Housing Maintenance and Service Charges

Several constituents of mine in Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton have been contacting me recently regarding inflated housing maintenance and service charges. This is an issue which is affecting many people in our borough and across the country and it is important to me with one of my priorities at the general election being to fight for decent homes.

The underlying problem with expensive service charges is that, while the charge is accepted as a way of facilitating general repairs and maintaining common facilities like shared carparks, there can be a lack of control over the services tenants receive, including rising costs and the level of quality of the services.

In our manifesto at the recent general election, Labour pledged to enact the package of Law Commission proposals along with taking further steps to ban new leasehold flats, ensure commonhold is the default tenure, tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rent charges, address the injustice of ‘fleecehold’ private housing estates, and end unfair maintenance costs.

In September, the Minister of State for Housing and Planning spoke on this subject in Parliament on behalf of the government. He said that:

“The Government are committed to bringing the injustice of ‘fleecehold’ private housing estates and unfair maintenance costs to an end. We intend to consult publicly on the best way to achieve that. In the interim, we will move to implement the new protections against unfair charges that were contained in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.”

Please be assured that as your local MP I will continue to fight for constituents on concerns and queries like this which matter to you. If you have a specific issue with regards to service charges yourself – please contact me at jim.mcmahon.mp@parliament.uk and my constituency team can deal with it.

Suspension of Telecommunications Development in Oldham

I am very glad to hear that Oldham Council have suspended telecommunications development in the borough while health and safety checks take place.

We have been calling for checks like this to take place for a long time now and have been working with different levels of government to see change to the National Planning Policy Framework and to find better ways to improve local connectivity – ways which greatly minimise current disruption.

The work I have done in Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton – such as writing to the minister when in opposition, requesting and leading a Westminster Hall debate on the issue, and attending a digital infrastructure roundtable – can be seen in more detail on my website at https://jimmcmahon.co.uk/…/5g-telecommunications…/

I encourage local people to remain vigilant and report any issue with a specific site they may have me. This can be done at jim.mcmahon.mp@parliament.uk and queries raised can be addressed as a matter of urgency by my constituency team.

Construction Progress on the New Town Centre Market Hall

It was great to see the progress being made at the construction site of the new market and events space at Spindles. This new home for Tommyfield Market in the redeveloped Spindles will be a fantastic new space for our town and will play a big role in the reimagined town centre.

The work done by the Council to regenerate this area so that it can better serve the needs of our borough is commendable. Oldham is a great town with a proud history and huge potential: a modern and forward-looking town centre is what we deserve to drive footfall and create thriving local high street businesses.

2024 Labour Party Conference

What a brilliant few days in Liverpool we’ve had as the 2024 Labour Party Conference comes to an end, the first one with a Labour government for 15 years. I’d like to thank all those who worked hard to organise and hold such interesting and rewarding events.

Being here as Labour’s Minister for English Devolution and Local Government has been a privilege. In this role I have had the opportunity to discuss the Labour government’s commitment to combined authorities, all Metro-Mayors, and local government to make sure no area is left behind and that public services can be delivered effectively based on local need.

Engaging with different parts of the Labour and Co-operative movements has been very valuable. As the Chair of the Co-operative Party, it was really encouraging to take part discussions on community ownership, sharing wealth, and our aspiration to have a genuine partnership between each level of government and local communities.

The Prime Minister showed in his speech that the new government has got a mandate to deliver on the missions we know will change the country for working people, change which is vital to rebuilding trust in politics and confidence in the future 🌹

Chadderton Neighbourhood GMP Meeting

Thank you to our Chadderton Neighbourhood team for the walkabout to discuss how they’re tackling crime and ASB issues in the constituency.

We visited Coalshaw Green Park and the South Chadderton Metrolink station to discuss how officers are dealing with and tackling crime and anti-social behaviour at street level, and what I can do to support as your Member of Parliament.

The team are using street level policing as a way to engage with the community and deter our youth from causing trouble in the area, which had increased over the summer months.

We also discussed some ongoing issues with crime on the Metrolink and how best to go about tackling the issue.

I was impressed at their passion and dedication to keeping our streets safe, they do brilliant work.

A Safe Place was one of my priorities at the election and I am pleased to see the work the police are doing on a daily basis to ensure we are confident and safe in where we live.

The Labour government will support the police in the work they do to serve our communities, in the July Kings Speech we announced a Crime and Policing Bill: to rebuild community policing and a Victims, Courts, and Public Protection Bill: to ensure victims get the support they deserve.

Update on the Continued Rollout of Telecommunications Masts

Many residents have recently been in touch with my office regarding the continued rollout of telecommunications masts across Oldham.

We are seeing the rollout continue in a way that impacts residents and communities and there is little doubt the impact on residential properties as well as the increase in street clutter has been left unchecked by the previous government.

We have been working with residents for some time, but the pace of reform hasn’t kept up with the roll out. As we seek additional powers or directions it is little comfort if it comes too late for those being impacted right now.

For instance we raised this numerous times with the government, including hosting a Westminster Hall Debate, whereby the then Conservative DSIT minister agreed the current rules and code needed looking at. Unfortunately, it seems this work was not undertaken before the election was called.

I am pleased therefore that the Department of Science and Technology which met last week to look at changing the Code of Practice for Cabinet and Pole siting led by Minister Chris Bryant MP – I have asked for an update on this meeting and welcome as I have always stated changes to the code to force operators to share infrastructure, allowing a fair market without so many cluttering masts, poles and cabinets on our streets.

In the end the local council are obliged to comply with the law for poles installations, which were introduced by the previous government in 2019.

I have asked officials at the Council to consider all avenues to support residents and maintain and enforce all highways and health and safety regulations and laws. I am aware of several disturbances within the constituency with concerned residents, workers and the police and would ask for calm while the authorities do their due diligence, as has happened nearby. I know they are working hard to navigate this, and of course will need to comply with the current law in doing so.

We are always willing to help on localised issues in the meantime, for instance we held a public workshop, whereby residents from across Oldham West, Chadderton & Royton came to talk directly with operators and find a way forward on suggested mast locations, to varying degrees of success. This was the best approach in limited options and for some it made a difference.

If you have an issue with a specific site – please email my office at jim.mcmahon.mp@parliament.uk and my constituency team will look at raising the site as a matter of urgency.

Re-opening of Royton Town Hall

It was a pleasure today to attend the official re-opening ceremony of Royton Town Hall following the re-furnishment and renovation works.

The building looks incredible, the detail in the Town Hall that has been maintained and enhanced is amazing to see, and to see the building restored to it’s former glory was a great experience after the hard work that’s been put into the project over the years.

I want to say thank you to the Council for allowing me to open the building alongside Arooj Shah, Leader of the Council & Zahid Chauhan, Mayor of Oldham, Seddon Construction, the contractors responsible for the work and also the residents of Royton who came to the ceremony today and shared stories of the rich history that is seeped into its walls.

With the renovation complete and the building brought into the modern era it can be a thriving local hub for Royton and the local community.