Independents’ day

Group aims to make council ‘driving force for change’ after winning seven seats

INDEPENDENT councillors edged to victory in the the Saddleworth Parish Council elections.

In two wards — Delph and Dobcross — covering four key villages, they wiped out opposition by claiming all six seats with two new councillors reinforcing their ranks.

Geoff Bailey, chair of Saddleworth White Rose Society and Katrina Roman joined Nicola Kirkham, the Independent’s only borough councillor, in Delph.

In Dobcross, Keith Lucas - chairman of Save Diggle Action Group - stepped up with re-elected councillors Lesley Brown and Mike Buckley.

And the return of Robert Knotts to Springhead Higher Ward gave Independents an overall seven seats — one ahead of the Lib-Dems, who held 11 before the election.

Councillor Knotts, speaking on behalf of the independent group, said: “We are very pleased the parish has attracted such a great and diverse interest in its future representation.

“Localism offers a big opportunity for the council to develop a neighbourhood plan to allow the Saddleworth community to develop a shared vision for its future and shape the development and growth of the area and other opportunities.

“The Independents welcome the change in the make-up of the parish council and look forward to working with the new councillors.”

Councillor Lucas, a retired TV executive, said: “I am hoping, along with fellow Independent councillors, we can make our parish council more in tune with its residents.”

The new council line-up also sees the Conservatives with five seats on the parish. There are two new Labour councillors too, Paul Fryer and Steve Hewitt, who won in Springhead Lower ward.

The council’s outgoing Lib-Dem chair, Enid Firth and her consort, Bill Cullen, both lost their seats, The hotly-fought contest saw the return of Barbara Beeley to the Lib-Dem ranks, having served on the parish from 2007 until 2011. She was elected to Oldham council in July, 2007, and stepped down last year for personal reasons.

She said: “The local working was probably the best part of being a councillor and so, with a little pressure, I was persuaded to stand again.”

In Greenfield, Conservative Neil Allsopp retained his seat to become the parish council’s new chairman.

He said: “Being elected by people who’ve known me for most of my life makes it very special.”

Oldham’s former mayor, John Hudson, was re-elected for the Conservatives in Greenfield ward alongside newcomer James Curley, and veteran Lib-Dem Mavis Bingley was joined by Alan Belmore.

Oldham councillor Graham Sheldon retained his seat with fellow Tory Pam Byrne, returning as a former parish councillor.