There is a proposal to extend the yellow lines on Buckstones Road to improve visibility for vehicles turning onto Buckstones Road from George Street. If you frequently encounter poor visibility of oncoming traffic down Buckstones Road due to parked cars at the junction of George Street, you can support (or object to) the proposal by emailing Cllr Howard Sykes at howard.sykes@oldham.gov.uk who is trying to get the lines extended to improve safety. Please make sure you give your name and address in your email, thanks.
Council continues to give out parking tickets like confetti rather than correctly mark bays on Shaw Market Car Park as it promised more than 6 months ago
Council continues to give out parking tickets like confetti rather than correctly mark bays on Shaw Market Car Park as it promised more than 6 months ago.
Please see my recent corresspondence on this matter.
From: Howard Sykes
Sent: 02 June 2015 15:44
To: Christine Emanuel; Angela Lees; Elaine McLean; Liz Wade
Cc: Jen Downing (Members); Parking Shop; Howard Sykes; Elizabeth Fryman
Subject: Shaw Market Car Parking REF 2629
Dear Ms Wade and Mrs McLean,
It is some six months since I met with your officers about this matter.
See email below – the three items highlighted in bold have still to be actioned some six months later and we continue to give tickets for those parked in the space on the Market like confetti.
Also in the absence of these works, and again at odds with what we discussed and agreed, we are still issuing tickets for the ‘fourth un-marked space’ see photos attached which I witnessed myself last week and also have evidence of others from social media.
When will these matters be progressed as we agreed?
When will we stop issuing tickets to people who park responsibly on the Shaw Market Car park but due to the Council’s failure it is not in a bay so we ‘do them’.
I await your response with interest as do many residents in Shaw.
Best wishes
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE
—————————————————————————————
From: Elizabeth Fryman
Sent: 12 January 2015 13:43
To: Cllr H Sykes; Christine Emanuel; Angela Lees
Subject: shaw market car parking
Hi
Just a few action points from our meeting:
- CE/AL will get the two areas that cause issues measured up with a view to marking out as spaces.
- CE will write to HS setting out what the constituent can do if unhappy with outcome of their appeal.
- CE will get handyman to go over the most faded markings including the hatched areas.
- CE will liaise with Dean G regarding double yellows on stretch of Milne St not currently marked up.
Please let me know any mis- representations and additions!
Liz Fryman, District Coordinator, Royton and Shaw & Crompton District Partnerships Neighbourhoods, Royton Town Hall, Rochdale Rd, Oldham OL2 6QG. T: 0161 770 5161.
FOR HELP AND ADVICE
Shaw and Crompton Advice Centres/Ward Surgeries
Shaw Ward Councillors Howard Sykes, Rod Blyth, Chris Gloster. Parish Councillors Aspinall, Farrell, Hall, Hamblett, Stephens or Wood will also attend.
Crompton Ward Councillors Diane Williamson, Dave Murphy and Julia Turner. Parish Councillors Blackburn, Dodd, Duffy, Tindall or Turner will also attend
7.30pm – 8.30 pm, Lifelong Learning Centre, High Street, Shaw, OL2 8TB
- June: 4, 11, 18, 25.
- July: 2, 9.
- September: 3, 10, 17, 24.
- October: 1, 8, 15, 22.
- November: 5, 12, 19, 26.
NO APPOINTMENT REQUIRED.
Commemorate 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign
On 4 June 1915, around 90 people from Oldham fought, died or were injured during the Third Battle of Krithia.
Join us in commemorating this event with a parade from the Civic Centre followed by a Service of Remembrance at Oldham Parish Church on 7 June.
Parade leaves from outside the Civic Centre at 1.30pm.
Service of Remembrance at 2pm, Oldham Parish Church.
John Dillon and Mark Alcock – tribute, who stood down from Oldham Council this May
Speech on Councillor John Dillon and Mark Alcock who did are not seek re-election this May – from Oldham Council meeting 20 May 2015 by Councillor Howard Sykes
Mr Mayor,I would like to take this opportunity to say a few words in recognition of the many years of service given by Councillor John Dillon and Mark Alcock in this Chamber and to the Electors of Crompton and Shaw respectively and in recognition also of their friendship and camaraderie within the Liberal Democrat Group.
I would first like to pay tribute to John.
John joined the SDP (the Social Democratic Party) at its launch in 1981.
John is one of the longest serving members in this Chamber with 29 years of service to his credit.
He contested Crompton Ward unsuccessfully for three years – in 1982, 1983 and 1984 – before being elected on his fourth attempt in 1986 with a majority of 134, becoming Oldham’s first SDP Councillor.
