There are three key areas I would like to mention around the budget. The first is, as a responsible council, our decision to increase council tax by the amount recommended by the government. We have to take difficult decisions now to protect our reserves for future service delivery. To avoid doing that would an easy and populist approach, but not one I am prepared to take. I will not play fast and loose with the council’s finances, it would be putting frontline services in peril and jobs at risk. Our council tax increase of 4.99 per cent, after two years when bills have been discounted by two per cent, is line with government forecasts, following a favourable settlement for the council from the treasury.

The budget maintains the high-quality services I always have, and always will, champion. None of our 16 library branches will be closing, all of our children’s centres will remain open, as will our community centres. In addition our two free bulky waste collections, for every household will continue, as will the Household Support Fund, meaning thousands of older residents, vulnerable people and young families will be supported through food vouchers, help with energy bills, the warm home scheme and other cost of living assistance. In addition, we the only council in Greater Manchester that continues to provide free bonfire events every November.

The second key area of the budget is our regeneration schemes, with a number of projects set out in the capital investment programme. Ambitious schemes such as the refurbishment of the Touchstones facility in Rochdale, the transformative work to Heywood Civic and the plans to improve and restore the slopes between Rochdale Town Hall and the Parish Church. We have also secured government funding of £20m, as part of the Long Term Plan for Towns Programme. This will form part of our wider regeneration plans across Heywood town centre, underlining our commitment to investing in jobs and growth in across all parts of the community. We have also had confirmation of a £20m Community Regeneration Partnership Funding allocation from the government, this is timely boost and will contribute to the proposed Station Gardens residential development at Drake Street/Oldham Road in Rochdale, as well as the Corner Plot, which is another residential development scheme on a site adjacent to the station.

I am also delighted with the radical planning framework for the Northern Gateway, alongside the creation of a Mayoral Development Corporation. Both have the potential to further raise the profile of the important Atom Valley project and help it attract even more funding and investment. This is a once in a generation opportunity to substantially transform the economy of our borough, in particular across Middleton and Heywood, and create thousands of new high-quality jobs, homes and improved transport links. The development of 1.2m square metres of employment space around the junction 19 area, will help to generate 20,000 high-quality jobs and bring a £1bn economic boost. In addition, we have secured the future of the Old Grammar School in Middleton by investing in this important property for community use, with more detailed regeneration plans for this building to follow.

The third key part of the budget was our investment in adult social care and children’s services, ensuring some our most vulnerable older and younger residents continue to be supported and protected. Our £13.7m package for adult care ensures we can support providers with national insurance increases and continue to deliver the real living wage. We were one of the first councils in the north west to pioneer the real living wage for our care sector, something I am particularly proud of.

In conclusion, our budget is delivering for all sections of our community. It protects the vulnerable, supports families, maintains frontline services and continues with our radical investment plans. It is delivered on the back of around £185m being cut from our budget by the previous government, over a 14 year period. The budget is responsible, balanced and progressive. Most homes in our borough (around 50,000 of them) are Band A properties and will pay just an extra £1.64 a week for their council services. I think that represents good value for money and, with frontline services maintained, radical investment plans in place, and the vulnerable protected, it is a budget that underlines the council is on your side and will make our borough an even better place to live, work and grow up in.

I have always said if you are standing still, you are going backwards, so the next 12 months will see continued investment across Middleton, Heywood, Rochdale, and the Pennines, making our borough an even better place to live, work, and grow up in.

One of the projects I am most proud of is our proposed million-pound investment into Heywood town centre, as part of the council’s masterplan for the area.

This includes a radical plan to redevelop Peine Square as part of the wider multi-million-pound redevelopment of the area. The plans will transform the area in front of Heywood Civic into a stunning public space where people can spend time and relax.

Combined with the major transformation of the civic centre itself, this is a very exciting time for Heywood. The scheme will deliver major improvements, including the extension and modernisation of the popular venue, which will deliver events in the heart of Heywood for decades to come.

This is a poignant year for our Armed Forces community, marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day, VJ Day, and other important victories for our Allied forces during the Second World War.

We will be marking these very special anniversaries with events, flag-raising ceremonies, and services at local war memorials. I am very proud of our ongoing support for our Armed Forces community.

We have led the way locally with pioneering initiatives like our Breakfast Club, ensuring our veterans are not only remembered but actively supported, helping to bring them together in retirement to boost their wellbeing and reduce social isolation.

