Clean, mean and green

Oldham Full Council Meeting

PLUGGING the £17.3 million budget gap needs cross-party commitment to produce a cleaner, greener and meaner Oldham Council.

The leaders of all three main parties agreed to stop squabbling and work together to balance the books by February.

Cuts suggested so far, such as a reduction in the youth services budget, the closure of the High Barn day care centre in Royton and a minimising of the town’s library facilities, have been controversial.

But members agreed that tough decisions need to be made. Council leader Howard Sykes said: “Everyone is aware of the difficult situation the council finds itself in.

“The budget situation can no longer be put off or fudged or fixed for another year.

“The council needs to be lean and mean but creative and responsive. Cuts need to be made and this will be unpleasant.”

Councillor Jim McMahon, leader of the opposition, said: “People are sick of us coming to this chamber and acting like children when there are serious and difficult budget cuts to be made.

“Some of the ideas put forward are not ideal but they are acceptable and we need to be realistic.

“We all want the best for the people who elected us — the very best deal for the people of Oldham.”

Councillor Lynne Thompson, Lib-Dem cabinet member for finance, added: “Tough choices now stare us in the face and we have to act quicker and more radically than ever before.”

Councillors unanimously approved a report outlining the work done so far and the first stage of the cuts and agreed to iron out the finer details at February’s full council meeting.

No choice but First Choice for council tenants

LABOUR’S bid to give council house tenants an alternative option to First Choice Homes as landlord was defeated.

Tenants are to be balloted on whether FCH is transformed into a housing association to maintain council houses.

The Lib-Dems say the move will unlock £468 million over 30 years to improve the properties.

Labour recommended testing the market through open competition to see what other registered social landlords could offer tenants.

Councillor Dave Hibbert said he backed FCH but it should not be the only candidate. Market testing would best protect the future quality of life for residents.

Councillor Peter Dean said there should be various providers so tenants can weigh up the options.

But Lib-Dem Councillor John McCann opposed the motion and said it would delay the stock transfer of 12,000 houses at a time when action was needed, costing FCH more than £2.5million a year.

He was backed by Tory Councillor Jack Hulme who said he was astonished by the motion as work on the issue had been taking place over nine months and tenants had been involved.

The motion was defeated by 32 votes to 21.

Labour later said they were dismayed.No cheap classes for over 60sA PASSIONATE plea was made to reconsider the decision made two years ago to abolish concessionary rates for over 60s joining classes run by Oldham Lifelong Learning Service.

Age Concern Oldham’s chairman of trustees, Jill Reid, said such classes are the best way to encourage physical and mental activity.

She said: “We appreciate there are issues of affordability but believe that no great expense would be incurred. We are not asking for free classes but classes at the concessionary rate.

But Councillor Kay Knox said to reinstate the discount would contravene Government regulations. She added that discounts are available for everyone on benefits.

Plan for a shuttle busSHUTTLE buses could soon be seen transporting shoppers from car parks and train stations in a bid to bring Oldham in line with other areas of Greater Manchester.

Councillor John Dillon said the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority had written to each district to see which areas would be interested in the scheme.

Bolton and Stockport have already started a shuttle programme.

Only 25 per cent of funding would come from the GMPTA with the rest having to be found locally.


New powers to fill empty homes 

NEW powers allow the council to take action to deal with the problem of Oldham’s empty houses — there are currently around 2,500 privately-owned homes standing empty.

Property owners will be required to take action to sell or rent their houses out, or face the council taking matters into its own hands.

The powers have been brought in under the Empty Dwellings Management Order which offers a range of options to make the most of the borough’s properties.

Owners are encouraged to sell their homes or rent them out and there are a range of options available to encourage and enable people to purchase a home, such as equity loans.

Councillor John McCann said: “Some 119 properties have been brought back into use using these methods which decreases the number of properties that are a blight and benefit nobody.” 

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