Find out this week's news from Oldham Council

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Million-pound investment in new pitch boosts future of sport in Oldham

A new high-specification pitch at Boundary Park Stadium will receive a £1 million investment from Oldham Council - and will see Oldham Athletic Football Club and Oldham Rugby League Football Club collaborate to enhance community sports provision for the borough.

The collaboration and investment will help unlock opportunities for broader investment that will improve the area's education, health, and employment.

It means that larger rugby games can be kept in Oldham - securing the future of rugby in the town.

Find out more about t ([link removed]) he investment via our webpage ([link removed])

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Applications for £100 street party grants are now live

Plans to celebrate the King's Coronation are getting a boost as the Council launches grants to fund street parties during the May bank holiday weekend.

Applications are now being accepted for £100 grants to be put towards community street parties, with 100 grants available – being awarded on a first-come, first served basis.

Before applying, residents should arrange a street meeting or group chat to discuss the date and time of the party, plus options for food, decorations, and entertainment. Grants cannot be used for alcohol or fireworks.

After consulting with neighbours about hosting a street party, one person can make an application on behalf of the street at: Apply for a Coronation Street Party ([link removed])
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Today it’s the #DontTrashOldham Day of Action in support of the #GBSpringClean

Councillors, staff, and residents of all ages have been out picking up litter – helping to make the borough cleaner and greener.

Here are some photos from today’s activity as part of the #DontTrashOldham Day of Action!

Teams from across the council have been out in force litter picking in various hotspots in the borough throughout the day.

Find out more about the campaign via our Don't Trash webpage ([link removed])
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Inspirational young people recognised with Civic Awards

At this week's Full Council meeting, three young people were recognised with Civic Appreciation Awards to celebrate their tremendous contributions to their local communities and the borough of Oldham.

Keira-Louise Arnold, Hannah Miah, and Ibrahim Yousaf have all raised thousands of pounds for charity, despite facing many challenges themselves.

After losing her father at an early age, Keira has been raising money via the "Keira’s Wishes" fund and, over the last five years, has raised more than £40k for Dr. Kershaw’s Hospice in Royton; where her father was cared for before his death.

Read more about the young people's inspirational stories on our webpage ([link removed])

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Oldham half marathon to return this Halloween

Oldham’s half marathon, one of the toughest 13.1 mile races in the UK, is set to return this Halloween, after more than three years away.

Returning on Sunday 29 October as the ‘Oldham Halloween Half’, this event presents a worthy challenge to any runner, with the course’s hilly terrain promising to ‘get your pulse racing’.

The route may be gruesome, but it revels in spectacular scenery, the atmosphere is electric and it's an event not to be missed.

Whether you are looking for a new running challenge, you want to raise money for charity, or you’re looking to compete just for fun, anyone aged 17 and over can now sign-up to take part via Oldham Community Leisure's website ([link removed])

You can read more about the Half Marathon on our news page ([link removed])

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Oldham to benefit from the new Greater Manchester Trailblazer Devolution Deal

Greater Manchester’s Mayor and Council Leaders have agreed on a new devolution deal with the Government and it’s the most significant yet - securing much greater influence over crucial policy areas.

The deal further embeds the role of local decision-making through additional powers, new financial freedoms, and new accountability arrangements.

The Mayor and Greater Manchester Council Leaders have secured most of their asks in negotiations with the Government. They are now focused on turning their ambitions into reality as English devolution enters a new era.

Significant breakthroughs secured in the new Trailblazer Deal include:
• The ability to create the country’s first integrated technical education city-region, so it works better for young people and employers, through a new partnership board with the Department for Education.

• More influence on regional rail services to deliver a London-style integrated public transport system - the Bee Network - by 2030.

• £150 million of brownfield funding and powers to underpin the new Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter, raising standards in the social and private rented sectors; and a single funding settlement similar to Scotland and Wales - the first time such a flexible grant has been given to an English region.

This will be the seventh devolution deal for Greater Manchester, building on existing responsibilities over transport, business support, employment and skills support, policing, spatial planning, housing investment, and health.

The deal will be subject to a statutory public consultation which will go live in the summer. The new powers and budget are anticipated to transfer to Greater Manchester next year. Find out more v ([link removed]) ia our webpage ([link removed])


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Join in the fun at Oldham Digital Festival 2023

Oldham Library is hosting a celebration of all things digital on Saturday, March 25.

Oldham Council and Peshkar, one of the country’s leading arts organisations, have organised a day of coding, digital art, games, workshops, and help and advice – and it’s all free.

You’ll be able to explore and experiment with professional and young digital artists from across the borough.

At the event you’ll be able to:

* Get help and advice in Tech and Tea sessions
* Give your little ones a chance to have a go at coding in Little Coders
* Plus, much more. There really is something for all ages to enjoy, read more about the festival here
* Watch Hidden Voices Mother Tongue - poetry and performance from Peshkar
* Take part in a Digi Drop-in with Lifelong Learning
* See what Hack Oldham has got going on

You can read more about the Digital Festival here ([link removed])

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Views sought for transport survey in Rochdale, Oldham, and Tameside

Bus passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users are being asked to share their experiences of travelling between Rochdale, Royton, Oldham, and Tameside to help shape highways, bus, and active travel improvements across the boroughs.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is delivering the Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s vision for a fully integrated, London-style transport system joining together buses, trams, cycling, and walking by early 2025, with rail incorporated by 2030.

