Talking Politics by Councillor Brenda Kerslake
As chair of Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee I would like to take this opportunity to say a big Thank you to all 60 councillors for the united commitment to keeping our hospital services Local, and a special thanks to my ward Colleague Cllr Jean Ashworth for her total dedication to the "Friends of our Hospital" We are all now waiting for the final results in December that is not to say that we are being complacent far from it we continue to put the views and fears across to the Pennine Acute Trust at every opportunity.
On a jubilant note it is with great relief that the efforts and hard work of all concerned that Alice Ingham school in my ward has been saved from closure, an excellent result also on a good note is the new school being built next to the site of Hamer School we all welcome this as a move forward for the sake of our children, this along with the proposed building of new homes on the Dale Mill site, we are certainly seeing plenty of regeneration in the new "Smallbridge & Firgrove Ward" and this will be a fine entrance to the Pennines Township.
As green Champion for the Pennines area it is good to report that despite some hiccups with the recycling we are making an excellent effort and our recycling rate has improved tremendously so I think this is the perfect opportunity for me to say well done to all and please keep up the good work.
At present there are 3 open Forums in the Pennines, Milnrow, Milnrow Road and Smallbridge ( watch the press for when they are on) and come along and have your say this is in addition to the open forum at the Township, All my colleagues in the Pennines work for the common good of its constituents
On a downward note re the Full council it appears that some councillors from all parties don horns once they enter the council chamber, name calling and personal attacks are not what I joined the council for as it is not constructive and serves no one any good after all we are all elected to represent the people of the whole Borough and to my mind this is not what the electorate put us there for. In my mind there is no place for Prima Donna's in the council chamber personal differences should be left outside, so that we can get on with the business in hand.
Being a councillor is not as easy as some people think it is, its hard work and long hours that being said I am enjoying my time alongside Councillors Jean Ashworth and Christine Akram as councillors for Smallbridge & Firgrove and would not have it any other way!
Councillor Brenda Kerslake (Smallbridge and Firgrove)