Labour has held onto power in Oldham by just one vote with the support of two Independent Councillors
In a tense council meeting, Oldham Liberal Democrats put forward proposals for an alliance of opposition councillors including Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, Oldham Group and Independents, which could have taken control of Oldham if the vote to remove Labour had been won.
However two Independent Councillors in Shaw and Crompton voted with Labour
Labour’s 27 councillors were supported by councillors Mark Hince and Lisa Navesey, which was enough on the day to keep Labour in power.
Howard Sykes, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham said
“It is disappointing that despite the fact that the Labour Party have lost overall control of the council, so-called Independent councillors joined forces with them to keep Labour in power.”
Our plan brought together the opposition groups who supported agreed policies including calling for a public inquiry into historic child sex exploitation, saving Oldham Coliseum Theatre, protecting Oldham’s greenbelt, and cleaning up Oldham’s parks and public spaces.
Cllr Arooj Shah was confirmed leader of the council will also lead on a number of projects, including ensuring the borough has a key role to play at a Greater Manchester level and economic growth and regeneration, as part her Building a Better Oldham Cabinet Portfolio.
