Councillor calls for Rochdale Development Agency to be scrapped

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A Rochdale Councillor has controversially called for the Rochdale Development Agency(RDA) to be abolished.

Lib Dem Councillor Mohammed Sharif oversaw RDA whilst he was portfolio holder – this week the Councillor wrote to Rochdale Online calling for the RDA to be scrapped because they “failed to deliver anything of substance for the Borough.”

Councillor Sharif’s letter reads: “These days everyone is talking about cuts and rightly so because public lively hood depend on it. Some characters are targeting Councillors using false names and others are after the Chief Executive. Now let’s be honest, we do need to make savings but we also have to protect our front line services.

“The officers who work hard for the borough should be protected. So how can we do that within the government requirements, recently government announced to abolish the Regional Development Agencies, why not? we can save £1 million.

“The reason I feel we ought to do this is because Rochdale development Agency (RDA) have failed to deliver anything of substance for the Borough, for example during my portfolio days I asked for changes – sadly nothing was changed so I have to commission a ‘value for money’ report by an independent body. Also at a later stage I further commissioned the Economic Partnership Review.

“Both reports identified the same problems but nothing has been done to date. RDA are very good in getting funding on false promises but they never meet the targets set by funding criteria.”

Mr Sharif’s letter also praises the Council’s Chief Executive, but claims he has “too many chiefs.”

The Rochdale Development Agency has defended itself against the Councillors remarks, Phil Ewbank, Rochdale businessman and Chairman of Rochdale Development Agency, said: “Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) always acts in the best interests of the people of Rochdale, attracting new companies and investment.

“RDA is proud of its track-record in delivering business to the borough. A recent independent report by EDR Consulting and the Council’s review of its Economic Strategy both highlighted the good work being done to regenerate the borough, with RDA meeting or exceeding all of its targets for last year.

“The RDA team should be applauded for playing a major role in securing the recent funding partnership that will see the regeneration of the town centre.

“It is at the forefront of other major developments including the building of the JD Sports warehouse on Kingsway Business Park – which is the biggest of its kind in the North West for the last ten years.

“All this is being achieved against the backdrop of one of the deepest recessions in recent history.

“RDA has agreed major savings with Rochdale Borough Council for next year, but recognises its plays a vital role in continuing to attract fresh investment and more jobs to the borough.”

The leader of the Labour party, Councillor Colin Lambert, welcomed Councillor Sharif’s suggestion but described it as “too late”

Councillor Lambert said: “I welcome him coming on board but it is twelve months too late, he should have listened to me when he was a cabinet member.

“It is mine and the Labour party’s view that the work should be brought to the council’s regeneration department.

“In the alternative budget in February we suggested slashing their budget.”

The Deputy Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, Councillor Ashley Dearnley said: “Everything needs to be carefully considered before decisions are made. I am not going to start saying what should be abolished and what shouldn’t, but everything needs to be carefully considered because we need to make massive savings.”

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Irene Davidson was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.