Questions over joint working collapse

The Leader of Rochdale Council Councillor Colin Lambert

The Labour group in charge of Rochdale Council has been accused of “trying to sweep under the carpet” the collapse of talks regarding joint working with Oldham Council, by the Liberal Democrat Group.

The two councils had been in talks over joint working plans when the idea of a potential merger was dramatically dropped at the eleventh hour. At the time, Council Leader, Councillor Colin Lambert cited identity and democratic sovereignty at reasons behind the move. He did however say although a merger was off joint working opportunities would still be considered.

A motion regarding joint working was put before a meeting of Full Council. It asked for joint working proposals to be reinstated but did not receive enough votes to be carried through; however, it didn’t stop debate over the issue.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Councillor Wera Hobhouse, said Councillors feel they have been “kept in the dark” regarding the sudden collapse of talks between the two councils.

She added that the Lib Dems think that Labour are trying to “sweep it under the carpet.”

Liberal Democrat Councillor David Clayton, added: “We have still not had a reason why joint working fell flat on its face. It could have potentially saved millions of pounds of rate payers money and you haven’t had the courtesy to explain why it didn’t proceed.”

However, Councillor Lambert dismissed the comments, he said that there are many examples of joint working between several authorities and the council.

He said in the talks with Oldham there had been a “serious concern” about having a joint Chief Executive across all parties.

Adding: “We will move forward at a pace that is right for the people of this borough.”

The Leader of the Conservative group, Councillor Ashley Dearnley said he thought it “really sad” that there hasn’t been any further dialogue, “not just with Oldham but with others too.”

Councillor Dearnley described it as a “missed opportunity.”