The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has written to Metrolink bosses calling for Wi-fi to be made available on available on tram services.

Councillor Sykes sits as an Oldham representative on the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.  Councillor Sykes also represents Shaw Ward, which is located on the busiest Metrolink tram service and has the most used stop – Shaw and Crompton – on the Rochdale – Oldham line.  He was responding to a report from one of his constituents, himself a regular tram user, that the Wi-fi service has not been available on trams on the line since the onset of the Coronavirus Lockdown.

Commenting, Councillor Sykes said: “I do not know why the Wi-fi service was turned off.  It may have been to save money during a time when the Metrolink was poorly used and losing money, or it may have been to stop passengers surfing the web whilst travelling needlessly up and down the line.”

He hopes his appeal to Metrolink bosses will be met with swift action.  “Now more passengers are returning to the service in order to get to, and from, work, they will rightly expect to be able to access the Internet as part of their travel experience,” he added.  “Having no Wi-fi will be an extra trial for passengers already expected to make their journeys with a mandatory face covering.”

Copy of letter to:

19 June 2020

Danny Vaughan, Head of Metrolink, Sent via email, Daniel.Vaughan@tfgm.com

Dear Danny Vaughan,

Re: No free Wi-fi services on trams using the Rochdale – Oldham line

I have received a report from one of my Shaw constituents, himself a regular tram user, that the free Wi-fi services have not been available on trams using the Rochdale – Oldham line since the start of the Coronavirus Lockdown. I am writing to you to appeal for the restoration of this facility as soon as possible now that passenger numbers are increasing as more people return to work or study.

The Rochdale – Oldham line is usually one of the busiest on the network and the stop in my own ward, Shaw and Crompton, the busiest on this line. I do not know why the Wi-fi service was turned off. It may have been to save money during a time when the Metrolink was poorly used and losing money, or it may have been to stop passengers surfing the web whilst travelling needlessly up and down the line, but I anticipate that as more and more passengers return to the service they will rightly expect to be able to access the Internet as part of their travel experience.

I believe that having no Wi-fi available will represent an extra trial for passengers already expected to make their journeys with a mandatory face covering. Buses operated by First Manchester do have Internet access and a failure to provide the same on Metrolink may cause frustrations on board as well as represent a disincentive for passengers to return to tram services, rather than buses, especially where they have a long and lonely commute in difficult circumstances.

I therefore urge you to restore this facility as an urgent priority.

Yours sincerely,

Howard Sykes

Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council has appealed to the Government.  This is in a letter to the Secretary of State of The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.  The intention is to provide enough funding to continue free television (TV) licences.  This is for the over-75s beyond the current 1st August 2020 cut-off date.  The call comes as Covid-19 prevents many elderly people who are shielding from going out as normal.

For many who live alone, the television may be their sole companion.  Not just a source of entertainment, the television allows people to stay informed on current Government advice in an ever-changing situation.

Councillor Sykes comments:  “Tragically, Covid-19 has taken far too many of our citizens, particularly our older citizens.  Government advice is for the elderly and vulnerable is to self-isolate, to stay home to stay safe.”

He finishes to say:  “To me it seems wholly inappropriate to expect the over-75s to pay for a television licence at this time.  I think it would be an excellent goodwill gesture for the Government to continue providing funding to the BBC so our elders can enjoy TV and stay informed without the worry.”   

Copy of letter to:

16 June 2020

To the Rt. Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP Secretary of State, The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Dear Secretary of State,

Re: Free Television Licences for Over 75s

I am writing to you, as Leader of the Opposition and as Leader on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, to appeal for the Government to provide sufficient funding to continue free television licences for the over-75s beyond the current 1 August cut-off date.

In May, we marked the 75^th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, a commemoration of the sacrifice made by our forebears and their allies in liberating Europe from Nazi tyranny.

