It’s easy in incidents such as the Raoul Moat case to see everything in black and white. Good v.Bad. But often this is not the case.

So while many seem to view him as some kind of anti-hero, fighting the establishment etc, others such as D Cameron call him a callous killer, I tend to look on the whole case as tragic for all concerned.

The loss of life is always tragic and now that we learn that he himself was concerned about his state of mind and had asked for psychiatric help then that gives us a new twist. Then we shouldn’t forget the other victims – shot Samantha Stobbart, 22, killed Chris Brown and wounded Pc David Rathbandand and their families.

And finally, and certainly not least there is the children who do not have a father.

Arguably another person failed by society who turned on society. If that ain’t tragic I don’t know what is.

Last night I attended a meeting to discuss the Local Community Plan. This plan, which is available from he council and libraries etc details all the improvements that the Area Partnership (Council and agencies ie Police, NHS etc) want to make over a 3 year period.

The current plan was agreed back in 2008 and runs until 2011. Now as a local councillor I like many people get frustrated that it often seems to take forever to get things done. So it was very pleasing last night to find that so far – with a year to go 44 out of the 68 actions have been achieved, thats 2 out of 3, and 8 are still progressing.

Prestwich Festival of course is one of the big successes along with farmers markets to help boost local business etc.

Critically part of our plans for improving business involved delivering a blue print for redevelopment of the precinct. Whilst we now have an excellent blueprint for Prestwich Town centre, the actual project itself now needs pushing to be implemented

Obviously there is still plenty to do generally, and with over a year to go there were  several issues around Parking, crime and health related issues that stand out as requiring attention on which we will now be focussing our efforts, but it was pleasing nonetheless to see that we are making real progress in Prestwich.

It is likely that we will be charged with assembling a new community plan for Prestwich next year and as such we will have to re-focus our attention on the areas and issues of most concern as part of that process we must ensure we really engage and fully consult all aspects of the local community.

We must find ways (as councillors/council) of working better and more efficiently with our partners in the police, NHS, voluntary sector etc, if we are to be more effective in addressing issues in a shorter timescale. Things seem to work well at the top, but by the time you get to local community level ie Prestwich things begin to fracture.

Prestwich Area Partnership meets tonight at 6.30 at The Maccabi Sports and Leisure Centre, Bury Old Road, Prestwich (near The Woodthorpe). All welcome

It is increasingly hard for the man/woman in the street to believe that we will leave – whenever that will be – with some semblance of a result – whatever that would be!

9 years after 9/11 and the Afghan invasion and you feel that it could easily be another 9 years, or another 19 years.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not advocating pulling out just yet, but I do think there is a growing crisis of confidence as to whether we can succeed. And the recent murdering of 3 British soldiers by an Afghan soldier just adds to that feeling.

I think we are fast approaching the point where it will not be just the hearts and minds of Afghans that need to be won over , but the countries involved in the International mission as well.

But above all, if the Afghan government want us to succeed, then they have to work harder both to quell corruption and mis-government in their country, but they need to be winning the hearts and minds of their own people. It’s no use US/UK and others handing out sweets to children and building bridges etc- long term success needs an Afghan Government that is supported by its people and recognises its value and importance to long term stability.

Once that happens our boys can come home safe in the knowledge that their fallen comrades won’t have died in vain and that the mission has truly been a success. BUT that’s the problem as well – our success is reliant on the Afghan Governments success. And that make me feel really uncomfortable about the whole thing.

If you believe Peter Mandelson, and probably that is 50/50, then Labour Ministers expected to lose the General Election on May 6th.

But whilst it is perhaps surprising to hear Mandelson say as such, it does all fit together with what we know followed the result.

It’s on the record that Nick Clegg and the Lib Dems always made clear that in the event of a hung parliament then we would try and negotiate with the largest party first, which of course we did. But what has always bugged me is the failure to make any progress with the brief negotiation with Labour.

Putting aside the difficulties faced with building a rainbow coalition including natonalists etc, I was amazed that Labour weren’t more keen to try and achieve concensus. But in light of the Mandelson memoirs we now see a party resigned to defeat, to replacing Gordon Brown AND when you add to the mix the cuts to public services even Labour  publicly admitted were necessary if they won, then it really is no surprise that they didn’t have the stomach for it.

