LIB DEMS SLAM PUBLIC HEALTH BUDGET CUTS IN OLDHAM
Figures recently released by the Department for Health shows the Conservative Government is planning a massive £1M+ (£1,059,000) cut to the public health budget in Oldham Borough. The budget pays to help improve people’s health so there is less pressure on the NHS.
Work undertaken by public health cash includes encouraging people to exercise more, give up smoking, drink less, come off drugs and drink, avoid sexually transmitted diseases and have a more healthy diet.
“This cut will mean that local residents are less likely to make good decisions on their health, and when they do need help it is far less likely to be there for them,” says Lib Dem Councillor Howard Sykes MBE.
“Cutting the budget in the middle of the financial year means it will be really difficult to make these cuts. Liberal Democrats say these are the wrong cuts, made in the wrong way and they will end up costing the Government and the NHS more than is saved.”
The Government proposals can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/449058/Cons_local_authorities_public_health_grant.pdf
Public Exhibition regarding the redevelopment of Cowlishaw Abattoir in Shaw
Liberal Democrat Crompton Councillor Diane Williamson, Shadow Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Co-operatives, is urging local residents to attend the second Public Exhibition regarding the redevelopment of Cowlishaw Abattoir in Shaw.
“On Wednesday 12 August (from 4:30pm to 6:30pm) in The Royal Oak Public House (Shawcroft Close OL2 7DA), I will be attending with my colleagues the Public Exhibition about the future proposals for Cowlishaw Abattoir.”
“I am really pleased that following on from a recent meeting with the planners, that they agreed to our suggestion to hold a second consultation event. I urge local residents who will be affected by the proposed plans to attend so that they can again put forward any concerns they may have” said Councillor Williamson.
The previous proposals were for either the expansion of the existing abattoir or a possible housing development with the gifting of a country park.
The planner’s new proposals now include the removal of the abattoir and the development of part of the site for housing. The amended plans take into account concerns made about the country park which has now been removed from the scheme.
Avoid traffic chaos and Save Shaw Market
Oldham Council has had another change of heart about the relocation of Shaw Market.
At first Labour wanted to move the Market onto the South side of Market Street that joins High Street. Now they want to move it to the North side of Market Street adjoining Rochdale Road.
“The latest news is that the Labour Council will press ahead with its plans, with the Market moving shortly – or that is what we think as no one will give us a straight answer,” stated Councillor Howard Sykes.
Your local Lib Dem Team are campaigning to leave the Market where it is.
We want to see the cash Labour has allocated for the move spent instead on revitalising Shaw Market on its existing site by replacing the fixed market stalls with pop-up stalls on Market Day (Thursday) and removing the perimeter units.
“This solution will not only remove the shelter that attracts youths intent on anti-social behaviour but also provide more free car-parking on non-Market Days, therefore contributing to the general vitality of Shaw’s District Centre,” said Councillor Sykes.
“In addition our proposal also prevents the traffic chaos that will happen when Market Street is closed forcing all vehicles, including HGVs and buses, to use Eastway,” he added.
Please help support our campaign about the Market and sign our petition:
http://howardsykes.mycouncillor.org.uk/save-shaw-market-petition/
Shaw Road, Shaw closure – road will re-open by Monday 10 Aug
Good news!
Progress on this scheme has been a lot quicker than the contractor expected.
The initial end date for the work was expected to be mid/end of October, however, further to a site meeting last week I can now confirm the following:
The road closures at the junction of Blackshaw Lane / Shaw Road and Manchester Road / Princess Road will be removed and the road re-opened over the coming weekend (Sunday PM) as planned.
The temporary two way signals will then be back in place to complete those lengths that have not been completed yet and this work is expected to be completed by the end of August / beginning of September.
Princess Road will require closing for a further three weeks at its junction with Manchester Road from 17 August; however, the contractor has said that Manchester Road itself will be maintained as two way traffic as all connection work will take place entirely within Princess Road.
Recent Parish Council Grants – supporting the Community of Shaw and Crompton
- High Crompton Park FC – Samba goals – £250
- High Crompton Ladies Bowling Club – Junior bowls sets – £210
- Shaw Comrades Crown Green Bowling Club – Padlocks & keys – £250
If you have an organisation that needs help an application form is below:
Shaw and Crompton Parish Council Grant Application Form 2015
Crompton Way re-surfacing works – now 17 Aug
The works on Crompton Way have now been put back to Monday 17 August 2015, originally planned to start on 10 August
The surfacing element of the works is scheduled to be complete on Thursday 20th August, weather permitting, and will be carried out under temporary traffic signals.
Currently, it is proposed to phase the works, from the Big Lamp Roundabout, working north to Linney Lane.
Any queries please contact:
Matthew McGreal – Assistant Engineer | Highways & Engineering | Unity Partnership
T 0161 770 1955 | F 0161 770 3411
Henshaw House, Cheapside, Oldham OL1 1NY
E Matthew.McGreal@unitypartnership.com | W www.unitypartnership.com
Bottom of Buckstones Road, Shaw – junction with Milnrow Road
A large dip/depression has developed which looks like something has collapsed under the road and is filled with water.
This issue has been inspected and passed this work through to United Utilities for them to action.
Bowler Street, Shaw – one day closure 7 Aug
For details see link: Bowler Street, Shaw – temp closure
Teen Tech – Manchester April 2016 – an exciting opportunity for Oldham pupils and tech industries
29 July 2015
Baroness Estelle Morris, Chair of the Oldham Education and Skills Commission and Cllr Shoab Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills
Dear Lady Morris and Cllr Akhtar,
Teen Tech – Manchester April 2016 – an exciting opportunity for Oldham pupils and tech industries
At the Local Government Association conference held earlier this month, I was privileged to be able to attend a workshop hosted by Maggie Philbin, formerly a presenter of the BBC’s Tomorrow’s World programme, about her exciting Teen Tech initiative.
Teen Tech is an award-winning, industry-led initiative, founded in 2008 by Maggie Philbin and Chris Dodson; to help young teenagers see the wide range of career possibilities in the STEM industries (i.e. relating to science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
Teen Tech hosts innovative events at venues across the UK. At each event 300 to 500 pupils from 30 to 50 different schools are able to participate in hands-on exhibits and challenges run by leading organisations.
Teen Tech works collaboratively with companies, universities, business organisations and education business partnerships to create these very special experiences for young people.
The organisation also runs an annual awards scheme with the winners being helped by an industry leader, to turn their innovative ideas into practical applications.
Following the workshop, I contacted Maggie Philbin’s office, initially to explore the possibility of holding one of these events in Oldham at our Regional Science Centre. However, because of reasons around the project’s capacity and cost, the former being limited and the latter being substantial (£30,000); I was dissuaded of this idea.
Instead an offer was made to me – that Oldham schools participate in, and Oldham tech industries help deliver, an event already planned to be hosted by the University of Manchester in April 2016.
Teen Tech intends to establish a Steering Group to take place in the Autumn for this event.
We have been kindly invited to have representation on this group and Teen Tech has asked me to help identify some key local contacts in education, industry and economic development willing to serve on the group.
Given that Oldham is home to our Regional Science Centre, Ferranti and foremost science television presenter Professor Brian Cox, and given our aspiration to create highly skilled, highly paid jobs for our local workforce, a chance to participate in a local Teen Tech event represents a tremendous opportunity for our young people to experience the potential of a career in the STEM industries and for our local tech industries to showcase their innovation.
I am therefore writing to you to request a meeting so that we can all discuss how to take forward this exciting opportunity.
Yours sincerely
Howard Sykes