Find out this week's news from Oldham Council

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Beever pupils join Council Leader to reopen Hilton Square

School children joined Oldham Play Action Group and Oldham Council Leader, Arooj Shah, to take part in eco-friendly themed activities to mark the opening of our town centre's new Hilton Square.

The event marked the completion of the council's project to create a greener and more accessible town centre, just in time for summer.

The works have been underway since January 2022, with significant improvements made to make the town centre safer, easier to navigate and a more pleasant environment for pedestrians, wheelchair users, cyclists, and people with prams and buggies.

The improvements have been made to Henshaw Street, Albion Street and the top of Curzon Street – which will now be known as Hilton Square. The space has been named after the Hilton Arcade, which was constructed in 1893 and was officially opened by Cllr Shah during this week's event.

As part of the opening children from Beever Primary School were invited to plant some verbena in the new beds with the council's environment team; learn more about the sustainability of the project; and take part in some crafts with Oldham Play Action Group.

Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “I was delighted to officially open Hilton Square, particularly meeting local children and learning more about how, together, we can all help the environment.

"Although only a small part of our wider ambitions, these works will also contribute towards our goal of being the greenest borough in Greater Manchester, and becoming a carbon neutral borough by 2030."

Read the full story on Hilton Square opening ([link removed])


** Nominations for Mayor's wish granting scheme now open
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The Mayor of Oldham has launched his Truly Wished initiative, to bring joy to people across the borough who are experiencing financial hardship.

Truly Wished will see the money usually donated to the Mayor’s charities given directly to deserving Oldhamers instead. Cllr Zahid Chauhan OBE will also be donating his ful Mayoral allowance to the pot, and has been encouraging businesses in Oldham to donate.

The nomination form launched this week and the Mayor held a launch event to promote the initiative, with organisations across Oldham in attendance, alongside community members and Council Leader, Cllr Aroj Shah.

To make a nomination, complete the form and explain why your nominee deserves to be chosen, what their wish is, and how it would make a difference to them.

All wishes up to a maximum value of £500 will be eligible for consideration, with the final decision on wishes will not the mayor himself and the nomination process is being managed by Action Together ([link removed])
Head to Action Together: Truly Wished ([link removed])
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Free pest control service goes live

Oldham Council is now offering a free pest control service to residents who own their own homes, and those living in private rented accommodation.

We’re introducing the service after listening to residents – some who were struggling to pay for the cost of getting rid of vermin.

The free service covers all pests that are a risk to public health, such as rats, mice, cockroaches, bed bugs and fleas, inside properties.

Our pest control team offers a service for common pest problems, for domestic and commercial customers.

For full terms and conditions visit the council website.

Depending on the severity of the infestation, more than one treatment may be required. For every service request you will receive up to three visits.

If you live in social housing then your registered landlord is responsible for pest control.

To contact our pest control team, or to find out more, visit www.oldham.gov.uk/pestcontrol
Find out more about our pest control service ([link removed])


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Street trader prosecuted for selling fake goods
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Oldham Council’s Trading Standards department has successfully prosecuted a Clarksfield man after a haul of counterfeit branded goods, including trainers, perfume and sunglasses, were discovered.
Read the full story ([link removed])
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Don't Trash Oldham takes action

The new Leader of Oldham Council has been out to see how our teams are tackling fly-tipping and taking action against environmental criminals.

Councillor Arooj Shah and Councillor Chris Goodwin, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, joined staff from our Don’t Trash Oldham Neighbourhood Enforcement team on patrol in St Mary’s.

During their visit they saw the team investigate bags of waste dumped near Cranberry Street.

Evidence was retrieved and enforcement officers will now be following this up and issuing a fine (Fixed Penalty Notice) to the person responsible.

The waste was then placed in red enforcement bags and removed from the street by our staff.

Councillor Shah said: “It was good to get out and see for myself what our staff are up against.

“I’m proud to say I come from St Mary’s and the vast majority of people I talk to are proud of their neighbourhoods too.

“But I’m really disappointed that a small number of people think it’s ok to just dump their rubbish here and leave our teams to clear it up. Sadly, it’s the same across the borough, not just in St Mary’s. It’s not on.

For more information on Don’t Trash Oldham – including how to report environmental crimes – visit www.oldham.gov.uk/donttrasholdham
Read the full story ([link removed])


** Major route gets £900k investment
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Oldham Council has secured £900,000 of funding to start planning work aimed at improving one of the major gateways into the town centre.

The money will be used to draw up detailed plans for the future of St Mary’s Way.

The proposed improvements are part of the wider vision to make the town centre easier to get around – Accessible Oldham – and ongoing regeneration schemes that will deliver more much needed homes and significant improvements, such as the town centre park.

Find out more about the St Mary's Way road improvements ([link removed])
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Oldham Council . Civic Centre . West Street . Oldham, OL1 1UT . United Kingdom