Take down the CAZ signs and make sure it’s not Oldham footing the bill demand Oldham Liberal Democrats

Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has written to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham calling for Clean Air Zone signs across Oldham and Greater Manchester to be taken down. 

Sykes’s letter to Burnham follows the recent announcement of the new Greater Manchester ‘Clean Air Strategy’, which replaces the controversial ‘Clean Air Zone’ pitched by Burnham in 2020.

Councillor Sykes said, “Now that common sense has been discovered and we are no longer looking at a city-wide clean air zone or at charging everyone for driving to work every day, it’s clear that the vast majority of CAZ signs will have to be removed.” 

In July 2022, a Freedom of Information investigation conducted by Oldham Liberal Democrats revealed that Transport for Greater Manchester had spent more than £3 million on signage spanning the whole of Greater Manchester.  The new clean air policy means the signage will no longer be required.

Councillor Sykes said, “Now that it’s clear that there will be no charging clean air zone, these signs need to be taken down.  More than £3 million of public money has already been wasted on these signs.  We want assurances that any fresh costs will not be passed onto local councils like Oldham.”

“These signs are an embarrassment especially with visitors to Greater Manchester.  This is Mayor Burnham’s mess to clear up and his budget (still public cash) is big enough to cope.” 

Councillor Sykes writes to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham over CAZ signs

Andy Burnham
Mayor of Greater Manchester

Dear Mr Burnham,

Removal of CAZ signs across Oldham and Greater Manchester  

Following the recent update of the Greater Manchester Clean Air Strategy, it is now clear that the vast majority of CAZ road signs will have to be removed, including those in Oldham Borough. 

As you will be aware, a significant amount of public money has been wasted on CAZ signs given the review which very quickly followed after they were put up across Greater Manchester.   

I am writing to ask when this work is set to be carried out?  I would be grateful if you could provide a breakdown of the anticipated costs involved and provide assurances that costs will not be passed on to local authorities. 

I look forward to your detailed response.

Best wishes,

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE

Oldham Liberal Democrats reveal the cost of Burnham’s CAZ signs (July 2022)
Clean Air Zone:  More than £3 million spent on signs Liberal Democrats reveal – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

“Good for the planet and good for people’s pockets”: Sykes urges government to extend £2 bus fares.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader and Greater Manchester Transport Spokesperson councillor Howard Sykes MBE has joined calls for the Government to extend the funding that supports the £2 bus fare cap.

Single bus fares in England have been capped at £2 since January last year, but the Labour Government has declined to say whether the policy will continue past the current end date of December 31.

Councillor Sykes said, “Bus companies and passengers need certainty during a cost-of-living crisis that is still ongoing.  The £2 cap on fares has clearly encouraged more people to use public transport.  We need to encourage that because it’s good for the planet and good for people’s pockets.”

“Liberal Democrats want to see the cap extended into 2025 and beyond.”

“If the fare cap is not extended, people making journeys from rural areas or between towns and cities are likely to see the biggest rise in the cost of their journeys.”

“These are the sort of journeys that people from across Oldham Borough make every day.  So, it’s vital that the cap is extended and costs are kept down for people next year.”


Councillor Sykes welcomes capped fares but warns of cuts to services
Liberal Democrat Leader welcomes capped fares but warns of ‘vicious cycle of cut services’ – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

Oldham Council updates stray dog policy after pressure from Sykes  

Oldham Council have issued a new policy just one day after Liberal Democrat Group Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE slammed the lack of support available to residents trying to report a stray dog.

Councillor Sykes said, “Residents got in touch because they were frustrated with the lack of support available on the council website if you come across a stray dog.”

“At long last, the Council has now provided some contact details that residents can use.”     

Residents can report a stray or lost dog to Acorn Kennels on weekdays (Monday to Friday), between 8am and 3.45pm by using the online reporting page or by phoning 01948 662931.

Councillor Sykes slams Oldham Council for having “no plan” for stray dogs
Oldham Council slammed for having “no plan” for stray dogs – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

World Mental Health Day – 10 Oct.

The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in support of mental health.

The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

Shaw police surgery Wed 16 Oct.

Oldham Council slammed for having “no plan” for stray dogs   

Liberal Democrat Group Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has slammed Oldham Council for having “no plan” for how to handle stray dogs in the Borough. 

Councillor Sykes said, “Residents have been contacting us after they’ve come across a stray dog, looked at how to report the problem and found there is no real support from the Oldham Council.”

“The information on the Oldham Council website is.  Unless you’re able to catch the dog and safely drive it to Harpurhey, there’s really not much advice at all.”

A ‘stray animals’ advice page on the Council website states that “The Council is in the process of implementing new arrangements for the collection of stray dogs… We expect this to be in place by Autumn 2024.”

