Letter from Parliament

Jim Dobbin MP

The planned regeneration of our three town centres in Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton is very much in line with the renaissance taking place in our cities throughout the UK.  The Government has developed clear partnership strategies between local government, the private and voluntary sectors and government departments to re-ignite the life of our local communities.  Successive governments have failed to do this. 

Industrial change, boom and bust economies and a deteriorating environment drove people and jobs away. 

The Government realised that our towns and cities could again become engines of growth for the future.  Good examples are Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds.  Notice how they have all developed and prospered. 

Here in Rochdale we will see a new town centre serviced by Metrolink and a new transport interchange including a new bus station. 

In Middleton beginning soon we will see new leisure facilities, a new shopping area, and a purpose built health centre in addition to the recent new bus station. 

Heywood is to have a redeveloped shopping centre, a sports village complex and a new health facility. 

All three areas are seeing the benefits of a new school building programme with more to come.

The large industrial development at Kingsway will provide much needed jobs for the whole borough and beyond. 

None of this could have taken place without the drive and financial investment that comes from central government working in partnership with local groups. 

 The last ten years have shown how serious progress of much needed change is becoming visible. 

Much credit goes to Andy Zuntz who has led this regeneration on behalf of the Council over many years and John Hudson and his team from Rochdale Development Agency who advise and support the private sector.

The government is anxious to pursue a more devolved local government system and to create more sustainable communities.  That is why councils are being encouraged to once more begin building council housing primarily using brown field land and old industrial buildings. 

I noted Councillor Alan Taylor claiming credit for Rochdale Council’s house building programme, a typical Lib Dem trick.  Can I remind him that when I was chairman of housing in the late 80s and early 90s, the then Labour Council built 300 special needs housing units, probably the last time Councils built in their own right.  Examples are Derrick Walker Court and Arnold Bagnall Court in Rochdale, Threlkeld in Langley and Longford Street in Heywood .But guess what?  The Lib Dems voted against that building programme.  What a surprise!

I see the Lib Dem Councillors are at loggerheads over congestion charges.  It looks like the Lib Dem cabinet has steam rollered this decision over their own councillors. 

I also note that both Lib Dems in North Heywood are now voting with Labour on local Heywood issues.  What a shambles. 

It seems too, that one of the North Ward councillors disagrees with my opposition to the fortnightly bin collection service.  I take it that she supports the mess caused by this local council decision. 

It is not surprising that in areas where the bin collection has been reduced, there has been a rising demand for privately run collection services to fill the gap.  I predict that is what will happen here if this continues, and there will be an increase in fly tipping.

The government has advised councils to provide weekly collections, particularly for foodstuffs and I suggest again that Rochdale Council Leader Alan Taylor should do a U turn as he has done on congestion charging.

Although the vast majority of young people are good citizens, a minority spoil it for the majority.  I am aware of the problem areas across the constituency and have had discussions on this issue with senior police officers.  I intend to pursue these discussions to see if we can find a solution. 

I am in agreement with the Cheshire Chief Constable, Peter Fahy who has called for a review of the drinking age and who thinks that parents must be called to account for the continued violent and yobbish behaviour of their children.

I was able to attend the Castleton Area Forum on Tuesday 14 August.  It’s the first time I’ve been able to be present for a very long time as I am usually in Westminster. 

The Castleton community are well served by the forum and it gave me an opportunity to listen to their problems, although I am kept up to date at my monthly surgery in Castleton at the Community Centre.

The centre is a hive of activity and it is good to see so many young people take advantage of its provision. 

My visit also gave me a chance to support the proposal from activist Frank Salt about the development of the East Lancs. Railway extension from Heywood through Castleton and onto Manchester Victoria.  I intend to speak to our local regeneration officials about this idea.  I know it will have the support of Janet Anderson MP for Rossendale and David Chaytor MP for Bury North who already are served by the East Lancs Railway.

Our new grandson William was born at Rochdale Infirmary on 17 August, weight 6lbs 13ozs.  He is grandson number six but no grand daughter as yet. 

A happy ending to a busy constituency week.