Not welcome here says Council Leader Richard Farnell

Council Leader Richard Farnell

Not welcome here

The second far-right demonstration, this time by the English Defence League, took place in Rochdale town centre on Saturday. My sincere thanks to the hundreds of police, council and transport staff, community groups and volunteers who helped keep the town safe.

Their motivation was to preach racist division and hatred. The few dozen protestors failed. Our communities are much stronger than that.

Over 400 police officers had to be deployed on Saturday to keep the peace. The same number as the previous week. The bill is likely to exceed £100,000. What a scandalous waste of resources when Rochdale borough is facing the loss of up to 300 police officers. That money is needed to tackle crime and keep our towns safe from terrorism.

The Northern Poorhouse

I have condemned the government's decision to delay the electrification of the Manchester to Leeds rail line, at the same time it announced it is to fund Crossrail Two in the capital at a cost of £2 billion. Their decision also throws into doubt the future modernisation of the Calder Valley line which serves Manchester, Bradford and Leeds via Rochdale. I have written to the Transport Minister demanding a full explanation.

The government are treating us more like the Northern Poorhouse rather than the Northern Powerhouse.

Business is booming

Had a very productive meeting with the Town Centre Management Company (TCM) and was updated with all the new investment taking place and record numbers of businesses opening up. Many taking advantage of the borough's free business rates scheme and start-up grants.

TCM is working with retailers towards becoming a fully-fledged BID (Business Improvement District) which will give it the increased resources and powers to promote and improve the town centre.

In the economic slow lane

The UK economy grew by just 0.3% in the past three months to June 2017. We have the worst performing economy in the EU. So much for Tory claims that Britain is booming.

Iftikhar's curry milestone

Cabinet member Iftikhar Ahmed cooked up a surprise when he laid on a special Biryani feast for council staff. They were celebrating our Joint Care and Hospital Discharge Service which recently picked up a top gong at the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards 2017.

The service helps prevent elderly people having to go into hospital - and also speeds up the discharge of patients coming out of hospital. It's an excellent example of partnership working between health and local authority services. Well done to all - and congratulations to Iftikhar in cooking up a tasty treat.

Castleton pool saved

This week the Cabinet agreed to the transfer of 'Cassy Baths' to a new community venture. It is supported by a local entrepreneur who is investing a substantial amount to upgrade and expand the facilities. It secures the future for this popular pool which is also home to a number of swimming clubs.

Thanks go to the Castleton councillors Billy Sheerin, Jean Hornby and Aasim Rashid who have led the campaign and worked tirelessly to keep the pool open. That's what being an effective local councillor is all about.

Children paying the price for government failure

The Conservative government has plundered the £315 million fund (raised by the Sugar Tax) intended for a programme for healthy and active lives for children, to plug holes in the schools budget. Shameful.

Our young people are top citizens

I attended a great local event at Q Gardens community allotments on Kirkholt. Over the week, groups of teenagers have been helping out the local community as part of their National Citizen Service. They installed play equipment, created a community garden and took part in a photography session.

The National Citizen Service is taking place right across the country and right across our borough and is an outstanding success. I spoke to many youngsters who have taken part. What a positive image of young people and a refreshing change from the all too often negative stereotypes we see in the press. Thanks too, to our schools who have promoted the scheme and to the hundreds of wonderful teenagers who have taken part in projects right across the borough.

Far Eastern delight

Congratulations to Milnrow-based Holroyd Engineering who have landed a huge order from Japan, securing hundreds of jobs for the future. I have lost count of the word-class firms located here in our borough.

Superfast

Rochdale borough has the fourth highest take up of superfast broadband in the whole of Greater Manchester.

Grey power

I joined Assistant Cabinet Member for Adult Care Billy Sheerin, Councillor Ashley Dearnley and the Mayor and Mayoress at the Rochdale Pensioners Association's summer lunch. The group represents pensioners from right across the borough and are a powerful voice for seniors.

Read and feed

The launch of Rochdale's unique Read and Feed project at libraries in Heywood, Middleton, the Pennines and Rochdale - to encourage youngsters to use their library and enjoy a healthy lunch during the holidays - has been an outstanding success with places heavily oversubscribed.