Why we should make the effort to vote...

WHO’D be a councillor these days?

It’s a real commitment with allowances that barely cover the expense of being a councillor, let alone the time commitment.

Yet we have dozens of local people prepared to go to the polls and ask the public for permission to represent them.

The column is often critical of the decisions made by the council, and often about how the decisions are made too.

But few can question the motivation and dedication which lies behind the decision to stand for local council.

With very rare exception, it’s not the start of a path to political stardom.

It is, however, a guarantee that you’ll be asked to get involved in all sorts of issues with an expectation from those seeking help that you can solve it at a drop of a hat.

Next month’s elections across the borough probably won’t change the political colour of Rossendale – but it could make things much tighter if Labour don’t hold on to all of their seats.

Regardless of who wins, as residents we should be grateful that there are people prepared to put their heads above the parapet and serve local communities.

That’s why we should make the effort to vote the week after next.

There’s no point criticising the council if you didn’t make the effort to vote.