LOCAL LIB DEMS WELCOME TOUGHER POWERS TO ADDRESS BETTING SHOP CLUSTERING

Betting-shop-terminals-006

Communities will get greater protection from the blight of bookies after tougher powers were announced to act on betting shop clustering and ensure vibrant local high streets.

The Coalition Government has listened to repeated calls by Lib Dems and is consulting on plans to place betting shops in their own planning class to stop them taking over empty shops without the need for planning permission. In future, betting shops will have to seek permission to open new premises.

Government is also proposing that betting firms make clear to councils how new premises will meet social responsibility requirements in relation to local circumstances. Anyone wishing to spend more than £50 on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) will need authorisation from betting shop managers.

The Local Government Association, which represents more than 370 councils in England and Wales, said the proposals will help areas desperate to protect high streets at risk of being over-run by betting shops. It will also help councils protect residents at particular risk of harm from problem gambling and FOBTs.

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

“The Liberal Democrat opposition group has called on Government to grant Oldham Council tougher powers to address problems caused by the proliferation of betting shops and FOBTs so we are pleased ministers have listened to our concerns and the Government is taking action. This will be a significant step in the right direction. I urge the Government to implement these changes as quickly as possible.

“Liberal Democrat Councillors are not against bookmakers. We understand that betting shops can be an important part of local communities that create jobs for local people. However, we know how concerned people are by clusters of betting shops taking over their local high street, and we also fear that people losing money through Fixed Odds Betting Terminals often turn to payday lenders and loan sharks to pay off debts or fund their gambling habit.

Betting industry firms like William Hill and BetFred have come out in support of tougher powers for councils. The Local Government Association will use its new Betting Commission to work with the betting shops to ensure that these new proposals are workable.

The betting industry needs to respect government’s intentions and the concerns of local leaders, and respond favourably.”

Liberal Democrat Communities Minister Stephen Williams said:

“Across the country many people are concerned about the explosion in the number of betting shops in some high streets. We are determined to build a stronger economy and a fairer society with healthy and diverse high streets that aren’t dominated by betting shops, this is why the government is now giving councils tough new powers to prevent the proliferation of betting shops in their area.

In the current system, a betting shop is in the same category as a bank or estate agent and can open without the need for a planning application where a premises becomes vacant. The changes to the use means that local authorities will have the power to scrutinise applications and refuse them where there are grounds to do so”.

NOTES

1. The LGA has established a Betting Commission with the ‘Big Five’ firms – BetFred, Coral, Ladbrokes, William Hill and Paddy Power – to explore what can and should be done. It is the first time the industry has met with councils to discuss the issues faced by communities and will meet for the second time in June –
http://www.local.gov.uk/media-releases/-/journal_content/56/10180/6066526/NEWS

2. A YouGov survey published last week found that 62 per cent people think there should be tighter restrictions for the gambling industry – http://yougov.co.uk/news/2014/04/23/gambling-industry-needs-tighter-regulation/

3. Research released by Deloitte last month into the future of high streets found 52 per cent of people wanted to see fewer betting shops on their high street.

Rochdale Road resurfacing

roadrepairs
The works being carried out are to rectify defective areas within the original resurfacing programme. These are being addressed at no cost to the council tax payer.

The contractor has confirmed the plan is to undertake the lining work next week and the following week. The work of course is weather dependant. There are works to be undertaken across the borough and at present the contractor is developing the schedule of works.

Once this is has been supplied to me I will be in a position to further update people on this matter.

Greenfield Lane – entrance to ASDA

Shaw, Store, Exterior,

Greenfield Lane – entrance to ASDA

Your Lib Dem Team has reported that the road surface on Greenfield Lane between the junction of Eastway and the entrance to Asda car park and that highways carry out improvement works.

The response we have had is: ‘Highways say that Greenfield Lane is part of the Shaw Town Centre monthly inspection and as such, any actionable defects will be picked up’.

We have responded it has been like this for some time now so your monthly inspections clearly are not working or you need trip to the opticians. It is now dangerous and needs rectifying.

We will continue to pursue.

Crompton Way Zebra Crossing

pedestrians_safe-crossing-places_pix

Your Lib Dem Team for Shaw is pleased to report that at long last, after years of calls for action from your local councilors, Oldham Council has now promised to improve the Crompton Way Zebra crossing.

