Find out this week's news from Oldham Council

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Illuminate is back and bigger than ever!

Set a date in your calendar as our late-night arts festival, Illuminate, returns this month.

Following the continued success of the event in previous years, we’re expanding the programme to run from Monday 13 to Sunday 19 February, with visitors set to be wowed by incredible artworks and performances from across the UK.

Visit our website to find out more about what’s in store at this year’s event ([link removed])
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Following the sad news from Oldham Coliseum, our Leader Amanda Chadderton has this message to Oldhamers
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Have your say!

If you’re an unpaid carer and want to have a say in how we can support you, now’s the time to be heard.

We’re refreshing our Carers’ Strategy and need your help to shape our priorities and support for unpaid carers across the borough over the next three years.

Please share your views and tell us what is important to you by taking part in our brief survey before Sunday 10 March ([link removed])

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Photo ID is now compulsory for voting.

From 4 May 2023, voters in England will need to show a photo ID to vote at polling stations.

If you don't have an accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate here ([link removed])

You can learn more about accepted photo ID forms, how to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, and what to expect on polling day at the Voter ID website ([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.

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

We are currently finalising our spending plans – the budget - and over the next two financial years, we’re 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.

At the same time, we want to invest in the things that are the most important to us all. 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 ([link removed]) www.oldham.gov.uk/budget23-25 ([link removed])

The consultation will run until next Friday, 10 February.

Councillors will then make a final decision on next year's budget proposals at Budget Council on March 1
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Oldham Council’s Oldham Council is supporting National Apprenticeship Week – get involved!

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, taking place Monday 6 – Sunday 12 February, we’ll be helping to raise awareness of opportunities available and hosting several internal sessions with staff across the week.

Keep an eye out on our Get Oldham Working (GOW) Facebook page ([link removed])

Oldham Council Facebook will also have up-to-date roles available and information on the benefits to both employers and learners ([link removed])

On Tuesday 7 February the Job Centre will be hosting a Jobs Fair at Oldham Library, 10.30am – 12:30 noon, where our GOW team will be on hand to answer questions from residents of all ages – just pop in and say hello.

Alongside the work taking place to help residents consider an apprenticeship, we’re also hosting sessions with staff to provide in-depth advice about apprenticeship opportunities and where they can be created in their teams.

Members of the team will be taking part in an Apprenticeship Panel at Oldham College on Friday 10 February – highlighting further the benefits of the apprenticeship route in partnership with the college.

For more information about the week, visit the apprenticeship website ([link removed])
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Oldham Way: Essential bridge works reminder

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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Last chances to get Covid booster jab

The NHS is encouraging people to come forward for their Covid booster before the offer ends next month.

The last chance to get a booster will be on Sunday 12 February. After that, the programme is being paused.

You can get a booster at a number of locations, with walk-in appointments available at the Royal Oldham.

To see online where the closest location is to you visit the NHS booking system website ([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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Oldham Council . Civic Centre . West Street . Oldham, OL1 1UT . United Kingdom

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