John served as the Mayor of the Borough in 2000.
Members will be aware of John’s abiding passion for transport issues so I am sure he found it gratifying to find himself opening Cheapside Bus Station and being invited to the opening ceremony of the M60 motorway through the Borough from Denton to Heaton Park.
I know given half a chance he would have also relished opening Metrolink, but regrettably that came 12 years later.
As Mayor, John also had the honour of welcoming Her Royal Highness Princess Anne to the Borough, but unfortunately Her Highness had to take a long detour from the airport as the planned route did not take into account the newly opened motorway.
In opposition, John has also served as Shadow Cabinet member for the Environment between 2003 and 2005, and also 15 years’ service on the Planning Committee.
I know that John is very proud of his eight years’ service representing Oldham Borough on first the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority and then Transport for Greater Manchester.
He joined this Body in 2000, became the Oldham Council spokesperson in 2008, and also served as Vice Chair of the Rail and Metrolink sub-committee. One of his great achievements was in helping to bring Metrolink to the Borough of Oldham.
John is also passionate about the place and the people of Shaw and Crompton.
Alongside me, John became a member of the inaugural Shaw and Crompton Parish Council in 1987 and became its Chairman in 1990, hosting a series of events to mark 125 years of local government in Shaw and Crompton. He served on the Parish Council until 2003.
He has previously served as Chair and Vice Chair of the Royton, Shaw and Crompton District Partnership and became Chair of Shaw and Crompton District Partnership in 2012.
Outside of the Council and Parish Council, John has been a regular at many Liberal Democrat conferences, attending with his wife Philomena and the late dear Ann Wingate.
So I would like to end this tribute to John by saying thank you John from myself, your colleagues in the Liberal Democrat Group, past and present and from the Electors of Crompton for your hard work, your commitment to public service and your friendship and I do hope you will have a long, happy and prosperous retirement with Philomena by your side.
I would now like to speak about my Shaw Ward colleague and friend, Mark Alcock.
Mark has served with distinction as a Cabinet Member in a previous Liberal Democrat Administration.
Members will recall the appalling notoriety that Oldham once had as a destination for cheap binge drinking and late night violence.
To his credit, Mark took on board a challenging portfolio and tackled this issue head on, achieving much in making the night time economy again safe for visitors to Yorkshire Street.
Way before Generation Oldham, Mark was First Generation Oldham as he has a proud record of working to make our Council and our Borough greener.
He introduced greener vehicles for the Council workforce, replaced environmentally damaging mineral water on Council premises with water fountains served by mains supply, and oversaw improvements in the use of water, electricity and gas in all Council buildings.
These all made a major contribution to reducing our carbon footprint and the cost to rate payers.
At AGMA (the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities), he served as Chair of the Environment Commission bringing in significant additional Government money for electric charging points, research into insulating the thousands of solid walled homes that we have, introducing a fibre optic programme across the Greater Manchester authorities and a host of other green initiatives.
I know though, from first-hand experience of working alongside Mark on day to day issues, that the work of which he is most proud is that which transforms the lives of everyday people.
Over his sixteen years of service (eight in Oldham and eight in South Ribble), Mark has assisted many thousands of people with cases from homelessness, council tax issues, fly tipping, school places, trading standards and many, many other issues.
As a fellow Ward Councillor, Mark has always impressed me with his commitment to fighting Shaw’s corner – whether it be in opposing the closure of our municipal tip or our swimming baths, or in speaking up to retain our market on its historic site.
He was the first councillor on the ground at the site in the recent tragic Shaw gas blast.
Like John, Mark will be much missed by his Liberal Democrat colleagues and I have greatly valued having him alongside me and Rod on many occasions.
I know though that Mark is leaving office for the right reasons and in the right frame of mind. For he is newly married – in December of last year – and now wants – and I quote him here – to “do all the normal things in the evening and weekends” that other married couples do.
I think there will be many an Elected Member in this Chamber tonight that will appreciate that sentiment and aspiration.
So John and Mark I wish you both the very best.
Thank you both for your service.
You will be sorely missed.
Don’t’ suffer in silence – report all hate crime
Reporting a Hate Crime
Don’t’ suffer in silence – report all hate crime
What is Hate Crime?
