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Parking fines trail
Reporter: Karen Doherty
Date online: 18 March 2010
Oldham Council Cabinet reports
£283,000 in unpaid parking fines is still being chased by the council.
Motorists who didn’t pay up last year were never chased for the cash because of a computer problem.
It was then “written off” by the council, attracting claims of incompetence.
But Councillor Lynne Thompson, Cabinet member for finance, said “writing off” was an accountancy procedure for the budget and did not mean the council has given up chasing the debt.
About £33,000 has since been recovered.
Tram line defended
PLANS to demolish the Metrolink line through Werneth and Mumps when a separate town centre line is completed have been defended.
The first line will be axed when the second becomes operational in 2014.
This will leave Oldham with a new Metrolink and bus interchange at the former B&Q site and stops in Union Street, King Street, Manchester Street and Westwood.
Councillor Dave Hibbert said: “It is an exciting opportunity.”
Business boost
NEW businesses in the borough will benefit from a share of £1.7million to boost the economy.
The three-year Intensive Start Up Support programme will be funded with a £1million grant from the European Regional Development Fund, and £292,000 each from Oldham and Rochdale councils.
Comments
Well I think we should be applauding these parasites (councillors) for the complete devotion to the highest levels of incompetency, I think we should give then a pay rise of 50% for doing so well
I bet the Liberal Democrat Party won't give them a Liberal Democrat Group of the Year award for that.
'writing off' was an accountancy procedure for the budget?
Something has either been 'written off' or it hasn't - stop trying to cook the books
Hibbert is right. Saddleworth won't like it because they may be forced to actually pass through Oldham town centre. They can always go to Halifax, Huddersfield and Leeds.
But the removal of that line will create more usable space for creating job opportunities for Oldhamers.
Have Your Say
The Council fails to collect £283,000 of our money in another of a long list of failures and we're supposed to be delighted that they've managed to recover £33,000. Wow - Lyne Thompson - thanks for nothing. If I'd failed like that in my job I'd be sacked.
By goneaway @ 18/03/2010 12:40:02