Labour 2016 Election Statement - Ambition and vision to drive borough forward

Old Town Hall development

A VOTE for Labour on May 5 is a vote to continue Oldham’s improvement journey.

We’ve come a long way together since taking control of the council in 2011 and only Labour has the ambition and vision to carry on driving that work forward.

Our regeneration programme, capitalising on Metrolink, has continued to boost the local economy in the past year.

Fantastic new leisure centres are already proving massively popular in Oldham and Royton.

Work has started on the replacement park and ride to free up the site for Marks & Spencer at the new Princes Gate development at Oldham Mumps.

Oldham College and Oldham Athletic are now enjoying state-of-the-art facilities.

And we have schemes in place or already underway on site delivering the new schools and family homes that we need.

It will be a symbolic moment when the Old Town Hall opens later this year as a stunning restaurant and ODEON cinema complex with a new public square.

Not only are we transforming that symbol of civic neglect into a source of new pride for residents, we’re also laying the foundations for a better town centre and visitor economy with new jobs and opportunities. And whatever others might tell you – we haven’t borrowed ANY money to deliver this project.

Take a quick walk around our blossoming Independent Quarter and you can see how other people are already investing their own money and efforts into our vision for Oldham.

We also know regeneration isn’t just about bricks and mortar - it’s about prospects and people.

Just as important to us are social regeneration schemes - ones that are helping residents lead healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives - because we are ambitious for you and your families.

That’s why we invest in projects like Get Oldham Working, which has already created more than 3,700 job opportunities, and Warm Homes Oldham which has lifted a similar number of local households out of fuel poverty.

It’s also why we’re working hard with partners to implement the findings of the Oldham Education and Skills Commission report.

Together we’re getting on with the job of tackling issues around standards, results and aspirations to ensure we give young people a genuine chance to fulfil their fullest potential and enjoy more prosperous lives.

We’re doing all this - and more - in the face of crippling Government cuts to our funding of more than 40 per cent since 2009.

You’re better off with Labour because we’re fighting for a better and fairer future for you.

We are the only local party that cares about the impact of those cuts and we will take action to give people a ‘hand up’, not a ‘hand out’, wherever possible.

We’re already delivering on many of our long-term pledges and helping Oldham’s collective confidence to grow.

Please back our ambitions for your borough - and you - again on May 5.”