Tom Besford
Labour Party
Littleborough Lakeside Ward
Dear Residents,
Since being elected in 2019 I’ve been a hard-working and active representative for Littleborough Lakeside. In my short time on the Council, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed supporting people wherever and whenever I can, and I want to thank Littleborough Lakeside residents for the kind words and messages received so far during the election campaign. I pride myself on responding to each and every email, phone call and surgery query alongside my fellow Lakeside Councillors. Along the way, I’ve learnt a lot about Council structures and would say I’m a dab hand at getting a bin emptied, a pothole filled, a hedge cut back and fly tipping removed.
Beyond that, I’ve run a number of campaigns, some of which are ongoing.
I devised and launched the Rochdale Borough Council Eco Business Scheme to encourage local businesses to reduce their carbon emissions.
I set up and chair the Climate Emergency Scrutiny Study Group to hold the Council’s commitments on net zero to account. In addition, I also chair the Communities, Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee which looks at things like housing, culture, highways, and how we can best support our communities.
As a passionate green belt campaigner, I have done everything within my power to oppose building on our green belt, including voting against Places for Everyone.
This spills over into fighting all irresponsible development. Alongside local residents, I’m currently battling proposals from a private developer to build on a Protected Open Space playground up at Stansfield and continue to oppose many other silly proposals from unscrupulous would-be developers.
Along with my local colleagues, I’m also working hard to ensure thousands of trees are planted in Littleborough right across the ward.
Being a Councillor is about listening, it’s about attention to detail, it’s about having a strong sense of fairness and tirelessly working on behalf of our community. I live in Littleborough, I work in Littleborough, I’m raising my young family in Littleborough. I’m a Trustee of Littleborough Nursing Association and Groundwork Greater Manchester. My family and I are embedded in this community and will only ever seek the very best for it.
I’ve been humbled to represent Littleborough Lakeside for the past 3 years and I hope that I have done enough to earn your trust to continue.
Please lend all three votes to the Littleborough Labour Team - Janet Emsley, Julian Farnell and myself on Thursday 5th May.
Thank you
Tom
