Animal friendly fireworks: Oldham Liberal Democrats call on council bosses to “lead by example”  

Oldham Liberal Democrats have called on council bosses to “lead by example” by using animal friendly fireworks at council events this autumn. 

Ahead of upcoming events like Guy Fawkes Night, Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has written to Oldham Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, councillor Peter Dean, supporting an RSPCA campaign aimed at protecting animals and wildlife from the impact of nuisance fireworks. 

Councillor Sykes said, “Thousands of pets, horses and livestock are affected by fireworks.  Many hurt themselves in reaction to the noise and the flashes and, in the worst cases, it can be fatal.”

“Some of the fireworks that we here in Oldham are dangerously loud.  Whilst private displays will always be harder to control, there are actions that the council can take for public events.   I hope Oldham Council will lead by example on this.”

Councillor Sykes’ letter calls on the council to use “low noise” fireworks and enforce Public Space Protection Orders banning the use of fireworks near sensitive locations, for example, near where horses are kept.

The RSPCA’s #BangOutOfOrder campaign highlights the need for the government to change the laws around which fireworks are permissible for sale in the UK. 

Councillor Sykes said, “If we really want to tackle the dangerously loud fireworks we’ve got used to hearing across Oldham Borough, we do need a change of legislation from the government.”

“I’ve asked Oldham Council to join the RSPCA and call on the new government to reduce the maximum permitted noise level for legal fireworks from 120 decibels to 90 decibels.  It’s a common-sense law change that would bring us in line with other countries and I hope council bosses will agree.”   

Councillor Sykes writes to Oldham Council (4/10/24):

Councillor Peter Dean
Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities and Culture

Emma Barton
Deputy Chief Executive – Place

Dear councillor Dean and Ms Barton,  

Low noise fireworks and other measures to protect/help animals

With a busy Autumn/Winter events programme underway and a new firework evening planned for Guy Fawkes Night, I wanted to write to you to draw your attention to the RSPCA’s #BangOutOfOrder campaign aimed at protecting animals from the impact of fireworks. 

Thousands of pets, horses and livestock are affected by fireworks. Many hurt themselves in reaction to the noise and flashes and, in the worst cases, it can be fatal. 

Whilst private firework displays will always be harder to control, there are actions that Oldham Council can take when it comes to public firework displays. 

Therefore, can I ask what is being done this year to ensure that disruption to animals is minimised?  Is the council exploring the option of low noise fireworks?  Has Oldham Council considered the use of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO’s) to prohibit the use of fireworks near farms and other sensitive locations?

I appreciate that for more robust action against nuisance fireworks to be taken, a change in government legislation would be required.  So I would like to ask if Oldham Council will join with the RSPCA in calling on the government to reduce the maximum permitted noise level for public sale of fireworks from 120 decibels to 90 decibels, in line with international standards?

I look forward to your considered response.

“It’s taken four years to find common sense”:  Oldham Liberal Democrats welcome long-overdue no fee clean air plan  

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority is launching a new ‘Clean Air Strategy’ following years of delay and controversy over original plans for a fee-charging clean air zone were shelved in 2022. 

Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Group have welcomed the revised strategy, which will not involve charging for the use of any road in the city-region but could include financial support for taxi drivers.     

Leader of Oldham Liberal Democrats councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “This is what we should have had from the beginning.  A non-charging clean air strategy that focuses on helping to upgrade vehicles that need to be on the road like buses and taxis.  It’s a shame that it took four years and millions of pounds wasted on signs to find common sense.”

The revised strategy, which goes to Greater Manchester’s Air Quality Committee on today (01/10), could contain more than £50 million for new zero-emission busses and more than £30 million for a Clean Taxi Fund to help eligible taxi drivers upgrade to cleaner vehicles. 

Councillor Sykes said, “This is a much better approach, but we need to see more done to support ordinary drivers too.  If we want people to make the switch to electric cars we need the charging points in place and right now we don’t have nearly enough.” 