Please keep an eye on our communication channels for further information about our Armed Forces events during 2025.

I also want to pay tribute to everyone involved in the Rochdale Giving Back Christmas Toy Appeal. Thanks to their amazing work and the generosity of people and businesses across the borough, over 2,500 less fortunate children had gifts to open on Christmas Day.

Many thanks to anyone who contributed, donating a record 7,000 toys and gifts that were sorted and delivered to local homes in December. The toy appeal was the most successful one yet, as the borough really came together to help those most in need.

One of the council’s most popular initiatives in the last decade has been the introduction of a live webcam, allowing nature lovers to follow the lives of peregrine falcons nesting at Rochdale Town Hall.

We have thousands of people accessing the live footage from across the UK and beyond. The camera is not just a great way for people to view the falcons living in the heart of Rochdale, but also helps to promote our stunning Grade I-listed building, brings people into the town centre, boosts the local economy, and increases footfall.

We regularly listen to residents’ feedback about the webcam. Following a request led by the local raptor group, we have now added sound, ensuring falcon followers can now hear, as well as view, these beautiful birds.

There are still thousands of residents in our borough who are potentially missing out on thousands of pounds by not applying for pension credits. It’s worth, on average, around £3,900 a year, providing a huge boost to people’s budgets.

You can check if you are entitled to pension credit by ringing our cost-of-living helpline on 01706 923685.

Our team will be more than happy to help. In addition, our cost-of-living package remains in place, with a range of help for older residents, vulnerable people, and young families.

It is approaching 12 months since our innovative extra care scheme at Keswick Gardens in Middleton was formally opened.

The project has gone from strength to strength, with scores of older and vulnerable people living in the accommodation, and initiatives like the café ensuring the scheme is at the heart of the local community. This is exactly the kind of investment I want to see in our borough, allowing people to live independently with their own front door.

I am hopeful that further adult care projects like this can be delivered in the coming years.

Finally, I would like to say a massive well done to our teams who delivered a first-class service for our residents during the recent cold snap.

Our gritting service worked day and night, helping to keep key routes clear and making local highways and pavements as safe as possible. Also, a huge thank you to everyone who supported and kept an eye on older and vulnerable people.

As always, the sub-zero temperatures really brought everyone together and showed our borough at its very best.

Our investment, in partnership with Arts Council England, will modernise and extend this important community facility, which has delivered fantastic events in the heart of Heywood since the 1960s.

A new glazed frontage, new café and bar area are just some of the many improvements being made to this popular venue. I am particularly proud that the firm delivering the work, Conlon Construction, has committed to employing local apprentices and staff.

I have always spoken of my vision to ensure our high-quality, value for money services are delivered through local recruitment, so it’s great that residents of the borough will help deliver this project.

This substantial investment for Heywood, set to be completed next autumn, will change the face of the area, with further plans to redevelop Peine Square, just in front of the civic centre, to complement the renovation.

In a further boost for Heywood, improvement work to Queen’s Park Bridge continues to progress well. Work on the east side of the bridge is now largely complete, with the team currently constructing and treating the new parapets on the west side.

I am delighted that the contractors, Heywood based BDB Special Projects Ltd, have worked hard to recreate the original look and heritage features of the bridge.

I also want to thank residents for their patience during this important work, which is scheduled for completion in the spring of next year. It is another example of a local company delivering an important project for Heywood, as part of our ambitious investment plans.

This vital investment for Heywood underlines that this is a council that means business - ensuring Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale and the Pennines township areas continue to grow through new infrastructure projects, and job opportunities.

Our remembrance commemorations always provide heartening stories of people coming together, showcasing our borough at its best.

This included local schools, raising over £6,000 for the Royal British Legion poppy appeal thanks to the amazing efforts of young people.

I would like to thank everyone who played their part in this success story, underlining how remembrance brings together all ages, spanning the generations to ensure the fallen will always have a place in our hearts. Lest we forget.

Next year will be a particular poignant one for our Armed Forces community, as we come together to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.

We will be marking this important date with special services and commemorations. Please keep an eye out for further information in the new year.

On the theme of community spirit and togetherness, I would like to end my column with a reminder to keep looking out for older and vulnerable people, especially in the run up to Christmas.

It’s important we all do our bit to check in on loved ones, neighbours and friends, so please remember a knock on the door or a simple ‘how are you?’ really can go a long way.