This generation, now frail and elderly, continues to pay the greatest price at this time of the coronavirus pandemic.  Tragically, Covid-19 has taken far too many of our citizens, particularly our older citizens, and Government advice is for the elderly and vulnerable to self-isolate, to stay home to stay safe.

For many living alone, the television may be their sole companion; other contact with friends and family being sporadic or non-existent. Yet, in addition to being a source of entertainment, television has a critical function as the principal means by which the self-isolated may remain informed on current Government advice in an ever-changing situation.

So, to me it seems wholly inappropriate to expect the over-75s to pay for a television licence at this time, and it would be an excellent goodwill gesture for the Government to continue providing funding to the BBC to meet the shortfall.   

I would therefore like to add my voice to the increasing chorus of people calling for a moratorium on charging our over-75s a television licence fee.

Yours sincerely,

Howard Sykes

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Leader of the Opposition on Oldham Council, says our Highstreet faces unprecedented challenges in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.  He has written to Oldham Council bosses over concerns for the future of the charity economy in Oldham Borough.

Charity shops provide essential revenue for charities in Oldham Borough, Greater Manchester and across the UK.  They also provide an affordable option for many people to shop locally. 

Councillor Sykes has asked a number of questions to Oldham Council about how to protect this important sector of the Oldham community:

1. How can Oldham Council support and help charity shops in Oldham Borough as we move out of this crisis?
2. Have you spoken to the Charity Retail Association or any local charities to understand the challenges that they may face?
3. How will Oldham Council support charity shops can manage and help support donations in a safe way?  Many volunteers will be shielding and not be able to help in the way they had previously.
4. How will Oldham Council share and promote key safety and advice messages to residents when returning to the high street?

Councillor Sykes says:  “The challenges facing charity shops in the wake of COVID-19 are significant.  As they are for many high street retailers.  A build-up of possibly infectious donations outside charity shops will cause additional challenges to the Council and people who are shopping, which is a concern.”

He continues:  “The Council has a responsibility to protect and ensure our elderly volunteers have a plan of reintegration and support when things start to return to normal.”

Copy of letter:

17 June 2020

Councillor Sean Fielding and Chief Executive Carolyn Wilkins

Re: Concerns for Oldham’s Charity Shops

As we know, many businesses and organisations are facing unprecedented challenges in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.  I wanted to write to you about some specific concerns I have for charity shops, a staple of our high street and district centres in Oldham Borough.

Charity shops provide essential revenue for charities in Oldham Borough, Greater Manchester and across the UK.  They are important for all charities, but particularly important for those smaller charities who rely heavily on the income from their charity shops.  Furthermore, charity chops provide an affordable place for many people to shop in Oldham and are a lifeline for many in terms of purchasing goods they would otherwise be unable to afford.

An often-underrated benefit of charity shops is also that they are a greener and more environmentally sustainable way to shop: they promote the reuse of items, whilst still providing a profit for a good cause.

The challenges facing charity shops in the wake of COVID-19 are significant.  As they are for many high street retailers.

There are two main challenges for charity shops in the coming weeks and months as lockdown is eased.  The first of these is the expected deluge of donations charity shops are beginning to receive, which is only expected to grow as lockdown is eased further and high street shops re-open. 

As we know, the lockdown has meant many people have had a clear out of their home, which is partly why we saw such huge demand for the re-opening of refuse and recycling centres.  The BBC did a recent piece on expected donations to charity shops, with Robin Osterley, Chief Executive of the Charity Retail Association saying that shops were expecting to be “full to bursting” and his advice to people was to “be thoughtful about the sorts of things you are donating”.

Many councils are working with businesses to help with queuing systems and social distancing on high streets across Greater Manchester as more and more businesses re-open, but a build-up of donations outside charity shops will cause additional challenges to the Council and people who are shopping, which is a huge concern.

The second key challenge for charity shops is how they will ensure that products are cleaned and stored safely for the specified 72-hours before they can be displayed for sale.  Many shops have a small amount of storage space and will be rightly concerned for their, mainly voluntary staff, and customers.

