Alan Taylor to step down as Council leader

Rochdale Council Leader, Councillor Alan Taylor

The leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Alan Taylor, is to step down from his position on grounds of ill health.

The ruling Liberal Democrat group will officially announce the move later this week and will shortly begin their search for a new leader.

Councillor Taylor said he had been honoured to lead the Council, a position he has held since the Liberal Democrats became the ruling party in 2006. He still plans to stand in next May's election in the Healey ward, where he has been a councillor since 2004.

Councillor Taylor said: “I am known as a workaholic, but in my present state of health I don’t feel I can devote the hours I feel are necessary to do the job as I would like to do it. Unfortunately my health is simply unable to cope with the demands and requirements at this time. There are a lot of people involved in trying to improve my health and I think I need a period of time to concentrate on them.

"It has been a great honour to be Leader of Rochdale Council and I have really appreciated the warmth I have received from Councillors, Officers and the General Public. I would like to thank the cross-party support that I have received since my health deteriorated. Also, I would like to say a special thanks to Councillor Pat Flynn and Councillor Irene Davidson. I still plan to be very much involved with the Liberal Democrat Group and the Council and I am looking forward to standing for Healey again in May 2010.

“When I became leader of the Council I had a clear set of priorities for our borough which I feel we have achieved successfully. These included devolution to townships, an older person’s champion, more investment into our voluntary sector, a yearly reduction in Council tax and improving our local environment. I have to say my proudest moment has to be securing the Metrolink extension to our town. The long-term benefits and regeneration that this will offer to Rochdale are immense and in addition to this the future development of Rochdale town centre is something I look forward to seeing in the future.”

Councillor Taylor took over the leadership of the Liberal Democrats when Paul Rowen left the position to become an MP in 2005. Commenting on the news, Mr Rowen said: "Alan has been a fantastic Leader of our Council and I am sure he will continue to work hard for our town as a Healey ward Councillor. As a former Councillor myself I have seen first-hand just how hard-working and dedicated a man he is. I am sure whoever is elected as his successor will continue to take this Council forward.” 

Chairman of the Liberal Democrat Group Councillor Pat Flynn said: "As the Chairman of the Liberal Democrat Group I feel incredibly honoured to have worked with Alan Taylor. I have known Alan since 1981 and believe he has been a fantastic leader of the council and has displayed strength, humility and courage. He is one of the few individuals I would call a gentleman. I wish him all the best for the future.”

The Leader of the Labour group, Councillor Colin Lambert, said: "Whilst it is usual when a party changes its leader in the middle of a term to take policital advantage, it is more appropriate to thank Alan Taylor for his commitment to public office. Whereas he and I may disagree politically, it has been obvious for some time that his health is suffering, I therefore wish him well for the future."

Conservative leader Councillor Ashley Dearnley said: "Obviously health-wise I wish Alan Taylor well. I was hoping to say that I could wish him a long and healthy retirement from the Council but it seems he is not doing that and I do hope his health improves.

"On a positive note I look forward to working with the new leader, who I hope can put petty party politics to one side, which seemed so important to Alan, and we can all start working for the benefit of the borough.

"We all need to work to improve Rochdale because let's face it, the town could not be in a much more dire position at the moment.

"We have long since needed a change of leadership at the Council and I look forward to a more positive approach from the next leader."