Lib Dems propose Curb on E-Cigarettes

At next Wednesday’s meeting of Oldham Council, Lib Dem Councillors Howard Sykes and Rod Blyth will be proposing a motion for curbs on electronic (or so called e-) cigarettes.

Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Cllr Sykes said:

“The World Health Organisation (WHO) published a report in August warning about the dangers associated with e-cigarettes. The WHO also remains to be convinced that e-cigarettes are an effective way to stop smoking.

“In Oldham we have many former smokers who have moved to e-cigarettes either because they think they are ‘healthier’ or as a means to quit. We wanted to highlight the fact that e-cigarettes still contain nicotine, and so continue to pose a danger to public health, but also that they are unregulated, meaning many of these products contain unidentified ingredients of dubious quality.

“The WHO called on Governments to introduce regulation in the industry to stop these products being marketed to young people and first time smokers and to carry out more research into their ingredients and their efficacy as a means to quit.”

Since 2005, the e-cigarette industry has grown to an estimated £2 billion global business with 466 brands. Many manufacturers are unregulated cottage industries in China, but this is a business in which the established tobacco industry is gaining an increasing market share.

E-cigarettes and similar devices are frequently marketed by manufacturers as aids to quit smoking, or as a healthier alternative to tobacco.

The World Health Organisation found that:

· There is insufficient evidence that e-cigarettes help smokers to quit. The organisation therefore recommends that smokers should first be encouraged to quit smoking by using a combination of already-approved treatments.
· The marketing of e-cigarettes with fruit, candy and alcohol-drink flavours makes them particularly attractive to young people, with an estimate that e-cigarette use amongst adolescents has doubled between 2008 and 2012.

· Whilst e-cigarettes are likely to be less toxic than conventional cigarettes, they do contain nicotine so their use can harm adolescents and the unborn children of pregnant mothers, and those in the vicinity of a user are exposed to nicotine and other toxicants.

The World Health Organisation has called for:

• The introduction of international regulations to:
– Impede e-cigarette promotion to non-smokers and young people
– Minimise health risks to e-cigarette users and non-users
– Prohibit unproven health claims about e-cigarettes
– Protect existing tobacco control efforts from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry

• Further research on the impact of e-cigarette use

The report makes several recommendations to national Governments to:

• Establish an appropriate body to restrict e-cigarette advertising, promotion and sponsorship, to ensure that these products are not targeted at young people and non-smokers.
• Enact legislation to end the use of e-cigarettes indoors in public or work places.
• A ban on e-cigarettes with fruit, candy or alcohol-drink flavours to deter take up by young people.
• A ban on the sale of e-cigarettes to minors and the prohibition of vending machines
• Regulate the involvement of the established tobacco industry.

In their motion, the Liberal Democrats are asking for the Director of Public Health to take practical action to educate people about the dangers of e-cigarettes and the UK Government to take action to implement the WHO’s recommendations.

Supporting Cllr Sykes, Cllr Blyth said:

“I know from personal experience how difficult it is to stop smoking. This month it is Stoptober, a month where smokers are being asked to quit. It may seem simple to transfer to an e-cigarette, but there are far more effective ways to stop smoking that are proven and promoted by the NHS. We also want the Council to recruit Community Health Champions from amongst its staff to promote smoking cessation to their colleagues and to residents from across the borough.

“Our motion is also calling on the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to introduce the necessary legislation and regulations to make the WHO recommendations real and to publish the findings of a Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency enquiry into the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as soon as possible.”

Copy of motion below:

Council 22nd Oct. 2014 – Notice of Opposition Business – Motion 1
E-cigarettes
This Council notes the publication in August by the World Health Organisation (WHO) of a report on e-cigarettes.
Since 2005, the e-cigarette industry has grown to an estimated £2 billion global business with 466 brands. Many manufacturers are unregulated cottage industries in China, but this is a business in which the established tobacco industry is gaining an increasing market share.
E-cigarettes and similar devices are frequently marketed by manufacturers as aids to quit smoking, or as a healthier alternative to tobacco.
The WHO has concluded that:
· There is insufficient evidence that e-cigarettes help smokers to quit. The organisation therefore recommends that smokers should first be encouraged to quit smoking by using a combination of already-approved treatments.

· The marketing of e-cigarettes with fruit, candy and alcohol-drink flavours makes them particularly attractive to young people, with an estimate that e-cigarette use amongst adolescents has doubled between 2008 and 2012.

· Whilst e-cigarettes are likely to be less toxic than conventional cigarettes, they do contain nicotine so their use can harm adolescents and the unborn children of pregnant mothers, and those in the vicinity of a user are exposed to nicotine and other toxicants.

