Poo Watch Letter sent to the Oldham Chronicle

Dear Sir,

Graham Wilcock (Letters June 13 – Lay Off Dog Walkers) is ‘barking up the wrong tree’ in thinking I have something personal against the responsible dog walkers who use High Crompton Park.

My issue is not with responsible dog walkers, and not specially with any dog walkers in High Crompton Park, rather it is with the IR-responsible dog walkers who fail to clear up after their dogs wherever this may be in the Borough.

I made no specific reference to High Crompton Park, in fact the reference was made by a Council senior officer.  So why he berates me for it I have no idea.

I should have thought that Mr. Wilcock with his stated concern for maintaining the reputation of responsible dog walkers would welcome my suggestion that the Council employ modern technology so that responsible dog walkers and other citizens can help it police dog fouling by reporting instances promptly and accurately.

It works in Worcester so why not here?

In that way, we can all enjoy cleaner parks without the threat posed to public health and the blight to public spaces caused by dog fouling.

If Mr. Wilcock wants to read exactly what I said it is on my website: https://howardsykes.mycouncillor.org.uk/ and it is crystal clear I do not mention High Crompton Park.

Yours sincerely

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE

Liberal Democrat Councillor

Liberal Democrats welcome Revision of Green Belt Land Grab Plan

The Leader of the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, have written to the new Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham to welcome his rethink of the controversial Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.  The newly-elected Mayor has appointed Salford’s Mayor Paul Dennett to oversee a rewrite of the proposals.

Cllr Sykes said: “Much of the Green Belt land in Oldham that was proposed for housing development is located in the two wards represented solely by six Liberal Democrat Councillors, namely Shaw and Crompton.  Over three thousand new homes are proposed in these two wards.  Local residents are rightly up in arms, fearing that not only will the current plan mean that their precious Green Belt will be lost forever under a carpet of concrete, but also that the existing medical, school and leisure infrastructure, which is already severely stretched, will be completely swamped with the extra demand.”

The Liberal Democrats have a clear aspiration for future housing development in Greater Manchester.  Cllr Sykes explained: “Development should be on brownfield sites first, particularly sites with outstanding planning permission, coupled with mill and factory conversions to housing and a drive to bring existing empty homes back into occupancy, whenever this is practicable.”

In his letter, Cllr Sykes has made the new Mayor an offer: “I am pleased to say that the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council enjoyed a cordial and constructive relationship with your predecessor.  We look forward to establishing a similar relationship with yourself so that we might together work to make Greater Manchester, and its ten constituent local authorities, greater still.”

“We hope that you will offer us the opportunity to work with you and Mr Dennett to establish a revised plan that is acceptable to local ward members and our constituents, which mirrors our aspirations for housing and economic development in Greater Manchester.”

 Attached letter to Mayor Andy Burnham

22 May 2017

Mr. Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, GMCA, Churchgate House, 56 Oxford Street, Manchester M1 6EU

Dear Mr. Mayor,

Many congratulations on your recent election. I am pleased to say that the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council enjoyed a cordial and constructive relationship with your predecessor. We look forward to establishing a similar relationship with yourself so that we might together work to make Greater Manchester, and its ten constituent local authorities, greater still.

We welcome your recent commitment to revise the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and your appointment of Salford’s Mayor Paul Dennett to oversee the rewrite.

We hope that you will offer us the opportunity to work with you and Mr. Dennett to establish a revised plan that is acceptable to local ward members and our constituents, which mirrors our aspirations for housing and economic development in Greater Manchester.

The original plans for Oldham proposed that 13,700 new homes be built and almost 700,000 square metres of land made available for new factories and warehouses in the borough. Approximately 3000 were to be located in sites in Shaw and Crompton, and other tracts of land were designated for industrial development.

To the six Liberal Democrat Councillors representing Shaw and Crompton, this plan represented a massive and inequitable land grab in our area with the loss of our much-loved Green Belt and OPOL (other protected open land).

Our constituents have rightly been up-in-arms about it, and have participated in demonstrations at Tandle Hill Park and in Albert Square to protect their Green Belt. As their elected representatives, we have supported their aspiration not to see any development of the Green Belt.

