Dunwood Park – 6 May

Hazel GLOSTER and Jake AUSTIN.

YOU do need ID to vote this time – apply before 24 April.

Since last May, voters in England need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.

Some 26,165 people were turned away for not having suitable ID with them when they went to vote last May.  

This rule applies to: Local elections Police and Crime Commissioner elections UK parliamentary by-elections Recall petitions UK General elections If you do not have one of the forms of ID accepted there is still just time to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online.

You need to apply by 24 April if you need one for the elections on May 2nd.  

Many of us have suitable ID such as passports or driving licences, but if you are not sure whether what you have is valid, or to apply for a VAC use the link below.

Apply for photo ID to vote (called a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

To check if you have valid ID:

How to vote: Photo ID you’ll need – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Vine Close and Woodend, Shaw.

New street signs have been ordered for Woodend and Vine Close.

Former Shaw and Crompton Labour candidate quits.

Councillor Sykes welcomes long-overdue protection order covering Crompton Moor in Oldham Borough

Leader of Oldham Liberal Democrats and Shaw ward councillor, Howard Sykes MBE has welcomed the news that a lapsed public space protection order covering Crompton Moor is about to be reinstated on the 22 April.

Councillor Sykes said, “It’s about time.  Frankly, it’s a scandal that Oldham Council allowed these protection orders to lapse in the first place.  In recent months, spaces like Crompton Moor have been unprotected because Oldham Council failed to renew the legal orders that allow us to prosecute environmental crime.”

“This is serious because we have had some very dangerous incidents up on the moors over the years, including fires started by disposable BBQs.  These are areas of natural beauty and enjoyed responsibly by hundreds of people.  The Council should be proudly protecting them and cracking down on fly-tipping and other offences that blight the land.”

The Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering Crompton Moor includes powers relating to offences against those who light fires as well as dog fouling, fly-tipping, joyriding, and offences against animals.  It will come into effect once more on 22 April 2024 after it had been allowed to lapse back in November 2023. 

Councillor Sykes said, “This is a really basic oversight, and it shows the Council’s Labour leadership is not focussed on the job.  I can only hope there haven’t been further instances where our powers as a Council have been undermined because someone forgot to do something.” 

Notes

More from Councillor Sykes on Public Space Protection Orders (06/04/24)
Oldham Council failed to renew dog fouling enforcement order leading to years of missed fines and being able to crack down on this anti-social behaviour – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

Councillor Sykes questions the Leader of the Council over Public Space Protection Orders (13/03/2024)
My two allowed questions to the Leader of Oldham Council 13 March 24 – Environmental Services Cuts and Public Space Protection Orders – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

Missing bollard and damaged paving at East Crompton – Milnrow Road, Shaw – near shops and the pedestrian crossing on Crompton Way.

Many people have contacted me about the above which has now been reported for action to the Highways Dept.

Sneak preview inside Shaw and Crompton’s new health centre

Pics and story credit Cllr Howard Sykes.

I was lucky enough to have a sneak preview of our new health centre a few days ago.

As you can see work is progressing well.

This will be a first-class facility and despite what others say there is nothing ‘substandard/second class’ about this building we have waited a long time for.

The green colour will be the Oak Gables Practice area and the blue colour will be the Village Practice area with some other services and facilities shared.

There is a large lift, as you would expect, despite detractors of the scheme having strangely suggested there might not be one.  I can assure you it is also big enough for full size medical beds that some patients might need.

I can also confirm there is ‘spare space’ for future expansion and additional services.

Hopefully it will continue on track with a completion date at the end of June.

Greenfield Lane, Shaw.

Following action by councillor Hazel Gloster regarding the blocked gullies and ponding water, we are pleased to report that we have been informed that all the gullies on Greenfield Lane between the Asda entrance and Eastway have been cleaned and should now be operational.

Jake Austin for GM Mayor