Local Banks help out Disaster Fund

After some direct intervention by myself people can now make direct donations to the Disaster Fund at both Yorkshire and Royal Bank of Scotland Banks in Shaw.

Many people had contacted me to ask why there was nowhere in Shaw after a few quick calls to the banks concerned I am pleased to report they were more than willing to help.

Yorkshire went live last Wednesday and RBS on Friday.

Barclay’s are now also accepting donantions! 🙂

Questions asked at Oldham Council meeting 11th July by Shaw Lib Dem Councillor Howard Sykes

Metrolink 3A

Would the Leader of the Council like to provide details to the public of this Borough on when the Metrolink 3A line to Shaw and Rochdale will be complete?

Could he outline what he and the Council are doing to get a firm date and will he try and ensure people get more than a couple of weeks’ notice.

Following the series of delays prior to the completion of the tram line to Mumps earlier this year, which was some 12 months behind schedule, could he also help scotch the rumours that further delays are in the pipeline and by doing so could he therefore confirm that the line to Shaw and Rochdale will be complete and opened on schedule?

If he cannot give us a firm date now can he suggest when he might be in a position to offer such a firm date?

Short answer was no he could not – I will continue to pursue this at every opportunity – Cllr Howard Sykes

Gulley cleaning

Could the Leader confirm that the level of programmed gulley cleaning has been significantly reduced in this Borough since his administration took over the Council in May 2011?

Could he also confirm the cleaning service is now almost exclusively a reactionary service and that funding allocated by the last Lib Dem administration for regular inspection, cleaning and prevention routines has been cut?

In the last few days the Borough has experienced considerable flooding problems throughout the Borough; evidence suggests that flooding events can only be exacerbated and, in some cases actually caused by cuts in the gulley maintenance regimes.

Would the Leader therefore agree that increasing severe weather events being experienced in this country, due to climate change, make it more essential than ever to ensure our gulley systems are cleaned regularly and are operating at peak capacity?

And will he re visit the current provision of gully empting as it is a false economy in the long term, is causes even more damage to the highway network and increases the potential for accidents.

Vague and evasive answer not worth printing – Cllr Howard Sykes

Dirty streets

Could the Leader of the Council confirm that his administration have overseen Oldham Borough losing its hard fought status as the having the cleanest streets in Greater Manchester?

Would the Leader of the Council agree with me that despite the sterling efforts of our frontline staff, the Borough’s streets are becoming dirtier?

Would he also not agree that the withdrawal of street cleaning services; promotion of self help and, community participation under the banner of the ‘Co-operative Council’ is failing to keep our streets and open spaces to a standard the public expect?

Vague and evasive answer not worth printing – Cllr Howard Sykes

Shaw Public continue fight for Shaw Baths

Shaw Lib-Dem Councillor Howard Sykes, Joanne Lewis-Ryan, from Shaw and District Disabled Association and swimmers John Irlam, Rhona Lewis and Crompton Lib-Dem Councillor Diane Williamson.

Local Shaw and Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillors Howard Sykes and Diane Williamson, supported by local baths campaigners, have presented a petition to the Council signed by more than 2,000 people demanding that Oldham Council think again and do not close Shaw Baths.

Councillor Sykes said: “This petition shows the depth of anger felt by huge swathes of Shaw and Crompton people about the Labour run council’s blatant political decision to uproot their swimming and leisure facilities and move them to Royton.”

“We showed beyond all doubt in our fully costed Lib Dem Alternative Budget presented to the Council meeting on 22nd February 2012 that it was possible for the Council to provide new swimming/leisure facilities in both in Shaw and Royton”.

Councillor Williamson commented: “By showing that providing facilities in Shaw and Royton was affordable, we exposed the decision to leave the people of Shaw and Crompton out in the cold as cynical Labour politics and nothing else.”

“The public of Shaw and Crompton soundly rejected closure of Shaw Baths at the ballot box in May and for the second time in just over a month, have made it very clear they are going to battle against the closure plan.”

Councillor Williamson concluded: “Let the current administration be in no doubt, the people of Shaw are ready to fight tooth and nail on this and they have no intention of going away until the Council thinks again.”

NOTE: It was planned to have present the petition in June however in light of the tragic gas blast in Shaw councillors and campaigners decided to defer the ‘handing in’ by a couple of weeks. Hopefully the council will not be a jobs worth about this and will still formally note the petition prior to it considering it at next week’s full council meeting on 11th July.

DISTRESS FUND APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED

Oldham Council have been overwhelmed by public donations to support the people affected by this week’s explosion in Shaw.

From today (Saturday, June 30) we are accepting applications from affected residents for support from the Oldham distress fund.

Staff are on hand at the Advice Centre on Farrow Street and will help affected residents to complete the application forms for monetary support.

They hope to arrange payments of monetary support granted by early next week. Staff will also arrange for immediate financial support where required.

We will be also be coordinating items – for example, beds, sofas, cookers and white goods – that residents might need and arranging for donated items to be delivered or collected.

Affected residents will need to have registered at the Rest Centre at the Lifelong Learning Centre prior to applications being received.

UPDATED OPENING TIMES FOR ADVICE CENTRE

On Saturday, June 30 and Sunday, July the Advice Centre at the Library on Farrow Street will be open between 10am and 4pm.