Labour colleagues representing Royton and Chadderton are also upset at plans to devastate Green Belt in their areas and I know they would also welcome the chance to participate in a dialogue with Mr Dennett and yourself.

It is the view of the Liberal Democrat Group that there is no justification for the construction of a large number of properties (or indeed any properties) on Green Belt or OPOL land before new homes are first built on Brownfield sites, on sites where planning permission for housing development has already been granted and upon the many derelict and the unloved sites in our town centres and districts.

We also believe that every empty mill and factory should be converted used for housing and that the large number of empty homes across Greater Manchester should be brought back into use.

We also wish to see the apportionment of housing and commercial development across every ward within every borough rather than the disproportionate imposition of development on a few wards such as ours.

It is our belief that Shaw and Crompton lacks the necessary infrastructure to meet the needs of the residents of more than 3,000 new homes. Our primary schools are full and overcrowded; we have a secondary school that is falling apart; a dilapidated Health Centre that is near cardiac arrest; no swimming facilities or dry leisure provision; precious few youth facilities and no municipal tip.

New homes with growing families need primary and secondary school places; more GPs and dentists; leisure and shopping facilities; and new highways and more buses and trams to get them there.

Mr. Mayor, I hope that in light of these facts that you will wish to engage the Oldham Liberal Democrat Group in the re-write and, with this hope in mind, I look forward to hearing from you,

Yours sincerely

Howard Sykes

Council response ‘Poo’ says Sykes

The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has described as ‘poo’ the disappointing response eventually received from Oldham Council to his suggestion that the successful PooWatch scheme be introduced to Oldham Borough.

Councillor Sykes wrote to senior Council officers in January 2016 about the PooWatch scheme just then introduced in Worcester.  He explained: “PooWatch is a free web app for smartphones, tablets and personal computers.  Through the Poowatch app, residents can record any dog litter they spot in the city.  The information they provide helps identify dog litter hotspots so action can be targeted in areas of greatest need.”

After ten months, a report was finally brought to the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Board in November 2016.  Promisingly, the Board was informed that:

“Here in Oldham the use of a GIS system and a GPS locating mechanism for a device as a reporting facility is currently being explored.  When this has been finalised it is proposed to examine the potential to link in a reporting mechanism for dog fouling that could mirror the Worcester example.”

“Once timescales and resources are highlighted officers will be able to make more meaningful contact with equivalents in Worcester to expand our knowledge as to how they have supported the technology with resources and if there are any lessons learnt that will allow Oldham to improve its reporting mechanisms for residents.”

Councillor Sykes was therefore disappointed to hear early this month that moves towards the introduction of a PooWatch scheme in Oldham have been stifled.

After asking for a progress report Councillor Sykes received an email from Ray Ward, Executive Director, Corporate and Commercial, he was informed that the Council is championing an Environmental Health project “developing online reporting for a number of transactions including fly tipping and noise nuisance.  This is due to go online in the next three to six months.   This does not currently include dog poo as other high volume transactions have been prioritised by the service.”

Councillor Sykes described the decision not to tackle dog fouling as a priority as “Poo”.

He added: “Local Councillors get more complaints from the public about dog fouling than most other issues.  PooWatch empowers the public to take action by using a smart phone to report real incidents of dog fouling in real time to enable prompt action to be taken against irresponsible dog owners and to contribute to both a more co-operative and a cleaner Borough.  It has proven to be a value for money, effective solution in Worcester so why can’t we have it here?”

Carers Week 12–18 June 2017

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges that carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities.

Programme of events follow the link: Carers week 2017 timetable

Throughout the week there will be free events focussing on improving health and wellbeing including laughter therapy, mindfulness, pamper and reiki and physical activity events.

For more information contact the Link Centre on
T: 0161 770 4786
E: link.centre@oldham.gov.uk

Northern hat-trick of off-peak fare increases a scandal

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on the Board of Transport for Greater Manchester, has condemned as “scandalous” Northern Rail’s imposition of a third increase in many rail fares in nine months.

From Sunday 21 May, Northern Rail has increased some fares by nearly ten per cent; adding 50p to the majority off-peak single and return tickets within Greater Manchester.

