decision to stand down

Posted By: Greg Couzens
Date Posted: 19/03/2011

The Leader of Rochdale’s Independent Alliance party has announced his decision to stand down in May.

Spotland and Falinge ward Councillor Greg Couzens, who became leader of the new party following his departure from the Liberal Democrats in December said he has “enjoyed” his whole experience as a Councillor – “apart from the politics.”

Councillor Couzens said: “I have a wife and four children, a business and a house still to renovate.

“I will not be totally retiring but working in the background.”

Looking back over the past four years there’s a whole host of work that Councillor Couzens is proud to have been involved with whilst working as a Councillor and as the Cabinet Member for Finance.

They include the cleaning of 10,000 gullies in the area, the opening of the New Sixth Form College, the proposal for an ‘Affleck’s Palace’ on Yorkshire Street, the introduction of a shop local loyalty card when he was Chairman of the Town Centre Management, the installation of a Blue Plaque to recognise the borough’s musical heritage, improved recycling rates, improved street lighting, the restoration of Clement Royds Park and the new swimming pools and sports facilities across the borough.

Councillor Couzens was key in the implementation of the ‘free after three’ parking scheme.

He said: “I fought tooth and nail to first of all freeze the car park charges and then to implement free parking after three o’clock, we then introduced free parking on Saturday, I had reservations on this because I was afraid that this could bankrupt the shopping centres - it should have had a time restriction - lo and behold the Wheatsheaf went into administration.”

He also worked to save Spotland post office, he said: “Six [Post Offices] were earmarked to be closed, I led a campaign to save Spotland Road Post Office and was the only one to be saved.

“Paul Rowen and Dale Mulgrew fought to save Balderstone and failed.”

Councillor Couzens has also played a key role in plans for the new bus station, the opening of the new municipal offices, the transport interchange, the new shopping centre and new council houses.

Of course the biggest task of late was helping the Council to save money. He said: “As chairman of the committee we had the dubious task of saving £100 million over the next five years.”

Councillor Couzens added: “As Head of Finance I was responsible for balancing the books and making sure that all the heads of service kept within their budgets, I succeeded and provided an under spend for the last three years.”

Councillor Couzens concluded: “I cannot believe that it has only been 5 years that I have been involved with politics; I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and I know that I have had huge successes in moving the Borough forward, controversial at times, but I have enjoyed the whole experience apart from the politics.”

The Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Councillor Irene Davidson, said: “I’m sorry to hear that he is going. In the time that he was a Liberal Democrat he was a good member of the group, things have happened but I wish him no ill, I just wish him well for the future.”

The Leader of Rochdale Council and the Leader of the Labour group, Councillor Colin Lambert, said: “Over his four years Councillor Couzens has brought certain qualities to the Council, but I think he was always in the wrong party.

“I’m sure he will be happier and more content away from the Lib Dems and away from politics.

“He has the qualities that are required from an elected member in Rochdale and parts of what he has brought to the Council will be missed.”

Conservative Leader, Councillor Ashley Dearnley added: “He has made some welcome contributions to the Council over the period of time and I wish him well in the future.”