Ian Jackson
Conservative Party
Littleborough Lakeside Ward
Firstly, and I believe importantly, I can class myself as a proper ‘Littleborough Lad’
Born, bred, and brought up here I was born at home, a stone’s throw from Littleborough Square.
I have lived here all my life and have seen changes to Littleborough’s demographic, first hand along the way. I believe in Littleborough and its uniqueness of a typical village and that is something I would fight passionately to preserve; without wishing to stem appropriate progress when needed.
Littleborough is by now probably somewhat of a commuter belt area and I can appreciate people from outside wishing to reside and relish in our mostly rural setting. That said, if you focus on the highways and infrastructure, I think everyone is aware that it is already bursting at the seams and thus believe I need not explain any further on that point.
I will, if elected as your representative on the council keep those matters at the fore as the current Labour Council seem to treat Littleborough as a resource for as much council tax as they can squeeze out of it; hence the proposed/current developments, along with constant disregard for resident’s genuine concerns.
In my experience of attending council committees as a resident; at times speaking on resident’s behalf, I have seen councillors from the other side of the Borough act and vote as if they could not care less. That is if they have ever visited Littleborough at all.
I have been part of Littleborough Civic Trust since 2015 when a group of concerned residents [obviously myself included] brought it back from the ashes as it was about to be disbanded. I have had the honour of being its Chairman since 2018 and since then Littleborough has become more and more a focus for potential developers.
The above also gave me the opportunity to take part, giving evidence in H.M Planning Inspectorate examination into Andy Burnham’s ‘Places for Everyone’, at which I informed them of the greenbelt and infrastructure issues.
Now retired, I spent 35 years of my working life within two of the emergency services, dealing with many a crisis; professionally, decisively, instantly, and so I know one when I see one. If elected I will apply the same ethos.
I have not used my retirement to idle away the time. I spend many an hour per day on community-based issues. Not least the above-mentioned Civic Trust, which often involves challenging the council [and officers] on their decisions/intentions; scrutinising planning applications and other necessary associated research.
Additionally, I volunteer for the Canal and River Trust, seeing that also as a benefit to the community and would dearly love to see the canal embraced more towards tourism, thus benefiting local businesses. If it wasn’t for the canal then we would not have Hollingworth Lake, our Littleborough ‘Jewel in the Crown’.
I believe in ‘keep it local’ and so would strive to protect the high street and local businesses we have in Littleborough.
I don’t entirely believe in party political ideologies. They are for egotistical individuals and this Labour council certainly has its share.
What my ethics will be is to fairly and honestly represent you, the people who voted and put me there to do exactly that.
