Turnout: 31.7%

Independent  998 – Elected – Candidate with highest number of votes

SYKES Howard David – Liberal Democrats – 938 – Elected – Candidate with second highest number of votes

GLOSTER Hazel – Liberal Democrats – 911 – Elected – Candidate with third highest number of votes

Well done to all who fought these elections and a special thank you to my colleague and friend Chris Gloster who narrowly missed retaining his council seat in Shaw.

For full details: https://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/201244/local_election_results_4_may_2023

Parish elections

On the Parish council in Shaw I am (Howard Sykes) pleased to have been returned for East Ward along with my colleague Joe Beeston. The other four seats went to the ‘so called’ Independents.

In Crompton ward in the Parish elections I am very pleased to see the election of Tom Penketh (youngest councillor in the country), Keith Swift, Louie Hamblett and Diane Williamson. The other three seats went to the ‘so called’ Independents.

Thank YOU to all who supported us and our work for Shaw and Crompton – it is appreciated and we will do our very best to continue to fight and deliver for our community.

Temporary Order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended, the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicles from proceeding along that part of Victoria Street Shaw from a point 20 metres from its junction with Osborne Street for 25 metres generally northerly. The alternative route will be via Farrow Street/Chamber Road/Rochdale Road B6194.

The Order is to be made because of Electricity North West connection works and will be in force for 2 weeks from 9th May 2023, or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

The pharmacy opening times for the upcoming bank holidays have been released. They are as follows:

Boots the Chemist     
1 Town Square Shopping Centre, Oldham, OL1 1XD
0161 633 6136         
Thursday 2nd June 10am – 4pm
Friday 3rd June 10am – 4pm
 
Boots the Chemist
Elk Mill Centre Retail Park, Broadway, Oldham, OL2 5HX
0161 652 1620
Thursday 2nd June 10am – 4pm
Friday 3rd June 10am – 4pm
 
Asda Pharmacy
1 Milne Street, Chadderton, Oldham, OL9 0JE
0161 484 1060
Thursday 2nd June 10am – 4pm
Friday 3rd June 10am – 4pm
 
Asda Pharmacy
Greenfield Lane, Shaw, Oldham, OL2 8QP
01706 883 500
Thursday 2nd June 10am – 4pm
Friday 3rd June 10am – 4pm
 
Oldham Late Night Pharmacy
87-89 Lees Road, Oldham, OL4 1JW
0161 652 2221
Thursday 2nd June 2pm – 7pm
Friday 3rd June 2pm – 7pm
 
Tesco Pharmacy
Huddersfield Road, Oldham, OL1 3LG
0161 602 8961
Thursday 2nd June 9am – 1pm
Friday 3rd June 9am – 1pm
 
Tesco Pharmacy
Featherstall Road North, Oldham, OL9 6BW
0345 677 9522
Thursday 2nd June 9am – 1pm
Friday 3rd June 9am – 1pm

More information can be found on their website at:
https://greater-manchester.communitypharmacy.org.uk/our-news/easter-pharmacy-opening-hours/

If YOU need help or know someone in Shaw and Crompton that does the A V Davies Charity could help – please apply.

Figures revealed by the Liberal Democrats show that 146,285 GP appointments in Oldham lasted just five minutes or less over the last year. 

Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE warned that government failure to recruit enough GPs has led to “frighteningly long waiting times and rushed appointments.”

Councillor Sykes said, “The pandemic created a backlog in our health services.  People haven’t been able to see a doctor when they’ve needed one.  Now there are more patients but fewer GPs to treat them.  Services are stretched to breaking point and you have to wonder what quality of care can be delivered in an appointment that lasts less than five minutes.”

These latest figures come just after Liberal Democrats uncovered data showing that there are 21 fewer GPs across Oldham than in 2016.

Councillor Sykes said, “The situation with GP services in Oldham has become critical.  People deserve the peace of mind that comes when you know you can get an appointment for yourself or a loved one when you need one.  The Conservative government is destroying the NHS and these local elections are an opportunity to send them a message by electing councillors who will stand up for local health services.”

NOTES

House of Commons research into appointment times commissioned by the Liberal Democrats available here.

Liberal Democrats reveal fall in GP numbers in Oldham
Liberal Democrats call for a return to “proper local health services” as figures show surge in patients per GP in Oldham  – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

We are often asked questions about bus services and routes. Above and below is a map and some information about routes and times and where to get further information.

We continue to battle to maintain services and improve them were we can. We also hold operators to account when they fail to provide the serve they should.

The only changes in April 2023 will be to the timetables of services R9 and R10 – please see below links for the latest timetable information, which will be updated in the coming week or so to show the new times:

57 Oldham to Higginshaw circular bus route | Transport for Greater Manchester (tfgm.com)

182 Piccadilly Gardens to Wrens Nest bus route | Transport for Greater Manchester (tfgm.com)

402 Buckstones Estate to Oldham bus route | Transport for Greater Manchester (tfgm.com)

403 Oldham to Heyside circular bus route | Transport for Greater Manchester (tfgm.com)

R9 Rochdale to Turf Hill circular bus route | Transport for Greater Manchester (tfgm.com)

R10 Rochdale to Milnrow circular bus route | Transport for Greater Manchester (tfgm.com)

A number of people have contacted me and my colleagues recently about the dust and other issues from the demolition of the former Very site off Linney Lane.

We have regularly contacted planning and enforcement about this to ensure the tight controls on the site are complied with, which on more than one occasion they have not, as any nearby resident will confirm.

Below is the most recent response we have had from a senior council officer earlier today following concerns we raised:

I can confirm that an officer attended site yesterday in response to complaints and asked for extra dust suppression for the site and the ongoing demolition task.

The contractor agreed to deal with this immediately to reduce the impact of any residual dust from the demolition.

I hope this action reduces any issues being caused. Please let me know if this is not the case and I will ask the officer to revisit and look at any other actions that can be taken.  

Earlier today we asked that the site be revisited to ensure all matters are been complied with including dust and noise.