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Consultation was a ‘sham’
Date published: 14 February 2012
Sykes seeks leisure review probe
A FULL examination of the leisure review consultation has been called for by local Lib-Dem leader Howard Sykes.
The Shaw councillor has formally asked Oldham Council’s chairman of overview and scrutiny to carry out an investigation into the consultation and decision to relocate Crompton Pool to Royton.
He says objectors’ comments were ignored and that no detailed site assessment or financial business case was presented to cabinet — and he is now demanding answers.
Councillor Sykes said: “The original public document was so full of holes that Shaw was completely ignored.
“Let’s also not forget that sites in Shaw were only added ‘for consideration’ after the Shaw Baths Action Group kicked up a stink and I had suggested five additional sites.
“This Labour administration should be properly called to account for their decisions and asked to provide appropriate evidence to prove that this has been anything other than the ‘sham’ most people believe it to have been.”
A decision was made to close both Royton Health Centre and Crompton Pool and Fitness Centre — known locally as Shaw baths — after the consultation.
Plans to replace them with one new facility are still in the early stages, with seven of the nine proposed locations in Royton.
In contacting the scrutiny chair, Councillor Sykes is demanding to know on what basis conclusions were drawn and how the review and consultations were conducted.
He argues that “little confidence” is held that the consultation has been, in his words, “genuine”.
He added: “I believe that the people of this borough, in particular those in Royton, Shaw and Crompton, have a right to know how and why decisions have been made.”
Comments
awww poor howard!
now he knows how most oldhamers felt with his own "sham consultations" on the metrolink.
almost every single reason for objecting to it has come true.
Sorry on seeing the headline I thought the article was another one about the appalling state of affairs known as Metrolink. Now that is a complete sham in more ways than one!!
Either councillor Sykes is very Naieve, or he has experience of the process. Has there ever been a consultation which has been seriously regarded? Everyone knows they're a joke, look at the revent metrolink one where all sides came together to tell us that they thought.
Consultation sham? Now where have I heard that before.....?
Metrolink, Tommyfield Market, various planning applications.
Or anything the council wants to do, that the council tax payer doesn't want them to do?
How much did Sykes prevaricate over the Leisure Review while he was in control? He could have delivered a new pool in Shaw but he didn't. And of course he's making a song and dance about it now, three months before he's up for re-election as a Shaw councillor. But then it's always been easier to nowt and moan
To consult or not to consult, That is the question: I have yet to see or hear of a consultation that is LOCAL that has been listened to. No matter what we say, do, petition, write to and speak to our councillors, it does not work. I feel we have been put in the back yard and are only brought out when it is voting time. Time the people took the vote back and demanded delivery from the elected one.
oldham Market and Town center is a Disgrace compared to what it was in the past, I know , Iwas brought up there. Shaw will soon be the same., the only amenety will be the Library, and how long will that last. All the money seems to be spent in Royton. New helth center, New Leisure center, and what next. I wonder?
Crompton moor consultation sham, there's another one to add!
It's almost as if Councillor Sykes is about to face an election...
Oh dear Mr sykes, what pickle you seem to have got yourself into what do you feel about the responses people have put about you, the phrase involves stones and glass houses me thinks!!
Have Your Say
Is anyone surprised here? If Liebour are involved there is almost certain to be subterfuge and incompetence. And dont forget Shaw is LibDem territory while Royton is Liebour so its obvious where the new 'facility' will go.
By Ididsaythat! @ 14/02/2012 16:04:56