Credit crunch Cabinet

Oldham’s credit crunch Cabinet meets for the first time next week to co-ordinate its campaign.

It will be made up of council leader Howard Sykes, chairman of the Oldham Partnership Nick Brown chief executive Charlie Parker, plus representatives of the Learning and Skills Council and Jobcentre Plus, and Oldham’s private and voluntary and community sectors.

Councillor Sykes and Mr Brown, who is also principal of Oldham Sixth Form College, have met to decide what the group will focus on.

They say it will commission activities through its £400,000 Rapid Intervention Fund, publish a monthly report including issues from local employers, or enquiries at the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and statistics such as the number of people who are unemployed or claiming benefits.

It will also ask partner organisations to adapt the services they offer to help cushion the impact of the credit crunch, act as the voice of Oldham and represent Oldham and its interests to Government, as well as providing regular updates to the residents and businesses.

Councillor Sykes said: “The Cabinet will provide a single and recognisable focus for co-ordinating Oldham’s response to the credit crunch.

“We’ll look at new proposals, but, really importantly, look at what we can do differently with our existing services — if there’s a quick and effective adaptation we can make, we will get the ball rolling through the Cabinet.”