Find out this week's news from Oldham Council

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Today marks Holocaust Memorial Day

A day when we come together to remember the millions of people who were murdered by the Nazi regime and their collaborators during the Holocaust, and the devastating genocides which followed in Columbia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.

We’ve been at Waterhead Academy this morning, where staff and pupils joined the Mayor of Oldham and other guests in reflecting on those we have lost and how we can take action to create a safer future.

You can take part in commemorating this annual event too, including the safe lighting of a candle in your window at 4pm today as part of a special ‘Light the Darkness’ moment across the country to remember those who were killed and to stand against prejudice and hatred.

To learn more about Holocaust Memorial Day visit their webpage ([link removed])

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Update after dead birds found in Alexandra Park lake

A number of dead birds have been found in the boating lake at Alexandra Park.

Officers are working with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and are arranging for the carcasses to be collected so tests can be carried out.

As a precaution, in the meantime, park staff have placed signs around the lake asking people to not feed any birds, keep dogs on leads near the water and stay on the paths.

Visitors are also asked not to touch or try to rescue sick or injured birds and to report any they see to park staff.

If anyone spots a dead bird in the park please call 0161 770 4422.

Dead wild birds can also be reported via the following website ([link removed])
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Photo ID is now compulsory for voting.

The Government has introduced new legislation which means photographic identification will be compulsory for anyone voting in person in this year’s elections.

Voters attending the polls on Thursday 4 May will be refused a ballot if they do not show a Government-approved photo ID.

Accepted ID includes a passport, driving licence, concessionary bus pass, or a PASS card (Proof of Age Standards Scheme).

If you don’t have any of these forms of ID, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. A website has been set up for registration for free voter ID ([link removed] )

If you can’t get online, our staff can help you complete this over the phone. For assistance, please call 0161 770 4718. Alternatively, you can call into one of our libraries and our staff can help you get online and talk you through online registration.

Postal votes will not require further ID and the deadline for registering for a postal vote for May’s election is 18 April 2023.

Postal votes can be sent to the Elections Office at Oldham’s Civic Centre but can also be handed into any polling station on 4 May – election day.

To be eligible to vote or to register for a Voter Authority Certificate, you need to be registered.

More information about Voter ID, including what photo ID will be accepted, is available at the Voter ID website ([link removed])
Have your say on our budget plans...

We're setting our budget for 2023/24, and we want residents of our communities to help us balance the books.

We are currently finalising our spending plans – the budget - and over the next two financial years, Oldham Council is looking to find £42.55m worth of savings.

That’s a huge amount and means that councillors will need to agree on a range of proposals to cut expenditure, increase income and change the way we work.

Work is going on throughout the organisation to find savings and will continue for the next two years.

Setting a budget is never easy and this year we have faced added financial pressures. Rising fuel and energy costs, an increase in the Real Living Wage, greater demand for services following Covid, and now the Cost of Living crisis, have all had a significant impact on our budget planning.

However, we still need to protect and carry on delivering vital services we know you all rely on, such as looking after children and the elderly; keeping our streets clean, and emptying bins.

At the same time, we want to invest in the things that are the most important to us all, to build a better Oldham for the future. This means putting more money into children’s social care; tackling the Cost of Living crisis head-on with one of the country’s biggest support packages for those of you who need our help; and driving forward developments that will boost the local economy, creating jobs and support local businesses.

So please tell us:
* How do you think we can save money?
* What do you think are the most important things to spend money on?

You can take part in the consultation by visiting www.oldham.gov.uk/budget23-25 ([link removed])

The consultation will run from today, Wednesday 11 January, until Friday 10 February 2023.

Councillors will then make a final decision on next year's budget proposals at Budget Council on March 1.
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Oldham Way: Essential bridge works

On February 6 essential improvement work on the Oldham Way bridges at Waterloo Street and Wellington Street will begin. The maintenance work is due to be completed in late autumn.

Oldham Way is one of the busiest stretches of road in the borough so work is needed to ensure the structures are fit for purpose so vehicles can use them for years to come. The council secured funding of £4.174m from the government to pay for the scheme.

So, the maintenance can be carried out safely and in the least possible amount of time Waterloo Street and Wellington Street will be closed underneath Oldham Way to all traffic from 6 February until the works are finished.

Oldham Way will remain open during work, but lane closures will occur. There will be no more night-time closures on Oldham Way. Prince St will remain closed until Sunday 29 January.

From February 6 traffic will be down to one lane in both directions. Advanced warning signage will be in place and dates are subject to change. Pedestrian access will be maintained with any changes signposted in advance.

The council knows this work will cause inconvenience, and we are very sorry for that in advance. Please bear with us – this work will mean the bridges are in a good state of repair. For more information go to www.oldham.gov.uk/bridgeworks
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Buy tickets for a charity football match in aid of charities associated with the Manchester Arena bombing

A Legends v Celebs charity football match raising funds for charities associated with the Manchester Arena bombing is being held at Boundary Park.

Some big names, local celebs, and former Latics stars are lacing up their up to play, including Calum Best, Wes Brown, Richie Wellens, Colin Hendry, Adam Thomas, Simon Wood, and Dean Holden.

Former England manager Sam Allardyce and Everton and Manchester City legend Peter Reid will be on the sidelines calling the shots.

The event is being held on Bank Holiday Sunday, May 7 with a 3pm kick-off.

As well as the football there will be live music on the day from Courtbetweeners, Hunter & The Wolves with more names to be confirmed.

Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for those under 18s.

For more information and to buy a ticket visit the Oldham Athletic site here ([link removed])
A new greener, cleaner and active transport strategy agreed

Oldham Council’s Cabinet has agreed on a new vision that looks to cut vehicle emissions and get more residents walking, cycling, and using public transport.

The town’s new Transport Strategy supports the borough’s ambitions to create a healthier place over the next 15 years - one where people want to live, work and visit.

The report sets out several ways that the council and our partners will work together to deliver an integrated transport system in the coming years and run all the way through to 2040.

As part of the strategy, the council has also outlined plans to improve and update car parking provision in the town centre. This includes looking at the price of parking.

Over the coming years this new strategy can have major benefits. Our ambition is to make it easier for residents to get about without using their cars, helping to cut pollution and freeing up road space for essential journeys.
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Gallery Oldham: Tony Husband – 37½ Years in Private Eye

Gallery Oldham’s latest exhibition celebrates the work of multi-award-winning cartoonist Tony Husband.

Tony’s work has appeared in national newspapers such as The Times, Daily Mail, and Sunday Express as well as magazines ranging from Playboy through to Private Eye and The Spectator.

The exhibition brings together a selection of Tony’s most popular and favourite cartoons. Many of the works on display are also available to purchase.

From the world of Oink comics to his recent work with the dementia community, including here in Oldham, Tony’s illustrations have touched many lives.

The exhibition launches with a special event on Saturday 4 February, 1-4pm.

Visitors can come along to meet Tony and see him in action as we celebrate the career of the nation’s hardest working cartoonist.

You can also join Tony for a guided tour of his exhibition and to hear some tales from his career on Wednesday 22 February.

The exhibition runs until 13 May.

For more information visit the Gallery Oldham website ([link removed] )
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