WHO will get your vote when Saddleworth and Oldham go to the polls on Thursday, May 2?

In the local elections, voters will cast their choice of who they want to elect to represent them on Saddleworth Parish Council and Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council.

In the borough elections, one seat will be contested in each of the 20 wards in Oldham, including three wards in Saddleworth: Saddleworth North, Saddleworth South, and Saddleworth West and Lees.

Each ward is represented by three borough councillors, with one up for election each year.

Residents who are registered to vote can have their say in all the elections based on where they live. You will receive a poll card telling you where to vote.

The counts for all elections will take place from 10pm onwards on May 2 in the Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Civic Centre.

Saddleworth South candidates

Helen Bishop – Independent

I am 42 years old, was raised in Greenfield, and have been a youth and community worker based in Saddleworth for over 20 years, providing a service to young people from across the area. I now run Youth Local (YoLo) from the Satellite centre.

I am a trustee of Saddleworth Sports, Youth and Community Association and an unapologetic campaigner for services and facilities for all age groups, abilities and social backgrounds.

I am passionate about the work that I do with the community and know the area and people well.

Party politics has held back progress and true representation. There has been too much game-playing, not enough problem solving and definitely not enough anticipating problems before they arise and acting to prevent them.

Roads are jammed and dangerous, schools and medical practices over-subscribed and quiet places are slowly being eroded – Shaw Hall Bank Road is the latest victim of poor decisions by OMBC planning dept.

There is little to no affordable housing for young people or first-time buyers and a severe shortage of suitable homes the elderly or disabled.

These are the real problems facing the community in the future. We need to be tackling them now and look to new, environmental initiatives to provide future employment and ideas.

We need to properly assess the impact of over development on services, roads and flooding and actively campaign and vote against detrimental decisions.

Finally, the Parish Council needs reforming. Its constitution and policies need reviewing and adapting to prevent people who don’t pass a DBS check from serving as a councillor.

Alec Crook – Independent

This candidate had not provided a statement by the time the Independent went to print.

Duncan Goodman – Saddleworth First!

I moved to Uppermill in 2002 and then to Austerlands in 2018. I instantly connected to the area and loved the wonderful scenic environment and history of the area. Saddleworth is a special area and must be supported/defended.

As a candidate in this election my sole focus is on what is best for Saddleworth. Saddleworth First’s party name says it all. We are committed to looking after the interests of Saddleworth above everything else.

The key policies/commitments are:

We will scrutinise every action of OMBC that impacts of Saddleworth and challenge anything of detriment to it
We will challenge OMBC to ensure that any planned new homes are not disruptive to the smooth operation of the Saddleworth community. This means ensuring a very detailed plan of necessary infrastructure plans which fully take into account environmental requirements and the social aspect of the community. The road and public transport system and other social, medical and educational services need a thorough overhaul!
We will promote Saddleworth and seek to improve local facilities, including better parking in all villages, better facilities for all ages in the community, especial the senior and youthful members of our Community.
Saddleworth is a vibrant community but we need to support local businesses and social groups
We will absolutely challenge OMBC to prove the necessary resources and NOT to continue to cut those provided for Saddleworth.

Connor Green – Labour

It is a privilege to stand to represent the villages that have played a vital role in both mine and my family’s lives.

I attended St Anne’s, Lydgate Primary School and recently graduated with a postgraduate degree from the University of Leeds.

I also had the honour of working for the late MP Jo Cox as part of her Parliamentary staff.

I am passionate about ensuring our Saddleworth is the best it can be. I am eager to work with local businesses, community groups and with politicians across the political divide to make this a reality.

If elected I will oppose any development that I feel is detrimental to Saddleworth, protecting our greenbelt for future generations.

I have been campaigning with Debbie Abrahams MP for an improved service at Greenfield Station plus fighting for disabled access so the station is accessible to all.

I am passionate about education therefore I am delighted this is the council’s top priority.

Labour’s manifesto is focused on delivering new places for all our young people at good and outstanding schools.

This includes £6.2 million invested in Greenfield Primary School, allowing more pupils to attend an Ofsted rated outstanding school.

We will support local businesses and improve our environment. We are best placed to deliver positive change in Saddleworth South with a Labour councillor, working alongside a Labour-led council and a Labour Member of Parliament.

Brian Lord – Liberal Democrat

Brought up in Grasscroft and educated at Hulme Grammar School.
Taught at the Bluecoat School and Breezehill School.
Highly experienced and capable Councillor having served a combined total of 46 years on both Oldham MBC and Saddleworth Parish Council.
Experienced cabinet member on Oldham MBC.
Former long-time Chairman of Finance on Saddleworth PC.
Former Youth Leader at Christ Church Friezland.
Chairman of SPC on three occasions and consort on two occasions.
Former long-time Chairman of Saddleworth School Governors.
Trustee of several local charities.
Has actively fought to save Saddleworth’s green belt for many years.
Responsible for the ‘Gateway System’ which progressively reduced speed limits coming down from the moors into Greenfield and the illuminated warning signs for St Mary’s school.
Responsible for provision and sighting of Parish Notice Board in St Chads Uppermill
A long record of action and success across the Ward.

Harry Moore – UKIP

In the local election of councillors for Oldham, to be held May 2, the local branch of UK Independent Party (UKIP) is fielding candidates in all three Saddleworth wards, as well as 11 others across the borough.

Saddleworth South candidate Harry Moore is an experienced campaigner, having previously stood on a UKIP platform in the 2015 and 2016 local elections.

Graham Sheldon – Conservative

It has been an incredible privilege to serve Saddleworth South for the last eight years and I consider myself very fortunate to belong to such a fantastic community.

I am proud of our people, our traditions, our unique identity and our beautiful scenery.

Some people may remember me from my time serving the community as sub-postmaster at Uppermill Post Office.

Having finally retired from the Post Office, I am now focussed on helping residents and dealing with their issues.

Sadly, Labour-led Oldham Council has signed us up to the Greater Manchester Spatial framework (GMSF) and in doing so are signing away our greenbelt and leaving us to deal with the chaos and disruption to our community.

I believe it is our Borough’s best interest to leave the GMSF and follow a brownfield-first plan which meets local needs and leaves our precious green spaces for the community to enjoy.

Road safety is an ongoing issue and with your help we have seen traffic calming measures put in place around the area and will be working with community groups for more safety measures where they are needed most.

I am still working and campaigning to have the road junction at the Royal George made safer by reducing the approach speed and putting warning measures in place.

With residents we are continuing to battle the scourge of potholes, ensuring grid and gully clearing takes place where needed and working with Unity Partnership and the Environment Agency to get urgent repairs to the river wall on Bridge Street in Uppermill.

I couldn’t think of any better home than the one I have now among our village communities.

Saddleworth thrives because locals pull together and work hard to ensure that the area remains a fantastic place to live and work.

If re-elected on May 2 I will continue to work with the community and my colleagues to ensure Saddleworth remains so.