Lib-Dem leader announces Oldham 'Real Opposition' team for 22-23

Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has announced his 'Real Opposition' team for 2022/23. 

The announcement comes after a successful set of local elections for the Liberal Democrats, which saw the group gain a seat in Saddleworth West and Lees.

Cllr Sykes said: “I am proud to be leading the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council and to be leading a team that is ready to hold the Council and Labour to account. 

"This year we are joined by the newly-elected councillor Alicia Marland, who is joining Mark Kenyon and Sam Al-Hamdani making up a formidable team of community champions for Saddleworth West and Lees residents.

“At a time when so many people across the Oldham borough are facing the effects of the Conservative cost-of-living crisis, the Liberal Democrats remain the only group holding Labour to account on Oldham Council, and we shall continue to take that responsibility seriously.

“Oldham Liberal Democrats will continue to oppose Labour’s indulgent and wasteful spending at the Civic Centre. 

"Now more than ever, we need councillors who will speak out against vanity projects such as £68 million on ‘Spendles’. 

"We need to direct more of our residents’ hard-earned Council Tax money into the front-line services that most matter to people, such as street cleaning, parks maintenance, road repairs, social care and alike."

Cllr Sykes added: “The Liberal Democrats will also be fighting for better facilities and an improved retail and leisure offer in our district centres. 

"We will keep up the pressure on to make sure the new health centre for Shaw and Crompton gets back on track. 

"We shall continue to be opposed to Green Belt development, including Labour’s ‘Places for Everyone’ plan. 

"Our beautiful and unique local environment must be safeguarded for future generations.

“People expect the Council to get the basics right – that is clearly not the case at the moment and this failure will continue to be our focus that will make a difference to people’s lives. 

"That is what the public have told us they want."

Group Officers:

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE - Group Leader

Councillor Chris Gloster - Deputy Group Leader

Councillor Louie Hamblett - Group Chair

Councillor Diane Williamson - Group Secretary

Councillor Hazel Gloster - Group Treasurer

Councillor Mark Kenyon - Group Political Secretary

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