Cllr Gareth Staples-Jones

07/06/2026

After repeatedly raising this failed utility trench near park farm since 2025, citing our own policy on depth and repair times - it has now been filled.

Nothing to celebrate at all sadly.

Very long way to go in getting highways back to a position where they should be, including recruitment, retainment, hitting key milestones and following our own policies.

Defunding public services and cutting funding to local authorities especially highways, has had such a dire impact on delivery - some conservatives are only just waking up to it.

04/06/2026

A week ago a number of residents raised several queries and complaints with myself and other councillors about the booking process at Ramsbottom Medical complaint.

After raising this with Bury Council’s Director for Health and Social Care, and the cabinet lead Cllr Tamoor Tariq, the practice manger provided the below response and reassured us that the reception team are following the correct process.

“I have discussed this with our Reception Supervisor this morning to ensure there is clarity and consistency around the process being communicated to patients.

We actively encourage patients to use the AskMyGP system where they are able to do so, as this helps improve accessibility and allows requests to be triaged efficiently by the clinical team. However, AskMyGP is not the only route for patients to access care.

For patients who do not have access to the internet, smartphones, or who are unable to use the system independently, our reception team will complete and submit the AskMyGP request on the patient’s behalf over the telephone. The same process applies for patients who present at the reception desk in person.

We fully recognise the importance of ensuring that access remains available for all patient groups, particularly elderly or vulnerable patients, and we continue to support patients via telephone and face-to-face contact where required.

I believe the concern raised is likely due to a misunderstanding of the messaging encouraging digital access where appropriate, rather than patients being refused alternative methods of contact.

The wording currently on our website remains correct in that we encourage use of AskMyGP where possible, whilst continuing to facilitate requests for those unable to access the system themselves.”

If anyone does continue to have any issues around access or further queries please email at [email protected]

03/06/2026

What looks to be more progression into a sinkhole on Rostron Road, reported to highways.

03/06/2026

🎉 Celebrating Ramsbottom's Community Champions 🎉

🏅Coming later this year, through Ramsbottom Events Group we hope to deliver the 1st ever 'Rammys'. An evening of celebration, to shine the spotlight on our community champions that deserve recognition.

🏅But I also need your help. This week I will be bringing together an independent panel of judges from across the town, to deliberate on what categories of awards there should be, and how winners will be determined. I want to give the judges a little bit of help with this task, so kindly throw the challenge to you.

🏅If there is to be a Ramsbottom awards evening for local businesses and community champions, what categories do you think there should be, and how on earth will we be able to determine winners, when our town is awash with so many amazing community volunteers?

🏅Also, whilst celebrating our local heroes, we'll hopefully make a shed load of cash for our chosen charity Bury Hospice. Thanks to David Dockerty of Leaf Events for putting their name forward and who'll kindly be hosting the show.

❤️

02/06/2026

Anyone with family just across checkpoint Charlie (Stubbins border) in Lancashire may find this super useful!

Thanks Councillor Samara Barnes for putting this together

02/06/2026

M66 latest - the northbound carriageway and 1 lane southbound have now reopened. Thank you for your patience as the police dealt with this incident. The vehicle is awaiting recovery and repairs will be taking place to the central reservation

01/06/2026

30/05/2026

Massive thank you to Faye Armstrong of Balsam Bashing Ramsbottom for organising today.

Anyone who is passionate about our outdoors spaces will know how much havoc balsam and Japanese knotwood can cause.

To have a day tackling parts of Nuttall Park with over 20 volunteers was immense, a credit to Faye’s efforts.

Great to catch up with Cllr John Southworth Cllr Tom Pilkington

Ramsbottom Labour Party

29/05/2026

Ramsbottom Streets for All presentation events

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback on the proposals for Ramsbottom - we’ve listened and revised our plans to make it easier, safer and more attractive for everyone to travel to and around Ramsbottom town centre.

Following responses from more than 1,500 residents and businesses we have made changes to the proposals including removing the proposed one-way system. The revised scheme will:

✅ Provide new and improved crossings
✅ Widen and improve footpaths
✅ Retain a 20mph speed limit
✅ Support walking, wheeling and cycling

Come along to our next public presentation event to find out more and ask questions:

📍 Ramsbottom Civic Hall, Market Place, Ramsbottom, BL0 9AJ
📅 Tuesday 2 June, 5pm to 6pm

More 👇

29/05/2026

I wasn’t able to make the opening but fantastic to be able to pop to Rammy library and see the new Chatterton massacre exhibition.

Some brilliant information put together and on display, it’s so important we remember working class history and what incidents like this meant for our country but also what it meant locally valley towns and villages.

We have a fantastic local library - whether it’s the community rooms, the heritage exhibitions, the local archives or you just want a space to read a book!

Ramsbottom Heritage Society
Weavers Uprisings Bicentennial Committee
Bury Libraries