The last full meeting of Bury Council last night was the shortest I can remember for a long time – finishing around 8.30!

Perhaps because of the close proximity to elections no party had tabled any motions, so no debates. However there was plenty of scope for hurling political abuse and point scoring during questions to the Leader of the Council, (Bacup) Bob Bibby.

During questions stresses and anxieties were clearly evident. The stresses and anxieties that develop as an election dawns and politicians get closer to the day when they are stood on voters doorsteps seeking a mandate for 4 more years.

Some Conservatives chastised the Lib Dem group for laughing!!! Believe me if they were sat where we were, they would have been laughing too!

We established that there were 904 pot holes and uneven pavements reported in the past year, which if nothing else confirms what most of us already know – what a mess the roads and pavements are in.

Other than that answer most of the questions, including one from myself, were connected to the review of civic suites and the Tories lukewarm (at best) support for Radcliffe Civic Hall.

However the answers to questions from the Conservative Group were notable for their determination NOT to answer the question that had been put.

The highlight of the meeting was when the Mayor thanked David Hanson, head of Democratic Services for his 27 years service to Bury Council. Councillors spontaneously applauded following the announcement. He will be missed by all councillors, many of whom (including myself) have often relied on his support and advice over the years. I wish him a happy and lengthy retirement.

Next Full Council is in May – There will be new faces and perhaps some surprising absentees, and possibly even a new administration. It’s over to you!

Scientists would probably tell me that accurate climate change facts are part of the problem, but if people are to have confidence that climate change is occurring and that they should support national and international efforts then accuracy goes to the heart of the matter.

It was a shame therefore that the Government has been ticked off for an advertising campaign about climate change which has been stopped by the Advertising watchdog because it exaggerated the problem.

Incidents such as that and the recent questions about scientists exaggerating the issue are causing real problems when it then comes to public support for much needed environmental policies required to combat climate change.

I for one find it impossible to deny the scale of the problem and my concerns about our climate and ultimately the future of this planet remain undimmed. But I find myself increasingly frustrated and exasperated by the growing questioning of the severity of the problem, and contradictory and innacurate facts and statements an’t helping the cause! 

It is looking increasingly likely that the General election will be on the same day as the local elections.

Whilst all the media interest has been about Brown, Clegg, Cameron and Westminster, we shouldn’t forget that the local elections will have serious consequences as well.

In Bury we have a Conservative administration that is desperate to hang onto power despite a string of high profile mistakes and u-turns.

In Prestwich where the Lib Dems hold all 9 council seats and will be defending three seats, we are hoping residents will show their support for the hard work we have been doing over the past two years (since the last locals).

In fact the contrast is clear. Whilst in Prestwich the Lib Dems have been campaigning to protect local services, keep the Council Tax down and redirect resources to crucial and underfunded services like highway improvements etc, the Conservatives have taken the opposit view.

They have been hunting for cuts such as their recent threats to community centres and parking charges proposal for Fairfax Road car park. And they have been increasing Council tax by well over inflation rate at a time when people can least afford it.

So when you go to the polls on May 6th, if the General Election is on the same day, don’t think nationally and vote the same way locally. All I would ask is that you look at the local situation and look at what the parties have said and done locally and their candidates/councillors records and vote accordingly. And then make seperate judgements on the General Election.

You never know you may end up with what you want at Bury Town Hall AND Westminster, but in any case having considered all the information to hand for two elections, you will have voted and made your vote count. No one can ask fairer than that.

I was delighted that the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference yesterday backed plans to rebalance the economy and create thousands of new green jobs.

The plans will play a vital part in a fair recovery that locks in investment and ensures a path of low-carbon growth.I am particularly delighted that this green economic stimulus package will be a core part of the Liberal Democrat election manifesto.

It is important that Sutainable energy,Climate change and green policies remain at the heart of policy as the need for a radical green public policy agenda will become more pressing with time and we should see the current difficult times as an opportunity for green jobs and investment in our economy and a sustainable future and not an obstacle.Core policies will include: 

•  Immediate investment to expand our green energy infrastructure
• Bringing hundreds of thousands of empty homes back into use
• Insulating schools and other public buildings
• An ‘eco-cashback’ scheme to reward people who make energy efficiency improvements in their homes
•  A National Infrastructure Bank to promote long-term investment in sustainable public transport and renewable energy 

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary Simon Hughes said:

“The Liberal Democrats have set out a blueprint for a fair economy that’s fit to last. A green stimulus package will help boost investment in clean energy, reduce fuel bills and create thousands of new jobs.

“Labour and the Tories can’t be trusted to deliver the green growth we need. Only the Liberal Democrats have bold and credible plans to rebalance the economy and put Britain at the forefront of this vital transition.” 

I was delighted to join my colleague Richard Baum (Bury North PPC) for a live Radio interview and phone-in at Bury’s Project Radio on sunday.

As part of their General Election coverage, project Radio are interviewing local parliamentary candidates and we of course were delighted to do our bit.

Anwar (pictured) put a variety of questions to the two of us on subjects ranging from Iraq and Afghanistan to the economy and the expenses scandal.

Project Radio is currently operating on a 28 day pilot licence from Knowsley Street and is hoping ultimately to become Bury’s first community radio station.

