Milnrow Road Zebra Crossing tragedy

I am horrified as others have been about the most recent accident on the Milnrow Road Zebra in Shaw.

As you can appreciated lots of people have been in touch about this matter and this email will attempt to cover the points people have raised.

Obviously this is extremely devastating for the families especially at this time of year.

There are people to consider here – the family of the young girl who sadly died the family of the young girl who has been seriously injured and the driver and his family.

Local Councillors have for more years than we care to remember been asking for this crossing to be made safer and traffic signals (pelican) be provided.

Only a couple of weeks ago Highway Engineers stated that apart from some re-lining and improving the lighting, there was nothing else they were prepared to do.

Concern about this crossing has, and is, regularly and continually expressed by local elected Councillors (in meetings and via direct correspondence).

There is a meeting today at 4.15pm about this matter.

There is a meeting of the full Oldham Council tonight at 6pm when depending upon the outcome of the 4.15pm meeting, this matter will be raised again if we are not satisfied or assured enough by the earlier 4.15pm meeting.

If you have not already done so please sign the petition:

This will help me and other local Shaw and Crompton Councillors press home the case.

As you will appreciate matters concerning this tragedy are moving quickly, others will and are planning things to again demonstrate our community’s anger about this matter and to ensure something gets done about it, and quickly.

Hopefully by working together we will get some action.

Many thanks for contacting me about this matter.

I can assure you I share your frustrations and concerns. My family and I use that crossing and that stretch of road on a daily basis.

As and when I or my colleagues have any updates I will attempt to share them with fellow concerned residents as soon as we can: http://howardsykes.mycouncillor.org.uk

Once again thanks you for contacting me about this issue.

Liberal Democrats welcome increase in support for poorest Oldham Council Tax Payers

Liberal Democrats welcome increase in support for poorest Oldham Council Tax Payers

The Oldham Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council welcomes the recent recommendation outlined in a report to next full Council on Wednesday 18th December 2013 to increase the level of support from 75% to 80% that will be made available to the poorest Band A Council Tax payers in our borough. (Presently this is capped at 75% of a bill for Band A payers).

This is line with the one of the recommendations made by Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Democrat Group, Cllr Howard Sykes, in a letter to Borough Treasurer Steven Mair in October of this year.

Cllr Sykes said: “The Liberal Democrats have always believed that the original discount scheme was not generous enough. It was based on what we felt was an overly pessimistic projected collection rate of only 50%.”

“Whilst the increase from 75% to 80% is modest, to the poorest Council Tax payers every penny saved will make a big difference so the Liberal Democrats are happy to endorse this.”

The Liberal Democrats now hope that the level of support for the poorest will increase further in line with increased collection rates.

“We would support further increases in line with improvements in the collection rate, added Cllr Sykes, “so long as the overall scheme remains affordable.”

However, disappointingly, the report’s recommendations do not include establishing a discretionary hardship fund rather like that of other Greater Manchester Councils, as suggested by the Lib Dems.

Cllr Sykes said: “The hardship fund was one of a set of practical measures that the Oldham Liberal Democrats proposed to the Council to support the poorest citizens of our borough, particularly those who are disabled or other vulnerable. Gratifyingly, after talking with us, the Labour Administration has taken up many of our suggestions – but in this particular case they have chosen not to do so”.

“The hardship fund would have been used to support first time Council Tax payers in arrears who are making some payment, yet face, because of exceptional circumstances, undue hardship in discharging their total debt. Liberal Democrats wanted particularly to target this help to claimants with disabilities and long-term debilitating health conditions.”

Cllr Sykes added: “I suggested to the Leader at September Council that the bumper Manchester Airport Group dividend could have be used to support the establishment of this fund – but Labour have chosen not to do so. So my overall verdict of the performance of the Administration on this issue is – making progress but could do better”.

Highway chaos Oldham Road, Manchester Road, Shaw Road – trying to get in and out of Shaw beyond the Big Lamp roundabout end of Crompton Way

My latest correspondence on this matter to highway bosses in Oldham.

Can I assure residents my colleagues and I are doing all we can to stop totally avoidable matters like this happening.

The above works do not feature in the weekly highway works bulletin yet are causing chaos to all users.

Who decided last week to undertake works on both roads, in connection with the recent resurfacing?

I have been contacted by many angry residents about this matter.

There is no information about the works, their duration or purpose.

People have been late for work, college/school, medical appointments and similar. It is impacting upon all road users be they car, commercial or on public transport.

Can we have some answers for why these works are needed now, who agreed them and how long they might be continuing?

