Liberal Democrat Leader calls for Council to “get on” with Living Wage Accreditation

In National Living Wage week (Monday 6 to Friday 10 November), the Leader of the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes, MBE, has written to Deputy Leader, Councillor Abdul Jabbar, MBE, asking why Oldham Council is not yet an accredited Living Wage employer.

Councillor Sykes explained: “In March 2016, Council passed a resolution brought by the Liberal Democrat Group that we seek accreditation as a National Living Wage employer.  I am proud that the National Living Wage was first introduced in April 2015, again as a result of a Liberal Democrat motion to Council, and five hundred and fifty of our employees received a pay rise as a result.”

“We need to guarantee that we will reward our employees fairly and properly by making the commitment to pay them at least the National Living Wage every year.  By becoming accredited we are making that guarantee.”

The Living Wage Foundation, which manages the accreditation scheme and sets the National Living Wage, has reported that over 1,000 new employers have gained accreditation in the last year, with 5,300 employers now accredited in total.

A recent survey of Living Wage employers conducted by Cardiff Business School found that 93% reported they had benefited from accreditation; 86% reported that Living Wage accreditation had enhanced their reputation; over half reported improvements to both recruitment and retention; and 78%, of large employers reported increases in staff motivation.

Councillor Sykes added: “Accreditation is good for our business and good for our staff. Other employers in Oldham town centre, such as Action Together, Santander, Lloyds Bank and the Co-op Bank, have recognised this and have become accredited employers, so why not Oldham Council?”

“In National Living Wage Week 2017, isn’t it about time for the Council to get on and make this commitment?”

The email to Councillor Abdul Jabbar MBE reads:

From: Howard Sykes
Sent: 07 November 2017 11:14
To: Cllr A Jabbar
Cc: (A) Kay Gibson (kay.gibson@oldham.gov.uk)
Subject: National Living Wage week

Councillor Abdul Jabbar, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

Dear Abdul,

I am sure you are aware that this week is National Living Wage week.

I am sure that you will also recall that Council passed a resolution in March 2016 sponsored by the Liberal Democrat Group that Oldham Council became an accredited Living Wage employer.

However I have looked recently on the National Living Wage Campaign website and am disappointed to see that Oldham Council is not yet listed as an accredited employer.

I am sure that, like me, you want to see our employees fairly rewarded in their demanding jobs and paying the National Living Wage represents a big step in demonstrating we value their contribution to our Borough.

I hope therefore that this Administration remains as committed, as ever the Opposition does, to seeking accreditation for the Council as a Living Wage employer?

I can only assume that this is an oversight so please could you tell me when I might expect to see the Council listed as an accredited Living Wage employer?

Best wishes.

Howard

The Liberal Democrat motion to Oldham Council in March 2016 read: Becoming an Accredited Living Wage Employer

 Council notes that the Living Wage Foundation:

  • Exists to recognise and celebrate the leadership shown by living wage employers in raising the living standards of workers.
  • Establishes two Living Wage rates every year for employees outside and inside London.
  • Has over 1,800 employers accredited with them, with over 1,000 having registered as payers of the National Living Wage in the past year.
  • Permits accredited employers to proudly display the Living Wage Employer Mark.

Council further notes that:

  • Oldham Council first resolved to become a National Living Wage employer as a result of a motion brought to full Council in December 2013
  • The National Living Wage was introduced as the minimum pay scale for all staff in April 2015.
  • As a result five hundred and forty staff had a pay increase.
  • In his annual statement to September Council the Leader of the Council rightly highlighted the fact that this was a commendable achievement.

However despite this achievement, Oldham Council is not currently Living Wage accredited and therefore has not yet received the Living Wage Employer Mark.

Council therefore resolves to ask the Chief Executive to:

  • Seek accreditation with the Living Wage Foundation and
  • Ensure that the Living Wage Employer Mark is proudly displayed on appropriate pages within the Council’s website and in appropriate printed materials.

Change to Mortgage Support represents homelessness risk, say Liberal Democrats

The Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor John McCann, is proposing a motion to the next meeting of Oldham Council (8 November 2017) that condemns the government for withdrawing a financial support scheme for older benefit claimants who are homeowners.

