1st - Bury Liberal Democrats Meeting - 7.30pm Prestwich Liberal Club, all members welcome. 

2nd - Save the Longfield Suite Campaign Meeting, 6.30pm Church Inn.

3rd - Full Council, Meeting of all 51 Bury Councillors, 7.00pm Town Hall Bury.

8th - Heaton Park Primary School Governors Meeting, 6pm

10th - Bury Looked After Children Awards, 5pm Bury FC

11th - Standards Committee, 6pm Town Hall, Bury

17th - Polefield Fun day and community clean up, from 12 noon.

22nd - Lib Dem Council Group meeting

24th - Special 2010/11 Council Budget Setting meeting

The Chilcot Enquiry into the Iraq War yesterday was astonishing for an incredible insight into how we were manipulated by Blair and Bush into deciding the war was legal when our own Attorney General felt it wasn’t.

When our Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith was opposed to the Iraq war or at least felt it was illegal, he went or was he pushed over the atlantic to visit Condoleeza Rice et al. Incredibly he then returns to the UK suitably reassured that the war would indeed be legal.

Now forgive me for pointing out the startlingly obvious but as the US were a tad keen on invading Iraq and removing Saddam Hussein, were they likely to say anything other than the war would be legal? I think not. It was hardly a neutral second opinion.

What it amounted to was ”we’ve got a problem with our top legal guy who isn’t so sure the war would be legal, you need to work on him”. They did, he advised that he’d changed his mind, we invaded.Incredible and appalling.

In a separate development the Enquiry has voiced concerns over the Governments reluctance to declassify certain information. We need this information in the public domain, the Chilcott enquiry needs it to be able to properly question witnesses ie Blair tomorrow.

A failure to do so will leave too many questions unanswered, we need transparency and openness if the enquiry is to succeed and satisfy the publics demands.

Tonight I attended Bury Councils Holocaust Memorial Service at Radcliffe Civic Suite. 65 years to the day that Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated.

As ever it was a moving service, a wonderfully poignant, moving and thought provoking collection of readings, music and dance, including the words of holocaust victims. My congratulations to the organisers.

This years event was titled “A legacy of hope” with much of the words and music aimed at learning from the horrors of the past and in ensuring we do not forget the atrocities of the Nazis and others, we can leave a legacy of hope that the mistakes of the past will not be repeated.

As ever the event was attended by representatives of the Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths, and all 3 political parties on Bury Council, led by the Mayor of Bury. Due to Cllr Pickstone recovering from a minor operation I was delighted to have been able to represent the Liberal Democrats at the event.

Last nights public meeting received an update from Save Heaton Park Campaigners on progress and latest developments in the campaign.

It’s now expected to be likely that the application will go before Manchester City Councils Planning Committee in March.

The packed St.Margarets Church House, saw a video presentation featuring another  Goals soccer centre and more  details about the planns submitted were provided.

What is clear now both from the plans submitted and comments from some Manchester Labour Councillors is that this is not just about whether commercial sports ventures are appropriate in this or any other park, but whether it is right to develop our green open spaces at all - as a matter of principle.

If this proposal gets the go ahead then it could open the flood gates to commercial development of our parks like never before. It’s similar to the sale of school playing fields in the 70’s and 80’s which is now recognised as having a devastating affect on sports development in Britain - especially team sports.

This now is a line in the sand, I wonder how many other commercial organisations are watching and waiting for the Goals soccer application?

In 10 years time - how much more of Heaton park will have been developed as a result? How many other parks will have faced development?

It’s not about being a killjoy - it’s about acting responsibly for future generations, as guardians for our green legacy. Something Manchester City Council was supposed to be. Something I still hope they will be.

Prestwich Area Partnership met last night and in so doing we welcomed the new Partnership manager - Rose De’, who has replaced Carran O’Grady.

Some readers will recall that virtually everyone from all sides of the political spectrum and none were opposed to this move by Bury Council. But a couple of officers along with the Councils Tory leadership thought it was a good idea and the majority view was therefore ignored, leaving us with a shameful decision that has undoubtedly damaged the Area Partnerships in Bury.

After welcoming Rose I paid tribute to Carran’s work over the past 8 years and then proposed the following motion which was passed overwhelmingly:

“Prestwich Area Partnership deplores the recent unwarranted interference in the management of Prestwich Area Partnership and believe the unnecessary rotation of Area Partnership Managers at this time will undermine the effectiveness of the Partnership at a crucial time.We insist that any future changes be introduced only after full and proper consultation with the Area Partnership.”

I hope that this motion now draws a line under this shambolic mishandling of area partnership affairs. I have to confess though that I am now highly sceptical of this Tory administrations committments to the Local Area Partnerships innitiative.