Much easier to regroup, refresh and in the meantime hurl bricks from the sidelines. It is not only cynical but the worst type of self interest politics. Labour knew what was coming but didn’t want to deal with it.  

The Government is set to announce a radical shakeup of the NHS, ostensibly handing much of the NHS budget for commissioning services etc down to local GP’s.

The NHS budget currently stands at £105bn. About 80% of this is given to local health managers working for 152 primary care trusts which in turn commission services for their areas.

A Government White Paper to be published later, is expected to call for much of this to be handed to GPs working together in formal partnerships in what would be a major shake-up of the NHS structure.

Now it’s not hard to see that in wanting to meet it targeted aims, the Government want to cut back on NHS management and focus spending on frontline services, that this is an attractive option. But there are big questions and as a high risk strategy if it does not succeed then it would prove disastrous, both from a cost point of view, but more importantly for patients adversely affected.

A lot seens to hinge on being able to cut back on managers and re-invest in GP led/commissioned care instead. But isn’t there a danger that as local Primary Care Trust managers lose their jobs, local GP’s find they need to employ them instead?

And are GP’s and their surgeries equiped to handle this new regime? I should state here that I am sure my GP would excel at such an opportunity, but do all GP’s have the necessary skills? Would it impinge on the time available to see patients?

Presumably for financial reasons the Government is preferring to roll this out across the NHS, when normally such a radical shakeup would have been piloted first.

As with many great ideas it has potential, and undoubtedly makes sense on paper, but then things often look different in practice. I hope they have done their homework and extensively consulted with the medical profession otherwise there may be problems ahead.

Remember the Poll Tax? 

Last night I was privilaged to have been invited to the official opening of Prestwich Arts College’s new theatre – The Paragon.

The theatre is part of the redeveloped Bracewell Hall – a conventional school hall – but now meets the modern needs of a an Arts college that embraces the performing arts, creative and media studies.

The Paragon theatre but on a spectacular show in the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress of Bury and what a show it was.

Starting with their newly formed Junior Theatre Company, the dance crew, and many others including a Jazz group from Parrenthorn School, the audience were treated to a great show that showed off the capabilities of the theatre and it’s facilities, not to mention the talents of the young performers.

What I particularly appreciated, and have always appreciated about Prestwich Arts College is the effort they make to show that they are part of the wider community, an aspect they wholeheartedly embrace.

Last night was no exception, when during the show some actors gave us an excerpt of a performance they have been giving to local primary schools highlighting issues dealt with by the Samaritans and the work of the Samaritans. As part of that work they had also collected £700 which was presented to the Samaritans and gratefully received by them. They also presented £200 to the Prestwich Carnival Committee.

The evening was bookended by passionate, emotional speeches by first the Head Teacher – Geoff Barlow and then the Chair of Governors, Ray Austin. Speeches that connected back to the difficulties the school has faced in recent years when threatened with closure. But now with a new theatre, a new dining hall, and IT facilities and improved results the school has a bright future.

Congratulations to Nicola for her organisation, to all the performers and to Geoff and his team and Ray and the Governing body. You have been an inspiration to your students and the community. 

Bury Ranger Service in conjunction with The Friends of Prestwich Forest Park are organising a Action/Clean up day on July 18th. See below for more details and contact Bury Ranger, Ian Rogers, for more information.

What;
Working in the clough stream to improve stream flow involving moving stones and re-channelling. (Please note, it will be quite physical at times)

When;
Sunday 18th July 9.30am.

Where;
Prestwich Clough, Prestwich. Meet at Clough entrance on St Anns rd, opposite Lowther Rd at 9.30 or come and find us in the Clough.

Bury Ranger service will provide gloves and tools but would recommended wearing clothing that can be messed up and safety boots and wellington boots.

Any questions please do not hesitate to contact Ian Rogers (see below). 

Bury Ranger Service, Phoenix Centre, St Mary’s Park, Prestwich
0161 253 5522

United Utilities have announced that we will impose a hosepipe ban following the driest start to a year since its records began. It is the first hosepipe ban in the North West for 14 years.

The ban will come into force on Friday July 9 at 6am.
The ban will apply to all our customers in the North West, with the exception of customers in Carlisle, Allerdale, Copeland and the north Eden Valley, where supplies are at reasonable levels.

