Councillor Ray Dutton nominated as Deputy Mayor

Councillor Ray Dutton

Labour councillor Ray Dutton will be the next Deputy Mayor of the borough - providing he his re-elected in May’s local elections.

Councillor Dutton, who currently represents North Heywood, plans to promote the word of good in the borough.

Speaking to Rochdale Online, he said: “I feel very elated about the unanimous decision and depending on the election results means whether or not I would be given the opportunity.

“It still feels very surreal, and I’m greatly looking forward to it - it’s something me and my wife are counting on to become Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale.

“I want to spread the word of good to a community which otherwise gets some bad press, and have high hopes to take on the excellent work of the current Deputy Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Surinder and Mrs Cecile Biant in 2016.

“I would like to add that Councillor Carol Wardle has been an exceptional Mayor, and she does well to bring out the good of the borough with all of the work she does for her chosen charities.

“I am also considering charities which I can sponsor.”