Elizabeth Grove, Shaw.
No need for a trip to the Opticians for an eye-test this is really what it now looks like!
We have been campaigning for new/improved signage for residents of Elizabeth Grove for some time.
This is not what we had in mind and we have asked that it is corrected ASAP.
Just the latest case of not getting the basics right.
Liberal Democrats to force no-overall-control Oldham Council to vote again on ‘Places for Everyone’
Oldham Liberal Democrats will force a vote on whether Oldham Council should withdraw from the controversial Greater Manchester-wide housing scheme ‘Places for Everyone’ at the next Full Council meeting on July 10th.
Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “Places for Everyone will not deliver the affordable housing we need in Oldham. The scheme will destroy greenbelt sites and hand a blank cheque to developers. All councillors should vote to begin the process of removing Oldham from this scheme on July 10th.”
‘Places for Everyone’ is the successor proposal to the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework which was put forward by Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham until Liberal Democrat controlled Stockport removed itself from the plans in 2020, forcing a rebrand.
On Wednesday 10th July at a meeting of Oldham’s Full Council, the Liberal Democrat Leader will move a motion to withdraw Oldham borough from ‘Places for Everyone’, in the most significant challenge to the Mayor’s housing strategy since Stockport pulled out.
For Oldham, the process of withdrawing from the Greater Manchester-wide scheme will have two parts. Councillors will first vote to begin the process on July 10th with a final decision to be made at the next council meeting in December.
Councillor Sykes said, “We need to deliver more affordable and social housing. But we can do better than a plan that is spearheaded by Andy Burnham and drawn up in Manchester city centre. Oldham Borough deserves a true local plan that protects green spaces and makes use of brownfield and ex-industrial heritage buildings.”
“We promised before the local elections that removing Oldham from ‘Places for Everyone’ and protecting our greenbelt would be a top priority for the Liberal Democrats. We aim to keep that promise by forcing the Council to vote again on the scheme at the earliest opportunity available to us.”
Motion to be moved by Councillor Sykes in full:
Removing Oldham Borough from Places for Everyone
Proposed by: Councillor Howard Sykes
Seconded by: Councillor Max Woodvine
This council recognises that:
This council resolves to:
1) Request the new Secretary of State to revoke the Plan ‘Places for Everyone’ in the interest of all Oldham’s residents, businesses and other stake holders for the reasons stated above.
2) In order for Council to consider this decision at its next meeting in September, the relevant council officers are requested to present a full report on the planning, legal, equalities and all other considerations of such a revocation.
3) Should the request be approved Oldham Council’ withdraw engagement and support for the defence of the judicial review of ‘Places for Everyone’.
4) Should the Plan be revoked the Green Belt boundaries should be restored to their pre-adoption state.
5) If the Plan is revoked develop an Oldham-led housing strategy that prioritises brownfield and ex-industrial sites, while protecting greenbelt and green spaces for future generations.
Bin at Jubilee Colliery/Nature Reserve site in Shaw.
Pleased to report this mess has been tidied up now.
Work and discussions are ongoing to get the bin upgraded to one of the larger ones and regularly emptied by Oldham Council. Progress is slow!
Image Google Maps
Former Boots pharmacy Market Street, Shaw.
I have at last been informed that Boots are still waiting for the NHS to approve the application for change of ownership (I do not know who the new operator will be), there is no time-frame for the sale at this time.
Will continue to pursue and update when I have more information.
NHS thank you bench in the Memorial Gardens Westway, Shaw.
Sorry to see the above has been vandalised.
I have reported it to the Town Council so hopefully will be repaired/fixed soon.
Oldham’s weeding woes: parks staff redeployed to tackle weeds despite promises cuts would not impact green spaces
Labour run Oldham Council has again come under fire from Liberal Democrat opposition councillors over an ongoing failure to sort out a maintenance arrangement for weeds. Despite the Council losing its weeds contractor last year, no temporary provision was put in place, and there is no evidence of the new contractor undertaking any work in 2024.
For more than 12, and 18 months in some cases many parts of the Borough no weed spraying has happened at all. According to a recent councillor briefing (14/6/24), Oldham Council is now redeploying parks and street sweeping staff to attempt to tackle the weeds backlog.
Liberal Democrat Group Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “Not only have the current administration not been able to source an effective new contractor, but they have also failed to put any temporary arrangements in place. This has not gone unnoticed by our residents and businesses.”
“Oldham’s Labour administration made a series of cuts to Environmental Services at the last budget meeting but gave assurances to me and my Liberal Democrat colleagues that front line services would not be impacted. A briefing sent to councillors recently stated that ‘trained council Environmental Services staff will now be carrying out weed treatment work on highways, roads, and footpaths across the borough over the coming weeks and months, weather permitting.’”
Councillor Sykes said, “Liberal Democrats warned that Labour’s budget cuts would impact frontline services and we were told that was not the case. Several months later the Council is redeploying the teams that are supposed to look after our parks and green spaces which are already looking unloved. This will have a major impact on them, if this extra work is being undertaken work in our parks and green spaces will not happen – after all people cannot be in two places at the same time.”
“We’re more than a year on and the Council has not resolved the weeds contract. There should be a proactive programme to tackle weeds instead of just waiting for complaints and then pulling people off of other jobs,” stated councillor Sykes
“What state will our parks and green spaces fall into while redeployed staff tackle the backlog from the ‘Day of the Triffids?’
More from Councillor Sykes on Oldham’s weeding woes (July 2023)
It is like Day of the Triffids – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)
Councillors Briefing (14 June 2024)
Highways weeding update
Trained council Environmental Services staff will now be carrying out weed treatment work on highways, roads, and footpaths across the borough over the coming weeks and months, weather permitting.
This means, in the short term, more weeds may be seen on the highways network, however steps are being taken to address the issue.
As well as our staff treating weeds, road sweepers will also be used to remove them.
If you are contacted by residents, please share this information.
Crompton Moor – Bash the Balsam – Wed 26 June.
First, a big thank you to all of you who have been helping to get rid of the Himalayan Balsam. This has certainly been a big task this year especially on the access road to the car park. It’s clear to see that a vast amount has been cleared but there are still some at the barrier area across from Shore Edge church, and a few pockets here and there as you go up the road.
It’s a big ask, but we really need to clear the rest of it, so another date has been added to have one last push to clear what remains.
The date and time for this last push is Wednesday 26th of June. Meet in the small car park on the bend for a 10:30 am start.
Hoping as many of you as possible will be able to make this date, it’s so important to keep on top of clearing this invasive species.
FOR HELP AND ADVICE – Shaw and Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillor Surgeries (no appointment necessary) in July 2024.
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.
July 11, 18, and 25.
20 July – Oldham Pride.
Loss of public football pitches could crush grassroots football say Oldham Liberal Democrats
Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has warned that of an alarming loss of public football pitches across the north of England could “crush grassroots football”.
The Shaw councillor was speaking as the first stage of the eagerly awaited European Championships in Germany was to conclude this week as it enters the knockout stage. But closer to home, the GMB trade union has found that almost 1,000 council-owned or operated football pitches have been lost across the UK in recent years, with the north of England amongst the worst affected areas.
Councillor Sykes said, “Publicly accessible sport is vital for people at all stages of life but especially for children.”
“What does the disappearance of so many local football pitches mean for the next Phil Foden or Marcus Rashford?”
“Council’s need to take this threat seriously or it could crush grassroots football in large parts of the country. That would be bad news for our national game.”