Temporary Service Change

We are temporarily delivering our services by telephone instead of face to face as part of our efforts to minimise the spread of the Coronavirus.

For Citizens Advice support you can:

• visit our website at: www.casort.org containing up to date help and information online 24/7
• or you can call our Adviceline on 0300 330 9073

Monday-Friday 8:30am – 5:30pm

Specific Advice relating to COVID 19 (also known as Coronavirus)

Symptoms

Anyone worried about their symptoms or those of a family member or colleague, should contact the NHS 111 service:

• Phone: 111
• Online: What to do if you think you have symptoms – nhs 111 online website
• They should not go to their GP or other healthcare facility.

Precautions

People should stay calm and take simple steps such as washing their hands regularly.

Do

• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately.
• wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel (with an alcohol content of at least 60%) if soap and water are not available
• try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

Don’t

• touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

Further advice and guidance

The NHS and GOV.UK websites have answers to common questions about coronavirus:

• Coronavirus: latest information and advice – GOV.UK website
• Coronavirus overview – NHS.UK website

The Government has issued specific advice for:

• Schools – GOV.UK website
• Health professionals – GOV.UK website
• Transport – GOV.UK website
• Social care – GOV.UK website
• Employers and businesses – GOV.UK website

The Department for Education has set up a coronavirus helpline for teachers, parents and young people:

• Phone 0800 046 8687 (8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday)

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

How accessible is your town centre?

Councillor Diane Williamson highlights recent work done by the Liberal Democrats in Oldham Borough. This is to make sure our shopping districts more accessible through increased funding. This work comes from the Oldham Liberal Democrat motion proposed by Diane Williamson who has campaigned on this issue in her ward of Crompton for years. This would have been debated on the 18^th March full council meeting. The Liberal Democrats want to empower local town communities by making them fully accessible and easy to use by all.

If successful, funding will be set aside for adaptations. These will focus on improving access points in the district centres across Oldham Borough.

Alongside money, a full survey of the area is being called for. This is to ensure adjustments are in line with what charities and community groups advise. The Liberal Democrats want the council to work alongside these organisations on this project.

Councillor Williamson comments: “Oldham Borough is full of hills and is affected by difficult weather. Just taking local geography into account we have to survey how our elderly and less physically able residents get about whilst doing their shopping.”

“We need more investment in every area of Oldham, starting with our much-loved town centres. Shame on our current leaders of the Council who aren’t doing enough to invest everywhere in Oldham Borough.”

Power to the people, quite literally…

Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani highlights recent work done by the Liberal Democrats in Oldham Borough. They want local authorities to play a major role in sustainable communities. This work comes from the Oldham Liberal Democrat motion that would be moved by Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani who has also called for more energy efficient housing initiatives. The motion was due to be brought to the 18^th March full council meeting. Support for a people electricity bill has gained major backing in Parliament. The Liberal Democrats hope to extend the idea to local government.

Revenues received by councils from the sale of local renewable electricity can be used. This is money that can help fund measures to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions, and in turn help fund local services and facilities.

Councillor Al-Hamdani comments: “local Councils have a chance to play a central role in creating sustainable communities. particularly through the provision of locally generated, renewable electricity. It’s all well and good declaring a Climate Emergency, but this is a concrete idea dealing with the issue directly.”

“I do not deny there are huge running costs associated with generating electricity. However, local government has the administrative power and potential funding to enact renewable solutions to the climate crisis.”

For local information on Covid 19:

https://www.oldham.gov.uk/coronavirus

Help and advice from your local councillors – Please get in touch using information below

You can still contact us, using the details below

Crompton Ward Councillors:

Councillor Diane Williamson:  T: 01706 558 036 M: 07805 587 327 E: diane.williamson@oldham.gov.uk Twitter:@CllrDWilliamson

Councillor Dave Murphy:  T: 01706 840 056  M: 07894 598 250 E: dave.murphy@oldham.gov.uk Twitter:@CllrDaveMurphy

Councillor Louie Hamblett: T: 01706 660 806 E: louie.hamblett@oldham.gov.uk Twitter:@LouieHamblett 

Shaw Ward Councillors:

Councillor Hazel Gloster: T: 01706 847 709 E: hazel.gloster@oldham.gov.uk Twitter: @hazel_gloster

Councillor Howard Sykes: T: 0161 770 4016 E: howard.sykes@oldham.gov.uk W: http://howardsykes.mycouncillor.org.uk  Twitter:@Howard Sykes Facebook: /Councillor Howard Sykes

Councillor Chris Gloster: T: 01706 847 709 E: chris.gloster@oldham.gov.uk Twitter:@CllrChrisG

Councillor Garth Harkness highlights recent work done by the Liberal Democrats to make life easier for Tram passengers across the network. This work comes from the Oldham Liberal Democrat motion proposed by Councillor Harkness. This is to be debated on the 18th March full council meeting. The idea behind the scheme is to do with tax relief.

From Shaw to Manchester City Centre, an annual season ticket costs a Metrolink Tram commuter £1,154. For a bus commuter, it’s £670.

To make it easier for tram passengers in Oldham Borough, Councillor Garth Harkness and the Liberal Democrat group will urge the Chief Executive of Oldham Council to write to the Prime Minister to introduce a tax relief scheme for passengers.

Councillor Harkness commented: “The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, called for a similar scheme in 2013 where employers help passengers. People who work for them would then have reduced travel costs through tax relief scheme.”

“I see no reason why the Prime Minister should not support this now in 2020, in our Northern Powerhouse.”

