Kallum Nolan
Labour Party
North Middleton Ward
Address
41 Brassey Street
Middleton
M24 6AU
Dear Neighbour,
I'm Kallum Nolan of Brassey Street, Middleton. I'm 27 years old and was brought up on Langley. I attended Cardinal Langley High School & 6th Form before obtaining a BA Honours Degree in Media Production at the University of Sunderland. I joined the Labour party 3 years ago as I believe that it is the only vehicle capable of implementing real change across this country. I'm currently a freelance filmmaker and heritage worker.
I am standing to be your Councillor for Middleton North Ward because I'm a proud Middletonian, and to have the opportunity to help my community is something I'm relishing.
Middleton is a wonderful place, steeped in rich history and heritage. From radical reformer, poet and writer Samuel Bamford (a hero of mine), to creatives such as architect Edgar Wood and Steve Coogan, bands like The Chameleons and Courteeners to sporting greats like Kerri-Ann Payne and Paul Scholes. Our community breeds success and we must fight to carry on the tradition of developing talent within Middleton. This is why I am currently working on a film project with young people from the area about Sam Bamford, because the more our youngsters are aware of their heritage, the more respect and cohesion our community will enjoy.
My priorities include:
Devolution of power to Middleton Township
Ever since the Local Government Act in 1972, Middleton has been under the the governance of Rochdale Council. There is currently a devolved Township structure which makes many decisions, and I will fight to give Middleton township as much power as possible.
Regeneration of the Town Centre
There are too many wonderful structures with boards over the windows in Middleton. If landlords refuse to do something with our iconic buildings then we should be slapping Compulsory Purchase Orders on the properties and be creative with their purpose. Community theatres, music venues, music or art studios would be a great way to give back to the community. I am also behind the local Labour policy of developing an Evening Economy Board to look at ways to get the town's nightlife back on it's feet. In a town which has had iconic music venues such as Hippo's and Carsons, it would be a shame to see that subculture disappear.
Preservation & Education of Middleton's Heritage
A way to tackle anti-social behaviour is to educate young people on the history of their town. Within Middleton North Ward we have Middleton's Golden Cluster, made up of St. Leonard's Church & Cemetery, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School & Jubilee Park. This, along with the life of Sam Bamford provides a rich and interesting history that all of our youngsters should be aware of. Local History should be back on the curriculum.
Protecting our Green Spaces
In 2017 I helped organise the Green Belt Groove Festival at the Hopwood Arms to raise money for the Save Greater Manchester Green Belt Fund. I have also donated promotional videos for the action group as I am firmly behind the fight to save our green spaces.
I am also firmly behind the building of more affordable, social accommodation to help fix our housing crisis.
Local politics is not perfect, but with the new, energised excitement coming through the Labour Party at the moment I am genuinely excited about what this town can do. We need to change the culture of grass roots politics, and make sure that all councillors are fully accountable to their constituents by building up a clear line of communication and scrutiny.
We need a Middleton that reflects the grit and determination of it's residents, and if you vote Labour on Thursday 3rd May, I will join fellow North Ward residents and Councillors Donna Williams and Sara Rowbotham as your representatives.
Thank you for your time, Vote Labour!
If anyone would like to have a chat, my number is 07539943967, email kallumnolan91@gmail.com
