Saddleworth reveals plan for the future

AN exciting vision of a community’s future will be spelled out tonight when details of Saddleworth Parish Plan are revealed.

The plan, which has taken two years to prepare, is based on a 10-page questionnaire sent to 13,500 households to help form a future blueprint for the area.

Parish and borough councillors, leading members of community groups and other organisations will see the final results of the plan at Uppermill Civic Hall.

Villagers were asked to answer 50 questions — the basis for key initiatives, including health, traffic, education and housing.

The document was drawn up after Saddleworth Parish Council and volunteers identified issues they believe matter to the area in a series of meetings.

A forward to the plan by the parish council’s current chairman, Alma McInnes, and former chairman Pat Lord says the report addresses topics, issues and concerns affecting the quality of life in the community.

They said: “A massive response of more than 1,200 questionnaires has enabled us to produce a plan truly representative of local opinion.

“Many concerns are outside our direct control and can only be tackled in partnership with other bodies, particularly Oldham Council.

“Improvements can only be made if significant funding is made available — funding beyond the parish council’s means.

“The plan provides a valuable evidence base for working with partners and seeking external help and support.

“We live in a rural area, rich in heritage, and one which we all wish to protect and improve for the well-being for all to enjoy. There is much to do.”

They add: “Not everything can be achieved at once, but we will endeavour to seek improvements on a yearly basis.”

Councillors will keep the community informed of improvements and progress in a regular newsletter.

But Parish Councillor Ken Hulme claimed the document fails to identify the specific role of the parish council which, he says, could improve the quality of life in Saddleworth and take over some services from the borough.

“It is well presented with lots of pretty pictures and does contain a useful summary of the views expressed by residents,” he said.

“But there is no strategy in taking things forward other than talking to Oldham Council. The plan’s conclusions are little more than a generalised ‘wish list’.

“The parish council is losing its independence and becoming a sub-committee of Oldham Council.”

But parish and Oldham councillor Mike Buckley, one of the team who produced the document, said: “We will be working with Oldham Council and other parties to deliver what we said we will do.”

Copies of Saddleworth Parish Plan will be available from the parish council offices, Civic Hall, Uppermill, from tomorrow, and Saddleworth Tourist Information Centre at the museum, High Street, Uppermill.