Also can I have an assurance that works will not be undertaken simultaneously on the two main roads out of Shaw (accepting emergency works), again?

This is, I regret, not the first time the above has happened I have raised it before which once again have turned out to be empty promises.

I am sure with a little thought and planning I it can be avoided and thus avoid such a negative impact on thousands of users.

I await your comments with interest.

Vanquis banished from Spindles following Second Lib Dem Campaign

Vanquis banished from Spindles following Second Lib Dem Campaign

Vanquis Bank, a sub-prime lender targeting those with a poor credit rating and multiple debts, has vanished from the Spindles Shopping Centre after a second successful campaign by the Oldham Liberal Democrats.

Vanquis Bank, a subsidiary of doorstep lender Provident Finance, operates in the sub-prime lending market offering a credit card requiring a typical interest payment of 39.9% to UK residents with a ‘limited or uneven credit history’.

It has been criticised on credit forums such as Money Saving Expert, established by financial journalist Martin Lewis, for the high interest charges on these cards and the high charges levied on defaulted payments.

The Liberal Democrat Group, led by Cllr Howard Sykes, first successfully campaigned for Vanquis to be banned from having a stand in the Oldham Bus Station in the autumn after an appeal to Transport for Greater Manchester.

Vanquis then moved on into the Spindles Shopping Centre and the Liberal Democrats raised their game.

Cllr Sykes wrote a letter to the manager of the centre asking the new American owners for their support.

In the letter he stated: “Vanquis actively targets and impoverishes poor people by trapping them in a cycle of debt. I therefore ask you to withdraw permission for Vanquis (or similar sub-prime lenders) to operate from a stand in Spindles Town Square and to instead work with Oldham Council to promote access to a stand for staff from the Council’s Financial Inclusion Team and the Oldham Credit Union”.

Cllr Sykes was gratified to receive a very speedy and positive response by Mike Flanagan Centre Manager, with Vanquis denied the use of Spindles to market their products after only a few days.

He said: “I am grateful to the manager and owners of the Spindles Shopping Centre for their support. This is an example of town centre retailers acting responsibly to help us combat legal loan sharks.

I now hope that we can promote Credit Union services to shoppers in time for Christmas, but I also hope that other town centre retailers will not offer this company houseroom – we do not want to move this legal loan shark to other locations in our town centre, we want to say go away, you – and your ilk – are not welcome in our Borough.”

Copy letter below:

Mr Mike Flanagan
Manager
Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre
Unit 50 George Street
Oldham
OL1 1HD

Dear Mr Flanagan,

Re: Request for Removal of Vanquis

The Oldham Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council is committed to driving out of the Borough the legal loan sharks who prey on the poorest citizens in our Society.

Oldham Council has tonight unanimously supported a motion proposed by the Liberal Democrat Group condemning legal loan sharks.

Vanquis Bank, a subsidiary of doorstep lender Provident Finance, had until recently had a marketing stand in the Oldham Bus Station. Following a campaign by Liberal Democrat Councillors, Transport for Greater Manchester agreed to withdraw permission for Vanquis Bank to operate from the bus station. Unfortunately, Vanquis has subsequently relocated to the Spindles Shopping Centre.

At the stand in Spindles, company representatives have been seen to be handing out promotional brochures, and a number of people consider them to be harassing passers-by entering the Centre.

The Oldham Liberal Democrats would like the new Management of Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre to ban Vanquis from the Centre, and I shall explain why.

Vanquis operates in the sub-prime lending market offering a credit card requiring a typical interest payment of 39.9% to UK residents with a ‘limited or uneven credit history’. It has been criticised on credit forums such as Money Saving Expert, established by financial journalist Martin Lewis, for the high interest charges on these cards and the high charges levied on defaulted payments.

Vanquis actively targets – and let’s be candid about this – ‘poor’ people who cannot access cheaper credit elsewhere, to put them further into debt. These individuals often already have multiple debt issues and have limited means from which to make repayments.

Vanquis effectively impoverishes poor people by trapping them in a cycle of debt.

I am sure that retailers at Spindles Town Square wish to retail responsibly and offer customers quality products at a reasonable price; Vanquis do not.

I therefore ask you to withdraw permission for Vanquis (or similar sub-prime lenders) to operate from a stand in Spindles Town Square and to instead work with Oldham Council to promote access to a stand for staff from the Council’s Financial Inclusion Team and the Oldham Credit Union.

I am of course happy to discuss this with you in more detail.