“There is also a risk that this strategy becomes obsessed with Manchester city centre, particularly when it comes to spending on improvements for roads.  We need investment in Oldham Borough and other parts of Greater Manchester too.”   

Read more about the Combined Authority’s ‘Clean Air Strategy’ here:
Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan | Clean Air Greater Manchester (cleanairgm.com)

More from councillor Sykes on the Clean Air Zone saga:
Clean Air Zone latest: “Burnham and Government must finally show some common sense” say Liberal Democrats  – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

Police local advice centres for Shaw and Crompton.

Shaw and Crompton surgeries at Crompton Library Farrow Street East, Shaw.

Wednesday 2nd Oct 2024 1100-1200 Hrs

Wednesday 6th Nov 2024 1100-1200 Hrs

Wednesday 4th Dec 2024 1100-1200 Hrs

“No more red tape and delays”: Fresh calls for outdated speed camera laws to be updated  

Oldham Liberal Democrats are once again calling for on the government to rapidly update the rules around the use of speed cameras.   

Current rules require at least two separate collisions involving fatalities or serious injuries to have occurred at a given location before new speed cameras are even considered.

Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader and Greater Manchester Transport spokesperson councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “One death on our roads is one too many.  These rules urgently need to change.  It’s something Liberal Democrats have called for time and again and there has been lots of people agreeing with us, but very little action.  I raised this repeatedly on Greater Manchester’s Transport Committee over several years.  The last government failed to act; will this new one be any better?”  

Saddleworth West and Lees representative councillor Alicia Marland raised the issue at a recent meeting of Oldham Council.  She challenged the Cabinet Member responsible for Highways to write to the new Secretary of State calling for urgent action.

Councillor Marland said, “These outdated regulations do not include non-injury incidents which it is estimated there are a 100 of for every injury or fatality, meaning there could be more than 200 accidents before any action is taken.  We need a complete change.” 

Oldham Council’s Cabinet Member said that the government would deliver a new criterion “by the start of the next financial year” but that the new plans would have to be approved by several bodies, including all ten Greater Manchester councils. 

Councillor Sykes said, “We need this sorted.  What we don’t need is more red tape and delays, because that could literally cost a life.  It’s very simple, we need the criteria that requires fatalities on our roads before a speed camera can be used to be removed.”

“There has been broad agreement on this issue across Greater Manchester.  We do not need the process to be referred back to the same bodies who called for the change in the first place.” 


Question to the Cabinet from councillor Alicia Marland – 11/09/24
The Cabinet Member will be aware that current rules require at least two separate collisions involving fatalities or serious injuries to have occurred at a given location before new speed cameras are even considered. 

These outdated regulations do not include non-injury incidents which it is estimated there are a 100 of for every injury or fatality, meaning there could be 200 accidents before any action is taken.  We need a complete change in the way we calculate and respond to risk on our roads.

The Liberal Democrats raised this issue time and again under the previous government, but no action was taken.  Will the Cabinet Member agree to write to the new Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh MP, calling for these criteria to be revised urgently?

Response from councillor Chris Goodwin
“Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have been requesting that the Department for Transport (DfT) carry out a review of the guidance on the safety camera criteria for a number of years. TfGM, therefore, had a review carried out of the national criteria by the Road Safety Support group who recently issued their draft recommendation on revised criteria to TfGM Safer Roads. This will shortly be issued to GM, the Vision Zero Board and all 10 Boroughs for their review and comment, with a view to having the new criteria in place by the start of next financial year.

It is likely the new criteria will remove some elements such as the requirement for fatal collisions along a route before safety camera interventions can be considered, but this is yet to be confirmed.

We will ensure that details of any consultation are shared in due course.”

