Ken makes a stand... at half the cost

GOING head to head . . . Alan Roughley

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Campaigning Saddleworth Parish councillor Ken Hulme is to stand as an independent candidate for Oldham Council.

The 60-year-old is planning to challenge Councillor Alan Roughley, a Liberal-Democrat, for his seat in Saddleworth’s North Ward in the May elections.

Councillor Hulme, who has served on the parish council since 2003, said: “First and foremost, I am standing because I feel let down by local councillors.

“I think they should be held to account for their poor performance in representing Saddleworth and lack of action and involvement in local issues shown in the past four years.

“We need councillors in Saddleworth who will put Saddleworth first and fight our corner on Oldham Council.

“Too many are transformed into representatives of Oldham Council, instead of representing the local community.

“Perhaps it’s the ridiculously high allowances they receive, but too many act like council employees toeing the Oldham line rather than putting local people and their interests first.

He claimed local Conservatives are in disarray following the selection of its parliamentary candidate and Labour seems more interested in closing Saddleworth libraries.

Councillor Hulme went on: “Saddleworth has one of the highest council tax levels in the country and receives some of the poorest services. We don’t get value for money and for many, especially those on fixed incomes, it has become a real burden. If elected I will not support any budget from any party which involves any increase in the council tax.”

In the coming financial year, he said, Oldham’s 60 councillors will receive £950,000 in allowances and expenses — an average of over £15,000 each.

Councillor Hulme said: “Councillors should only receive ‘out of pocket’ expenses and loss of earnings. It’s healthy for local democracy as well the councils coffers.

“I would campaign for cutting payments to councillors by half and end to the spurious special responsibility allowances.

“I will accept no special responsibility allowances and put my money where my mouth is by only accepting half the current average allowance and no increases in future years.

“If I find it exceeds the costs to me of being a councillor I will donate any surplus to Dr Kershaw’s.”

Councillor Hulme says his membership to the Labour Party lapsed and has not been active in the party since May, 2008.

“I’m a community activist not a Labour activist. I just want to do my best for Saddleworth. Like so many others, I love the place.”