Zoe Dionne Attwood
Liberal Democrat Party
Littleborough Lakeside Ward
Address
8 Brown Lodge Street
Smithy Bridge
Littleborough
OL15 0EP
I moved to the Smithy Bridge area over ten years ago and I immediately noticed the community spirit and was keen to get involved. Recently, I have noticed that little things in the area have been constantly missed and issues that may not seem a big issue to those who concentrate on Rochdale have been unresolved, potentially damaging our community spirit. I want to make these small issues heard and to do this, I have to stand and make Littleborough and Smithy Bridge higher up the agenda before the needs of the greater Borough.
When looking at what the local area needs - the lack of help, guidance and support from the current incumbent - I believe only one party can help my voice be heard and that is the Lib Dem’s. A party that promotes community spirit and focus groups to hear what matters is more important to me than behind closed door meetings to hide from residents that can break communities. We need transparency and I can only see the communication to residents coming from one party.
I’ve been active in the community for many years. I’m a member of Littleborough and District Lions, helping to support local people in need of help. I’m chair of Ellenroad Engine House in Newhey, helping to preserve a piece of local history of national importance. The Engine House includes an engine taken from Whitelees Mill which I helped to restore. I'm also a member of LEAF and we put events on throughout the year including the monthly market, Rushbearing and the Christmas lights switch on. I've been a steward every year for our popular Food and Drink Festival, which has now been taken on by Rochdale Council and they have a similar event running in the Town Centre. I can also be seen, or rather not, as Springy the Hospice Frog at events across the wider borough.
I would like to highlight the concerns of residents that keep being either forgotten or put on the back burner whilst Rochdale issues are prioritised.
Littleborough Lakeside is a fantastic area to live in but it needs the support to keep it safe. I would like to put in place incentives to minimalise public nuisance, formulate plans to help stop the increased issues of dog fouling in public areas and illegal parking in restricted areas. Just the other week, we witnessed a child nearly being knocked over outside our house due to delivery vehicles parking on the double yellow lines at the end of the junction. I want to push the ideas I’ve been involved with over the years to highlight that we are more than a town with a lake. Our local shops and businesses need more help and support to go from strength to strength and most of all I want to listen to what the people in the community want and try to help.
If I’m elected on May 3rd, you will hear a louder voice to help promote the ideas I’m currently involved in for the area, a platform to be heard by those who think Rochdale is the only part of the borough that needs help. The community can expect the same from me that I’ve given already; a commitment to help projects, causes and charities that need the help. The area I’m lucky enough to live in is changing and I want to make sure that the changes are for the benefit for the community and I will fight for that.
I pledge that:
The 34% pay rise that the rest of council voted for last year will not be taken when people I know are having their cars damaged due to pot holes, local amenities are closing due to the lack of council funds. Why take more money to do a job I’m doing for the community?
I will be visible to the community and available to talk not only at local surgeries but at the events I help promote, steward and run. I will continue to help in the community, promote local businesses and incentives, promote events and open days but most of all I promise to listen and not make promise to appease anyone.
Zoe lives with husband Rick and their bulldog Henry in Smithybridge.