A Hate Crime is any behaviour that someone thinks was caused by hostility, prejudice or hatred of:
- Disability (including physical impairments, Mental Health problems, learning disabilities, hearing and visual impairment)
- Gender identity (people who are transgender, transsexual or transvestite)
- Race, skin colour, nationality, ethnicity or heritage
- Religion, faith or belief (including people without a religious belief)
- Sexual Orientation (people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or heterosexual)
- Alternative Subculture/ Lifestyle (the way a person looks or dresses) – Groups that are described as subcultures often include punk rockers, ravers, metalheads, goths, emo and indie
There are lots of different types of Hate Crimes. These could include:
- Physical attacks – such as physical assault, damage to property, offensive graffiti, neighbour disputes and arson;
- Threat of attack – including offensive letters, abusive or obscene telephone calls or text messages, groups hanging around to intimidate and unfounded, malicious complaints;
- Verbal abuse or insults – offensive leaflets and posters, abusive gestures, offensive comments and/or name calling, dumping of rubbish outside homes or through letterboxes and bullying at school or in the workplace.
How do I report a Hate Crime?
Even if you are unsure you have been a victim of a Hate Crime it is important to speak to someone. You can report a Hate Crime to any of these agencies:
- Emergency – In an emergency you should phone 999
- Non – Emergency – You can phone Greater Manchester Police on 101 or you can go to any police station.
If you don’t want to call the Police or if you want extra support, you can call the Stop Hate Helpline. The helpline is confidential and independent.
- Stop Hate Helpline – you can phone 0800 138 1625 for the FREE confidential 24-hour hate crime reporting service.
Anyone can be a victim of Hate Crime or Incident
A victim is any person who lives, works or visits Oldham and is subjected to a hate motivated incident or crime. A victim is also someone who witnesses another person being subjected to a hate motivated incident or crime.
A perpetrator or offender is any person who commits acts of hatred against other people because of their race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, faith or religion, age, gender, sexuality or disability.
Why should you report Hate Crimes?
If you tell us what is happening, different agencies (such as the Police, Local Authority, charities and housing providers) can take action against the perpetrator and support victims and witnesses.
When you report Hate Crimes, you are making a bigger difference than you may think.
It helps you get support. It helps us make your local area safer.
Most Hate Crimes are not reported. Your reports help us to understand how Hate Crime affects your community and then tackle the problem.
Moor Street, Shaw closed 15 June for 5 days
Moor Street in Shaw will be closed for 5 days commencing Monday 15 June to carry out a sewer connection in relation to the on-going housing development on Moor Street . Details are shown on the attached form and plan – see link: moor street shaw – temp closure 15 june
Other parties vote with Labour once again
At yesterday’s Annual meeting of Oldham Council Labour proposed and voted for a Tory (Cllr John Hudson) to Chair the Saddleworth and Lees District Executive, thus ousting hard working Cllr Val Sedgwick. Even more interesting, in addition to the Tories voting for this as you would expect, Oldham’s so called Independent Councillor and the two UKiP Councillors also voted with Labour.
Lib Dems requested a recorded vote on this matter so the record will clear show who vote which way.
“An unholy alliance if ever there was one,” stated Lib Dem Group Leader Cllr Howard Sykes MBE. “Just goes to prove what we have always said if you want effective and constructive opposition to Labour in Oldham Borough that would be the Lib Dems. Despite what other parties and councillors say they always vote with Labour and this is just the most recent and blatant example.”
“It is no wonder the Conservatives did not support Lib Dem plans to oppose the reduction in opposition councillors time to question Labour at Full Council, they clearly would not want to rock the boat and risk their cosy deal for one of them to be appointed Chair of Saddleworth and Lees district Executive.”
Lib Dem Opposition Leadership Team for 2015/16 announced
Councillor Howard Sykes Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition on Oldham Council today announced his Leadership team for 2015/16.
Councillor Sykes said: “Following on from the unopposed appointment of myself as Leader and John McCann as Deputy Leader at our first Group meeting following the election, I am proud to now announce details of my full team for 2015/16. I am especially pleased to be able to appoint our two new Councillors Chris Gloster and Julia Turner to serve as members of the shadow cabinet.
Notes: details of positions are below.
