The leader of Oldham Council has been tasked with new responsibilities, at a national and city-regional level, to tackle some of the biggest issues facing communities.

This follows Councillor Amanda Chadderton’s appointment on the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Safer and Stronger Communities Board, alongside her appointment as Greater Manchester’s lead for the Cost of Living response.

With the Bank of England warning the UK is facing the worst recession since the financial crisis of 2008, Greater Manchester has announced a new range of support measures and a new drive to coordinate efforts across the city-region.

This includes Cllr Chadderton’s new role in leading the area's strategic efforts against the cost of living crisis.

Thousands of households across Greater Manchester have already been heavily impacted by the current financial situation, following increased costs to essentials such as food and fuel.

In a recent local survey carried out at Greater Manchester level, more than two-thirds of people cited finance as a current concern, while a quarter said that someone in their household had cut back on meals or skipped them entirely.

Leader of Oldham Council, Cllr Chadderton, said: “The current cost of living crisis is the biggest threat facing households across Greater Manchester.

“We have already seen thousands of people forced into poverty because of the decisions at a national level failing those most in need, and I fear this will only get worse as the winter months approach.

“That is why I will be doing everything I can in my new role to support as many people as possible during this ongoing crisis.

“Households are crying out for support and we need to be there for them, especially when those in government aren’t.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Chadderton’s national role on the LGA board will see her work alongside senior council leaders from across the country in promoting the health and safety of local communities.

The board covers several issues, including crime and anti-social behaviour, community safety and public protection, and it works closely with local authorities to offer its support.

“Every community across the country has the right to feel safe,” Cllr Chadderton added.

“That’s why I’m looking forward to working with colleagues from different parts of the country, to not only find the best ways we can improve the safety of our local areas, but how we can also build stronger community cohesion and better support our blue light services.”

Oldham has already worked on a number of initiatives to tackle public safety including its Safer Streets programme, which has led to incidents on and around the Oldham Metrolink dropping by 19 per cent.

The council has also installed 51 CCTV cameras at locations around five Metrolink stops to help passengers and residents feel safer and more confident, while it's also thrown its support behind Greater Manchester Police's Operation Avro, which in April saw a total of 54 people arrested for various crimes.

Cllr Chadderton became Leader of Oldham Council at the end of May this year and already holds the portfolio of Equalities, Inclusion and Cohesion for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

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