It may be all or nothing parties fight for Valley As the votes
VALLEY voters will head to the polls next week to elect new representatives to the borough council, Lancashire County Council (LCC) and a Police & Crime Commissioner.
The May 6 polls come after elections were called off last year due to the pandemic.
There are 13 seats up for grabs in the Rossendale BC elections this year, including the Stacksteads by-election. Lead group Labour - in power for a decade under the leadership of Alyson Barnes - has 19 seats to the Conservatives’ 13, with three others.
Coun Barnes is predicting “a tough contest”.
She said: “On a good day we could win every ward and on a bad day lose the lot. All the wards are fairly marginal - although we are stronger in Rawtenstall than elsewhere in the borough.
“Key campaign points are that we think government targets for more than 3,000 new homes in Rossendale are too high.
“We also promise to invest more money to tackle fly-tipping and keep our streets clean.
“We believe the council has done a good job in dealing with the pandemic and hope voters will recognise that.”
Conservative group leader Coun Peter Steen said: “This Labour administration is good on vanity projects which come to nothing and cost council taxpayers money.
“There is the empty homes fiasco which has already cost £9million and will continue to do so for another five years and the restructuring of Rawtenstall town centre which has cost another £250,000.
“We are challenging in every ward and pledge to listen to residents.”
There are five LCC electoral divisions electing a new Rossendale councillor to county hall, which is currently in the hands of the Conservatives with more than half of the 83 total seats.
Four candidates are standing to be the next Police & Crime Commissioner, and there are also seats up for grabs in North Manor ward, and Ramsbottom ward, on borough elections to Labour-held Bury Council.
For those who choose to vote in person, voters are encouraged to keep themselves and others safe by wearing a face covering, bringing their own pen or pencil, cleaning their hands when entering and leaving the polling station, and keeping a safe distance.
Neil Shaw, returning officer for Rossendale council, said: “It’s important to make sure your voice is heard at the elections in May, and we are putting measures in place to help you cast your vote safely.”
We asked all the parties and candidates looking to secure your vote at the ballot box to tell us why they are worthy of your support:
THESE elections are the most important in years. For the first time in four years, we have the chance to change the county council and get our fair share for Rossendale.
71% of our council tax goes straight to the county council. ALL of our county councillors in Rossendale are currently Conservative. Despite the endless promises, we know we do not get our fair share. A quick look at the state of our roads and pavements show how much we are being let down.
The ongoing threat to our nursery schools and the consultation on their future which has been knocked back to the election is just another example of a county council which doesn’t work for Rossendale.
One of the biggest issues facing the borough is the new local plan and the housing numbers we are being forced to build by the government. We need more homes but we all know Rossendale just cannot cope with the thousands being demanded by the government.
We have fought, and won, battles to have the numbers reduced but the fight is far from over. We succeeded to reducing the numbers from 5,000 to 3,000 but this is still far too high. The government is now even changing planning laws again to make it even easier for developers to just build.
Rossendale declared a climate emergency in 2020. We will become carbon neutral by 2030 at the latest, but we want to go further than that. We will plant a tree for every child in the borough, we will also work with schools; local businesses and community groups to put in place other measures to keep the valley green and mitigate flood risks.
We have banned single use plastics and stopped the use of weedkillers which damage the environment. We will create more electric vehicle charging points and support businesses to help them reduce their carbon footprint.
During the last year we have concentrated on supporting the Covid efforts, through track and trace, administering grants to businesses and supporting our vulnerable residents. As we start to come out of this lock down and get back to normal we will put extra resources into tackling fly tipping and we will increase street sweeping across the borough.
We have spent the last few years focusing on our town centres and we will continue to work hard with local businesses and fight for funding to improve our towns.
●● RBC - Cribden: ROOKE Gemma Charlotte; Eden: JOHNSON Janice
●●
ON May 6 you will have the opportunity to vote in a unique set of elections. Over the last four years Rossendale has benefitted from a strong team of County Councillors who have secured significant investment into road improvements, saved our local heritage assets and improved adult and children’s services. However every step of the way has seen resistance from the Labour-controlled Borough Council who have continued to ignore residents’ voices.
They still plan to concrete over our countryside and ignore what’s important to you whilst wasting millions. Rossendale needs a joined up team of Councillors who will work together with our MPs and the Government to secure better investment for the Borough and ensure we build back better after the pandemic.
With a fresh-faced team, including many new faces, we have exciting and ambitious plans for Rossendale and Lancashire. Following on from the recent increase in times and frequencies of our buses we will work quickly to ensure smart ticketing reaches all of Rossendale. Our team will ensure the local plan moves to a ‘ brownfield first’ approach, protecting our beautiful countryside from being built over. We will also ensure a new care home is built in the Valley to look after some of our
most vulnerable dents.
Together we will also ensure we make it a green recovery. With more electric vehicle charging points, significant new tree planting and further increases in what can be recycled we will protect our environment whilst boosting our economy.
