Chairman of Rochdale Township benefits from ‘Divine Intervention’

Councillor Andrew Abbott

Local Conservative leader, Councillor Ashley Dearnley noted that Councillor Andrew Abbott had been the beneficiary of “divine intervention” at last night’s full council meeting.

In his report to the council, written on 8 July, two days BEFORE the recent Feel Good Festival took place, Rochdale Township Chairman, Councillor Andrew Abbott wrote of the “highly successful Rochdale Feel Good Festival”. He added: "It was very well attended and a lot of people of different ages and cultures came along to enjoy the town centre…”

Councillor Dearnley said Councillor Abbott could not possibly have known the event was successful, and that lots of people had attended, two days before the event took place, he asked Councillor Abbott to apologise and in future make his report factual rather than guessing and hoping he would be right.

Councillor Abbott, instead of addressing the issue being put to him, chose instead to try and divert the criticism by accusing the Conservatives of “demeaning the success of the Festival”, a tactic Councillor Dearnley refused to accept, making clear the Conservative Group fully supported the festival and was "delighted at its success" but that in no way exonerated Councillor Abbott. Councillor Dearnley reiterated his request for an apology and a reassurance that Councillor Abbott would in future report facts and not his predictions. Councillor Abbot refused to do so, a refusal that led Councillor Dearnley to call Councillor Abbott's actions "shameful" and that Councillor Abbot had "made a mockery of writing council reports". 

Councillor Dearnley added: "Sadly Councillor Abbott, Chairman of Rochdale Township, showed a complete disregard for all members of the council and most importantly the Rochdale public by writing a report about the event in which he stated there had been a good turn out of people and it had been a great success this report was written by him days before the event.

Talking to Rochdale Online after the meeting, Councillor Dearnley said if Councillor Abbott had apologised then council members would have accepted and understood, but "sadly he clearly did not feel big enough to do that".

Councillor Dearnley added: "Many members from all parties were not impressed by his [Councillor Abbot's] action and once again I am calling for a change in the way meetings of the Council are carried out, we need to stop this kind of abuse of power and ensure that once again the council is open, transparent and democratic, and most importantly honest if ever we are to gain the respect of one another and respect and trust of the public." 

Councillor Dearnley also appealed to councillors to write their own reports having noted what he said was an "increasing trend" for councillors holding portfolios or chairing committees to allow council officers to write their reports for them.