A question of concern for democracy

EVENTS at last week’s Rochdale Township meeting raise a few concerns about local democracy in this town.

I had submitted a question by email on Monday (20 March) which I was told had not been received and so I resubmitted the question shortly before the meeting.

When it came to the public forum I was informed by the chair that my question was “too politically motivated” and it was not read out. I will receive a response in writing.

In the interests of fair, open debate, I will reproduce my question here in full so that readers can make up their own minds.

This is how the question appeared in both my email and the resubmission:

“It was reported on 14 March 2016 that the Labour Group wanted to adopt a policy promoted by the local Green Party to create an additional 100 allotments in Rochdale. How many allotments have been created over the 12 months since then?”

Too politically motivated? Isn’t that what such meetings are for?

Anyway, back to that email.

What I know and what, seemingly, the chair and present councillors did not know, is that my email was received and the very proof sits in my inbox as I type this now.

My email was forwarded by Rochdale Township to Environmental and a carbon copy of this was sent to me. Somewhere along the line some untruths have been told and this has very serious implications for the future of public consultation in this town.

Far be it from me to suggest that dismissal of a question on a fairly uncontroversial subject could be politically motivated.

Though my hunch is that precisely zero allotments have been created in the last 12 months.

Sometimes being fobbed off can be just as revealing as receiving a direct answer.

Finally, a point of order. Coun Allen Brett used the public forum to ask his own question.

The forum was tightly scheduled to last for 30 minutes and this ate into the time that should have been devoted to the public.

Time that could have been spent discussing allotments or going into more detail on any of the other issues raised. Daniel Clayton Rochdale Green Party

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

THE hierarchy of our town never cease to amaze me.

Our MP is forever telling us what great opportunities are available in Rochdale, yet himself and spouse didn’t exactly make a roaring success of their butty shop in the Walk.

I may be wrong here, but if I am then perhaps someone will put me right.

It was reported in the Observer some weeks ago that another business has started up in our vibrant town centre.

Namely the cafe in the corner of the Butts, which in the past has always been an eatery ‘Taylor’s cafe, Flying Fish and of late Grandma Mollies’, until the floods wiped it out.

The new owner was saying he had invested some £30,000 in the new venture and he was taking advantage of the great discounts being offered by Rochdale Council.

It even had a photo of our own esteemed leader of the council, Richard Farnell, sampling some fish and chips outside the aforementioned premises.

My question is, if it was outside that bygone eatery, where did the fish and chips come from as I haven’t been able to sample some, as it has never appeared to be open.

The windows are still whitewashed.

Just curious, or is it the vibrancy diminishing as opposed to the councillors wages? Derek Holden Rochdale ●●This image, titled Bluetit, was submitted by Terry Angus. Email your pictures to us at rochdaleobserver@menmedia.co.uk or upload them to flickr.com/groups/rochdalepics

DON’T BLAME THE BIRDS

WHY put the blame on birds/pigeons for putting the glass roof through at Victoria Railway Station in Manchester?

Don’t blame the birds, it’s the design! And why have all glass anyway?

There was a fox hunt in Macclesfield, Cheshire, at the weekend which created havoc with the hounds running after the poor defenceless foxes.

The residents would be up in arms and worried.

I blame these folk in red coats. This is not sport!

It is cruel and brutal. You are a disgrace, hunters! Please get a proper sport.

I thought it had been stopped - obviously not!

Hare coursing is cruel as well.

Why not just ride your horses in the countryside?

I like cats, dogs, horses and foxes.

Let’s have respect all round. Miss Lynn Tweedale Henderson Street Hamer

CUTS COME AT LAST

AT last cuts are bing considered to reduce the number of councillors, this should have been done from the start, also cutback on the deputies.

Some of our councillors have demolished Rochdale, wasted thousands of pounds on wrong prospects and ruined disabled, poor, elderly residents of their right to care, which they desperately need to have a life with support and dignity. Name and address supplied

LOOKING FOR MEMORIAL

I AM an old ex-Rochdale resident now living in the USA, and on holiday here for a number of weeks.

On reading your article in the Wednesday Observer (March 8, 2014) about the various war memorials in this area, does anyone know what happened to the memorial that used to be on display in the Two Ships Public House in the area, then known as the Mount. I believe there was over 200 names on it, many of whom were killed. P Kelly New York USA

LOVELY VIEWS OF WILDLIFE

I WRITE this letter to thank Terry Angus for the lovely pictures you put in The Observer of all the wildlife of which he has taken over the years.

I have taken a lot of birds, as I like photography, but I do not do much now.

I also enjoy some of the other photos of different places. Betty Sieg, Shawclough