Chuggers – ward question (Shaw and Crompton)

The Leader will doubtless recall that I raised my concerns about the high-pressure practices of so called ‘chuggers’ (short for ‘charity muggers’) in the town centre in this chamber almost two years ago – in October 2013.

They are still a problem in Oldham Town Centre, in my opinion, but they have also appeared to have moved to pastures new.

In Shaw and Crompton, my ward colleagues and I have received increasing complaints from constituents about ‘chuggers’ who are calling door to door to residents, unannounced, and seeking to raise regular donations for whichever charity they are acting for at that time.

The old and the vulnerable are feeling very pressured by these ‘chuggers’, and a number have ‘felt obliged’ to make a contribution they can ill afford and did not really want to make.

In light of recent instances in Shaw and Crompton, can I ask the relevant Cabinet Member whether he or she will be prepared to work with local Ward Members to curtail the unwanted activities of fundraisers operating in Shaw and Crompton and no doubt elsewhere in the Borough?

Councillor Howard Sykes, Leader of the Opposition and Lib Dem Group Oldham Council, Member for Shaw Ward  – 9 September 2015

Oldham Council 9^th Sept. 2015 – Notice of Opposition Business –

Motion 2 – Congratulating Her Majesty the Queen on becoming Britain’s Longest Serving Monarch

Council notes that:

• Today (September 9^th 2015) marks the date upon which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second has become Britain’s longest serving Monarch. Her Majesty has so far reigned for 23,226 days.
• A role model for her subjects and a steadfast rock for our country, our Queen has unfailingly honoured the promise she made at her Coronation to serve this Nation and the Commonwealth well, and, despite being 89 years of age, she still faithfully fulfils a very heavy diary of Royal commitments.
• Her Majesty’s reign has been momentous in many ways – she has moved from being leader of an Empire to head of the Commonwealth; there have been tremendous advances in science and technology; our nation has become much more diverse and inclusive; and her reign has been increasingly illuminated by the media with her every move, every expression and every action flashed around the world in milliseconds.

This Council, wishing to mark this momentous occasion, requests that the Chief Executive write to Buckingham Palace offering our congratulations to Her Majesty and our best wishes that she may continue her long and remarkable reign for many years to come.

Proposed by: Cllr Derek Heffernan

Seconded: Cllr Howard Sykes MBE

Peace Day A3 Poster

If so, you are invited to apply to the AV Davies Charity for assistance.

See link for more info: AV Davies application poster 2015