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

This year’s Anti-Bullying Week has the theme “Change Starts With Us”.  The awareness event is happening from Monday 11th November – Friday 15th November 2019. 

Oldham Borough Liberal Democrats are seeking to refresh the Council’s anti bullying policy and raise awareness at the 6^th November 2019 Full Council Meeting. 

People of all ages are bullied because of their race, culture, faith, appearance, sex and identity.  Councillor Garth Harkness, who is also a teacher, says this bullying can take place in person but often happens online.  He wants to focus on the root problem in local schools and at the Council itself.

Councillor Harkness states: “Bullying infiltrates every level of society.  Even in government.  This Council needs to communicate with schools in Oldham Borough about the packs released to schools for anti-bullying week.”

“These will include lesson plans, and cross curricular activities for students and teachers. This will go a long way in raising awareness and dealing with the issue in schools”

Councillor Louie Hamblett who is seconding the motion is also calling for Anti-Bullying training for Councillors and Council staff.

Councillor Hamblett says “Oldham Council needs to adopt the Anti-Bullying Alliance’s definition of bullying. Oldham Council staff should be encouraged to undertake the Anti-Bullying Alliance’s online training module, so they can feel more confident in identifying and calling out or reporting bullying behaviour.”

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE highlights constant Northern Rail service failures. Councillor Sykes, who is also Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Transport in Greater Manchester, says customers are experiencing a poor or non-existent service from Northern Rail.  The Oldham Liberal Democrats are tabling a resolution about this matter to 6 November Council Meeting.  This is a call to change the current operator and demand the Government act.

Councillor Sykes MBE says: “It is a great shame that Northern Rail have failed to resolve a huge raft of issues.  There are always two sides to every story, but customers are constantly reminded that Northern Rail dodges responsibility and provides a sloppy service.  The fact they have now admitted Pacer Trains will still be running in 2020 when they promised they would not is the final nail in their coffin for me.”

North West Members of Parliament and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham also want to remove the franchise from the current operators.

Northern recently introduced further penalty fare routes across the network. Councillor Hazel Gloster who is seconding the motion in November said the additional penalty routes are an insult to rail users.

Councillor Gloster stated: “The quality of service has never been poorer. They need to get their service right before they think about adding extra charges to the public. It is simply unacceptable and it’s another reminder that the government need to step in and resolve this rail crisis.”

Hope you can join me this Sunday, our task being access road drainage (again) / car park maintenance etc.

The current weather forecast for Sunday is sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, likely temperatures of 8º/9º (Not Warm!) and 7/8 mph winds so please ensure you have your favourite hot & or cold liquids, appropriate  clothing & footwear and a packed lunch if you are up for the day – it may feel colder than it really is.

If you have any issues that you may wish to discuss prior to Sunday, please do not hesitate to email (on either address) or text / phone me on 07961107860.

For those of you that have not already done so, please could you let me know if you intend to join us on the day.  

I look forward to seeing you in the Crompton Moor Car Park at 10.30 on Sunday. Thank you. REMEMBER – THE CLOCKS GO BACK ONE HOUR

Kindest Regards – Edward John Fulton (aka Ed / Eddie). Countryside Volunteer Ranger, (Mob) 07961 107860 [Calls may be recorded], (Text) 07961 107860, (Fax)  01706 61813 (E)  edward@edwardjohnfulton.uk , (E) edward.fulton@btinternet.uk

BY CLLR DIANE WILLIAMSON.

Today I attended the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) meeting at the Civic Centre to discuss the closure of the Trent Road surgery in High Crompton.  The surgery not only caters for those in the locality but offers medical care to those living in Royton, Shaw and other parts of Crompton ward, as well as those further afield in Saddleworth and Rochdale.

However, the meeting that was being held was in public, but not one where I could ask any questions.  I cannot explain how angry I was – although I suspect those residents and officers present could tell.

Coming away from that meeting, I felt that the residents who had been vocal in wanting the surgery to remain open, had expressed their concerns very well – but it fell on deaf ears.

Yes, they understood that Dr Pal was retiring and have nothing but kind words, affection and praise for him and his colleagues at that location, as have I.  I was a former patient when I lived in High Crompton.  What they wanted was to see someone else take his place in that building.

