United against post office closures

COUNCILLORS were united in the battle to save threatened post offices throughout the borough.

And they want to explore ways of supporting the existing network in partnership with other agencies and Post Office Limited to prevent any future threats.

In particular, they want to explore ways that post offices can become gateways to public services.

The stance came in the council’s official response to Government plans to axe post offices in Buckstones Road, Shaw; Egerton Street, Brackley Square; Grasscroft; Greenacres Moor, Huddersfield Road; Lees; Lower Rushcroft, Shaw; Ripponden Road, Moorside; and Scouthead.

A council-compiled report outlines the reasons why each one should stay open.

It says post offices are an essential local service and the council opposes all the closures.

It does not believe that Post Office Ltd has given sufficient consideration to the impact closures would cause and asks it to reconsider.

Petitions have received 6,456 signatures to save the Lees branch, 500 for Egerton Street and 412 for Lower Rushcroft in Shaw.

Councillor Ann Wingate defended Lower Rushcroft saying: “Closure would mean a major loss to this community, which has the post office at its heart.”

Councillor Rod Blyth added that closure would affect a row of shops there.

Councillor Val Sedgwick was appalled that Lees is on the list and said it would rip the heart out of the community. Roadworks meant the research on its closure was flawed.

Councillor John McCann was delighted the council was united across the board.

But there were warnings there would be no alternative services, such as mobile post vans or any mechanism for people to take over branches and that saving one may mean another takes its place.

The only call to close one was Councillor Roger Hindle pointing out that Moorside went eight years ago and is now a house with inhabitants.

l OLDHAM has a mountain to climb in providing more and better sports facilities.

Community services and housing cabinet member Councillor John McCann gave the warning in response to a question from Ken Edwards, of Chadderton Park FC.

He asked if the council thought there were sufficient sporting facilities in Chadderton and, if not, were they prepared to work with others to change it.

Chadderton Labour Councillor Colin McLaren said all the councillors in Chadderton were happy to work with any group to improve facilities.

He pointed out that a football development partnership will improve Crossley and Clayton Playing Fields.

Conservative Councillor Len Quinn said school playing fields were fortified with fencing and the biggest problem was finding space to play.

Councillor McCann said: “This council is trying to increase sports provision throughout the whole borough, not just Chadderton.” problem but a problem throughout the country.‰ Figures showed Chadderton actually had the best provision in the area.

The main problem was land and money because of a lack of funding from the Government, he added.

AS many council workers went on strike over pay, councillors were praised for attending the meeting.

Mayor Councillor Shoab Akhtar said: „I know that today is a strike day and I would like to thank members for attending.‰

COUNCILLOR Barbara Beeley congratulated Oldham Police on its good performance results in its latest assessment.

She was also pleased there will be a new area inspector for Saddleworth.

COUNCILLOR Derek Heffernan called on members to think of the brave men and women who put their lives at risk to fight fires.

He recalled the recent tragic blaze in Bolton where a woman died and three fire fighters were injured rescuing a mother and child.

COUNCILLOR Alan Roughley asked for a review on call-in policy.

He was concerned that a cabinet decision for a new standard rate of £350 per week for residential home care placements was made exempt from call-in. It was undemocratic and would have allowed the cabinet another look at a controversial issue, he said.

Council leader Councillor Howard Sykes said there were adequate safeguards as two parties in effect have to agree to the decision.