Explore Options to Save Link Centre, says Liberal Democrat Leader

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The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has written to the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Abdul Jabbar and the Cabinet Member for Social Services, Councillor Jenny Harrison, asking them to work with him to explore ways to save the Link Centre from being a budget cut.

Councillor Sykes said: “I was saddened to read that as part of the current round of public consultation over proposed budget cuts, that consideration is being given to the closure of the Link Centre – Philip Harrison House.  I recognise that in the current financial climate real savings have to be made, but the Link Centre delivers unique person-centred services to a particularly deserving client group and these services may be impossible to replicate and so may be lost forever.”

“With people living longer more of us will live with disabilities and long-term health conditions will increase, more of us will also become carers to loved ones, so it is inconceivable that the demand for these services will not rise.”

Councillor Sykes has asked the two Councillors to work with him to explore whether the Link Centre could be developed into an independent living centre, based on the model of the Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living.

He added: “I recall private conversations with the late Councillor Philip Harrison, who impressed upon me his vision that the Link Centre should become a centre of disabled people for disabled people.  This is empowering and would represent our vision that a Co-operative Council should be an enabler to help our residents help themselves.”

“Yes budget cuts are a huge threat to services but they also present us with opportunities to do things differently.  The Glasgow model of service delivery is one that I think we should explore for Oldham on a cross-party basis with our officers and with the groups and individuals who also use the Link Centre, and those who in the future may wish to do so.” 

Copy letter attached: Link Centre….

 The Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living http://www.gcil.org.uk/

Metrolink must link us directly to Piccadilly Station as promised back in 1989!

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Letter sent below (28 Sept 16) is self-explanatory about this very important issue for Oldham Borough

Dr Jon Lamonte, Chief Executive, Transport for Greater Manchester, 2 Piccadilly Place, Manchester M1 3BG

Dear Dr Lamonte,

I am writing regarding the future routing of Oldham’s Metrolink service, which has been the subject of a number of discussions between Oldham officers and members in the past.

My concern is that now there have been service changes in Metrolink trams stopping at Shaw and Crompton only go to East Didsbury or to Exchange Square, there is no longer any direct Metrolink connection to the principal city-centre railway station, Manchester Piccadilly.

Whilst I welcome the increase in service frequency from Shaw and Crompton to Victoria to every six minutes, I note that there is a disconnect with the twelve minute service from Victoria to Piccadilly.

This appears to be completely contrary to the aims outlined in the original business case, namely a desire to enable passengers from Shaw and Crompton, one of the busiest Metrolink stops in the network, and other stops on the Rochdale-Oldham line, to directly access both the Manchester Victoria and Piccadilly railway stations.

Members expressed concerns to TfGM most recently back in January this year when Transport for Greater Manchester Committee considered a report on the Metrolink 2017 procurement process which included a plan showing both of Oldham’s Metrolink services (from Shaw and from Rochdale) being routed through Exchange Square, meaning no direct connection to Piccadilly Rail Station or to Shudehill and Market Street.  We were assured that the plan was for illustrative purposes only, that it was intended to provide TfGM with a common position from which to assess operator bids and that it did not reflect final services patterns.

Before January this year I personally have raised the issue of a direct link to Piccadilly on more than one occasion at TfGM meetings in both 2014 and 2015.

The procurement process will have moved on and I am now seeking reassurance in advance of your report to TfGMC on 11th November that the proposed service pattern will include a direct service from Oldham to Piccadilly Rail Station.

The phase 1 scheme to convert the Oldham Rochdale Loop Rail Line to Metrolink operation was based on the understanding that it would provide Oldham and Rochdale with a direct through link to Piccadilly Rail Station.  In my view, the GM agreement made in 1989 in respect of this direct connection remains in place, and the new Metrolink 2017 contract provides the opportunity for TfGM to meet this original commitment and ensure that Oldham has a direct Metrolink connection to Piccadilly Station.

If this opportunity is missed, Oldham will be the only Greater Manchester district not to have a direct link by rail or Metrolink to Piccadilly Rail Station and London train services once the Ordsall Chord rail link opens next year.  I have raised this matter at Oldham Council meetings and colleagues of all parties and all are in agreement and consider a direct link to Piccadilly as essential in order to maximise access to employment, transport and leisure opportunities for our residents.

Put simply, is it not possible to run a direct service to Piccadilly via Victoria and then to continue that service onto East Didsbury with the service on the return run being in reverse?  This will provide the direct service and also allow passengers using the tram from stops of the East Didsbury line better access to Piccadilly.

Furthermore will the Second City Crossing not soon make the connections still better with Oldham-Rochdale passengers able to access South Manchester line stops, and residents in South Manchester able to travel directly to Victoria?

I understand we have now made arrangements for Peter Cushing to brief senior officers and members on 7th October in advance of the report to TfGMC on 11th November, but I would like confirmation before then that a permanent direct link from Oldham to Piccadilly Rail Station will be included in the new Metrolink contract when it comes into effect next year.

