Rethink on £200,000 civic hall revamp

SADDLEWORTH PARISH COUNCIL:

Parish councillors agreed that it may be time to scale back plans for the refurbishment of facilities at Uppermill’s Civic Hall if costs spiral.

The renovation plans for the back of the building — including new catering facilities, toilets and disabled access ramps — are currently going out to tender, with the council waiting for a figure for the work to be completed. But councillors are worried that the final cost could be over £200,000.

Councillor Ken Hulme suggested going back to the drawing board to cut costs on the work, accusing the council of spending large amounts of money without consulting the public. However Councillor Mike Buckley was quick to refute the claim, saying that in response to questionnaires, residents had said they wanted to see services improved.

Councillor John Hudson said it was right for the parish to aim high in their plans for the Civic Hall and said that the original ideas were not outlandish. He said it was important to move with the times and not simply stick with what is currently available.

Councillor Derek Heffernan said that the last work done on the hall had cost each household in Saddleworth 50p a year for three years, arguing that costs were not excessive.


All go for new logo

A new logo for the parish council, designed to be launched with a revamped website in June, has been approved by councillors.

It was a unanimous decision for a clean and crisp white rose deign with the text Saddleworth Parish Council circling the symbol.

Councillors rejected an alternative design with a blue band circling the white rose, deciding that the chosen design was simpler, clearer and easier to make out when altered in size.

The new website, currently being designed by Lees-based company Cornerstone, is planned to go live on May 24 to coincide with the inauguration of new chairman Keith Begley.


Tribute paid to former mayor
Saddleworth Parish Council paid tribute to former mayor of Oldham Brian Mather with a one-minute silence at last night’s meeting.

Mr Mather, who represented the Lib-Dems in the former Saddleworth East ward for 20 years, lost his battle against stomach cancer at the age of 74.

Describing Mr Mather as “Mr Nice”, Councillor John Hudson said: “He made a great contribution to the lives of those in Saddleworth, and was one of the few people who was really appreciated by the three main parties because of his contribution and knowledge.

“He had a healthy respect for the other man’s point of view and that is what made him quite outstanding.”

Councillor Brian Lord said: “Brian will be one of those people who really will be missed.”