I would be grateful for your answers to the following key questions:

As always happy to discuss.

I look forward to your response with interest.

Best wishes.

Howard Sykes

There will be also a series of messages released each day on Oldham Council’s social media this week from support services including Royal British Legion, SSAFA and Walking with the Wounded about the work that they are doing currently supporting former members of the Armed Forces. 

More information on the support will also be available on the Council website www.oldham.gov.uk/armedforcessupport

Take the challenge

Make sure you give them a call or hug 🙂 .

To read in detail follow the link below:

https://naturalcourse.co.uk/uploads/2020/05/Crompton-Moor-case-study.pdf

For real time information: https://oldham.roadworks.org/

Councillor Howard Sykes, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, notes that Covid-19 has impacted our local travel. 

Councillor Sykes has suggested a five-point programme to Council Bosses.  This could kickstart our local transport needs in a green direction.  The Council could be been given up to £500,000 by the Mayor of Manchester to make streets safer.  The five points are a solid guide on how to spend that money.  These are listed below:

1. A commitment to provide additional financial support to our local public transport network. 
2. Power for Highways Authorities to introduce dedicated cycle lanes.
3. Councils should be able to solve problem areas by changing the limit where appropriate.
4. Protection for Local Authorities using the enhanced Traffic Reduction Orders against legal challenge.
5. Get the government to commit to giving local highway authorities across England access to additional powers.

“Public transport is down whereas car usage is now on the up.  Less cars on the road at the start of the crisis was welcome.  Less vehicles made air quality better as well as making it safer for cyclists and pedestrians,” said Councillor Sykes.

“Maintaining these safe and healthy streets will be a crucial part of the Covid-19 recovery phase.  Local councils will play a critical role in this.”

Notes – copy letter below identical one sent to GM Mayor Andy Burnham.

Sent: 29 May 2020 07:50
Subject: Five points for green transport recovery in Oldham Borough and beyond (Our Ref 4307)

Dear Carolyn Wilkins,

Re: Five points for green transport recovery in Oldham Borough and beyond

The Covid-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on our daily lives, including on our travel.  At the same time, the reduction in numbers of cars on the road has led to a welcome improvement in air quality and safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

I hope you agree with me that maintaining these safe and healthy streets will be a crucial part of the Covid-19 recovery phase.  Local councils will play a critical role in this.

Sleeves will need to be rolled up; the Department for Transport, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will need to assist.

I think the following five points are needed:

1. A commitment to provide additional financial support to expand the capacity of the public transport network.  There will be long-term social distancing effort in a post Covid-19 world, and we need to keep it running and affordable.
2. Power for Highways Authorities to introduce dedicated cycle lanes.  Follow similar successful attempts in other countries equally seeking to embed environmental gains.  Good example cities would be Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Utrecht.
3. A simplified system for speed reduction. Reduced traffic leads to higher road speeds.  Councils should be able to solve problem areas by changing the limit where appropriate.
4. Protection for Local Authorities using the enhanced Traffic Reduction Orders against legal challenge, so that councils can have the confidence to govern.
5. A commitment to ensure that local highway authorities across England to have access to additional enforcement powers.  We ask that Government work rapidly to pass the secondary legislation required to make the powers outlined in Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 (civil enforcement of moving traffic offences) available to all councils outside of London.  This goes hand in hand with the first three points.

I look forward to hearing your view on this matter.

Yours sincerely – Howard Sykes

REPLY BELOW:

Sent: 16 June 2020
Subject: Five points for green transport recovery in Oldham Borough and beyond

Dear Cllr Sykes,

Thank you for your email, and for raising these important issues relating to funding, enforcement and the role of local government in transport recovery.

We are working hard within the Council, and with colleagues across Greater Manchester, under Chris Boardman’s guidance to respond to the challenges that pedestrians and cyclists experience regarding social distancing during the pandemic.

