In recent times, world leaders have acknowledged that there is a climate change emergency affecting every one of us.

The Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has written to the Council Leader suggesting Oldham Council apply to the Government’s Urban Tree Challenge Fund to help do our bit in tackling climate change.

The Urban Tree Challenge Fund has been developed in response to the Government releasing £10 million last year for planting, at least, 130,000 trees nationally across England’s towns and cities.

Councillor Sykes believes that the Council should make the most of this windfall as further tree planting will provide economic, social and health benefits for the people of Oldham, especially in the Borough’s district centres and housing estates. 

He said: “Living amongst trees, greenery and wildlife should not be the sole privilege of those more affluent who live in rural areas – they should be accessible to all.  Further planting would improve our Borough and our local economy bringing in new homeowners searching for a greener Oldham in which to live.”

He added:  “Studies from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in 2016 show that trees planted properly around a building can cool the air significantly, reducing the need for air conditioning and heating by up to 50%.  In addition, one single tree can absorb 150 kilograms of Carbon Dioxide, essentially mitigating climate change!  If we plant several thousand of these trees around polluted hotspots in our towns like in the Oldham Mumps area, we are fulfilling in our public duty to create a healthier Oldham and we will help tackle the climate change emergency.”

Applications are open this year for Block bids, with a closing date of 28 July 2019.

Councillor Sykes concluded:  “With the closing date a month away, there is no time to delay and I hope that the Council Leader will act on my suggestion with haste.  It would be great if we could access this money as it would be another green branch to our ever-growing number of ecological initiatives that help tackle the climate change emergency.”

ENDS/…

Copy of letter: Councillor Sean Fielding, Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Enterprise, Oldham Council

27 June 2019

Dear Councillor Fielding,

Re: Oldham Council Application to the Government’s Urban Tree Challenge Fund

I am writing to you to urge you to ensure that Oldham Council apply to the Government’s Urban Tree Challenge Fund to ensure we are doing our bit in tackling climate change.

The Urban Tree Challenge Fund has been developed in response to the Government releasing £10 million last year for planting at least 130,000 trees nationally across England’s towns and cities.

I believe that the Council should make the most of this windfall.  Further tree planting will provide economic, social and health benefits for the people of Oldham, especially in the borough’s district centres and housing estates. 

Living amongst trees, greenery and wildlife should not be the sole privilege of those more affluent who live in rural areas – they should be accessible to all.  Further planting would improve our borough and our local economy bringing in new homeowners searching for a greener Oldham in which to live.

Studies from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in 2016 show that trees planted properly around a building can cool the air significantly, reducing the need for air conditioning and heating by up to 50%.  

In addition, one single tree can absorb 150 kilograms of Carbon Dioxide, essentially mitigating climate change! If we plant several thousand of these trees around polluted hotspots in our towns like in the Oldham Mumps area, we are fulfilling in our public duty to create a healthier Oldham and we will help tackle the climate change emergency.

Applications are open this year for Block bids, with a closing date of 28 July 2019.

With the closing date only a month away, there is no time to delay and I hope that you will act on my suggestion with haste.  It would be great if we could access this money as it would be another green branch to our ever-growing number of ecological initiatives that help tackle the climate change emergency. 

I look forward to receiving your response as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

Howard Sykes

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

July 4, 11, 18 and 25 .

The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has welcomed a revelation in Oldham Council’s recently published Housing Strategy that geothermal heat from Oldham’s former coal mines could be used to heat homes across the borough in the future.

In October 2014, Councillor Sykes first asked the then Council Leader if officers could investigate this possibility and five years on it appears they will finally do so.

Councillor Sykes said:  “Oldham’s coal mines are bursting with untapped renewable energy potential.  Instead of your day to day Council Chamber hot air, this could serve to heat resident’s homes forever and provide widespread benefit for all.”

Oldham’s cotton mills required machinery powered by coal mines.  There are hundreds of tunnels bored deep beneath the borough’s surface which store latent and unused geothermal heat, which can be used to warm people’s homes without fear of running out of steam.

In October 2014, Councillor Sykes raised the possibility that Oldham Council harness this ‘free energy’ with the Leader of the Council, using case studies from Scotland and the Midlands.  At that time, Stoke-On-Trent Council received government finance to invest in this previously unthought of resource.

The Liberal Democrats are convinced that geothermal heat can make a major contribution to making Britain carbon neutral by 2050.  The party first adopted the policy as part of their 2015 Election Manifesto, and four years later the current Government has finally just mirrored this commitment.

Councillor Sykes added:  “The Liberal Democrats have a clear vision for cleaner, greener towns and cities.  I would be delighted if we could lead the way in using geothermal energy to power Oldham’s homes and help save our environment.”E

Councillor Sykes’ question to the Leader of the Council on 22 October 2014 is below:

Council 22^nd October 2014 – Leader Question 3: Geothermal Heat

My final question concerns geothermal heat; that is heat sourced from below ground to heat homes.

