GM Police Section 60 Notices

Earlier this week, GMP employed a Section 60 (Stop and search) in Failsworth and then expanded this into Limeside following a number of attacks and reports of concern involving weapons.

I have raised with the police over a long period my concern of gang related violence which many parents will recognise as the ‘postcode’ disputes which have unfortunately been a long-standing feature of some schools in Oldham which serve communities across Oldham and Manchester.

It is self-evident from reports from parents, experiences being shared on social media, and now confirmed incidents that there is a growing and deeply worrying increase in violent attacks, theft, and intimidation centring around groups from the Manchester area and in Oldham, with Failsworth District Centre, the Metrolink tram, and the Rochdale Canal clear hotspots.

I welcome the expansion of the Section 60, but I am calling for a far more coordinated and sustained programme beyond the 32 hours it was in place.

That requires pro-active intervention across schools, alternative provision, youth services, the police and others beyond a short-term operation. All services are under immense pressure, even as I list those agencies, I am aware that both Failsworth Police Station and Limeside Police Post have closed, and so too have Failsworth Youth Centre and Limeside Youth Centre, and all that does have an impact, but that does not mean that resources can’t be directed to combat this once and for all.

Parents and guardians have an important role to play in educating young people on risks, and in spotting signs of any issues either online, in school or when out with friends, such as a change in behaviour and friendships. Awareness raising to help spot signs is an important part of an holistic campaign.

It’s important that the police are supported through this action, and it will mean that young people are stopped and spoken to, and potentially searched too, but that its necessary to disrupt any further escalation and to that catch those who are carrying weapons.

Government Response to Dangerous Driving Concerns

In November, I wrote to the government regarding the high levels of dangerous driving in and around Oldham.

Since 2010, 65 people have been killed on the highways in the borough, with 755 seriously injured, with some resulting from dangerous driving.

Below is the response from the Ministry of Justice. This does not go far enough to address the issue and is not good enough. I will be taking this further with the government.

Loss of Primary Care in Oldham West & Royton ‘ Catastrophic’

I last raised my serious concerns surrounding primary care in Oldham West & Royton following the closure of Block Lane surgery in Chadderton last year, and this news on another GP closure is yet another blow for people in our town as we see more practices closing year on year now.

In the past few years alone 4 GP practices have closed in Oldham West & Royton, displacing 17,867 patients.

The town centre NHS walk in centre has closed alongside this.

The pressure this adds to an already overstretched system with A&E working above and beyond capacity, and a dwindling number of GP practices available to both take on new patients and have enough appointment capacity results in a lower capacity for care, impacting directly on residents.

The government urgently need to intervene. We are heading to a point where accessing primary care is increasingly limited and this is catastrophic for people’s health and wellbeing.

I had asked for a review to be undertaken for primary care in Oldham West & Royton and have asked for an update on this review.

New Years Honours – Oldham

Congratulations to Oldham people recognised in the New Years Honours.

It’s a big achievement to be selected for an award out of many thousands of citations put forward each time, and it goes a long way to showing the difference in each field made.

These are not the same as the political appointments made by former or current Prime Ministers which have been brought into dispute too often, instead these stand alone on merit.

Firstly, many congratulations to Kevin Sinfield and teammate Rob Burrow who both receive CBEs. Though I’m not the only one questioning why these were not Knighthoods, they are still extremely significant honours and I’ve no doubt a further step towards being ‘Sirs’.

Oldham artist Brian Clarke whose work is renowned internationally is awarded a Knighthood. Locally you’ll see his work in the Spindles Shopping Centre (glass roof near Rhode Island Coffee), and of course the Brian Clarke Academy secondary school is named in his honour, with a bespoke glass feature in its hall.

Jayne Clarke, who serves as Executive Principal of the Pinnacle Learning Trust is rightly awarded an OBE for her work, previously being principal at Oldham Sixth Form College.

Well done to Elaine Linda Robinson on her MBE for years of work supporting young people.

And to Mahbubur Rahman on receipt of a BEM.

Labour & Co-Op Annual Christmas Stall!

Every year we try to spread some Christmas joy & hand out cakes, sweets and hot chocolate to those enjoying the town centre, thank you to those who came to say hello – I hope you enjoyed!

As a bonus this year we had the pleasure of the Brass Monkeys brass band, among others, playing next to our stall!

Good opportunity to promote the excellent campaign in support of retail workers too! Co-operative Party Usdaw Union🎄

This year we held a collection for the British Red Cross, who do so much to support those in hardship and emergencies across the world. Thank you to those who donated, every penny helps.

Autumn Statement

This Autumn Statement proves the country needs change. With a government that is laser focused on improving family finances.

Thirteen years of economic failure has left the people of Oldham worse off and paying the price of Tory mismanagement with 25 Tory tax rises since 2019 and households paying £4,000 more in tax each year than they did in 2010.

Only a Labour government will make working people better off as a priority by boosting wages, cutting people’s bills and getting the economy growing again.

Dangerous Driving – Oldham used as a ‘race track’

Today I have written to the Home Secretary to raise the issue of dangerous driving in Oldham.

On Oldham’s roads alone, since 2010, 65 people have been killed and 755 serious injured, far too many of whom because of dangerous driving.

I have asked the Home Secretary how the government plan to deter dangerous driving in the future, and what more they are doing to secure justice from the start for grieving families and loved ones.