At the meeting, the reasons for closing it were put forward, some of which were that they could not perform minor surgery procedures, there was no privacy and the fact that Parks Medical Practice is not fulfilling their contractual obligations with the number of hours the surgery is open, which is two mornings a week.

All this comes from Parks Medical Practice who have been deemed INADEQUATE in a recent inspection.  When asked whether the building and running of the Trent Road satellite surgery had impacted on that rating, the answer was a bit like YES but NO.

My problem is it all seems a little too convenient with Parks Medical Practice making the decision to close the surgery, when Dr Pal has announced his retirement.

This cannot have been the first inspection where the building was deemed to be inadequate for its patients.  Why did they not spend funds on it, especially with the ever-changing NHS, GP services and clinics being offered more locally.  These changes have been in the making for years, but they have missed the boat.

Luckily, residents have the opportunity to still use the surgery until the end of January when it closes; just when the flu season is in full swing and elderly patients will be struggling.

I am writing to the Chief Executive of Oldham Council, Dr Carolyn Wilkins, who is the Single Accountable Officer of Oldham Cares, who make the ultimate decision about the closure, to express my anger and disappointment that such a decision was made without the input of ward Councillors in this new so-called partnership approach.

Below are the words in the letter that I am sending:

Dear Dr Wilkins,

I am writing to you in your capacity as the Chief Executive of Oldham Council and the Single Accountable Officer of Oldham Cares, to express my disappointment that I was not allowed to address the meeting as a Crompton Councillor.

Since this meeting was an extraordinary meeting to discuss one item and one item only, the closure of the Trent Road satellite surgery to Parks Medical Practice, I felt that I should have been able to put forward the Crompton Councillors concerns about the closure of an asset in our ward.  The depth of feeling from residents has been second to none and I would have liked, as their elected representative, to be more involved and would have queried some issues about the report whilst offering meaningful suggestions.

The whole process seems to be shambolic for engagement with local members, so my colleagues and I would welcome the opportunity to meet with decision makers at Parks Medical Practice to understand more of the rationale behind the closure.

Yours sincerely, Cllr Diane Williamson, Liberal Democrat – Crompton Ward

My advice to anybody at this surgery is to to register with one of the two medical practices at Crompton Heath Centre, rather than just be transferred back to Royton. Councillor Howard Sykes.

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

Down load the posters to either deter trick or treaters or welcome them.

Trick or Treat posters

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE says there is one league table Oldham do not want to rise up the ranks of which is the Indices of Deprivation.  

A recent report by the Government, the Indices of Deprivation 2019 (IoD 2019) provides very detailed information on how well an area is doing.  This assessment is based on income, employment, education, health, crime, housing and living environment.  In terms of a real change, Oldham Borough has slid backwards and is not improving.  Liberal Democrat Councillor Sykes is demanding better from the Council in the work that must be done on local deprivation.

Oldham Borough has risen from the 27^th most deprived local authority in England to the 16^th most deprived area.  This is in only four years (2015 to 2019).  Oldham Borough is in the top five of places that have worsened over the four-year period.  Other four areas are Walsall, Blackburn with Darwen, Halton and Burnley.  All five authorities have suffered a dramatic increase of deprivation across all seven parts to the study.

Councillor Sykes commented:  “The Council which has been dominated by Labour for the best part of a decade has not dealt effectively with the crippling problems Oldham faces.  This will not be the last report about how the people of Oldham and it’s towns and districts continue to suffer.”

“I demand better for our Borough.  If we ran the Council, things would be very different.  We would not be complacent on this issue.”

The Indices of Deprivation 2019: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english-indices-of-deprivation-2019

More than twenty thousand police officers have been taken off UK streets over the last ten years.  Now the Government announces that thousands of new Police Officers will be recruited.  Councillor Howard Sykes MBE wants to make sure Oldham Borough gets a fair share of these replacement crimefighters.  The Liberal Democrat Leader on Oldham Council contacted Greater Manchester Police to see how many new officers Oldham Borough will get.

“There have been many announcements both local and national about recruiting new Police Officers.  I want to make sure what we are hearing from the Government matches up with local people’s needs and expectations.”

“As leader of the opposition on Oldham Borough Council, I want to ensure that we have enough officers on our streets to deal with the many issues that Oldham Borough faces.  If the UK is getting 20,000 new Officers, we need our fair share.”