McMahon hopes blog will click with public

NEW council leader Jim McMahon is taking an interactive approach to keeping in touch with Oldhamers.

The 30-year-old — one of the youngest politicians in the country to lead a local authority — has started a weekly blog at www.oldham.gov.uk.

He hopes the blog will offer a fresh insight into council life.

In his first blog, Councillor McMahon explains the new approach he hopes to bring as leader plus his reflections on a hectic first week in office.

Visitors to the site are invited to submit comments and questions as well as suggesting topics they would like to be covered in future posts.

He said: “People may wonder why I have chosen to start a blog. This will be just one small part of this administration’s new approach to addressing what I see as a disconnect between Oldham Council and local residents.

“We are striving to move decision-making closer to communities and to better reflect their concerns. To do that we must engage in a genuine dialogue that will help to shape their services.

“We have several other plans in the pipeline that we hope will also help us to close this gap. These include devolving power back to local neighbourhoods with district offices. I want to be clear from the outset that I’m seeking genuinely constructive feedback, ideas and observations here. I don’t want this to become just another angry forum for the doom and gloom merchants — there are plenty of those already in existence.

“It’s important to note that the blog is also not a vehicle for party politics. I am writing this purely in my capacity as a council leader seeking to improve services for residents.

“I hope people from all corners of the borough can find the time to visit it and let me know what they think.

“Their participation and feedback will be key to its future content — and help to keep me informed about the everyday issues that really matter to them.”