Lib Dems devolve more power

The Lib Dems are setting up of 'Ward Action Groups'. The groups will oversee £12,000 of spending per ward, oversee more localised decision making and ensure that all Ward Councillors are regularly meeting with local people to put the interests of their area first.

The local groups will be made up of the three Ward Councillors, two community representatives and the Assistant Township Manager. It is hoped that the groups will meet directly after each Ward Forum, where appropriate.

Rochdale Borough Council Leader Alan Taylor said: "This is another example of the Lib Dem Council keeping our promises. We said in our manifesto that we would look at devolving more power down from the Townships to an even more local level.

"We are financing these Ward Action Groups to the tune of £12,000 to start off with.

"These groups will ensure that local people have more of a say on what their priorities are.

"These will be the leading group who will listen to the Ward Forum and directly address their problems and take their ideas and turn them into reality.

"We have shown that we are determined to give more power to local people and this is just another example."

Councillors are currently being briefed on the new arrangements and it will then go to the Area Forums. In the Wards where one Forum does not cover the whole of the Ward, arrangements are being made to deal with this.

Councillor Taylor added: "This is an exciting development and we are also looking at other ways to involve local people. This includes encouraging more local residents to get involved in the public forums at Townships."