Oldham Council leadership blasted for cutting first meeting of the year to watch the football

Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes has blasted Labour and so-called Independent councillors for cutting the Council Meeting (10/07/24) short by two hours to watch the football.

Councillor Sykes said, “I think the public will be absolutely furious that Labour suggested this.

“Why is it that members of the Labour Group and the so-called Independents (FiPs and S&C) think they are so much better than ordinary people?”

The full council meeting (10/07) was the first of only six voting meetings of the full council that take place each year.  It coincided with England’s Euro semi-final showdown against the Netherlands.  Labour councillors have proposed axing the time allowed for Opposition questions to the Leader and her Cabinet to allow for an early finish.  They say they will do it all in writing after the meeting.

Councillor Sykes said: “Don’t get me wrong, I would love to go home and watch England.  But the fact is we only have six Full Council meetings a year.

“That’s six opportunities to hold those in power to account.  I’m sorry, but people expect us to do our job.  Most people in Oldham Borough don’t have the luxury of clocking off early just because they want to.  I see no reason for councillors to behave any differently.

“It’s certainly not ok for the ruling party to use the England match as an excuse to cut the time that opposition councillors use to hold them to account.”