Shaw Liberal Democrat councillors, Howard Sykes and his two colleagues Chris Gloster and Hazel Gloster have heard from local residents concerns about bins being removed from a number of areas across the ward.
Currently, the council are in the process of replacing all the bins that are emptied by the council’s Street Scene department, for new bigger bins.
The bins started being replaced in mid-October and they will continue until the whole of Shaw Ward has larger bins that can be emptied like the household waste bins.
Councillors urge residents not to worry; these new bins can take more waste and may have been moved slightly for access reasons.
If there are any problems with locations or missing bins have not been replaced by the end of next week, please get in touch.
Oldham’s Liberal Democrats have condemned the Government for their refusal to fund welfare payments in line with inflation. Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “I’m horrified that support for the most vulnerable, could soon be cut to the bone, just when it’s needed most. I know many people are feeling anxiety over this potential blow, which could push many of them into poverty and hurt their ability to care for their loved ones.”
The shocking figures come from the House of Commons Library research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats. Councillor Sykes warned that, “these real-terms cuts to Universal Credit do not include any additional cuts the new Chancellor might propose on November 17th.”
The research shows that a staggering total of more than 74,000 people across Oldham could end up seeing their support cut should the Conservatives go through with their plans, with carers and those who are disabled standing to lose out the most.
Councillor Howard Sykes has urged the Government to immediately upgrade Universal Credit across the board for all those who need it.
Councillor Sykes said, “It just shows how out of touch and heartless this government has become. They’re on the side of bankers and billionaires whilst ordinary people in our borough are being ignored. The government can put an end to the anguish and sleepless nights facing so many people by funding Universal Credit in line with inflation and preventing the most vulnerable falling into poverty.”
“The latest Conservative Chancellor has delayed his autumn statement. I hope he uses the extra time to come to the right decision on Universal Credit; and fund it in line with inflation so that families in Oldham are not pushed into poverty.”
(Figures are only available by Parliamentary Constituency. Figures for Ashton Under-Lyne have been divided to reflect the percentage of the constituency which is within the boundaries of Oldham Borough.)
On both Remembrance Day (11/11/2022) and Remembrance Sunday (13/11/2022) they are offering free bus travel across their entire network.
All serving Armed Forces personnel, cadets, and military veterans can travel for free to attend commemorative events to remember the service and sacrifice of their comrades.
To claim free travel, all current and former military personnel should show the driver their armed Forces ID card or veteran’s badge or wear their uniform or medals.
Our drivers may pull over to carry out a 2-minute silence at 11am on these days. We ask that you please be patient and respectful during this time if you are travelling on a First Bus
Crompton councillor Louie Hamblett has written to Oldham Council Leader councillor Amanda Chadderton to ask whether a cross-party group of councillors could be created, with the task of making recommendations to Oldham Council for a truly fitting memorial to Queen Elizabeth II?
The late Queen was our nation’s longest serving monarch and visited our borough more than once – even holding a garden party here in Oldham. A considered and collaborative tribute on behalf of this Council is only fitting and councillor Hamblett said: “I’m sure many members would want to play an active role in delivering this.”
He also added “I look forward to hearing back from the Leader on this, as her late Majesty was our greatest Monarch in living memory and surely now after seeing 70 years of great change and bringing our nations to where it is today, a memorial from us proud of her life and work will truly be grateful by having a memorial for her. God Save The King.”
In his budget amendment speech in February this year, my colleague councillor Gloster warned the Labour Administration that if this Council continues with its current approach to regeneration and transformation, then we are increasing the risk of becoming a financially failing Council due to the massive amount of increased borrowing that will be required to complete projects like Spindles, Tommyfield Market, the Eco Centre, the new Town Centre Park, Old Library and the Cultural Quarter, the new Theatre and new Archive Centre amongst others.
This was before interest rates rocketed to more than 10%.
I want to focus on just one of those projects and that’s the long-promised Prince’s Gate, down at Mumps.
On September 12th, 1962, US President John F. Kennedy told the American people “We choose to go to the Moon”.
It was an ambitious speech Madam Mayor… but it was also an inspiring one because just 2,504 days later, on July 20th, 1969, mankind witnessed the first lunar landing.
Madam Mayor, it’s more than 2900 days since Jim McMahon set out his vision of a £60million game changer redevelopment which would deliver 150,000 square feet of retail space to be populated by the UK’s retail giants, along with 800 homes and 700 parking spaces.
That vision has been watered down over the years. We started with talk of “missing retail giants” like Marks and Spencer. Now it’s a Travelodge and a Lidl.
It’s been more than eight years Madam Mayor… … and Labour still haven’t delivered Jim McMahon’s game changer, but we do have some car parking spaces.
To put it bluntly it’s taken longer for Oldham Labour to deliver a budget hotel and a budget supermarket than it took to put Mankind on the moon.
Madam Mayor, can the Leader update the council on the impact of plus 10% inflation on Oldham’s regeneration projects… and when can the people of Oldham expect to welcome the long-promised Prince’s Gate redevelopment?
Because to-date the progress has been far from interstellar.
Q2 School meals and budgets
Thank you, Madam Mayor, my second question tonight is about schools.
Schools across Oldham are facing immense challenges because of the cost-of-living crisis.
Government failure to keep pace with inflation means that free school meal budgets in Oldham have effectively been cut by more than £200,000 in real terms.
Now we are seeing school budgets swallowed by rising energy costs, nine out of 10 schools across the country say they will run out of money next year.
In some cases, schools are seeing their energy bill rise by 100 or 150%.
But not only is the Government telling schools to fend for themselves – with no additional support to meet these rising costs – but our latest Chancellor is suggesting finding more cuts.
These cuts will mean less teaching hours, less teaching assistants and less teachers.
This is not just because councillor Sykes says so… but because Paul Whiteman, the General Secretary of the National Association of Headteachers says so.
So, my question to the Leader is, what cost-of-living support will the Council bring forward for schools – specifically to help with food and warmth so that children in Oldham are not left to suffer because of this indifferent and cruel Government?
