Local Area Partnerships have been “gagged” by Bury Council from discussing the current review of Civic suites by the Conservative Administration. 

Cllr Vic D’Albert, Lib Dem Chair of Prestwich Area Partnership had requested a special meeting of Prestwich Area Partnership to hear about the issues facing Civic venues and to provide an opportunity for residents to comment, however Bury Councils Conservative leadership has refused the request, saying that the ongoing consultation on plans for the venues makes the meeting unnecessary.The move followed controversial plans by the Conservative-run Council to hold a “task and finish group review into the future of Bury’s Civic Halls. The review follows financial concerns about Civic suites such as the Longfield Suite and Radcliffe Civic Hall.

Cllr D’Albert said “The Conservatives want to gag Prestwich Area Partnerships and others. They know that the strength of feeling against their plans is enormous, and the truth is that they just don’t want to have to face awkward questions and embarrassing truths in public again.

“The Area Partnerships are the formal body representing the communities of Bury’s six townships and we have a right to be heard. Once again the Conservatives running the Town Hall have shown that they don’t know the meaning of the word partnership.

“The local community voiced its opposition to plans to close the popular Longfield Suite in a public meeting late last year, and Cllr D’Albert believes that this show of feeling is behind the Conservative refusal to attend.

“Last time the Tories came to Prestwich, they were told in no uncertain terms that this popular community facility should stay open. What they should have done is gone away, recognised the strength of feeling and committed to working with the local community to safeguard their future and ensure we continue to provide civic venues people want. Instead, they now refuse to talk and continue to leave the threats hanging over our community centres. It’s not on, and it’s now typical of their on-going neglect of Prestwich.”

Meanwhile the Councils consultation on the future of the Civic Suites is set to end on February 28^th and it is understood that over 900 responses have been submitted already.

“Remember after February 28^th as a result of the councils gagging of the area partnerships, there may not be any further opportunities to register your views, so make sure you send in your survey responses as soon as possible.”

Surveys are available from all council buildings and on-line at www.bury.gov.uk.