Leader hits back after council is slammed for 'half-hearted' warm bank plans

Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes, has criticised Labour council bosses over their plans to provide warm banks this winter in the Borough. 

The Lib-Dems found that all the council’s earmarked locations are in public libraries, and none are open on Sundays.

Councillor Sykes said: “This is simply not good enough. 

"It is unimaginative and half-hearted. 

"The cost-of-living crisis doesn’t take Sunday off. 

"We need warm spaces that are accessible to residents all the time. 

"The council has only utilised libraries. 

"What about community centres and other public buildings? 

"What about those buildings used by faith groups? 

"In a rich country like Britain, it’s shameful that we need to consider ideas like warm banks to begin with, but if we’re going to do this, we need to do it properly. 

"It could make a real difference for vulnerable residents.”

The Lib-Dems insist that warm banks were adopted by Oldham Council after Councillor Sykes wrote to them in early August.

A Lib-Dem motion calling for them was passed at the Council meeting in September. 

Councillor Sykes added: “We have dragged the council kicking and screaming on this.   

"Labour have tagged warm banks onto the end of their cost-of-living plans, but clearly their hearts aren’t in it. 

"The rest of their plan is unambitious. 

"£1.2 million of the promised £3 million won’t even be spent this year. 

"It’s an outrage and it doesn’t hold up to what is being offered by other local authorities.”

Responding to Councillor Sykes' criticism, Oldham Council Leader Councillor Amanda Chadderton clearly isn't impressed.

She said: "To say we’ve been dragged here kicking and screaming is quite a stretch.

"Warm banks are one element of our comprehensive response to the cost of living emergency which was drawn up in consultation with other frontline organisations and plans were well underway by the time Cllr Sykes had written to us.

"That is why our libraries are already up and running as warm banks, with all other services continuing to operate.

"We are working with partners to open more sites as soon as possible and there will be at least three in every district.

"Cllr Sykes' criticism would be better aimed at the Tories who created this crisis through their disastrous management of the economy.

"Under Labour, Oldham Council is investing £3million to support residents affected by the cost of living emergency."

Anyone in need of support should visit: www.oldham.gov.uk/wecanhelp or call 0161 770 7007.

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