Council Leader sets out plans for Rochdale

Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Alan Taylor has revealed his ambitious plans for a change of emphasis from Rochdale Council.  The plans are now at an advanced stage and will start making a difference to resident's lives over the next few months. 

One of the main plans is to step up the fight against anti-social behaviour in the town, Councillor Taylor explains: "One of the main complaints we all receive as Councillors is about crime, it is high time the council got tough on people who makes resident's lives a misery.  I will be meeting shortly with local police bosses to discuss how the council can help them tackle problems. 

"One thing that we are already looking at implementing is sanctions on housing benefit; Tenants who are evicted from their council properties only to move on to cause distress in a new neighbourhood while still receiving housing benefit.  I say this is completely unacceptable and welcome new legislation that will allow us, as a last resort to stop housing benefit. 

"The way it would work would be: if a household is evicted for anti-social behaviour, the tenants will be offered appropriate rehabilitation by Rochdale Council, this rehabilitation would look at the underlying causes and unmet needs.  If the household refuses to comply, then we would start implementing sanctions. 

"I want to send a clear message to residents in Rochdale that Rochdale Borough Council will not tolerate anti-social behaviour."

It's not all bad news though...  Councillor Taylor is looking at rewarding people who go further than others to be a 'good neighbour', he said: "all too many times in the headlines we see residents of this borough in the headlines for the wrong reasons.  I want to reverse that, I am calling on the people of Rochdale to nominate a 'good neighbour', someone who regularly goes out of their way to help others.  It is important that we report people like this as a shining example to others. 

"We will reward a 'good neighbour' from each of the townships: Pennines, Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale. 

"We will be revealing the details shortly"

Councillor Taylor has also spoken about progress on the council's green issues.  He said: "I am delighted with the positive start that Councillor Wera Hobhouse has made in her Environment and Sustainability Portfolio. 

"Already we have seen a successful start to the new alternate weekly collection service for many residents in the Pennines.  We do have to keep a keen eye on this and I am asking anybody with any problems to get in touch, after all we are a listening council. 

"The staff at the council have been marvellous in implementing this and I hope to see this rolled out across the borough. 

"It is vital that we take recycling seriously as it will save the council more in the long run. 

"I am delighted to see Councillor Hobhouse's department starting to tackle things like dumped rubbish and I would also like to see a recycling audit of the whole council to see how we can improve."

Councillor Taylor is also calling for the public to make use of opportunities to question their councillors in meetings.  He said: "I am especially keen to see people getting involved in public question times at the full council meetings and township meetings.  I encouraged it when I chaired the Rochdale Township and it flourished; people from all walks of life took time out to question their local representatives on a variety of issues.  I want people to know that the opportunity to do this is available at the Rochdale, Pennines, Heywood and Middleton Townships, as well as the full meeting of Rochdale Council.  I know councillors like Dale Mulgrew and Mark Birkett did this and were that impressed that they stood for the council and have now been elected."