Local Election Candidates part two

MEDLOCK VALE

Neil Allsopp (Con): Aged 62. Married to Carol and they have a son, Richard. Neil and Carol will be celebrating 30 years of marriage in June this year. Worked for several local businesses prior to working as pharmacy store manager at Tameside Hospital for 29 years. Passionate about protecting our local pubs.

Jean Betteridge (Green): Lived in Oldham for nearly 40 years and brought up her children here. She is an active member of the community; litter picking and working on street improvements. Since retiring as a benefits adviser, Jean has campaigned against cuts to legal aid and advice services.

Kaiser Rehman* (Lab): Kaiser has served as a councillor for four years. He is a businessman and a law graduate. He has worked to promote healthy relationships in Medlock Vale and has campaigned against legal loan sharks with Labour shadow cabinet member Stella Creasy. He has fought for job creation, social mobility and better public health.

Imran Sarwar (UKIP): No details provided.

Mohammed Zakaullah (Lib-Dem): Mohammed Zakaullah (56) is married and has lived in Oldham for most of his life. After attending Counthill School and Oldham College, he worked in textiles and retail before becoming self-employed. He wants better facilities for both young and elderly people, and an improved environment in Medlock Vale.



ROYTON NORTH

Shaun Duffy (Lib-Dem): Shaun is the youngest member of Shaw and Crompton Parish Council which covers part of Royton. At the age of 27, he is father to Tyler and works in the restaurant business. Shaun became interested in politics when he helped campaign for a park at the age of just eight.

Tony Larkin* (Lab): Tony has represented Royton North from 1996-2000 and 2003-to date. Married to Penny for 34 years, with three children and one grandchild. Lived in Royton 36 years. A former parish councillor and Our Lady’s School governor. Former district executive chairman, vice-chair of Planning and a member of Royton Sick & Needy Charity.

Nigel Lea (UKIP): No details provided.

Lauren Pickering (Green): Lauren lives in Royton and studies English at Manchester University. Lauren became involved with the Green Party because of their policies for young people, but also on housing, education, jobs and equal opportunities. She is also interested on taking real action on climate change.

Lewis Quigg (Con): “I studied at the University of Manchester. Joined the Conservative Party while studying my A- levels, later becoming involved with the People’s Pledge, campaigning for an EU Referendum. Secretary and agent of Oldham and Saddleworth Conservatives. Worked in marketing and sales for a business based in the North-West.”



ROYTON SOUTH

Steven Bashforth* (Lab): Steven is a hardworking, dedicated grassroots councillor and plays an active role in the community having worked successfully with many local groups, families and individual people. He has played a major role in Royton’s regeneration projects and genuinely cares for the town he lives in.

Allan Fish (Con): “I am a retired builder who is married with three daughters and seven grandchildren, who have all attended Royton schools. I have lived in Royton South for over 45 years and I am actively involved with the community in Heyside, working with all political parties to get the best for local people.”

Derek Fletcher (UKIP): “I am a Royton-born family man with two children, a Heyside resident for over 20 years and an IT professional. With a strong, independent-minded councillor we can rebalance this council’s priorities — from party-driven agendas to to the actual needs and aspirations of local folk.”

James Stidworthy (Green): Jim has lived in the area for over 50 years and has raised his children here. He worked in the spinning industry, for Seton Healthcare. and then for Rochdale Council until retiring four years ago. Jim has an allotment in Heyside where he grows vegetables and soft fruit.

Denise Tindall (Lib-Dem): Denise is a sheltered housing scheme manager in Stockport. She lives in Cowlishaw with her husband Kev and is a devoted mother and grandmother.



SADDLEWORTH NORTH

Lesley Brown (Independent): Lesley Brown is a lifelong Saddleworth resident. She runs a vegetarian cafe on the campus of Manchester University. Lesley has two daughters and two grandchildren. A past governor at Saddleworth School, she is chair of Saddleworth Civic Trust.

Sean Curley (Con): “I have been a senior lecturer at a university since 2006 and I am currently acting head of the law school. I am a qualified solicitor and an accredited commercial mediator. I want to see greater financial transparency and accountability at Oldham Council.”

Peter Heatley (Lab): Peter is a self-employed accountant. He serves as a school governor at a local secondary school and is active within the community. Peter has a good range of life experiences and skills which would make him a good councillor and advocate representing the people of Saddleworth North.

Derek Heffernan* (Lib-Dem): Derek Heffernan has served Saddleworth North electorate for 28 years; 20 years on Oldham Council. He has represented Oldham on the fire authority for 10 years. A retired civil servant, Derek is married with children and grandchildren. He is well known for charity fundraising.