Details of the range of support that is in place this winter can be found at www.rochdale.gov.uk/wintersupport let’s all do our bit to keep each other safe and well, not only during the festive period but throughout the year.

Thank you.

Over the last seven years public bodies, including the council, have invested almost £1.7m into the hall but now is the time to find a new strategy for bringing it back to its former glory.

Throughout that period we have remained closely involved in the project, offering advice, expertise and considerable financial investment. That work, along with partner organisations like Historic England, is going to continue.

As leader of the council, I want to ensure the building has a viable future ensuring Hopwood Hall can benefit the wider community.

We have already allocated a substantial amount of additional money into repairing the building’s roof as part of our long-term commitment to bring the hall back into use.

I also want to thank the army of local volunteers who have supported the restoration of the building. Your amazing work over the years has not gone unnoticed.

We will continue to work with you as our restoration efforts continue, ensuring you are at the heart of this project.

Since I was elected council leader, I have regularly spoken of delivering high-quality value for money services, with pioneering regeneration projects like this at the heart of my vision for the borough. As such, our work to bring this wonderful building back into public use is not going to stop.

On Sunday 10 November residents across the borough paid their respects to those who have made sacrifices in defence of the country at Remembrance Sunday services.

Commemorations were held at our memorials, with a number of services and parades taking place. Representatives from the Navy, Army and Royal Air Force joined veterans and civic dignitaries for parades in Rochdale, Castleton, Heywood, Littleborough, Middleton, Norden, Milnrow, and Wardle.

It is always a poignant and reflective day, as we remember the fallen and honour the service of our fallen heroes. Without the selfless dedication and service of thousands of men and women in our borough, the values we cherish so much, and all too often take for granted, would have been lost. We will always be reliant on those who serve in the Armed Forces.

That’s why, as leader, I am so proud of our ongoing work to support our Armed Forces past and present. Lest we forget.

As the colder days draw in, I would like to remind people of our helping hand cost of living support which is once again in place. Our wide-ranging package of measures includes:

• Food vouchers during school holidays
• Warm welcome spaces in libraries and community buildings
• Housing energy support to help reduce utility costs
• Supermarket vouchers
• Essential household items, including cookers, fridges, and other white goods

I was delighted that in the government’s recent budget longer-term funding for the household support fund, something I have called and campaigned for, was put in place.

This will ensure thousands of older and vulnerable residents and young families can continue to be supported, as well as providing certainty for our future planning around cost of living support. My message is clear, if anyone thinks they need help and support please contact our cost of living hotline on 01706 923685.

Further information can also be found at: www.rochdale.gov.uk/costofliving

To support our campaign to increase pension credit take up in the borough, we will be holding a day of action on Wednesday 20 November, where residents can access information and advice, as well as support to complete pension credit pension forms.

Residents will be encouraged to go to Smallbridge Library for help to complete a pension credit application. Community teams will be on hand between 8am and 8pm to provide help, advice and support around pension credit and anything else affecting people, for example cost of living or loneliness.

The address of Smallbridge Library is Stevenson Square, Smallbridge, Rochdale OL12 9SA. For further information, please contact our support line on 01706 923685.

I was proud that, once again, our borough scooped an outstanding haul of gold medals at the recent North West in Bloom awards.

The day represented our borough at its very best, with all our township areas delivering outstanding results. Highlights included an award for best new landscape, given to Rochdale Town Centre, which was well deserved after recently receiving a gold award at the national Britain in Bloom awards. Rochdale also took gold for ‘town centre’ and ‘small city’.

Denehurst Park won gold for the third year in the ‘large parks’ category, thanks to council teams and a strong working partnership with the friends of Denehurst Park volunteers. Golden Mosque Rochdale held onto the Best Mosque award again after volunteers continued to make the mosque exemplary with their floral displays. Well done to everyone involved.

In further good news, Heywood gained more golds as Queen’s Park secured gold again in the ‘large parks’ category thanks to dedicated council staff and the hands-on Heywood in Bloom group, with Hopwood Park taking gold in ‘small parks’. In Middleton, the gold awards kept coming for Middleton in Bloom as the town was a worthy gold winner in ‘small city’ and ‘town centre’.

Jubilee Park took gold in the ‘small parks’ category. In a further boost, it was also officially announced that Middleton will be representing the borough in the 2025 Britain in Bloom Awards in the national Town Centre category. Wonderful news.

