New Deputy Mayor of Rochdale named

Councillor James Gartside

The Deputy Mayor of Rochdale for the next municipal year has been decided.

Conservative Councillor James Gartside will take over the post when Alan Godson becomes Mayor in May.

Mr Gartside was first elected to council in 1986 and was put forward for the post at a meeting of the Regulatory Committee on 2 December.

Mr Gartside said: “I feel very honoured. It is a great thing really. There are so many things going on in the town, I am really looking forward to being a part of it all.

“It is a very exciting time and I am very much looking forward to it.”

Mr Gartside has served on the council for more than 24 years and is more than ready for the job.

He said: “I always thought that if I got the chance to do the job I would take it, and now that I have been given the chance I am going to. I’m looking forward to filling in any gaps that the Mayor can’t manage.”