Conservative leader's column: £324K local funding to deliver "real benefits" to the community

Steve Anstee is the leader of the local Conservative party in Rochdale and a councillor for Bamford. This month he dedicates his column to the leadership election, large funding for Rochdale Townships, and the upcoming night-time nature trail at Hollingworth Lake.

 

Dear residents,

This month, I’m delighted to start my update by sharing some positive news from our Townships: over £324,000 has been secured for community projects across Rochdale. This funding will support everything from environmental improvements to local events and youth programs.

It’s great to see how our townships often work cross-party to ensure that resources reach where they’re needed most and deliver real benefits to our community. Collaboration like this is what makes local government effective, and I’m proud of what we’re achieving together.

Another exciting event to look forward to is the upcoming ‘Wild Wanders’ night-time nature trail at Hollingworth Lake, from 24 to 27 October.

This free, illuminated walk promises to be a fantastic experience for families. Make sure to book your tickets soon, it’s an event not to be missed!

On the national stage, the Labour leader and Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced criticism recently after revelations that he has accepted more donations and gifts than any other MP since 2019, totalling over £100,000.

While it may be common for politicians to receive donations, to my mind the controversy stems from the fact that he has spent years criticising others for similar actions.

This inconsistency risks eroding the public trust he has vowed to restore, as hypocrisy often makes it harder to rebuild confidence once it’s lost.

Meanwhile, within the Conservative Party, our leadership election is ongoing. This process will shape the future of the party, and I remain optimistic that it will lead to strong, united leadership.

Regardless of the outcome, it’s essential that we continue focusing on the principles of fiscal responsibility and community support that have always been central to our party’s values.

As always, I encourage you to share your thoughts and ideas with me.

Until next time,

Steve