Shaw Market – ward question from Councillor Howard Sykes

Oldham Council 15 July 2015

Shaw and Crompton Councillors have been hearing recently from Market Traders that Oldham Council has had another change of heart about the relocation of Shaw Market.

Like its namesake, the children’s party game Musical Chairs, this seems to becoming a tale of Musical Markets.

At first this Administration wanted to move the Market onto the South side of Market Street that joins High Street, then the North side of Market Street adjoining Rochdale Road.

Now there are rumours that the Market will after all remain on its historic site until some un- specified time next year (2016).

Will the Leader confirm or deny whether Shaw Market is to move?

And if so where and when?

Or will he hold his hands up and admit – as I hope he will – that the Market can remain at its current location as per the wishes of local Councillors, the local community, market traders, high street shop keepers, the Police, and two of the largest employers in the Borough (Littlewoods and JD Williams).

And will he also agree to invest the money that that has clearly been budgeted for this year (2015/16) to revitalise Shaw Market by replacing the fixed market stalls with pop-up stalls.

This solution will not only remove the shelter that attracts youths intent on anti-social behaviour but also provide more car-parking on non-Market Days, therefore contributing to the general vitality of Shaw’s District Centre.

After all the above solution is what local Councillors along with key agencies like the Police have been asking and campaigning for more years than I care to remember.

Lib Dems propose Lowering Drink Drive Limit to Save Lives

The Oldham Liberal Democrats will propose a motion to Council (15^th July) that England’s drink drive limit be reduced to bring it into line with Scotland and many European countries.

Proposing the motion, Shaw Lib Dem Councillor Chris Gloster said:

“I spent thirty years in the Police service, twenty five of which were spent as a roads policing officer at different levels. My final role was as a senior officer investigating road collisions where tragically there had been deaths or serious injuries.

“I have seen first-hand the misery that drink-driving brings to families, and continues to bring them every day; yet there are mixed messages for motorists. The Government tells motorists not to drink and drive, but then advocates two pints and you are likely to be ok to drive. The message should be none for the road and the limit should be reduced to be in line with the majority of Europe at least”.

The current limit in the majority of the United Kingdom is 80 micrograms (mg) per 100millilitres (ml) of blood. This is the highest limit in Europe, shared only by Malta. Scotland has however recently reduced its drink drive limit to 50mg per 100ml of blood mirroring the limit in many European countries, and Northern Ireland is currently considering the same measure.

Cllr Gloster explained the rationale for the reduction: “A lower limit will make people think twice about that extra drink. Everyone has different tolerance levels to alcohol and the current level can make someone unfit to drive, even though they are not over the legal limit of 80 micrograms of alcohol in their blood. I am confident that a lower limit will save lives”.

In 2014, on average 5 people a day were killed and 62 seriously injured on Britain’s roads. Statistics show that on average nearly 1 in 6 collisions that result in a fatality, the driver is in excess of the legal alcohol limit for driving.

The motion is backed by the Cllr Gloster’s Shaw colleague, Lib Dem Leader Cllr Howard Sykes: “I am grateful to Chris for bringing this important issue to the attention of full Council.

“The current position is illogical in law, and must be bewildering to the motorist, when a driver under the legal limit in England, can be immediately prosecuted once they cross the Scottish border.

“We need consistency in our treatment of drivers wherever they consume alcohol within the United Kingdom. Scotland has reduced the limit, Northern Ireland is considering following suit, so it seems sensible for everyone to adopt the lower limit.

“And there are clearly road safety grounds for having a lower limit in place in any case.

“It is frightening that in 1966, there were 7,985 fatalities on Britain’s roads, yet by 1980, this figure had halved and by 2014 halved again. Although modern cars contain many safety features, much of the reduction is due to the introduction of the breathalyser in 1967, to Government road safety campaigns around drink-driving, and to changing public attitudes about its acceptability.