That is just a flavour of the many awards we scooped, a credit to everyone involved including council staff, our army of volunteers and many others who make the borough shine brightly, bringing our towns and villages alive to ensure our award-winning parks and town centres sparkle throughout the year.

Councillor Neil Emmott, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council

Following the recent confirmation of our money, I moved quickly to ensure our wide-ranging cost of living support was widened and in place for this winter. At our recent cabinet meeting I, along with my councillor colleagues, approved a package of measures for this winter.

This new initiative is part of the council’s Helping Hand campaign, designed to ensure that residents have access to essential cost of living support.

The support package includes:

• Targeted assistance for low-income families, including food vouchers during school holidays
• Warm welcome spaces in libraries and community buildings
• Housing energy support to help reduce utility costs
• Continuation of the borough’s food network, which comprises 40 groups providing food banks, food clubs, and food pantries
• Supermarket vouchers for those in need
• Essential household items, including cookers, fridges, and other white goods

It is crucial that we provide support to our older and vulnerable residents and young families this winter. Through our extensive assistance package and the government’s welcome extension of the Household Support Fund, we will help to make sure no one goes hungry or struggles to heat their home during the colder months.

I encourage everyone to stay updated by following our channels, checking our webpage, or contacting our cost of living hotline for more information on the assistance available. I am proud to lead a socially responsible and progressive council that is dedicated to providing a safety net for those most in need.

In addition, I would encourage the thousands of residents in the borough who haven’t claimed pension credit to come forward.

Ask your loved ones, friends and neighbours ‘have you topped up’? There is over £7m of unclaimed credit across the community, this is money that thousands of our residents are entitled to and opens up the possibility of claiming other benefits. On average pension credit is worth £3,400 to someone.

If you are unsure if you are entitled to this important benefit, or would like assistance in completing your pension credit form, please contact our cost of living support line on 01706 923685.

All the information on our cost of living support this winter can be found on the council web site: www.rochdale.gov.uk/costofliving

I was proud that local community investment, totalling over £324,000, will be delivered across the borough following the latest round of townships funding agreed by the council.

Our five township committees allocate council funds, including grants for community projects, environmental and highway improvements, events and issues raised by residents. These are the bread and butter services that our residents need and rely on, providing high quality, value for money services that make a real difference to people’s lives.

The funding package includes:-

• Middleton Township providing funds for this year’s Christmas lights switch-on and a Christmas tree, lights and power at Truffet Park. In addition there will be major improvements to the Wince Brook pathway and footpath improvements at Larkhill Court, Pine Street and Aspinall Street. The township also confirmed funding for the Summer Bands in the park concerts being held in Jubilee Park next year.
• Heywood Township will fund the Christmas lights switch-on, support the 1940s day event and also support a festive event to celebrate the tenth anniversary of social enterprise, PossAbilities.
• Pennines Township will restore Hare Hill Park bandstand, provide an accessible route for disabled visitors to Wardle Cenotaph and garden of remembrance and support a 12-week therapy programme for local teenagers.
• Rochdale North Township is funding an extension to Athol Street car park, providing raised planters and benches at Falinge Park, and ensuring road safety measures are implemented in the Whitworth Road area. In addition, the Al-Abbas Institute has received funds to deliver educational workshops for young people and St Edmund’s Church has received a grant for restoration work.
• Rochdale South Township will be contributing to the design, supply and installation of a BMX pump track in Balderstone Park. In addition, a new footway will be created on Hillcrest Road. The township will also fund the area’s Rochdale in Bloom entry, as well as a planter and hanging baskets to improve the environment on Kent Street and Dorset Street.

The Martlet Kitchen restaurant has now opened at Rochdale Town Hall, with bookings now available for our fabulous fine dining menu, which will be available on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Helmed by award winning executive chef, Darren Parkinson, residents can also enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunches and afternoon tea, with Sunday opening expected to launch later in the autumn.

As well as great food, few restaurants can boast such illustrious surroundings as a Grade I listed building, and I hope our residents get chance to pop in and enjoy this fantastic new addition to Rochdale town centre.

Councillor Neil Emmott

On a moving and emotional day, I stressed our continued support for and with the people of Ukraine. Back in March 2022, I promised, as leader of the council, that we would always stand shoulder to shoulder with our Ukrainian friends and our Ukrainian community.

Over the last two and a half years we have done that, through a range of support and assistance that I promised to deliver from day one.

Our support will remain steadfast, as Ukraine continues their fight to maintain their independence, liberty and freedom.

