Ballad of the Rochdale pay rise

Shirley Kennedy

Local writer Shirley Kennedy has written a poem based on opinions and comments made throughout the borough regarding the issue of executive pay rises within the council.

Shirley, from Heywood, wrote the poem using the comments, opinions and statements she had seen on Rochdale Online and social networking forums. She said: “I am speaking from the ‘we’ perspective, so it is what people have said on the issue and is a borough perspective.”

Shirley has been writing for a number of years and had a poem featured in last month's Literature and Ideas Festival. She said: “This is not a political poem. I am not having a go at anyone. I am not part of any political party it is just what I have gathered from the whole of the borough.”

BALLAD OF THE ROCHDALE PAY RISE

We’re from the Borough of Rochdale
It’s a middling kind of place
Though according to outsiders
We’re not keeping up the pace

We say it as we see it
And when our backs are up
We’re standing straight and counting
They’re not selling us no pup

Now Chief Exec of Council
He’s a decent kind of bloke
But when it comes to wages
Another 40 grands a joke

Council say we have no money
They’re making MASSIVE cuts
Yet consulting firms get handouts
Without any ifs or buts

The food bank’s blooming BOOMING!
Our debts are piling high
And Rochdale ruddy council
Keep squandering the pie

Let’s give some to the needy
And not to them that’s got
For the haves keep getting fatter
At the sake of the have nots

Council need to chew it over
Give some further thought
Or when it comes elections
They'll not get our vote

Over 100 grand a year
In this time and place
Is more than Mickey taking
It’s a Boroughwide disgrace

No good listening to outsiders
Try consulting US
we’re ones paying wages
And kicking up a fuss

Council say Execs are worth it
And report says as much
Well more fool Rochdale Council
For being a soft touch

We say it as we see it
They’re good with what they’ve got
No pay rise for the haves
At the sake of the have nots

We don’t want to keep up with Joneses
Or silly extravagant towns
Let’s cap all top end wages
At 70 thousands pounds

Let’s set a great example
Let’s PIONEER the way
Get Borough on its feet again
Not pump up Execs pay

We say it as we see it
Execs stick with what they’ve got
No pay rise for the haves
At the sake of the have nots