“The Oldham Liberal Democrats now feel that we need to take the drink drive limit lower to further reduce road deaths; every one of which is an individual tragedy.”

Notes:

A 50mg limit would mean an average man would be limited to just under a pint of beer or a large glass of wine and women to half a pint of beer or a small glass of wine.
The Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia have introduced a zero-tolerance policy
Germany has a 50mg limit – but for new drivers, the limit is 0.
Source: European Transport Safety Council

Notice of Opposition Business – Lowering the Drink Drive Limit

On average 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured each year in drink drive collisions on Britain’s roads. Nearly one in six of all deaths on the road involve drivers who are over the legal alcohol limit.

Council notes that:

The current permitted limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood

In Scotland the limit was reduced in December 2014 to 50mg

This Council believes that, as a contribution towards a further reduction in road deaths, the drink drive limit should be reduced across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to 50mg per 100ml of blood to bring it into line with Scotland.

This Council therefore resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Transport, The Rt. Hon. Patrick McLoughlin MP, to outline this Council’s position and to ask him to introduce this measure as soon as is practicable.

Oldham Lib Dems Campaign for End to Water Poverty

The Oldham Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council wants to see an end to water poverty. At next Wednesday’s (15^th July) Council meeting, the Shadow Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning, and Highways, Cllr Dave Murphy will propose a motion outlining a plan of action to help see off water poverty in the borough.

Cllr Murphy said: “For customers on low incomes, water bills can represent a real headache. Studies have shown that where customers are expected to pay more than three percent of their household income on meeting water bills they often get into arrears.

“Many people in Oldham have been hard hit by welfare reform or are in low-paid jobs so they can be in this situation. Social landlords no longer collect water charges alongside the rent and some social tenants have fallen into arrears as a result.

“Oldham also has the highest number of Universal Credit claimants in the UK. This benefit is paid monthly in arrears and some claimants struggle with monthly budgeting. This can lead to claimants falling into debt with utility providers.

“Regional water provider United Utilities has three million customers with around 300,000 in arrears at any one time. Our motion seeks to identify how Oldham Council can help them to get back on track with their bills by promoting the support that is already available from United Utilities and the Government for those who are struggling to pay”.

The motion is seconded by Cllr Murphy’s Crompton ward colleague, Shadow Cabinet member for Neighbourhoods and Co-operatives, Cllr Diane Williamson.

Cllr Williamson added: “Now that we have a new Tory Government no longer fettered by more moderate coalition partners, welfare benefit cuts are going to bite even deeper and we need to make sure that everyone is aware of the help that is available to them if they are struggling with water bills.

“United Utilities already has several schemes to support customers struggling to pay a bill or settle arrears and the Government has schemes that allow direct bill payments from benefits and that cap bills for customers with larger families or certain medical conditions.

“The Liberal Democrats want Oldham Council to work with United Utilities to actively publicise these schemes in Oldham and for all front-line advisors who are working with vulnerable or poor customers to receive training so they know what help is available for their clients. There is also a pot of money available that the Council can bid for from the company’s charitable trust that would pay for specialist advice and help to be provided for customers at risk of water poverty.”

“We also want to support the efforts of United Utilities to gain more public support for the idea of a social tariff, where a small levy of all customers is used to subsidise water charges for the less fortunate”.

Cllr Murphy continued: “But this is not just about taking action locally. We want the Government to establish a new legal definition of water poverty – like they have with fuel poverty and like we have recently called for in relation to food poverty – so that it can be measured to identify the full extent of the problem.

“But it is even more important for us to together work to eliminate it; that is why the Oldham Liberal Democrats is calling on Government to establish an ambitious national plan to eliminate water poverty in the lifetime of this Parliament.”

Notice of Opposition Business – Water Poverty

This Council notes that:

For customers on low incomes, water bills can represent a real financial challenge.

