Saddleworth Councillor stands as candidate in borough elections

Cllr Steve Hewitt

Councillor Steve Hewitt, a campaigning community champion heading a conservation group, has been told he can stand as a candidate again in next year’s borough elections.
 
The dramatic  turn round came just a few days after a meeting for  short listing Labour candidates to stand in Oldham council  local elections in 2020.

On Friday, September 14 it is believed three Labour members voted to shortlist three candidates.
 
When asked if they wanted to shortlist Cllr Hewitt, the sitting councillor in the Saddleworth West and Lees Ward, they declined and he was deselected by the party.

That  initial news was greeted with anger and  dismay by the staunch members of Save our Valleys (SOV) committee which Cllr Hewitt chairs.

However, on scrutiny it was found that the meeting did not meet the criteria needed in the rule book and  the decision was overturned on Monday September 16 after Cllr Hewitt complained to region.

The later news  was greeted with a warm response from the Save Our Valleys supporters who gave a round of applause at  their  meeting on Monday night at Grotton pavilion.

Meantime,  TheSave our Valleys team are hosting a  fundraising  quiz next Thursday (27)  at the Springhead Liberal Club with prizes for the winners and a buffet for all of those who sign up to SOV.

The committee are working in a host of additional fundraising initiatives to boost funds.

Thry have already raised £20,000 for the Save Our Valleys (SOV) Judicial Review Fighting Fund to challenge moves to build houses in their valleys.

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