New Year Message from the Leader of Rochdale Council

Councillor Richard Farnell, the leader of Rochdale Borough Council

As we usher in a new year and reflect on how another 12 months has passed in just the blink of an eye, it’s worth remembering that 2016 began with the terrible flooding that affected a number of areas across our borough.

The outstanding response of whole communities, who came together to help those devastated by the worst flooding in living memory, demonstrated that true community spirit is alive and kicking in Rochdale.

The response to the devastation inflicted on so many homes and businesses was also the perfect demonstration of the best qualities of public service. At a time when many of our vital services are under considerable strain as a result of government cutbacks, it showed just how important local services are, and how much we rely on the dedication of hundreds of emergency and council staff who worked round the clock to care for the communities we serve.

As well as helping people through difficult times, we are continuing to turn the council’s ambitions into reality.

There are too many highlights to mention but some of the good news for 2016 included:

• Our schools gaining their best-ever GCSE results.
• The re-opening of the River Roch.
• The unveiling of the Gracie Fields statue.
• The Big Clean 2016 making our borough cleaner and greener.
• A record increase to 50% of all waste now recycled - saving local taxpayers £3M a year.
• The real progress delivering Rochdale’s new retail and leisure development and new market.
• The only council in the country to be chosen to host the Natural History Museum’s world famous Dippy the dinosaur exhibition.

The council is continuing to attract new businesses to the borough, with over 3,000 new jobs created in the past year and new firms relocating to our business-friendly borough.

I’m really proud of what Rochdale has achieved in 2016.

There are many more challenges in the year ahead, but I am confident by everyone pulling together, we will continue to make progress in making our borough a better, brighter and more prosperous place for everyone.

Richard Farnell
Leader of the Council