The water industry, water regulator, consumer groups, academics and government deem that paying for water consumption becomes problematic for households is when they spend more than 3 per cent of their household income on water costs. This threshold is taken as a measure of ‘water poverty’.

Studies have found that households who spend at least 3 to 5 per cent of household income on water consumption often struggle to pay their bill.

However, Council further notes that:

Regional water provider United Utilities has several schemes to support customers struggling to pay a bill or settle arrears. These include a trust fund, a debt matching and write-off scheme, and a new social tariff. Government also endorses schemes to promote direct payment from benefits and provide a capped bill for larger families or customers with certain medical conditions.

Many low-income households are unaware of the support available to them.

Council believes that:

More action is needed from central Government to address ‘water poverty’.

More should be done in Oldham to promote awareness of, and access to, the support schemes available to customers facing ‘water poverty’.

Council therefore resolves to:

Promote the availability of these support schemes on-line, in our publications, in our public buildings, and at public events, as part of the ‘Make the Most of Your Money’ and ‘Warm Homes’ campaigns.

Work with United Utilities and the United Utilities Trust to offer training to elected members and front-line staff so they can actively promote them.

Offer this training to staff and volunteers from social landlords and other partners.

Support the research being undertaken by United Utilities to establish greater public acceptance for the social tariff and to identify the most effective ways to engage and support ‘harder-to-reach’ customers.

Support an application to the United Utilities Trust for funding to deliver, through partner agencies, money advice and financial literacy services targeted at ‘water poor’ customers.

Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for the Environment, The Rt, Hon. Liz Truss MP, requesting that:

‘Water poverty’ be defined in law and that it be measured.

The Government establish an action plan and make a definite commitment to eliminate ‘water poverty’ within the lifetime of this Parliament.

Lib Dems call for end charges for long term medical conditions

The Oldham Liberal Democrat Group will be proposing a motion to Oldham council on Wednesday 15^th July 2015 supporting the call of the Prescription Charges Coalition that Government end prescription charges for patients in England with long term medical conditions.

The motion is proposed by Saddleworth North Cllr Garth Harkness, Shadow Cabinet member for Education and Skills. Cllr Harkness said:

“Many people with long term medical conditions do not qualify for free prescriptions and struggle to pay for regular treatment. Around a third of people are choosing not to collect prescriptions because of the cost. Consequently, some of these patients fall ill and are admitted to hospital. Ultimately hospital admissions and treatment cost the tax payer far more.”

Seconding the motion, Julia Turner, Councillor for Crompton and Shadow Cabinet member for Performance and Corporate Governance, said:

“Some conditions get a medical exempt certificate, which is exactly right, but equally many other potentially debilitating medical conditions are not exempt and are subject to the £8.20 charge per item. Even with pre-payment cards you are looking at over £100 per year and many people round here simply do not have this to spare and choose to go without”.

Councillor Harkness added “We think there should be equality in healthcare. In government we fought to get mental health on a level playing field with other conditions. We want to ensure that people with all long term medical conditions get the medication they need wherever they live in the UK

“In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, residents receive free prescriptions; yet in England, we have patients with identical medical conditions who have to cut pills up to save money or go without altogether and that can’t be right. We should not be subject to a lottery where you only receive free medication based on where you live or which long term medical condition you have. Everyone who needs treatment should receive it. “

Adoption of Highways/Footways and Street Lighting – Cape Gardens Estate, Shaw

I have been campaigning for a number of years to get the roads, pavements and street lights on Cape Gardens, Mill Pond Close, Read Close, Refuge Street, Clubhouse Close and Twingates formally ‘adopted’ by Oldham Council.

It is many years since the homes in this area have been built however the responsibility for maintenance and repairs of these ‘un-adopted’ highways, footways and street lighting is the responsibility of the developer or owners of the properties. A far from satisfactory solution that causes all sorts of delays when things need repairing.

