Two decades ago, the Liberal Democrats set up Area Forums, a vital platform for residents to be listened to by local Councillors, Council officers, and the police. These forums have served as a cornerstone of community engagement; however, Rochdale’s Labour council now wants to silence our community’s voice.
Andy Lord says that “The Healey forum isn't just a meeting; it's a lifeline for our community. It provides a platform for residents to address pressing issues, ranging from local infrastructure concerns to public safety matters.”
“The decision by the Labour-run council to terminate the Healey forum has sent shockwaves through our community.”
Labour Councillors might want to silence the voice of local people, but Liberal Democrats believe that these Forums embody the principles of democracy and accountability, ensuring that the voices of ordinary citizens are heard and heeded.
Andy Lord added that “If I am elected, I will always listen to local residents, and represent their interests in the Town Hall.”
Community Forums
For nearly two decades, the residents of Healey Ward have benefited from a vital platform: the quarterly area forum. Set up by the Liberal Democrats when they ran the Council, the forum has served as a cornerstone of community engagement, allowing residents to voice their concerns directly to councilors, Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council officers, and the police. Since its inception in 2004, these meetings have fostered dialogue, transparency, and a sense of collective responsibility. However, recent developments threaten to silence our community's voice.
A Community Connection Under Threat
The decision by the Labour-run council to terminate the Healey forum has sent shockwaves through our community. Citing reasons of ineffectiveness and a lack of democracy, the council has deemed the forum "not fit for purpose." This abrupt decision disregards the years of meaningful engagement and dismisses the invaluable contributions of Healey residents.
A Voice for the People: Why Community Forums Matter
The Healey forum isn't just a meeting; it's a lifeline for our community. It provides a platform for residents to address pressing issues, ranging from local infrastructure concerns to public safety matters. More importantly, it embodies the principles of democracy and accountability, ensuring that the voices of ordinary citizens are heard and heeded.
A Promise of Action: Restoring Community Forums
As a dedicated advocate for the people of Shawclough and Healey Ward, I stand firm in my commitment to reinstating the local community forums. If elected as your local councilor, I pledge to fight tirelessly for the restoration of this essential platform. Our community deserves nothing less than full representation and meaningful engagement with local decision-making processes.
Joining Forces for Change
The decision to dismantle the Healey forum is a disservice to our community and a blow to the principles of democracy. It's time to reclaim our voice, to stand united in defense of our right to be heard. I urge my fellow residents to join me in this fight, to demand accountability from our elected officials, and to ensure that our community forums are reinstated without delay.
Keep the Forums
The Forums provide residents and service providers across Rochdale with an opportunity to meet and arrange to sort out local problems. Labour are proposing to close down the Forums. Please let us know if you think that the Forums should be closed or retained.