I was delighted to have been able to support project radio and hopefully we managed to enlighten a few people with our answers.

Last nights Save Heaton Park meeting wasn’t quite the doom laden meeting you might have expected following the disgraceful Manchester City Council Planning meeting that gave the green light to Goals.

In fact by the end of the meeting it was clear that far from being over we still have a number of options and avenues to pursue.

Certainly in my book Heaton Park and for that matter green open parkland, is so precious we should not leave any stone unturned in our campaign to preserve the park from development.

So the fight continues. The campaign group are taking the issue to higher levels and pursuing further legal advice , sadly I cannot reveal all at this stage as it may prejudice the campaign. But expect to hear further both in the local press and via my blog in the future.

So watch this space!

from NHS Bury website for information:

Free swine flu vaccinations will continue in Bury until Autumn 2010

NHS Bury will continue to offer the swine flu vaccination for any eligible adults, and children aged six months to five years who may have missed being vaccinated in 2009 or were not able to get vaccinated at their GP surgery, until the seasonal flu vaccine becomes available in Autumn 2010.   The current groups eligible for the vaccine are:

·         People aged between six months and 65 years in the seasonal flu vaccine at-risk groups

·         Pregnant women

·         People who live with those whose immune systems are compromised, such as cancer patients or people with HIV/AIDS

·         People aged 65 and over in the seasonal flu vaccine at-risk groups

·         Frontline health and social care workers

·         Children aged six months to five yearsAll vaccination sessions are ‘drop in’ clinics however anyone wishing to make an appointment or wanting more information can telephone the NHS Bury Flu Team on 0161 272 4049. Swine Flu: 

If you can’t catch it, you can’t pass it on. Forthcoming sessions will take place as follows:             

·         22 March, 5 – 7pm, Bury Walk-in Centre, Moorgate Primary Care Centre

·         24 March, 5 – 7pm, Prestwich Walk-in Centre, Fairfax Road , Prestwich

·         6 April, 9 – 11am, Sedgley Children’s Centre, Bishops Road , Prestwich

·         14 April, 5 – 7pm, Bury Walk-in Centre, Moorgate Primary Care Centre

·         20 April, 5 – 7pm, Prestwich Walk-in Centre, Fairfax Road, Prestwich

·         4 May, 9 – 11am, Sedgley Children’s Centre,Bishops Road, Prestwich

·         13 May, 5 – 7pm, Bury Walk-in Centre, Moorgate Primary Care Centre

·         27 May, 5 – 7pm, Prestwich Walk-in Centre, Fairfax Road, Prestwich

I received a nice letter from HM Government/Identity & passport agency yesterday.

The letter and accompanying leaflet was extolling the virtues of the Governments Identity card scheme which is currently being piloted in Manchester and London. 

Of course they do make it clear its voluntary and they do eventually mention that they would like you to part with £30 for the privilege.

Of course they don’t mention the fact that the marketing campaign across Manchester and London is estimated at costing £1.3 million of taxpayers money.

Money that could pay for 50 more Police officers (on basic starter pay) at a time when Greater Manchester Police is facing budgetary constraints.

As someone that doesn’t even have a current passport never mind an ID card, I am surprised I can exist. Certainly when you read the promotional letter you could be forgiven for thinking that your life would be so much easier (albeit £30 poorer) if you only had one of these precious cards. 

At a time when public sector spending is supposed to be being cut back I find it absolutely scandalous to find the Government is spending £1.3m on a pet project that will not stop terrorism, will not improve public services and is not necessary.

Last nights meeting of Bury MBC’s Environment, Economy and Transport Scrutiny Committee received a long awaited presentation about the state of council owned garage colonies.

For some years now there has been growing concern about the state of many of these garages. Many have been badly vandalised or are a focal point for anti-social behaviour as more and more remain empty.

Last nights presentation did seem to bear this out as it was confirmed that half the councils 77 garage sites were a “drain on resources” to varying extents.

As part of the review to be undertaken the Council now plans to consult widely on how best to deal with the worst condition sites.

It has been suggested that there could be alternative uses such as:

• Housing
• Allotments
• Play Areas
• other communal/garden areas etc

In addition it may be appropriate for some to be renovated.

I strongly supported the idea that ward councillors be involved in the consultation and that the local area partnerships should have a say as they have a specific remit to represent the views of residents in the area.

It was agreed that a report and presentation be brought to a future area partnership meeting.

Commenting on the report by the Princess Royal Trust for Carers which reveals that only 23% of the money allocated to help carers was used in this way, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb said:

“The Government has completely neglected the vital work that carers do and this report is further evidence of the scale of the problem.

“Labour’s cuts are already biting across the NHS and their failure to cut back on waste means that it is the most vulnerable who are losing out. 

“This report highlights the need for a guarantee to respite care which only the Liberal Democrats are committed to.”

Vic D’Albert, Parliamentary candidate for Bury South added, “It just shows how low on their priorities list this Government places carers. These funds should have been ring fenced if Labour were really serious about providing respite care.

“Once again many of the 9000 plus carers in Bury have lost out under this Government.

“It’s about time the role of carers, the valuable work they do and the daily pressures and stresses they face were properly recognised with real commitment. Once again it would seem that only the Lib Dems can offer the commitment they deserve.