Liberal Democrat Leader announces Oldham Real Opposition Team for 2023/24

Fresh from local election results which saw the largest group of Liberal Democrat councillors elected to Oldham Council since 2015, Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has today announced his Real Opposition team for 2023/24.
 
Councillor Howard Sykes said: “I am proud to be leading the Liberal Democrat Group and to be at the head of a team that is growing year by year and is holding the Council and Labour to account.  This year we celebrate two new members of our team, councillor Helen Bishop for Saddleworth South, who will be covering Education and councillor Garth Harkness of Saddleworth North who will lead on Housing and Licensing.”  
 
“Trust in politics is at an all-time low.  The London soap-opera politics from Conservative politicians playing ‘pass the leadership’ is a distraction that does absolutely nothing for the people we represent here in Oldham.  What matters is quality local services, local schools, and hospitals, safeguarding our places of natural beauty, as well as roads, footpaths, and green spaces.”
 
“At the local elections, people saw fit to deal the Labour administration a hammer blow.  Labour have consistently failed to get the basics right.  But under my leadership, the Liberal Democrats have consistently been proven right on the big local issues that matter.” 

“On failed town centre regeneration schemes like Prince’s Gate.  On Labour’s wasteful spending on defunct Clean Air Zone signs.  On new health facilities for Shaw and Crompton.  On Cost-of-Living support for our most vulnerable.  The Liberal Democrats are always first with the ideas that will move Oldham Borough forward.”
 
“We now have 10 seats on the Council, our largest group since 2015.  Each Liberal Democrat councillor is a strong local champion who will never take the support from their community for granted.  We are ready to serve our communities and stand up to an increasingly tired Labour administration which is running out of road.”
 
Details of the appointments follow:
 
Group Leader: Councillor Howard Sykes MBE 
Deputy Group Leader: Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani
Group Chair: Councillor Louie Hamblett
Group Secretary: Councillor Diane Williamson
Group Treasurer: Councillor Hazel Gloster
Group Political Secretary: Councillor Mark Kenyon

Liberal Democrat Spokespeople 2023/24:
Reform and Regeneration: Councillor Howard Sykes (City Region; Economic Growth; Cost-of-Living Response; Transport; External Relationships & Partnerships; Capital Projects & Assets; Corporate Property & Assets; Borough Strategy; Communications)

Finance & Corporate Resources: Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani (Finance; Green New Deal; Energy; Revenues & Benefits; HR and OD; Legal Services; Performance; Customer Services; IT, Digital and Transformation)
 
Children and Young People: Councillor Hazel Gloster (Child Safeguarding; Children’s Partnership; Looked After Children; Adoption and Fostering; Youth Service; Early Years; Early Help)

Children’s Health & Wellbeing Health and Social Care: Councillor Louie Hamblett (Adult Social Services; Adult Safeguarding; Disability Services & Adaptations; Mental Health & Wellbeing; Isolation; Integrated Care System Development; Provider Services; Health Improvement)
 
Education and Skills: Councillor Helen Bishop (Education & Skills; School Place Planning; Looked After Children (Educational Performance); Apprenticeships; Lifelong Learning; Work & Skills Strategy)

Neighbourhoods: Councillor Dave Murphy (Environmental Services; Waste & Recycling; Parks & Countryside; Emergency Planning; Highways; Registrars & Cemeteries; Justice & Community Safety; Community Cohesion)
 
Housing and Licensing: Councillor Garth Harkness (Strategic Housing; Planning; Homelessness; Housing Quality & Enforcement;Building Control; Trading Standards & Licensing; Landlord Licensing)

Communities and Culture: Councillor Alicia Marland (Culture; Leisure; Libraries, Heritage & Arts; Sports & Sport Development Events; Social Infrastructure; PBI & Districts; VCSFE Sector)
 
Business, Employment and Enterprise: Councillor Mark Kenyon (Employment & Employability; Get Oldham Working; Business Support; Business Networking; Markets)
 
Liberal Democrat Lead Members on Boards and Committees (spokespersons in bold):
Helen Bishop, Louie Hamblett & Mark Kenyon. - Licensing Committee
Sam Al-Hamdani & Howard Sykes - Audit Committee
Hazel Gloster & Garth Harkness - Planning Committee
Diane Williamson - Standards Committee
Sam Al-Hamdani - Employment Committee
Sam Al-Hamdani - Governance, Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board
Helen Bishop - Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Board
Louie Hamblett - Adults Social Care and Health Scrutiny Board
Diane Williamson - Place, Economic Growth and Environmental Scrutiny Board
Dave Murphy - Traffic Regulation Panel (TRO)
Helen Bishop - Commons Registration Committee
Alicia Marland - Charitable Trust Committee
 
Liberal Democrat District Leads:
Diane Williamson - North Deputy District Lead and Lib Dem Spokesperson
Sam Al-Hamdani - East Deputy District Lead and Lib Dem Spokesperson