The Lib Dem Group:Leader – Cllr Howard Sykes;Deputy Leader – Cllr John McCann;Group Chair – Cllr Dave Murphy;Group Vice-Chair – Cllr Rod Blyth;Political Secretary – Cllr Garth Harkness;Assistant Political Secretary – Cllr Val Sedgwick;Treasurer – Cllr Derek Heffernan;Group Secretary – Cllr Diane Williamson
Shadow Cabinet (Shadow Executive Members):
| THE SHADOW CABINET (SHADOW EXECUTVE MEMBERS) | |
| Name of Councillor | Portfolio |
| Economy and Skills Cluster | |
| Howard Sykes | Economy and Enterprise (Shadow Leader) |
| Garth Harkness | Education and Skills |
| Health and Wellbeing Cluster | |
| Rod Blyth | Social Care and Safeguarding |
| Chris Gloster | Health and Wellbeing |
| Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives Cluster | |
| Diane Williamson | Neighbourhoods and Co-operatives |
| Dave Murphy | Housing, Planning and Highways |
| Corporate Support | |
| John McCann | Finance and HR (Shadow Deputy Leader) |
| Julia Turner | Performance and Corporate Governance |
| Deputy Shadow Cabinet Members | |
| Derek HeffernanVal Sedgwick | Health and Wellbeing Cluster
Neighbourhoods and Co-operatives Cluster |
GM Fire and Rescue Authority: Cllr Derek Heffernan
Transport for Greater Manchester:Cllr Howard Sykes
Audit Committee: Spokesperson – Cllr Derek Heffernan
Overview and Scrutiny Board: Spokesperson – Cllr Diane Williamson
Performance and Value for Money Committee: Spokesperson – Cllr John McCann
Planning Committee:Spokesperson – Cllr Rod Blyth
Licensing Committee: Spokesperson – Cllr Val Sedgwick
Standards Committee: Spokesperson – Cllr Val Sedgwick
Petitioners and Traffic Regulation Orders: Spokesperson – Cllr Chris Gloster
District Executives:
Shaw and Crompton – Chair Cllr Diane Williamson
Saddleworth and Lees – Spokesperon Cllr Val Sedgewick
Oldham Labour Running Scared of Debate, say Lib Dems
The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has attacked the Labour Administration for its proposals to radically alter the Council’s constitution to stifle debate in the Council Chamber.
In the proposals to Wednesday’s Annual Council meeting, Labour want to reduce the number of Council meetings in the year at which questions and motions can be tabled by one and to then further reduce the number of questions that members of the opposition parties can ask.
Commenting Cllr Sykes said: “These proposals are not good for local democracy in Oldham.”
“In seeking to reduce the number of opportunities where members of the opposition can question the actions of Labour Cabinet members, the public will be left with the impression that Labour is scared of debate and they will ask why?”
“Perhaps Labour Cabinet members doubt their ability to respond effectively to questions from the floor of the Chamber, or perhaps they have something to hide, but there is no question that given their numbers (45 out of 60) it is always their will as the current majority party that shall prevail.”
“Surely in a vibrant and healthy democracy, we should be encouraging members of the opposition to have their say in the Chamber and they should have the right to expect proper, considered answers to their questions from the Leader and Cabinet members.”
Under the proposals, Cllr Sykes as Main Opposition Leader will see the number of questions that he can ask the Council Leader fall from three to two at each Council, a 33% reduction. Also both the Conservative and UKiP group lose their right to ask a question and theory have to ‘share the right’ to ask one question between them.
“With such a large majority and control of the Council agenda why reduce the amount the current pitiful time allowed to the opposition even further,” stated Cllr Sykes. “This is the sort of action you would expect in one party states like North Korea not in English local government.”
Cllr Sykes added: “This time slot is time well spent. In the past, there has been significant accord on many issues between myself and the Council Leader Cllr McMahon and in recent Councils, I have raised a number of innovative proposals that the Administration is now investigating, such as establishing a Community Shop to help low-income households source high quality food at low prices, alongside help to find employment, to exploring the geothermic power beneath our feet as a renewable energy source.”
“The problem I encounter in the run up to each Council is not finding three good-quality questions to ask the Leader, but making a choice of which three of the many sensible and considered questions I have to hand to take into the Chamber.”
Labour’s other proposal to take other questions on a “politically balanced basis” also do not sit well with Cllr Sykes.
He said: “Labour backbenchers have exclusive access to their own Cabinet members in internal group meetings or in their Cabinet Office. Councillors from other parties have neither. The Council Chamber often still remains the best and only place for opposition members to raise issues that are of concern to their constituents, particularly where previous attempts to engage officers or Cabinet members have met with little or no response.”
“These proposals mean in effect that almost all of the time slot will be monopolised by Labour members with at most one, or perhaps two, questions available to members of the opposition. For the smaller groups on the Council, Conservative (2), UKiP (2) and Independent (1) this means they will be lucky if they ever get to ask a question. Previously ward questions were taken on an alternating basis and this was a sensible arrangement.”
Cllr Sykes stressed that his viewpoint was not just driven by expediency:
“As a Liberal Democrat, I strongly believe that it is important for all democratically elected representatives to have the opportunity to raise issues in the Council Chamber. I feel particularly sorry that the Conservatives and UKIP as minor opposition parties are being even more short-changed by these proposals”.
Cllr Sykes has tabled amendment
s to the proposals to retain the existing arrangements.