Councillors row over Slattocks residents

Councillor Peter Williams, Chairman of the Middleton Township, has denied an accusation from Castleton Councillor Peter Davison that he told a full Council meeting that the people of Slattocks do not matter.

Councillor Davison had called for an apology to Slattocks residents from Councillor Williams following a heated debate which centred on the rights of Hopwood Hall Councillors to vote on both the Heywood and Middleton Townships.

Councillor Williams has clarified his statement to Council and said that Slattocks residents are welcome to reflect their views in Middleton Township.

Councillor Davison said after the meeting: "One member - One vote is the bedrock of democracy. This council firmly believes in this and the vote over Hopwood Hall reflects that. I am however very appalled that the Labour Chairman of Middleton should be so openly dismissive of the residents of Slattocks. Yes they live within my ward but they consider themselves to be Middletonians.

"Their views are valid and as such they have mine and my Castleton Liberal Democrat colleagues' full respect. There may only be 250 houses in the area but they count as much as any other area.

"[Councillor] Williams should apologise for his statement or at least face the public and tell them why they aren't important in Labours mind."

Councillor Williams has claimed that he did not say residents of Slattocks did not matter, he said there were not 2500 residents of Slattocks as there are in Hollin.

He said: "I wrote to the Boundary Commission to try to keep as many residents of Slattocks in Middleton as possible when the most recent Boundary changes were made, whereas existing Lib Dem Councillors made no such efforts on their behalf.

"As Township Chairman For Middleton, Slattocks residents are welcome to reflect thier views In Middleton Township, as they often have."