20 September, 2001
Website launch gives 'surfers' the chance to have their say in Oldham Independent Review

Residents wanting to have their say on the future of Oldham can now use the internet to give their suggestions to the town's independent review.

Members of multi-cultural youth group Dream officially launched the Oldham Independent Review's website today. They marked the occasion by using the website - www.oldhamir.org.uk - to submit some of their own ideas on how to achieve a peaceful and prosperous future for the town.

Review chair David Ritchie said:

"The people of Oldham have been very quick to come forward with constructive suggestions and thoughts, and we expect many more to use the website to comment, since so many people of all ages find the internet a convenient means of communication.

"We've already had 700 people visiting us, calling us or writing to us, and we want to make the comments process as simple and convenient as possible, so we ensured that the website has in-built submission forms. Naturally, as with all comments, people's personal details will be kept strictly confidential.

"In addition, panel members have been meeting representatives of many organisations, community groups and other bodies in Oldham, to ensure that as many viewpoints as possible are considered for our report."

Besides the website, people can submit comments and ideas to the panel as follows:

• Visiting 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. Interviews can take place privately, and interpreters can be provided if requested in advance;

• Calling the drop-in centre on 0161 785 9347;

• Writing to the panel at:
  Oldham Independent Review,
  Unit 48,
  Upper Mall,
  The Spindles Shopping Centre,
  Oldham
  OL1 1HD

• Emailing: oldham.independent.review@oldhamir.org.uk