive the level of help, care and protection that will ensure their safety and help prepare them for adult life”.
Certainly this was an expectation that we always worked to meet during my administration and this was why the Leader was able to inherit a Good rating in the last report.
So can he therefore now tell me what plan will be put in place to ensure that our Children’s Services will be improved and our leadership, management and governance structures made fit for purpose, so that we may avoid another such damning verdict in future?
LQ2 – Elder Abuse
My second question concerns another group of vulnerable people – this time elderly people subjected to abuse.
Although there is much media attention focused on the abuse of children there is comparatively little given to that meted out to our elders. And here I am referring to neglect and financial and emotional abuse, as well as physical abuse.
The UK charity Action on Elder Abuse estimates that 8.6% of older people living in our communities are subject to elder abuse – over 500,000 people. Yet this is hidden from sight from the majority of people.
Breaking the statistics down a little – 60% of victims are over 80 years of age, more than 15% are over 90 years old, and almost one in five – 19% – have dementia.
Although most people have heard reports of abuse in care homes or in hospitals, the majority of older victims of abuse live in their own homes, and the majority of abusers are relatives not professionals. Most shockingly a quarter of those abused actually live with their abusers.
My second question to the Leader tonight is to ask him what is being done to address elder abuse in this Borough?
Councillor Howard Sykes, Leader of the Opposition and Lib Dem Group Oldham Council, 9 September 2015
CROMPTON MOOR GUIDANCE FOR INCIDENT REPORTING
Shaw and Crompton Councillors Advice/Ward Surgeries: September: 3, 10, 17, and 24
Shaw and Crompton Councillors Advice/Ward Surgeries: September: 3, 10, 17, and 24
All at Shaw Lifelong Learning Centre, High Street, Shaw. From 7:30pm to 8:30pm
Councillors: Sykes, Blyth, Gloster, Williamson, Murphy and Turner
NO APPOINTMENT NECCESSARY
PUBLIC NOTICE – FAO KERSHAW STREET RECYCLING SITE USERS
Please be aware Oldham Council have removed the recycling site due to bins being constantly contaminated and fly tipping.
The nearest alternative site is at ASDA Shaw (Located off Greenfield Lane)
If you require any recycling containers for your personal use please contact Oldham Council on 0161-770-6644 or email waste@oldham.gov.uk
Ashworth Court Bin Shed Doors, Shaw Town Centre
Your local Liberal Democrat Borough and Parish Councillors have finally after months of requests had First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) place temporary wooden doors on the bin sheds.
This has resulted in a drop in Anti-Social Behaviour in Shaw Town centre and less fly tipping in the area. The Oldham Council collection team are now removing less waste from the sheds.
The next step is to quickly work with FCHO to install permanent secure metal doors that will continue the positive effects of having new doors to which local residents have been extremely pleased with.
Avoid traffic chaos and Save Shaw Market
Oldham Council has had another change of heart about the relocation of Shaw Market.
At first Labour wanted to move the Market onto the South side of Market Street that joins High Street. Now they want to move it to the North side of Market Street adjoining Rochdale Road.
“The latest news is that the Labour Council will press ahead with its plans, with the Market moving shortly – or that is what we think as no one will give us a straight answer,” stated Councillor Howard Sykes.
Your local Lib Dem Team are campaigning to leave the Market where it is.
We want to see the cash Labour has allocated for the move spent instead on revitalising Shaw Market on its existing site by replacing the fixed market stalls with pop-up stalls on Market Day (Thursday) and removing the perimeter units.
“This solution will not only remove the shelter that attracts youths intent on anti-social behaviour but also provide more free car-parking on non-Market Days, therefore contributing to the general vitality of Shaw’s District Centre,” said Councillor Sykes.
“In addition our proposal also prevents the traffic chaos that will happen when Market Street is closed forcing all vehicles, including HGVs and buses, to use Eastway,” he added.
Please help support our campaign about the Market and sign our petition:
http://howardsykes.mycouncillor.org.uk/save-shaw-market-petition/
Rivington Drive/Neston Close
“A dropped bollard has now been fitted to the car park at the rear of Neston Close and Rivington Drive, which should hopefully reduce anti-social behaviour,” stated local Councillor Howard Sykes.
“Local residents now have keys for this bollard so they can now control access to their car park. We have also removed the slippery and unsightly moss from the front banking in front of Rivington Drive.”