Councillor John McCann explains:  “The current Support for Mortgage Interest or SMI scheme administered by the Department of Work and Pensions is being scrapped on 5 April 2018.  It will be replaced by a repayable loan.”

“Until now, homeowners on a qualifying benefit, such as income support, income-based Job Seekers’ Allowance or Pension Credit, have been able to get some help towards the interest charges levied on a mortgage or home improvement loan, and this help has not had to be paid back.”

“From April, such claimants will be asked to sign up for a loan scheme where they will continue to qualify for support, but this support will be in the form of loan payments that have to be repaid when the home is sold or if ownership is transferred.”

“The Oldham Liberal Democrats do not feel that this is right. Such homeowners may be deterred from signing up for the loan scheme and this may mean that they start to get in arrears with payments and their home could eventually be repossessed. However if they sign up for the scheme they will be building more debt that will eventually be recovered from them when they give up their house.”

Councillor McCann is backed by his colleague, Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE.

Councillor Sykes said: “These changes are being brought in for both new and existing recipients. There is no proposal to offer existing claimants transitional support which is grossly unfair.”

“The Department for Work and Pensions has estimated that of the 140,000 households currently receiving SMI around 50% are of pension age,” stated Councillor Sykes.  “We are keen to champion their cause to fight for the continued existence of the current SMI scheme and the abandonment of a proposal that could make older people homeless.  In our motion, we also call on Council officers to bring forward a report identifying the impact these changes will have.”

The motion reads – Ending of the Support for Mortgage Interest Scheme

 This Council notes that:

  • The Government have recently announced that the Support for Mortgage Interest Scheme (or SMI), administered by the Department of Work and Pensions, will come to an end on 5 April 2018.
  • Homeowners who are on a qualifying benefit for long enough can currently receive help towards the interest charges on a mortgage or eligible home improvement loan.
  • From 6 April 2018, new and existing claimants will instead be offered SMI loans; there will be no transitional protection.
  • If a loan is not accepted, SMI will end and claimants will start to accrue mortgage arrears, putting their home at risk.
  • If the loan is accepted, homeowners will have to repay the loan, including accrued interest if there is sufficient equity, once the property is sold or ownership is transferred.
  • The Department for Work and Pensions has estimated that of the 140,000 households currently receiving SMI around 50% are of pension age.

Council is concerned that:

  • Such claimants will end up being in further debt should they choose to participate in the new scheme.
  • Other claimants who do not take up the loan may find themselves in mortgage arrears and be evicted.
  • There is no transitional protection scheme for existing claimants.
  • As claimants fall into more debt, or are faced with homelessness, they will make a greater call on Council services and those provided by partner agencies (such as the Oldham Food Bank) placing these under greater strain.

Council believes that the proposals are grossly unfair as:

  • Tenants living in social or private rented housing can receive housing benefit payments that are greater that those made to homeowners through SMI.
  • Existing claimants are immediately affected without being offered access to transitional protection.
  • Older homeowners with an interest-only mortgage will be hardest hit.

Council resolves to:

  • Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Minister responsible outlining our concerns and objections, and to our three local MPs asking them to make representations on this matter.
  • Ask the Cabinet Member responsible to ask officers to draw up a briefing paper for Councillors identifying what the impact of these changes will be in Oldham and what actions can be taken by the Council and its partners to mitigate them.

Proposed by Councillor John McCann, Seconded by Councillor Howard Sykes MBE

Liberal Democrats seek Better Testing and Treatment for HIV Sufferers

In advance of National HIV Testing Week (which starts 18 November), Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Gloster, Shadow Cabinet Member for Health and Well-being, is seeking a commitment from Oldham Council and the NHS to improve the testing and treatment of HIV sufferers and those at risk of acquiring the condition.

Councillor Gloster has written to the Chair of the Health and Well-being Board, Councillor Susan Dearden, with a ‘wish list’ which – if it is adopted by the Council and its health partners – will help reduce the incidence of infection and lead to the earlier diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

Explaining, Councillor Gloster said: “Not so many years ago, HIV would often inexorably lead to full-blown Aids, which in turn was a death sentence. Now with the effective treatments that are available, people with HIV can lead normal lives and will not pass on the virus to anyone else. But the key to this is early diagnosis and early treatment.”

