Oldham Council
Annual Report of Activities 2015
Councillor name: Diane Williamson – Liberal Democrat Councillor for Crompton ward
As well as being a ward Councillor, I am a Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet member. Over
the last twelve months my portfolio has changed to Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives. It is
very different to my previous portfolio of Education, because it covers a wide range of
services that local residents use on a daily basis.
I am in my fourth year as a Councillor for the ward of Crompton and it has been an absolute
privilege to help and support the residents of High Crompton, Shaw and parts of Royton. I
hope that I can continue in this role of May 2016.
Participation at Council meetings and committees
I have spoken a number of times at Council meetings, over the last twelve months.
I attended the Civic Appreciation Award Ceremony for Dave McGealy, Station Manager at
Oldham Community Radio.
At the Annual Council meeting, my colleague was installed at the Deputy Mayor of Oldham
and it wonderful to see him invested.
I also spoke about my former colleague and Crompton Councillor, John Dillon, as he stood
down from the Council after over twenty years. It was an emotional speech because John
and his wife Philomena, also a former Crompton Councillor, are good friends.
Support of Oldham Youth Council’s Notices of Motion
The Youth Council have brought forward issues to the Council and I have spoken to
these:
 Purple Monkey Washing Machine – this was part of the I Love Me Campaign
and is a campaign that aims to look at the deeper issues and delve below the
surface to explore and tackle the underlying causes of low self-esteem and
confidence, lack of resilience and poor levels of mental health in Oldham’s
young people. In particular they have looked at bullying, negative stereotypes
and unhealthy media imagery.
 Removal of Mosquito Devices – this was brought to the Council is being
discussed at a Working Group, so that if further devices are installed there is
proper monitoring in place and all other solutions are looked at before using one
of these sound devices.
 Neuro Psychoactive Substances – this was brought to Council so that
members and officers would be aware of the issues. The new drugs are
designed to mimic the effect of illegal drugs. NPS are structurally different
enough to avoid being classified as illegal substances under the Misuse of Drugs
Act. Since then a survey has been produced by the Council and work is
ongoing.
Participation at Council Meetings
Over the last year, I have probably spoken at every single meeting. This could have
been, to speak in support of an Administration motions, to move/second an
amendment to an Administration motion; to move/second one of our Opposition
motions. Not only that but I have asked ward questions and cabinet questions.
Ward Questions
It has proved difficult at times to get a ward question asked, because the constitution
has changed so that questions are answered on a three to one basis. Each Council
meeting I have prepared a question but the following have we answered:
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Grampian Way collapsing
Fraser Street junction
Closure of Crompton Pool
Help for those suffering from Domestic Abuse
Crompton Ambulance Station closure
Cabinet Questions
It has proved difficult at times to get a ward question asked, because the constitution
has changed so that questions are answered on a three to one basis. I have
prepared the following questions we have been answered:
 Young people being able to stay in Children’s Homes until 21
 Queried the number of incidents involving threats and intimidation in schools
Administration Notices of Motion
I put forward an amendment to the administration’s motion on the reduction to the
Adult Skills budget as well as the unfair cuts to local authorities.
Notice of Opposition Business
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First Aid to be taught in all Oldham schools
Extending free school meals to all seven to 11 year olds
Councillors and Councillors with Disabilities
20mph zones
Support for Jobseekers and Employees with Dyslexia
Participation at District Partnerships
I took over as Chair of Shaw and Crompton District Executive in May, after being Chair for
two years. There is lots of work to do and this year I’ve tried to change things so that we can
get residents more engaged.
We have held our regular District Executive meetings and Community Forum, but also held a
Community marketplace, All Things Green and Dementia Awareness Session.
Our Community marketplace was an early evening session where many partners and third
sector organisations had “stalls” and engaged with residents to either highlight their service
or to help them with their issues.
The All Things Green event was held during the school holidays and again many partners
and third sector organisations attended, but this time there was a focus on recycling, planting
and Get Oldham Growing. There were also workshops held.
One of my colleagues arranged for some Dementia Awareness Sessions to take place on a
Saturday morning. We are trying to make Shaw and Crompton Dementia Friendly. Over 50
were trained as Dementia Friends. In the next six months we are hoping to hold another
session. There was a write-up in the Oldham Evening Chronicle, the following week.
Pictured with those involved in the Dementia Awareness Sessions
As we had worked hard at Council to get defibrillators in schools, we decided that we should
make sure that one of our main buildings in Shaw Town Centre also had one. I have worked
alongside HeartStart to get training into schools, but on this occasion they came along to the
Lifelong Learning Centre in Shaw to enable people to use the AEDs with ease.
Pictured with the AED outside the Lifelong Learning Centre in Shaw
I have also been involved in the Dunwood Park projects. The first one is to tackle
irresponsible dog owners who let their dogs foul within the park and do not pick it up. The
second one is for the new Café in the park. I was on the judging panel to pick a scheme for
the interior and went to Oldham College to see some of the students’ ideas.