Yours sincerely

Howard Sykes

Shaw and Crompton Parish Councillors call for Oldham Council to abandon £40 Charity Poll Tax

Shaw and Crompton Parish Councillors are proposing a motion to next Monday’s (11th November) full meeting of the Shaw and Crompton Parish Council calling for Oldham Council to abandon a £40 fee levied against charities holding fairs and car boot sales to raise money for worthy causes.

Cllr Sykes said: “In the week that leads to the annual Children in Need event, it seems especially mean for Oldham Council to be imposing a fee against charity fund raisers doing their all to raise money to support those who are less fortunate in our society.

The minimum £40 fee will wipe out much, if not all, of the ‘profit’ made, and must discourage volunteers from organising future events and the public from supporting them.

Furthermore the tax represents a charity poll tax as it is based on the assumption that each event has at least 20 stalls and that each stall justifies a minimum £2 fee, whether there are 20 stalls or not and whether at least £40 is raised”.

Cllr Sykes added: “The decision by Oldham Council to impose this arbitrary fee is contrary to its professed ideals to be a co-operative council.

In taking money from charity fundraisers in the busy period towards Christmas, this Labour administration is demonstrating a singular lack of goodwill to all men”.

The motion reads:

“Shaw and Crompton Parish Council regrets the decision by Oldham Council to remove the exemption previously given to charities from the paying of fees for holding temporary markets and car boot sales. The fee, amounting to at least £40, means that in many cases, there will be little or no “profit” made for the charity.

We feel that this decision goes against the spirit and principles of the Co-operative Council when not-for-profit groups are being urged to take on more and more services. We therefore call on the Council to reverse this decision as soon as possible”.

Parish objects to disposal of green open space – Crompton Way/Milnrow Road/Siddall Street

I am pleased to report my colleagues on the Parish Council have backed my calls to oppose the sale of this green public open space in the heart of Shaw.

Below is a copy of their objection letter.

Oldham Council has now published its so called ‘public notice’ to let the people know about its plans to sell this land.

It was buried in the small print on page 25 of the Oldham Evening Chronicle, along with other disposals (called plot 3) on the 21st October 2013.

People have 28 days to object i.e. by NO LATER than the 18th November.

Objections need to be sent to:

Ref. Bernard Summers, Executive Director of Neighbourhoods Oldham Council, PDI Division, Level 6, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham OL1 1UH

If YOU feel strongly about this issue please do object by the deadline, I need your help to save/protect this key green space in the heart of Shaw

Copy of Parish letter:

Chief Executive
Oldham MBC
Civic Centre
West Street
Oldham
OL1 1UT

17 October 2013

Dear Sir/Madam

Site of the Former Matthias Pilling House and Adjoining Land at Milnrow Road/Siddall Street, Shaw

At a meeting held on 14 October 2013, the Parish Council discussed a report by your Council’s Executive Director, Commercial Services, dated 9 September 2013. The purpose of the report was stated to be to seek authority to advertise an intention to dispose of land comprising the site of the former Matthias Pilling House and adjoining land at Milnrow Road/Siddall Street, Shaw, which had been identified as Public Open Space. A copy of the report is attached for ease of reference.

The Parish Council resolved to express to your Council:
• its opposition to the disposal of the Public Open Space that is not, and never has been, part of the former Matthias Pilling House site (for clarity, the area on the site plan which is not hatched), and
• its view that sale of the land comprising the site of the former Matthias Pilling House be restricted to social landlords, preferably those providing for older people. Members pointed out that this end use had been agreed previously with the then Metropolitan Borough Councillors for Shaw Ward and Chairman of the Housing Committee.

I look forward to receiving your confirmation that the views of the Parish Council will be taken into account when reaching a decision about the future of these two pieces of land.

Yours faithfully

Dr Ray Hughes
Clerk to the Council

cc Oldham MBC Executive Director, Commercial Services,
Oldham MBC Councillors for Shaw Ward

DISPOSAL OF THE SITE OF THE FORMER MATTHIAS PILLING HOUSE SIDDALL STREET/MILNROW ROAD AND OTHER ADJOINING LAND

The above was discussed at a recent meeting of the Shaw and Crompton District Executive held on the 8 Oct 13.

Consideration was given to a report of the Executive Director, Commercial Services, which sought delegated authority to advertise an intention to dispose of land comprising the site of the former Matthias Pilling House and adjoining land at Milnrow Road/Siddall Street, Shaw which had been identified as Public Open Space.

This report had been presented to the District Executive for consultation purposes following a request by councillor Howard Sykes.

