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14 August 2001
OLDHAM RESIDENTS PRAISED FOR "GREAT RESPONSE" TO PLEA FOR VIEWS
ON TOWN'S FUTURE
The chair of the Oldham Independent Review today praised residents for their "great response" to the launch of a drop-in centre in the town.
Since the review's drop-in centre, in The Spindles shopping centre, opened a week ago, more than 200 residents have taken part in interviews or phoned up to outline their views on the town's future.
David Ritchie, chair of the review, said:
"We are extremely pleased with the number of visitors in our first week, and with the number of phone calls we've received. We wanted the people of Oldham to have their say, and this is a great response for the first week.
"The panel members are going out to meet organisations, community groups and other bodies, but we want the views of as many individuals as possible to help us analyse the cause of the disturbances in the town, and to come up with a programme of action to give Oldham a positive future.
"Our slogan is 'One Oldham, One Future', and from the rate of response it's clear that residents want to have their say in helping us towards our aim. Panel members have been very impressed with the number of people coming forward already."
The drop-in centre was officially opened on the afternoon of Monday, 6 August, and had its first full day on Tuesday. Between then and Monday, 13 August, there was a total of 239 visitors or telephone calls from residents.
David Ritchie added:
"With so many people contacting us, there may have been times when callers could not get straight through on the phone, or when people had to wait a short time in the centre.
"We'd ask people to be patient with us - this is just the start of the review, and we know that people will want to talk to us as soon as possible, but we are going to be here for a long time, and there is plenty of time to have your say."
There are four ways for people to contact the panel:
· Visit the drop-in centre on the upper mall of the Spindles, next to Debenhams, which is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays;
· Call the drop-in centre on 0161 785 9347;
· Write to the panel at:
Oldham Independent Review,
Unit 48,
Upper Mall,
The Spindles Shopping Centre,
Oldham
OL1 1HD
By emailing: oldham.independent.review@oldhamir.org.uk