“Fortunately, Oldham does not have a high rate of HIV with 1.35 persons diagnosed with the condition in every 1,000 of the population, but worryingly we do have a high incidence of late diagnosis in 42.9% of cases. This is not good and we need to do something to tackle it. My ‘wish list’ represents the key aspirations of the World Health Organisation, the sexual health charity The Terrance Higgins Trust, and NICE for the better testing and treatment for people at risk of or living with this condition.”

Councillor Gloster is asking the Council to support the national campaigns of the Terrance Higgins Trust; introduce HIV testing in GP’s surgeries; and promote access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment to those at high risk of HIV infection in the borough.

He would also like the new Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, to adopt these measures as part of a campaign across the city region so that people at risk of HIV infection or living with the condition can expect high standards of care wherever they live in Greater Manchester.

The Liberal Democrats are also asking for a commitment to involving HIV patients, their partners and carers in the transformation process.

Councillor Gloster explains: “All too often medical interventions are made to the patient and not with the patient. I believe that we should work, as a Council and as the NHS, to conduct a review of current services in our borough with patients, partners and carers, and with local LGBT groups and health charities and watchdogs.”

“We need services that people will not be afraid to access when they need them and so it is better to design services that are based on the first-hand, lived experience of the people that use them, their partners and carers, and the groups that represent them.  Isn’t that the co-operative model that Oldham Council aspires to?”

The letter reads:

23 October 2017

Dear Councillor Dearden,

I am writing to you in advance of National HIV Testing Week, which starts on Saturday 18 November, about the testing of at-risk individuals in the borough and the treatment and support of residents with this condition.

Undiagnosed, or late diagnosed, HIV infection puts individuals at risk of preventable illness and death, disproportionally contributes to onward transmission and is an unnecessary burden of cost to the NHS. Unfortunately, one in seven people living with HIV do not know that they have it, which means that they cannot benefit from the early treatment which can allow them to lead a normal life and be sure that they do not pass the virus onto anyone else.

Fortunately, Oldham does not have a high rate of HIV with 1.35 persons diagnosed with the condition in every 1,000 of the population, but worryingly we do have a high incidence of late diagnosis in 42.9% of cases.

As part of the borough’s Health and Social Care Strategy, I would like to ask the Health and Well-being Board to:

  • Support and promote two core campaigns of the Terrance Higgins Trust ‘It Starts with Me’ and ‘National HIV Testing Week’.
  • Support the establishment and promotion of HIV testing services in GPs’ surgeries and other Primary Care services in the borough.
  • National HIV testing guidance, that of the national body NICE and advice from the Terrance Higgins Trust recommends testing be made available in Primary Care settings, especially in GPs’ surgeries.
  • Support and promote the take-up of, and access to, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment available to those at high risk of HIVinfection in this borough.  PrEP is a medication that can be taken before possible exposure to HIV. Studies including PRoUD and IPERGAY have demonstrated significant protective benefit from taking PrEP both routinely and “on demand”.

The World Health Organisation recommends that PrEP be made available to those at high risk and NHS England is currently running a three year national trial with the PrEP drug Truvada among high-risk patients, including patients in Greater Manchester.

  • Conduct a review of the current services available to patients living with HIV in this borough and their carers to identify how these services and the patient/carer experience can be improved.

Such a review I would suggest needs to be in consultation with patients/carers and relevant bodies (such as local LGBT+ groups, the Terrance Higgins Trust, the George House Trust and Healthwatch Oldham).

  • Make representations to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Mr. Andy Burnham, asking him to conduct a review of HIV testing and treatment services across the city region to ensure that they mirror our aspirations in this borough and to identify how best the devolved health and social care budget can be used to support them across the city region.

I do hope that the Health and Well-being Board will be able to take these ideas on board as they will reduce the number of people living with HIV, improve the lives of those who do and ultimately save the NHS money.

