Howard’s MBE joy

Howard Sykes receives his MBE

OLDHAM Council stalwart Howard Sykes was delighted to receive his MBE at Buckingham Palace.

With 27 years of continuous office with the Lib-Dems, the father-of-three was Oldham’s youngest councillor when he was elected in 1987 to represent Shaw.

Councillor Sykes (50) is leader of the opposition on Oldham Council, leader of the Liberal Democrat group in Oldham and a member of Shaw and Crompton Parish Council.

Achievements under his leadership — from 2008-2011— include the local authority being recognised as the most-improved council, the formation of district partnerships, the Building Schools for the Future initiative, work to safeguard the borough’s heritage buildings, and securing the funding to bring Metrolink to Oldham.