The WHO calls for:
· The introduction of international regulations to:

– Impede e-cigarette promotion to non-smokers and young people

– Minimise health risks to e-cigarette users and non-users

– Prohibit unproven health claims about e-cigarettes

– Protect existing tobacco control efforts from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry

· Further research on the impact of e-cigarette use

The report makes several recommendations to national Governments to:
· Establish an appropriate body to restrict e-cigarette advertising, promotion and sponsorship, to ensure that these products are not targeted at young people and non-smokers.

· Enact legislation to end the use of e-cigarettes indoors in public or work places.

· A ban on e-cigarettes with fruit, candy or alcohol-drink flavours to deter take up by young people.

· A ban on the sale of e-cigarettes to minors and the prohibition of vending machines

· Regulate the involvement of the established tobacco industry.

Council notes also the work of the UK Government’s Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency review of the efficacy of e-cigarettes in helping smokers to quit.
This Council resolves to:
· Ask the Director of Public Health to:

– ensure that measures are in place to make Council staff and the public aware of the dangers associated with the use of e-cigarettes

– promote the use of existing proven treatments and support services, rather than the use of e-cigarettes, as the means to stop smoking

– support the recruitment and training of Council employees to become Community Health Champions to help take these messages to their colleagues and to the public

· Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Health, The Rt. Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, asking the minister to:

– adopt the recommendations of the WHO report as part of Government policy, enacting the necessary legislation and regulations as soon as possible

– publish the findings of the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency review at the earliest possible opportunity

Proposed by
Cllr Howard Sykes

Seconded by
Cllr Rod Blyth

Crompton Moor

CROMPTON MOOR

NO CAMPING

NO LIGHTING FIRES

NO QUADS OR MOTOR CYCLES

This site of Crompton Moor, including Brushes Clough car park, is managed by Oldham Parks and Countryside Service.

As part of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW), Crompton Moor, along with many other hectares of land across the country, has been designated as Access Land.

‘Camping’, ‘lighting, causing or risking a fire’, ‘driving a vehicle’, ‘damaging hedges, fences and walls’ and ‘leaving litter’ are all expressly prohibited under the CROW Act. Anyone found carrying out any of these activities will be asked to leave the site; the police will be informed of any person who, after being reasonably requested to do so, refuses to leave the site.

• PLEASE RING 101 TO REPORT ILLEGAL CAMPING OR ANY OTHER ILLEGAL ACTIVITY TO THE POLICE OR OLDHAM COUNCIL’S FIRST RESPONSE TEAM ON 0161 770 2222.

PLEASE CONTACT 0161 770 4067 DURING OFFICE HOURS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. FOR EMERGENCIES PLEASE RING 999.

• ACCESS FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES VEHICLES TO BRUSHES CLOUGH CAR PARK IS VIA THE ACCESS ROAD AT THE SIDE OF SHORE EDGE CHURCH, OFF BUCKSTONES ROAD, OL2 8LS GRID REF: SD952101.

Crompton Moor – bag it and bin it

CROMPTON MOOR

Please Keep Your Dog under Control and if your dog fouls

BAG IT AND BIN IT

[Oldham Council enforcement officers operate in this area]

Natural England provides the following advice when taking your dog for a walk in the countryside and on Open Access Land (Most of Crompton Moor is Open Access Land):

The Countryside Code has a special section dedicated to dogs and the importance of keeping dogs under effective control. This means that you:

• Keep your dog on a lead, or
• Keep it in sight at all times, be aware of what it’s doing and be confident it will return to you promptly on command
• Ensure it does not stray off the path or area where you have a right of access
As a general rule, keep your dog on a lead if you cannot rely on its obedience. On a bridleway or byway this could be especially important as you may meet horses and could be liable for damages if your dog causes an accident.

It’s always good practice (and a legal requirement on ‘Open Access’ land) to keep your dog on a lead around farm animals and horses, for your own safety and for the welfare of the animals. A farmer may shoot a dog which is attacking or chasing farm animals without being liable to compensate the dog’s owner.

However, if cattle or horses chase you and your dog, it is safer to let your dog off the lead – don’t risk getting hurt by trying to protect it. Your dog will be much safer if you let it run away from a farm animal in these circumstances and so will you.

Please also ensure you pick up after your dog – please ‘bag it and bin it’; Oldham Council enforcement officers do operate in this area.

• TO REPORT DOG FOULING PLEASE CALL 0161 770 2222 OR EMAIL environmentalhealth@oldham.gov.uk

ALSO:

• IF YOU NEED TO SPEAK TO ANYONE ABOUT SITE MAINTENANCE, OR REPORT ANY VANDALISM PLEASE RING OLDHAM COUNCIL AT ALEXANDRA PARK ON 0161 770 4067

• IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT THE POLICE TO REPORT ANY CRIME OR ANTI – SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR PLEASE RING 101 – FOR EMERGENCIES RING 999.