Yours sincerely

COUNCILLOR CHRIS GLOSTER

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Shaw Ward, Shadow Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Email: chris.gloster@oldham.gov.uk

Liberal Democrat Call for Action to Combat Acid Attacks

Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet Member for Housing, Transport and Planning Councillor Dave Murphy is proposing a motion to the next meeting of full Council (Wednesday 8 November) proposing Oldham Council establish a voluntary scheme asking local retailers not to sell acid and other corrosive substances to under-age customers to help reduce the likelihood of attacks.

Councillor Murphy is very concerned about the increase in such attacks elsewhere in the UK, especially in London, and does not want to see these horrendous attacks in Oldham:

“Tragically the evidence suggests that attacks are on the up, with victims often being horribly disfigured and traumatised for life as a result. The Liberal Democrats support government proposals to introduce new legislation to create new offences for carrying acid or corrosive substances in a public place and in situations where retailers make sales of these substances to under-age customers. However, this will take time and in the meanwhile we would like to see the Council taking action.”

He is backed by his Liberal Democrat colleague, Councillor Garth Harkness:

“In our motion, we are calling for the Council to establish a voluntary scheme in which local retailers agree not to sell acid and corrosive substances to young people. The National Police Chiefs’ Council identified in a survey that over one fifth of all attacks were carried out by offenders aged 18 or younger. This is one practical measure in advance of the legislation that the Liberal Democrats are proposing that could make a real difference in our Borough.” 

 The motion reads – Combatting Acid Attacks

 This Council notes, with great sadness, that:

  • There is growing evidence that the use of acid and other corrosive substances as a weapon in violent attacks is increasing.
  • Victims of these crimes are often left with life changing injuries as well as long-term psychological and emotional damage,

Data collected by the National Police Chiefs’ Council covering a six month period between November 2016 and April 2017 identified 408 attacks involving corrosive substances across 39 police forces. 21% of offenders were found to be 18 years or under.

Council welcomes:

  • The recognition by the British Government that the law is currently unsatisfactory as the products are legal for anyone to purchase, but shops are required to report suspicious sales.
  • The recent Home Office consultation on proposals to enact new legislation in which retailers will be committing a criminal offence if they sell products containing harmful corrosive substances in shops or on-line to persons under 18 and where a new offence will be created of possessing a corrosive substance in a public place.

Proposals by other Councils to roll out voluntary schemes urging shopkeepers not to support sales of corrosive products which contain acid or ammonia to under 21 year olds in advance of future legislation.

This Council resolves to:

  • Ask the Overview and Scrutiny Board, with the Trading Standards team and retailers’ associations, to examine the merits and practicalities of introducing such a voluntary scheme in this borough in advance of new legislation, and to report back their findings to full Council.
  • Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Borough’s three Members of Parliament and the Mayor of Greater Manchester to request they make representations to Government ministers supporting the urgent introduction of new legislation to regulate the sale of these substances and to outlaw under-age sales.

Proposed by Councillor Dave Murphy, Seconded by Councillor Garth Harkness

Horror of inflammable Halloween costumes must end, say Oldham Liberal Democrats

 

Shaw Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Gloster is proposing a motion to the next meeting of full Council (Wednesday 8 November) calling on our local Members of Parliament to urge the government to introduce legislation making Halloween and party costumes fire-proof.

Councillor Gloster said: “Tragically three years ago the daughter of TV presenter Claudia Winkleman was badly injured when a spark lit a costume that she was wearing and her outfit went up in flames.  Party costumes are classed as toys rather than clothes, and standards for fire retardancy are lower than those for clothes.”

“Manufacturers and retailers are not required to make and sell only fire-proof ones.  This is madness. These costumes are worn by young people for fun and, the consequences of them catching fire are horrific.  We need to ensure that the law is changed to make it illegal to sell outfits that burn so easily.”

Councillor Gloster is backed in his motion by his party colleague, Crompton Councillor Julia Turner: “There are some safety standards and I would ask parents to look to buy outfits that meet the British nightwear flammability standard (BS5722 TEST 3).”

“We echo the call of the Association of Chief Fire Officers to make party costumes for children fireproof. It is just such a common sense idea that I am shocked that the government just does not get on with changing the law and so to help our children to continue to have fun whilst being safe.”

The motion reads – Halloween and Party Costumes

Council notes with grave concern that children’s Halloween and other seasonal / themed party costumes are classed in law as ‘toys’ and are not subject to the rigorous standards of fire retardancy required of other children’s clothing.

