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?

Poowatch progress report requested

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Recent press cutting from LGA First : First Magazine – LGA

Mrs Helen Lockwood, Executive Director Economy, Skills & Neighbourhoods, Mrs Carol Brown, Assistant Executive Director – Environment

Dear Mrs Lockwood & Mrs Brown,

I am sure you will recall that I wrote to you in December 2015 about Poowatch, a free web app for smartphones, tablets and personal computers.

Poo Watch was launched in November 2015 in Worcester to help clean up the city’s streets and to shame irresponsible dog-owners to clear up after their pets. There has recently been further positive publicity in the local government press – attached – and I still believe this technology could be of great use in helping Oldham Council tackle this blight in our borough, particularly in hot spots such as Dunwood Park in my own ward.

To reiterate the contents of my first letter, through the Poowatch app, Worcester residents can record any dog litter they spot in the city. The information they provide will help identify dog litter hotspots so action can be targeted in areas of greatest need.

The good thing with this approach is that the public can be the Council’s eyes and ears in the community, and they are reporting real incidents in real time to enable prompt action to be taken. This app gives residents the ability to help change the behaviour of irresponsible dog owners and to contribute to both a more co-operative and a cleaner borough.

The new web app has been jointly developed by the Safer Worcester Partnership, the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust (DWT) and Worcester City Council with funding from West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner. It is free to access and uses GPS locaters to provide a simple and easy way for people to report dog mess and will help create an interactive map of the city showing the worst affected areas. It also shows the nearest poo bin to the location of the person accessing the app.

As this is free there is no deterrent to residents who are tech savvy from accessing it and using it. As you will know from complaints relayed to you, Councillors are constantly approached by constituents who are enraged by seeing dog poo on our pavements and who demand real action now. Poowatch allows them to be part of that action and make a difference rather than simply registering a complaint.

I would therefore like to ask you for an update as to where this authority is at in terms of introducing Poowatch to the Oldham Borough.

I have enclosed a recent article from First Magazine from the LGA.

I shall look forward to receiving your reply.

Yours sincerely

Howard Sykes

CC Cllr Fida Hussain