Catherine Hunter (Green): Catherine is active with her local church, and regularly volunteers with Street Pastors. She is concerned about privatisation in the NHS. Catherine wants Oldham Council to do more to protect the community from cuts.

Harry Moore (UKIP): No details provided.



SADDLEWORTH SOUTH

Alan Belmore (Lib-Dem): Alan Belmore is campaigning on issues that matter to local people. An accountant living in Greenfield, he has challenged Network Rail over the planned closure of the road bridge at Greenfield station and fought Oldham Council over its land grab of open spaces for housing.

Ray Booth (UKIP): I have lived in Oldham for over 30 years. For much of my life I worked as an engineer. Later, I changed careers and became a care worker, working with people with learning disabilities and autism and then as a home help worker. I am now retired and would like to spend time working for the community.

Ian Manners (Lab): Ian Manners is standing in the borough election and in the parish council election for Greenfield. He lives in Greenfield and is a member of the residents’ association, Whit Friday Bands Committee and is a Greenfield Primary School governor. A solicitor, he is a USDAW and Co-op Party member.

Graham Sheldon* (Con): A councillor for Saddleworth South for four years, and parish councillor for 12 years. Married to Diane with three sons. He has lived in Greenfield and Uppermill all his life. A sub-postmaster at Uppermill Post Office for 14 years. “I will protect our villages from serious over-development.”



SADDLEWORTH WEST & LEES

Adrian Alexander* (Lab): Adrian has worked hard since being elected four years ago. He has supported many local groups helping them to grow and to secure funding, including from his own ward budget. Adrian thanks the people of Saddleworth West and Lees for their support.

Stephen Barrow (Lib-Dem): My wife and I have been Oldham residents for more than 30 years; our two children were educated here. A retired civil servant, I have worked with residents to try and improve Lees, Grotton and Springhead. I chair the governors at Oasis Academy.

Helen Bishop (Independent): I am a 38-year-old mother of three, originally from Greenfield. For the last 15 years I have lived in Hey, Lees. I have been a youth and community worker for 17 years in the area. I now help to run a voluntary youth organisation for the area.

Pam Byrne (Con): I have lived in Saddleworth for most of my life. I am a governor of Saddleworth School and have served on the parish council and local area committee. I believe the role of a local councillor is to be pragmatic. I believe in rolling up my sleeves and getting stuck in.

Ian Nurse (UKIP): I have lived in Lees for the past 10 years, and in Oldham for 30 years, so I have a good and clear understanding of local issues. I studied engineering and electronics at Oldham Technical College. I believe there is a part of the electorate who feel they are not represented.

Chris O’Donnell (Green): Chris lives in Lees with his wife and four children. Over the last 20 years, he has worked as a youth worker and social worker in Oldham. Chris currently teaches at a high school in Manchester. He is passionate about social inequalities and the environment.



SHAW

Peter Brown (UKIP): “Shaw born and bred, I have been self-employed for over 22 years working to support farmers in their efforts to keep land productive and vermin-free. I am well-known as an honest, straight-talking man. Serving the people of Shaw would be a privilege.”

Chris Gloster (Lib-Dem): Shaw’s former community police inspector, Chris Gloster hopes to succeed Councillor Mark Alcock, who is not seeking re-election. Chris is married to Hazel, a former parish councillor. They have two children. He is Shaw born and bred.

Hemmy Spiggott (Lab): Hemmy Spiggott retired from the Army in 2010. Having attained a psychology degree, she now works part time in Oldham and is a volunteer with Oldham Youth Service, Full Circle in Sholver and the Children’s Society shop in Shaw. She provides pastoral support for bereaved parents.

Andrew Stuttard (Green): Andrew lives in Shaw and works for BT. Until discovering the Green Party, he was turned off politics because he was fed up with wars, inequality, pollution and rampant capitalism. Andrew wants radical changes to our political system.

Bob Wilcock (Con): “I live in the local area and I am retired after being the parish council clerk for Saddleworth Parish Council for a number of years. I am experienced in local government matters and will campaign for lower taxes and high-quality public services.”



ST JAMES

Angela Cosgrove* (Lab): Angela Cosgrove is a mum of two and has lived most of her life in St James ward. In the 12 months as a councillor she has been busy supporting residents with advice, complaints, holding organisations to account and being actively involved with local community groups and events.

Kevin Dawson (Lib-Dem): A retired warehouse manager, Kevin has represented East Oldham District Partnership on the Oldham Partnership. He has been a school governor. He enjoys travel, historical research is a film critic, and, most of all, his grandchildren. Kevin has supported the Lib-Dems for nearly 30 years.