That was followed by a statement on gritting services during the recent heavy snow fall and cold snap. This was delivered by Guy Berry, the Councils management board representative on the Prestwich Area Partnership. I had requested someone from Highways, preferably actually involved in the Gritting service - this request was denied by Bury Council. In any case the report was useful, confirming as it did the streets that are scheduled for gritting and outlining the policy and how it was compromised by the excessive snow, excessive cold and shortage of grit/salt.

Later in the meeting we received an enlightening report from Rev. Steven Williams, Priest in charge at St.Gabriels, Bishops Road about the work of Churches Together in Prestwich. We also had a crime update from Inspector Ryecroft who highlighted an incrfease in anti-social behaviour in the area.

Finally we approved grants to the Clough Centenary Committee, the Creative Living Centre and Polefield Tenants & Residents Association.

All in all an excellent meeting, albeit poorly attended by the public. Next meeting 6.30, March 18th, Church Lane Community Centre.

At last nights meeting of Polefield Tenants and Residents Association we had the usual collection of council officers, Police, residents and me!

As is usually the case the business was upbeat with plenty of positive developments.

Key business was the planning of the estates next fun day for the young people on the estate. This has now been arranged for the week of half term on wednesday, February 17th from 12 noon and will cover activities on the patch of land at the junction of Polefield Circle/Polefield Hall Rd and also on St.Josephs fields at the rear of Prestwich Heys.

On the morning of the 17th skips a couple of skips are to be delivered to the estate and volunteers are needed to help clean up the estate.

But it’s not just about young people.The Association has learned that an application for some funds to provide some “winter warmer” kits to elderly on the estate has been successful. As a result elderly residents will be receiving a bag of goodies to help them keep safe and warm this winter. These should be distributed in early February.

This sunday the Longfield precinct in Prestwich will be holding another of our now popular farmers markets, with a host of quality produce from across the North West.

The event runs from 9.30 to 3.30 - but be warned stalls have sold out previously so get there early.

As ever there is something for all the family with a free raffle, Childrens ride, Squeaky the clown and a Town crier.

Nick Clegg has today written to Gordon Brown urging him to go before the Iraq enquiry before the General Election. Earlier he had raised the issue during Prime Ministers Question Time in the House of Commons.

It is clear from comments made by Alistair Campbell and from questioning by the enquiry itself that it would be more than useful for Gordon Brown to make himself available to answer questions as to his role in the Iraq affair.

In fact it is clear to me that if we are to draw a line under the Iraq war controversy at the next election it is essential that he deals with his now. A failure to do so would lead to speculation that there is indeed something to hide and that the Iraq Enquiry has been politically influenced by showing alleged favouritism to the PM.

The British people need and deserve answers from our PM now, to enable a proper judgement to be made at the next election. They need to know his views and the part he played before a General Election.

So how about it Gordon, transparency and openness or brush it under the carpet till later?

The text of the letter to Gordon Brown from Nick Clegg is below:

Dear Gordon,

I am writing to urge you to indicate immediately to Sir John Chilcot that it is your strong preference to go before the Iraq Inquiry ahead of the General Election.

Following developments yesterday at Alastair Campbell’s hearing, your personal role in the decisions that led to the war in

As I said to you across the floor of the Commons today, people have a right to know the truth about the part you played in this war before they cast their verdict on your Government’s record. I urge you to confirm publicly that should Sir John Chilcot invite you to give evidence to the Inquiry ahead of the election you will agree to do so.

Nick Clegg

Bury Council have arranged a Budget consultation event to be held at the Peel Room, Bury Town Hall on February 2nd, starting at 7pm.

The event will outline the budget position facing the Council , to be finalised by a full meeting of Bury Council on February 24th (7pm).

As part of the exercise officers will outline the options facing the council and provide an opportunity for residents to comment on possible council tax rises, spending priorities and savings options.

Last night I attended Bury’s Environment, Economy & Transport Scrutiny Commission. Unsurprisingly the recent weather and Bury’s handling of the gritting of our roads (or not) dominated much of the meeting.

I raised concerns that the Council appeared to have difficulties trying to cope with bad weather when it was affecting the whole Borough simultaneously and that their gritting strategy seemed to reflect this, this was denied by officers.

I mentioned that we had been informed that due to the weather being so bad in Ramsbottom and surounding area that extra attention had to be given to that area in order to maintain main roads open. I suggested that this seemed to lead to less gritting in certain areas of Prestwich and Whitefield which received unusually large snowfalls. 

I also asked why the Longfield Precinct hadn’t been properly gritted, and officers appeared puzzled and said that it should have been, I have asked for this to be investigated.

Finally following another councillors concerns about keeping schools open, I suggested that Schools in difficult (non-gritting) locations should perhaps be supplied with their own gritting bin to help them keep their areas and frontage clear and safe. This seemed to be taken on board by officers.

