OLDHAM COUNCIL leader Jim McMahon has been made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
The councillor – who says he is “overwhelmed” – has received the honour for his services to the community in Oldham.
The 34-year-old, who was born in nearby Miles Platting and educated in Middleton, moved to the borough in search of a property to make a family home in 2001.
He still lives in that same Failsworth home with his partner, Charlene, and says it was fatherhood that first made him involved in local issues as he pondered the future.
In May 2003 he was elected to serve Failsworth East and worked hard to improve local landmarks like Failsworth Pole, the War Memorial and Westminster Gardens.
He was chosen as Labour group leader within five years and then became Oldham Council Leader in 2011 – at the time the youngest in the country.
He set to work on plans to “change the Oldham story” and put the borough back on the national map with a range of regeneration projects and fairness campaigns for residents.
In February 2014, he was named ‘Council Leader of the Year’ at the Councillor Achievement Awards hosted by the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU).
Cllr McMahon is now also leader of the Local Government Association (LGA) Labour Group representing more than 6,000 councillors nationwide.
He said: “The OBE is a very humbling experience – to be honest I’m slightly overwhelmed by it.
“I found out by letter last month and I’ve had to keep it a secret since then with only my closest family knowing.
“I’ve been fortunate to work alongside some excellent people who shared a vision to change Oldham’s story and set it back on a path to future success.
“I’m a dad trying my best to make the town we love the best it can be. I have the same hopes and fears as everyone else.
“I have moments of doubt and, like anyone would, I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the challenges but I see through that to the positives and opportunities.
“This honour isn’t saying the job is done: we’re in the early stages of a long journey.”
He continued: “I’m a very fortunate man and without the support of Charlene, Harry and Jack none of this would be possible.
“I also see this honour as another positive sign of how people are starting to recognise Oldham’s progress.
“These are genuinely exciting times for Oldham, both in its own right and as a strong player in a devolved Greater Manchester.”
As Oldham Council Leader, Cllr McMahon has capitalised on the new Metrolink line with a range of regeneration projects designed to transform the town centre.
These include a flagship scheme converting the derelict Old Town Hall into an ODEON cinema and restaurants plus work to deliver a new hotel, Coliseum and Heritage Centre, sports centre, and finally bring Marks & Spencer to the borough.
Schemes like Get Oldham Working, the Oldham Education and Skills Commission and a new Independent Quarter are designed to improve life prospects and give aspirational people a “hand up”.
Oh yes, Oldham Education and Skills Commission, what has happened to that?