Members discussed the impact that the disposal of the site on the area. Planning applications to develop the public open space on the site had previously been refused and this was a key plot on a major route through the area.

Elected Members confirmed that previous administrations had given verbal assurances that the site of Matthias Pilling House would be redeveloped for social housing for the elderly (i.e. its previous use).

Concerns were also raised regarding the reduction of Public Open Space in the area if the disposal continued as detailed in the report as there was a severe lack of open public space in Shaw.

The Meeting resolved that::

1. The District Executive opposed the sale of the land on the site of the former Matthias Pilling House on the open market;

2. Should the decision be made to sell the land, the District Executive recommended that the site of the former Matthias Pilling House be sold in order to provide social housing for older members of the community;

3. The District Executive recommended that the area of Public Open Space adjoining the site of the former Matthias Pilling House not be included in any disposal.

Liberal Democrats call for more support for poorest Council Tax Payers

Date: 24th October 2013

Liberal Democrats call for more support for poorest Council Tax Payers

The Oldham Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council has written to the Borough Treasurer formally outlining our collective response to the consultation now underway about the Council Tax Support Scheme.

In summary, our two key points are:

• The Liberal Democrats welcome the proposal to increase the level of support that will be made available to the poorest Council Tax payers in our borough. Presently this is capped at 75% of a bill for Band A payers.

Unfortunately this level of support meant that every Council Tax payer regardless of financial circumstances has been required to pay at least a quarter of their Council Tax, and those occupying properties above Band A required to pay in addition all of the difference.

Coupled with an increase in Council Tax bills of 3.7% from April 2013, Oldham’s Local Council Tax Support Scheme represented the most draconian in Greater Manchester.

• The Liberal Democrats believe that Oldham’s scheme was not generous enough as it was based upon a 50% collection rate, rather than the current 70% rate.

Councillor Sykes said that: “Whilst we agree it is prudent to raise the level of support in line with improvements in the collection rate to ensure that the revised scheme remains affordable, Liberal Democrats have always believed that the support scheme could be improved to provide more financial help to the poorest in our borough as collection rates always seemed overly-conservative”.

• The Liberal Democrats also believe that Oldham should establish a discretionary hardship fund rather like that of Stockport Council. This would be used to support first time Council Tax payers in arrears who are making some payment, yet face, because of exceptional circumstances, undue hardship in discharging their total debt.

Liberal Democrats would want particularly to target this help to claimants with disabilities and long-term debilitating health conditions.

Cllr Sykes said:

“The hardship fund is one of a set of practical measures that the Oldham Liberal Democrats have proposed to the Council to support the poorest citizens of our borough, particularly those are disabled or otherwise vulnerable.

“Some of these measures have subsequently been taken up by the Labour Administration – and I hope that this idea will also be adopted.

“The bumper Manchester Airport Group dividend could be used to support the establishment of this fund – and I would welcome the chance to have a dialogue with the Leader of the Council about this as I requested at September’s Council meeting.”

Ends/…

Notes to editors:-

The letter to the Borough Treasurer see below:

22 October 2013

Mr Steven Mair
Commercial Services
Borough Treasurer
Senior Management Team
Room 328
Civic Centre

Dear Mr Mair,

Re: The Liberal Democrat Group response to the Consultation on the 2014-15 Local Council Tax Support Scheme

In reference to the report to the Overview and Scrutiny PVFM committee dated 26th September, I am writing to make this formal response on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group to the call for consultation.

The Liberal Democrats welcome the belated recognition by this administration of the importance of reducing the financial burden imposed upon the very poorest in our borough and endorse the commitment to increasing the level of maximum support in line with expected improvements in collection rates.

The Liberal Democrats feel that it was most regrettable that this administration chose in April to cap support at 75% of the Council Tax due on a Band A property.

Coupled with the overall increase in Council Tax bills of 3.7%, this ensured that Oldham had the most draconian Local Council Tax Support Scheme in Greater Manchester with all householders, however poor, being obliged to pay at least 25% of a Band A bill, and with those occupying Bands B, C etc. properties being also obliged to pay the difference in full.

As, in December 2012, 16,814 households were in receipt of full or partial Council Tax Benefit, this has had a major impact on the household incomes of the poorest in our borough, many of whom are also claimants with a disability or health condition.

This financial burden was imposed on the basis that collection rates would be 50%; a figure that Liberal Democrats have always felt was overly conservative.

Present estimates are that anything up to 70% of the total owed will in fact now be collected.

