The statement is issued following recent comments on social media and follows the original one made in December 2017.

On the 7th September 2017, Rod Blyth was suspended from the Liberal Democrat Group of Oldham Council following information that he had been arrested.  The suspension was immediate and continued whilst GM Police conducted their investigation.

The Liberal Democrat Group has never been informed by GM Police of the nature or details of the allegations involving Mr Blyth and this has remained the situation to date.

The Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council was informed that Mr Blyth had resigned for personal reasons with immediate effect on AM Saturday 9th December 2017.  Mr Blyth also resigned from the Liberal Democrats on the same date.

We are aware that Rod Blyth has been convicted of offences relating to indecent images.  At that time, he was a private citizen.  He was no longer a councillor nor a member of the Liberal Democrats.

Note – copy of previous statement from 11 December 2017 below

Date: 11 December 2017

Statement from Cllr Chris Gloster, Chairman of Oldham Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council

The Oldham Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council have been made aware that Cllr Rod Blyth has resigned from his position as a Borough Councillor for the Shaw Ward on Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council for personal reasons with immediate effect on Saturday 9 December 2017.

The Group have also been made aware that Cllr Blyth is subject to an ongoing police investigation. 

The Liberal Democrats are unaware of the details of that investigation.  The Liberal Democrat Council Group as a consequence of that information did immediately suspend (as a neutral act) Cllr Blyth from the Liberal Democrats, as per our rules about such matters.

There will be no by–election as it is less than six months to when this seat (3 May 18) would be up for election.  Until that time the other Liberal Democrat Borough Councillors for Shaw and Crompton will cover all duties such as ward surgeries and casework so local residents are not disadvantaged.

No further comment will be made at this time whilst the matter is subject of a police investigation.

See detailed report on link below:

I am pleased to report funds have been secured for all these works (via City of Trees) and hopefully works might start in September/October.

I have been asked a lot of questions about this.

Please note information below.

Greater Manchester Police – 101 or via the online portal at www.gmp.police.uk

Council – 0161 770 2244 or envhealth@oldham.gov.uk

“New Conservative planning proposals will now make Labour’s old plans to build thousands of homes on Oldham’s Green Belt redundant”, says Liberal Democrat Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE.  “It is time to stop and take stock”.

Earlier this month, the Conservative Government published a consultation document on their proposals to bring in new legislation, called ‘Planning for the Future’, that will radically alter how new homes and businesses are developed in the future.  Each local authority will be required to develop its own new Local Plan within thirty months of the legislation being passed, based on new ‘zones’.

Councillor Sykes commented:  “This legislation will ultimately be passed, and it will make Labour’s current plans redundant and unfit for purpose immediately they are adopted”.  He has written to the Leader of the Council, the Chief Executive and the Deputy Chief Executive urging them to rethink their proposals for Oldham given this new reality.

Councillor Sykes added: “Rather than spending yet more Council Tax payers’ money on officer time and commissioning specialist reports, it would be better to look at creating a new Local Plan that will meet the requirements of this legislation and that saves our Green Belt by focusing solely on Brownfield development.”

“We are likely to have a lot of empty space in our town centre (and district centres) given the impact of Covid-19 on shopping habits.  This is exactly the approach the Liberal Democrats urged in our motion to Council in March 2017.”

For real time information: https://oldham.roadworks.org/

Considering the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic the Liberal Democrats on Oldham Council have had a minor reshuffle.

Group Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE takes on the Covid 19 portfolio and Councillor Diane Williamson takes over the HR and Corporate Reform portfolio.

This reflects what has been happening in practice for some time and is effective from 1 September 2020 (00:01).