• ACCESS FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES VEHICLES TO BRUSHES CLOUGH CAR PARK IS VIA THE ACCESS ROAD AT THE SIDE OF SHORE EDGE CHURCH, OFF BUCKSTONES ROAD, OL2 8LS GRID REF: SD952101.

Crompton Way / Milnrow Road / Linney Lane / Salts Street junction

Latest update from Highway engineers:

The Crompton Way / Linney Lane junction improvement project is now nearing completion. A significant amount of work has been carried out in a short timeframe; the contractors have worked several weekends to ensure the improvements are delivered as quickly as possible and to keep disruption to a minimum.

It is now evident on site how the new junction will look, with a large proportion of works completed. Installation of the new traffic signal will be completed this week with the existing road markings on the junction being removed and replaced with new road markings this weekend, weather dependant. Once these are in place the advance detector loops in the road will be installed and we are aiming for the traffic signals to be operational by the end of next week.

There may be some works to complete after this time in the area of the car park in front of the shops but these will be minor and will not disrupt traffic flows through the junction.

Lib Dem Opposition Leader receives Confirmation Parishes have Legal Powers to go Green

solar-panels-in-sun-with-blue-sky

In July, the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Cllr Howard Sykes MBE wrote to Lord Wallace, co-sponsor of the Deregulation Bill and Liberal Democrat Leader in the House of Lords.

In his letter, Cllr Sykes asked Lord Wallace to ensure that the new legislation: “contains the necessary clauses to permit Parish and Town Councils to be able to sell electricity that they produce through investment in renewable sources”. It was generally understood that parish councils did not already have the necessary powers to do this.

Both the National Association of Local Councils and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Local Democracy were in support of Cllr Sykes’ position.

In an initial response, Lord Wallace invited Cllr Sykes to play his part in drafting the necessary amendment to the legislation, but on 1st September, after making further enquiries of fellow ministers, Lord Wallace wrote back to Cllr Sykes telling him that:

“The Government considers that Parish and Town Councils already have access to powers that allow them to sell electricity…As such, the concessions that you refer to are not necessary”.

Lord Wallace urges Cllr Sykes to: “use this correspondence to encourage all councils to use the general power of competence”. This will allow them to invest in renewable energy projects.

Cllr Sykes said: “I am delighted that, following my intervention, my Liberal Democrat colleague Lord Wallace and other Government ministers have responded so positively in confirming that parish councils have the legal powers to go green. This will allow parish councils to play a full part in the renewable energy revolution, and join with 5,000 other community groups that have already invested in green technology”.

“I have now written to the Parish Clerks and Chairmen of both the Saddleworth and Shaw and Crompton Parish Councils and the Chief Executive of the National Association of Local Councils giving them the good news”.

FOR HELP AND ADVICE – SHAW WARD SURGERIES

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Councillors Rod Blyth, Mark Alcock and Howard Sykes.

Also Parish Councillors Aspinall, Farrell, Duffy, Hall, Stephens, Dodd, Robinson, Murphy and Wood will also attend.

7.30pm – 8.30pm, Lifelong Learning Centre, High Street, Shaw, OL2 8TB.

Thursday: October: 2, 9, 16

NO APPOINTMENT REQUIRED

Dogs on trams – formal consultation now agreed by TfGM

imageTransport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has just agreed to formally consult with all interested parties re allowing dogs on Metrolink. Results due to be report back to meeting in January 2015 for consideration.

Further details from TfGM in due course.

I will also post information as and when I get any as I know many people have strong views on this issue.

Questions from Howard Sykes Lib Dem Leader and Leader of the Opposition to the Council Leader – Oldham Council 10 September 2014

Question 1 – Rotherham and child protection

My first question this evening concerns the tragic details revealed in a recent Independent Report commissioned by Rotherham Council about the failure of Children’s Services and other agencies in the Local Authority area to address child sexual exploitation over many years.

Professor Alexis Jay’s Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham covering the period 1997 to 2013 found there was a lack of scrutiny and challenge; a chronic failure of senior councillors, staff members and police officers to engage with the problem; and an inability of both councillors and the Local Safeguarding Board to monitor and challenge practices within the Council.

Whilst the Report focusses only on the failures of the agencies in Rotherham, previous cases show that these problems are not exclusive to one area and that every Local Authority needs to learn lessons from this report to ensure that its own services conform to best practice.

The Leader will recall that, immediately following the publication of Professor Jay’s Report, I wrote to both the Chief Executive and himself seeking reassurance that Oldham Council will be conducting its own review in light of the findings. I am pleased that the prompt response contained such an assurance.

This is not an issue from which to make political capital so I want now to state for the record that the Liberal Democrat Group will be fully supportive of such a Review.

But for the information of all Councillors in this Chamber, and concerned citizens who are listening or watching these proceedings tonight, I would like to ask the Leader when and how the Council will be conducting this Review, and when we might expect to receive the findings?

