St George’s flags will to be flown in Dunwood Park, High Crompton Park and in Shaw Town Centre outside the Lifelong Learning Centre.
Flags will be in place for St George’s Day in the Town Centre and it is intended to leave them up until after Saturday 15th May in support of the British Legion 100th Anniversary. Many thanks to the Shaw & Crompton Events Group, which local Lib Dem councillors support, for organising this part of our celebrations.
The Big Lamp Lights should be on red on from Monday 19 April to Monday 26 April.
Parish Council Town Crier will, I understand, be out and about doing a shout or two.
This past year it has felt as though the only certain thing in our lives is uncertainty. The vaccines offer welcome light on the horizon but will take time to protect us all.
As things are starting to be unlocked nobody is quite certain what will happen. I would like to suggest one extra precaution you can take now to safeguard yourself and your family.
A busy polling station is one situation you can avoid, and the prospect of socially distanced queues outdoors is a daunting one, especially if the weather is bad. Illness, bad weather and busy lives can get in the way at the best of times.
I have been standing up for Shaw interests for more than 30 years now – defending our green spaces and our so called bus services, fighting for a health centre, tackling speeding, fighting crime and ASB, campaigning for improvements to our pavements and highways – all the while keeping you in touch, all year every year, via our Focus newsletters.
But whether you support me or not on May 6, your vote is precious. I would not like to see you lose it.
Many of you have told me that you like the ceremony of voting in person – I know I do. Or, you mistrust postal voting, and I understand that. But changes in recent years have made postal voting at least as secure as the polling station.
To register for a postal vote please download and complete an application to vote by post:
The Conservative Government last night chose to vote down legislation establishing a register of serial and serious perpetrators of domestic abuse and stalking.
The register, which was backed by a motion to Oldham Council by Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Chris Gloster, would have meant active support for women at threat of violence from serial abusers.
Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “It is shameful that this amendment – and others aimed at protecting the safety of anyone who is the subject of domestic abuse – have been removed from the Bill. They received overwhelming support across the political spectrum when they were proposed in the House of Lords.
“The Domestic Abuse Bill will make a huge difference to many people’s lives, but there are opportunities to save people from violence that are being missed, and that is not good enough.”
The Bill also had amendments struck out which were designed to protect migrant women from the risk of violence.
Councillor Al-Hamdani added: “Whatever your views on immigration are, no-one can argue that women don’t deserve to be protected from violence and sexual abuse. This is the thick end of the wedge on the ‘hostile environment’ – it doesn’t stop at preventing those who abuse the system, it targets those who need help the most.
“This Conservative Government keeps saying that it is putting women’s safety first. It is not backing that up with action. It has been being said for over a hundred years, and it is sad that it still needs to be said: deeds not words.”
Despite the pledge made to Shaw Liberal Democrat Councillor and Chair of Crompton Moor Users Group, Howard Sykes MBE, Oldham Council has still failed to put the signs up on Crompton Moor by the end of March like they promised.
The signs advertise the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which is in place on Crompton Moor which allow local authorities to proscribe certain types of behaviour, imposing financial penalties upon those offenders who choose to ignore them. On moorland, a PSPO would typically prohibit the lighting of fires, the use of Chinese lanterns and irresponsible cycling and motor-cycling other than on certain defined routes, and place certain restrictions on dog-walking, hunting and dog fouling They are intended to keep the public safe and prevent harm to the natural environment.
There are around 200 PSPOs in place across Oldham to help protect our public spaces.
Councillor Sykes has been badgering Oldham Council to ensure that the Council’s website lists all the Public Space Protection Orders, the areas they cover and what they mean for the public. Most importantly he wants to see the signs on Crompton Moor, which were promised by the end of March, installed. The existing Public Space Protection Orders were reviewed as required by law in 2020.
Commenting, Councillor Sykes said: “We have now entered Spring and are about to leave Lockdown. Regrettably Crompton Moor and our green spaces are from time-to-time invaded by a few selfish and mindless idiots who chose to despoil our green spaces and ruin the quiet enjoyment for the vast majority. Last week a large part of Marsden Moor was incinerated, and the use of barbeques and fires always represent a grave threat to our moorland in the Spring and Summer. PSPOs are one means we can fight back against this lawless minority, but we cannot prosecute them if we do not publicise them.”
Councillor Louie Hamblett has again given the Royton and Crompton Practice a Health Check.
In March Lib Dem councillor Louie Hamblett met with representatives from both Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group and Royton and Crompton Family Practice to further discuss the ongoing clerical issues surrounding both the practice’s telephone system and the way in which staff were dealing with feedback from patients.
This follows on from an meeting earlier in the year about similar issues and the fact from feedback for patients the situation appears to not have improved. See link below.
Councillor Hamblett notes that the practice is improving its telephone system along with ensuring better communication between their front house staff and medical staff to ensure patient care is consistent and seamless.
Whilst it does seem since the merger, they have taken on quite a task councillor Hamblett will ensure that he will periodically go back to them and check how their system is going on and bring any patients concerns.
Saddleworth North Liberal Democrat Councillor Garth Harkness has described as “crazy” the decision of the Peak District National Park to scrap the volunteer rangers at Dovestones Reservoir who are helping to keep Saddleworth Moor safe.
Commenting Councillor Harkness said: “Once again this last week we have seen a wildfire near the Blackmoss Reservoir on Marsden Moor which has killed nesting birds and wildlife. Saddleworth Moor has been devastated by fires in the past and these incidents are always tragic. When they are especially tragic is when they are wantonly caused by idiots intent on arson or being irresponsible by using disposable barbeques. Although I have supported calls to impose a higher penalty upon those using them, the best defence for the moor is eternal vigilance. That is why is crazy to scrap the volunteer ranger scheme.”
“The volunteers are individuals who have a love for our natural environment and who want to preserve it,” added Councillor Harkness. “They are extra eyes and ears watching out for the moor and the people who visit it. Some have volunteered for decades. They receive no reward for their dedication and commitment and are now sadly being kicked in the teeth. I would ask the Peak District National Park to apply some common sense and keep them. They are worth every penny.”
