Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Councillors are proposing a motion to the next full meeting of Oldham Council (Wednesday 24 March) calling on the Government to introduce a new tax on the excess profits generated by online traders during the COVID-19 Lockdown.

The Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, is proposing the motion, backed by his colleague, Councillor Diane Williamson.  Commenting Councillor Sykes said:  “It seems singularly unfair that whilst high street businesses have spent the last year suffering under Lockdown, either being entirely closed or under significant restrictions, larger national and international businesses who have benefited from online shopping and home deliveries, and made bumper profits, are not paying their way in terms of taxation.”

“The Liberal Democrats believe that the government should introduce an excess profits tax on these bumper profits to raise more revenue to pay for our NHS and other hollowed-out public services.   In the past, during both world wars, the government introduced such a tax on war profiteers.  For the British people and government, the COVID-19 pandemic has represented the greatest immediate threat we have faced in over seventy years.  It has represented a situation akin to a war and those retailers who have most profited from it can afford to pay.”

The motion submitted to the next Council meeting (Wednesday 24 March) reads:

A Tax on Excess Online Profits

Council notes that whilst smaller High Street non-food retail outlets have been forcibly closed, and are facing business failure, because of the COVID-19 Lockdown, larger national businesses and multi-national businesses offering on-line products have thrived, reporting bumper profits.

Council notes that recent proposals from the UN and the EU are working to establish an international consensus on business taxation, to minimise profit-shifting for the purpose of avoiding corporation tax, but that these proposals are not likely to be introduced in time to have any impact on the excess online profits that some companies have made off the back of the coronavirus epidemic.

Raising a bespoke tax on excess online profits has precedent in the UK, and Council expresses its disappointment that the Chancellor has not yet introduced such a tax and believes that if we are, as the Prime Minister claims, ‘all in this together’, then the excessive profits of such on-line businesses should be subjected to a greater level of tax, and that the revenue raised employed to support our hollowed out public services (local government, schools and health) and the financial recovery of our High Street retailers.

Council resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to:

• The Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, urging him to introduce such a tax as soon as possible as one means to ensure that we are ‘all in this together’.
• Our three local MPs, the Greater Manchester Mayor and the Leaders of the other nine AGMA authorities to seek their support for such a tax.

Proposed by: Councillor Howard Sykes                                   

Seconded by: Councillor Diane Williamson

Liberal Democrats endorsed Shaw Councillor Howard Sykes’s plea for more government and council support for the hard-pressed pub and hospitality trade at a special online fringe meeting hosted by Councillor Sykes at the party’s spring conference (Saturday 20 March).

In addition to being Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE also serves as Leader of the Local Government Association’s Liberal Democrat Group, which has 2,400 elected members in England and Wales.

Attendees from councils across the UK were able to listen to speakers who included campaigner Ellie Hudspeth from Britain’s biggest consumer organisation, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA); Daisy Cooper, Liberal Democrat MP, spokesperson for Justice, and for Digital Culture Media and Sports; and councillor Chris White, Leader of St Alban’s Council, the town which is the location of CAMRA’s Head Office.

Councillor Sykes said:  “I was delighted to be able to chair this important event for Liberal Democrat councillors and activists concerned by the threat posed to pubs and restaurants by Lockdown.  Like tea and cricket, pubs and a proper pint are seen worldwide as uniquely British.  Pubs and clubs are a force for social good in our communities bringing people together from all walks of life for fun and friendship.

“Yet for much of the last year they have been closed and unable to trade and the Prime Minister’s Roadmap will not permit them to fully reopen without restrictions until June.  Despite some positive news in the recent budget, many continue to face financial ruin.  Liberal Democrat councillors are determined to help save/protect the locals in wards and councils they represent.”

Recent data revealed by CAMRA in its March magazine What’s Brewing indicated that around 6,000 licensed premises closed permanently in 2020, and that thousands more remain under financial threat until normal trading can fully resume.

Councillor Sykes added:  “This event enabled councillors and activists to exchange some excellent ideas for positive action that can help to save more of our hospitality industry until the time when we all finally be able to go into our local to buy a pint of real ale and toast our dear old British pub.”

When is the Census?

• Census Day is Sunday 21st March 2021.
• However, it can be completed in advance, and there is a period of 4 weeks after the 21st when there will be reminders sent but no enforcement.

What is the census?

• The census is a survey that happens every 10 years and gives us a picture of all people and households.
• It will be used by organisations including charities and the council to obtain the funding required to support those in need of help.

How do I complete it?

• Before Census Day, all households will receive a pack in the post, asking them to take part in Census 2021. It contains a code that allows you to complete it online at https://census.gov.uk/
• Paper copies can also be requested by calling 0800 876 627 (you will be asked for the reference number from the top of your letter).
• It takes around 10 minutes per person to complete.

Why should I complete it?

• Providing an accurate reflection of Oldham’s population is vital for us to understand who our residents are and what support they might need from us.
• By taking part you’ll be playing your part and helping to build the future of where you live.
• Don’t forget there is a £1,000 fine if you don’t take part as it’s a legal requirement.

Getting help by telephone (please note these key numbers to pass on in case of queries)

• Census Contact Centre: 0800 141 2021.
• Language Helpline: 0800 587 2021.
• To request a paper form: 0800 876 627 (you will be asked for the reference number from the top of your letter).

Getting help in person

• Oldham Central and Crompton libraries have trained support staff to help with census completion, and other libraries will help as far as possible.
• Due to Covid, they are currently only offering a telephone service (0161 770 8000). However, they will shortly be able to offer in-person support.
• There is a third Census Support Centre, run by a private company Adore at Saddleworth Business Centre in Delph. They are offering face-to-face help by appointment (including on Census day 21^st March),
  Telephone 07727 044 580 to make an appointment.

Shaw Liberal Democrat Councillors will be demanding action from Oldham Borough Council to tackle flooding at Dunwood, after the continued failure by the Council and the Environment Agency to address the threat posed to local properties.

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE said:  “For many years we have had the problem of run-off rainwater from Whitfield threatening properties along Woodend and on Smallbrook Road, the owners of which are regularly obliged to deploy sandbags to prevent water entering their homes.  After heavy rain it is also common to see the bowling green on Dunwood Park look like a lake, the footpaths unpassable on either side and Pencil Brook becomes a raging torrent.”

After years of asking again and again for effective solutions to the problems at Dunwood, Shaw Councillors are once more questioning the Borough Council’s approach to tackling flooding at Dunwood.

“Climate change is predicted to make our country’s weather warmer and wetter overall, which means that rainfall is likely to increase and consequently this problem will not go away,” added Councillor Sykes.  “It is clear then that we need to revisit what has been done by the Environment Agency so far; their engineering solutions have proven ineffective and they have proven toothless in forcing local landowners to take effective measures to prevent excess rainwater running from their land and threatening local properties and our Green Flag Park with flooding.”

The Council have received a permit application to supply electricity and gas to a new development at Mosshey Street, Shaw

S&R Construction Ltd have obtained permission to undertake essential Multi Utility Works (Gas, Water & Electric) which will impact the roads referenced above.

Please refer to the below work phases, detailing start dates and durations, along with Traffic Management implementations.

Phase 1 – Mosshey Street– 15.02.2021-26.02.2021 / (duration 10 days)

• Their works will involve excavation in the Footway from No. 27 Mosshey Street, towards the junction of Asda’s entrance. There will be no parking cones in place throughout the duration of our works to avoid vehicles blocking access to our working area.

Phase 2 – Greenfield Lane –01.03.2021-12.03.2021 (duration 10 days)

• The works will involve excavation in the carriageway between the junction of Asda’s entrance, to the junction of Eastway. The works will be carried out under temporary two-way traffic signals.

Phase 3 –  Greenfield Lane – 15.03.2021-26.03.2021 (duration 10 days)

• The works will involve excavation in the carriageway between the junction of Eastway, towards Refuge Street. The works will be carried out under temporary three-way signals.

Phase 4 –Refuge Street/Greenfield Lane- 29.03.2021- 02.04.2021 (duration 10 days)

• The works will involve excavation in the footway and carriageway on Refuge Street where we will need to cross the width of the carriageway. These works will be carried out under four-way temporary traffic signals.

Phase 5 – Mosshey Street – 05.04.2021 – 09.04.2021 (duration 5 days)

• The works will involve excavation in the footway of Mosshey Street. There will be no parking cones in place throughout the duration of our works to avoid vehicles blocking access to our working area.

They apologise for any inconvenience our works may cause you.

It is their intention to complete the works as quickly as possible to keep any disruption to a minimum. 

If you have any questions regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact them:

Alysia Totney, Multi Utility Project Coordinator, S&R Construction Ltd, 01384 598103

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Shaw Ward and Leader of the Opposition on Oldham Council, has written to the Attorney General, The Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP, seeking an urgent review of the suspended prison sentence handed down by Tameside Magistrates Court last week to Javed Miah from Shaw.

Miah was convicted of a serious predatory sexual offence after he attacked a lone female in Oldham Town Centre.  The victim was able to raise the alarm via an SOS function on her mobile phone causing the offender to run away.

In his letter to the Attorney General, Councillor Sykes said:

“Following the recent tragic death of Sarah Everard, the continued safety of women on our streets from predatory males will, I am sure, be especially at the forefront of the minds of all involved with criminal justice at this time.  I am therefore disquieted to find myself in a situation where I feel compelled to write to you to seek your urgent intervention in a most disturbing case involving a predatory male who, despite being convicted of a serious sexual offence, was set at liberty by a local magistrates’ court.”

Miah was given a suspended sentence, rather than a custodial one, and Councillor Sykes goes onto say that “This offender can consequently now continue to pose a threat to my female constituents and to other women living elsewhere in Oldham.”