MP backs single Royton committee

SUPPORTERS of a single Royton area committee have received some high-profile backing in the form of Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher.

The Royton Community Council was abolished and replaced with a Royton and Shaw Area Committee at the full council meeting of July 16, despite the opposition of local councillors, who claim the majority of Roytoners consulted were against the moves.

Now Mr Meacher has sounded his opposition to the moves, claiming that the people of Royton are being gagged.

He said: “Royton Community Council has always had robust and well attended meetings, pushing for improvements for the people of Royton.

“These new arrangements mean that Royton will be the only township in Oldham without its own voice as, of course, Shaw has its own parish council.”

Mr Meacher is also concerned that the new area is too large, as it covers two Oldham constituencies. He said: “While most of the new area committees have approximately 10,000 residents, the new Shaw/Royton Area Committee will cover 45,000 residents.

“This move is against the Government’s wishes that local people be involved and have influence on decisions regarding their area. Royton is a proud town and the residents want to be involved in helping their town to improve.”