McCarthy new chairman of Heywood Township

Councillor Alan McCarthy

Labour Councillor Alan McCarthy is the new Chairman of Heywood Township. Councillor McCarthy succeeds Councillor Colin Lambert who recently became the leader of the Labour Group on Rochdale Council.

Speaking on his appointment, Councillor McCarthy thanked and congratulated Councillor Lambert and also thanked former Councillor Brian Davies JP on behalf of Heywood Township who retired from elected politics recently.

Councillor McCarthy added: "It will be an honour and a privilege to serve the people of Heywood as Township Chairman. Since the Town Council was dissolved on 1 April 1974 all Heywood Township Chairs have been given a clear mandate by the people to work towards and to re-establish full devolvement of powers from Rochdale back to Heywood.

"As Chairman I am also mandated to seek the following: the reintroduction of weekly waste collections which is a totally separate issue to recycling and one that this Township full supports; to oppose any form congestion charging; we will continue to campaign for respect for our elderly; we will also continue our close working with the local police to put more police officers back on the beat, despite there being no more money from the Rochdale Lib Dems to provide more police; we will take the ban on HGVs to public enquiry this year.

"I would like to welcome and offer a word of advice to all elected members of Heywood Township new and old, over the coming twelve months there will be numerous reports coming to the Township that will have implications for Heywood, please remember who elected you and act in their best interests.

"The Township, as always, will continue to work towards delivering the hopes and aspirations of all its people."