Buses and bus infrastructure will form the single most significant component of the Bee Network, and last year Greater Manchester received more than £1bn from the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement – with significant funding set to be invested in buses, routes, and services to improve the quality of these journeys across the city-region.

As part of the next phase of this work, TfGM and partners are looking at ways to improve bus journeys connecting Rochdale, Royton, Oldham, and Ashton town centres. The A627 and A671 combined are the main bus corridor connecting the four towns and will be the focus of a new survey.

TfGM, along with Rochdale, Oldham, and Tameside councils, is keen to hear the views of people who use the routes, whether by bus, foot, bicycle, car, or combination of different modes. Anyone who visits lives in or travels through the boroughs is welcome to take part in the survey.

To find out more, and to take part in the survey, visit ([link removed]) the TFGM webpage ([link removed])

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Join Inspiral Carpets member as he chairs a debate on the local music scene

Oldham Library is hosting a unique debate that will hopefully strike a chord. ‘Sounds of the Suburbs: The future of live music in Oldham’ is being held on March 29.

Industry insiders and performers will be discussing if a live music scene can survive outside Manchester city centre.

The panel includes members of the Greater Manchester Music Board and will be chaired by Martyn Walsh, bass player with Oldham’s very own Inspiral Carpets and a music industry consultant.

The organisers hope attendees will come away from the event with the information and confidence to help shape the musical and cultural landscape of Oldham.

More information and how to book a place can be found here ([link removed])

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Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Awareness Day – be aware of the signs of abuse.

The 18 March marks National CSE Awareness Day. The day aims to highlight the issues surrounding CSE, encouraging everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero tolerance for adults developing inappropriate relationships with children or children developing inappropriate relationships with other children.

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if a child is being abused because the signs aren't always clear. The child themselves might not think of what's happening to them as abuse so it can often be challenging to understand if they're at risk.

So, it's important to know what to look for. Signs of potential sexual abuse or grooming can come in many forms such as:

• Unhealthy or inappropriate sexual behaviour.
• Being frightened of some people, places, or situations.
• Being secretive.
• Sharp changes in mood or character.
• Having money or things they can't or won't explain.
• Physical signs of abuse, like bruises or bleeding in their genital or anal area.
• Alcohol or drug misuse.
• Sexually transmitted infections.
• Pregnancy.

If a child talks to you about sexual exploitation, it's important to:
• Listen carefully to what they're saying
• Let them know they've done the right thing by telling you
• Tell them it's not their fault
• Say you'll take them seriously
• Don't confront the alleged abuser
• Explain what you'll do next
• Report what the child has told you as soon as possible.

Concerned about a child that might be at risk of sexual abuse?

Keeping Our Girls Safe is an independent charity that supports young people to make positive choices and teaches them about unhealthy relationships. They’re available to listen, without judgement and to help.

Speak to them today to get their expert advice on protecting young people.T: 07491 068364 or visit the Kogs website ([link removed])

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Gallery Oldham: Sam Fitton - Finding the Funny

Gallery Oldham’s latest exhibition, Finding the Funny, takes a look at the fun-loving and multi-talented Sam Fitton.

Fitton originally worked in the local cotton mills in Crompton but he went on to make a living as a skilled illustrator, poet, dialect writer, and performer.

He captured the funny side of life but also touched on the struggles of workers whose lives were difficult, dirty, and often short.

Find out more about the exhibition, which opens on March 18, o ([link removed]) n the Gallery Oldham Website ([link removed])

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Save the date – deadline to get free voter ID

If you don’t have the right ID to vote then you can apply for free voter ID. ([link removed])

Also known as Voter Authority Certificates, all you need to get this free ID is:
* Your name, as it appears on the electoral register
* Your address
* Your national insurance number
* A digital photo of you. This can be taken on your phone but needs to similar to a passport photo.

To get free voter ID you also need to be registered to vote ([link removed])

Accepted ID should be one of these:
* A passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country. Other passports will not be accepted
* A driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, or an EEA state (including provisional licences). Licences for other countries will not be accepted
* Older person’s bus pass
* Blue Badge
* PASS card (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)

If you don’t have one of these, then make sure you save the date of 25 April so you don’t forget to apply for free voter ID. ([link removed])

Other helpful links:
* Register to vote by post ([link removed])
* Register for someone else to vote for you (proxy voting) ([link removed])
* View the full list of accepted voter ID ([link removed])

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See where help with food is available in each district

If you need to know where support with food can be found in Oldham, then our new web page has all the details for you.

We’ve set out where you can go in each area, including what’s open at what time, each day of the week.

To see the interactive map of what is available.ead over to the We Can Help section of our website ([link removed])

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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