McMahon blast for ‘arrogant’ councillors

JIM will not fix it all for you, Oldham Council’s leader warned “arrogant” councillors.

This was a strong message from Councillor Jim McMahon last night to members of the chamber who have failed to take basic councillor training.

The council leader (pictured) did not point the finger at anyone in the leader’s annual address — but warned more should be done in engaging with local residents.

He said: “We have introduced a leader’s programme aimed at providing the basic level of training in order for ward members to do more. There are some members of this chamber who believe they are so experienced — arrogant — that they don’t need to attend training and they that they should be doing the training themselves.

“The reality is they are not as good as they think they are.”

Councillor McMahon believes the council faces a crunch situation of “adapting or dying” if more is not done within the community and the current economic situation.

He issued the following message to councillors: “The opening of Failsworth Town Hall showed what can be achieved, but it’s not my job as an individual councillor to be a ward councillor for 20 councillors in Oldham, the onus is on everybody in this chamber.

“Clearly you are going to get support, training and development, but we won’t do it for you.

“If you don’t play the game, you will leave empty-handed. Simple as that.

“It’s about the relationship between council, councillors and the residents, all working together in the same direction. Not fighting against each other and wasting valuable energy.”