Pictured with one of the winning signs in Dunwood Park
We regularly have Councillor Briefings and meetings with officers to discuss ongoing projects
or issues that the administration’s believe need a decision made at local level. We also hold
regular meeting to discuss the High Street Grants for businesses within Shaw Town Centre.
Some issues we have disuccsed at District Exeucutive or Councillor Briefings are:
Shaw Market
E.ON
Youth Offer
District Asset Review
Renovation of Crompton War Memorial
We continually ask for some improvement works to the junction of Fraser Street/Rochdale
Road/Chamber Road. At present it is in Year 2 of the Investment Programme, but we are
pressing for it to be done sooner.
Our Christmas lights switch on is our main event and this is organised with local residents,
businesses and the Playhouse 2. This year’s event took place on Friday 27 November.
Wardle Anderson Brass Band and Oldham Scottish Pipe Band entertained the crowds on
Market Street. The event also included bedtime stories at the Library; Bouncy Ben
(children’s entertainer) performing on Market St; Christmas Lights Switch On with Frozen
characters and a competition winner who was a local child; Santa’s grotto; Christmas crafts;
a Choir from St Joseph’s school; Pamper Your Princess provided the Disney Princesses and
Super Hero characters in the Lifelong Learning Centre; mulled wine at Playhouse 2 and
Mascots. A number of local businesses supported the switch on which was attended by
approximately 800 people. The rain did not dampen people’s spirits.
Participation in Training/Member Development Programme
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Connecting with Communities using Social Media
Understanding Refugees and Asylum Awareness
Community Cohesion and Extremism
Adult Safeguarding
Taking the Chair
Corporate Parenting
Devolution
Domestic Violence
Member Development and Presentations at Lib Dem Group meetings
Elaine McClean – An awareness of the Directorate that she covers and the changes and
challenges ahead.
Craig Dale – Gritting awareness and strategies
Maggie Kufeldt – Adult Social Care changes and challenges ahead.
Mark Stenson – Audit and Finance Management
One of our key partners is Greater Manchester Police who we have an excellent relationship
with and one of our local officers invited us to attend a session called ‘Day in the life of a
Police Sergeant’. It was a fantastic day and really eye-opening to see how an incident is
dealt with. Hats off to these brilliant officers who are keeping us safe.
Elected Member contribution to Get Oldham Working
Whilst our job club does not appear to be functioning as well as other, I have promoted any
job opportunities through my Facebook Page and Twitter.
Co-operative difference
Even after all this time, I cannot get to grips with the Council’s co-operative approach. For
years people have been able to call on the Council for all sorts of services and it is a struggle
for them to change that habitat. Council tax has gone up and services have got less, people
seem unwilling to do more themselves.
Participation on outside bodies and partnerships
Overview and Scrutiny Board
I am the only Liberal Democrat Councillors on this board, but I do enjoy looking at all
the different topics that we discuss. At the Council meetings, most of the Notice of
Opposition Business motions get referred for us to investigate. Over the last year the
following have been discussed:
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Support for Jobseekers and Employees with Dyslexia
Councillors and Candidates with Disabilities
Shop Local Loyalty Scheme
Community Shop
Community Bank
20mph in residential areas
Defibrillators in schools
Tackling irresponsible dog owners
Reviewed:
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Town Centre Parking
Gambling Policy
Youth Justice Strategy
Local Safeguarding Adults and Children
Oldham Youth Service
Early Help
Greater Manchester Spatial Strategy
Free Early Education Entitlement for targeted 2 year olds and extended to all 3
and 4 year olds
 Get Oldham Working
Corporate Parenting Panel
I have been a member of this panel for many years and have seen some changes, good and
not so good. This panel needs to focus on the children and young people and make sure
that they get the best outcomes. Whilst looking at statistics and figures can give you the
answer, it’s about what how they feel because they are in care – either fostered or living in a
Children’s homes.
We must never forget that what we want for our children, should be the same as what we
want as Corporate Parents for children that are looked after. The best bit of the meeting is
seeing the Children in Care Council members presenting their ideas to us; I have seen many
of them grow up to be wonderful adults with so much potential.
Ward work
My colleagues and I have worked with residents of Lower Surrey Avenue and Hereford Close
in High Crompton to get a fully functioning Home Watch Group.
The new Home Watch Group said “Following a spate of burglaries in our area something
needed to be done. I contacted my ward Councillors who were only too willing to offer
assistance to us and with help from the local Councillors, the Police and Oldham Home
Watch Association we are up and running. Our new Group, which comprises of residents on
Lower Surrey and Hereford, meets at the Lifelong Learning Centre in Shaw, every two
months.”
Pictured with the new Homewatch Group
I have supported local residents with issues such as housing, benefits, council tax problems,
planning applications and planning problems, accessing council services and fixing concerns
reported to me.
