Oldham Council 9 November 2016 – leaders questions from Councillor Howard Sykes

questions-to-ask-your-LASIK-doctorCouncil 9 November 2016 – Leader’s Question – 3000+ Home Threat to Shaw and Crompton Green Belt

Mr Mayor, My first question to the Leader this evening concerns the recently launched public consultation on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

Not a very catchy title I am sure you will agree, but nonetheless a document that should command the attention of every member in this Chamber – and particularly any with an interest in the future of our Borough’s Green Belt.

The ten local authorities in Greater Manchester have drawn up plans to meet the projected future need for 227,000 new homes in the county, some 13,700 of them in this Borough.

This may seem an awful lot for Oldham, but Shaw & Crompton and Royton is really being targeted by the developers and may be even Oldham Council as we shall be expected to accommodate almost three thousand new homes plus vast tracks of land for industrial development.

These plans represent a massive land grab in our area and the devastation of our local Green Belt as new properties will be built at Cowlishaw, in the Beal Valley, Rushcroft, the Whitefield Farm area over to Newhey and around Gravelhole and Low Crompton.

Oldham Liberal Democrats firmly believe that our precious Green Belt should be protected.

Our Green Belt and open spaces are one of the things that makes us unique in Greater Manchester.  Some of us are old enough to remember those posters ‘Oldham a town in the country’ – it was true 20 odd years ago and is even truer now.

New homes should first be built on former industrial Brownfield sites.

Existing planning permissions need to be actioned.

We should first look to build on derelict and unloved sites in our town centres and districts, convert every empty mill and factory into housing, force developers to build on sites already given planning permission, and bring Empty Homes back into use.

Only when all of these things have been done should we even consider developing vast tracks of our Green Belt.

We miles away from that stage yet.

And we also need to take account of the massive additional burden this will place on our local services and infrastructure.  These new houses will mean a lot more cars on our busy roads, many more children needing local school places, more demand for medical centres, shops, and leisure facilities.

I recognise that everyone has the right to live in their own home and be adequately housed but the local burden seems to have been placed disproportionately on Shaw and Crompton and to be fair Royton.

So can the Leader please tell me tonight what this Council will be doing to fight to protect our precious Green Belt from wanton development and what representations will be made to press the demand that there will be sufficient advanced investment to meet the increased demand placed onto our facilities and infrastructure in Shaw and Crompton and elsewhere in our Borough?

Council 9 November 2016 – Leader’s Question – Student Travel to Stockport College

Mr Mayor, my second question relates to an issue that I have raised with the Leader and her predecessor on many occasions – the education of this Borough’s young people.

This time I want to address the proposed merger between Oldham College and Stockport College.  The proposed marriage with Tameside College is seemingly now off, Oldham and Stockport Colleges are apparently now the only two dancers still on the floor.

The key question is how is this in the best interests of our young people and Oldham’s potential students?  Just one of my worries is the inconvenience that such a merger will cause to local students without access to private transport.

Here are two examples.

Joe travelling from Denshaw to Stockport College faces a two hour journey there and a similar journey back.  He starts college at 9am.  He catches the 407 Stotts bus from the Junction Inn at 6.36 and is just fortunate to connect with the 6.59 83 service operated by First Manchester from Mumps.

This gets him on time to Piccadilly by 7.45 and he is able to connect with the 192 Stagecoach service 10 minutes later.  This drops him off on Wellington Road near Stockport College for 8.40am.

As Joe needs to use three bus services – all run by different operators he needs to buy a System One Student Bus Saver ticket.  This costs £13.10 a week or £45.50 for a month.

If cost were not an issue, Joe could roughly halve his journey time if he caught the Metrolink tram from Mumps to Piccadilly Station, via Victoria (£3.40 return, half-hour approx.) and then caught the train to Stockport (£5.30 return, 10mins followed by a 10min walk).

If he were aged 16 to 19 he could get a Scholars Permit to enable him to travel for half the single fare each way.

Emma travelling from Oozewood, Royton to Stockport College, also starting at 9am.  Emma’s journey is about as long as Joes.  She walks to Rochdale Road (10mins) and catches the 6.48am 24 First Manchester Bus to Manchester.

This gets her there on time at 7.44, which is unusual as the bus is generally delayed by peak traffic approaching the city centre.  Emma joins Joe in catching the 192 bus and they sit together on the Stagecoach service, both alighting on Wellington Road.

Emma would also need to buy a System One Student Bus Saver ticket.  Emma would probably not save any time going into Oldham to catch a tram as she would have to catch a 409 bus and then wait at a tram stop.

However she could join Joe in getting the train from Piccadilly to Stockport and back (£5.30 return, 10mins followed by a 10mins walk).

This is surely a far from ideal arrangement in a Borough where we aspire to drive up educational attainment and make the best choices available to all of our students.