Cllr Sykes said: “This is the third rail fare hike in nine months, with previous increases in September 2016 and January this year.  Northern has targeted the off-peak fares which are not regulated by the Government.”

“At a time when we should be encouraging drivers to get out of their cars and take the train to reduce road congestion and air pollution, and when we should be encouraging train passengers to make more use of the quieter off-peak services, Northern has decided to make things harder for them by once more hiking the price.”

“This is crazy and shows that Northern is more focused on making more profits for its parent company, German state rail operator Arriva, than it is on helping the cash-strapped rail passenger.”

Bins update Shaw and Crompton Fri 19 May

Following a vehicle breakdown this afternoon I have been informed there are two very small pockets of work outstanding as follows: paper/card collections on Rochdale Road, near to Crompton House School and Alfred Street, Shaw area.

Given this is a small amount of work we will return first thing Monday – leave bins out or re-present before 07:15 on Monday.

Lib Dem Opposition Leadership Team for 2017/18 announced – Oldham Council

Following a Group meeting on 15 May, the Oldham Borough Liberal Democrat Group has announced their appointment, unanimously and un-opposed, of Councillor Howard Sykes MBE as their Leader and Councillor John McCann as their Deputy Leader.

Councillor Sykes has also announced the appointment of his Shadow Cabinet Team for 2017/18.

Councillor Howard Sykes said: “I am delighted and honoured that John and I have once again received the unanimous support of our party colleagues. The Liberal Democrats remain the only effective opposition holding Labour to account on Oldham Council.”

“Under my Leadership, and with the support of my Shadow Cabinet Team, we will continue as a group to speak up and work hard for the residents of this Borough, particularly those who are marginalised or disenchanted with Labour, who want to hear an independent, common sense voice speaking out for them for better and more accountable public services.”

“As the Liberal Democrat Opposition, we shall oppose further central government cuts on Council finances and help fight our corner in negotiations with the new Greater Manchester Mayor and devolved authority so that Oldham gets its fair deal.”

“In June, we shall face a difficult General Election. The Liberal Democrats are a growing party of over 100,000 members with a dynamic leader in Tim Farron and a radical policy agenda for a stronger economy and a fairer society, including more financial support for local government. We also want to see the right deal in place on Europe that preserves cross-Channel trade on fair terms and leaves us on friendly relations with our continental neighbours.”

“I am confident that everyone in the party will be fighting hard to return as many of our Liberal Democrat colleagues as possible. I wish all of our Liberal Democrat candidates well in the forthcoming battle, especially those fighting the three Parliamentary seats in our Borough.”

Notes: details of positions are below.

The Lib Dem Group:

Leader – Cllr Howard Sykes;
Deputy Leader – Cllr John McCann;
Group Chair – Cllr Chris Gloster;
Group Vice-Chair – Cllr Rod Blyth;
Political Secretary – Cllr Garth Harkness;
Treasurer – Cllr Derek Heffernan;
Group Secretary – Cllr Diane Williamson

Shadow Cabinet (Shadow Executive Members):

Howard Sykes Economy and Enterprise (Opposition Leader);

Julia Turner Education and Early Years;

Garth Harkness Employment and Skills;

Rod Blyth Social Care and Safeguarding;

Chris Gloster Health and Well-being;

Diane Williamson Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives;

Dave Murphy Environmental Services;

John McCann Finance and HR.

GM Fire and Rescue: Cllr Derek Heffernan

Transport for Greater Manchester: Cllr Howard Sykes

Audit Committee: Spokesperson – Cllr Garth Harkness

Overview and Scrutiny Board: Spokesperson – Cllr Diane Williamson

Performance and Value for Money Committee: Spokesperson – Cllr Rod Blyth

Planning Committee: Spokesperson – Cllr Rod Blyth

Licensing Committee: Spokesperson – Cllr Chris Gloster

Standards Committee: Spokesperson – Cllr Diane Williamson

Health and Well-being Board: Spokesperson – Cllr Rod Blyth

Petitions and Traffic Regulation orders: Spokesperson – Cllr Chris Gloster

District Executive: Shaw and Crompton – Chair Cllr Diane Williamson;

Saddleworth and Lees – Spokesperson Cllr Garth Harkness.