Retiring Councillors - Speech from tonight's meeting.

Posted By: Alan Taylor
Date Posted: 26/04/2007

I don’t know Beryl Wright or Vincent Mannion very well, because they were elected whilst I was still living in the real world outside this Town Hall, but I expect Ashley Dearnley will say something about their service.   Also I don’t know Ann Murphy very well,

for the same reason.    I’ve known David since he lived in holes in the road, working for the Water Board.    Lynne Brosnan I have got to know, and I can assure you that I will see through our regeneration project that we have been working on together over the past month.   My Members are of course Rodney Stott, who I am delighted will be made an Honorary Alderman over the next few months.    I’ve known Rodney for over 30 years.   I knew him as one of the Smith Brothers, Cyril Smith, Norman Smith and Rodney Smith.   It felt like that.    Everybody knows Rodney – everybody counts themselves as his friend – he’s got that knack.  Even if he does the most irritating thing, you quickly forgive him, because it’s Rodney.    He has, of course, been Mayor of the Borough, but I’ll always remember him as Mr Recreation and Amenities – that was Rodney’s baby and he was Chairman of that Committee for many years.    I know that two of the things he’ll never forget are the planning and opening of the Wheatsheaf Centre Library and being with the Queen at the opening of Touchstones.    As I say I go a long way back with Rodney, so far back that the Liberal Group actually used to go for a meal at the Royal Toby after Council meetings, and managed to sit together.  We’ve come a long way since then.   I know Rodney would have carried on if he hadn’t had his stroke, but his improvement in health since that stroke has been quite amazing, and I know that one of Rodney’s dreams now, is to be able to drive his car again and get that freedom.   I look forward to being his passenger.  Thank you Rodney, for everything you’ve done, for our Group, and for the Council.

My other Member is slightly different.   He’s still a very active politician.   He’s now achieved his one of his life’s ambitions – to be the Member of Parliament for Rochdale, the town he was born and brought up it.   I’ve known Paul for over 30 years, first when he was a student, and then as a teacher.    He was one of our original printing team in the Liberal Democrats in the late 70’s and wasn’t frightened of getting his hands dirty.    Then he was elected as a Councillor for Brimrod and Deeplish, and has kept his seat ever since.   He was a very successful Chairman of the Housing Services Committee, Leader of our Group and of course, Leader of the Council.    Paul laid the foundations for our successes now, and we wouldn’t be in the position of running this Council without all that work.    Paul has been a leading Member of this Council for over 20 years, and his absence will leave a big hole.    I know he’s doing the thing now that he wants to do and I think he’s doing it brilliantly.   We’ll miss you Paul, but we are still working as a team.