Focus on Shaw & Crompton

08/05/2026

🔶A thank you from Tom - Our hard working, dedicated, candidate in Shaw

03/05/2026

https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/news/19356660.shaw-woman-gets-20-month-ban-roads/

23/04/2026

21/04/2026

Article here:

https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/news/19356660.shaw-woman-gets-20-month-ban-roads/

15/04/2026

Deadline to apply for a Postal Vote to Oldham Council is Tuesday 21st April.

05/02/2026

📢IMPORTANT NEWS FROM CLLR HOWARD SYKES MBE

After 40 years serving our community and Oldham, I have decided to retire from Oldham Council this May, and I wanted to let you know personally.

I am delighted to say that Tom Penketh will standing in my place for the Liberal Democrats. Tom already serves with me on Shaw and Crompton Town Council. He was elected three years and was then the youngest councillor in the country.

I was first elected in 1987 and was Oldham’s youngest councillor at the time. I have always championed Oldham Borough and Shaw & Crompton and locked horns with Governments of all colours to fight for investment in our Borough, or against nationally imposed decisions where I thought they would damage our community.

I was leader of Oldham Council for three years between 2008 and 2011, with just some of the highlights and achievements including building several secondary schools, bringing Metrolink to Oldham Town Centre, sorting out the inherited financial mess, along with delivering a balanced and sustainable budget.

Locally the 20-plus-year fight to get a new health Centre in Shaw was finally achieved last year.

It has been the honour and privilege of my life to serve and represent the community that has been my home all my life, and the place I have raised my family.

Thank you to you and to everyone for the huge support given to me and the various campaigns for our community over the past 40 years, and most especially for allowing me to represent the community on Oldham Council.

The job of representing Shaw now needs someone younger, which is why I am delighted Tom Penketh, who reminds me of myself when I started back in 1987, will be standing and deserves your support.

However, I will not be 'slacking' between now and the council elections on 7th May, quite the contrary!

There's still much to do locally, like the council getting the basics right – pot holes, weeds, litter, grids, green spaces and the dreadful housing numbers that Labour and their coalition Independent partners are forcing into our Green Belt.

I remain a member of Shaw and Crompton Town Council and shall continue to serve the local community in that role.

As always, if I can help with any local issue, please get in touch.
My very best wishes and take care.

Howard

Cllr Howard Sykes

27/01/2026

📌Holocaust Memorial Day

This morning, at 9:30am, Cllrs Howard Sykes, Tom Penketh, Diane Williamson, Dave Murphy and Louie Hamblett, along with residents, gathered at Crompton War Memorial for a short service to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day and to remember all those who very sadly lost their lives. The terrible past must never be forgotten, and we must continue to educate the younger generations so that history never repeats itself.

Although only a small turnout due to the weather, those who attended reflected together and laid a stone on the memorial in honour of those we have lost. 💜