Let us be clear from the outset – I am not referring to fracking.

The Times reported recently that a 350-million-year old volcano located deep beneath Stoke-on-Trent could help to heat more than a thousand homes.

On reading this article I naturally checked the facts as my first thought was that this must be a late-running April Fools’ Day joke.

But no; Stoke-on-Trent City Council has prepared a business case to drill a 2.5km borehole to an aquifer in which the water is heated naturally to at least 85C (185F). This heat would be transferred to the surface to heat homes and the Government has pledged £20million to fund it.

This got me thinking.

It is unlikely that Oldham sits on an ancient volcano, but we do have a rich coal mining heritage (as those amongst you who have seen the 19th Century photographic panorama of the town centre in Gallery Oldham will know).

So I wondered do former coal mines give off residual ground-source heat which we could possibly utilise as part of the borough’s renewable energy strategy?

And guess what they DO….

The Herald in Scotland reported in November 2013 that:

“As much as a third of the heat needed to keep Scotland warm could be provided by tapping geothermal energy from old coal mines across the central belt, a major new study for the Scottish Government has concluded.

“Warm water piped up from abandoned mine shafts between Glasgow and Edinburgh and in Ayrshire and Fife could help heat many thousands of homes and other buildings for decades, researchers said. They are urging ministers to embark on an ambitious attempt to make geothermal energy a major new source of clean, renewable power within a few years”.

As Oldham is far from unique in historically sourcing power from coal, would the Leader be agreeable to looking to commission with the other Leaders of the Greater Manchester Authorities a study of the potential of this power source across our county?

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

The Oldham Liberal Democrat Group supports Oldham Council’s proposal to consult on the establishment of a Public Space Protection Order on Saddleworth Moor to help combat moorland fires.

Commenting, Saddleworth North Liberal Democrat Councillor Garth Harkness said: “Like many residents of this borough, I have been distressed to witness the devastating fires on Saddleworth and Crompton Moors over Easter and before that.  I know these concerns are shared by my Liberal Democrat colleagues in Saddleworth West and Lees, Shaw and Crompton.”

“These fires are now a regular occurrence when the weather gets hot and the ground is dry.  Some are doubtless ignited by natural causes, but, in all too many cases, they are the malicious work of arsonists or caused by irresponsibility on the part of day-trippers using portable disposable barbeques or discarding cigarettes on the moor.  I worry that, now we are in summer, we are likely to see a further onset of moorland fires and so it is imperative that we maintain our vigilance and look to strengthen our powers in combatting criminal activity.”

Councillor Harkness and his Liberal Democrat colleagues all support the introduction of a Public Space Protection Order to help combat the fire menace.

Councillor Harkness added:  “Crompton Moor has a Public Space Protection Order in place, which makes the lighting of fires and the cutting down of trees for firewood punishable offences, whereas Saddleworth Moor does not.  I believe we need to have a Public Space Protection Order on Saddleworth Moor.  It represents one more legal tool to help combat the irresponsible firelighters on the moor or those who are down-right criminal. 

“A PSPO provides for an on-the-spot Fixed Penalty and a £1,000 fine for matters taken to court.  The Oldham Liberal Democrats would like to see the Council, with its partners in the Police, the Peak District Park Authority and United Utilities, working together to enforce these orders, including using drones on the moor, as I for one do not want to see another summer of our beautiful moorlands ablaze and the frightening prospect of a fatality.”

Research just published by independent agency Ceeda has indicated that childcare providers located in the most deprived areas of Britain are twice as likely to close as those in more affluent areas.

Amongst the 356 private, voluntary and independent childcare providers surveyed, almost one in five (17%) anticipated that they were likely to close within the next year, double that in affluent areas.

The Leader of the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes, MBE, was disturbed to hear of the findings.  He said:  “Oldham is one of the most deprived Boroughs in the country and my worry is that we could soon see a serious shortfall in local childcare places, meaning that our poorest children will miss out on this valuable provision.  This research has shown that the shortfall in early years funding has risen to more than £50 million in the past year, but this is a minuscule amount compared to overall Government spending.”

Councillor Sykes supports the Fair Future Funding Action Week, launched on 10 June by the Early Years Alliance, a cross-sector campaign of childcare providers and interest groups, calling upon the current Government to restore funding for nursery provision. 

Councillor Sykes added:  “I support the call of those involved with the campaign for the Conservative Government to restore this funding as part of the forthcoming Annual Spending Review.  The impact of cuts has not just fell upon childcare provision itself; almost one in five providers have also been forced to lower the quality of food that they serve to the children in their care.  In a Borough, where our poorest children are going to bed hungry and are reliant on handouts from foodbanks, this will not be good for the long-term health of our children.  The Chancellor Philip Hammond MP has the power to right this wrong by ensuring that future provision for our children is assured.”

