‘Local people first for jobs’ call

TWO Oldham councillors are calling for local jobs for local people when housing work is carried out in the borough.

Councillors John McCann and Dave Hibbert, who have raised the issue of job creation with the Housing Market Renewal (HMR) board, want to see as much work as possible in Oldham going to local people and companies.

Councillor Hibbert, a Labour Cabinet member, called for them to carry out the preparatory work on development sites.

He said: “This would ensure that when companies have obtained the finance to commence construction, everything would be ready to enable work to start as soon as possible. The continuity of employment would also provide opportunities to train apprentices.”

Councillor McCann, Liberal Democrat Cabinet member for Communities and Housing, added: “It would not be helpful if, when the economy bounces back, there are no suitable construction workers available in our borough.

“I also want to ensure that builders are kept in employment and have money to spend in the local economy which helps to keep others in employment.”

The multi-million-pound HMR scheme, which covers Oldham and Rochdale, was granted £90 million for the next three years’ work in April last year.

They pointed out that HMR is a major funder of J21, a Rochdale-based training and employment organisation, which has provided training or employment for over 800 local people.

HMR is still getting new housing built despite the economic down turn, they added.

Fifty-seven new homes are under construction at Suthers Court, Werneth, and HMR will refurbish nearly 400 homes this year.

It has also secured £150,000 from the Arts Council and £100,000 from the Housing Corporation to help support community engagement work with local people.

Alastair Graham, HMR director said: “Every effort will be made to identify more that can be done and any other opportunities will be taken as they arise.”