Tragically this leads to unnecessary deaths or injuries to children when these flammable items are exposed to heat.

Council notes that the British Retail Consortium has just introduced voluntary guidelines for manufacturers, to reduce the speed at which these costumes will burn, but these remain voluntary guidelines and regrettably they do not require manufacturers to make such costumes fire-proof.

Council welcomes the work done by officers of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to raise public awareness of the risks and supports the aspiration of the Association of Chief Fire Officers that such costumes should be reclassified as ‘clothing’.

Council resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to the relevant Government Minister and to the three MPs representing this Borough asking them to support the urgent introduction of the necessary legislation or regulations to bring this about to prevent any further needless deaths and injuries of this nature.

Proposed by Councillor Chris Gloster, Seconded by Councillor Julia Turner

Liberal Democrat Leader requests Update on Impact of Brexit for Oldham Borough

The Leader of the Opposition and of the Oldham Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has written to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jean Stretton, requesting an update be brought to the next Council (Wednesday 8 November) for the consideration of Councillors.

Councillor Sykes explained: “I first wrote to the Council Leader at the time of the referendum requesting an impact assessment and this was kindly circulated to elected members.  A further report then followed in December 2016, but this was almost twelve months ago and a lot of water has gone under the Brexit Bridge since then so an update is now in my view urgently needed.”

Councillor Sykes is particularly concerned to see what the impact of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union without an agreed ‘deal’ might mean for the citizens and economy of Oldham.

He added: “Although this initially seemed an unlikely outcome, recent statements by senior Conservative Government ministers and the slow progress of talks have made me more fearful that not only may this happen, but that it is increasingly likely.”

Councillor Sykes has specifically asked the Council Leader for information about the likely impact of Brexit on:

  • Oldham’s social care workforce
  • The loss of the structural investment funding that was previously secured for the Borough from the European Union; this is estimated to be £8.4 billion per annum across the whole of the United Kingdom
  • The loss of a formal means of consulting local government which is currently made available by the EU through the Committee of the Regions

He explained: “A significant number of social care workers within the UK have come to our country from other European countries to carry out this necessary and demanding role.  The vast majority of these employees work diligently, patiently and sensitively to ensure that the needs of our elderly and disabled residents are met.”

“My worry is that such workers will perceive the UK as becoming a less inclusive and more hostile environment as Brexit approaches, with requirements for them to register with the authorities to continue to work and – I regret – reports of abuse and on occasion assaults being carried out on EU citizens in increasing numbers.”

“In such an environment, I, for one, would not blame them for wishing to return home but this would result in a situation where there may be insufficient British citizens to fill these vacancies. How then can we ensure that the needs of our most vulnerable people continue to be met?”

“I have asked the Council Leader to advise me how many of the employees in Oldham’s social care workforce are from EU nations, so that we can begin to plan to meet any recruitment shortfalls.”

Councillor Sykes is also concerned about the loss of EU grants to a deprived Borough like Oldham.

He said: “Although, in the referendum, there was a lot of talk about how much EU membership was supposedly costing the United Kingdom taxpayer, there was little discussion about how much was returned to the UK by the European Union in grants. Approximately £8.4 billion per annum came back to this country as structural funding; much of it to the more economically and socially deprived areas, of which Oldham is unfortunately one.”

“I have asked the Leader to identify how much Oldham will lose in structural development funds after Brexit takes effect. We have a lot of regeneration projects going on in our Borough, and my concern is that some of these may not be able to be delivered without EU funding.”

The third area of concern that Councillor Sykes has is the loss of influence that local government will have in government decision making after Brexit.

“At present, local government is formally consulted by the European Union on its proposals via a formal mechanism, the Committee of the Regions. There currently appear to be no proposals by the UK government to replace these arrangements after Brexit. I have asked the Leader and Chief Executive if they were join me in lobbying UK government to agree to replace these consultation arrangements after Brexit takes place.  As Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on the Local Government Association I am also myself able to put pressure to bear on Ministers in the corridors of power.”

