Lib Dem Community Bank proposal to be considered

thCAGDS5F2The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Shaw Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has welcomed the tabling of a report to discuss his proposal that Oldham Council examines the merits of establishing a community bank for the Borough and for Greater Manchester.

In February, Cllr Sykes wrote to the Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Cllr Shoab Akhtar, asking the Labour Administration to consider the option.

Cllr Sykes said: “In Hampshire, a community bank is about to commence operations later this year. The bank is a partnership between Liberal Democrat run Eastleigh Borough Council and other social partners. It is based on a successful local banking system from Germany. The bank will support small and medium sized businesses to secure money for investment more quickly and at lower interest rates.”

“Such a bank would be a stimulant for local jobs and local businesses. As the emphasis is on lending locally, to green projects and recycling profits as a community windfall, there will also be improvements to our environment and benefits for local communities.”

The item will be discussed at the next meeting of Oldham Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Board on Tuesday 14th July.

Cllr Sykes added: “A community bank looks like a real winner to me, and would be another practical example of co-operative Oldham in action. This is another in a long line of initiatives the Liberal Democrat Group has proposed to help Get Oldham Working.”

Report is below:

Community Bank in Oldham

Carriageway Improvement Works on Greenfield Lane, Shaw – starts 6 July

Road-Closure-Icon1COPY LETTER TO LOCAL RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES

Dear Sir / Madam

As part of Oldham Council’s £10 million Capital Investment Programme, J. Hopkins (Contractors) Ltd will shortly be carrying out carriageway improvement works on Greenfield Lane, Shaw.

The improvement works on Greenfield Lane will consist of carriageway resurfacing. We anticipate that the carriageway resurfacing works will start on site week commencing 6th July 2015 and are anticipated to take 4 nights to complete.

Due to the nature of the carriageway improvement works, it is necessary to carry out the works at night. It is inevitable that local residents and businesses will experience varying levels of disruption, however Oldham Council will endeavour to keep this disruption to a minimum.

  1. Hopkins (Contractors) Ltd will endeavour to maintain access to your premises throughout the works, however there may be occasions when access may be restricted.

During the carriageway resurfacing works it will be necessary to close Greenfield Lane to allow for resurfacing works to be carried out safely.

Should you have any queries or require further information please telephone Highway Enquiries on 0161 770 4325.  or email: richard.edwards@unitypartnership.com

The council is constantly striving to improve its services to its customers and I am sure you will welcome the improvements these works will bring to the area over the coming weeks.

Yours sincerely

Richard Edwards

Unity Partnership

See Map of who should have got this letter directly: Greenfield Lane Consulation Area

Sykes condemns Government for pulling plug on Northern Rail Electrification

The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Cllr Howard Sykes MBE, has roundly condemned the recent decision by the new Conservative Government to withdraw funding for the electrification of regional rail routes, especially between Manchester and Leeds.

Cllr Sykes, who also serves as a representative from Oldham Council on the Board of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGMC), said:

“The Chancellor made a great play before the election to promise the money needed to electrify our major rail lines and so create a faster, greener northern network for business commuters and day trippers. Now the election is over the Conservatives have swiftly reneged on that promise.”

Network Rail describes rail electrification on northern routes as needed to “significantly improve in journey times, helping to support economic growth in the north.”

Cllr Sykes added: “A failure to invest in electrification will mean that the much-vaunted Northern Powerhouse will be held back as we shall lack the modern rail infrastructure that is needed. It is a joke that you can be in London nearly as quickly as the short journey from Manchester to Leeds takes on old rolling stock.”

“It is especially disappointing that the rail route from Manchester to Leeds will be neglected; this is the main arterial line that underpins the whole northern economy.”

Shaw and Crompton Family Fun weekend this weekend 27 and 28 June

Screenshot 2015-06-26 11.37.35

Fun and events for all ages and the whole family.

See poster below: 2015-Poster Shaw and Crompton Family Fun Weekend 27 and 28 June

Please note Market Street will be closed during the day over the weekend and some additional parking restrictions will be in place to accommodate the Fair and other activities.

The Car Rally is on Sunday on Market Street and the drive round Shaw and Crompton takes place between 12noon and 1.00pm.

This event is marshalled and some minor disruption to traffic can be expected for short period at various junctions on the route.

If you see the ‘convoy’ give them a wave or a toot on your horn, which I am sure they will appreciate.

30164612

 

 

Crompton War Memorial, High Street, Shaw – improvement consultation

 

New Picture 2Posters and a tick box questionnaire are available in Crompton Library, Farrow Street for your views.

See attached report below: War Memorial Document

Also see below for a copy (apols for the quality) of the original Unveiling and Dedication Service for the War memorial held on Sunday April 29 1923.

Crompton War Memorial Unveiling and Dedication Sunday 29 April 1923

Local Shaw Lib Dem Councillor Howard Sykes welcomes plans to re-surface Greenfield Lane, Shaw

roadrepairsLib Dem Cllr Howard Sykes is pleased to report that Greenfield Lane, Shaw will shortly be re-surfaced.

“This well used road has been patched up on a number of occasions over the last couple of years,” stated Cllr Sykes. “Hopefully when re-surfaced it will last many years and be of benefit for the thousands of people who use Greenfield Lane to visit ASDA and the other residents and business that use this road on a daily basis.”

There will be some delays during the works which will commence on Monday 6th July. In order to minimise this disruption it is planned the works take place over four nights (6-9 July).

All things green event 23 July, 11am – 2.30pm Shaw Lifelong Learning Centre, High St, Shaw

green_appleShaw Lifelong Learning Centre

23rd July, 11-2.30pm

A family friendly event raising awareness about what people can do to improve the environment, their lifestyle and health.

Activities include – an energy saving workshop giving simple tips on how to save energy & money, face painting, junk modelling for children, information on free or cheap things to do with children over the summer holidays, grow your own salad with Get Oldham Growing , the opportunity to meet community groups and more…