This follows the tragic death of Annalise Holt, 12, after a collision with a van on December 17. The investigation by Greater Manchester Police into this incident remains ongoing.

The lighting has already been upgraded with ‘halo’ LED lighting.

“We will continue working with Oldham Council, local residents and crossing campaigners like Danny Sheppard,” said Councillor Howard Sykes.

You can view the four different redesign proposals for the crossing on display boards at Crompton Library on Farrow Street East, and Asda on Greenfield Lane.

They can also be viewed online at www.oldham.gov.uk/shawcrossing

Comments and concerns can be provided on feedback forms at the sites where the boards are displayed.

Residents can also submit their views via email to: shaw.crossing@oldham.gov.uk

“I would urge everybody to have a look at these proposals and make sure you have your say,” stated Councillor Howard Sykes. “All comments need submitting by the end of April.”

It is expected that the final design will be presented to the Shaw and Crompton District Executive on June 24 for final approval.

Compulsory Purchase Orders to take possession of long-term empty homes

The Minster of Housing,
The Rt. Hon Kris Hopkins MP,
The Department of Communities and Local Government,
Eland House, Bressenden Pl, London SW1E 5DU

Stephen Williams MP
The Under Secretary of State
The Rt. Hon. Stephen Williams MP
The Department of Communities and Local Government,
Eland House, Bressenden Pl, London SW1E 5DU

21 March 2014

Dear Sir

I am writing to you on behalf of the Liberal Democrat opposition group on Oldham Council to support the call by the Local Government Association that the Government make the necessary legislative changes to enable Councils to be able to more easily use Compulsory Purchase Orders to take possession of long-term empty homes.

According to government statistics there are over 700,000 empty properties in England alone. About a third of these have been empty for six months or more. Bringing them back into use would account for around two and a half years of new build homes at the current rate of housing completions.

Councils currently face overly complex and expensive CPO procedures, and can take up to 18 months to complete.

Consequently, the most recent figures from 2011 show that only 90 CPOs were used by Councils in a year to acquire properties that have lain empty for a decade or more.

The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents 373 councils in England and Wales, wishes to see changes to enable Councils to use CPO powers more effectively.

In particular that the Government remove the requirement for Councils to seek permission from the Secretary of State to use CPOs and to pay compensation on long-term empty properties (currently 7.5% of the property value, up to £75,000) and enable them to formally share costs and liabilities with a third party.

These proposals would enable Councils to be able to acquire neglected properties faster, refurbish them and once inhabitable let them on a time-limited lease to a needy family.

Local authorities could then recoup their investment through rental income over the set time period, and even acquire nomination rights, returning the properties back to their owners at the end of the lease.

I would be glad to hear the response of the Government, to the LGA’s proposals.

Yours faithfully

Howard Sykes

Copy of my letter to Oldham Council Chief Executive about Free Parking

Ms Carolyn Wilkins
Chief Executive
Oldham Council
Room 313, Level 3,
Civic Centre
Oldham OL1 1UL

Re: Free Weekend Parking – Oldham Civic Centre Car Park and other Town Centre Car Parks

The above free parking offer is a very welcome boast to the Town Centre.

However, it has come to my attention from a number of complaints from residents and those visiting the town centre from further afield that there appears to be inadequate signage indicating that although parking is free, the signs do not reflect clearly enough that a parking ticket still needs to be obtained and correctly displayed in their vehicles.

I have to say on personal inspection, if I was not familiar with the offer/policy it would be quite easy to think you just parked up and had no need to obtain a ticket.

This lack of clarity is resulting in the issuing of parking penalty fines and several people who have received such fines state that despite contesting the ticket they are still fined and it leaves them with a very negative view of Oldham and a number say they will not be coming into Oldham town centre again.

People read the large text on the entrance to the car park that states “Free Parking” etc.

The text advising to obtain a parking ticket is not prominent enough to be noticed, being within an orange banner with white text. Nor are there any other advisory signs within the car park to prompt people further.

I am sure you will agree we do not want any shoppers leaving Oldham Town Centre with such a negative perception and in fact the free parking offer for some is providing just the opposite effect it was designed to.

Therefore could I urge you to instruct officers to carry out a review of the current signage in order that it is improved so people taking up the free parking offer do not end up with a parking fine and never visiting us again?

I look forward to your response and as always if you have any queries or any points need clarification do not hesitate to contact me.