Can the Leader tell me tonight, what is being done to ensure that the vocational courses that remain on offer in Oldham will remain attractive to local students and relevant to the needs of our local employers?

And what help and support will this Council seek to put in place for those students who are forced to travel to Stockport because of the merger and struggle to do so?

Freedom of the Borough to Nicola White 4pm 9 November 2016

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Mr Mayor and Mayoress, Vice Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Honorary Alderman of the Borough, Deputy Lieutenants, Members and Officers of the Council, Honoured and Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

 

It is with great pride that I rise tonight to second the resolution to grant the rare honour of Freedom of the Borough to Nicola White.

Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity once more to offer my congratulations to Nicola and her team mates in the GB hockey team for their splendid effort in taking the Gold.

Team GB’s performance at the Rio Games was spectacular with the highest medal score in history – and all of our athletes deserve the highest praise for their determination and commitment.

Secondly, I must say it is always great when people from our Borough do exceptionally well in any field and we have a particularly long and proud history of achievement in many competitive sports.

Also as an elected representative for Shaw, I was especially pleased to see someone also born in the town achieving such greatness on the sporting field.

Now my personal experience of hockey is now a long and distant memory since I played it when I was 16 – 17 at school.

Do not be too shocked!

Now what I can remember is that it was the quickest team sport I have ever played and at times it was particularly very physical and sometime quite vicious, especially the girls as we played in mixed sex groups!

I am sure I still have some of the bruises from those games today.

But this is not about me it is about Nicola who I note, first took up with sport of hockey at Hulme Grammar School and then honed her skills at Saddleworth Hockey Club.

I do hope that Nicola’s example on the sporting field will inspire many more residents of our Borough to take up more sports with enthusiasm and energy in our schools, colleges and clubs – particularly our younger residents – and, that like Nicola and her team mates, they will strive for excellence in everything that they do.

I hope particularly that we will see an upsurge in the take up of hockey in our Borough, and that we might see more sporting champions in this sport in the future.

But for today our focus should be on recognising and celebrating Nicola’s achievements and I am very honoured to be able to support the proposal to make Nicola a most esteemed Freewoman of the Borough.

Both Nicola and her friends, family and team mates must be very proud today – and rightly so.  I know I am– we all warmly congratulate her. And I formally second the proposal to make her a Freewoman of the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham.

Liberal Democrats seek Borough-wide Ban on Puppy Farming

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At the next Council meeting (Wednesday 9 November), the Oldham Liberal Democrat Council Group is proposing a motion to help end puppy farming in the Borough.

Proposer Liberal Democrat Crompton Councillor Julia Turner said: “November 9 is a significant date; it is one year to the day when the Liberal Democrat party’s spokesperson in the Lords, Baroness Kate Parminter, called on the Government to outlaw puppy farming.”

“Only one in ten puppies is bred by licensed breeders.  The remainder are bred illegally or imported from abroad by criminals who often do not care about the condition and care of these animals.  These puppies are often separated from their mothers before the puppy is even four weeks old.  Many are woefully neglected with minimal access to exercise, food and medical treatment.”

“Often animals die or become sick shortly after being purchased because they are not vaccinated.  And a buyer left with a dead animal or a sizable medical bill has little legal come back – British customers have more rights when they purchase a refrigerator than they do a puppy.”

“Oldham Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to introduce more effective legislation and to give local Councils more power to tackle this abhorrent practice.  We are also calling on Council officers to adopt model guidelines for animals bred by licensed breeders or operators of boarding kennels to improve animal welfare, and in the run up to Christmas we want to raise public awareness that a puppy purchased as a family pet should be bought from a reputable breeder where you can also see the mother.”

Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, is backing the motion. He added: “Puppy farming is unfortunately a real issue in our Borough; in recent years there have been successful criminal prosecutions of puppy farmers living in Shaw, Chadderton, and Failsworth.  We need to tackle this despicable crime on our doorstep.”

Offering her support to the Liberal Democrat motion, Baroness Kate Parminter said:

“I wholeheartedly support this important initiative and would hope other councils will follow this important step that you are taking.  Liberal Democrats will keep up the pressure nationally in Parliament for Government to act but we need that pressure too in local communities, where local councils can make a real difference.”

“If we are to help end the suffering that too many dogs are facing & the duping of unsuspecting dog lovers who fall prey to heartless breeders we need that action now.”

Council 9 November 2016 – Notice of Opposition Business – Motion 2 – End Puppy Farming

This Council notes with dismay that:

  • Puppy farming (unlicensed dog breeding) is rife in the UK with only 1 in 10 puppies bred by licensed breeders.
  • The Government has yet to act upon the challenge issued one year ago today by Liberal Democrat Defra Spokesperson, Baroness Kate Parminter, to outlaw puppy farming.
  • The Government has yet to bring forward the necessary legislation to prohibit the sale of puppies and kittens from pet shops where the mother is not present.

