Middleton Councillor criticised over Council comments. (Rochdale Liberal Democrats)

Rochdale Liberal Democrats <info@rochdalelibdems.org.uk>

Middleton Councillor criticised over Council comments.

August 1, 2006 11:08 PM

The Chair of the Middleton Township, Councillor Ian Robertson has been criticised following his negative comments at a Full Council Meeting of Rochdale Borough Council. Councillor Robertson commented on the Liberal Democrat Administration's plans for a new Council Department. The new Council Department will be called the 'People's Champion'. Talks within the Council are at an advanced stage and the new department will independently investigate any complaint that any resident has about the Council and ensure that Middleton residents get the best out of Council Services. This new department will champion resident's complaints against the Council, and make sure that these complaints are fully answered and corrected. These fit in with a Council culture that admits to wrongs immediately. No excuses, no spin.

Lib Dem Leader of Rochdale Council - Councillor Alan Taylor said, "I find Councillor Robertson's attitude absolutely crazy - here is an opportunity for the people of Middleton to have a Council Department that looks at their complaints independently. Too many people hit brick walls in their dealings with this Council. Complaints are passed from pillar to post and we believe this Department will play a key role in rebuilding the confidence of Middleton residents in Council Services. Councillor Robertson should look past his political allegiances and realise that this Department will transform the way council complaints are looked at. Currently the only redress is the Council Ombudsman - this is a long and drawn out process that causes great frustration to residents and politicians alike."

Councillor Robertson stated at the Council Meeting that he was against this proposal - saying that his Ward of North Middleton would 'opt out of the scheme.' Councillor Taylor continued, "I am sure there are many residents in Middleton who have been frustrated by bureaucracy at the Council. This Department will make sure that the resident is put first and complaints are dealt with speedily. Unfortunately, Councillor Robertson has already declared that people in Middleton have no complaints against the Council and he will not support this, I hope that the Middleton Township ignores him. It is a shame but I can assure residents that this will happen in Middleton even if Councillor Robertson disagrees."