For those that don’t know, Bury Council has 6 Local Area Partnerships, representing the 6 townships across the Borough. They examine local issues and try to respond to local concerns, representing the views of local people and communities to Bury Council, they are a partnership of elected representatives, local organisations and key agencies such as the Police, NHS etc.

Unfortunately Bury Councils Conservative Administration doesn’t actually see the Local Area Partnership as a partner!

This became clear yesterday when I requested a special meeting of Prestwich Area Partnership, which I chair. I wanted the meeting to provide an opportunity for local people to hear first hand from Council officers about the issues surrounding the Councils Civic venues and controversially, the reason they are reviewing their future.

I was told that we can’t have a special meeting, that a survey form is available for residents to complete and members of the LAP have been sent survey forms individually.

It makes you wonder whether there is any point in Area Partnerships , when at the first hurdle the ruling Tory administration do what they can to avoid them.

If that wasn’t bad enough the leader of the Council had previously told a public meeting of 300 people that he would consult with the Area Partnerships.But obviously not the actual Area Partnership – oh silly me!

Clearly the Tories don’t know the meaning of the word “Partnership” and certainly can’t be relied upon to meet a committment.

But worst of all they are failing to take an opportunity to develop the area partnership into a proactive and dynamic partnership that can respond to local residents needs and concerns and play a full role in representing their township and shaping council agendas and services.