World Bee Day 2024: Liberal Democrats call for tighter bans on pesticides

May 20^th is World Bee Day 2024 and fresh efforts are needed to protect British bees say Oldham Liberal Democrats.

According to the British Beekeepers Association, British Bees are at risk because the government have lifted bans on harmful pesticides such as thiamethoxam and other neonicotinoids.  The UK government have lifted a ban on these substances which can currently be used on crops despite the fact that a single teaspoon of these pesticides can deliver a fatal dose to as many as 1.25 billion bees.

Leader of Oldham Liberal Democrats councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “We want to see tighter bans on pesticides to protect bees.  The government must reinstate the bans that were in place for the most harmful substances.  Those pesticides were taken out of use for a good reason.”

To mark World Bee Day 2024, people are encouraged to plant flowers and shrubs that help bees and other pollinators thrive in the UK. 

According to the World Bee Day UK website, the best plants to go for are Lavender, Oregano, Borage Blue and Rhododendron.     

More from councillor Sykes on protecting bees and pollinators
Bees under threat: Liberal Democrats call for pesticide ban – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

Tour of Britain – Sunday 9 June.

The Borough is set to take part in the Tour of Britain Women 2024, which will see the world’s top female riders and teams go head-to-head across four tough stages of a cycling race.

Oldham is set to host the fourth stage of the race on Sunday 9 June, in what will be the first major international stage race delivered by British Cycling Events.

Residents and businesses are being encouraged to show support of the event and cheer on the cyclists as they cycle through Failsworth, Oldham, Saddleworth and Shaw.

Stage 4 Greater Mancheter v11 on gpx2kml.com – Free online gpx to kml converter

17 May 24 – International Day.

OCL 28 – 31 May Half Term Park Fun Days, Dunwood Park, High Crompton Park and others.

Youth Centre – Shaw and Crompton.

Yuvanis Foundation · Eequ

Grant available for energy efficiency projects

Small and medium-sized businesses in Greater Manchester can get an Energy Efficiency Grant.

It gives £5,000 (before VAT) to cover 50% of the cost of making energy-saving improvements. The grants are limited and given out on a first-come-first-served basis.

You can use the grant for things like upgrading heating equipment, replacing motors or drives, and making processes more efficient.

If you’re a small or medium-sized business in Greater Manchester, you can apply. They’ll check if your project will save CO2 and meet other criteria. Apply for the grant here

Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader welcomes long promised bottle deposit scheme for recycling  

Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has welcomed the government’s latest announcement on the long-promised deposit return scheme for recycling drinks containers after six years of delay. 

The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will come into effect in 2027, with talks taking place between the Scottish, Welsh, and UK governments to ensure the DRS can be rolled out nationwide. 

Councillor Sykes said, “This is long-overdue but very welcome news.  People in Oldham are often frustrated because they don’t have the option to recycle as much as they would like.  The Deposit Return Scheme will make it easier for people to recycle bottles and drink containers.  These schemes are proven to work and have been in place in many European countries for decades.  In countries like Denmark or Germany, they just don’t have the problems with litter that we do.”

Deposit recycling schemes work by incentivising retailers and businesses to collect returned bottles and cans.  Customers pay a small deposit on cans, bottles and containers that can be recycled.   When the customer brings the empty container back to the retailer, they get their deposit back.

In Denmark, where deposit return scheme for drinks containers have been in place since before 2007, the total figure for recycled bottles and cans each year is regularly over 90%. 

The UK government has recommended that councils undertake ‘readiness’ studies to ensure the rollout will be smooth. 

Councillor Sykes said, “I would have liked to see a much faster rollout of this scheme.  We’re 20 years behind a lot of other countries on this.  But it’s better late than never.  And at the end of the day this is nothing new. I’m old enough to remember taking my bottle of Dandelion & Burdock back to the shop keeper for a small return deposit.” 

“Councils across Greater Manchester, including Oldham, must now step-up preparations so that businesses and residents can enjoy a smooth rollout of the deposit scheme.”

Government guidance on the Deposit Return Scheme can be found here

More from councillor Sykes on the UK Deposit Return Scheme (Oct 2021)
Liberal Democrat Leader seeks earlier rollout of deposit return scheme – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

Sykes hits out over delays to single-use plastic recycling scheme (Apr 2024)
Sykes hits out at government delay on single-use plastics deposit scheme – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

TALKS PROGRESS FOR A PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL TO RUN OLDHAM say Oldham Liberal Democrats

Talks on a way forward that could mean Labour no longer running Oldham are progressing between groups of opposition councillors.

If a partnership for Oldham agreement can be reached, it will be the first time in 13 years that Labour have not been in charge of the Borough.

Positive discussions have so far been held between the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and The Oldham Group.  Discussions will continue this week to find a potential way forward for Oldham Council and the Borough ahead of the Council’s annual meeting on the 22 May. 

Conversations are also being held with several of the Independent groups and some Independent councillors.  If this is to work and we all want a change of direction it will require us all to commit to the hard work involved in turning Oldham round after years of disappointment and failure under Labour, said councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Liberal Democrat Leader on the Council.

Councillor Sykes added: “Labour have lost control of Oldham and the Liberal Democrats have already ruled out any formal coalition with them. The question is has everybody else and can we find a new way forward for those who want to work together for Oldham?” 

“It is possible to replace this tired Labour administration with something better, but for that to work, politicians in the smaller groups (and none) will need to talk and work together. We have been given a moment in time by the people of Oldham to see if we can collectively rise to this new challenge.”

“The Liberal Democrats are clear about what needs to happen, have clearly stated it and are up for the challenge. There is already broad agreement that any new administration will:

1. Call for a full public inquiry into historic child sexual abuse.

2. Vote again on Oldham’s participation in ‘Places for Everyone’ – Labour’s Greater Manchester-wide housing scheme.”

3. Save Oldham Coliseum Theatre at the Fairbottom site.

4. A new partnership for Oldham Council will also work hard to fix the Council by getting the basics right and adopt a much tougher stance on enviro crimes like littering, dog fouling and fly-tipping that blight our Borough and Communities.”

“These are our absolute priorities.  We have a vision for Oldham’s future, and we are ready to get to work. The challenge now is for those who want to work together for a brighter future for Oldham, our residents, and businesses to seize the opportunity and make it a reality.”

Lees Street Car Park.

Following months of unsuccessful requests for the Parish Council (who when the Liberal Democrats ran it created this space and maintained it); or Oldham Council to take some responsibility for the much needed repairs, we have now made some progress.

After much lobbying (and no thanks or support from the so-called Independent ran Parish Council) I am pleased to report the large pot holes will be filled shortly which is good news.

Outstanding green waste collections – 10 May.

I have been informed that the Council has pockets of outstanding food/garden collections within Royton/Shaw/Crompton area.

I am told this is due to the increase in tonnages following the recent good weather.

Residents are advised to present their food caddy or green bin for collection tomorrow morning (Saturday 11^th May).