Hope you can join me this Sunday, our tasks being dependent on the number of people who are available on the day e.g. we have pond repairs, access road drainage (again) etc.

The current weather forecast for Sunday is sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, likely temperatures of 19º/17º and 10 mph winds so 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 depending on where we are on the moor.

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.

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

Over the last week there has been rumours about the closure of Dr Pal’s surgery on Trent Road, High Crompton.  The first the Shaw and Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillors heard about this was when it was highlighted to one of us at the end of last week.

It was a great concern to all six Councillors, because Crompton ward, which covers this area and others, has the highest population of elderly residents, some of whom are socially isolated and some who prefer to use local facilities.

Councillor Williamson, Liberal Democrat District Lead for Shaw and Crompton wrote to the Parks Medical Practice, in Royton which is the main Practice of Dr Pal’s, seeking clarification about this decision which allegedly would see the Practice in High Crompton close in September – this is according to some sources.

“I have been reassured by the Clinical Commissioning/Chief Operating Officer of the Clinical Commissioning Officer, that no decision has been made by the CCG as no application has been received from the branch of Dr Kohl’s Parks Medical Practice.  However, he did confirm that they have been approached by the Practice of the branch, citing a number of factors around the suitability of the site for the ongoing provision of safe and accessible services” said Councillor Diane Williamson, Crompton Councillor.

We are thinking about the elderly residents that are registered at Dr Pal’s or those people who cannot drive or other medical conditions, causing mobility issues.  If this surgery closes, then this would mean that those patients would be transferred to Royton.

“I used to be registered at one of the Practices at the Royton Health and Wellbeing Centre and I can vouch that it is a nightmare getting back home, because at the time, I used public transport.  I have previously waited for an hour after I have come out of seeing my GP.  It is not good enough for our residents” said Cllr Williamson.

In the letter Cllr Williamson received from the CCG she has been informed that the practice intends to hold a consultation exercise to canvass the views of their patients and stakeholders before deciding to apply to the CCG to close the branch.  All patients registered at Trent Road will be written to, inviting them to participate in the consultation.

“What is required is a conversation with the patients of Trent Road Practice as to whether they wish to transfer to the Royton Practice, if the CCG allow the practice to be closed.  I will be asking that included in that consultation there is a conversation with Crompton Health Centre’s two practices to see if they could accommodate any patients who wish to be registered at a local practice in Shaw town centre, which is easier to get to with public transport” said Councillor Williamson.

“We really do hope that patients are not inconvenienced by any changes but will support them whatever their decisions are” Cllr Diane Williamson added.

The Leader of the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes, MBE, has welcomed the recent promise of action by Government to save Britain’s dwindling network of free cash machines.

Earlier this month, the Consumer Association reported that 3,700 free cash machines have been converted to pay-to-use in the first three months of 2019 and that a further 5,000 had been identified for conversion to pay-to-use over coming months by the two principal operators.  In response the Chancellor Phillip Hammond announced that he would establish a new Joint Authorities Cash Strategy Group chaired by the Treasury, which would include representatives from the Payment Systems Regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Bank of England, to address the issue.

Commenting Councillor Sykes said:  “My hope is that the new body will ensure that people who need access to cash can still do so without charge and from a machine that is at a location convenient to them.  It is easy to forget when many of us pay by direct or credit debit or online that over two million people still entirely depend on cash to meet life’s essentials and pay household bills.”  

“With bank branches closing at an increasing rate, it is very worrying to see more cash points lost or converted to charge a fee of up to £1.99 to every customer.  In a Borough like Oldham, where many of our residents are struggling financially, sometimes even living hand-to-mouth, many of these transactions will be for only very small amounts.  Being charged £1.99 to withdraw £10 represents a massive rip-off, that’s even assuming you can find a cash machine to make a withdrawal from.”

In October last year, Councillor Sykes wrote to senior officials at LINK, the largest ATM (automated teller machine) network in the UK, outlining his concerns about the closure of banks and cash machines in his local area of Shaw and Crompton.  In January 2019, the Royal Bank of Scotland closed the last bank branch in Shaw and four ATM machines have been lost in the town centre, with another since converted to pay-to-use.

Councillor Sykes added:  “The situation in Shaw and Crompton shows at a local level how things are getting worse for our many residents who rely on cash.  Almost one in four ATMs in Oldham now charge, a higher proportion than in many affluent areas of the UK[*]. 

This especially inconveniences customers who are elderly or disabled without access to personal transport or the internet, who may struggle to reach the next available ATM.  Following the Government’s announcement, I now hope to see the reversal of the decline of Britain’s free-to-use cash machine network”

Notes:

[*] 39 out of 168 in Oldham East and Saddleworth and Oldham West and Royton in February 2019 (Source: LINK)