Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has called for ‘on-the-spot’ fines for littering to be doubled – taking the fine from £100 to £200 – to crack down on littering offences. 

Councillor Sykes said, “Littering is a huge problem across Oldham and it’s something the current Labour administration just doesn’t have a handle on – despite throwing thousands of pounds at campaigns like ‘Don’t Trash Oldham’.”

In a response to a Freedom of Information Request issued by the Liberal Democrats, Oldham Council confirmed that the number of fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued for littering offences has fallen each year from 636 in 2019 to just 53 in the first half of 2022.

Councillor Sykes said, “These are shocking figures that tell their own story.  This is about getting the basics right.  We need meaningful penalties and proper enforcement.  These numbers must be an embarrassment to the Labour run council.”

According to the Policy Exchange think-tank, who have released a report on tackling littering and other environmental crimes, the government also needs to combat the problem.  Policy recommendations include higher fines, tax breaks for companies who make biodegradable alternatives to commonly littered products like chewing gum; and published league tables to name and shame underperforming councils. 

The report also suggests the introduction of a ‘littering awareness course’ for offenders – similar to the speeding awareness courses handed out for dangerous driving.

Councillor Sykes said, “I welcome the Policy Exchange report because it points to practical solutions, but I

NOTES

Policy Exchange report – Litterbugs 2.0
litterbugs.pdf (localgov.co.uk)

Response to FOI Request issued by councillor Sykes
Dear Cllr Sykes,

In response to your Freedom of Information request, we are happy to provide the following information.

	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Litter FPNs	486	636	194	86	53
Prosecutions	35	79	49	37	4 (up to end May )

Liberal Democrat Leader and Shaw representative councillor Howard Sykes MBE has called on Greater Manchester leaders to adopt a new support strategy for new-born babies across the city region. 

The ‘baby box’ was trialled in Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Trust in 2018 but councillor Sykes says it should be put into place across the whole of Greater Manchester. 

Councillor Sykes said, “The early years are so crucial and new parents feel the stress of trying to provide the best possible start for their children.  We know that child poverty is on the rise in Britain, and it’s made worse by the cost-of-living crisis.”

Across England, one in every three babies are born into poverty.  However, in Oldham, rates of infant poverty are even higher – closer to four in ten babies.  

“We must give families the support they need at the start, so that children in Oldham can thrive.  Greater Manchester should follow Scotland and other European examples and introduce the ‘Baby Box’ for all new-borns.”

The Baby Box – popularised in Finland and now adopted as policy in Scotland – is a hamper that is provided to all expectant (your midwife fills in a form at 24 weeks, and you receive your baby box four weeks before your due date) mothers, free of charge.  It contains clothes, nappies, blankets and even an under-arm thermometer for taking temperatures.  The hamper itself can be quilted and used as a cot. 

Councillor Sykes said, “It’s no wonder that Finland has less child mortality and less children living in poverty than the UK.  Clearly Greater Manchester should follow Finland’s and the trials example and launch a similar scheme across our region.  A little effort in those early stages of life could make a world of difference for thousands of children.”

Information on Scottish ‘Baby Box’ scheme (NHS Scotland)

Scotland’s Baby Box | Ready Steady Baby! (nhsinform.scot)

Save the Children – Child Poverty Statistics

New poverty stats: One in three preschool children are living in poverty (savethechildren.org.uk)

The Government has introduced new legislation which means photographic identification will be compulsory for anyone voting in person in this year’s elections.  

Voters attending the polls on Thursday 4 May will be refused a ballot if they do not show Government-approved photo ID.  Accepted ID includes:

• passports
• driving licences
• concessionary bus passes
• a PASS card (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
• Blue Badge
• Voter Authority Certificate

Expired ID is also accepted as long as the photo is a true likeness. You can visit the Electoral Commission website for a full list of accepted forms of voter ID

If residents don’t have any of these forms of ID, they can apply for a free voter ID which is also called a Voter Authority Certificate. A website has been set up to register for free voter ID  

People can also get help getting online at any library if they need some support, or the Elections Team is able to answer question and they can be contacted at 0161 770 4318 or elections@oldham.gov.uk  

You can also register to vote by post as normal, and postal votes will not require further ID. For more information, visit www.oldham.gov.uk/voterid

The resurfacing for Southlink Junction will be going ahead from Monday 23 January to Friday 27 January, with Oldham Way being closed for five nights.

The closure will be in place between 8pm and 5am. Signage will be in place to advise drivers of the closure. The late notice, which is due to the changing weather, and forecasts for next week means the work is able to go ahead.

Voters will have to produce photo ID before they will be allowed to vote in May’s local elections, but a loophole means that people who vote by post will not be subject to ID checks.  Liberal Democrat councillors in Oldham say the change will lead to “chaos” at polling stations. 

Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “The government is making it harder to vote by forcing people to bring photo ID with them to the polling station – something thousands of people in Oldham will not have.”

“It couldn’t be clearer that there isn’t the time to implement this before May and most importantly, there isn’t the time to tell people about it.  Regrettably, this will probably lead to voters being denied their right to vote and being turned away.  The government know this, yet they are pushing ahead anyway,” he added.

The Local Government Association has also raised serious concerns about the governments roll-out of voter ID.  They say that councils will need six months to implement proposals when, in reality, the government is barely giving them four. 

However, the government has proposed no changes to the rules for those voting by post, meaning that only people who turn up to vote in person will be required to prove their identity. 

Councillor Sykes said, “It’s a completely bizarre loophole.  The plans are unfair, badly thought out and they are going to lead to chaos on polling day.  This change is trying to solve a problem that does not exist, what it really is about is voter suppression.  Now reforming the rules for postal votes, where there are well documented issues, would be welcome but has been ducked!” 

A Liberal Democrat attempt to delay the introduction of voter ID was defeated in the House of Lords in December (13/12) after the Labour Party failed to support the motion, choosing instead to welcome the Conservative governments voter ID proposals. 

House of Lords division result (Fatal Motion – Voter Identification Bill, Baroness Pinnock)
Voter Identification Regulations 2022 – Lords’ votes in Parliament – UK Parliament
  

We have been advised by the Parks Department of the following regarding the benches around the bowling green in Dunwood Park.

They are removing the benches around the bowling green at Dunwood Park for refurbishment and they will be returned in a few weeks.

They are putting in four temporary benches as a stop gap.

Any benches with plaques will be returned with them.