The anniversary of Ukrainian independence is an important reminder to the community that we will not buckle in our support, day in day out throughout the year until this important battle is won.

 I was delighted with the news that the household support fund, such an important lifeline for many older and vulnerable residents, has been extended until the spring.

The government’s decision is to be welcomed and, alongside the council’s helping hand cost of living package, will provide vital support for thousands of people across the borough. I am also really pleased the new government is taking action to provide additional help for people struggling financially.

In addition, we will continue to work with the government to find solutions to poverty in the long-term.

It was wonderful to see thousands of people enjoying Rochdale Feel Good festival in the summer sunshine recently.

The cultural high point of the summer saw thousands visiting Rochdale town centre, with people from across the borough and beyond enjoying brilliant music, food and entertainment. It was our biggest ever line-up and it certainly delivered, with the main stage returning to the town hall square for the first time in five years.

A big thank you to everyone who came along for making this festival a success, our staff and partners who helped us deliver it, our wonderful volunteers who looked after everyone and the security crew who kept everyone safe.  It was a massive team effort and feedback we’ve had so far has been fantastic.

We are very proud of our continued support for our Armed Forces community and, on Thursday 12 September, veterans, councillors and residents will came together at Number One Riverside to mark the 84th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

The special flag raising ceremony and service of remembrance, will mark this important event in the Second World War, as the borough comes together to pause, remember and reflect. Lest we forget.

As leader of the council and a Middleton councillor, I am extremely pleased that a new heritage trail celebrating Middleton’s rich history will launch as part of the national Heritage Open Days celebration.

The trail covers sites across the community, with volunteers, architects, councillors and council staff have carefully selected the sites to showcase the best of the area.

The trail has been broken down into three separate walks and guided walks of these smaller trails will be taking place on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September. 

Finally, it is wonderful that Rochdale Town Hall’s Martlet Kitchen restaurant is now open.

Situated on the ground floor of our grade I listed building, the restaurant will be serving food from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. And, in just a few weeks’ time, a fine dining menu will launch for Friday and Saturday evenings.

As I said when the town hall officially reopened, we want to ensure our beautiful town hall, fully restored in all its glory, is providing a wide-ranging offer for people to enjoy the facilities.

In that spirit, I know how popular the restaurant will be with residents across the borough and beyond, showcasing our town hall offer at its very best.

I look forward to seeing visitors from places near and far enjoying this fantastic new addition over the coming the weeks and months.

At this difficult time, they have faced an exceptionally challenging situation and met it with bravery and professionalism. As leader of the council, and on behalf of my councillor colleagues, I would like to thank them for their swift action to keep our residents and businesses safe and the proactive approach they are taking to protect the community.

While some bad actors have stoked tension on social media over recent days and weeks, decent people across Greater Manchester have been working quietly on the ground to calm things down.

I am grateful to them and to all the public servants who’ve been working around the clock. As always, I am proud of the way people across Greater Manchester have once again pulled together to keep our communities safe. Only by continuing to work together can we defeat those who want to divide us. Compassion, tolerance and togetherness will always prove themselves stronger than hatred.

I also want to provide assurance that those who broke the law will be pursued by the police, and they will be brought to justice. We are already seeing that happen in places across the country where violence has erupted.

I am working closely with the Greater Manchester mayor and council leaders across the region. We speak in one voice when we say that there isn’t, and never will be, a place for hatred or violence.

It is understandable that what is happening in other parts of the country is likely to be concerning and to make people feel vulnerable, but residents can be assured that the necessary measures are in place to keep people safe.

As a council, and across our partner organisations, we will continue to work closely with Greater Manchester Police, The Home Office and other key partners to monitor the situation within our communities. The safety, protection and wellbeing of our residents will always be a priority.

The community really came together to mark the day, remembering the service and sacrifice of all those involved, including many troops from across our borough, in turning the tide in the Second World War. D-Day was the largest seaborne invasion in history, marking the beginning of the liberation of France and western Europe.

As leader of the council, I was very proud to lay a wreath at the cenotaph, in honour of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

I am pleased that Rochdale Rainbows, Rochdale Pride, is returning with a number of activities this summer. The celebration, which raises awareness of LGBTQ+ communities will take place over the coming weeks.

The main event will be the borough’s first Rochdale in Rainbows pride parade, on Saturday 13 July, which will take place outside Rochdale Town Hall. Community groups, partners, local businesses and dance groups will all be taking part in the parade, on a day which will showcase our borough at its very best.