Rossendale needs a joined up team who will work together to do what is best for you and everyone else who lives and works here. So on May 6 ensure you elect a Conservative for Borough, County and Police and Crime Commissioner. resi
●● RBC - Cribden: FOXCROFT Jonathan Charles Laurence; Eden: SMETHURST Bob; Facit & Shawforth: SMITH Scott David Ian; Goodshaw: FOXCROFT David Alexander Laurence; Greenfield: THOMPSON Laura-Beth; Greensclough: SNOWDEN Andrew James; Hareholme: LITTLER Matthew Thomas; Helmshore: WOODS Alan James; Irwell: SNOWDEN Caroline; Longholme: WALTERS Mike; Stacksteads: STEEN Hazel May; Whitewell:
RIGBY Jenny; Worsley: ABDULLAH Mohammed. ●● LCC - Mid-Rossendale: RIGBY Jenny; Rossendale East: PENDLEBURY Margaret Jane; Rossendale South: CHEETHAM Anne Cartner; Rossendale West: THOMPSON Laura-Beth; Whitworth & Bacup: SMITH Scott David Ian.
ROSSENDALE deserves better than the current political offer. Labour and the Conservatives no longer represent the people’s priorities - they have all had their time in the spotlight and have both failed to deliver, time after time.
Green councillors are not told how to vote and are not expected to toe a party line. This means they are free to stand up for the improvements the residents of Rossendale want to see in their area. Greens want local people to be properly represented and their voices heard.
The Green Party believe in open and transparent politics that puts people and communities at the heart of decision making.
Just one Green in the council chamber changes the whole conversation. Our hardworking candidates believe it is time for politics to change. The people of Rossendale are, rightly, fed up with political showmanship which doesn’t benefit tax payers - Greens are fed up with that too.
A vote for the Green Party sends a message to the main two parties that it is time to change politics for the better, and start listening to local people, not corporations, or unions.
●● RBC - Irwell: BROGAN Daniel James; Longholme: WHITE
Julie; Whitewell: PAYNE John David.
●● LCC - Rossendale East: PAYNE John David; Rossendale South: WHITE Julie; Whitworth & Bacup: BROGAN
Daniel James.
John Oliver
HELLO my name is John Oliver and I’m standing as an independent candidate to provide the electorate with an alternative to the established political parties.
I will oppose the proposed building of industrial units on the green belt at Townsend fold and the widespread building of houses on greenfield site.
These are just some symptoms of the problems of the current system where people feel ignored and little or no connection with politics and authority.
I believe that being an independent is a chance to bring a new and different way of looking at the needs of Rossendale.
Val Roberts
I have been your Councillor for five years and as well as potholes, adult social care and housing has been a big problem which I have been involved with and because I can devote all my time to residents I find my input has helped many.
Covid highlighted many problems our elderly face, isolation, depression etc and living conditions so I have been pushing for more help and will continue to do so if I am reelected. Experience trumps youth and with your support on 6th May I will carry on fighting for my residents welfare needs to be met.
David Stansfield (IND, Helmshore & Rossendale West)
FOR the last eight years as your County and local Councillor I have used my experience to get the help needed for residents.
As a member of the Museum Committee I fought to get the Textile Museum re-opened. Potholes we have many but pavements are in a terrible state and I push for these to be prioritised. ASB is also on my to do list. As an Independent I can voice your concerns not a party policy and I would like to serve my residents for another term. Please vote for me and allow me to continue to fight your corner.
Janet Whitehead
(IND, Facit & Shawforth
IT has been an honour to serve as a Town Councillor for the last two years.
Raising concerns, protecting local services and amenities along with being part of some fantastic community projects during difficult times – volunteering during the pandemic supporting the vulnerable with shopping and medicines, delivering bags of hope and Joy for all those over 76 years and shielding, planting trees and active member of Whitworth in Bloom.
Proud to be standing as an Independent candidate as I believe in getting the best for the people who live here NOT a political party.
Jimmy Eaton (IND, Rossendale East)
TRACK RECORD – that is what I would like you to consider when you vote in the county council elections. 29 years a Rossendale Borough Councillor, 12 years a County Councillor.
No longer wanted by my party, I can now stand as an independent person with allegiance to you, the voters, alone.
As full of energy and commitment as ever, I shall always take up your cause irrespective of your politics, even though I cannot guarantee the outcome.
Vote for independence and experience. Vote for Jimmy Eaton BEM.
Alan Neal (CF, Whitworth & Bacup)
I AM the only Community First Candidate with 34 years experience on both Whitworth Town Council & Rossendale Borough Council.
Why have LCC closed all Youth & Community Centres in Bacup & Whitworth? Why are LCC no longer providing Family Support Services? Why are they refusing to provide those services? What are they spending, we have the Right to Know.
Why are LCC no longer maintaining our Side Streets or Footpaths, what are they spending our money on?
If you agree with me that LCC, need to be more accountable, then it is time to support, Alan Neal.