Council Leader sets out more plans for Rochdale!

Liberal Democrat Councillor and Leader of Rochdale Council - Cllr. Alan Taylor has revealed his ambitious plans for a change of emphasis from Rochdale Council. The plans are now at an advanced stage and will start making a difference to resident's lives over the next few months. One of the main plans is to step up the fight against anti-social behaviour in the town - Cllr. Taylor explains: "One of the main complaints we all receive as Councillors is about crime, it is high time the Council got tough on people who makes resident's lives a misery. I will be meeting shortly with local Police bosses to discuss how the Council can help them tackle problems. One thing that we are already looking at implementing is sanctions on Housing Benefit - Tenants who are evicted from their Council Properties only to move on to cause distress in a new neighbourhood while still receiving Housing Benefit. I say this is completely unacceptable and welcome new legislation that will allow us, as a last resort to stop Housing Benefit. The way it would work would be: if a household is evicted for anti-social behaviour, the tenants will be offered appropriate rehabilitation by Rochdale Council, this rehabilitation would look at the underlying causes and unmet needs. If the Household refuses to comply, then we would start implementing sanctions. I want to send a clear message to residents in Rochdale that Rochdale Borough Council will not tolerate anti-social behaviour."

It's not all bad news though... Councillor Alan Taylor is looking at rewarding people who go further than others to be a 'Good Neighbour' - He said, "All too many times in the headlines we see residents of this Borough in the headlines for the wrong reasons. I want to reverse that, I am calling on the people of Rochdale to nominate a 'good neighbour' - someone who regularly goes out of their way to help others. It is important that we report people like this as a shining example to others. We will reward a 'good neighbour' from each of the Townships - Pennines, Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale. We will be revealing the details shortly"

Councillor Alan Taylor has also spoken about progress on the Council's Green Issues. He said, "I am delighted with the positive start that Councillor Wera Hobhouse has made in her Environment and Sustainability Portfolio. Already we have seen a successful start to the new alternate weekly collection service for many residents in the Pennines. We do have to keep a keen eye on this and I am asking anybody with any problems to get in touch, after all we are a listening Council. The staff at the Council have been marvellous in implementing this and I hope to see this rolled out across the Borough. It is vital that we take recycling seriously as it will save the Council more in the long run. I am delighted to see Cllr. Hobhouse's Department starting to tackle things like dumped rubbish and I would also like to see a recycling audit of the whole Council to see how we can improve."

Councillor Taylor is also calling for the public to make use of opportunities to question their Councillors in meetings. He said, "I am especially keen to see people getting involved in public question times at the Full Council Meetings and Township Meetings. I encouraged it when I chaired the Rochdale Township and it flourished - people from all walks of life took time out to question their local representatives on a variety of issues. I want people to know that the opportunity to do this is available at the Rochdale, Pennines, Heywood and Middleton Townships, as well as the Full Meeting of Rochdale Council. I know Councillors like Dale Mulgrew and Mark Birkett did this and were that impressed that they stood for Council and have now been elected."

Lib Dem Manifesto from Local Elections:

1. Residents Come First!

The Council is failing to put residents first. Liberal Democrats are committed to a fundamental Council change of attitude and approach. We will put the customer first!

We will achieve this by seeking to introduce new and better 'One Stop Shops' in each of the Townships. These walk in centres will be able to handle residents' queries and problems, and will be set up entirely so that residents can easily access Council services.

The new Council Call Centre will work in partnership with the new One Stop Shops.

We are committed to a People's Champion. The People's Champion will make sure that the resident gets 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. We wish for a Council culture that admits to wrongs immediately. No excuses, no spin.

2. Home Rule for Heywood, Middleton, Pennines and Rochdale!

Liberal Democrats will devolve More Power to Townships. We want Local People making Local Decisions. The Township structure is already in place. However, there is still considerable and unnecessary centralisation of power. Townships will receive greater powers, and greater control of budgets.

There will be a new Cabinet Member for Townships to make this happen.

3. Meeting the Aspirations of Older People

Liberal Democrats want to inform, support and encourage older people to take full advantage of the many services available to them in the Borough, and to improve and change those services for the better.

There will be a new Cabinet Member for Older People to make this happen.

The responsibilities of this new position include a review of existing facilities and benefits with emphasis on One Stop Shops, and accessibility, location and availability of services.

4. Controlling the Council's Budget and Council Tax

Liberal Democrats are committed to delivering high quality front line services. We want to cut down on bureaucracy, and focus Council effort more directly on to the services. We are completely committed to consultation - under a Liberal Democrat Council we will be a talking and listening Council. Nobody will find out about cuts after they have happened.

We aspire to keeping Council Tax rises as low as possible.

5. Community Policing

Liberal Democrats support the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester in his bid for £14 million extra funding for an extra 200 Police Officers across the area.

We strongly support further development of community policing in Middleton, Heywood, Pennines and Rochdale.

We want to see the return of the Local Number for routine Police calls from the Borough.

We support the local Magistrates Association in their campaign to allow more local freedom on sentencing.

6. A Green Vision for the Borough!

The pressure on resources and the threat of climate change are the big global challenges facing us all. Liberal Democrats will encourage and support people locally to bring about a culture change and turn towards more sustainable life style choices.

We are committed to substantially increase the Borough's waste minimisation and recycling performance. We will improve the Borough's urban environment and enhance our rural environment. We will look for real solutions to alternative travel. We will support energy efficient housing development by changing Planning Regulations at local level.

Liberal Democrats will expect the Council to lead by example. We will form a 'Green Team' bringing together under one roof Officers who already work on environmental and sustainability issues in separate departments. The 'Green Team' will formulate and help to implement a clear coherent strategy for a 'Green Borough'.

7. A Vital Role for the Voluntary Sector

The Borough is blessed with a large number of voluntary sector organisations providing vital services to residents. Liberal Democrats want a Council that listens to and works closely with the voluntary sector, and takes seriously what it hears.