Allen Brett: Last News

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

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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 inboxTraders are celebrating after a developer pulled controversial plans to build more than 200 homes on a busy industrial estate.Property firm Countryside has withdrawn its proposals for Fieldhouse Industrial Estate in Rochdale following fierce opposition.Around 70 firms operate from the site and businesses claimed that up to 1,000 jobs could be lost should the project go ahead.Residents also feared the already congested Whitworth Road would not be able to cope with the additional traffic that would be generated.Council leader Allen Brett had warned Countryside the scheme would not be granted planning permission, as the 13-acre site is earmarked for business and industrial use under council policies.It is understood council

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

The leader of Rochdale council says admissions to hospital and intensive care units are his main concern after the borough’s infection rate became the highest in the region over the weekend.Latest Public Health England figures show there were 454 cases per 100,000 people during the week to October 14.The 12 pc week-on-week rise has seen it overtake Manchester - whose problems largely relate to the student population - as the worst hit in the conurbation.Wigan now has the second highest rate.It is the first time since July that Rochdale has recorded the highest figures in Greater Manchester.But council leader Allen Brett does not believe the borough’s position situation has materially changed since last week.“Obviously it’s a worry but I

More than 120 positive coronavirus cases have been recorded across Heywood in one week.Heywood Town was the worst affected area in the borough of Rochdale during the seven days to October 4, registering 47 cases.This was the highest number of anywhere outside of Manchester - which has seen rates soar among the student population - and Oldham.The Heywood area also includes Hopwood Hall and Siddal Moor, and Heap Bridge and Darnhill, which recorded 38 and 36 positive tests respectively.The figures from Public Health England are sure to cause significant concern in the borough, which is battling the second highest infection rate in Greater Manchester.Council leader Allen Brett said it was uncertain what was driving the spike in cases due to

The number of coronavirus cases among Rochdale’s white population is now outstripping those in the BAME community, council leader Allen Brett has said.The latest Public Health England (PHE) figures show the borough had the fourth highest infection rate in Greater Manchester for the week ending September 2.With cases rising to 49.5 per 100,000 people, it is in danger of entering the ‘red alert’ zone (50,000 cases per 100,000) which can trigger extra restrictions such as those imposed in Oldham.Council leader Allen Brett has said that - for the first time - the data shows more white people in Rochdale are testing positive than those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.While long-standing hotspots remain in predominantly BAME

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

The coronavirus lockdown meant the long-awaited launch of Rochdale's new £80m town centre shopping and leisure complex has been cancelled.

A furious row has broken out over coronavirus food parcels sent for distribution in Rochdale,  with the government branding the council leader’s criticism of them ‘misleading’.