Park project so close to fruition

SHAW and crompton parish council reports by Richard Hooton

THE £1 million lottery bid to renovate Dunwood Park has only one more hurdle to clear.

Friends of Dunwood Park chairman Mike McGrother gave an update on the application, saying three stages of the process had been successfully completed.

The group will meet Oldham Council’s parks department in the next 10 days to map out a strategy and will then look for the community’s support for the development.

He recalled how four years ago the parish council donated £100 to start the process.

Mr McGrother said: “I would ask you to encourage all community groups, schools, voluntary organisations and individuals to consider how they might make use of the park in future.”

Councillor Howard Sykes congratulated those who have prepared the bid and said they were now on the last bend.

He said the parish council would help to mobilise the community by writing to groups.

A motion was passed stating that the parish council is pleased the bid has successfully reached the final stage and urging the community to demonstrate its commitment to Dunwood Park’s future.


Centre improvements nearing completion

IMPROVEMENTS to Shaw town centre are well under way, said Councillor Howard Sykes.

He gave an update on the work and displayed plans showing where new road and pedestrian signs will go, the pedestrianisation of Newtown Street, a pedestrian crossing in Greenfield Lane, paving in Horton Square and the refurbishment of the footway at Milne Street.

Work has started apart from putting in the signs, which will start in the new year. The rest of the construction work will be finished before the Christmas rush begins.

New three-hour parking bays in Westway will prevent the problem of parking spaces being clogged up all day.

The changes will cost £194,000, partly paid for by Asda as part of the planning agreement for its Shaw store.

The aim is to make more people aware of the range of shops and services in Shaw and to improve access.


Budget draft shows spending increase

A FIRST draft of the parish council’s budget has been drawn up showing total spending of £97,449 — an increase of 4.5 per cent.

It allows for 20 per cent extra on heating, lighting and cleaning bills and 5 per cent more on rates, insurance, subscriptions, audit fee, publications and phone, print and postage bills.

The environment committee’s expenditure has been increased to £23,500 and grants to £3,750.

There is no increase to members’ expenses, apart from 3 per cent to the chairman’s allowance to cover inflation.

SOME Shaw traders have asked the parish council about changing market day from Thursday to Wednesday or Friday. Members agreed to pass on their representations to the relevant department and seek views from other traders.

COUNCILLORS agreed to spend £58.80 on each of five banners advertising the Christmas charity market. The event takes place at St Paul's Church on Saturday, December 13.

l A constitution was agreed for the new audit and budget sub-committee.