A TASTER DAY IN THE HISTORIC ART OF DRYSTONE WALLING – 16TH OCTOBER 2016

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Sunday, 16 October 2016 from 10:30 to 14:30 (BST),

Crompton Moor, off Buckstones Road, Shaw, OL2 8LS

Come and try your hand at the historic art of dry stone walling.  This is the perfect opportunity to try our taster day, and learn how to take down and re-build a dry stone wall within the beautiful setting of Crompton Moor.

No experience is necessary, and all tools, protective eyewear, and materials will be provided.

Please dress, according to the weather, and you will require stout outdoor footwear and work gloves.  Please bring a packed lunch and something to drink.

We will meet in Brushes Clough car park, on Crompton Moor, at 10:30 am and finish around 2:30 pm.

If you have any questions please let us know by email – cromptonmoor@gmail.com, or you can call us on 07792 156295. Booking is essential for this popular event.  You can book online at Eventbrite using the following link –  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-taster-day-in-the-historic-art-of-drystone-walling-16th-october-2016-tickets-27318643799

Or, use the contact details below: Marian Herod, Secretary – Friends of Crompton Moor, 07792 156295.  www.cromptonmoor.co.uk

Well done Nicola!

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Miss Nicola White

Dear Nicola

Re: Rio Olympics 2016

We are writing on behalf of Oldham Council to congratulate you on your truly inspiring and incredible achievements at the Rio Olympics.

The performances by the women’s hockey team were outstanding – the only team not to lose a game(!) – but it was particularly fantastic for so many local people to be able to cheer you on here as ‘one of our own’.

Having considered the magnitude of what you have now achieved over the course of two Olympic games and other tournaments, we believe that your efforts deserve proper recognition.

Putting your achievement into context it is 108 years, we believe, since this borough last had an Olympic Gold medallist and that deserves to be celebrated.

We would very much like to offer you the title of Honorary Freeman of the Borough and host a reception event here with you – and your family and friends – as the guest of honour.

We would also like to talk with you about joining us for our celebrations to mark the opening of the Old Town Hall cinema and restaurant complex later in the year.

We know you are probably currently taking a well-earned rest, but we would be delighted if you would take a moment to get in touch and discuss how and when we could meet up to discuss this further.

If you are happy to accept this offer, we can assure you that we would work to ensure that we come up with an approach that best suits your wishes.

To get in touch, please contact us on the above details. We look forward to hearing from you and congratulations once again!

Yours sincerely

Cllr Jean Stretton – Leader of the Council

Cllr Howard Sykes  – Leader of the Opposition

Letter re Implications of the EU referendum for Oldham Borough

_88328563_euThe Rt Hon Teresa May PM, 10 Downing Street, London, SW1A 2AA

Dear Prime Minister

Re:  Implications of the EU referendum

Oldham Council considered reports on the implications of the EU referendum on this borough and Greater Manchester at its July 2016 meeting.  This was in the context of the referendum result and consideration of the potential impacts of a “leave” vote by the GM Combined Authority in March of this year.

Regarding the referendum, we respect the right of the British people to decide on the country’s future relationship with the EU via this mechanism, but naturally we are concerned about the impact on business and consumer confidence, the various sources of funding the UK benefits from due to its relationship with Europe, and on community cohesion and community relations issues.

Business confidence is currently fragile as a consequence of the referendum, and requires urgent and co-ordinated local and national action to return it to its pre-referendum levels.   We are working in concert with GM colleagues and local/regional chambers of commerce to this effect, but would welcome a dialogue with you about sustaining business and investor confidence in Oldham in a new and uncertain climate.

The recent Northern Powerhouse Independent Economic review sets out the scale of this challenge and opportunity, and we fully support the Greater Manchester case for continuing investment in the Northern Powerhouse project to make this a tangible gesture of confidence in the business community in the North of England.

Greater Manchester and Oldham benefit from significant structural fund schemes impacting directly on skills, employment and business support mechanisms which are essential to supporting our local economy.

We would encourage you to give urgent certainty to the Government’s position on non-contracted ESIF funds as part of the renegotiation strategy, and to the contingency plans the Government intends to put in place to secure equivalent levels of investment should these funds reduce or disappear as a consequence of EU withdrawal.

Local businesses and training providers are looking for such certainty.  We fully support the Local Government Association’s call for local authorities to be involved in the renegotiation planning with such schemes in mind.

We note and welcome subsequent announcements from the new Government – your own in respect of continuing commitment to the “Northern Powerhouse” concept, and those of the Treasury in respect of European Structural Funds.  Dialogue on both is ongoing between Greater Manchester and Government as you will know.

Finally we remain concerned about the negative focus on immigration matters and the consequences for community relations and cohesion in highly diverse urban areas of the North of England.  We are vigilant on these matters, and wish to unequivocally support and nurture the benefits a diverse, tolerant and multi-cultural society brings to our economic growth and development.  We would encourage you to give this matter the highest priority and to not give in to political pressures that risk disrupting many years of stable community relations in Oldham and similar areas of the north by giving any message to the contrary.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Jean Stretton – Leader of the Council

Cllr Howard Sykes – Leader of the Opposition