Engaging the Community: Rochdale Green Attends Kirkholt Area Forum
For any political movement to succeed, it must first understand the ground on which it stands. Jordan Eves of the Rochdale Green Party demonstrated this principle by attending a summertime local area forum in Kirkholt. His presence was an exercise in civic engagement, offering a window into the everyday concerns and aspirations of a community—the very issues that shape local policy and people's lives.
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The meeting began with a practical focus on community safety, led by two police officers who addressed resident questions. A key topic was the potential installation of security cameras in Balderstone Park, a well-used local green space. The discussion highlighted a common theme of the evening: balancing development with the preservation of community assets.
A prime example of this was the newly extended library. It was noted not only as a valuable public resource but also as a meeting utility for the council’s interests in Kirkholt. There was clear ambition to further integrate community spaces, with talk of using the library to foster interactivity with the Rochdale Hornets, the local rugby league team. This sparked a discussion about reviving the sport in Balderstone Park itself. Eves recalled a time over twenty years ago when rugby goalposts stood proudly on the park field, a common sight for locals. The assumption was that a plan existed to restore these, a move that would reconnect the area with its sporting heritage, even as new additions like a skate rink brought fresh energy. Councillor Meredith expressed a desire to see an event organised for youngsters around this new rink.
However, progress is often shadowed by persistent challenges. The police officers spoke of damaged bus stops and the difficulty of creating effective meeting points for teenagers, noting that past attempts had sometimes had the reverse effect. Vandalism was a recurring concern, raised by several attendees. When the conversation turned to positive outlets for youth, Eves suggested that the promotion of football often keeps youngsters occupied. The officer praised Kirkholt for its ample football facilities. Councillor Meredith expressed delight with improvements made to local beauty spot, 'Rhodes Ravine', and Eves also commended the recent work but pointed out that information signs at park entrances are frequently the first targets of vandalism, suggesting that these entry points could be monitored.
The conversation then shifted to housing and neighbourhood management. The police officer discussed the re-introduction of neighbourhood housing officers, a move that was clearly welcomed. Eves himself remembered how important and appreciated these friendly, helpful officers were when he had previously lived in social housing in the area. This led to a wider discussion on the complex housing situation, with the council reclaiming some control from the Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) association. Eves raised a specific, nuanced issue: the neglect of RBH-owned buildings affecting private landlords who hold long leases on flats within them, creating a cycle of problems for tenants.
Throughout the meeting, it was evident that the council was invested in making Kirkholt a more attractive place to live. Councillor Meredith spoke passionately about planting flowers and shrubs to beautify the area, believing that local young people are proud of their surroundings and that now is the time to build on that pride. He also connected these efforts to broader green policies, including climate change and clean air.
This environmental focus came to the forefront when a resident raised the issue of parking congestion around Sandbrook Primary School on Hartley Lane. As a local resident, Eves knew this was a genuine safety concern. A proposed solution was to make the lane a one-way street. Seeking clarity, Eves asked Councillor Meredith if priority would be given to residents exiting the area, which the councillor confirmed. Further infrastructure plans included resurfacing works on Queen Victoria Street, Hartley Lane, and Great Gates Road, with the improvements to Queen Victoria Street resonating strongly with attendees due to its connection to the area's history.
In line with clean air initiatives, Councillor Meredith insisted on making areas around local schools more pedestrian-friendly to tackle congestion. He also noted that concrete debris in the road gulleys on Great Gates Road would require more extensive resurfacing work to rectify properly.
As the forum drew to a close, an attendee raised a critical point: the abysmal local voter turnout. From the perspective of the Green Party, this was not just a statistic but an opportunity. Eves saw a path forward. In an area where political engagement was low, a proactive group could make a significant impact. The Greens could become a local task force, reaching out door-to-door, helping people register to vote, and clearly explaining who they are and what they stand for.
The Kirkholt area forum was a microcosm of local governance—a blend of practical problem-solving, community-building, and forward-thinking policy. For an engaged observer like Jordan Eves, it was a clear demonstration of the issues that matter and a roadmap for how the Green Party could become a vital voice in the conversation.