Joe Fitzpatrick (UKIP): I became an Oldhamer at the age of 18 as a student apprentice at Ferranti. I was an Oldham councillor for eight years — two as chairman of housing. I have also chaired Positive Steps Oldham and Homestart.

Terry Hopkinson (Con): Retired after being a self-employed joiner for 35 years. I was an active participant in Whit Friday events. I am currently chairman of Oldham and Saddleworth Conservatives. I want greater provisions for young and old.

Roger Pakeman (Green): Roger lives in Moorside with his wife and daughter, who attends Newbridge School. He is an active trade unionist and works in Bury to improve opportunities for young people to do apprenticeships. Passionate about protecting green spaces.



ST MARY’S

Badrul Amin (Lib-Dem): Badrul Amin (42) is married with four children, and he has lived in Oldham for most of his life. Educated at Grange School and Oldham College, he has mainly worked in the food industry. Hobbies are football, cinema, and community activities. He wants to see better facilities for young people.

David Atherton (Con): I am a retired GP, married with four children and seven grandchildren. I have served on Saddleworth Parish Council since 1983, I was chairman in 2005-6 and retired in 2012, and am a doctor to the Junior British Amateur International Rugby League team.

Gary Leese (UKIP): I have 18 years experience in working with the public, working in my family-run newsagents. I have done a university course in politics and I also have my Citizens Advice Bureau-trained experience.

Miranda Meadowcroft (Green): I lived on Primrose Bank for eight years until it was demolished. I was active in the consultation there, where it became obvious that the council wasn’t serious about listening to local residents. Since then I’ve been involved with various groups and have tried to ensure that complacency is challenged.

Shadab Qumer (Lab)*: It is an honour to have represented the ward since 2007. Having lived in Oldham all my life I have a clear understanding of the needs of the residents of my ward. I have twice served as the chair of Oldham District Executive and ensured that Labour’s principles of equality and fairness have been at the heart of the service I have provided.

Tariq Mahmood Ullah (Respect Party): Tariq Ullah is born and bred in Oldham and has lived in the ward since the 1970s. A married father-of-three, Mr Ullah (45) aims to fight for equality, justice and peace for the residents.



WATERHEAD

Naveed Ahmed (Independent): I am a young and committed individual who wants to make a difference in the community. Currently working in the public sector, I have worked on the Get Oldham Working project to help local people secure employment.

Andris D’Adamo (Con): I have strong family ties to the area. I studied politics at university before joining my family business. I want to help local businesses who I believe are the lifeblood of our communities. I believe in fighting for open spaces and maintaining public services.

Linda Dawson (Lib-Dem): Married with grown-up children and grandchildren, Linda was a senior manager in the library service. A former councillor, she chaired East Oldham District Partnership and communities, education and value for money committees.

Peter Dean (Lab)*: Peter is a retired fire officer with 35 years’ experience as a councillor. He served as the Mayor of Oldham and held a number of cabinet positions. He also served as the vice- chairman of Oldham PCT, as a magistrate and school governor. He is Chairman of Oldham Unity Partnership.

Nicholas Godleman (UKIP): I was born in Clarksfield and grew up in Greenacres., I am a law graduate.As a local resident I recognise that Waterhead ward needs a strong political alternative and I would be proud to deliver this for Waterhead.



WERNETH

Muhammad Amjad (UKIP): Mr Amjad is a professional civil engineer. He graduated in 1979 and worked on commercial and industrial projects, serving the UK industrial sector as a consultant in Oldham. “If elected I wish to work for the Oldham town.”

Javid Iqbal* (Lab): A councillor for eight years and has lived in the ward for nearly 50 years. A successful local businessman, Javid is involved in many voluntary and community organisations, working hard for people in Werneth. He is married with three grown- up children.

Nicola Jeffery-Sykes (Con): I was educated locally and have created several businesses. I am an ambassador for fighting cancer, which has not only affected me but far too many people. I am keen to look after the next generation so they can continue to live and work in Oldham.

Chris Parr (Green): Chris has lived in the borough for 10 years and works in IT. He believes passionately that everyone deserves the same opportunities. He believes that the challenges we face from growing inequality and climate change cannot be solved by business as usual.

Keith Pendlebury (Lib-Dem): Keith Pendlebury is a seasoned campaigner who has previously served two terms on Oldham Council. A retired software engineer, he is a school governor and a long-time worker for racial equality. He is interested in regeneration and community development.


Party statements - see next item