We have around 20,000 carers in our borough and I want to take this opportunity, as we mark national Carers Week, to thank them for their work, supporting loved ones, friends and neighbours.

Our carers, including our many young carers, are the unsung heroes of our borough. Carers Week is a timely reminder of their wonderful work. Thank you for everything our carers do to enhance the quality of life for our older and vulnerable residents.

I am also proud that we hosted many events in our libraries for the Greater Manchester Festival of Libraries, including the Langley branch in my West Middleton ward.

As leader, I have ensured our 16 library branches have remained open, and all our libraries are excellent facilities at the heart of their communities. Across Middleton, for example, we have superb facilities like the newly refurbished Junction Library and Community Centre, thanks to £120,000 investment delivered by the council to enhance facilities and secure the future of this important asset in the heart of the community.

In addition, we are currently refurbishing our Castleton Library and Community Centre. The refurbishment is part of our ongoing commitment to the borough’s libraries and includes the creation of new meeting areas, improving customer access, and undertaking vital building work at these popular venues.

On Thursday 27 June, the borough will pay tribute to the outstanding contribution and service of our Armed Forces community, as part of Armed Forces Week

The week is about paying respects to our Armed Forces, past and present, who have led the way in protecting the freedoms, liberty and values we cherish so much.

The week is also about recognising all the sacrifices brave men and women have made and continue to make day in day out. We are so grateful for the ongoing service, dedication and work of our Armed Forces to keep us all safe.

As a council we have always stood shoulder to shoulder with our Armed Forces community. We are proactive in our approach to supporting our Armed Forces family and understand the difficulties many face during and after transition from service. We are always there for you. Sentiments that underline why the week is so important and, as leader and a Middleton councillor, why I will be at Middleton Memorial Gardens to show my respect and gratitude to our Armed Forces.

Finally, our Rochdale Feel Good Festival is only two months away. Please save the weekend of Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 August firmly in your diaries, as we have a wonderful line-up of music to enjoy in Rochdale town centre.

The Saturday line-up this year is our biggest and best yet and it’s great to have the main stage back where it belongs in the square next to out restored Grade 1 listed town hall.

Our borough has always been a pioneer of the very best in culture and arts and this day is another example our commitment to showcasing the very best music, dance and talented local acts. We look forward to welcoming music lovers old and new, for what is sure to be a weekend to remember.

Across the borough of Rochdale, we had 100 polling stations open for voting. It was a challenge to which our teams again rose to magnificently. I would also like to thank residents who took their time to cast a vote, the democratic process is something we should never take for granted.

I would also like to take the opportunity to commiserate with my two colleagues, Ali Ahmed and Shahid Mohammed, who sadly lost their seats a couple of weeks ago. They are both excellent community campaigners, who I have no doubt will be back on the council one day.

On a personal level, I was proud to be unanimously returned as leader of the council at this week’s annual council meeting, held in the stunning surrounds of the newly refurbished Rochdale Town Hall. It is now three years since I became leader and, over that time, our borough has continued to move forward, making our community an even better place to work, live and grow up in. These are not just words, they are matched with a track record of delivery. The transformation of our borough there for all to see across our rich and diverse towns and villages.

Our success stories were underlined recently by The Times newspaper report of council rankings, compiled using data from the Office for Local Government (Oflog). The data showed Rochdale to be the best performing council in Greater Manchester, across areas like waste management; corporate and finance; planning and roads; and adult social care. Our high ranking was a ringing endorsement of our outstanding, value for money services and how they are making a positive difference to the our residents’ lives. It is pleasing to be recognised as one of the strongest performing councils in the country and a testament to our hardworking staff who deliver high-quality public services in often challenging circumstances.

However, this is no time for complacency. To stand still is to go backwards, so over the coming weeks and months we will build on that proud record of delivery, with further regeneration projects, ambitious investment plans, continued cost of living support, and a council that is on your side.

This contrasts with George Galloway’s empty promise that his party would oust us as the controlling group. His macho words ended up ringing hollow. The reality is that, across the borough, residents have again put their trust in me and my colleagues to continue delivering. They backed our decisions to implement a popular council tax discount scheme, to keep all 16 library branches open, to protect community and sure start centres (now Family Hubs), to continue investing In our award-winning parks, to give them a helping hand with their cost of living, to continue with our radical plans to improve transport connectivity and continue to show that our borough means business.

