Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has slammed UK water companies including United Utilities – who are the North West’s provider – after “years of sewage scandal”.  United Utilities contributed to an apology statement issued by Water UK on May 18. 

Councillor Sykes said, “Apologies won’t do anything to improve the quality of our waterways.  This statement is meaningless without proper reform of water companies, who have spent years destroying our waterways and putting public health at risk.”

Liberal Democrats have called for an overhaul of UK water companies and an end to bonus for bosses presiding over sewage dumping practices. 

Councillor Sykes said, “It’s a disgrace that the government has continually allowed water company bosses to profit from polluting our waterways.  Now that United Utilities have taken some responsibility for this environmental catastrophe, will the Conservative government step up?  Or will they continue to vote to block reform of water companies, as they have consistently done over recent years?”   

NOTES

Full Water UK statement here: Water and sewage companies in England apologise for sewage spills and launch massive transformation programme | Water UK

Oldham Liberal Democrats “Save Our Rivers” campaign: Save Our Rivers: Liberal Democrats call for Sewage Tax on river polluters – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

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.

May 25; June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.

Shocking figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats show that 69% of car thefts in Greater Manchester went unsolved in 2022.  The figures were branded “shocking” by Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE. 

Councillor Sykes said, “People in Oldham and across Greater Manchester are told the same thing by Conservative and Labour politicians alike.  They say they are putting more police on the streets and more resources into tackling crime.  But the reality is, criminals are getting away with making our streets less safe.”

Across England and Wales, just 1 in 30 incidents of car theft resulted in a suspect being charged in 2022.  Previous research conducted by the Liberal Democrats shows that police failed to even attend three out of four car thefts in the same year. 

Councillor Sykes said, “The government has run police forces into the ground.  Greater Manchester Police was taken out of special measures in October 2022.  These figures from the same year show that nothing much has improved.”

“People expect and deserve a police force that can properly investigate crimes and bring charges against criminals, but right now, people in Oldham and across Greater Manchester can’t even be sure that the police will show up.”

NOTES

Full analysis including a breakdown by force is available here. 
Data taken from Home Office: Police recorded crime outcomes open data tables
Previous research on police attendance for car thefts is available here. This data was uncovered by an FOI to all 45 police forces in the UK.

Liberal Democrats in Oldham have hit out after a recent statement by Conservative Minister Michael Gove revealed that the Government may strip planning powers from the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA), part of which lies in Oldham Borough.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Oldham councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “The Government has no business threatening the smooth running of our National Parks.  The last thing they need is Ministers poking their nose around.  Haven’t the Government got enough on their plate fixing the mess they have made of the country without sticking their oar in here too?”

The Government’s Peak District comments from Mr Gove came at the same time as he threatened to remove planning powers from several English councils who were deemed to be “falling short” of development targets.  This comes despite reports that the PDNPA have exceeded Government performance targets over the last six months.

Councillor Sykes said, “The Government will no doubt be hoping people will not notice the comments they have made about the future of the Peak District National Park.  But it raises the question, what exactly do Conservative Ministers plan to do with these powers, if, and when they remove them from the Park Authority?  They clearly want more building and development in our National Parks.”  

Pleased to report a stop has now been put of the crushing machine until adequate measures are taken to stop it impacting on many local residents.

I first raised my latest concerns about this in Mid April.

Shame it has taken the Council so long to take action, but better late than never.

My most recent on this from 28 April is below.

Demolition of former Very site Shaw – Linney Lane – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)