Maureen Rowbotham
Independent
North Middleton Ward
I have been your Local Councillor for 12 years and want to continue being your Local Councillor; and representing you at meetings, taking up casework and taking decisions in the best interests of you and other people in Boarshaw, Cheapside and the rest of North Middleton.
I stood up to a bully and for that a handful of Labour Party Members decided to choose a woman from Heywood to stand as the Labour Candidate in my place—unfortunately, despite objections from 20 other local members the Labour Party rules stated their decision had to stand.
I could not stand by and see a person who doesn’t live in Middleton and who doesn't understand the needs of local people become our Local Councillor, and undo the many years hard work I and others have achieved.
After receiving a lot of support and encouragement from local residents, colleagues, family and friends I decided to stand as an Independent candidate in this election.
I am standing as an Independent Candidate after 37 years as a member of the Labour Party, and as many years as a Unite union member, because for me, my local community comes before politics and any Political Party.
I have always stuck to my principles, I still want to represent my community, and I still hold traditional Labour Values of social justice, fairness and equality.
Middleton is my home town, it always has been. I went to school here, as did my daughters, got married here and worked here I have always been committed to make a difference and have always been an active member of my local community.
The issues which affect you also affect me:
- Anti-social Behaviour and crime is a major issue in North Middleton, I work closely with the Police and P.C.S.O’s attending PACT Meetings, and will continue to do so.
- I am concerned over the shortage of Primary School places in our community.
- I am bothered by the speed of local traffic, parking and car theft, will continue to work with residents to address these problems.
- Tory-led Coalition cuts are beginning to have a negative impact on services for the elderly, homeless –I worked for Petrus for 12 years - and most vulnerable; Stanycliffe Luncheon Club was closed, which I have helped re-launch. I will continue to speak up for the elderly and most vulnerable.
- The development on open space off Oldham Road will have long lasting implications and local people need to have their say and their concerns listened to.
- Middleton people always seem to have to travel for services including NHS treatment and Council provision.
- There needs to me more activities for children, young people and families, I have supported these causes by developing activities locally, and encouraging projects such as the popular playscheme last summer. I will continue to fight for more funding and resources for our community.
- The state of our roads is appalling and requires major investment, not just patch up jobs.
- I am concerned about the stress caused by unemployment which is higher now with recent redundancy from the Public Sector and the effect this might have on local families.
- I founded the Middleton Women’s Network to give women more of a voice in local issues; and have targeted funding for women’s health and well-being sessions locally
- Our community will feel the effect of the recession in many ways, from the cuts made to Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and loss of opportunities afforded to our young people, to the cuts made to environmental services and the increase of litter on our streets.
Unlike many politicians and wannabe’s I won’t promise to be everything for everybody and can’t promise I can change the impossible but I want to represent you and support you as best I can.
