Have a good one – all my friends, colleagues and relatives.

From a proud Lancastrian.

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Have a good Eid al-Fitr,to all my friends and colleagues of the Muslim Faith.

Click the link for details: Ward Surgeries Shaw and Crompton – June – Nov 2016

More cuts in key local services are likely to be a consequence if voters call for Britain to leave the European Union in the referendum next Thursday, a senior Oldham Councillor has warned.

Howard Sykes, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, says that hospitals and schools will be affected as well as services directly provided by the Council.

“This is not scaremongering, it’s just spelling out the reality,” stated Councillor Sykes.  “Our community does not need more cuts in services but that will be what happens if the ‘Leave’ side wins.”

“The government has still not balanced the books and is borrowing the best part of £200 million more every single day.  All the leading economic forecasters say that leaving the EU would be bad for Britain’s economy for years to come, so the consequences are inevitable.  Cuts in spending will follow quickly followed by job losses in both the private and public sectors.”

Sykes claims that even supporters of Brexit admit that any economic benefits could only come after years have passed, and he says that they are offering no guarantees at all that there will be a long term improvement.

“The fact is that Britain created the EU single market and has done very well out of it.  To leave something we devised for our own benefit would be like shooting ourselves in the foot.”

Fears about immigration are said to be a major reason why people might vote to leave the EU, but Sykes argues that Oldham Borough’s major concern is not EU citizens working locally but the need to provide for asylum seekers and that other areas have a fair share.

He says: “Pulling out of the EU won’t help us in any way to deal with the problem and it could make the situation worse.

“A Britain isolated and alone can’t deal with the problems of people fleeing Syria or Libya.  There are no easy solutions but the only way forward lies through partnership with our European colleagues.

“It would be madness to decide that we didn’t want to be in the rooms where decisions will be taken that are bound to affect our future and that of our children and grandchildren.  Britain will be smaller and weaker if it opts for isolation.  We will be bigger, stronger and have more influence if we remain IN.”

Temporary traffic signals are required for one day on 27 May to replace an electricity pole.  Location is approximately 125m east of the Black Ladd.

For further information click on the link: Buckstones Road, Shaw

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As I am sure many of you are aware the 15^th – 21^st May is Dementia Awareness Week. In the UK, there are about 800,000 people with dementia; it is estimated that around 400,000 people have dementia but do not know it. By raising awareness about this condition, it is hoped that more people will be diagnosed earlier, giving more time for them to come to terms with future symptoms.

On Thursday the 19^th May Home Instead Oldham & Saddleworth have teamed up with Millercare Mobility Specialists and JFS Protect to offer a Dementia Information/Friends session, information on Mobility Aids and Adaptations and a talk on Lasting Power of Attorney.

The day will run 10am-2pm with the Dementia friends session in the morning, a light lunch with the chance to look around the Millercare store and talk to staff and the LPA session in the afternoon. The day will be held at the Millercare Showroom on Huddersfield Road, Oldham, more details on the poster attached.

Although this is an open day and you can just pop along, we are taking bookings just to ensure those who want to attend the sessions have a definite place.

Please contact Home Instead on 01457 874566 to book a place.

We look forward to seeing you on the 19^th.

Click on link for details: Dementia awareness week open day

Kind Regards,

Debra Sparks

HR & Training Manager

T: 01457 874566  M: 07557 561734

Click here to find out more about Home Instead

Thank YOU – to all those who support me yesterday on polling day 5 May.

It is great honour to be re-elected to serve the community of Shaw and Crompton.

Many thanks again, it is appreciated.

Howard

Shaw Ward

Result:  LIB DEM HOLD.  Turnout:  33.14%

 Crompton Ward

Result:  LIB DEM HOLD.  Turnout:  36.59%

By Councillor Howard Sykes, Liberal Democrat and Opposition Leader, Oldham Council

The Conservative Government continues to punish Boroughs like Oldham as they continue to move cash and support to their friends in the South and shire counties.  The size and scale of budget reductions are massive and some services are in real danger of collapse which in turn will impact on citizens we represent and serve.

Not once this year, or last year, have Oldham’s two Conservative Councillors spoken out about this and stood up for our Borough.  This is in complete contrast to the Liberal Democrats, with 10 councillors, who have.

We also provide the only effective opposition to Labour with their 44 councillors, challenging decisions we feel are detrimental to the Borough and its residents.  Compare this to the Conservatives and UKIP who talk a good story, but their lack of action speaks volumes and they often vote with Labour, therefore fail to offer any credible alternative.

This year, you have the opportunity to elect councillors who, instead of posturing, will face the challenges in local government head on – delivering services you expect whilst squeezing much better value from your Council Tax.

As the opposition party, the Liberal Democrats challenge Labour where we believe necessary, but work with them as a constructive opposition when we can.  Liberal Democrats have made many innovative proposals to support the unemployed, the disabled and the poor: to grow our local economy and to help our environment.

In contrast, UKIP and the Conservatives have done nothing.

We also believe that the Oldham Council must get the basics right.

People want clean streets; potholes filled; bins collected; and our green spaces and parks looked after for all to enjoy.

In the Council Tax setting meeting earlier this year, we found the cash for some of these basics.  Our proposals included:

 Investing £5M extra to fix our roads and pavements.

• Employing two more teams and another vehicle on gully cleaning to prevent flooding.
• Restoring the free Bulky Bob bulky waste collection service.
• Devolving cash to districts like Shaw and Crompton, Saddleworth and Lees, Royton, Chadderton and Failsworth and Hollinwood so they would have £1M to spend solving local problems for local people.
• Provide extra enforcement officers to tackle dog-fouling and fly-tipping.

Labour and the Conservatives were opposed to these ideas and voted against them.

Liberal Democrat councillors have always championed independent district partnerships because we really believe in local people making local decisions.   This also makes local councillors accountable to the people and communities who elected them.

Liberal Democrats want Council investment in renewable energy projects.  This is good for our environment and the Council’s finances too – bringing in sustainable income for at least the next quarter century.

Voting Liberal Democrat means supporting sound finance and reliable public services, and a party putting people and communities first.

It is a positive vote against Labour’s land grab, and a vote for better youth provision and for improved health and leisure facilities.

It also means you will elect a local councillor who will be your champion and be on your side!