Oldham Council Planning Committee, on Wednesday 21 April, have deferred a decision on the proposed change of use to a hostel for the former Weavers Answer Public House, Milnrow Road Shaw in order for the developers to answer questions raised by a local resident  Suzanne Booth and councillor Chris Gloster at the meeting.

Issues raised related to the unsuitability of rooms with in the premises, inappropriate location of main entrance, lack of recreational facilities such as a residents lounge, arrangements for location and storage of waste and finally lack of information to reassure the community as to the intended ‘care’ element of the premises in order that the premises do not become an ‘unregulated doss house’ as described by the Chair of the Committee. 

Councillor Gloster said: “residents have a genuine fear that these premises could introduce crime and disorder into the community and seek reassurance from the developers that this will not be the case, and are simply asking that they are open and transparent with them as to what actions the developers will take if permission is granted to allay the residents fears.”  

The developers will be expected to return to the committee with the answers so the application can be properly considered. 

Oldham Liberal Democrat councillors have welcomed the call by General Lord Dannatt, former Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, for March 23, the date upon which the first national Lockdown was introduced in 2020, to be designated as Britain’s Annual Covid-19 Memorial Day.  Lord Dannatt wants the new day to be marked with a minute’s silence and a new emblem like the poppies that symbolise Remembrance Sunday.

The Local Government Association (LGA), which is the national body representing local authorities; and councillor Sykes serves as Vice Chair and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group; are also backing the national campaign for the creation of Coronavirus monuments in every area, along with a national memorial in Whitehall.  

At the last meeting of Oldham Council 24 March 2021, Councillor Sykes asked the Leader of the Council to work with him to create a local COVID-19 memorial to remember the “sacrifice, suffering, courage and selflessness in our borough in the future.”  He spoke in support of the proposal for both a local and national memorial and an annual day:  “We have war memorials in our cities, towns and villages, and remembrance gardens, like in my own Shaw Ward, and we hold Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day commemorations to remember the sacrifice of those who in past wars laid down their lives to safeguard our freedoms.”

“COVID-19 represents the worst post-war national crisis this country has faced.  Now it is time that we look to do the same in remembrance of the victims of COVID-19 and in recognition of the courage, selflessness, professionalism, and fortitude of those medical, emergency and key workers who have given so much to save lives, ease suffering, and keep our country going during this last long terrible year,” added councillor Sykes.  

“A memorial in every area and an annual day for our nation will represent a place and an opportunity to people to come together to reflect, to grieve, to remember but also to be thankful and to hope.”

Local Liberal Democrats are continuing to lead the fight to protect our public green spaces.  Oldham and Saddleworth Liberal Democrats are saying NO to Conservative Government plans to replace the local management of National Parks with a so-called National Landscape Service, states Saddleworth North Liberal Democrat Councillor Garth Harkness.

The Conservative Government is expected to make an announcement shortly (may be after May 6) on the future of National Parks, like the Peak District, as well as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty after a two-year delay following the Glover Review in 2019.

17 April marked the seventieth anniversary of the Peak District National Park, and Councillor Harkness is greatly concerned about plans to scrap, or downgrade, the National Park Authorities in favour of a centrally controlled and distant National Landscape Service.

“This is one unwanted anniversary present that the Peak District National Park could do without,” said Councillor Harkness.  “Parts of Saddleworth are included within the Peak District National Park and I know the Park is precious to everyone, both the people who live and work in it but to the thousands of visitors.”

“The Liberal Democrats believe strongly that local public organisations like the National Parks should be managed and be accountable locally.  At present, Oldham Council has an elected member on the Board.  How can the Peak District and our other National Parks be better preserved and protected by a new National Landscape Authority which there will be no local representation and that is accountable to no-one?”

“I will campaign to stop this Conservative Government from transferring control over the Peak District National Park from local authorities to Whitehall civil servants,” added Councillor Harkness.  “Liberal Democrat councillors in Oldham and Saddleworth will be totally opposed to the abolition of the Peak District National Park Authority and we will fight any plans to do so.”

FCM have another drystone walling event and some more wetland / leaky dam work this Saturday the 24^th of April.   

Meet in Brushes Clough car park at 10:30 am.   

If you have gloves please bring them, but no worries if not as we do have supplies.   Sturdy boots are a must for this event.    All other tools are provided.

Come for an hour, or stay till the finish.  No experience necessary.

Please let me know if you are able to come along as we need to make sure we have enough tools etc for everyone.

Best regards,

Marian Herod, Secretary – Friends of Crompton Moor, www.cromptonmoor.co.uk; 07792 156295

The Liberal Democrats represent the only effective opposition to Labour on Oldham Council.  Unlike the Conservatives, we speak out on the issues that our electors care about in Full Council and we fight for what our communities want.

• We are opposed to Labour’s plan to build homes on the Green Belt.  
• We are opposed to a giant incinerator in Royton.  
• And we are opposed to Labour spending £68 million of Council Taxpayers hard-earned money on ‘Spendles’.

We want to see a Healthier, Greener and Cleaner Oldham Borough.

This year in our latest annual budget proposals, we found the money to invest

• in three new health centres for Shaw and Crompton, Saddleworth, and Chadderton;
• in energy efficiency measures;
• to improve footpaths; and to tackle speeding, anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and dog-fouling.

As usual the Conservatives offered no alternative to Labour and failed to support our proposals.

The Liberal Democrats have a straightforward philosophy – to be a voice for the voters we represent and the communities we serve in Crompton, Shaw, Royton, Saddleworth and Lees.

To deliver the best value-for-money services that we can for Council Taxpayers, and to cut Civic Centre bureaucracy and waste to make money available for frontline services and lower Council Tax bills.

Hope you can join me for our event this Sunday the 25^th, our task being the restoration of drainage facilities on the reservoir access path.

The current BBC weather forecast for Sunday is sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, likely temperatures of 9º/11º (Not Warm!) and ~10 mph winds so please ensure you have your favourite hot & or cold liquids, appropriate  clothing & footwear and a packed lunch if you are up for the day – it may feel colder than it really is.

If you have any issues that you may wish to discuss prior to Sunday, please do not hesitate to email (on either address) or text / phone me on 07961107860.

For those of you that have not already done so, please could you let me know if you intend to join us on the day.  

I look forward to seeing you in the Crompton Moor Car Park at 10.30 on Sunday. Thank you.

Edward John Fulton (aka Ed / Eddie), Countryside Volunteer Ranger, (Mob) 07961 107860 [Calls may be recorded], (Text) 07961 107860, (Fax)  01706 661813. (E)  edward@edwardjohnfulton.uk 

You do need to live in Shaw and Crompton.

I am pleased to report, on the back of the clean up by Metrolink last week and following contact from me, the Very Group have cleaned their sites that front Linney Lane and Beal Lane.