Middleton youngsters hold leaders to account

More than 50 young people joined councillors and senior leaders from across the borough

More than 50 young people spoke to councillors and bosses from the council, police, transport and the NHS, during a question time event held at Spring Vale Youth Club in Middleton.

Organised by Rochdale Youth Service, the session offered teenagers the chance to put their own concerns to senior leaders, addressing topics that included the increase in suicide among young people, police’s use of stop and search powers, safe street lighting and cheap access to facilities and sports sessions in the evenings and holidays.

The teens also wanted answers about apprenticeships availability, alleged poor treatment of young people by bus drivers, the cost of public transport, the lack of big brand shops in the area, litter and the risk posed by illegally parked cars in Langley.

A panel of 14 fielded questions from the young people, with local councillors Donna Martin, Malcom Borris, Chris Furlong, June West and Neil Emmott joining representatives from GMP Middleton, children’s services, NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Link4Life, First Group and Transport for Greater Manchester, as well as Member of Youth Parliament, Tabitha Rusden.

Councillor Martin, cabinet member for children’s services at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “It’s not always easy to make yourself heard when you’re young, but members of the panel who attended this session have told me how valuable they found it.

“What was most encouraging about this event was the range of social groups who wanted to come and have their say about things that really mattered to them.

"We came away with actions that we think will make life a little bit better for children and young people in Middleton, and the teenagers who came can be proud that their questions and observations have made a difference.”