A Lib Dem Councillor has hit out at Oldham council for being secretive and needing a change in culture Councillor Garth Harkness has revealed the changes on Oldham Council since being re-elected in 2023 are for the worse.  Councillor Garth Harkness said “I have significant concerns that residents do not get responses to enquiries from […]

Councillor Garth Harkness proposed a motion in March around 20MPH schemes and was pleased with the working group exploring options of new potential zones.  Councillor Garth Harkness said “ I am pleased the working group has started to explore new schemes. I have suggested exploration of schemes on Huddersfield Road, Delph and additional 20 MPH […]

My name is Garth and I have had the privilege of having over a decade of experience as a local councillor. I live in Dobcross and I am a secondary school teacher. I have taught maths and now run a provision for autistic young people. Education is a key priority of mine. I have been […]

In August Liberal Democrat Councillor for Saddleworth North, Garth Harkness hit out at the council for their plan to remove some of the grit bins in Saddleworth. “It will put the public at risk”, he says. In September 2023 the exact same proposals were put forward as the proposals set out in August. Councillor Garth […]

Liberal Democrats councillors will set out new plans to protect private renters at a meeting of Oldham Council next week (01/11).  Saddleworth North representative and Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Housing councillor Garth Harkness said, “Private renting is becoming increasingly unaffordable and insecure in Oldham Borough.” “The private rented sector is like the Wild West.  There […]

Saddleworth Liberal Democrats have hit out that residents have not been considered in the new housing development and plans to increase parking restrictions. The new proposals would see the loss of the single yellow lines and make them double yellow lines. Saddleworth North Councillor Garth Harkness, said “ I proposed that the 70 new homes […]

*UPDATE -OLDHAM COUNCIL NOW LOOKING AGAIN MY COMMENT It may be a legacy plan but that plan was put to the current leadership who signed off on this process giving councillors till 1st September to respond. To do this during recess when some councillors are on holiday is poor form. The process was put to us […]

Support or objections to the proposals should be sent to env.traffic@oldham.gov.uk or the Environment Group Solicitor to the Council, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1UL in writing, stating the title of the Order to which they relate and the grounds for making them by 25th August 2023.

It is disappointing that the bridge by the garden centre is now looking in even more disrepair. It is a frustrating situation but this damage hopefully should not change the situation as the battle over who will pay continues. The community continues with the excellent work  to press this issue and  there have been no […]

Sign the petition https://www.oldhamlibdems.org.uk/sewage Water companies pumped sewage into our rivers and lakes for more 13,372 hours last year. The Conservatives are letting them get away with it and want taxpayers to pay to fix the problem. With the latest legislation passed by Government, they even allowed water companies to pollute our waters unchecked until 2035. This […]