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BALDERSTONE AND KIRKHOLT: Ian Duckworth (Con)

18/ 4/2008

I WAS born and live in Balderstone and raised my family here.  I served as a councillor for Balderstone, Kirkholt & Thornham for a total of eight years.

First and foremost I believe in serving the local community , so I will always work with fellow councillors no matter what their political party, for the benefit of the Ward.

If I am fortunate enough to be elected I will support the Conservative policy of better services that cost you, the taxpayer, less.

At this year’s Budget Setting Council, the Conservatives proposed a Council Tax rise of 2.5% with a discount for anyone aged 60 or over.  This would have been of real benefit to pensioners on fixed incomes who are finding it difficult to keep up with inflation, and higher than average Council Tax increases.  The Lib Dems on Council voted against both these proposals and raised Council Tax by 3.8%, one of the largest in the Greater Manchester area. 

The good news is that the Lib Dems only have a small majority on the Council and there is every chance that after the local elections on 1st May the Conservatives will hold the balance of power and we can then insist on our measures being put through at the next budget.

Recently the Council revealed that it had paid out £2.5 million in claims for people tripping on our pavements .It is obvious that if we invest more in footpath repairs it will save money in the long run. 

It is hard to take pride in a dirty town, so Conservatives intend to invest much more on street cleaning.  It has been proved that the cleaner an area, the less crime and nuisance there is.

Conservatives in Rochdale never lose sight of the fact that the Council is spending other people's hard-earned money.  We don't believe in headline-grabbing gimmicks or a nine day wonders – our vision is of a cleaner, safer town that costs the taxpayer less but at the same time cares for the more vulnerable members of society.

Most importantly, If I am elected I will be available for everyone in Balderstone , Kirkholt and Thornham, no matter where they live or how they voted.