Working for the Borough

Posted By: Keith Swift
Date Posted: 23/10/2008

All councillors are "Ward Councillors" and do a very important job representing the views of thier local area, with Casework, speaking up for funding for thier area at Township Committees, meeting the voluntary groups who play such a vital role in the quality of life locally, etc. etc..  All Councillors work, quite rightly, for their locality.

However,today, I have spent the morning at Walton Hall, Warrington, at the launch event and Board meeting of the North West Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (NWIEP) substituting for  Council Leader Alan Taylor who is still in Rochdale Infirmary.

Alan is the Board Member of the NWIEP representing not only Rochdale Borough but also AGMA ( Association of Greater Manchester Authorities), and I am the Rochdale representative on the AGMA  Improvement and Efficiency Commision.

The NWIEP is a Government initiative to bring together North West Council's, Police Authorities, and Fire and Rescue Services  from Cumbria in the North to Cheshire in the South to swap best practice, learn from one another and thereby improve the services to the Public that are provided locally.

Even though rural Cumbria is very different from the urban conurbations it was interesting to see we all share common problems such as Alcohol related violent crimes, and the current economic situation impacting on Housing and possible increase in Homelessness.  We can and will learn from each other.

Despite all the gloomy predictions Rochdale Council, Councillors and Officers, are playing a leading  role in the AGMA sub region and wider North West Region planning and implementing policies that will improve the lot of us all.. 

Without the support and understanding of my employers, Rochdale Online,  I would not have been able attend. I say that to highlight that local businesses, such as Rochdale Online, who are passionate about improving their local area, can and do play a very big part in the  well being many local people.
 Allowing me time off to go and represent the Borough is another example of an unseen way local business contributes to the community.