The Liberal Democrats have, as every year, produced their own budget proposals. 

• Invest £18 million to build three new health centres for patients in Shaw, Saddleworth and Chadderton by 2026;
• Invest £6.5 million to build green infrastructure taking Oldham forward in its ambition to be Britain’s first carbon-neutral council and borough; and
• Create a dedicated fund worth £2.5 million to repair our footpaths over the next five years.

These would be paid for by reassigning the money for vanity projects like the ‘eco-park’ and some of the eye-watering £80 million or so the council has earmarked for the Spindles. 

Councillor Garth Harkness said: “I have been badgering both the council and the clinical commissioning group for the health centre for years. They make the right noises from time to time but then kick it back into the long grass.  Has the last year taught them nothing about what really matters?”

The Liberal Democrats have also found l over £1.1 million of wasteful spending – enough to pay for the up-front costs of 20mph schemes, to reinstate parish money retained by Oldham, and to combat litter, dog-fouling and fly-tipping.

Councillor Garth Harkness said “Speeding and environmental cleanliness are key concerns residents raise with us”.

These sensible proposals were voted down by both Labour and those Conservatives who stayed until the end of the meeting.