Linda Robinson
Labour Party
Hopwood Hall Ward
I have been privileged to serve the residents of Hopwood Hall (Heywood & Middleton) for the last 17 years. In all of my time as a councillor I have put the interests and concerns of local people first.
Local elections are an opportunity for people to have their voice heard on a range of local issues and they are not just about national politics. However, we must not forget that decisions taken by central government, particularly on the amount of money we have to spend on local services, impacts upon us all. I believe that only Labour stands up for local communities and can protect our essential public services from the worst impact of government imposed cuts.
As a councillor I have in the past served as the Chair of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee and I am currently the assistant to Councillor Neil Emmott the portfolio holder for Corporate and Regulation on Rochdale Council. I have represented the borough at the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) on planning and housing issues and I am one of the Council’s representatives attending the Pennine Care Trust meetings.
I have always worked hard for the residents of Hopwood Hall Ward:
- I was the driving force behind the new ward for dementia care/end of days’ provision at Rochdale Infirmary and worked closely with various agencies and the Clinical Commissioning Group to deliver this service.
- I am the older person’s champion for Heywood at the request of local pensioners and regularly visit sheltered accommodation in my ward to speak to elderly residents.
- I have worked hard to ensure that fly-tipping and local ‘grot spots’ are cleaned up by the Council and to ensure that road repairs are carried out.
- I support the Friends of Hopwood Rec and ensure that their voice is heard in the local township.
- I have spoken up on many occasions for local residents on controversial planning applications.
- Along with my Labour colleagues I have protected the Sure Start Centre on Hollin from Tory Government cuts which has led to the closure of many such centres up and down the country.
- I hold regular surgeries across the ward along with my colleagues, Councillors Susan Emmott and Carol Wardle and carry out casework on behalf of local residents.
- I sit on the Hollin Estate Management Board trying to get the best deal for the residents of Hollin from Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH).
These local elections are important to everybody who has the opportunity to vote and I hope that you will make sure that your voice is heard loud and clear on 5 May.
It would be an honour to continue to represent the people of Hopwood Hall Ward for another four years and I hope that I can continue to rely on the support of the electors at the ballot box on Thursday 5 May.