The text of the email from Councillor Sykes to Councillor Stretton

From: Howard Sykes
Sent: 26 October 2017 17:19
To: Cllr J Stretton
Cc: Carolyn Wilkins; Paul.Entwistle@oldham.gov.uk; (A) Kay Gibson (kay.gibson@oldham.gov.uk)
Subject: Re-evaluating the Impact of Brexit on Oldham Council and our Economy

Did mean to raise this at group leaders early this week.

Dear Jean,

Re-evaluating the Impact of Brexit on Oldham Council and our Economy

In advance of Council, I wanted to write to you to request an update in the next Green Book (or at the latest for the December meeting) on the likely impact of Brexit.

Our last update was in December last year, and I would particularly like to receive an update of the impact on our economy of the worst-case scenario – where the United Kingdom exits the European Union without an agreed deal.

Although this initially seemed an unlikely outcome, recent statements by senior Conservative Government ministers and the slow progress of talks have made me more fearful that not only may this happen, but that it is increasingly likely.

I am particularly concerned about the impact of Brexit on local government in three regards:

–      The impact on our social care workforce

–      The loss of £8.4 billion in structural investment funding

–      The loss of a formal means of consulting local government which is currently made available by the EU through the Committee of the Regions

So I would like to raise three specific questions with you that relate to these:

–      What percentage of the social care workforce in Oldham are EU citizens?

–      How much structural impact funding will be lost to Oldham and what will be the impact?

–      Assuming Brexit happens, will you and the Chief Executive join me in lobbying government to ensure that post-Brexit, the government will give local councils a formal consultative role?  I will of course also do my best through the Local Government Association to pursue this agenda.

Many thanks for your attention to these matters

Best wishes.

Howard

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Opposition.  Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group Oldham Council.  Member for Shaw Ward.  Member for South Ward Shaw & Crompton Parish Council.  Office: Room 343, Level 3, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham OL1 1UL.  T: 0161 770 4016  F: 0161 770 4026  E: howard.sykes@oldham.gov.uk  W: http://howardsykes.mycouncillor.org.uk Twitter: @Howard_Sykes  Facebook: /Councillor Howard Sykes  Home: 5 Ballard Way, Shaw, Oldham OL2 8DU

Save our Choking Seas, says Liberal Democrat Group Leader

The Leader of the Opposition and of the Oldham Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has written to the Secretary of State for the Environment, the Rt. Hon. Michael Gove MP supporting a government proposal to introduce a deposit scheme on drinks bottles and cans to encourage returns and so boost recycling.

The Environment Secretary is consulting Councils and environmental groups on the proposals in advance of the possible introduction of such a deposit scheme, whereby consumers deposit empty bottles and cans to ‘reverse’ vending machines located in community venues in order to receive payment of their deposit back.  The consultation ends on 30 October.

Councillor Sykes explained:  “Our beaches, rivers and estuaries are being choked by plastic bottles, cans and food packaging senselessly discarded by inconsiderate consumers.  Our oceans are being slowly suffocated by plastic pollution.  It is not only birds, animals and plant life that suffer though, it is also mankind; for this blight reduces our quality of life and our enjoyment of the natural world.”

“Generally the Oldham Liberal Democrat Council Group, of which I am Leader, would be lambasting the Secretary of State for some proposal of his with which we strongly disagree, but on this occasion, I am pleased to say we have been able to write to him with our full support for this proposal, and to express our hope that such a scheme will be introduced soon.”

In Britain only 57% of plastic bottles are recycled.  In Denmark which has a returns scheme it is 90%.

Responding to the disparity in the figures, Councillor Sykes described such a scheme as: “Sensible, practical and efficient, and long overdue.  It is not though as if this is a new idea even in Britain.  I am old enough to remember wagons carrying loads of Ben Shaws’ soft drinks around my community for sale door to door and me taking empties out to the van as a kid to collect the money my parents had paid on the bottles as a deposit.”

Councillor Sykes’ letter to the Secretary of State reads:

Sent: 30 October 2017 12:50
To: Michael.gove.mp@parliament.uk; Correspondence.section@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Cc: Howard Sykes
Subject: Letter to Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for the Environment – Bottle Deposit Scheme
Sensitivity: Confidential

Dear Secretary of State,

I am writing to you with reference to the current government consultation on the proposal to introduce a deposit return scheme for drinks bottles and cans in an attempt to boost recycling (closing date 30 October 2017).

