We have now moved from a Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition to a Labour council with a working majority (and a hopeful prediction for the next general election!).
Oldham is a borough of contrasts. Over 90 per cent of the population live in its urban core and yet 25 per cent of the borough graphically falls within the Peak District National Park. Like many northern towns we have seen the loss of well paid manufacturing jobs over decades with the creation of a low-wage, low-skills economy with the inevitable consequence of low aspirations and ambition for the future.
The challenge now is to change the lives of our residents for the better at a time of unprecedented public sector cuts. Our financial settlement has meant budget reductions of £41 million this year with a remaining £51 million over the remaining settlement. It would be understandable to become angry at the scale of the problems imposed on Oldham by an uncaring central government. However anger is not enough and to simply blame the government would be a disservice to our citizens.
At a local level Labour has to show it has the imagination and determination to provide the best services possible. As part of this determination we will be re-opening the respite centre which was scheduled for closure by the previous administration. We can’t escape taking some hard decisions in the near future and we will be looking at how we can reduce senior management costs with neighbouring councils and exploring new development and investment vehicles to place our borough in the best possible position when the economy begins to turn around.
Our role as civic leaders is not simply to provide good services, but also to give the town confidence, a shared vision and ambition for the future together with a sense that despite the financial climate we can achieve real improvements on the ground.
So what do we want to achieve? We want to be part of the national debate about the future of labour local government. We want to establish Oldham as a Cooperative Council including the introduction of the Living Wage and an ethical standards policy which repositions Oldham as a true public service acting in the public interest. Next year is the United Nations Year of the Cooperative and we want to see the establishment locally of a Cooperative Commission supported by local Cooperatives Team which will put in place a Cooperative Charter and introduce a Community Dividend Fund.
Oldham, like many 1974 metropolitan boroughs, is an uneasy combination of existing communities with a strong sense of civic pride. Rather than ignore this reality we want to see a real devolution of power and services to these communities. As part of this we want to see a change in the role of all councillors and recognition that they are the real local leaders with an electoral mandate.
In 2013 the Metrolink will be coming to Oldham, giving us much better transportation links with the wider conurbation. Just as important it will provide high quality broadband links. Better links with the rest of the conurbation will allow us to develop the town centre and help create an artistic centre with the well respected Oldham Coliseum and Gallery Oldham.
Education will be key to unlocking the talent of our young people. We will work with our schools, colleges and the recently established university campus to ensure better access to vocational and academic training. We are proud to have delivered our Regional Science Centre here in Oldham, but our hunger and ambition means this is only the start.
Oldham has a great history and has made an enormous contribution to the Labour and Cooperative movement. Now we have to look to the future and play our part in its economic, social and political regeneration.