Residents are advised that they can take a stray dog to Manchester Dogs Home in Harpurhey between the hours 9am-4pm.  The Council state that “If you cannot keep the dog secure, please contact an animal rescue centre, and they might be able to assist you.”  No contact details for local rescue centres are provided. 

Councillor Sykes said, “This ‘advice’ is really poor and even unsafe.  Is the council really suggesting that residents should have to take matters into their own hands and potentially put themselves in harms way?  When will proper arrangements be in place?  Oldham is full of dog-owners and you only have to have a look at local community groups on social media to know that pets do get lost.  This is no plan at all and the Council needs to do better, this is just another case of not getting the basics right.”  

“It’s certainly not good enough to tell people to contact a rescue centre without providing any contact details.  I hope this is urgently put right so that people looking to do the right thing are properly supported by their Council.”     

The Oldham Council advice page for stray dogs can be found here.

23 November Shaw Christmas Lights Switch-On.

“A welcome change indeed”. 

Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillor Louie Hamblett and Shadow Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing has welcomed the news that changing places toilets are being opened across district town halls. This was after Cllr Hamblett and former Councillor Hazel Gloster brought the concept to council at 9th September 2020 meeting and was passed unanimously.

Cllr L Hamblett said “I am pleased to hear the news that Changing Places are now open at Chadderton Town Hall, Failsworth Town Hall, and Royton Town Hall.  I hope more will open in other parts of Oldham so people can utilise them.

He also added by saying I am glad that the Government have also backed this campaign and by doing so shows that people living conditions Crohn’s or Colitis disease, or IBS can have real day to day issues that changing places can make a big difference”.

Media release 1 Sept 2020 – Not every disability is visible

The Oldham Liberal Democrats are backing a national campaign to raise public awareness that not everyone who uses an accessible public toilet has a visible disability. The campaign by the charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK encourages venues with such toilets to install special signage with the logo ‘Not every disability is visible’.

Crompton Councillor Louie Hamblett, who is the Shadow Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, is raising this issue in a motion to the next meeting of the full Council (September 9). He said:  “This motion is timely.  The requirement to wear face coverings in shops and on public transport has started to raise public awareness that people can be exempted from their use because of a hidden disability.  Accessible toilets, often opened using a RADAR key, are also sometimes needed by people who have a hidden disability.  This campaign is around raising public awareness of that fact to help stop stigma and discrimination, and inappropriate challenges by staff, against those who have ‘invisible illnesses’, such as Crohn’s Disease”.

“The Oldham Liberal Democrats want the Council to ensure that the accessible toilets in our buildings all have this signage and that our onsite staff all receive appropriate training.  We would also like to see retailers and leisure outlets across our borough encouraged to do the same”.

The motion also calls on the Council to install a Changing Places toilet in any new large Council building that opens to the public, and for new and existing Changing Places toilets to be properly sign-posted.  The Government has legislated to make such toilets compulsory from next year.

Shaw Councillor Hazel Gloster, who is backing the motion, said:  “The new legal requirement to provide Changing Places toilets to enable people with severe disabilities to use purpose-built facilities affording them proper privacy and dignity is very welcome and long overdue.  As a local authority with a duty to serve the public we have a responsibility to ensure that we properly plan for their provision in any of our new buildings.  It is completely unacceptable that people with severe disabilities have to sometimes wait hours to be able to access an appropriate toilet that meets their needs”.

The motion to the full meeting of Oldham Council (September 9, 2020) reads:

Not every Disability is Visible

This Council notes that:

• The charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK is encouraging venues providing accessible public toilets to install new signage.  This is to help stop stigma and discrimination towards people with ‘invisible illnesses’ such as Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis.
• There have been instances nationally where such individuals using an accessible toilet have been accused by staff members of being ineligible to use them.
• These signs have two standing figures and a wheelchair user with the words Accessible Toilet and the logo ‘Not every disability is visible’.
• The Government has decided recently that large accessible toilets for severely disabled people – known as Changing Places – will be made compulsory for large new buildings, such as shopping centres, supermarkets, sports and arts venues, in England from 2021.

Council resolves to:

• Ensure that accessible toilets on Council premises bear these signs.
• Ask town and district centre retailers and leisure outlets to do likewise with their accessible public toilets.
• Seek advice from the charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK on the information and training we should provide to Council Staff members.  This is so they understand these illnesses and to prevent potential embarrassment for those who suffer with them.
• Ensure that any Changing Places toilets in our buildings are properly signposted for visitors.
• Ensure that the requirement to provide new Changing Place toilets is included within the Council’s future plans for new public buildings in the Borough.

Proposed by: Councillor Louie Hamblett          

Seconded by: Councillor Hazel Gloster                                                         

Plastic recycling improved 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.

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.