'Skippers' set to postpone Full Council meeting for 24 hours

Councillor Sean Fielding, Oldham Council Leader, and Councillor Howard Sykes, Opposition Group Leader, discussed delaying the Full Council meeting following England’s 2-0 victory over Sweden on Saturday

Oldham Council is set to ‘postpone’ its Full Council meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) to avoid clashing with England’s World Cup semi-final game.

Respective ‘skippers’ Councillor Sean Fielding, Oldham Council Leader, and Councillor Howard Sykes, Opposition Group Leader, discussed the matter following England’s 2-0 victory over Sweden on Saturday.

That win put England into the World Cup’s last four for the first time since 1990 and the game against Croatia – which kicks off at 7pm tomorrow - is expected to be watched by millions. 

Papers had already been issued for this Full Council meeting which, constitutionally, means it cannot simply be cancelled.

The meeting will begin at 6pm as planned. However, both teams are now set to work together to see it ‘postponed’.

A motion will now be put forward by Cllr Fielding, and seconded by Cllr Sykes, requesting that the meeting is immediately adjourned. 

Subject to approval by members, the Full Council meeting will then be ‘replayed’ 24 hours later on Thursday, July 12, starting at 6pm.

Oldham Council is still accepting Public Questions for this meeting but the deadline to submit them remains 5pm on Wednesday, July 11.

Moving the meeting back 24 hours will not incur any additional costs.