This is a fast moving situation, so we are taking an approach that we hope will deliver both quick wins and longer term benefits for cycling and walking in the borough. Interventions for quick wins will focus on those areas where the current need for additional space for cycling and walking is highest (around our busiest town centres), expanding out as the lockdown is relaxed. We’re looking at a range of interventions, from road markings to the de-cluttering of street furniture, to dedicated cycle lane development.

In the longer term we are working closely with TfGM colleagues to maximise the opportunity for Oldham across a range of bidding opportunities including The Government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund and the Mayors Challenge Fund, both of which have a focus on cycling recognising the need to consider alternative modes of travel by encouraging safe cycling and walking spaces. This approach to deliver safer streets includes a range of measures which are designed to meet the needs of each scheme and where appropriate speed restrictions will form part of the overall package.

I agree with the point you raise around the expansion of public transport , but it’s important the approach is informed by analysis already underway to more accurately understand the lasting impact of changes around our working lives, and social activities. This will be necessary to assess the business case which will direct the appropriate investment needed to deliver future expansion. At this point in time patronage increases across bus and Metrolink have been noted over the last week with volume increases on the highway being relatively stable and active travel seeing the largest % increase

As regards enforcement, whilst additional powers would be welcomed it would need to be accompanied by appropriate resource as a failure to recognise the additional work placed on local government officers would present a risk of our inability to match against public expectation and would not provide an effective mechanism to control speeding.

Regards

Dr. Carolyn Wilkins OBE, Chief Executive, Oldham Council, Accountable Officer, NHS Oldham CCG

Q1 Question: Indices of deprivation in Oldham Borough

Thank you, Madame Mayor,

It is with deep regret, that a reliable study has shown how Oldham Council is still not dealing with deprivation locally.

And this is before the Covid 19 world we now all live in.

This is one league table we don’t want to rise the ranks of. 

The English Indices of Deprivation 2019 provides very detailed information on how well an authority is doing based on: income, employment, education, health, crime, housing and someone’s living environment.

In terms of a real change, Oldham Borough has slid backwards!  We are by no means improving.

Before you all shout “Coalition cuts!” let me put this into perspective for all members present.

Oldham Borough has risen from the 27^th most deprived local authority in England to the 16^th most deprived.  Almost ten places worse.

This is in only four years from 2015 to 2019.

Additionally, Oldham Borough is in the top five of places that have worsened over that four-year period. 

Other areas include Walsall, Blackburn with Darwen, Halton and Burnley. 

The Council which has slipped ten points in local depravation and has been run by the Labour group, uninterrupted, for the best part of ten years now.

I wondered if the Leader has a more articulate excuse than simply “Austerity” as to why the Labour are failing residents of Oldham Borough?

Q2: Oldham definition of local spending

Thank you, Madame Mayor.

As you may be aware, it is an aim of Oldham Council to spend money and procure services with local business.

Business local to Oldham Borough.

Our procurement strategy is supposed to provide a plan for Oldham Borough to see value in all its activity. 

It is also supposed to provide the maximum benefit possible to local people – which is even more important now in the Covid 19 world we live in.

The total local spend for the year 2019/20 was just over £126 million.  That is roughly 52% of the nearly £243 million we spend as a Council on procurement of services.

It is the Liberal Democrat group view that this Council should aim as a minimum for at least 60% of a local spend for next year. 

Local spending and the millions of pounds mentioned before are defined as any business with an OL Postcode.

This is where the problem resides!

The OL postcode does not restrict itself to Oldham Borough.

In fact, the OL postcode misses out most of Failsworth completely, the ward our Council Leader represents.

The OL postcode does however include parts of Tameside, most of Rochdale and includes places like Bacup.

Now I like Bacup but would never describe that as local and neither would most people!

Does the Leader agree that we need to change our definition and strategy?  

That is to measure procurement in the real Oldham Borough, and NOT have a system based on a postcode devised by Royal Mail during the 1960’s.

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Opposition, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group Oldham Council