My colleagues and I do not wait for an email to come or the phone to ring we get out in to the
neighbourhood and talk to people; this can be on the doors, in the high street or at local
events or even in Asda.
My colleagues and I do not support the relocation of the Market to the High Street instead we
would of liked the investment from the council to be put towards pop up stalls on its historic
site behind the High Street, and a revamp - the new location is causing traffic problems as
well as a whole host of other problems, despite what is being promoted by the Council and in
the press.
When I spoke some of the shop keepers they were telling me things that made me feel sick
and very angry. They told that me they felt blackmailed, bullied and intimidated into agreeing
that they would have a stall in front of their shop front. Members of the public also told me
that they felt “encouraged” to sign up to this relocation.
Pictured with colleagues holding some of the signatures against the Market being
moved
Budget allocations:
My ward budget is pooled with ward colleagues and pending on the scheme sometimes
shared with my Shaw ward colleagues as an idea may benefit both wards.
 Funded leaflets and delivery including extra dog fouling patrols in problematic areas in
conjunction with a dog fouling project soon to be rolled out to High Crompton Park
 Allocated funding to Vicarage Way for traffic calming measures
 We have provided and refilled grit bins which do not quite meet the Councils criteria but
we believe they are of benefit to a number of residents in the area
 Provided the funding to the Christmas Lights Switch On
 Allocated money for environmental improvements to the Big Lamp roundabout
 Funded a number of Wild flower planting at sites in and around Shaw and Crompton
 Funded a Defibrillator, storage unit and fitting at the Life Long Learning Centre
 Funded replacement of alley gating signs near Fitton Street
 Funded a number of Street name plates which did not meet the Councils criteria be we
felt they needed replacing
 Funded lighting at Crompton Library following reports of Anti-Social Behaviour
 Funded trips to Oldham Coliseum to help tackle social isolation
 Funded improvements to East Crompton St James Church kitchen to allow them to hold
bigger events to help tackle social isolation
 Funded three phases of environmental improvements to backings just behind Oldham
Road
 Funded a barrier at New Barn Playing Fields to stop unauthorised use by vehicles or
caravans
 We have a number of schemes planned from highway improvements to environmental
works
 Funded a retractable stump to prevent unauthorised vehicle access to the backing at
Fitton Street
 Funded a crushed gravel path leading from Alison Street to Fraser Street
 Funded a grind rail for use by BMX bikes and Skateboards
 Funded a Graffiti project over a 12 week period examples of the artwork was then
displayed in the Library, which we funded also
 Put money towards an initiative with partners to help those who are making ASB to show
them their actions and impact on others
 Allocated money for investigation with flooding on Grasmere Road, Royton (Crompton
ward)
 Allocated funding to a deep clean of the backings on Alison Street
Another project is to get more Christmas lights within Shaw Town Centre and for some
improvements to the Big Lamp Roundabout.
Ward surgeries
Ward surgeries are carried out every Thursday between 7.30pm- 8.30pm at the Life Long
Learning Centre in Shaw. Shaw and Crompton colleagues make sure that between us every
Thursday is covered for advice sessions.
My details are in the public domain and are on the Council website they are as follows:
27 Mosshey Street, Shaw, Oldham OL2 8QL
Home: 01706 558036 (with answer machine service)
Mobile: 07805 587327 (with answer machine service)
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @CllrDWilliamson
Facebook: Councillor Diane Williamson
Instagram: councillor_diane_williamson
Achievements during the year
Helping to elect my now Crompton ward colleague Julia Turner and all the hard work we put
in to that; knocking on doors in the pouring rain and snow talking to residents made it all
worth it – we all make a formidable team.
Super residential with Oldham Youth Council , Children In Care Council and Barrier Breakers
at The Conway Centre (three day event) getting to know Oldham’s young people.
Events attended:
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Shaw Whit Walks Organised by Churches Together (helped as a marshal)
Shaw & Crompton Parish Council’s Chairman’s Civic Service
Day in the Life of a Police Sergeant at Oldham Police Station
Oldham Pride 2015
Oldham Youth Mayor making
Super residential with Oldham Youth Council , Children In Care Council and Barrier
Breakers at The Conway Centre (three day event)
World War 1 event at Oldham Parish Church
Paris Peace Vigil
First Choice Homes Oldham customer conference at FCHO Headquarters Union
Street, Oldham
Queens Garden Party – Buckingham Palace
Corporate Parenting Conference
Shaw Town Centre Christmas Lights switch on
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Dunwood Park Christmas Event (helper)
Friends of Jubilee Colliery open day
Oldham Education Awards
Oldham Council Top Awards
Stars in Our Eyes Awards for Oldham’s looked after children
At this moment in time I am trying to organise a Tea Dance at St Andrew’s Church and Kite
Festival in High Crompton Park. These are in the early stages of organising but I am hoping
that with help and support from the local community this will be achieved.