Oldham Liberal Democrats & TfGM urge Department for Transport to update criteria (Feb 2024)
Department for Transport must update criteria for speed camera use says Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

Action need on speed cameras to save lives (Mar 2022)
Action needed on speed cameras to save lives say Liberal Democrats – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

“Winter fuel shame”: Government must change course say Oldham Liberal Democrats

Almost 8,000 people over the age of 80 are at risk of losing their Winter Fuel Payments in Oldham Borough due to planned government cuts.       

Oldham Liberal Democrats have called on the Labour Government to change course before its “too late” to protect these pensioners. 

Liberal Democrat Group Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “Thousands of pensioners across Oldham are really worried about how they will make it through winter.  Many are looking at a choice between heating and eating.  This is all over a cut to the Winter Fuel Allowance that wasn’t in the Labour Party manifesto.”

“It’s not too late for this new government to change course, reverse this cut and protect vulnerable pensioners this winter.”

Shocking new data shows that, in Oldham Borough, an estimated 7,800 pensioners over the age of 80 stand to lose out this winter under the government’s plans.  Age UK have previously said that 2.5 million pensioners across the country will “be in serious trouble” this winter due to the cutting of the payments.  

Councillor Sykes said, “These numbers are frightening.  Lots of people who receive these payments really rely on them.  They might not be getting pension credit or any other form of support.  This will push lots of pensioners into poverty this winter.”     


More from Oldham Liberal Democrats on the Winter Fuel cut (Sept 24)
85% of pensioners in Oldham Borough to lose out under Labour winter fuel cut  – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

Information on how to check your Pension Credit eligibility
Pension Credit: Liberal Democrat councillor Howard Sykes says: “Please check if you are eligible or if a relative is as many who are do not claim. As well as losing out on benefits pensioners are entitled to they will also now lose the £200-£300 winter fuel payment unless claiming pension credits.” – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

The latest statistics can be found here. Government data on Winter Fuel Payment here

Figures are provided by Westminster Parliamentary Constituency.  Indicative figures for Oldham Borough are taken by combining Oldham West & Royton, Oldham East & Saddleworth and one third of Ashton Under-Lyne, to represent the area covered by Oldham Council. 

Pension Credit Source – DWP StatExplore

Data from Age UK can be found here

A glimmer of hope for Oldham’s Age UK luncheon clubs

Following the statement released at the end of July, there is hope that the long established weekly lunch club run by Age UK is set to continue for residents to enjoy.

This proposed closure was as a result of spending cuts imposed in 2023 by the Labour Administration.  However, after an extensive media campaign, Councillor Alicia Marland has secured financial support from the community and her Liberal Democrat and fellow Opposition colleagues to ensure the clubs continue.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Alicia Marland confirmed “Age UK completed a strategic review of the five clubs which operate across the borough and some of the provision has changed to meet the needs of the elderly members.  They are adamant that they want these clubs to continue long into the future. 

“I have been able to network with members of the community to rally a commitment to support this club and I am extremely grateful to them and the Councillors from the Liberal Democrats, and fellow opposition parties who have given financial support as a result of my direct appeal. 

“There is still some way to go to secure the full funding amount that is needed to ensure the safety of these clubs so I would like to again appeal to the businesses, charitable trusts or residents for any financial assistance they can provide”. 

The format of the clubs has been slimmed down to include tea and refreshments but the elderly residents are happy with this proposed new format.  For them, the most important factor in attending these weekly clubs is getting out to see a friendly face, have fun and conversation with friends.   

She added: “I am thrilled that my appeal has raised thousands of pounds to help ensure these services continue long into the future.  However Age UK still require further financial support as not all the clubs are yet fully funded.  So I want to appeal to the people and businesses of Oldham and Saddleworth to help in any way and please make contact with me”.

Email: alicia.marland@oldham.gov.uk   

New police station essential for Oldham

Oldham should not be forced to accept a police station in as poor condition as the central station in the town centre, say local Liberal Democrat councillors.

Deputy leader of the Oldham Liberal Democrat group Sam Al-Hamdani wrote to GM Mayor Andy Burnham and deputy mayor Kate Green, insisting that action is taken to replace the crumbling building. 

Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “The building is an eyesore that is not fit for purpose. When the current police chief Stephen Watson was appointed in 2021, he called it ‘like the former GDR (German Democratic Republic)’.

“Well it’s had three more years to get worse, and something needs to be done. People in Oldham need to see that the police are taking things seriously, and operating out of that building sends entirely the wrong message.”

The Deputy Mayor confirmed that while they intended to develop a new station, no timescale existed for its replacement. Some improvements to the police station are due to be completed later this year, but a comprehensive solution is needed.

Councillor Al-Hamdani continued: “We need a police station that officers can use effectively and be proud of. At the moment, if they arrest someone, they have to take them to a station outside the area, because the current police station has no cells, and isn’t in a good enough condition to get ones put in.

“There are so many examples of officers and local people’s time being wasted because the building is just not in a good enough state. Everyone needs a station that makes policing easier, not harder. That can’t come soon enough.”

Victoria station – welding works are taking place on 29 September:

The work over these two Sundays will begin at 02:00 and finish at 10:00, meaning Metrolink services will not pass through Victoria until after 10:00 on these days.

Further information on service patterns is available on the TfGM website.

https://tfgm.com/

Plastic recycling updated from Monday 14 October

For many years across Greater Manchester (with the exception of Wigan), the only type of plastic collected for recycling was plastic bottles.

This is because plastic bottles are made from high-quality plastics (PET and HDPE) which are widely recycled by plastics reprocessors in the UK, however, there were limited sustainable markets for other types of plastic packaging.

By April 2026, the government requires all councils in England to recycle a consistent set of materials as part of its Simpler Recycling Policy. This means that wherever you live in England you will be able to recycle the same at work and at home.

As part of the government’s drive to improve recycling, several other policies are also being introduced to simplify the process, encouraging manufacturers to design packaging that is more easily recycled and to make packaging out of recycled materials to close the loop.

Due to these changes, Recycle for Greater Manchester (R4GM) is upgrading its materials recovery facility where mixed recycling is sorted and separated. This will allow us to collect and sort a wider range of plastic packaging.

Marking National Recycle Week, from Monday 14 October all residents living in Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, and Trafford will be able to recycle plastic pots, tubs, and trays, as well as plastic bottles in their mixed recycling bin at home.

This means that the following materials can be put in recycling bins at home:

• Plastic pots (e.g. yoghurt, soup, cosmetics, etc)
• Plastic tubs (e.g. margarine, laundry powder, etc)
• Plastic trays including black plastic trays (e.g. raw and cooked meat, fruit and veg punnets, etc)
• Plastic bottles (e.g. milk, pop, bleach, cleaning products, trigger sprays, shampoo)
• Glass bottles and jars
• Food tins and drink cans
• Aerosols
• Foil

No plastic film, carrier bags, crisp packets, or pet food pouches. 

All items must be clean and empty of any food or drink.

Nuisance fireworks – how to report them.

Fireworks are a traditional part of Bonfire Night but they can cause nuisance or serious accidents every year.

If you buy fireworks, make sure they are marked for ‘Indoor, Garden or Display’ use.

The Fireworks Regulations 2004 prohibits:

– Anyone under 18 years from possessing fireworks in a public place

– Anyone except professionals from possessing display fireworks

– Any fireworks that detonate at a higher level than 120 decibels

– The use of fireworks at night (11pm – 7am) in England and Wales. There are, however, extensions for the use of fireworks at night for: Bonfire Night – until midnight

If fireworks are being let off between 11pm and 7am and outside of specific occasions listed under the Fireworks Regulations Act 2004, please report this to GMP by calling 101, or calling Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. You can also share information online at www.gmp.police.uk.

If someone is persistently letting off fireworks on their property during the permitted times of 7am and 11pm, and a resident feels it is causing a nuisance, they can report this to Oldham Council’s Environmental Health team by emailing ENVhealth@oldham.gov.uk.