I wish to express to you the complete support of the Oldham Liberal Democrat Council Group for such a proposal; a proposal that is long overdue and that has been proven to work in other countries.

Minister, I am sure that you are aware of the many horrifying photographs that are available on-line of our beaches, rivers and estuaries choked with discarded plastic bottles and other detritus, often other forms of food packaging.  This has a massive negative impact on our wildlife and on our natural environment.  It is not only birds, animals and vegetation that suffers from the suffocation of this unwarranted and unnecessary pollution, but mankind ultimately does too; for this blight has a deleterious impact on the quality of our lives and our enjoyment of the natural world.

It is scandalous that in Britain only 57% of plastic bottles sold in the UK were collected for recycling, when in countries such as Denmark this figure is almost 90%.

And why is there this disparity?  Because Denmark, and other nations with a high level of recycling, operate deposit-marked bottles and cans schemes, whereby these items can be returned by consumers to reverse vending machines and thereby receive the return of their deposit. Sensible, practical and efficient.

Local government will also be a beneficiary of such a scheme. A recent report by Zero Waste Scotland identified that a deposit return system could save Scottish local authorities £13 million annually on litter and waste costs. Minister, I would suggest that this is money that would be far better spent on supporting our hard-pressed, essential local services, such as home care for the elderly.

The world’s biggest soft drinks manufacturer, Coca-Cola, produces 110 billion single-use plastic bottles a year, according to research by Greenpeace.  When this is compounded by the output of the many other myriad drinks and food manufacturers this represents a massive problem, and it is all our problem – for bottles and cans discarded on land find their way to our oceans and are transported around the world.

In the past, marooned sailors would write a message, place it in a bottle and cast the bottle into the sea in the hope of rescue.  Now, Minister, it is the sea that hopes for rescue, rescue from the blight that is plastic pollution, and our message on every bottle and can should be ‘recycle me’.

The Oldham Liberal Democrat Council Group urges you to introduce this scheme as soon as possible.

Yours Sincerely,

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Opposition.  Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group Oldham Council.  Member for Shaw Ward.  Member for South Ward Shaw & Crompton Parish Council.  Office: Room 343, Level 3, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham OL1 1UL.  T: 0161 770 4016  F: 0161 770 4026  E: howard.sykes@oldham.gov.uk  W: http://howardsykes.mycouncillor.org.uk Twitter: @Howard_Sykes  Facebook: /Councillor Howard Sykes  Home: 5 Ballard Way, Shaw, Oldham OL2 8DU

Liberal Democrat Leader’s Disappointment at Community Shop Veto

The Leader of the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has expressed his disappointment that the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Board will be recommending that the Community Shop model be abandoned as one means to address food poverty in Oldham Borough.

Councillor Sykes explained: “I first contacted Community Shop almost three years ago in December 2014 suggesting that Oldham might be a location for a future store.  I had just read about their operation in Barnsley and about the opening of a second shop in Lambeth, and knew that they were keen to expand to other areas in need. Unfortunately Oldham is just such an area.”

Community Shop is a retail outlet with a difference.  It has registered members who are in receipt of means-tested benefits.  As members they are able to buy ‘surplus food’ supplied by commercial retail supermarkets and manufacturers at significantly discounted prices, and they are also able to participate in training and job search activity to help them find employment.

The Shop also has a social side being a meeting point for members, many of whom would otherwise be socially isolated.  Each shop has a café that sells quality, low cost food prepared on the premises, and a chef that even teaches members how to cook.

In February 2015, Councillor Sykes was able to tour the Community Shop in Barnsley and he was very impressed by his visit.  “The shop was appointed to a very high standard, with an upstairs café and office space,” stated Councillor Sykes.  “It was clearly offering access to quality food alongside access to training and job search support.  The model was geared towards meeting the members’ immediate need for good quality healthy and cheap food with a means to help them in the long-term become more financially independent through employment.”

“I could see right away that this could be another mechanism to help Get Oldham Working, so it is a pity that after over two and a half years of officer reports going backwards and forwards, a recommendation has been made not to proceed,” he added.