Find out this week's news from Oldham Council

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Winter holiday activities get underway

Tomorrow starts the beginning of our latest Holiday Activities and Food programme to provide exciting free sessions for children aged 5 to 16 on free school meals this winter.

With added childcare and food costs putting families under pressure during the school holidays, our HAF programme offers a real lifeline for lower-income households.

Not only do children have a great time with people their own age during activities such as sports camps and cookery classes, they also receive a healthy meal with every activity they attend.

More than 14,000 children are eligible for HAF in Oldham, with the latest programme running until Friday 6 January.

You can read more about our programme on our HAF website. ([link removed])

If your children are not eligible for our HAF programme, there is a list of useful providers you can contact over the holidays on our r ‘Activities for All’ page ([link removed]) .

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Free family swim sessions over the winter holidays

Most schools across Oldham have now closed for the holidays and to celebrate we have yet another great offer for you to enjoy with the family over the winter holidays.

We’ve worked close with Oldham Community Leisure to offer FREE FAMILY SWIM sessions for up to two adults and three children for all Oldham families, and we especially want to encourage struggling families to take up this incredible offer – particularly those who are not eligible for free school meals and holiday activities.

The offer will be open across all the leisure centres and for both Family Swim and Public Swim sessions until the holidays end, and it is the perfect way to stay active, spend time as a family and have some fun over the Christmas holidays.

For more information contact OCL through their website ([link removed])
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Oldham's upcoming budget is discussed

Earlier this week, local councillors were updated on budget plans for the next two financial years.

It is estimated the local authority will have to find £27.975m of savings in 2023/24, with a further shortfall of £14.575m predicted for the following year – so a total of £42.55m.

Work is going on at the council to find the savings and this will continue for the next two years, while it is still waiting to hear what its annual funding settlement from the government will be.

Oldham Council is currently still reliant on the Government for around half of its funding so it is a vital element of the council’s financial strategy.

Funding in recent years has not kept pace with the needs of the Council and this means the Council has even less money to support residents, including the most vulnerable.

In the new year the council will be holding a public budget consultation where you will be able to give your views on a range of measures designed to save money so please get involved when the time comes.
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Landmark health centre opens in Royton

A landmark diagnostics centre that will provide vital testing for up to 30,000 patients per year and has created more than 50 new jobs opens next week.

The Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in Oldham welcomes its first patients on Monday 19 December – just a year after granting planning permission to build the centre on vacant land at Salmon Fields in Royton.

Oldham CDC is another project from the ambitious programme of works in the Creating a Better Place plan, which is ensuring Oldham is a great place to live, work and visit.

Creating a Better Place also includes developments at Spindles and the cultural quarter of Oldham town centre that, as a set of programmes, could deliver 2,000 new homes designed for a range of different budgets and needs, 1,000 new jobs and 100 new apprenticeships, and aligns with Council priorities to be the Greenest Borough

Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “We are proud to have worked alongside Northern Care Alliance on this important centre which will play a huge role in our local community.

“It will bring a first-class health facility to Oldham – giving people across the region convenient access to care with earlier diagnosis and shorter waiting times.

“The site is flexible to accommodate the future expansion of services and will help to create a wide range of quality jobs and training opportunities. It’s a win-win for all involved.”

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Our services are on hand to support you through crisis

As part of our We Can Help campaign to support residents who are struggling, we're investing in services like our Support and Inclusion Team to provide further financial assistance and wellbeing advice to people who have needs beyond one-off crisis support.

One recent case managed by the team involved a resident who owed more than £1,000 on his rent and £2,000 in Council Tax arrears.

After speaking with the team and talking through their personal circumstances, colleagues discovered the resident hadn't rightfully been claiming Council Tax Reduction or a discretionary housing payment.

With help from the team on their applications, this resident now receives previously unclaimed benefits that have helped them to reduce their rent arrears by £400, reduced the amount owed in Council Tax by £900.

If you are in a similar situation to this resident, please call our helpline on 0161 770 7007 for support between the hours of 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, or visit the council’s We Can Help website ([link removed]) .

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Reminder to Christmas bin collection changes

Please remember that due to the way Boxing Day lands this year, there will be a change to your waste and recycling bin collection date if they are due to be emptied on Monday 26 December.

Instead, you need to put them out on Christmas Eve (Saturday, December 24) - except for green bins and food caddies which will be collected on Monday 2 January as collections take place as normal.

Please share this information with your neighbours and check your collection dates on our website ([link removed])

Tommyfield Market is open for Christmas

Christmas is a key period for businesses over Christmas and we’re encouraging everyone to show their support to our hard-working traders by buying everything you need at Tommyfield Market in the run-up to the big day.

The market has everything you need, from fresh fruit and vegetables, meats and flowers to toys, fashion, and clothing. You can also pick up your cards, gifts and even wrapping paper – so be prepared before the 25th December.

For Tommyfield Market's opening times over Christmas, visit our markets webpage ([link removed])

Don’t forget there is free parking from 3pm on weekdays in the market car park (no need to display a ticket).

There’s also free parking for up to three hours on all Council-owned town centre car parks every Saturday and Sunday (you must take a ticket from the machine and display in your vehicle to qualify for this offer).

For offers and deals from our traders f ([link removed]) ollow the markets page on Facebook ([link removed])

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Had your booster yet?
Autumn Covid-19 boosters continue to be made available for residents over the age of 50 as part of a nationwide effort to top up people’s protection against the virus.

Pregnant women, frontline health and social workers, carers and those at ‘high risk’ are also eligible for the booster.

As the latest infection figures in the UK continue to rise, it’s important we continue to get the protection we need against the virus in order to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

For more information on how you can book your vaccine,
please visit our dedicated Coronavirus webpage ([link removed])
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Oldham Foodbank need your donations

As times get even harder for many households across the borough, thousands are turning to Oldham Foodbank for basic food supplies and with Christmas just around the corner too, we know some families will sadly go without this year because of the pressures they are under.

So, if you can donate a selection box that will make a young person smile, or some trimmings towards a Christmas dinner that brings a family together, you really are making a bigger difference than you think to someone’s life.

The foodbank is particularly in need of;
• Mince pies (non-alcoholic)
• Christmas crackers
• Pringles/ crisps
• Crackers for cheese
• Chutneys
• Non-alcoholic Christmas cake
• Christmas chocolates
• Stuffing
• Cranberry sauce
• Gravy Condiments

Drop your items off in person at their Unit B base on the Prince of Wales House Industrial Estate off Vulcan Street in Derker or donate at local supermarkets and donation points ([link removed]) .
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Connect with us on Social Media
Oldham Council is on Twitter ([link removed]) , Facebook ([link removed]) , Instagram, ([link removed]) TikTok ([link removed]) and LinkedIn ([link removed]) . Join our followers and get the latest news, events, alerts from across the borough, business, regeneration, employment opportunities and much more.

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