The Leader of Council’s weekly round-up

Councillor Richard Farnell, leader of Rochdale Borough Council

Well done to all our excellent A-Level students on their stunning results which came out on Thursday 17 August. The best ever.

Again, Rochdale bucked the national trend by increasing the number of passes (now 99%), which is now higher than the national average.

The number of students - over a fifth - achieving the top A* and A grades was also up on last year.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/111957/rochdale-hits-the-high-marks-in-alevel-results

Rochdale Borough Council is right to make educational achievement a major priority. But we still need to do more to tackle inequality in education.

Our young people should be really proud of their remarkable achievements - and we should all be proud of them. They work incredibly hard to gain these fantastic results which will put them on course for future successful careers.

I do think our borough's future is in safe hands.

Fast Fact

Only 23% of Greater Manchester children receiving free school meals go on to university - compared to 41% of their better off peers according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation

That is the plan

The revised Greater Manchester Spatial Framework will not be published until June 2018. This will allow it to be amended following the extensive responses to the public consultation earlier this year and once new rules from the government in calculating housing need are known.

Rochdale's plans will change - in some areas significantly - following the consultation. However, the delay will not hold back Rochdale Borough Council in securing new investment and jobs for the immediate future.

The council is pressing ahead with plans to secure key sites needed to attract further development, prioritising brownfield sites, and ensuring that Rochdale remains Greater Manchester's greenest borough.

We have attracted a number of new businesses to the borough in recent years with the aim of creating more new jobs and new, better housing, including affordable homes. This remains our priority.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/111929/next-steps-in-greater-manchester-spatial-framework-announced

Fast Fact

New homes will have to last 2,000 years if the current slow rate of house building continues, according to the Local Government Association.

A small affair

The Petit Café is small but perfectly formed.

The Baillie Street shop in Rochdale has only been open for a few weeks, but is mad busy already.

I popped in this week for a coffee with Tony Lloyd MP and to catch up with owners David Oglaza and Anna Rojek.

Not only were they rushed off their feet, I was genuinely excited to hear their expansion plans for, not only the building they are in, but others nearby as well.

Several new cafes have opened recently, boosting the town centre.

Tony and I were suitably impressed.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/1/business-news/112033/petit-caf%C3%A9-opens-on-baillie-street

Digging in

I visited GM Construction at Bowlee in Middleton last week. After spotting a gap in the market, the firm has set up to train people in the construction industry.

There is a massive shortage in the county for people qualified to use machinery such as JCBs and other building site vehicles.

Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) helped them secure the site and supported the business in setting up.

It is early days yet, but their ambition is to become the centre for such training across Greater Manchester.

Fast Fact

In the past three years 40,000 workers in the North West have not been paid the minimum wage.

Road safety success

Some good new just in. Rochdale's roads are safer than ever. In the past 16 years, the number of people seriously injured on the borough's roads has dropped by an amazing 73% (down from 1,333 in 2000 to just 365 last year).

There has been a big fall in the number of children injured on our roads - down 63% (to 22 from 60 over the same period).

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/111975/huge-reduction-in-child-casualties-on-borough%E2%80%99s-roads

Festival fever

The successful festivals and events throughout the borough - Midfest, Heywood's 40s day and the Feel Good Festival to name just a few - are not just about giving people a good time. They are much more important than that.  They help challenge some of the negative stereotypes about our borough and put us on the map for the right reasons. Yes, we've a lot to be proud about.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/111869/feel-good-festival-saturday-razorlight-rock-town-hall-square

Rochdale revolution

Cafe Culture is really taking off in out borough - with another bar opening, boosting the evening economy. There are lots more bars and restaurants planned to open in the coming weeks and months.

For all you Che Guevara fans out there, get on down to Bar Cuba in Rochdale town centre to plot away into the early hours.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/1/business-news/112011/three-new-food-and-drink-businesses-say-%E2%80%98bon-appetit%E2%80%99-to-rochdale

Smile for the camera

Door staff from the Pubwatch scheme have been kitted out with body cameras to help them tackle anti-social behaviour.

They will be used to record moving footage and audio evidence of public order incidents which can be used to secure arrests, charges and convictions.

They should act as a deterrent to anyone likely to become involved in disorder and for me, are another demonstration of our continued commitment to make our town centres a destination of choice for shoppers.

Thanks to Councillor Janet Emsley for modelling the new hi-viz security apparel.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/111924/rochdale-town-centre-door-staff-to-wear-bodycams

Crossed, but not forgotten

The end of the school term signalled home time for long-time crossing patrol officer Kath Slater.

After 12 dedicated years of service, Kath's retiring to a more relaxed life, with no early starts.

I would just like to thank her for all her service; she was been a valuable member of the school crossing patrol service and her warmth and enthusiasm will be missed.

A big thanks too for all the unsung lollipop people who turn out in all weathers to keep our children safe.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/138/community-news/111898/school-crossing-patrol-officer-kath-slater-retires-after-12-years

Fast Fact

The council's development arm, Rochdale Development Agency (RDA), secured over £7 million of external funding for the borough last year.

'Staywell' and improve your health and well being

Heywood pensioners Gladys Lyman and John McNeice joined cabinet member for adult care Councillor Iftikhar Ahmed to launch a special service for the elderly this week.

Staywell is ensuring scores of the borough's residents can access key services to improve their health and wellbeing.

Any person aged 65 or over can sign-up to the pioneering Staywell service to help them socialise, build their confidence and join local community groups.

The scheme reduces social isolation through help and support provided by a dedicated team of staff.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/111896/pilot-frailty-service-takes-off-as-scores-helped-to-%E2%80%98stay-well%E2%80%99

To sign up to the Staywell service:

staywell@direct-health.co.uk

01706 360008