I would like to start with some reassurance about Middleton’s Hopwood Hall and the council’s longstanding aim to restore this historic building. The council is not withdrawing its support for the renovation of this important community asset. Far from it. Over the last 7 years public bodies, including the council, have invested almost £1.7 million into the hall but now is the time to find a new strategy for bringing it back to its former glory. Throughout that period we have remained closely involved in the project, offering advice, expertise and considerable financial investment. That work, along with partner organisations like Historic England, is going to continue.
As leader of the council, I want to ensure the building has a viable future ensuring Hopwood Hall can benefit the wider community. We have already allocated a substantial amount of additional money into repairing the building’s roof as part of our long-term commitment to bring the hall back into use.
I also want to thank the army of local volunteers who have supported the restoration of the building. Your amazing work over the years has not gone unnoticed. We will continue to work with you as our restoration efforts continue, ensuring you are at the heart of this project.
Since I was elected council leader, I have regularly spoken of delivering high-quality value for money services, with pioneering regeneration projects like this at the heart of my vision for the borough. As such, our work to bring this wonderful building back into public use is not going to stop.
On Sunday, 10 November 2024 residents across the borough paid their respects to those who have made sacrifices in defence of the country at Remembrance Day services. Commemorations were held at our memorials, with a number of services and parades taking place. Representatives from the Navy, Army and Royal Air Force joined veterans and civic dignitaries for parades in Rochdale, Castleton, Heywood, Littleborough, Middleton, Norden, Milnrow, and Wardle. It is always a poignant and reflective day, as we remember the fallen and honour the service of our fallen heroes. Without the selfless dedication and service of thousands of men and women in our borough, the values we cherish so much, and all too often take for granted, would have been lost. We will always be reliant on those who serve in the Armed Forces. That’s why, as leader, I am so proud of our ongoing work to support our Armed Forces past and present. Lest we forget.
As the colder days draw in, I would like to remind people of our helping hand cost of living support which is once again in place. Our wide-ranging package of measures includes:
- Food vouchers during school holidays
- Warm welcome spaces in libraries and community buildings
- Housing energy support to help reduce utility costs
- Supermarket vouchers
- Essential household items, including cookers, fridges, and other white goods
I was delighted that in the government’s recent budget longer-term funding for the household support fund, something I have called and campaigned for, was put in place. This will ensure thousands of older and vulnerable residents and young families can continue to be supported, as well as providing certainty for our future planning around cost of living support. My message is clear, if anyone thinks they need help and support please contact our cost of living hotline on 01706 923685. Further information can also be found on our website's Cost of Living section.
To support our campaign to increase pension credit take up in the borough, we will be holding a day of action on Wednesday, 20 November 2024, where residents can access information and advice, as well as support to complete pension credit pension forms. Residents will be encouraged to go to Smallbridge Library for help to complete a pension credit application. Community teams will be on hand between 8am and 8pm to provide help, advice and support around pension credit and anything else affecting people, for example cost of living or loneliness. The address of Smallbridge Library is Stevenson Square, Smallbridge, Rochdale OL12 9SA. For further information, please contact our support line on 01706 923685.
I was proud that, once again, our borough scooped an outstanding haul of gold medals at the recent North West in Bloom awards. The day represented our borough at its very best, with all our township areas delivering outstanding results. Highlights included an award for best new landscape, given to Rochdale Town Centre, which was well deserved after recently receiving a gold award at the national Britain in Bloom awards. Rochdale also took gold for ‘town centre’ and ‘small city’. Denehurst Park won gold for the third year in the ‘large parks’ category, thanks to council teams and a strong working partnership with the friends of Denehurst Park volunteers. Golden Mosque Rochdale held onto the Best Mosque award again after volunteers continued to make the mosque exemplary with their floral displays. Well done to everyone involved.
In further good news, Heywood gained more golds as Queen’s Park secured gold again in the ‘large parks’ category thanks to dedicated council staff and the hands-on Heywood in Bloom group, with Hopwood Park taking gold in ‘small parks’. In Middleton, the gold awards kept coming for Middleton in Bloom as the town was a worthy gold winner in ‘small city’ and ‘town centre’.
Jubilee Park took gold in the ‘small parks’ category. In a further boost, it was also officially announced that Middleton will be representing the borough in the 2025 Britain in Bloom Awards in the national Town Centre category. Wonderful news.
That is just a flavour of the many awards we scooped, a credit to everyone involved including council staff, our army of volunteers and many others who make the borough shine brightly, bringing our towns and villages alive to ensure our award-winning parks and town centres sparkle throughout the year.
Councillor Neil Emmott
Leader of Rochdale Borough Council