United we stand together

OLDHAM East residents will cast aside ward divisions and come together to discuss key issues as part of the new ward forums.

The forums form part of the new local structure in East Oldham, which will see residents, councillors, co-optees and officers coming together to discuss the issues that matter to them, five times a year.

Small decisions which can be resolved there and then will be dealt with, while the bigger issues will be taken back to the District Partnership.

Councillors decided that the ward forums should bring together the three different wards, so that the public can share their expertise on areas of East Oldham.

The main role of the ward forums is to engage with the public, while the district partnerships will set priorities and make decisions.

But not everybody was impressed. One resident said: “If there were any members of the public here apart from me, they would have all walked out, because it’s more a council meeting than something that members of the public can get involved in.”

Councillor Jackie Stanton said: “The place where the work will be done is in the ward forums and they haven’t got off the ground yet.”


Residents who would like to make a difference in the East Oldham area can volunteer to become co-optees.

There are two co-optee vacancies in St James and a further three in Waterhead. Co-optees will discuss concerns with residents in the ward forums and help informed decision making in the district partnership.

Anyone interested should phone Simon Shuttleworth on 0161 770 4720.