These streets have remained ‘un-adopted’ by the Council and as such they remain out of the Council’s jurisdiction for repairs, and upkeep.

I have been actively pursuing this issue with Council Officers or more years than I care to remember.

I am now very pleased to report that Council Officers have informed me that the highways, footways and street lighting in the areas of Cape Gardens, Mill Pond Close, Read Close, Refuge Street, Clubhouse Close and Twingates should be formally ‘adopted’ by the Council in August 2015.

Once this adoption process is completed it will allow the lighting contractor, EON, to be requested to begin the process of maintaining, or upgrading where needed, the street lighting in these areas.

This has been a long fight but we have got there in the end.

Footpaths: Woodhouse Road, Crossfield Close and Compton Fold, Shaw

Residents have been in contact with me regarding the reinstatement and making good of the footpaths on Woodhouse Road, Crossfield Close and Compton Fold, following the works recently carried out by Virgin Media.

I have been pursuing this issue.

The reinstatement level on these streets is unacceptable under SROH (Specification for Reinstatements On the Highway) after an inspection has been carried out by the Highways Department (which I asked for).

Hopefully now the reinstatement will be re-done to the correct standard.

Visibility Buckstones Road Junction with George Street, Shaw

The Traffic Reregulation Order (TRO) Panel decision was to extend the double yellow lines by 16 metres in front of the terrace houses on Buckstones Road.

This on balance is a sensible outcome as it will give better visibility while leaving residents some spaces to park.

The operative date set is for August 2015

Lib Dem call for Community Shop to be discussed

The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Shaw Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has welcomed the report on Community Shop that will be presented to Oldham Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Board next Tuesday (14^th July).

Cllr Sykes wrote to Community Shop in December last year inviting them to work with him to establish an outlet in Oldham. After visiting the flagship store and the parent Company Shop in Barnsley in February, he called upon the Council Leader Cllr McMahon to “find the site and find the money” to bring the concept to the Borough as soon as is practicable.

Community Shop operates community supermarkets selling low-cost, high-quality surplus foodstuffs to people on means-tested benefits, backed by services to help them get back into work. Company Shop sources the food and provides logistical support.

Each shop works on a membership basis and can shop for food at prices 70 per cent lower than usual and so members can feed their families well within a limited budget.

There is also an on-site café with good, wholesome food cooked by an on-site chef, who teaches customers how to cook as well.

But Cllr Sykes has another reason to wish to see Community Shop in Oldham.

He explained: “Community Shop is not just about food. Community Shop will enhance our Get Oldham Working offer and help more people from deprived communities find work.”

Members enrol on tailored programmes to improve their self-confidence and job prospects. Working with mentors and professionals from local agencies based at the store, members receive help to make positive improvements in their lives and move back into employment.

Report below:

Community Shop

Lib Dem Community Bank proposal to be considered

The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Shaw Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has welcomed the tabling of a report to discuss his proposal that Oldham Council examines the merits of establishing a community bank for the Borough and for Greater Manchester.

In February, Cllr Sykes wrote to the Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Cllr Shoab Akhtar, asking the Labour Administration to consider the option.

Cllr Sykes said: “In Hampshire, a community bank is about to commence operations later this year. The bank is a partnership between Liberal Democrat run Eastleigh Borough Council and other social partners. It is based on a successful local banking system from Germany. The bank will support small and medium sized businesses to secure money for investment more quickly and at lower interest rates.”

“Such a bank would be a stimulant for local jobs and local businesses. As the emphasis is on lending locally, to green projects and recycling profits as a community windfall, there will also be improvements to our environment and benefits for local communities.”

The item will be discussed at the next meeting of Oldham Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Board on Tuesday 14^th July.

Cllr Sykes added: “A community bank looks like a real winner to me, and would be another practical example of co-operative Oldham in action. This is another in a long line of initiatives the Liberal Democrat Group has proposed to help Get Oldham Working.”

Report is below:

Community Bank in Oldham