The next Kirkholt area meeting was scheduled to take place at Kirkholt Community Church on 29th September 2022 at 6:30 PM.
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The meeting began with a practical focus on community safety, led by two police officers who addressed resident questions. A key topic was the potential installation of security cameras in Balderstone Park, a well-used local green space. The discussion highlighted a common theme of the evening: balancing development with the preservation of community assets.
A prime example of this was the newly extended library. It was noted not only as a valuable public resource but also as a meeting utility for the council’s interests in Kirkholt. There was clear ambition to further integrate community spaces, with talk of using the library to foster interactivity with the Rochdale Hornets, the local rugby league team. This sparked a discussion about reviving the sport in Balderstone Park itself. Eves recalled a time over twenty years ago when rugby goalposts stood proudly on the park field, a common sight for locals. The assumption was that a plan existed to restore these, a move that would reconnect the area with its sporting heritage, even as new additions like a skate rink brought fresh energy. Councillor Meredith expressed a desire to see an event organised for youngsters around this new rink.
However, progress is often shadowed by persistent challenges. The police officers spoke of damaged bus stops and the difficulty of creating effective meeting points for teenagers, noting that past attempts had sometimes had the reverse effect. Vandalism was a recurring concern, raised by several attendees. When the conversation turned to positive outlets for youth, Eves suggested that the promotion of football often keeps youngsters occupied. The officer praised Kirkholt for its ample football facilities. Councillor Meredith expressed delight with improvements made to local beauty spot, 'Rhodes Ravine', and Eves also commended the recent work but pointed out that information signs at park entrances are frequently the first targets of vandalism, suggesting that these entry points could be monitored.
The conversation then shifted to housing and neighbourhood management. The police officer discussed the re-introduction of neighbourhood housing officers, a move that was clearly welcomed. Eves himself remembered how important and appreciated these friendly, helpful officers were when he had previously lived in social housing in the area. This led to a wider discussion on the complex housing situation, with the council reclaiming some control from the Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) association. Eves raised a specific, nuanced issue: the neglect of RBH-owned buildings affecting private landlords who hold long leases on flats within them, creating a cycle of problems for tenants.
Throughout the meeting, it was evident that the council was invested in making Kirkholt a more attractive place to live. Councillor Meredith spoke passionately about planting flowers and shrubs to beautify the area, believing that local young people are proud of their surroundings and that now is the time to build on that pride. He also connected these efforts to broader green policies, including climate change and clean air.
This environmental focus came to the forefront when a resident raised the issue of parking congestion around Sandbrook Primary School on Hartley Lane. As a local resident, Eves knew this was a genuine safety concern. A proposed solution was to make the lane a one-way street. Seeking clarity, Eves asked Councillor Meredith if priority would be given to residents exiting the area, which the councillor confirmed. Further infrastructure plans included resurfacing works on Queen Victoria Street, Hartley Lane, and Great Gates Road, with the improvements to Queen Victoria Street resonating strongly with attendees due to its connection to the area's history.
In line with clean air initiatives, Councillor Meredith insisted on making areas around local schools more pedestrian-friendly to tackle congestion. He also noted that concrete debris in the road gulleys on Great Gates Road would require more extensive resurfacing work to rectify properly.
As the forum drew to a close, an attendee raised a critical point: the abysmal local voter turnout. From the perspective of the Green Party, this was not just a statistic but an opportunity. Eves saw a path forward. In an area where political engagement was low, a proactive group could make a significant impact. The Greens could become a local task force, reaching out door-to-door, helping people register to vote, and clearly explaining who they are and what they stand for.
The Kirkholt area forum was a microcosm of local governance—a blend of practical problem-solving, community-building, and forward-thinking policy. For an engaged observer like Jordan Eves, it was a clear demonstration of the issues that matter and a roadmap for how the Green Party could become a vital voice in the conversation.
The next Kirkholt area meeting was scheduled to take place at Kirkholt Community Church on 29th September 2022 at 6:30 PM.
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