Council therefore resolves to:

  • Work in partnership with the RSPCA and other animal welfare agencies to:
  • Investigate any reports, adverts in local papers or websites that offer puppies for sale in the area, alerting other local authorities and agencies, as appropriate.
  • Find and prosecute puppy farmers and other unlicensed breeders.
  • Support and promote on the Council’s website and in its publications:

The Pup Aid campaign “Where’s Mum?”

The Dogs Trust campaign against “battery farmed dogs”

The Kennel Club Assured Breeder scheme.

  • Advise residents at public events, especially in the run up to Christmas, on best practice for buying puppies or dogs, encouraging them not to buy puppies or dogs from anyone selling in suspicious circumstances; to report such incidents immediately to the Council’s Animal Health and Welfare Service; and to consider purchasing puppies and dogs from rescue organisations or to support the work of the Cinnamon Trust and other re-homing services.
  • Look as a local authority to adopt the model license conditions for dog breeding and boarding kennels published by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health in January 2014.
  • Look as a local authority to maintain our ban on the sale of puppies and kittens by pet shops in this Borough.
  • Work with other social landlords in the Borough to include a ban on puppy farming in tenancy agreements.
  • Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Government Minister responsible outlining the view of this Council that the Government should introduce the necessary legislation to:
  • Make licensing for dog breeding more effective, to make the funds from licences available to local authorities to monitor the activities of dog breeders, and to impose stiffer financial and custodial penalties on dog breeders found to be operating illegally and without regard for animal welfare.
  • Introduce greater consumer protection when a member of the public purchases a puppy or dog from a breeder or dealer
  • Prohibit the licensing of pet shops or retail outlets to sell puppies or kittens where the mother is not present.
  • Ask the Chief Executive to copy in the three Members of Parliament for this Borough with a request that they make similar representations to the Minister.

Oldham Lib Dems call for Action on Haulage Tractors on Public Highways

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At next Wednesday’s Council meeting (Wednesday 9 November), Shaw Liberal Democrat Councillors Rod Blyth and Howard Sykes MBE will propose a motion calling on the Government to regulate the use of agricultural tractors hauling loads on public highways and for urgent action to curb this practice in Shaw and Crompton and elsewhere in Oldham Borough.

Councillor Blyth, proposing the motion, explained: “For many months, our constituents, and those of my Liberal Democrat colleagues in Crompton, have been complaining about the noise and disturbance caused by large agricultural tractors pulling large trailers containing spoil along the roads of Shaw and Crompton.”

“These tractors are travelling constantly backwards and forwards from early in the morning until late at night making a racket and putting the fear of God into people.

They should be in fields and not in our streets.  They are often seen speeding and being driven recklessly and local Councillors are worried that the lives of local people are being needlessly put at danger.”

Councillor Blyth added: “We have asked the Police for action, but nothing so far seems to be happening.  This motion is a call for action and we want it now.”

The motion specifically calls for roadside checks to be carried out by the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency to make sure tractor operators in Oldham are operating safe and road worthy vehicles.

Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader and Shaw Councillor Howard Sykes MBE is backing the motion. He explained that the real solution to the problem lies with the Government:

“If these tractors and trailers were Heavy Good Vehicles they would be covered by a commercial vehicle operator’s licence and other legislation that would control their environmental impact on local residents; but at present agricultural tractors are exempt.  Irresponsible operators clearly know of this loophole and are exploiting it. They do not care about the inconvenience and danger caused by their actions.  So our motion also calls on the Government to make tractors used for road haulage subject to the same rules that apply to trucks and we are asking our local MPs and the Local Government Association to back us in this.”

Council 9 November 2016 – Notice of Opposition Business – Motion 1 – The Licensing of Agricultural Tractors used for Road Haulage

This Council notes that:

  • Over many months, residents in this borough, particularly residents in Shaw and Crompton, have experienced noise and disturbance from large agricultural tractors pulling large trailers containing spoil on public highways from early in the morning until late at night
  • In addition, these vehicles are at times driven recklessly and at speed, posing at danger to other road users and pedestrians
  • If these tractors and trailers were HGV’s they would be covered by a commercial vehicle operator’s licence and other legislation that would control their environmental impact on local residents
  • At present they are exempted from licensing requirements

Council believes that tractors used for the purpose of road haulage should be covered by the same licensing requirements as apply to other goods vehicles.

Council resolves to:

  • Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State asking the Government to sponsor a change in the Goods Vehicle (Licensing of Operators) Act to make tractors used for this purpose subject to the same licensing and legislative requirements as apply to other good vehicles.
  • Ask the Chief Executive to copy in the Local Government Association and the three Members of Parliament for this borough and request that they also make representations to the Secretary of State on this matter.

Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Chief Executive of the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency asking for any assistance they can provide in carrying out road side checks to make sure operators in Oldham are operating safe and road worthy vehicles.

Draft Greater Manchester Spatial Framework – Shaw and Crompton Public Drop-in Session: Monday 14th November 16

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Draft Greater Manchester Spatial Framework

Public Drop-in Session: 5pm – 6.30pm, Monday 14th November, Shaw Lifelong learning Centre, High Street, Shaw

Public consultation on the draft Greater Manchester Spatial Framework

Consultation open: 31 October to 23 December 2016

Over the next twenty years there is a need to deliver continued sustainable economic growth, creating more jobs and new homes for the people of Greater Manchester.

The draft Greater Manchester Spatial Framework sets out:

  • How much housing and employment land is needed up to 2035;
  • A number of strategic sites across Greater Manchester to assist in meeting these requirements;
  • The importance of infrastructure such as, health, education, transport, green spaces and utilities to support neighbourhoods and employment; and
  • Ways to protect and improve the natural environment.

For further information on the consultation please visit www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/GMSF or call the Greater Manchester Planning Team on 0161 237 4636

Paper copies of the draft Greater Manchester Spatial Framework may also be viewed at local libraries in Oldham and at the Oldham Civic Centre Planning Reception.

A paper copy of the Integrated Assessment may be viewed at the Civic Centre Planning Reception, West Street, Oldham, OL1 IUG (for Sat Navs use OL1 1NL).

Other ways to have your say:

PO Box 532, Town Hall, Manchester M60 2LA.

All comments must be received by 17:00 on 23rd December 2016.

If you would like to discuss one of the Oldham allocations in detail then please contact a member of the Strategic Planning and Information team on 0161 770 1672, 4163 and 4061 or email spi@oldham.gov.uk.

Please note all comments will be held by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and will be available to view publicly. Comments cannot be treated as confidential. Your personal information, such as your postal and e-mail address will not be published, but your name and organisation (if relevant) will.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority maintains a database of consultees who wish to be kept informed about the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework. In responding to this consultation your contact details will automatically be added to the consultation database. If you do not want to be contacted about future Greater Manchester Spatial Framework consultations please state this in your response.

Do not ban Council Bus Companies, says Liberal Democrat Leader

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The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has condemned a Government proposal under new legislation to prevent councils creating and operating their own bus company if they feel that best helps deliver public transport in their areas.

Councillor Sykes, who also serves as one of Oldham’s representatives on the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, particularly objects to Clause 21 of the Bus Services Bill which is currently going through the House of Lords.

Councillor Sykes said: “Although many of the provisions of the Bus Bill enjoy cross-party support, the Conservative Government’s proposal under Clause 21 to stop local councils from forming a company to operate bus services is most unwelcome.”

“The clause should be opposed as it defies common-sense.  Council-owned bus companies have a track record of attracting more passengers and providing excellent, value-for-money services.”

“And, as a Liberal Democrat, I believe this clause should be opposed as it denies democratically-elected local authorities the choice over how best to run bus services in their area; and this part of the legislation also rolls back powers granted to councils under the 2011 Localism Act.”

“In surveys this view has been backed by the public; most of whom oppose a ban.”

The Bus Bill comes before the House of Lords for its third reading on the 24 October. The Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson, Baroness Randerson, has tabled her opposition to Clause 21 in the Lords, and her efforts are backed by colleagues in the cross-party Local Government Association.

“I spoke at length to Baroness Randerson about Bus Bill matters on behalf of TfGM at two meetings with her at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Brighton in September, added Councillor Sykes.

“I welcome the opposition to Clause 21 from Liberal Democrat peers and wish them every success in forcing the Conservative Government to back down on this measure which seems solely to be driven by an ideology that is opposed to bus services being provided by public bodies rather than private operators.”

V C Hero Sergeant Hogan recognised in Royton Street Naming

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The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has welcomed the recent naming of a street in a new housing development off High Barn Street in Royton after a First World War hero.

One of the streets has been named after Sergeant John Hogan, a winner of the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest military award.

Sergeant Hogan, who came from Royton, was serving in the 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment when he was awarded his Victoria Cross for recapturing a trench near Festubert in October 1914. Sergeant Hogan received his V C from King George V in 1915.

Commenting Councillor Sykes said: “In 2014, the Liberal Democrats asked the Administration to name local streets after V C winners to honour and remember them. We recognised that it was our duty to remember the bravery of these heroes who fought so hard for king and country.”

“It is gratifying to see that our suggestion is now being put into practice.”

Copy of my Question 10 Sept 2014: 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?