JimfromOldham

Brining Banking Back to Chadderton & Royton

Too many bank branches have disappeared from our high streets, leaving many towns like Chadderton & Royton high and dry – whole communities without even basic banking facilities. This is paying a price. The erosion of high street banking over the years has left gaps in accessible financial services. Residents and businesses have been significantlyContinue reading “Brining Banking Back to Chadderton & Royton”

Putting Communities Back in Control …

Oldham Council has taken an important step by implementing a borough-wide Article 4 Direction from 1st January this year, after their consultation last year. Removing permitted development rights to convert a standard house into a HMO will now mean anyone wanting to create a small HMO must now apply for planning permission. It is aContinue reading “Putting Communities Back in Control …”

Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone across Oldham, Chadderton & Royton and beyond a Happy New Year. I hope the opportunities ahead are many, the challenges few, and that you enjoy the love and support of family and friends throughout 2026. Best wishes, Jim

Local people named in King’s New Years Honours

Congratulations to all those recognised in the Kings New Years Honours. To Chadderton’s Peter Fitzpatrick, Station Manager, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service who has been recognised with an MBE for services to Burn Victims. And a BEM goes to The Reverend David Ireland, minister at the Union Street Methodist Church, and formerly Chief Executive,Continue reading “Local people named in King’s New Years Honours”

Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone across Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. However you choose to spend it I hope it is peaceful and positive, and a time spent with loved ones. Best wishes Jim

Backing action to improve parking at Royal Oldham Hospital

You might have seen the recent campaign to secure additional car parking at the Royal Oldham Hospital. It is something I was keen to support alongside work we have been doing on car parking charges and enforcement. Across Greater Manchester there is a postcode lottery on charges for staff, patients and visitors, with some payingContinue reading “Backing action to improve parking at Royal Oldham Hospital”

We are recruiting!

We are looking for a Constituency Caseworker to join my busy team based at Chadderton Town Hall. The post is fixed term for a four month period to cover the career sabbatical of an existing member of staff. Because this is a fixed term position for a short period previous experience in a similar orContinue reading “We are recruiting!”

Oldham Coliseum Theatre

It was great to visit the Oldham Coliseum Theatre at Fairbottom Street to see how works are progressing. I joined Friends of Oldham Coliseum Julie Hesmondhalgh and Zoe Hodges alongside Cllr Arooj Shah and contractor Tilbury Douglas. The sheer scale of works is significant and the repairs needed go deep into almost every aspect ofContinue reading “Oldham Coliseum Theatre”