From Monday, July 2 it will open from Noon to 4pm and 6-8pm daily.

The Rest Centre at Shaw Lifelong Learning Centre on the High Street is open every day 9am to 7pm.

The Donation Centre on Farrow Street will be open between 10am and 3pm daily.

CONCERNS ABOUT PETS

Oldham Council’s animal wardens will be at the Advice Centre on Farrow Street tomorrow – Sunday, July 1- between 10am and 2pm to discuss any concerns about pets in the houses still affected.

DISTRESS FUND: How to donate

DISTRESS FUND: How to donate

Online
You can donate using our payment gateway. You will need to select ‘Miscellaneous Payments’ and then ‘Oldham Distress Fund’.
• Payment gateway

Phone
You can also call during the opening hours of 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday) and 9am to 1pm (Saturday only).
• Donation line 0161 770 6611

Internet Banking
For anyone wishing to make donations using internet banking, the details of the Distress Fund account are as follows:

Bank: Cooperative Bank
Account Name: OMBC Oldham Distress Fund 225145
Sort Code: 08-92-33
Account No: 61715512

For people making payments from overseas the IBAN number is as follows:
GB37 CPBK 0892 3361 7155 12

Cheques
Cheques should be made payable to Oldham Distress Fund

You can send cheques in the post to:
A Cooper
Finance Services Team
Oldham Council
Level 14
Civic Centre
West Street
Oldham, OL1 1UG

You can hand cheques in at either of the following addresses:
Shaw & Crompton Parish Council
23 High Street
Shaw
Oldham
OL2 8RF

Co-operative Bank
12 Market Place
Spindles Centre
Oldham
OL1 1JG

SHAW RESIDENTS URGED TO CONTACT OLDHAM COUNCIL

Oldham Council is making arrangements to enable some residents affected by the Shaw explosion to access their properties.
 
Today the Council are urging residents from Gordon Street, Oak Street, Edmund Street and Chancery Lane to contact them as soon as possible.
 
If you have not already done so, you should get in touch with Oldham Council either by going to the Rest Centre at Crompton House school or calling us direct on 0161 770 7770.
 
If you live in any of these streets the Council urgently need your contact details so that we can speak to you directly about access to your property.
 
These visits will enable residents to retrieve any items that they need to take away as phased access gets underway.

RESIDENTS ARE THE PRIORITY  

Oldham Council and a range of partner organisations across all sectors have been working to assist residents affected by today’s major explosion in Shaw.
 
A Rest Centre set-up at Crompton House school in the wake of the blast has been providing help for people unable to access their homes.
 
So far it has assisted around 80 people from 40 families.
 
All people requiring temporary accommodation are being housed tonight in partnership with First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO). Some are also staying with friends or family, or at Bed and Breakfast accommodation.  
 
Councillor Howard Sykes said: “The response from the local community and partner groups to this tragic event has been heart-warming.”
 
“We’re continuing to work closely with the emergency services who showed typical professionalism in responding so rapidly to this incident.

”The emergency planning that we have in place with blue light services appears to have worked well but the contribution from local residents, businesses and partner groups has been immense.
 
“Anyone visiting the Rest Centre has been able to access emergency housing help from First Choice Homes Oldham and medical aid from the Red Cross.
 
“Family advisers and counsellors have also been on hand along with community liaison officers from the police.
 
“In the immediate aftermath of the blast the local Asda supermarket gave up their restaurant to people evacuating the area, offering food and shelter and other items throughout the day. Several other local stores including Tesco and Primark also came forward with offers to assist in whatever way they could.  
 
“A local taxi firm, Borough Taxis, took residents to the Rest Centre and we also have had so many offers of help from local residents.
 
“Even Crompton House pupils and staff assisted in setting up the facility this morning and also helped to ensure children were kept safe and well.
 
“In the face of such adversity everyone has pulled together in a fantastic community effort. Today’s events have touched everybody in the community and their response has been truly inspirational.”

 

OLDHAM COUNCIL ASSISTING AT SHAW EXPLOSION SCENE

Oldham Council is continuing to assist emergency services at the scene of an explosion in Shaw this morning.
 
Greater Manchester Police have now confirmed that a young child died.
 
At least one person is also believed to be trapped.
 
One man was taken to hospital with 80 per cent burns while another person remains unaccounted for.
 
Councillor Howard Sykes said: “This is absolutely tragic news that has shocked the whole community.”
 
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident. You don’t have to have known any of the people involved to feel stunned and saddened by today’s events and they are all in our thoughts.
 
“Oldham Council is continuing to work alongside the emergency services to contribute in whatever way that we can.
 
“Our priority is to ensure a safe environment and assist those affected in whatever way we possibly can.
 
“A rest centre has been set up nearby at Crompton House school and we are working with partners to keep residents informed of developments.
 
”We will commit whatever resources are needed in order to assist the emergency services in their ongoing work and the clean-up operation when it begins.
 
“Obviously there will be people who have been affected by this and will not be able to go home tonight. We are advising them to consider staying with friends or family in the first instance, but if they need further assistance then they should call Oldham Council’s Contact Centre on 0161 770 7770.”
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