TODAY marks a new beginning for the town of Oldham.

The new start follows the publication of a hard-hitting report into the causes of the summer riots by the Independent Review Panel chaired by David Ritchie.

It has recommended sweeping changes affecting local government, policing and education, which many hope will rejuvenate the troubled community.

For the next few months the town's leaders will scrutinise every detail of the panel's colossal 100-page document which includes over 120 recommendations.

Today Oldham council said it took heart from the statement in the report, which said there is ''plenty of good'' in the town.

But it added that it could not take on the task without massive financial backing from the government and that a ''sea change'' in public attitudes was required.

Council leader Richard Knowles said: ''While the council will do everything in its power to try and bring the community together and encourage major public debate on the findings of the report, we need the people of the borough to work with us to bring about positive changes.

Celebrate diversity

''Oldham should indeed value and celebrate its diversity. This should be viewed as a strength and not a weakness.''

During the next two months council leaders will study in detail the report's recommendations and will hold a community conference in the New Year.

Greater Manchester Police said it is to provide a detailed response direct to the review team. The force has also drafted in a team of senior officers and staff to develop a way forward for the town.

Greater Manchester Police Authority chairman Coun Stephen Murphy said: ''The authority is responsible for producing a policing plan for the county and the key issues highlighted by this report must and will be reflected in that plan when it is produced next year.

''In the meantime we make this promise to all the people of Oldham: ''Wherever we can help, whatever we can do, we will be there.''

'Cash not solution'

Sadek Hamid, spokesman for Building Bridges, which aims to bridge the racial divide, said throwing cash at the problem was not the solution.

He said: ''The problem arises when there is no interaction between communities, or where barriers go up to stop interaction, and they live in a cultural vacuum.''

He added many of the problems faced by Asian families in Oldham were also faced by white families.

''The vast majority of people in Oldham have not felt the benefits of the cash that has been pumped into the town,'' he said.

''There is no point on spending it on superficial, cosmetic projects that don't get to the heart of the problem.

''A couple of supermarkets and a few new houses doesn't do much good.''

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