Oldham’s weeding woes: parks staff redeployed to tackle weeds despite promises cuts would not impact green spaces

Oldham’s weeding woes: parks staff redeployed to tackle weeds despite promises cuts would not impact green spaces

Labour run Oldham Council has again come under fire from Liberal Democrat opposition councillors over an ongoing failure to sort out a maintenance arrangement for weeds.  Despite the Council losing its weeds contractor last year, no temporary provision was put in place, and there is no evidence of the new contractor undertaking any work in 2024.

For more than 12, and 18 months in some cases many parts of the Borough no weed spraying has happened at all.  According to a recent councillor briefing (14/6/24), Oldham Council is now redeploying parks and street sweeping staff to attempt to tackle the weeds backlog.   

Liberal Democrat Group Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “Not only have the current administration not been able to source an effective new contractor, but they have also failed to put any temporary arrangements in place.  This has not gone unnoticed by our residents and businesses.”

“Oldham’s Labour administration made a series of cuts to Environmental Services at the last budget meeting but gave assurances to me and my Liberal Democrat colleagues that front line services would not be impacted.  A briefing sent to councillors recently stated that ‘trained council Environmental Services staff will now be carrying out weed treatment work on highways, roads, and footpaths across the borough over the coming weeks and months, weather permitting.’”

Councillor Sykes said, “Liberal Democrats warned that Labour’s budget cuts would impact frontline services and we were told that was not the case.  Several months later the Council is redeploying the teams that are supposed to look after our parks and green spaces which are already looking unloved.  This will have a major impact on them, if this extra work is being undertaken work in our parks and green spaces will not happen – after all people cannot be in two places at the same time.”  

“We’re more than a year on and the Council has not resolved the weeds contract.  There should be a proactive programme to tackle weeds instead of just waiting for complaints and then pulling people off of other jobs,” stated councillor Sykes

“What state will our parks and green spaces fall into while redeployed staff tackle the backlog from the ‘Day of the Triffids?’   


More from Councillor Sykes on Oldham’s weeding woes (July 2023)
It is like Day of the Triffids – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

Councillors Briefing (14 June 2024)
Highways weeding update
Trained council Environmental Services staff will now be carrying out weed treatment work on highways, roads, and footpaths across the borough over the coming weeks and months, weather permitting.
This means, in the short term, more weeds may be seen on the highways network, however steps are being taken to address the issue.
As well as our staff treating weeds, road sweepers will also be used to remove them.

If you are contacted by residents, please share this information.

Crompton Moor – Bash the Balsam – Wed 26 June

Crompton Moor – Bash the Balsam – Wed 26 June.

First, a big thank you to all of you who have been helping to get rid of the Himalayan Balsam.    This has certainly been a big task this year especially on the access road to the car park.  It’s clear to see that a vast amount has been cleared but there are still some at the barrier area across from Shore Edge church, and a few pockets here and there as you go up the road.

It’s a big ask, but we really need to clear the rest of it, so another date has been added to have one last push to clear what remains.  

The date and time for this last push is Wednesday 26th of June.    Meet in the small car park on the bend for a 10:30 am start. 

Hoping as many of you as possible will be able to make this date, it’s so important to keep on top of clearing this invasive species.

FOR HELP AND ADVICE – Shaw and Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillor Surgeries (no appointment necessary) in July 2024

FOR HELP AND ADVICE – Shaw and Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillor Surgeries (no appointment necessary) in July 2024.

Pop along for advice, help or to discuss any issue or matter with your local Liberal Democrat councillors.

Shaw and Crompton Advice Surgeries (no appointment necessary) held on the following Thursdays at Shaw Lifelong Learning Centre – 7:30pm to 8:30pm.

July 11, 18, and 25.

Loss of public football pitches could crush grassroots football say Oldham Liberal Democrats  

Loss of public football pitches could crush grassroots football say Oldham Liberal Democrats  

Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has warned that of an alarming loss of public football pitches across the north of England could “crush grassroots football”.

The Shaw councillor was speaking as the first stage of the eagerly awaited European Championships in Germany was to conclude this week as it enters the knockout stage.  But closer to home, the GMB trade union has found that almost 1,000 council-owned or operated football pitches have been lost across the UK in recent years, with the north of England amongst the worst affected areas. 

Councillor Sykes said, “Publicly accessible sport is vital for people at all stages of life but especially for children.” 

“What does the disappearance of so many local football pitches mean for the next Phil Foden or Marcus Rashford?”

“Council’s need to take this threat seriously or it could crush grassroots football in large parts of the country.  That would be bad news for our national game.”

Ring and Ride Industrial Action – July 1-7

Ring and Ride Industrial Action – July 1-7.


Drivers who work for Greater Manchester Accessible Transport Ltd (GMATL) – the company which provides Ring and Ride bus services for elderly and disabled passengers – have voted to strike from July 1 to July 7 as part of a dispute over pay.

The Ring and Ride service is funded by TfGM but responsibility for staff pay and conditions sits with the operator.

Ring and Ride is operated under a service level agreement (SLA) with GMATL, and while not currently included, TfGM have ambitions to work with them to include membership of the Good Employment Charter, which includes requirements to ensure all staff receive the real living wage in the SLA in the future.