Lib-Dem leaders re-elected

THE ruling Liberal Democrats have kept their top team in place at the civic centre.

Oldham Council leader Councillor Howard Sykes and deputy leader Councillor Jackie Stanton have been re-elected unanimously and unopposed — and the rest of the cabinet will also remain the same.

Councillor Sykes said: “I am extremely pleased to once again be elected leader of the Liberal Democrat group unopposed.

“I welcome the faith the group have placed in myself and Jackie to lead the group over the next 12 months.

“I am also proud to announce that there will be no personnel changes within the excellent team I have working with me in the Cabinet and they will all be retaining their current portfolios.

“Over the last 12 months we have shown our determination to work for the benefit of the borough by tackling many difficult issues, not least of which was a shocking budget situation.

“It has been extremely hard work, but we have taken huge strides over the last year, making tremendous progress on the long journey necessary to give this borough and its citizens the opportunity to make a difference and make Oldham the kind of place where people are proud to live and work.

“We have consistently put party politics to one side and remained focused on what the citizens of this borough feel are the most important issues.

“We have worked hard to foster a level of cross-party working unseen in the history of Oldham Council and we see no reason to change that approach.

“We will once again ensure that the other parties are offered a fair proportion, relative to their strength, of seats and leading positions in areas such as overview and scrutiny, which have a key role in helping deliver services and holding other public service providers to account for the people of this borough.”

The Lib-Dems in the Cabinet are councillors Howard Sykes (leader), Jackie Stanton (deputy leader and customer services and Unity Partnership), John McCann (community services and housing), Mark Alcock (environment and infrastructure), Lynne Thompson (finance and resources), Mohib Uddin (regeneration), Brian Lord (adult services and health), Rod Blyth (people and communities) and Kay Knox (children, young people and families).