“We need to do everything we can to make public transport more attractive and this is one measure that can help”

Council March 18, 2020 – Notice of Opposition Business: Tax relief for travel

This Council notes that:

• In his article for the Daily Telegraph ‘Tax Relief just the Ticket’ (6 October 2013), journalist Boris Johnson called for employees to be ‘allowed to pay for their season tickets from their pre-tax income.’
• Mr Johnson advocated for the introduction of a new tax relief scheme, limited to the basic rate, whereby ‘the employer would buy the season ticket and deduct the cost from his or her (employee’s) pay packet – and only then would the employee be assessed for tax.’
• The impact of such a scheme would mean that employees would have less taxable income reducing their liability for income tax and national insurance and the employer would also save on national insurance contributions.
• An annual season ticket costs a Metrolink tram commuter from Shaw to Manchester £1,154, a Train commuter from Greenfield to Manchester £1,208, and a Bus commuter with First Manchester £670.
• Such a tax-relief scheme would represent a significant financial saving for our Borough’s commuters.
• Council further notes that now Mr Johnson is Prime Minister he has it within his power to put his aspirations for tax relief on seasonal travel tickets into practice.

Council resolves to:

• Council resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister and Chancellor of The Exchequer to request that this Government introduces a tax-relief scheme.
• This would be on seasonal travel tickets (following the principles outlined in Mr Johnson’s Telegraph article in 2013) making this effective as soon as possible.

Proposed by: Councillor Garth Harkness

Seconded by: Councillor Louie Hamblett

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

Dear friends,

Firstly can I apologise for the lack of updates since the beginning of the year.

In early January I was admitted to hospital with suspected renal colic, this turned out to be a perforated bowel requiring emergency surgery. This went well and the bowel is repaired. The difficult issue as a result of this condition was that I suffered from Sepsis and went into septic shock for which I have been receiving treatment in hospital for since.

My recovery is progressing well and as I get better I will be able to access my IT Equipment more frequently and return to my usual busy self dealing with the issues that affect us all on a regular basis.

in the interim, if you are not able to contact me immediately and have an issue that requires attention, my Ward Colleagues Cllr Chris Gloster and Cllr Hazel Gloster will be more than happy to help.

They can be contacted at:

chris.gloster@oldham.gov.uk

hazel.gloster@oldham.gov.uk

or by telephone 01706 847709

Can I thank those of you who were aware of my illness for your best wishes, messages and cards which makes such a difference when you are unwell.

I will endeavour to restart my MyCouncillor updates from next week but they may be more ad-hoc for the next few weeks.

Thank you for your patience.

Howard

Hope you can join me for our re-arranged event this Sunday, our task being drainage.

The current weather forecast for Sunday is sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, likely temperatures of 8º/9º (Not Warm!) and 10/11 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.

Kindest Regards – Edward John Fulton (aka Ed / Eddie). Countryside Volunteer Ranger, (Mob) 07961 107860 [Calls may be recorded], (Text) 07961 107860, (Fax)  01706 61813 (E)  edward@edwardjohnfulton.uk , (E) edward.fulton@btinternet.uk

The Oldham Liberal Democrats are addressing some of the problems caused by fireworks and want to raise awareness.  Fireworks are used by everyone, especially over Christmas and New Year, but explosives can pose a danger to animals and people. 

The new idea brought forward by Saddleworth and Lees Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani, wants to apply a challenge 25 policy to how people buy fireworks.  The Liberal Democrats also want to promote awareness about the impact of fireworks on vulnerable people.  Councillor Al-Hamdani backs residents considering quieter fireworks and wants people to think about who may live nearby the display.  The motion will be brought to January 8^th full Council meeting.

Councillor Al-Hamdani comments: “I love fireworks, but those holding an event need to let local people know about it well in advance.  Lack of consideration for others in the community is bad for our Borough.  This motion seeks to raise awareness on some of the issues and highlight the fact that fireworks have a place in our society. Pets can suffer if they are surprised by fireworks displays, and their owners need to know when events are coming up so they can ensure that the impact upon their animals are kept to a minimum.”

Councillor Hazel Gloster who is seconding the motion says: “Applying Challenge 25 to the sale of fireworks is a great idea.  Challenge 25 is a scheme that encourages anyone who is over 18 but looks under 25 to carry acceptable ID when they want to buy alcohol.  With the danger that fireworks carry, the same policy should be applied for people who want to possess fireworks.  It’s common sense.”

Copy of Motion: Council 8^th January 2020 – Notice of Opposition Business – Motion – A sensible approach to firework displays

This Council notes that:

• The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) says the law is failing. It does not prevent or sufficiently reduce the risk of fireworks causing distress, injury or anxiety to people, as well as death, injury or distress to animals.
• That further research is needed to properly understand the impact of noise on animals and people. In the meantime, several things can be done to improve the situation for wildlife and people at risk of being affected by firework explosions.
• Applying the same Challenge 25 legislation to fireworks as there is with Alcohol will ensure that less young people will be injured by fireworks.
• Review of the licensing all public firework displays is needed, ensuring displays are better advertised to the public informing of noise levels and how it may affect people and animals.

This Council resolves to:

• Ensure all public firework displays within Oldham Borough to be advertised in advance of the event, with appropriate advertising for the size of the display, allowing residents to take precautions for people in their care and pets.
• Actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks.
• Encourage local suppliers of fireworks to separate ‘quieter’ fireworks from the loud ones so people can choose which ones they prefer with animal and people safety in mind. And give large labels to sticker the products with: green for quiet, red for loud.
• Applying Challenge 25 legislation to the sale of fireworks in Oldham Borough. Challenge 25 is a scheme that encourages anyone who is over 18 but looks under 25 to carry acceptable ID when they want to buy alcohol. With the danger that Fireworks carry, the same policy should be applied for people who want to possess fireworks.

Proposed by: Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani

Seconded by: Councillor Hazel Gloster