Bawl and chains

HUMBLED . . . Councillor Begley received the chain of office from outgoing chairman Councillor McInness

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Seniority overlooked, says councillor

A CRITIC who has branded Saddleworth Parish Council “irrelevant” has failed to become its vice chairman.

Instead Councillor Bill Cullen was installed in the position with Councillor Keith Begley taking over the chains of office as council chairman.

Outspoken councillor Ken Hulme had complained that his seniority had been overlooked for the top job by the Liberal Democrats, the biggest party on the council.

He has been a member for seven years, switching from Labour to become an Independent, while Lib-Dems Begley and Cullen are both in their first four-year terms.

Councillor David Atherton challenged the nomination of Bill Cullen last night, suggesting Councillor Hulme instead.

This was seconded by fellow Tory Councillor John Hudson who said: “The appointment has always taken account of length of service.

“The people of Saddleworth will feel very remised if we don’t discuss their chance to be chairman, whatever their views.”

However, Councillor Derek Heffernan opposed the move and said: “People are nominated for the way they treat this parish council and for somebody that has referred to the council as ‘useless’ to be nominated as chairman, I find sad.”

Councillor Hulme was the only member to vote against the appointment of Councillors Begley and Cullen.

New chairman Councillor Begley was applauded as he started his year of office and said: “It is really remarkable and an unanticipated accolade.

“It is quite humbling and I shall endeavour to rise to the position.

“I have been extraordinarily lucky raising a family and working locally and this is a wonderful opportunity to give something in return.

“I promise a year of fun and frolics, dinner dances, to entertain and delight on every level from the sublime to the ridiculous to raise money for a deserving cause.”

Councillor Begley’s chosen charity for the year is Sense, the deaf and blind charity.



£22,000 raised for good causes

OUTGOING chairman Alma McInness ended her year of office on a high.

She handed over £22,000 to boost the work of 30 good causes.

A quarter of the total — £5,500 — was donated to Macmillan Cancer Support, chosen to be one of the main fundraisingcauses during her year as chairman.

The less well-known Myasthenia Gravis Association, which supports sufferers of the debilitating muscular disease, received the same amount.

Other causes ranged from Saddleworth Village Olympics and the fund for a new roof at St Mary’s Church, Greenfield, to money towards a a new fence at Uppermill Bowling club.

Councillor McInnes said: “The whole year has been just fantastic, beyond my wildest dreams and expectations. When a friend told me she thought I would raise over £20,000 at the start of the year, I thought she was bonkers.

“I’ve enjoyed my year but I just couldn’t have done it without the support of the committee and my husband, Ian. So many people have helped raise this total.”