Tree Warden Scheme welcomed by Lib Dems

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Liberal Democrats proposed in March 2016 that Oldham Council establish a tree warden scheme for the Borough.

“Our borough has a rich variety of trees located on our streets, in our parks and in our private gardens.  All of these trees have a positive effect on the health and well-being of the people who live, work and visit our borough, said local Liberal Democrat Shaw Councillor Howard Sykes.  “I am sure that many residents would wish to do all that they can to preserve the beauty and majesty of the trees in their neighbourhood. 

I am pleased to report the Council is now progress this matter – see below.”

Tree Wardens are volunteers from the community who have an interest in trees and want to get involved in all aspects of tree management. The tree warden groups work closely with The Council’s Arboricultural team and other local groups and bodies who are key to the success of their various schemes.

Here is a list of the types of things a Tree Warden may get involved with;
•    Woodland management
•    Planting and maintenance of new trees
•    Champion their local trees and woods
•    Seed collection and growing trees
•    Tree surveys and data collection
•    Involve their neighbours in tree projects
•    Spearhead Council tree related initiatives
•    Organise field trips
•    Involve schools and children and educate.
•    Change attitudes and behaviours regarding trees
•    Organise events
•    Seek third party funding and run fundraising events
•    Provide extra eyes and ears in their neighbourhoods

Volunteers will receive informal training sessions and guidance from Oldham Council’s tree professionals, and regular meetings will be organised between tree wardens and Oldham Councils arboricultural team. Returnable Clothing and equipment will be provided.

Anyone interested in getting involved can contact Environmental Services on 0161 770 4067 or by e-mail at environmentalservices@oldham.gov.uk or in writing to Tree Wardens, Alexandra Park, Kings Road, Oldham, OL8 2BH.

Oldham’s i Tree Eco Survey Assessing Oldham’s Urban Forest Effects and Values

clipart-tree-MKTjKnaiqOldham Council has teamed up with Treeconomics, i tree, and FCHO to undertake the biggest single tree survey in Oldham’s history. The aim of the survey is to establish the distribution, age, health, species mix, structural and ecosystem value of Oldham’s urban tree stock.

Volunteers will work as part of a team supervised by Oldham’s tree professionals and will be responsible for surveying 200 randomly selected plots across the borough. Volunteers do not need any background in trees, and will be given full training and teamed up with one of Oldham Councils qualified arboriculturalists for the survey work.

The findings of this survey will be written up into a full report which will help formulate the future management strategies for Oldham’s urban tree stock.

Volunteers must be able to attend the initial full day’s training to be held on 21 June 2016, and must be able to commit to a minimum of 5 full days equivalent surveying (this is flexible and can be organised to suit volunteer groups over the summer period).

Anyone interested in getting involved can contact Environmental Services 0161 770 4067 or by e-mail at environmentalservices@oldham.gov.uk or in writing to Tree Surveys, Alexandra Park, Kings Road, Oldham, OL8 2BH.

Missed bins – Shaw and Crompton Friday 3 June

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I have been informed of a number of uncompleted waste collections from the Shaw & Crompton area today.  These include:

  • Food & Garden – Salt Street area (1 hour)
  • Food & Garden – Harewood Road area (30 mins)
  • Food & Garden – Moor Street, Princess Road area (1.5 hours)
  • Paper & Cardboard – Wood Street (1 hour)
  • Paper & Cardboard – Cliff Hill Road, Shore Ave area (30 mins)

This is a due to the high volume of recycling product put out and vehicle breakdowns faced this week/today.  There will be crews out from 7:30am tomorrow morning in these areas to clear the back log.

ASDA have withdrawn their application for 24/7 deliveries in Shaw

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Copy of my recent letter to the people who have wrote to me about this and my original email of objection.  This is good news and hopefully an outbreak of common sense by ASDA.

Re: Planning application 337933 to allow 24/7 deliveries at ASDA, Shaw

Further to my recent letter of 13 April regarding the planning application to allow 24/7 deliveries as ASDA in Shaw, this is just a quick note to update you on progress.

I have now received confirmation that ASDA have withdrawn their application for 24/7 deliveries in Shaw.

This is fantastic news and I am more than happy with the outcome as I hope you are too.

If I can be of any assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Best wishes – Howard Sykes

Copy of ASDA’s letter to local residents: Revised Asda Shaw letter

From: Howard Sykes
Sent: 02 February 2016 19:52
To: Martyn Leigh
Subject: Planning application 337933 ASDA in Shaw ref 2973

Dear Mr Leigh,

I formally wish the above application to be considered by the Planning Committee (upped) due to the fundamental nature of this most recent application and how it seeks to change the whole basis of how the store works and how it impacts upon its immediate neighbours (my constituents).

It seeks to allow deliveries via the front/customer entrance between the hours of 10pm and 6am i.e. through the night.

I have not objected to previous applications, all of which have relaxed the original conditions imposed on this development, in terms of delivery times and opening hours.

I now also formally object to what they propose now.

Since the development was conceived there has always been an entrance for the public/customer and a delivery entrance/yard.

Despite what local councillors wanted at the time the customer entrance was located on Greenfield Lane (a late change in the original application process).

The application this time means the customer entrance off Greenfield Lane actually gets used for commercial deliveries 24 hours a day, seven days a week including Bank Holidays.

The impact this will have on local residents will be massive – it terms of traffic, noise, light pollution and must be resisted.

I would be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this email.

Yours sincerely.

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE

Missed bins, Shaw and Crompton 20 May

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I am informed that due to vehicle issues on Friday there are about 2.5 hours of paper and cardboard outstanding in the Shaw and Crompton area.  This area includes:

  • 1.5 hours on Marlfield Road, Wood Street, Thornham Road area
  • 1 hour on Edward Street, Netherhouse Road, Victoria Street area

Please note that there will be a vehicle out from 7:30 am on Saturday morning to complete this work.

Crompton Hall, (on Buckstones Road, Shaw) – Saturday the 14th of May 2016

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Friends of Crompton Moor will be doing some work in Crompton Hall, (on Buckstones Road/Shaw), this coming Saturday the 14th of May 2016.

This work will involve doing some woodland management tasks to help improve and maintain this popular green space area.

They will be meeting near the main gates on the Buckstones Road side at 10:30am.   The finish is ‘open ended’; in other words ‘stay as long as you wish’.

Sturdy shoes or boots are advised, along with working gloves, and if anyone has a spade or secateurs please bring them along, but don’t worry if you don’t possess any of these items as we do have some you can borrow.  (not the shoes or boots!)

If you have a couple of hours, one hour, or only half an hour, please come along and join us, and should you need any further information please do not hesitate to give us a call on 07792 156295.

Secretary – Friends of Crompton Moor.  07792 156295.  www.cromptonmoor.co.uk