Local campaign group outlines its key expectations of Rochdale borough councillors

Number One Riverside

A local campaign group has outlined a list of key expectations wanted from Rochdale borough councillors and council officers.

Middleton-based group BOLD – Building Our Local Democracy, which also covers Rochdale, Heywood, Littleborough and Milnrow – was initially set up to talk about local and national issues that matter to residents whilst remaining politically neutral.

Following lengthy discussions after an open meeting last September, the group has now published a ‘wish list’ of 12 desires expected from local councillors and council officers.

John Wilkes, of BOLD, said: “The second part of our open meeting focused on local democracy and our ‘wish list’ for what to expect from councillors and council officers. After much discussion, having circulated all councillors, but receiving feedback (mostly supportive) from just eight, we want the public to have their say.”

The list is as follows:

1. Councillors will reply to ALL questions from constituents unless they are abusive in tone.
    
2. Councillors should be accessible and approachable by face-to-face meetings in regular surgeries or by arrangement.
    
3. The conduct of elections should be scrupulously monitored and any concerns about possible electoral fraud MUST be taken seriously. If there are doubts, the police must be informed as soon as possible (this is already stated in council handouts given to all candidates).
   NOTE: The police and council must be SEEN to act independently of each other.
    
4. All meetings transacting council business will be open to the public and press and properly advertised at least two weeks in advance. Exclusions must be fully justified before any meeting and minuted as being justified once the meeting has taken place. Confidentiality has been used to avoid naming persons and businesses in some meetings. However courts use person A, or business B and council could too.
    
5. All public notices should be issued in a timely manner and made as widely available as possible. 5 days’ notice is not sufficient.
    
6. A video or audio archive of ALL council meetings should be maintained and available to the public. Although not a legal requirement, the council should consider this.
    
7. Available resources should be seen to be used equitably across the borough. This might mean greater scrutiny by the public, encouraging more attendance at township meetings and in particular area forums (where they exist).
    
8. A properly indexed and citizen-friendly website will be maintained.
    
9. The council should work towards less outsourcing if economically viable and consider sharing services with other local authorities.
   However, cost MUST NOT be the only criteria as investment in social care and youth services for instance could save money in the future.
    
10. More regular revision of allowances than every four years. Clearer statement of expectations for roles allocated.
    Note: Talent from other parties could be utilised more if the rule was changed to parties with three or more are allowed into the Cabinet.
     
11. Work of council officers should be scrutinised by all councillors, as of right, and the officers should be held accountable to them.
     
12. The council should try to engage with the public as much as possible through surveys, public meetings, press and social media.

Councillor Carol Wardle, cabinet member for finance and corporate services at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We welcome interest from residents in the democratic processes.

“All councillors and council employees are already bound by statutory requirements to ensure open and transparent decision making, including during elections, committee meetings and for decisions by individuals.

“We also remain committed to engaging with residents throughout the democratic processes.”

Anyone interested in contacting BOLD can email them on boldgroupm24@gmail.com