Familiar look for Shadow Cabinet

DEFEATED Liberal Democrats on Oldham Council have unveiled their Shadow Cabinet.

And there’s a familiar look as most are councillors who ran the authority before being ousted by Labour in this month’s election.

Councillors Howard Sykes and Jackie Stanton had already been chosen to return as leader and deputy leader respectively.

Councillor Sykes has now announced his line-up with Councillor Mark Alcock (Children, Young People, Families, Leisure and Culture), Councillor Mohammed Masud (Partnerships and Commissioning), Councillor John McCann (Housing, Transport and Regeneration), Councillor Lynne Thompson (Finance and Human Resources) and Councillor Rod Blyth (Neighbourhoods) all returning.

Councillor Barbara Beeley takes up the shadow role for Co-operatives and Community Development.

Taking deputy roles in support are Councillor Phil Holley (Deputy for Housing, Transport and Regeneration), Councillor Derek Heffernan (Deputy for Finance and Human Resources (Finance Focus), Councillor Roger Hindle (Deputy for Adult Social Services and Health (Health Focus) and Councillor Diane Williamson (Deputy for Neighbourhoods).

Councillor Sykes said: “I believe an essential part of our role over the next 12 months is to act as a responsible opposition on Oldham Council and I can assure the citizens of this borough that the Liberal Democrat Group intends to take that responsibility extremely seriously.

“I am proud therefore to announce my Shadow Cabinet for 2011/12 secure in the knowledge they will use the experience they have gained over many years — and especially the last three years — to ensure that the new administration is properly held to account.”