NEWS
Moston Brook funding safe
27/05/08
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For over a year
residents and councillors have
worked hard to develop a feasibility
report to transform Moston Brook
into a new country park.
A
steering group made up from
residents and officers from Oldham
and Manchester councils have also
submitted a funding application to
the Newlands project which has been
shortlisted.
It was feared the ranger funding
could have been lost following the
local election results however,
following a meeting with new council
leader Howard Sykes, Jim McMahon has
secured the funding for Countryside
Ranger at Moston Brook.
Jim McMahon said "I am really
pleased the funding for a
countryside ranger will continue. We
will work with all parties if it's
in the interests of the community -
and this is clearly good news".
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NEWS
Old School Blight Unacceptable
17/05/08
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Failsworth East Labour Councillors
have hit out at Oldham Council for
allowing the now disused Failsworth
Lower School site to become a target
for vandals.
Following the opening of the new
Failsworth School in February
officers were given a clear
instruction to proceed with the
demolition of now unused Lower
School building on Partington Street
and the site sold for family
housing.
Despite promising this would be done
as soon as the building became
vacant, four months have passed
without action. |
Above: Failsworth Lower School
building sitting disused and
vandalised |
|
Now the building is being vandalised
on a daily basis causing misery to
local residents.
Councillor Peter Dean said "Oldham
Council knew the old school would be
a target for vandalism because we
told them so months ago. To allow a
£30million school to lay facing a
building which has been trashed is
ridiculous". |
NEWS
Mixed picture for War Memorial
11/05/08
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Failsworth War Memorial is almost
complete as the finishing touches
are made - which should mean it
looks great - but with basic
maintenance not being carried out it
looks tired.
After it's £136,000 makeover last
June additional funding was secured
which will pay for decorative iron
railings and a mosaic on the
memorial war depicting the union
jack.
Chair of the War Memorial Steering
Group Councillor Jim McMahon said
"the works in summer last year
transformed the memorial but we felt
there was more we could do to put
the finishing touches. Now the
memorial should look fantastic and
make a statement that Failsworth
respects those who fought for our
freedom. Sadly less than a year from
its regeneration it looks tired and
unloved".
Raised beds intended for bright
summer planting have been left to
grow weeds and collect litter and
the paving has been allowed to
gather weeds.
If we are to raise funding for the
renovation then the council must now
commit to it's proper maintenance.
David Heyes, MP said "when I
attended the opening in June the
memorial gardens looked superb. To
see them like this is not acceptable
and I hope this is not a sign of
things to come".
PHOTOS: Top: New railings. Middle:
weeds coming through the paving.
Bottom: Weeds in the raised beds,
intended for summer planting.
|
 |
Jim
McMahon |
NEWS
Failsworth Tesco wall sorted!
11/05/08
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After complaints to
the Tesco developer, OPP, local
Labour councillors have won their
battle to make the car park safer.
Prior to our involvement the wall
was very high and drivers coming out
of the car park could not see
vehicles entering from the
mini-roundabout. Although it has
taken 6 months since our request
when in, we are pleased that this
safety issue has been resolved. |
Wall being lowered at Tesco
car park. |
|
NEWS
Failsworth Councillor elected Labour group
leader
08/05/08
................................................................................................................................. |
After years of loyal service to the
Oldham Labour Group Councillor David Jones decided
to step down at the Labour Group AGM held over the
weekend.
Explaining his decision, Councillor Jones said “It
was not an easy decision to make but I have always
said that I am serving my last term on the council.
Looking forward it could be two or three years
before we regain control of the council and I
thought that the Labour Group would have the best
chance with a new leader who will be in place for
the longer term, with new ideas to lead us into the
next election and beyond”. |
Above: Failsworth's Jim
McMahon |
|
Following
the AGM Councillor Jim McMahon has been selected as
David’s successor and will take his position as
Leader of the Opposition at the next council
meeting.
David went on to say “I am pleased the group has
chosen a new leader who has proved himself to be
hardworking and has earned the respect of people
across the political divide. Jim has my full support
and I wish him well”.
Jim McMahon said “David is a remarkable politician
and has achieved great things for Oldham and the
Labour Group and will be a hard act to follow. I am
humbled by the support from David and the Group and
will work hard to ensure Labour is in the best
position to be back in control of the council in the
coming years”.
Jim added “The elections last week meant the Labour
Group lost a great deal of experience and senior
councillors, I am pleased David has agreed to be on
the shadow cabinet”.
Following
the defeat of John Johnson at the elections Peter
Dean has been selected as the new Deputy Leader. |
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NEWS
Thank you Failsworth
04/05/08
.................................................................................................................................. |
Following the election result we have been contacted
by many people over the last few days to show their
support to us and horror at the thought of a Lib Dem
run council and what this may mean to the Failsworth
Town Centre development and new community centre, as
well as other planned investment.
Whatever the situation the people of Failsworth
can rely on Labour to continue to fight for a fair
deal and we will not be distracted by petty
bickering with other parties. Our job now is to make
Failsworth's voice heard at Oldham Council and
ensure any move to deny Failsworth the facilities
and investment it needs is fought. |
Above: Failsworth Centre
plans |
NEWS
Failsworth Polling Day Results
02/05/08
.................................................................................................................................. |
|
We
would like to thank our loyal voters who came out to
support sitting councillors Barbara Dawson and John
Johnson. Despite a good fight the national feeling
amongst voters was too strong and we lost both
seats, losing two good hard working councillors in
the process. Perhaps had it not have been for the
hard work of the team the majority would had been
even wider, with Failsworth East being lost by just
8 votes.
Jim McMahon said "you always reflect after a tough
election, not least of all in the questionable
campaigning methods adopted by some of our opponents
(or lack of campaigning by some candidates). We
still remain strong as four councillors supported by
loyal campaigners and our MP David Heyes and we will
not let up on our fight for Failsworth, nor will we
let up our push for our newly elected Tory
councillors to actually start delivering some of the
things they promised, rather than sitting on the
sidelines swiping".
In a
similar picture across the borough Labour lost
control of the finely balanced Oldham Council
putting future regeneration plans for Failsworth
into question with a Lib Dem leadership in Oldham.
Watch this space.
To Barbara and John thank you for your loyal service
to Failsworth. A lot has been achieved and you
should be very proud.
Results in full...
EAST
|
Barbara Dawson |
Labour |
1028 |
|
Paul Martin |
Conservative |
1036 |
|
John Parker |
Green |
173 |
|
Phil Renold |
Liberal Democrat |
136 |
Elected: Paul Martin |
|
|
|
WEST
Ian Barker |
Conservative |
963 |
|
Warren Bates |
Green |
589 |
|
John Johnson |
Labour |
871 |
|
Ken Wilson
|
Liberal Democrat |
132 |
Elected: Ian Barker |
|
|
|