Conservatives select Jane Howard as candidate as Councillor Jane Gartside steps down after 33 years

Jane Howard with Bamford Councillor Jane Gartside

Jane Howard has been selected by the Conservatives as their candidate in Bamford as Councillor Jane Gartside is to step down at this year’s local elections after 33 years as a councillor.

Mrs Howard has lived in Bamford for more than 40 years and grew up on Oulder Hill Drive with her parents, Ann and Ron Willis and brother Stuart, who also lives locally. Attending Bamford Primary School, she then moved to Camberley Drive and now lives on Hawthorn Road with her husband Alex and two teenage daughters. Jane is in her second term of office as a governor of St Michael’s Primary School.

Her early career was spent in Marketing and Communications in the public and private sectors including long spells with Rochdale Borough Council and more recently at Rochdale Boroughwide Housing as Communications Manager.

Mrs Howard said: “I am immensely proud to have been selected to contest the Bamford seat in 2016. My friend, Councillor Jane Gartside demonstrates all that is good about being a local councillor and I have learned a great deal from her over the years. Her unswerving commitment to serving the local community is something I hope to emulate and the importance of service and sheer hard work resonates strongly with me – a trait I gained from my wonderful parents.

“I have been encouraged by the response I have received whilst out and about on doorsteps meeting residents and at the local forums and coffee mornings. I am lucky in that I have strong support from the committed Conservative team of Jane, Councillor Duckworth and Councillor Sullivan and I have been pleased to have assisted residents with a range of issues, from concerns over inappropriate planning applications, threats to our green spaces, overgrown footpaths, blocked gullies and the lack of adequate rubbish bins in the area.

“Most recently I was able to get a street grit bin installed for a Brimrod resident, which I am delighted to see has already been put to good use following last weekend’s snow.”

Councillor Jane Gartside said: “I am confident that Jane Howard will give her best to the people of Bamford and she has my full support and endorsement. Jane and her family are Bamford residents and her late mother and father, Ann and Ron, also helped support us and were active members in the community.”

Ward Councillor Pat Sullivan said: “'I’ve known and worked with Jane for a few years now and I'm delighted that she is standing for election this year. She is hardworking, has an excellent relationship with people and is very supportive in all the ward issues. I enjoy working with her and look forward to her being part of our team.”

Councillor Ashley Dearnley, the Leader of the Conservative group on Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Jane Howard has been a longstanding member of the Conservatives and I am very impressed with the hard work and commitment she has already shown working with residents in her ward and supporting local events. She will be a first-rate councillor, always putting the interests of Bamford residents first.”