Budget ‘back of a fag packet’ attack

BUDGET proposals by the ruling Lib-Dems came under attack over lack of detail, content and suitable scrutiny.

Proposals include making £8.5 efficiency savings, increasing income and redesigning services.

Council leader Howard Sykes said the budget was one that was ready for economic recovery and it built on the party’s record of investing in the future.

Councillor Lynne Thompson, cabinet member for finance and resources, said budget priorities had been sought via the council’s most thorough budget consultation ever.

But Labour and Conservative councillors said it did not show how the proposals would affect residents and they were not backed up by facts.

Labour leader councillor Jim McMahon said: “We don’t mind taking tough decisions but we won’t take bad decisions.

“To vote on this budget, for or against, would be foolish, I can’t see how anyone can make a valued judgement as to whether it is good or bad for Oldham.”

Councillor Shoab Akhtar said councillors were being asked to support a budget “written on the back of a fag packet” and filled with one liners.

Councillor Abdul Jabbar said they were not happy with the consultation and Councillor John Hudson said more information and scrutiny was needed.

He said: “We just wanted the facts to know what we were supporting and to move forward.”

Deputy leader councillor Jackie Stanton said the budget had identified efficiencies but the Lib Dems would not be sacrificing front line services as a result.

She added that Labour councillors had not brought any alternatives to the meeting.

She said: “This budget prepares us for the next two difficult years.”

Councillor Sykes said some proposals were to be consulted with staff and service users while others would be worked on and changed, but all had action plans behind them.

He hit back at opposition councillors saying they had had almost a month to ask himself and officers any questions.

A total of 30 councillors voted to move the proposals with 24 abstentions and no votes against it.




Health care centre praised



COUNCILLORS were united in their praise of the newly opened Integrated Care Centre which provides a raft of health services for Oldhamers.



Labour Councillor David Hibbert asked colleagues from all three parties to officially recognise and applaud the council’s partnership with the PCT in bringing the facility to the town.

He also called on fellow members to lobby the Government to secure funding for similar projects in the future.

Councillor Abdul Jabbar said: "The ICC will impact on residents of the borough in a big way and I believe it will go a long way to help raise the quality of life for many people.”

Lib-Dem Councillor Brian Lord added: "This is a prestigious facility and I want to see Government funding continue to provide for similar projects in the future. Cross-party support helped the dream become a reality."




Hope for Euro money



EUROPEAN funding to help improve urban areas is still being allocated, meaning Oldham could get its share.



The Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas (JESSICA) will be doled out by the North West Urban Investment Fund. Projects in Salford, Wigan, Bolton and Ashton are under consideration.

Councillor Mohib Uddin, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "Local authorities were not involved in the deliberations around the establishment for JESSICA and the target areas. However there have been discussions with the North West Regional Development Agency about the way in which JESSICA funding could be accessed by Greater Manchester councils. Those negotiations are ongoing."




Benefit millions going unclaimed



CROSS-party support was given to a push to help Oldhamers claim benefits that they may not realise they can access. It is estimated that residents could be missing out on up to £44 million in unclaimed cash.



Councillor Peter Dean said: "People are living in poverty because the system is so complicated and people can feel too proud to claim what is legally theirs.

People are not claiming benefits that will give them a better quality of life and this impacts on the economy of the borough."

Councillor Jackie Stanton added: "There is a vast amount of work going on to tackle this problem, from the credit crunch cabinet to the anti-poverty strategy group. We need to protect and support the most vulnerable people in society and work is being done to protect the borough’s most needy residents and offer them guidance."

Councillors agreed to build on work already under-way to drive down Oldham’s unclaimed benefits figure and help give residents in need a helping hand.