Shocking figures revealed by the Liberal Democrats show that more than 60 pubs, restaurants and cafes are at risk of closure across Oldham borough following cuts to business support announced by the government.  

Leader of Oldham Liberal Democrats councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “The Conservative government promised to ‘level up’ Oldham.  But now we see they’re just trying to level us.”

“It’s not enough for the Conservatives that they have wrecked the economy and forced thousands to choose between heating and eating.  Now they are pulling the rug out from beneath the pubs, cafes and restaurants.  These are businesses that are struggling because of decisions made by Conservative politicians.” 

The Liberal Democrat analysis of Business Support cuts predicts that more than 2,100 hospitality businesses could close across the North West.

Councillor Sykes said, “The Conservatives say they back small businesses.  But the reality is one in four small businesses in our country are considering closing or downsizing.  The Conservatives are killing our high street.”

Data here – taken from NOMIS, an ONS Service tracking  labour market statistics
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rgmvTDyBGc672yN9aUiOQWyeFoabzl5SBWIlDoUvIe0/edit#gid=0

According to a survey conducted by ‘Asphalt Industry Alliance’ (AIA), the nation’s roads are in the worst state ever.  A staggering £14 billion is now needed to clear the road maintenance backlog.

Liberal Democrat councillor for Shaw and Leader of the Opposition in Oldham, councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “Highways teams would need triple the funding they currently get, just to stop our roads deteriorating further.  The Government has chosen to neglect our roads so they can raid budgets for savings.  Now £14 billion is needed to fix their neglect.”

Oldham Liberal Democrats proposed more cash for crumbling Oldham roads and pavements when they set out their alternative budget proposals (March 02).  The extra cash for roads was voted down by both Labour and Conservatives on Oldham Council. 

Councillor Sykes said, “A Liberal Democrat administration would be laser focused on getting the basics right.  That’s what people in Oldham want to see.  We put road repairs at the heart of our budget plans.  We would take a year-round approach to maintenance, ending the March ‘month of madness’ that residents have had to put up with under Labour.”

Asphalt Industry Alliance survey

alarm.pdf (localgov.co.uk)

Liberal Democrat Alternative Budget 2023/24

Liberal Democrat Alternative Budget 2023/24 tonight meeting of Oldham Council – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

 ‘May Ramadan be generous to you’.

Do it now to be sure and beat the rush!

If you don’t want to vote in person, or cannot due other commitments (work/ill/away etc.) at the elections on Thursday 4 May, 2023, for any reason, then you can apply for a postal vote by writing to:

Elections Office, Oldham Council, West Street, Oldham OL1 1UL. Or calling: 0161 770 4718. Or emailing: elections@oldham.gov.uk

Completed applications need to be returned NO LATER than 5pm on Tue

On 23 March 2023, let’s all come together for the third UK National Day of Reflection – an opportunity to remember our loved ones who’ve died, support people who are grieving, and connect with each other. 

Please join us once again to mark the day with a minute’s silence at noon, a nationwide network of Walls of Reflection, and a series of grief-themed online programmes.

https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support

Oldham Liberal Democrats have hit out at the Conservative government for “neglecting cash-strapped young parents” after it emerged that childcare costs in the region have soared by £225 per year.

Leader of Oldham Liberal Democrats councillor Howard Sykes said, “Cash-strapped young parents are already seeing their income squeezed by the Conservative cost-of-living crisis.  Every child and every family should have access to great care; and it shouldn’t break the bank.  The Conservatives are neglecting hard working families.”

Liberal Democrat analysis of the figures in the 2022 Coram Childcare Report and the 2023 Coram Childcare Report show a £225 rise for parents paying for 25 hours of childcare a week.

For children aged two and over, the figures show an average rise of £4.33 a week, meaning an annual rise of £225.16 for hard pressed families.  

For children under the age of two, the figures show an even greater annual rise of £318.76 for parents in the North West.