Details of positions

Shadow Cabinet Members:

Name of Councillor	Portfolio
Howard Sykes MBE	Economy and Skills (Opposition Leader) Covid 19 Recovery – added HR & Corporate Reform – deleted
Garth Harkness	Education
Hazel Gloster	Children and Young People
Louie Hamblett	Health and Social Care
Dave Murphy	Neighbourhoods and Culture
Diane Williamson	HR & Corporate Reform – added Covid 19 Recovery – deleted
Sam Al-Hamdani	Housing & Homelessness
Chris Gloster	Finance and Low Carbon (Opposition Deputy Leader)

Group Officers:

Name of Councillor	Role
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE	Group Leader
Councillor Chris Gloster	Deputy Group Leader
Councillor Dave Murphy	Group Chair
Councillor Diane Williamson	Group Secretary
Councillor Hazel Gloster	Group Treasurer
Councillor Garth Harkness	Group Political Secretary

 Official Spokespersons / Lead Members on Boards and Committees:

Name of Councillor	Board / Committee
Chris Gloster	Audit Committee
Garth Harkness	Performance and Value for Money Committee
Diane Williamson	Overview and Scrutiny Board
Hazel Gloster	Planning Committee
Chris Gloster	Licensing Committee
Diane Williamson	Standards Committee
Dave Murphy	Petitions and Traffic Regulation Orders

 District Leads: 

Name of Councillor	District
Diane Williamson	Lead, Shaw and Crompton
Sam Al-Hamdani	Official Spokesperson, Saddleworth and Lees

“Your neighbour can build a two-story extension and there is nothing you can do about it,” claims Councillor Howard Sykes MBE.

Housing Minister Robert Jenrick has announced that, from 31 August, householders will be able to build a two-storey extension to their property with the normal planning rules ceasing to apply, and the Oldham Liberal Democrats are far from happy about the change.

Under the new permitted development rules, Liberal Democrat Councillors are concerned that there will be few checks and balances on what goes up, and that poorly planned and executed developments, which ride roughshod over local objections, could be an eyesore and cause neighbourhood tensions.

Commenting the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, said:  “There has always been an opportunity for homeowners to extend their property, but only if planning considerations are met and neighbours are consulted.  Now with this change, these planning safeguards will be thrown in the bin.”

“Nonetheless, I would urge those householders wishing to exercise their right to build to be responsible, to talk to their neighbours about their plans, and to pick materials and designs in keeping with the neighbourhood.  I am sure most will .  However, I am also that sure some selfish property owners will build extensions which will block out the light, and affect the amenity, of neighbouring properties, and cause resentment between neighbours that could fester for years and end up in the courts.”

“We already have problems with absentee landlords neglecting their properties and letting them fall into wrack and ruin whilst still reaping extortionate rents from the tenant.   This change may well encourage these same landlords to seek to cash in by throwing-up something on the cheap in order to cram more tenants into a bigger property for which they can charge yet more rent.”

Councillor Sykes is convinced that only a renewed national house building programme can provide the best solution for Britain’s housing shortage:  “This is another example of this out-of-touch Conservative Government adopting a quick-fix, hare-brained policy thinking this will solve Britain’s housing crisis.  It won’t.  What we most need are at least 100,000 new homes across the UK every year, particularly homes which are affordable to buy or rent.”

You do need to live in Shaw and Crompton.

HOWEVER NEW GOVERNMENT RULES ARE IN PLACE TO TACKLE INCREASE IN CASES

Despite dedicated local efforts, coronavirus infection rates in Oldham remain high. Because of this, from Saturday 22 August (00:01am), additional restrictions designed to curb the spread of coronavirus, will come into force in Oldham. These new guidelines are in addition to national guidance relating to coronavirus and apply to Oldham residents, businesses and anyone visiting the Oldham area. From Saturday 22 August: You can not socialise with anyone who does not live in your house (unless they are part of your support bubble). You must avoid using public transport, except for essential travel. When visiting shops, when on public transport or in other enclosed or crowded spaces you should wear a face covering. Weddings, civil partnerships and funerals should be limited to household members and close family and no more than 20 people.  Restaurants will also be encouraged to only seat people who make reservations in advance, up to a maximum of six people per table. If you run a pub, restaurant, cafe, shop, place of worship, community centre, leisure and entertainment venue, or visitor attraction, you should ensure people maintain social distancing and avoid physical contact (working safely during coronavirus guidance). We are advising any residents who have recently shielded to continue taking extra care now that the shielding process has formally ended in Oldham (guidance on shielding). We’re urging residents to continue to take the risk of coronavirus seriously and to comply with current guidelines. Please visit the Government website for the most up to date information: North West of England: local restrictions – what you can and cannot do