In 2004 the BNP were just 70,000 votes away from winning their first seat in the European Parliament: a seat in this region, our region. It was their best result in the UK.
Local Resident Mr David Pope stopped Park Ward campaigner Robin Lawrence to show him the newly painted double yellow lines at the very narrow but busy junction of Riches Street and Tettenhall Road. Anyone parking just at the end of the yellow lines will completely block the road. Robin is asking Wolverhampton City Council to extend the lines but at least 10 metres to avoid this danger.
Liberal Democrats have questioned the green credentials of Conservatives in Essex after they refused to accept a motion calling on the council to sign the Nottingham Declaration.
Can I congratulate campaigners from Rochdale Infirmary and Fairfield Hospital - We never gave up hope that the campaigns were over. This Council has continued the good campaigning reputation it has and I thank the Council Members in this room who have done a massive amount of work. I am delighted that the Secretary of State for Health will now review this crass, ill thought decision. Praise too must go to Paul Rowen - Rochdale's MP who has worked solidly with campaigners including the Friends of our Hospital to ensure this campaign is not over! I was proud to see this announcement made by the Secretary of State was prompted by a Parliamentary Question by Paul. Outsiders who think Paul has failed Rochdale will now look incredibly stupid - maybe they'll think again before making ill thought, ill judged and ill conceived comments to the press.
Leader of Rochdale Council - Councillor Alan Taylor has refuted comments made by the failed ex-leader of the Conservative Group on Rochdale Borough Council. Speaking after the meeting of Full Council - Councillor Taylor said, "I felt that the Labour Group in the whole joined the Liberal Democrats in following the spirit of the new rules at Council Meetings. The Conservatives however chose to ignore the new start we are making and Councillor Duckworth's statement is indicative of their attitude - one of negativity and playground attacks. If only Councillor Duckworth would have put this energy into the Council Meeting, he contributed 30 seconds to the whole meeting and if I was a voter in Bamford I would be scratching my head saying what is the point in Ian Duckworth?"
Before we discuss my report can I congratulate the Council for their firm stance against the cuts to services at Rochdale Infirmary. The united stance by this Council is part of the reason why the Secretary of State for Health has called this in for further scrutiny. This is a victory of common sense for the people of Rochdale and Heywood. Of course, we are here discussing vital services at both Fairfield Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary. The fact that health bosses were willing to close these services in the whole of the North East Sector of the Acute Pennine Trust was a disgrace. I hope that the Independent Reconfiguration Panel whatever its make up will recognise the importance of Child Care and Maternity services to this Borough and vote to keep Child Care and Maternity at Rochdale Infirmary and Fairfield Hospital.