Councillor Sykes said, “The UK already has some of the highest childcare costs in the world.  Parents up and down the country are struggling to afford their nursery fees, while for others the crippling costs of childcare mean they simply can’t afford to return to work.

“The Government needs to address this childcare crisis urgently and invest properly in our children’s future.”

Liberal Democrat analysis of Coram Childcare Reports 2022 & 2023

Childcare Costs 2023 – Google Sheets

Oldham Council will now back calls for the Greater Manchester Pension Fund to stop its investment in fossil fuels, following an amendment from Liberal Democrats which was passed last night [15/03/23].

The amendment called for the pension fund – the largest in the local government pension scheme, with over 375,000 members – to divest from fossil fuels by 2030, in line with the borough’s zero-carbon target, and in the meantime to provide an annual report on exactly how it is using its investment to pressure companies to go green.

Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “I am delighted that the Council has changed tack and backed this commitment. Other pension funds have committed to divest, and that GMPF was planning to invest in fossil fuels until 2050 is just wrong.

“GMPF has previously argued that its investments can be a driver for change. Well, let’s see the proof. I want to see an annual report detailing exactly how they are doing that, and a solid target for companies, so that they know if they are still working in fossil fuels at the end of this decade, then they will lose our investment.

“Wishy-washy targets for the middle of this century are no incentive for anyone.”

A previous divestment motion from the Liberal Democrats in 2021 was opposed by the Labour Council, but they were prepared to back the new proposals after six other GM councils backed calls for change by 2038.

Councillor Al-Hamdani said: Oldham has a carbon-neutral target of 2030. It would be hypocritical if we still weren’t asking GMPF to stop investing fossil fuels by the same deadline.

“We are currently in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis – driven in part by massive energy price hikes. The UK can’t carry on the same way – we need to wean ourselves off this addiction to international fossil fuels.

We need to be doing everything that we can to move to a sustainable, reliable, low-cost energy market, and that means investing in UK-based green solutions. It’s better for our economy, our environment, and most importantly, for people who have been hammered by huge energy bills.”

Kevin Sinfield – Freedom of the Borough of Oldham – very proud to be able to formally second this proposal to make him a Honorary Freeman last night (20/03/23)

Kevin Sinfield has Oldham in his DNA, and it is only right and proper we make him a Freeman of our Borough.

A former player at Waterhead ARLC the boy has done well to say the least.  And I say that as St Anne’s fan myself!

Fly – half for Leeds Rhinos and captain – proper big boy rugby and a credit to his Town. 

He also played on the international stage with both England and Great Britain.

Kevin is a seven-time Super League champion, two-time Challenge Cup and triple World Club Challenge winner.

To this day, Kevin stills holds the record as the highest points scorer for the Rhinos at 3,697 and the Super League record of 3,443.

Following his playing career, of which he is widely regarded as one of the greatest kickers in rugby league history, Kevin was appointed Rugby Director of the Rugby Football League in 2016.

He helped lead England to the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Final before returning to Rhinos the following year as their first-ever Director of Rugby.

Kevin left Leeds a second time for Rugby Union, when he became defence coach for Leicester Tigers.

He is the current defence coach for the England national rugby union team, and certainly has his work cut out in that role.

But some of Kevin’s biggest achievements are to massively raise the profile of Motor Neurone Disease or MND as it is called.

His former Leeds team-mate Rob Burrows was diagnosed with MND.  And Kevin his former captain and close friend set about raising money and the awareness of MND.

Seven marathons in seven days in 2020.  Kevin raised more than £2.7 million for his friend Rob and the MND Association.

Most recently a staggering seven ultramarathons in seven days. Smashing his original fundraising target of £777,777, Seven being Rob’s former number.

So, his sporting achievements merit this award on their own. 

However, it’s his work for charity and especially MND and his mate Rob Burrows that clearly takes him well over the try line and between the sticks.

We all need to be a little more Kevin!

I am honoured to second the proposal to make Kevin Sinfield OBE a Freeman of the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham.