Garth has supported all these local projects with his ward budget: Diggle, Denshaw, Scouthead and Dobcross Community Associations, Whit Friday Band Contests, Millgate Arts, Extra grit bins, Diggle Band Club, Diggle FC, Summer and Winter planting, Christmas lights, tree planting, picnic benches at Denshaw and Men in Sheds. 

Liberal Democrats have long been campaigning for a .level playing field on taxes for local businesses.. They are the ones who provide local employment and keep our high streets vibrant.  But online giants make billions and pay virtually nothing while local businesses struggle with high business rates.  Garth comments: “I was astonished that our MP […]

Despite setbacks, the search for a solution continues Garth has been lobbying for action on this bridge along with the Dobcross Village Community and Ramblers Association for a long time. . In the face of a council refusal, Garth has now provided funding from his ward budget to Dobcross Village Community for further investigative work.

With effect from Monday 26th April Huddersfield Road, through Diggle Village will be closed to northbound traffic between the Standedge Road junction and Ward Lane. The closure will affect the following bus services: General Bus Services 184 (Oldham – Uppermill  – Diggle – Huddersfield) – diverted via Standedge Road, omitting Diggle Village. 184 (Huddersfield – […]

Councillor Garth Harkness was delighted to take up the invitation to become a governor of Diggle Primary School recently.     Governors are keen to harness Garth’s professional expertise.  He is a qualified maths teacher who now leads a special unit for autistic pupils. Garth said: “I am learning about the school and looking forward to […]

  Councillor Garth Harkness shows his delight at the 20mphroad markings on Wall Hill Road, Dobcross.  “It has long been one of the worst accident hotspots in our area”, he says, “and one of the worst roads for gross speeding.  “I visited to monitor the traffic just a few days after the markings were painted.  […]

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 […]

The main highway works will commence on Monday 19th April 2021 which shall include the following: Completion of the access road to the new school Widening of the footway on Huddersfield Road and rebuilding various boundary walls Construction of new car parking areas Construction of retaining walls at the junction of the Huddersfield Road and […]

Saddleworth North Liberal Democrat Councillor Garth Harkness has described as “crazy” the decision of the Peak District National Park to scrap the volunteer rangers at Dovestones Reservoir who are helping to keep Saddleworth Moor safe. Commenting Councillor Harkness said:  “Once again this last week we have seen a wildfire near the Blackmoss Reservoir on Marsden […]

The Liberal Democrat Deputy Group Leader on Oldham Council, Shaw Councillor Chris Gloster, is fuming at the cost of a letter sent to every household in the borough. The controversial letter, jointly signed by the Labour Leader of Oldham Council, councillor Sean Fielding, and Oldham Council’s Chief Executive, Dr Carolyn Wilkins OBE, relays what the […]