Local Election 2018

I was born in Hopwood Hall and have remained living in the constituency all my life.  I now run a successful gardening and landscaping business employing a number of local people.  I have a proven track record for results; if you want change in Hopwood Hall then please vote for Paul Ellison on the 3^rd May.  

I am a very proactive community led person; I am on the committee for Rochdale in Bloom and have recently become an RHS judge.  I also chair a Park Friends group and Business group.  I am heavily involved in community projects, i.e. Christmas light switch on, children's Easter egg hunt and Halloween parties.  Recently I became a member of Heywood Rotary Club where we undertake community tasks including many charitable events.  I launched and chaired the Friends of Ashworth Valley Friends group, which has numerous members and has enhanced such a lovely area which is enjoyed by many from our ward and others.  I have a good working relationship liaising with local policing teams and attend PACT meetings, and also working with the council where my latest project is creating a pop-up garden in Rochdale Town centre next the Gracie Fields statue which will be celebration of 100 years of World War One.

I have always been an active member of the community, starting from the age of eight when I joined the Rochdale and Oldham Groundwork Trust to plant trees at local beauty spots and various other tasks which included fly tipping.  More recently I have been organising community events, working with the local policing team, Rochdale Council and our Conservative Councillors to make our area a nicer, safer place to live and work.  I look forward to continuing this work in the future with your support.

Your current councillors admit that 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.  People have certainly been voicing their concerns to me, at how they are so disgusted and dismayed at the recent Labour council with recent events where they were shamed in giving away our green belt land, breaking the code of conduct for councillors, and how their political leadership quoted by others as 'toxic' should be overhauled.  Can you trust Labour anymore?  It’s time for you to make a change!

• We have all seen the problems caused by a Labour dominated Township.  Most recently, with nobody to challenge them, they have agreed to the development of our valuable green belt land between Heywood and Middleton.  Residents were outraged at the plans which will see hundreds of homes built on our green fields with little affordable housing for local people.  I oppose this kind of development and will fight for you and our green belt countryside.
• Under Labour control our roads are full of pot holes.  They have mostly borrowed the £12 million where they promised to repair pot holes, foot paths and roads which in fact if they would have been on the ball and did not let this issue go to a state of disrepair, this spend would not have been necessary.  I will be a voice in the council to get our fair share of maintenance work done, if elected in our ward.  Instead of Labour's last minute electioneering tactics, as promised two years ago in the last election, no action has been taken and our roads have deteriorated.
• Regarding The Friends of Hopwood Park, I have been able to help them out in the past by dealing with a huge unfenced hole in the park which was posing a safety risk to local children.  They were frustrated with the response from their current councillors, but I was happy to help and get the hole secured for them.  This year I have participated in events such as the Winter markets, Easter egg hunt, Summer fair, and I am always visible in the park to help out when necessary and the committee members know I am there if needed.  Also with the new Tree House Cafe opening in the park I have voluntarily carried out the tree work required by the Friends Group surrounding their new project.
• I have worked to clean up areas of our ward, such as a local dog walking site in Hollins where residents were angry at a lack of interest and action from councillors.  I will listen to residents and take action.
• I will stand up for the elderly and disabled and have already helped to get dropped kerbs installed in the area to assist with mobility access.
• I have voiced residents concerns to the local police, about the dangers posed by speeding traffic in our area, especially around our schools.

Many local people are delighted with what I have done so far and I hope to be able to do even more with your support on Thursday 3^rd May.

Resident Wyn Hyland said: “I have never seen anyone move so quick. Come on people this is the kind of candidate we need! He listens and does something about it.“

It's time for a change in Hopwood Hall - you deserve more.  So, I respectfully ask for your vote on Thursday 3^rd May and with that support I promise to do my best to listen to residents, take action and do all that I can to change Hopwood Hall for the better.