Policies, pledges and priorities – the parties
VOTERS in Rochdale will go to the polls again next week for the first ‘all out’ local elections in nearly 20 years.
A change to ward boundaries means that all 60 seats are being contested - rather than the usual one third. Residents will able to vote for up to three candidates in their ward instead of just one.
Councillors are responsible for making decisions on running local services - which includes everything from education, planning and parks to public safety, social care and waste collections.
Those registered to vote have been sent a polling card containing details of their local polling stations and when they can vote. There are 163,619 registered voters in the borough and 43,203 postal votes have been issued.
Polling stations open from 7am until 10pm. Staff will take names and addresses to check whether people are on the register before voters are given a ballot paper.
Voting booths ensure votes are cast in private. Staff will be on hand at the polling stations to assist anyone who needs help.
Postal voters, who will
All that could be turned on its head on Thursday though, as the changes to ward boundaries mean that every seat is up for grabs instead of the usual third.
It’s the borough’s first ‘all out’ council election since have received their forms by now, are being asked to return them promptly. Those who are unable to leave their homes to post the votes by themselves, because of health or mobility problems, can call the council on 0300 303 0345 to have them collected.
Below are the key policies, pledges and priorities voiced by the parties and independents vying for your votes this year.
This year’s manifestos build on last on year’s commitments but provide a refocus for each of our borough’s towns. Rochdale (which includes villages such as Castleton and Littleborough), Heywood and Middleton each have their own manifesto with different pledges for regenerating the town centres.
The Labour Party recognise the importance of regenerating every pocket of our borough so that everywhere shares in the prosperity generated by the council. These manifestos demonstrate that commitment.
The manifestos promise devolution for the borough’s townships. Due 2004 - and whether Rochdalians will opt for a radical change of political direction or stick with the tried and tested remains to be seen.
But there are undoubtedly some intriguing factors at play that could spring a to Tory cuts services have been centralised too much, to save on cost, but this has meant the council, in the eyes of our residents, has become too detached from its communities. By shifting the council’s decision making away from its cabinet, towards its townships, we hope to reconnect the council with people on the ground.
The Rochdale Borough Labour Party believe that the best decisions are made when they are made by the residents in the areas they effect. We therefore want people living in areas such as Heywood, Middleton, Castleton and Littleborough to be able to guide their own destiny through their townships.
These local elections will not change the government, but change the way Rochdale is run, sending a clear message to Mayor Andy Burnham, that his failed policies will no longer be supported as they have been previously with Labour Councillors.
Conservatives have a clear, positive message.
We will scrap Labours clean air tax, this policy would destroy many small businesses, increasing costs for everyone. surprise or two at the ballot box. Labour will naturally be worried that the Clean Air Zone controversy could hurt their chances, despite the scheme being put on hold and Mayor Andy Burnham assuring voters
We will stop Labours plan to build on precious green belt, and remove these sites, prioritising only brownfield sites.
We will stop ever increasing rises in council tax, this year we would have helped all households by reducing council tax bills by an extra £150 on top of the governments £150 rebate, sadly Labour opposed this, and voted to increase the charge, hitting hard everyone struggling with the cost of living.
We will prioritise issues that matter, improving street cleaning and giving priority to road and pavement repairs.
It’s time for a change in Rochdale, it’s time councillors listened and worked with residents. For too long this Labour Council has ignored the wishes and concerns of communities, we will never take local people for granted.
By voting Conservative on the May 5 be assured of electing councillors working tirelessly for our Borough, our local community being the top priority.
Rochdale Liberal Democrats seek to build a council group that genuinely represents the people it serves, with open governance and transparent decision making. We are a grassroots party who believe in listening, consulting and communicating.
We believe in equality, diversity and inclusion and that you should be represented by people who genuinely committed to serving the public and not just dictating what they think is best.
We have had over a decade of local Labour control. They take your vote for granted, and refuse to listen to people’s wishes and try to roll out grandiose projects such as the GMSF, the CAZ tax and various town centre development plans. They do not listen and do not care.
We are also living under a national Conservative government who break the rules they make, show no compassion for those most in need and are presiding over the worst cost of living crisis in living memory.
If you vote Lib Dem on May 5 then you are voting for a council group who put people, places and the planet at the heart of everything they do. They pledge to be community councillors who work on your behalf, to be available and accountable and to keep in touch via a variety of platforms.
Vote for change on May 5. Vote for the Liberal Democrats.