At this important moment it is crucial that, now, more than ever, our borough unites and comes together, ensuring it is the politics of hope that shines through, and the politics of division and despair, espoused by Mr Galloway and his sidekicks, is rejected. That means we work even harder to maintain the trust of voters and yes, in some cases, regain it. It’s a challenge I am looking forward to and, working with my council colleagues, one we are determined to address head on. That means re-doubling our work in the community, to ensure we are listening to our residents and continuing to deliver the bread and butter services they rightly want to see delivered in their community.

There is no doubt that the death of Sir Tony Lloyd MP robbed our town of a tireless servant for ordinary people. We owe it to Sir Tony to build on his lasting legacy. We all miss him and honour his service and, for me and my Labour colleagues, the task of rebuilding trust with voters started the day after the parliamentary by-election. People are looking for something positive to vote for, underlined by the return of so many Labour councillors in the local elections. Our task is to continue to let the people of Rochdale know that we are there for them in good times and bad. That we are on their side – always. Protecting the vulnerable, delivering high-quality frontline services, running a tight ship and keeping costs down, bringing new investment and jobs to our town, that we are champions for Rochdale.

Finally, to end on a really positive note, I was very proud to attend the official opening of our Keswick Gardens extra care scheme, in the heart of my west Middleton ward. The scheme, delivered by adult care, is a huge boost for the Middleton community, underlining our commitment to invest in all parts of the borough. It builds on our many regeneration success stories and is another shining example of the high-quality public services that I promised when I became leader of the council.

At the very heart of the scheme is investment in housing opportunities, the creation of important new local jobs, and the provision of modern, accessible accommodation for older and vulnerable people. This is exactly the kind of investment I want to see, showcasing our caring side at its very best and ensuring our residents can live safely and independently in a place of their choice. Well done to everyone involved on the delivery of this state-of-the-art project.

I am proud of our many achievements, proud to be leading a council that is transforming services and proud that Rochdale’s bedrock of cooperation, the very foundations on which our community was built, continues to shine brightly.

The last 12 months has maintained our decade of delivery, through high-quality regeneration projects and investment in frontline services.

We have seen the opening of a new 146-room Hampton by Hilton hotel in Rochdale town centre. Bringing a huge global name like Hampton by Hilton to Rochdale for the first time is another major step forward in our ongoing regeneration programme and demonstrates the level of high-quality development that is being created in our borough.

The hotel is a really strong addition to Rochdale’s rapidly changing town centre, underlining demonstrating that we mean business. The new hotel is part of the £65m Upperbanks development, which includes 242 new high-quality rental apartments.

As leader of the council, I have always been a vocal campaigner for local spend, so I was particularly pleased that this project has engaged more than 1,300 young people in Rochdale borough and created 390 weeks of apprenticeships. In total, 50 per cent of the project spend was invested with businesses based within 20 miles of the site. That is a record to be proud of.

In a further boost to our growth, it has been a landmark moment with the reopening of Rochdale Town Hall. Already thousands of people from the borough and beyond have visited our magnificently restored Grade 1 building. I can’t speak highly enough of this project and the positive coverage has shined a light on everything that is positive about our community.

The last 12 months also saw us sweep the board again at the North West in Bloom awards, gaining a very impressive 25 gold awards - five more than the previous year. It was wonderful to see Middleton, Heywood, Rochdale and Pennines townships all winning gold awards across various categories.

In addition, it was great to see Rochdale town centre selected as one of the best in the North West and is now competing for a win in the 2024 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom UK Finals. It’s a credit to everyone involved, working cooperatively with the volunteers of the Rochdale in Bloom committee, who have tirelessly laid the ground work to create another opportunity to showcase our borough in all its glory.

In a further boost, I am delighted that our state-of-the-art extra care housing project in Middleton, that will provide affordable apartments for residents aged 55 and over, has opened. The development at Keswick Gardens at Langley has 88 high-quality one and two bedroom apartments, along with ten bungalows, for people aged 55 and over. This is a really innovative adult care scheme, in the heart of my West Middleton ward, that is investing in housing opportunities, creating new jobs and delivering important investment for the area. It is exactly the kind of development I want to see, helping to drive forward our ambitious regeneration plans, supporting older and vulnerable residents and ensuring people can live independently in accommodation of their choice. A real boost for the community.

