Balderstone and Kirkholt Councillor to stand down

Balderstone and Kirkholt Councillor Liz Thirsk has announced her intention to stand down this May after four years of service.

The Liberal Democrat Councillor confirmed that she is standing down on health grounds after some recent set backs that she says have taken their toll on her ability to commit herself to the very important election campaign this May.

Councillor Thirsk said: “I want to thank our leader Councillor Irene Davidson for being there for me. I also want my group colleagues for their support during my four years as a ward councillor and I thank you all from my heart for the faith you put in me by selecting me to the cabinet for the last two years.

“Being a Councillor isn’t an easy role but it has been a great pleasure serving the people of Balderstone and Kirkholt over the last four years. You couldn’t find a more down to earth community anywhere else.”

She added: “I am a committed Lib Dem and intend to continue to support the party in any way that I can. I will continue to run the social club and will remain on the executive of the party. Should any candidate need my support during the election campaign I will be there to help.”

Leader of the Lib Dem group, Councillor Irene Davidson, said: “Liz has been a truly superb Councillor who has represented the residents of Balderstone and Kirkholt fantastically over the last four years and taken up a number of issues on their behalf. The group will miss her but she has taken this decision for the right reasons. I’m glad she has committed herself to still being involved with the party.”

The Leader of the Conservative party in Rochdale, Councillor Ashley Dearnley, said: “I am sorry to hear that Councillor Thirsk is not well and therefore does feel she can stand against the Council.”

The Leader of the Independent Alliance party, Councillor Greg Couzens, added: “Councillor Thirsk is making the right decision and I wish her well for the future.”

The Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, Councillor Colin Lambert, was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.