Winter fuel claimant rises by 200,000.

SHAW & CROMPTON HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY – 27 JANUARY 2025.

Pleased to have attended this earlier today. Great to see all those present and thank you to all who made this now established event run smoothly.

“Stop wasting taxpayers’ money” say Oldham Liberal Democrats

Shadow Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities and Culture and Saddleworth West and Lees Liberal Democrat Councillor Alicia Marland is demanding that lighting up the civic tower is stopped with immediate effect. 

Cllr Marland said, “Lighting up of the Council’s civic tower block costs over £1600 each time and this is an absolute waste of taxpayers’ money.  The most recent occasion earlier this month was to highlight the start of the Greater Manchester Police Operation Avro. Whilst I fully support GMPs work, it does not need the civic centre to be lit up for the occasion.  In fact, in these times of financial hardship this Labour Administration should be doing more to cut back and save money, not waste it on such frivolous things.  Previously the Council Leader councillor Arooj Shah did promise that the tower wouldn’t be lit up again but she has clearly forgotten this promise and gone back on her word.”

“I can think of many better ways to spend that money and I’m certain residents would also agree”

Fellow Liberal Democrat Crompton Councillor Louie Hamblett also added, “I know through Oldham Pride that they were discouraged about lighting up due to costs and the last round of attention it caused I do feel it should either be all or nothing approach”.

FOR HELP AND ADVICE – Shaw and Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillor Surgeries (no appointment necessary) in January and February 2025.

Pop along for advice, help or to discuss any issue or matter with your local Liberal Democrat councillors.

Shaw and Crompton Advice Surgeries (no appointment necessary) held on the following Thursdays at Shaw Lifelong Learning Centre – 7:30pm to 8:30pm.

January 30, February 6, 13, 20, and 27.

“Three years and millions of pounds wasted but common sense prevails” Oldham Liberal Democrats welcome Clean Air announcement  

Oldham Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has welcomed news that the government has confirmed a non-charging clean air plan for Greater Manchester.  The councillor – who represents Shaw and is the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Greater Manchester Transport – said, “It’s taken three years and millions of pounds wasted but we’ve finally arrived at common sense.”

The government has now concluded that Greater Manchester’s new ‘Clean Air Plan’ will meet legal obligations to reduce nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions.  The plan includes introducing 117 new lower and zero-emission buses and giving cabbies £8m to upgrade their vehicles but does not include the daily charge for motorists originally proposed by Labour Mayor Andy Burnham. 

Councillor Sykes said, “Everyone could see the original plans were ridiculous.  It’s right that they’ve been scaled back and refocused on helping people make more carbon friendly journeys rather than punishing people for going to work.”

“It has to be said that Greater Manchester has wasted millions on signage for the original clean air zone that will now not be needed.  If Mayor Burnham and Labour had actually listened to other people from the start, that waste could have been avoided.  We now need to get thousands of these redundant signs down as quickly as possible as they are an embarrassment.”

More from Oldham Liberal Democrats on Clean Air Zone waste. 

GM rail network to become part of the Bee Network over next three years.

SHAW & CROMPTON HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY – MONDAY 27 JANUARY 2025

Liberal Democrat Councillor Diane Williamson will be the leading the Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) Ceremony on Monday 27 January 2025 at 09:30.

“I hope that you can join me and my colleagues so that we can commemorate the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau – 80 years ago.  The theme for 2025 is “For a Better Future”. Cllr Diane Williamson

To honour this huge event, we are asking for eighty people to make the number 80 on the memorial gardens grass. We will be having a small service at the Crompton War Memorial, Westway, Shaw.

Diane added “We will have a drone flying above us (weather permitting) and photographer; this will be sent to the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. My colleagues and I have purchased commemorative candles that light up and have HMD logo on them.”

“I really hope you can join me to make this video and to remember the liberation of the camp” said Councillor Diane Williamson.

Dunwood Park – fly tipping, theft and repairs update.

The fly-tipping has been reported and will be removed – anybody with any information on the culprits let me know and will ensure it is followed up.

The stolen coping stones on the culvert near the car park/children’s play park have been report and are now a police matter. Again anybody with any information please get in touch.

Also the steps at the rear of the park that lead to the river Beal have been reported as they are broken and dangerous.

Ambulance wait times.

Tribute to Alan Griffiths RIP – re-convened December 24 Oldham Council 20 January 2025

Thank you Mr Deputy Mayor I rise to speak about matter I will find very difficult.

Today, we gather to remember and pay tribute to a truly remarkable man – Alan Griffiths.  Alan was not just a friend to many of us; to me he was a mentor, a leader, and a source of inspiration.

For me personally, Alan was special in so many ways but more of that later.

First elected in 1986, Alan served in a variety of roles just a few were: Education Committee; Social Services Committee; Parental Rights Sub; Environmental Health and Control; Building Services Committee; Licensing Sub; Tommyfield Sub; Competing Services Committee and Personnel Committee to name a few.

He became Deputy Mayor in 1995 and Mayor the year later.

He helped to establish and was a founder member Shaw and Crompton’s Parish Council and laid the foundation for Oldham’s Youth Council.

His commitment to supporting and empowering young people was immensely powerful, and that legacy will live on in the lives he changed – just like mine.

He was one of the people who got me involved in the Liberal Democrats, so has much to answer for! 

He was my youth group leader when I was young, and through that, he moulded or influenced my life in ways I didn’t fully understand until I grew much older.  You just cannot put a value on what that means.

He was probably witness to many of my moments as a teenager such as my first girlfriend.    

He played a key role in shaping who I am today, and I know many others can say the same.  His influence was profound, and it was a privilege to walk alongside him in life and in politics.

I first got involved in politics in 1985, supporting Alan.  He asked me to help out and later I became agent for him in his election campaign.  He won and it was a great feeling to have supported someone who I knew was in it for the right reasons and would do a lot of good. 

The following year, I ran for election, and together we served as ward colleagues. Alan was a solid colleague, always showing me the importance of doing what’s right for the community.

Do not get me wrong we had our moments and disagreements.  For me, a real test is you can fight over something like cat and dog, but then come to a common view, or agree to disagree.  Only something you can do with real friends.

As a councillor Alan achieved so much, and much of it for individuals, especially in housing.  I will resist a lengthy list but just mention one.

The re-establishment of a lamp on The Big Lamp Roundabout – Alan used his Gas connections (were he worked) to get it installed and lit by gas.  Something that took months of work behind the scenes and dealing with highways, street lighting and the British Gas is never straight forward as we all know!

Beyond politics, Alan’s dedication to his community was evident in everything he did.  

From his early years as a member of the Boys Brigade, to his leadership role at Shaw & Heyside Congregational Church, he was always there for others.

Alan was a proud family man – he and Irene, his beloved wife, created a warm, welcoming home where family and friends gathered with joy.  His love for his daughters, Janet and Carol, his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was immense.

I will always remember Alan for his calm words and clarity of focus on what was important and his ability to stay on mission.

Most of all I will be forever thankful to the guidance both he and his wife Irene gave me as young man and for very clearly helping me to establish my moral compass.  And I am sure 100’s of young people who attended the Young People’s Fellowship (youth club) I know would say the same!

He leaves behind a lasting legacy, not only in the community but also in all of us who had the honour of knowing him.

Rest in peace and thank you Alan.  You will be missed, but you will certainly never be forgotten.

Alan Griffiths funeral service will be held on Wednesday 29th January at 12.45pm United Reformed Church, Rochdale Road, Shaw OL2 7JT.