The Liberal Democrats therefore welcome the proposal to utilise the additional revenue raised to reduce the burden on the poorest by raising the maximum amount of Local Council Tax Support in line with improved collection rates.

We also support the proposal to make this self-financing.

The Liberal Democrats would also like the administration to consider establishing a discretionary hardship fund in line with that of neighbouring Stockport.

This would be used to support first time Council Tax payers in arrears who are making some payments yet face because of exceptional circumstances undue hardship in discharging their total debt. We would particularly wish to target this help at claimants with disabilities and long-term debilitating health conditions.

At the September Council meeting, I asked the Leader of the Council for a dialogue “to identify further practical measures that can be funded (by the bumper dividend received from our shareholding in the Manchester Airport Group) to support the poorest citizens of our borough who are adjusting to reduced benefits following welfare reform”.

I would still be interested in having such a dialogue.

Yours sincerely,

Howard Sykes

Cc: Cllr A Jabbar – Cabinet member

Questions (allowed max of three) I asked at Oldham Council meeting Wed 23rd October 13

Q1. The Armed Forces Covenant – and Oldham Council’s Commitment:
This Council has a long history of working on a cross-party basis to recognise the commitment, dedication and, tragically on occasions, self-sacrifice of citizens of this Borough who are or have been service personnel in Her Majesty’s armed forces or in the emergency services.

This has included awarding the honorary title of Freemen of the Borough to members of the Royal Tank Regiment, supporting the retention of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and endorsing the Royal British Legion Manifesto and the Government’s Armed Forces Covenant.

In recent months, my colleague, Councillor John McCann, has proposed, on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group, that streets be named in this Borough after fallen service personnel and that ex-service personnel seeking employment with this Council be offered guaranteed interviews.

I am pleased to say that these two proposals have found favour with my fellow councillors.

With Remembrance Sunday next month and the 100th anniversary of the commencement of the First World War next year, I therefore welcome the recent announcement by the Leader to implement measures to make the Council’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant a reality at a local level.

My first question to the Leader tonight comes in three parts:
a) Could he please outline for Council what presently these measures will be?
b) Will he charge a cabinet member with responsibility for championing these measures, as has been done by neighbouring Rochdale, for example?
c) Will he be happy to support my call for overview and scrutiny board to identify best practice from other local authorities that can be adopted here and to consult with relevant organisations in our Borough for their recommendations, such as veterans’ associations and charities which provide support for ex-service personnel?

Q2. Recent Stabbing and Lack of PCSOs:
I am sure that the Leader will join me in condemning the recent stabbing in Shaw.

For many months (over 12 in fact), ward members have both at district meetings and at meetings with the police reported recurring instances of anti-social and intimidating behaviour by a gang of young offenders in central Shaw, and have repeatedly demanded action.

Despite the police undertaking undercover operations, I am convinced that the lack of visibility of PCSOs in Shaw has meant that this gang has operated without apparent interference for months (that is what the public think) – and this unsatisfactory situation has now led to this stabbing.

The Leader may recall that at last December’s Council I asked him to join me in condemning a change in procedure requiring Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to parade at Oldham Police Station prior to deployment to their assigned beat?

This has meant that PCSOs have less time on the beat to actually detect crime, apprehend criminals and help the public as they now have to travel between central Oldham and Royton, Shaw and elsewhere, rather than simply reporting for duty on their beat at the start of a shift.
In Shaw, this has resulted in us now hardly ever seeing any PCSO’s in our town centre, and the public have noticed and regularly comment about this fact at every opportunity.

At December’s Council, the Leader agreed that a meeting should be arranged for Group Leaders to discuss our concerns about the new arrangements with the Police.

This appears not to have happened?

In light of the recent incident in Shaw, can I again request that the Leader agree to arrange such a meeting as a matter of urgency?

Q3. Regulating Chuggers:

In this chamber in the recent past, we have had a number of discussions about how we can revitalise and support our high street.

I hope that the Leader will agree with me that one of the irritants deterring shoppers from returning to our town centre is being accosted by one of the many fund-raisers (known less affectionately as ‘chuggers’, or charity muggers) who seem ever prevalent on our high street?

Although sporting garments advertising whichever charity of the day they are promoting, many of these individuals are in fact employed by agencies.

These agencies operate for profit through taking a fee from funds raised and in turn pay commission to the fund-raiser.

Can the Leader please tell Council what is being done by this Administration to regulate the activities of these ‘fund-raisers’, in particular to ensure that shoppers and visitors to our town are not harassed and that 100% of the money raised goes directly to the charity?