John Sanders, United Utilities Water Regulation and Strategy Manager, says: “Despite some recent rainfall in the north of the region, reservoir levels are still significantly lower than we would expect at this time of year and are now at a point where we need to impose some temporary restrictions on our customers.

“It is not a decision we have taken lightly, but a hosepipe can use as much water in an hour as a family of four would use in one day. This ban will help us to safeguard essential water supplies to our customers if the drought continues. ”

The ban will restrict the use of hosepipes or sprinklers for watering private gardens and washing private cars. You can still water your gardens with a watering can and wash your vehicles using a bucket and sponge. These methods typically use a fraction of the amount of water a hosepipe or sprinkler uses.

This move follows our earlier actions to maintain essential supplies, such as maximising water abstraction from ground water supplies and moving water around its regional integrated network of pipes.

We have also been running a radio and newspaper advertising campaign to encourage its seven million customers to use water wisely.

“We need to be very mindful that we share our water supply with the environment and we all need to do our bit to protect supplies for the benefit not just of our own communities but also our river wildlife,” added John.

“We will need much more significant rainfall before the position starts to turn around. We are asking our customers to please observe the hosepipe ban and do what they can to save water in other areas of their daily lives. There are some simple things we can all do such as turning off the tap while brushing your teeth and running washing machines and dishwashers with a full load.”

For more water saving tips please log onto http://www.unitedutilities.com/usewaterwisely.htm

A new planning application has been received which is within Holyrood Ward of Prestwich as detailed below:-

Application number: 52820         Type of application: Full         Date Registered: 05/07/2010

Applicant: Mr & Mrs Hall
Location: Land off Poppythorn Lane, Prestwich, Manchester
Proposal: Outline – Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 12 no. dwellings and associated access and car parking

Plans will be available to view on the Council’s website within 2 working days from today. Should you require further details please contact the case officer: Helen Longworth on: 0161 253 5322.

If you wish to comment on this application or wish to raise issues, please don’t hesitate to contact your local councillors and we will do our best to advise and represent your views.

Nick Clegg yesterday confirmed to Parliament a package of political reforms aimed at cleaning up politics, restoring some confidence and trust in politics and making our Parliament more representative of the great British public. (“gawd bless em”)

From a die hard Liberal perspective there has to be an element of dissapointment that the long awaited reform of the voting system, that will be put to a referendum, will be the Alternative Vote system (AV).

However, when the initial dissapointment wears off I have to accept that it will at least be better than what we currently have. It will mean that all votes count. It will mean that the duly elected MP is more representative of their constituencies wishes and it will lead to a more representative House of Commons.

Having said that AV of course is not truly proportional representation and it does not fully deliver fair votes – and we must not pretend that it does. But it is a start. And so far as I am concerned that is the key.

If this was the final chapter in the long campaign for fair votes then this proposal would be unacceptable. BUT it does signal the start of positive, albeit, stepping stone reform. So far as I am concerned this is the beginning of the end for unfair votes and unrepresentative parliaments in this great land and that can only be good.

As we gradually get use to the new politics and this strange coalition government it is easy to greet most announcements or policy initiatives with dissapointment as the inevitable compromises take their toll. As a liberal I can’t help searching every announcement for clues as to the party political source and identifying the compromised elements, and I am sure Conservatives are doing the same.

And this novel idea of compromising is playing havoc with the media, left/right-blinkered students of politics and even the politicians themselves.

Just look at the supposed furore over the announcement of a referendum on the introduction of AV . “The Prime Minister will vote No” screamed the BBC News website. “The Prime Minister will enforce that the Conservatives will vote for the referendum”, screamed other media. There has been so much written already about onservatives who will vote “NO” because they are against PR and Lib Dems who will vote “YES” because they support PR and Labour MPs who………..well don’t really know , except they accuse Lib Dems of betrayal – a common charge this days.

Yet AV is not proportional representation and everyone knows that. But everyone also knows that once the fair votes cat has been let out of the bag there is only one way it will go. Conservatives and Labour  MP’s opposed to PR know that and that is why they will try and stop this now.

The art of political decision making in the great corridors of power has suddenly slowed down to take account of coalition partners demands/concerns. Whilst that means compromise it also means (hopefully) better decision making. But it does mean that we don’t always get what we want, when we want it – but it will come. And anyway how long have we waited?

Liberals of the world unite !