With Government instructions to reduce gritting by 40% to conserve salt stocks , we better hope we don’t have any more bad weather for a while - preferably next winter!

Meanwhile Bury Council have recently produced a Gritting policy which explains the hows and why’s of where Bury Grits where it does. It’s currently a draft policy only as it is being consulted on, so if you have any comments to make please let the Council know asap.

You can read the draft policy here: burymbc-draft-gritting-policy.pdf

If you have Prestwich specific issues you want to raise, by all means let your local councillors know, or attend next weeks Prestwich Area Partnership meeting at Sedgley Park School at 6.30pm - the item will be on the agenda. 

I know we are obsessed about the weather in this country but really after dominating every news bulletin for the whole week I really don’t think it’s news anymore.

I am sick to the back teeth of turning on the TV to find out what’s happening in the world only to find news anchors telling us how cold it’s been and what chaos it’s causing today. As if that is not bad enough we are then shunted off to a variety of locations around the country which now all include a visit to the salt mines of cheshire, a field somewhere in the home counties and an assortment of stranded/kids having fun/schools closed/stiff upper lip reports. Aaaaaarggh!

Combined with the nightly concerns over whether the grit/salt will last out and (now) whether the gas will last it is starting to get a bit (news) desperate.

To make matters worse the news editors are clearly desperately searching for a new angle or development resulting from the “big freeze” as it has been dubbed. Last night ITV news decided to go with the “As cold as the North Pole” angle with a list of current temperatures in “traditional” cold spots thrown in as proof. The news reader was almost starting to sound proud of our great temperatures as much as to say finally we’re beating the foreigners at the weather! The quality of our weather is obviously something of national pride.

But where next? If we keep going down this route where do we go from here. Here are my top ten potential headlines for the week ahead.

1. Government to consider Igloos to solve housing crisis!
2. White-out Britain heralds new Ice Age. (The Ice age slogan has been much favoured in the past - overdue an outing this time - you heard it here first)
3. Cameron calls on Brown to explain dithering over weather
4. Brown says Cameron doesn’t even have policy on weather
5. Brown/Cameron/Clegg call for weather inquiry
6. Will the milk run out
7. We’ve run out of milk (pics of thirsty babies, pics of cows)
8. Russia holds Britain to ransom over gas supplies - new cold war!
9. Now for the Big Thaw
10. The Big Freeze cost me my job - Gordon Brown

Plans by Islam4uk to parade symbolic empty coffins through Wootton Bassett should be cancelled.

Whilst I am concious that there have been many deaths amongst muslim insurgents it is important that this nation can show respect and honour our fallen. And the now familiar parade through Wootton Bassett of the repatriated fallen servicemen has become a focal point of that need as a nation.

So I sincerely hope that the leaders of the Islamic group in question re-think these plans and consider other ways of raising awareness of the numbers killed in this conflict. In a war situation many are killed, many are injured and disfigured, including many innocents, most people are very aware of this.

If they go ahead with this planned parade they will be insulting the repatriation of those that gave everything in the service of this nation. Whilst they will undoubtedly get media coverage, I doubt it would be the kind of coverage that would make a positive contribution and it could further damage relations with muslims in Britain.

Make your protests elsewhere and in the meantime join the people of Wootton Bassett in honouring the fallen the next time there is a repatriation procession through the town.

12th - Economy, Environment & Transport Scrutiny, Bury Town Hall, Public welcome

19th - Polefield Tenants & Residents Association

21st - Prestwich Area Partnership

25th - Lib Dem Council Group Meeting

WISHING YOU

PEACE, HEALTH

AND   HAPPINESS

IN 2010

Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy

Christmas

p.s. Don’t forget the Bury Council Emergency Out of Hours Phone number is:0161 253 6606

Last night I was privileged to have been able to attend the first Prestwich community carol service. The event was held at St.Mary’s Parish Church in Church Lane and we were delighted to been able to welcome the Mayor of Bury, Cllr Sheila Magnall. Over 300 braved treacherous ice and snow to attend the event, making it a great success.

What was particularly special was that it was a collaboration between local churches and St.Mary’s welcomed Father Allen from Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church, who read from the Gospels. In addition there were many from local community and voluntary organisations as well as many local residents, some of whom hadn’t visited St.Mary’s before.

A collection of carols, familiar and less familiar were sang with accompaniment from the Eccles Singers and Bury Music Service Wind Ensemble. The carols were interspersed with readings telling the story of the coming of Jesus.

Following the carol service refreshments and mince pies were served by local councillors in the newly refurbished Church Lane Community Centre.

All in all a magical festive evening. Special thanks should go to Cllr Mary D’Albert, David Curtis and Carran O’Grady and of course Bryan Hackett, