Holts Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) will be brought back into use for the local community after a successful bid to Oldham Council’s Local Improvement Fund. £33,750 will secure enough additional funding from the Football’s Foundation Playzone programme to do a full refurbishment. St Hugh’s School will be able to put on after school sports as well.

Councillor Shaid Mushtaq said ‘We will talk to local residents about the design and details of the work and submit a fully worked up plan in autumn 2023. The Football Foundation will support us and I look forward to working with them to get the best games area possible. I’m pleased that this investment from Oldham Council will bring in enough money to do a really good job.’

Residents around Age Croft in Alts have approached Alexandra’s Councillors for help improving the Croft by reducing antisocial behaviour and littering. The Councillors have successfully bid for £2,000 to plant a community orchard and wildlife habitat. GROWE will work with residents to ensure the scheme gets the results needed and will provide gardening expertise and run a Forest School for local children. The Abbey Hills area of Alt will also benefit from a separate bid to instal two new lighting columns.

Councillor Jenny Harrison said ‘We’ve put a lot of effort into working with Alt residents to tidy up and improve the area. Both these projects have been worked up with the support of residents who want a decent environment. Its good to be working with GROWE and that residents have committed to keeping Age Croft and the street clean.’

Councillor Harrison added ‘We learned a lot from Northern Lily about effective pruning of fruit trees and we’re hoping for a bumper fruit harvest for the Alt community to enjoy.’

Councillors have also got funding to tackle the back alley of Brookfield Street  which is overgrown and badly fly-tipped -residents have to take their bins through the house on bin day because of the state of the back. This project involves an existing community group (Alexandra West Community Group) which, with the support of ward councillors and the District Team, have been very successful in improving that part of the ward.

Councillor Zahid Chauhan said ‘As part of this proposal we are looking to expand the good work already done. Many families living on the street have lots of young children who are unable to use the back to play. The alley is quite long so this is a significant piece of work, with the support of Alexandra West Community group and local residents we’re confident we can bring the alley back into use. The Alexandra Ward tool library will be used as part of the project ensuring local budgets continue to have an impact in our ward.’