Question 2 – Community Health Champions

My second question concerns the health of our employees.

As a Local Authority and employer, we have statutory duties to promote public health and the health and safety of our employees.

This should extend to providing them with advice and support to adopt healthy lifestyle choices and to address behaviour that may damage their health.

I make here particular reference to smoking, an issue of great concern to Councillors of all Parties.

Smoking is the harbinger of death and chronic illness to many, but for a Local Authority it also leads to greater employee absenteeism and a loss of productivity, meaning serious financial costs for this Council.

It is therefore particularly in our self-interest to reduce the prevalence of smoking amongst its workforce.

The NHS Health Improvement Team is now recruiting Community Health Champions in workplaces to promote healthy lifestyle choices to co-workers and to address behaviour that can lead to ill-health, such as smoking.

The Council has established the Employee Supported Volunteering Scheme and I am convinced that this represents an excellent mechanism to recruit employees from all sections of this Council to train as Community Health Champions.

I believe the Council should establish a programme of work for these volunteers with measurable targets monitored by the team of the Director of Public Health covering initially the period to National No Tobacco Day 31st May 2015.

Will the Leader agree to take forward this proposal?

Question 3 – Honouring The Great War Heroes

My third question concerns our recognition of three local men who in the First World War won Britain’s highest military award, The Victoria Cross.

I am sure the Leader will recall the correspondence that he received last year from my colleague, the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Cllr John McCann, requesting that local streets be named after local heroes.

Local Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has commissioned commemorative paving stones to be laid as a mark of honour and remembrance in the locality of every Great War VC winner.

In announcing the initiative, Mr Pickles said: “It’s our duty to remember the British and Commonwealth troops who lost their lives fighting in the Great War and we are determined to make sure their bravery for King and Country is not forgotten.”

Sentiments that I am sure the Leader will endorse.

Three paving stones will be received for local heroes John Hogan, of Royton; Walter Mills, of Oldham; and Thomas Steele, of Springhead.
Lest we forget their heroic deeds, please allow me to give a brief summary.

Sergeant John Hogan, of the 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment, received his VC from King George V in 1915. He was awarded the VC for recapturing a trench near Festubert in October, 1914.

Private Walter Mills was awarded the VC posthumously after he was caught in a gas attack on the Western Front in December 1917. Despite being gassed, a truly horrible fate, he remained at his post alone, throwing grenades until the enemy retreated.

Private Thomas Steele served with the 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders in Mesopotamia (now Iraq). He was awarded his VC for an action in January, 1917, when he helped a comrade carry a machine gun into position under heavy fire.

Can I ask the Leader if he and Councillor Ball will agree to work with me, Cllr McCann and ward members to identify new developments where these gallant men might have local streets named after them?

Howard Sykes
10 September 2014

Wonga to pay Compensation to 45,000 Lenders

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Yet again a sub-prime lender has been exposed for dubious practices – justifying Oldham Council’s sustained efforts to send such lenders packing out of Oldham.

The Financial Conduct Authority ruled last month that pay day lender Wonga, known for its eye-watering 5,853% APR, sent out threatening letters from two fictional law firms to customers in arrears.

It even made some clients pay for sending them the fake letters.

Wonga has been ordered to pay compensation of £2.6m to the 45,000 people who received the letters.

If you received one of these look out for your repayments which commence at the start of September.

Shaw Baths campaign stepped up by Lib Dems

001456_Swimming-Pool
Liberal Democrats in Shaw and Crompton have handed in a 960 name petition to Oldham Council protesting against the decision to close the hundred year old baths.

The baths closed in May following a failure of the boiler and shortly after the local elections, the Labour administration in Oldham announced that the closure would be permanent.

The petition, gathered online and through street stalls from residents of Shaw and Crompton, calls on the council to re-open the pool immediately.

Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman for Oldham East and Saddleworth and Shaw resident Richard Marbrow said, “Shaw has had a swimming pool for well over a hundred years and Oldham Labour want to throw that history and a much loved community facility away.”

Crompton councillor Dave Murphy said, “Labour councillors made commitments to keep the pool open until a new pool at Royton was opened. They have completely broken that promise and we will hold their feet to the fire until they reverse course.”

The Lib Dem controlled district executive for Shaw and Crompton has offered money from district funds to Oldham council to re-open the pool but has received no response.

Richard Marbrow added, “We are now being told that the pool is too damaged to re-open, because the Labour administration did not take immediate action when the boiler broke down. If that is the case the Liberal Democrats will campaign for a new pool to be built.”

“Shaw and Crompton deserves decent leisure facilities and I will work alongside the borough and parish councillors for the area to get a pool re-opened in our town.”

http://www.richardmarbrow.org.uk/re_open_crompton_pool