Allen Brett: Last News

A former Labour mayor of Rochdale has defected to the Liberal Democrats.

direct to your inboxCouncil tax in Rochdale is set to increase by the maximum 4.99pc from April - despite the council leader declaring his ambition for an across-the-board freeze last year. Back in July, Coun Allen Brett said he did not want to put bills up as people had already been hit too hard by the pandemic - particularly ‘the working poor’.

direct to your inboxThousands of hard-up families across Rochdale are to get help with their food and utility bills this Christmas.The council has been allocated nearly £940,000 from the government’s Covid Winter Grant Scheme fund.In a bid to help those most in need it will be sending out £448,000 of vouchers to support families over the festive season - with more to follow before the February half-term.The £40 vouchers will support more than 11,000 children in the borough who qualify for free school meals or are currently being supported by children’s services.Care leavers will also receive a voucher.Council leader Allen Brett, said the authority would do all it could to help those struggling over the winter months.He said: “This is much

Bringing the Metrolink to Middleton has been declared the ‘number one’ transport priority for Rochdale.Plans to link the town to Manchester city centre - as well as an extension to Oldham - are included in the region’s refreshed long-term ransport strategy.It is named one of the projects to be developed over the next five years - and council leader Allen Brett wants to make it a reality as soon as possible.He says it is particularly urgent due to the ‘Northern Gateway’ plans included in the new Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.These propose 1,500 homes around Simister and Bowlee - 200 of which would be built at Rhodes Green, in Middleton.And Coun Brett told a meeting of cabinet members he wants it to be front and centre of the

Rochdale council is planning to freeze council tax next year to help people get back on their feet following the coronavirus pandemic.The authority is facing an eye-watering budget gap of more than £33m in 2021/22, largely owing to the impact of Covid-19 on its finances.Abandoning its initial plan to put bills up by the maximum 1.99pc will cost the council £1.8m in lost income.But council leader Allen Brett says he is determined not to inflict any further financial hardship on residents on the back of the coronavirus crisis.He said: “We’re doing this because I just think people have paid too much money out during the pandemic and the people who probably most need it - in other words the working poor - need a council tax freeze.”The