Those are just some of the many highlights. As I go round the borough, chatting with residents, visiting organisations, I see at first-hand how amazing our services are. The clean streets, our award winning parks, our green environment, innovative regeneration schemes, housing adaptations, care schemes, public health services, bin collections, our 16 brilliant library branches, which we have kept open, our pioneering Armed Forces offer, services for young people, support for our older residents, reducing health inequalities and so much more.

Those success stories, the delivery of the bread and butter day to day services, are all down to an outstanding team of council staff, our fabulous volunteers, community groups, local businesses, the care sector, charities and many others. They are all part of team Rochdale, that is delivering for our borough, transforming our towns and investing in the future. We are making great strides forward, the journey continues. To stand still is to go backwards. There is so much, as leader of the council, that I am proud about. We are investing in the future, so let’s continue working together, with that pioneering spirit at the heart of everything we, to make our community an even better place to live in, work in and grow up in over the coming months and years.

This year we have again been faced with considerable challenges. Since 2010, around £200 million has been taken away from the council in national government cuts, so each year we are being asked to do more with less. With those significant reductions in government funding, there are clearly going to be difficult decisions to make.

The ongoing impact of the pandemic, inflationary pressures, energy prices and the cost of living crisis has made this even hard and, although demand for our support and services has increased, our government funding continues to be severely affected. We have learnt lessons, become more efficient in many areas and seen many strengths in our communities, but the reality is there has been a serious and disproportionate impact on our borough.

In a further blow for our community, the government has also decided to end the Household Support Fund. Over the last three years the council has received nearly £5 million a year from this fund, providing vital support to households, who would otherwise struggle to buy food, pay essential utility bills or meet other essential living or housing costs. The Household Support Fund is a vital part of the social safety net that has been crucial during this period of rising destitution. Quite simply, we are not in a position to plug the gap if the government proceeds with their decision to end the fund. I have urgently contacted Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, to ask him to reverse this untimely and unnecessary decision.

It was for these and many other reasons that the focus on this year’s council budget was about protecting services, minimising any council tax increase and ensuring our residents received a helping hand with their cost of living support. That’s why I was delighted that our budget was voted through without amends. It means all our borough’s residents will receive a two per cent council tax discount, reducing the impact of the 4.99 per cent increase to only a 2.99 per cent increase. As leader of the council, I am proud that, out of 136 councils who to date have passed their budgets, we are the only one in the country to have implemented this unique discount. This pioneering policy is a direct result of our prudent and careful management of council finances, meaning we have been able to build up substantial reserves.

In addition, our budget ensures our delivery of high quality, value for money services will continue. We have introduced two free bulky waste collections per year for every household in the borough – the only council in Greater Manchester to do this. We have not closed one single library, not only single community centre and not one single Sure Start Children’s Centre in the borough.

Our wide-ranging budget also delivers an additional £10,000 for ward funds, to be spent via our townships. This will provide important community initiatives, maybe a speed bump, a community litter pick or a grant to a voluntary community body. I know how important these bread and butter services are for our residents, ensuring we are delivering for you throughout the year.

We are continuing to provide investment to continue regenerating our town centres, through visionary masterplans including for Heywood, Middleton and Littleborough. In short, it was a council budget which maintains frontline services, addresses the cost of living crisis, protects jobs and invests in every part of our borough. It is a budget in the true spirit of cooperation, which I was proud to move with the knowledge that we are delivering bread and butter services, day in day out, for our residents.

It was with great sadness to learn of the passing of Peter Rush. Peter lived a long and fulfilling life and was rightly proud of his title as ‘Mr Heywood’. He was a first-class community campaigner, who served residents with great diligence over his many years as a councillor. He was a person of great charm, a loyal family man with a loving wife, children and grandchildren, and someone who will be widely missed across the Heywood community and indeed the whole borough. On a personal level, I will miss his wise counsel and common sense approach to politics and life. My thoughts are with Peter’s loved ones at this difficult time.

Finally, it really good news that Rochdale Town Hall’s grand reopening will take place on Sunday 3 March, followed by a week of events as part of Rochdale Borough Festival of Ideas. It’s been a long wait for our residents and I’m delighted that they will finally get to see their beautiful town hall, fully restored in all its glory. Not only will they see the town hall they know and love, looking as good as it would have when it first opened in 1871, but they will see brand new features, like the Welcome Gallery, which makes it an even better space than it was before. We can’t wait to welcome people back in.