Cash in on being unique, says new man at the top
Reporter: Ken Bennett
Date published: 13 October 2008
New council chief exec’s vision for borough’s future
OLDHAM has to tackle head-on the threat of a Saddleworth breakaway by providing “real proper-quality services”, according to Charlie Parker, the council’s new chief executive who takes up his job today.
Mr Parker says that the “sense of UDI, people wanting to be independent” can only be overcome if people see the value of the council.
“Often councils are very easy to knock,” says Mr Parker, “and we have got to do something which says to people: ‘Well, actually, that worked very well. My council does that’.”
And Mr Parker is keen to promote Oldham and its links with Leeds as well as with Greater Manchester as a unique selling point for business as well as residents.
“We don’t promote — we don’t look outwards as a borough. People tend to have sloping shoulders and be a bit, sort of, internalised. Well, hello, why?”
Mr Parker sees Saddleworth as part of Oldham’s uniqueness along with other districts across the borough.
“We’ve got to capitalise on this uniqueness of having a number of district centres and local areas which are quite identified by having a unique selling point around them.
“I think that’s a strength. I don’t think its good if everything looks the same in monochrome. It’s better to have a bit of individuality and a bit of uniqueness.
“But we have to turn the question around: If people in Saddleworth and other districts don’t think we are relevant why is that? We have to make them feel that we are important and we play a role which helps their daily lives and makes their quality of life good.”
Mr Parker believes that Oldham is ripe for investment but accepts that now is not the time for investment decisions. “But we have got to be ready to take advantage of the upside when it comes into the economy,” he says.
The new chief executive acknowledges the importance of Metrolink to Oldham but says that we should not be afraid to look the other way, too.
“We’re part of Greater Manchester but we are also an important stopping point on the way to Leeds and I think we are quite unique so we have to ask:
What do we do with some of our sites?
What are we doing with premises?
What are the niche secondary trading markets to look at?
How does the town centre work?
What expansion is needed in the town centre and how do we facilitate that?
Mr Parker says that Oldham’s aim should be to build a lasting legacy.
“If you rush some things then you only make short-term decisions. You’ve got to make decisions that work, that are relevant and create some value.”
