Hulme hits out over budget cuts

Saddleworth Parish Council

councillors engaged in a heated debate over controversial plans for next year’s proposed budget.
Anne Ryan, an Oldham Council finance officer, warned of tough times ahead before explaining that £25 million worth of savings would have to be made during the financial year 2011 to 2012.

She also told members the council was predicting a similar challenge to save £20 million in 2012 to 2013.

Potential job losses were outlined in a copy of cost-cutting plans handed out to councillors.

Proposals showed which departments would be making savings adding up to almost £15 million, with the equivalent of 374 full-time jobs potentially being lost.


Just the ticket for tourists?
A variation of this year’s parish council tourist bus could be extended to reach some of Saddleworth’s most isolated routes.

Councillor Royce Franklin said he had visited Holmfirth to witness their village bus which has been servicing five routes, not taken by commercial buses, for the past 30 years.

Councillor Ken Hulme said that such a service could be beneficial to locals cut off from main bus routes in Denshaw and suggested a route from Saddleworth to Shaw to increase access to the planned Metrolink service.

Councillors Brian Lord and Mike Buckley issued a note of caution and warned that crucial research would need to be done to see if anybody would use such a service.


Yellow lines lead to money worries
THERE was a mixed response to a proposal for double yellow lines on one side of Chapel Road linking Uppermill and Greenfield.

Councillor Royce Franklin told members how the plans would formalise the parking which already takes place on the street and stop drivers congesting the junction with Chew Valley Road.

The road markings would formally designate spaces along the playing fields side of the road, while yellow lines and a reposition of the central markings would create a further official space for local shoppers.

Further support came in the form of councillor Brian Lord who said that drivers parking to use the three main routes to Uppermill, Churchill Playing Fields and Greenfield Station would feel the benefit.

Council chairman Keith Begley said it would mean money being spent for no good purpose, arguing that no major problems are currently caused by the vehicles that already line the street during the day.

The discussion will be put before the next Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership Meeting at Diggle Band Club on December 2.