McMahon: Ready to take action

MY pledge . . . council leader Jim McMahon has laid down his plans

CHANGE is on its way — that’s the view of Oldham’s new council leader Jim McMahon.

The 30-year-old, said to be the youngest leader in the country, has ambitious plans to cut the number of council managers and bring power back to the people, while saving £54million over the next three years from the council budget.

The Labour leader’s plans include:

::Devolving power by creating town halls in each of the borough’s six districts.

::Saving £130,000 from members’ allowances.

::Resolving the issue of a new stadium for Oldham Athletic.

::Establishing new entertainment facilities in the borough, which could include two cinemas.

He is also set to:

::Open the four day-care centres closed under the Liberal Democrats.

::Scrap plans by the previous council to charge disabled drivers for using council car parks and charge visitors to countryside centre car parks.

Councillor McMahon said: “I’m not promising anything I don’t think I can deliver.”