Ruji Sapna Surjan

Cllr Ruji Surjan – Coldhurst Ward

Work in the Community

Stronger Communities & Youth Engagement

·         Local Improvement Fund – second year on the panel and responsible for a £500,000 budget per year (approx. £1m to date) to allocate capital projects across Oldham. There were 18 projects supported this year 2021/2022 out of 42 Expression of Interests.

·         COVID-19: Support & Vaccines– bereavement support and advice; Volunteered to deliver food parcel and emergency packs to residents and care homes across the borough; Business support grants - aiding businesses with advice and applications; Vaccine Centre – biggest turnout out in UK with over 700+ residents vaccinated in one day. The Vaccine Clinic is presently continuing at the OBA Millennium Centre.

·         Holiday Activities & Food Programme – support children and young people to not go hungry during the school holidays and to take part in a range of activities as well.

·         Education – approved a new High School to be built at Booth Street, Oldham.

Quality & Affordable Housing

As a member of the Planning Committee, I am pleased to announce I led the approval of 88 new and affordable quality homes to be built at West Vale (26 homes - mix of 2/3/4 bedrooms and 62 apartments - 1 and 2 bedroom). I also voted in favour of the following:

·         42 new dwellings at former County Court building in Town Centre, Oldham

·         99 new homes in Royton (23 two bedroom and 22 three-bedroom houses that will be made affordable)

·         201 new homes in Shaw (21 affordable)

·         77 new homes in Diggle, Saddleworth

·         Approved potential homes: 160 in Chadderton; 98 in Oldham; 23 in Moorside

Environment & Green Neighbourhoods

·         Pocket Park – Martha St and Ripon Street. Creating attractive green safe spaces for local residents and for children to play and relax in.

·         Landscaping and footpath - created to encourage walks along Mitchell St/Trafalgar St

·         Litter Picks - monthly street clean ups with residents; Spring Clean with Richmond School and FCHO; Oldham Edge (Fields) with Young People and residents.

·         Don’t Trash Oldham - our Labour Council has invested in £1.27m in making Oldham a cleaner and better place to live in coming out of the pandemic.

·         GM Active Neighbourhoods – investing £250,000 in Westwood and Chadderton North. Ensuring residents have better and safer pathways around the local area including cycle lanes, walking routes to schools and shops. Launched in early 2021 and still ongoing.

·         New Cycle & Pedestrian Pathway – around Westhulme Avenue, Cottam Street and The Royal Oldham Hospital. Encouraging residents and local workers to walk and cycle.

·         Panel member of the Cross-Party Climate Change & Environment Group and the Oldham Energy Futures. As Planning Committee member, I approved a Solar Farm in Failsworth, ensuring Oldham becomes more sustainable through use of renewables.

Committees: Full Council, Planning Committee, Policy Overview and Scrutiny, Audit Committee, Traffic Regulation Order Panel (Sub). Also, Weekly Ward Surgery- supporting residents in need.

Contact me

Email: ruji.surjan@oldham.gov.uk

Bus. mobile: 07971 363796