Voice of Saddleworth News from your Independent Councillors Denshaw, Delph, Dobcross, Diggle, Austerlands and Scouthead

SADDLEWORTH DESERVES BETTER! Vote For Change on May 22

Nikki Kirkham a Voice for Saddleworth Life-long Delph resident Nikki Kirkham, against the house-building agenda is standing as a Saddleworth that is threatening the landscape and Independent candidate in the local character of Saddleworth. She says: elections on May 22. Born in "We urgently need a tougher planning Denshaw, Nikki has lived in Delph regime and greater control at a local since she was three years old. level. We must protect our green belt and its natural beauty - not just for A working mum, Nikki is leader of the ourselves but also for our children. At Delph Methodist Cubs, a member of the same time we desperately need the Wake-Up Delph Committee (which affordable housing for first time buyers organises Party in The Park every and the elderly - something apparently year), and represents Delph and Den- forgotten by the Oldham planners. shaw on Saddleworth Parish Council. "All three political parties at Oldham She is sick of point-scoring party have consistently neglected politics and has chosen to be an Saddleworth. I will not be bound by independent so she can focus on the Oldham party politices. If you elect me, Nikki believes Saddleworth needs of Saddleworth residents. I’ll fight to get a better deal for deserves a better deal. If elected, Nikki promises to fight Saddleworth."

IT'S A TWO HORSE RACE! Only 57 Votes Needed to Win

In both the 2011 and 2012 borough elections only a handful of votes separated the Saddleworth Independents and the Liberal Democrat candidates.

Vote for Nikki and Help Elect an Independent Voice for Saddleworth Borough Elections 2012 Nikki only needs 57 votes to win Diggle - The Wrong Place for the New School “But Oldham have closed their ears to any alternative to Diggle even though the EFA have recognised Uppermill as another option. "Estimates have shown it may cost less to build in Uppermill, but Oldham Council have refused to even countenance this possibility." Locally, the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives, are not listening to residents’ outrage, only the Saddleworth Independents are. They are committed to getting the best result for both school and residents alike. Nikki Kirkham has vowed to fight for opposed the plans to rebuild the school the new Saddleworth School to be in Diggle. Vehicular access is difficult This Footpath built in Uppermill and not in Diggle. and traffic chaos would choke the Should be Open After months of secrecy and rumour, already busy Huddersfield Road. Labour-run Oldham Council, strongly Residents also have grave concerns Again supported by Liberal Democrats and about pedestrian safety on the very Conservatives, has decided to build narrow footpaths. the new Saddleworth School in Diggle on greenfield and Green Belt land. More than 14 acres of pristine green fields would be lost, destroying a swathe The Council is solely responsible for of beautiful Saddleworth countryside. choosing this sensitive and inappropriate site. But the funding will Nikki has joined residents to campaign come from the government's against the move. "We need a new Educational Funding Agency (EFA), school" she said. "But once again with a budget much reduced Saddleworth is getting second best. compared with that which has been "Diggle is simply the wrong location. It spent on other new schools in the has been shown and accepted that the borough. new school can be built on the far Saddleworth residents have fiercely superior existing site in Uppermill.

Nikki is concerned at the state of Meet the Independent Team many local Public Footpaths. "Saddleworth is a beautiful place and political approach was needed - one we are blessed with a wonderful that would always put Saddleworth network of footpaths and bridleways first. for everyone to enjoy", she said. This, in contrast to party politics in "But some are in poor condition and Oldham, which has consistently others are almost impassable." resulted in Saddleworth being at the Nikki has been reporting footpath bottom of the Council's agenda. problems to good effect; a recent The Independents won four seats on successful campaign being the Saddleworth Parish Council in 2011. footpath through Brookside Terrace, Ken and then Nikki also came within a Delph. The Saddleworth Independents Group hair's breadth of winning a seat on Following two years of petitioning was formed three years ago by the Oldham Council in 2011 and 2012. and collecting evidence, a footpath late Parish Councillor Ken Hulme. This year, two Liberal Democrat order has now been made by With a group of like-minded Councillors, dismayed at their party's Oldham Council stating it should be colleagues, disillusioned by Oldham's support for the Saddleworth School declared a public right of way. Nikki consistent failure to understand the move, joined the group, now making said: "this footpath is important as it concerns of Saddleworth residents, the Saddleworth Independents the provides a safe route for children he decided that a new non-party main opposition on the Parish Council. walking to school avoiding the narrow footpath on High Street."

Vote Saddleworth Independent 4 Nikki Kirkham X on Thursday, May 22 Printed by Thomas Dornan Printers Ltd, Millgate, Hollins, Oldham OL8 4JL and promoted by Nikki Kirkham of Shane Cottage, Bleak Hey Nook, Castleshaw, Delph, Saddleworth, Yorks, OL3 5LY