Christmas greetings!

Posted By: Mark Birkett
Date Posted: 22/12/2006

Dear fellow Rochdalian,

Firstly, despite all the procedures, protocols and paperwork that seem to come with the job, I must say that I have enjoyed my first few months as a Councillor very much indeed and I must again thank everyone who supported my campaign back in May. Thankyou!

Secondly, I am very proud of the new community groups I have helped to get going in the Kingsway area since the election; namely the Belfield Community Group on Belfield Road and the Triangle Action Group (TAG) near Milnrow Road. At my invitation, the Belfield group were visited by Sir Menzies Campbell who officially launched their new community website in June. The TAG group have already managed to raise funds for a Senior Citizens party in January as well as setting up a new neighbourhood watch scheme. I have been working hard with the group and Tony Hilton at RMBC to fund some playground equipment installed in a local park area. Watch this space!

The groups were set up because I firmly believe that every street in Rochdale should have some form of community forum where local people can raise matters of mutual concern. They can also be excellent starting points for arranging local book swaps, learning new skills and organising leisure activities for children. If anyone in Kingsway would like to set up such a group in their area do PLEASE get in touch with me. (mark.birkett@rochdale.gov.uk or 07944 814297)

Thirdly, on a less happy note, I must admit to feeling very angry and disillusioned by the so-called 'consultation process' which led to the recently-announced closures at Rochdale Infirmary. Of all the issues that local people would really want a local councillor to argue on their behalf for, these decisions affecting our hospital were actually taken by largely faceless people who are not directly accountable to the people they most affect...i.e. you and me. It seems absurd to me that I can vote on your behalf on policies affecting the filling in of potholes in our roads but cannot vote on issues of such vital importance to the people of Rochdale. I therefore fully support Paul Rowen's efforts to force a judicial review of the process that led to these dreadful decisions.

Fourthly. I was pleased to join MP Paul Rowen and fellow Councillor David Clayton to take questions from the Springhill School Student Council regarding the Building Schools For The Future issue. It was clear to me that the school enjoys enormous affection from its students and from the local community. As I promised the Headmistress, I made it clear to the students that I would examine all the facts and figures carefully before playing my part in any decision regarding the school's future now that Rochdale has successfully bid for £150m of further education funding.

Lastly, from a wider perspective and perhaps somewhat topically, I was very pleased to attend the Islamic exhibition at the Town Hall during the summer organised by the Rochdale Daliwal Centre. In particular, a good part of the afternoon was spent talking to several young Muslim ladies there about their full veils. I put forward my strong views on the debate and so did they. What struck me was how useful it was to have such an opportunity for a frank exchange of views on such religious matters face-to-face rather than through the distorted lens of the often-racist and sensationalist media. What also struck me was how even though we couldn't agree on the full veil being either a 'good or bad thing', we both managed to talk about the subject with humour and respect for eachother's point of view. Perhaps more exhibitions of this sort would encourage us all to see that what separates us as human beings is often miniscule when compared with that which brings us together!

Finally, speaking as an agnostic, whatever your religion I wish you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Kind regards, 

Councillor Mark Birkett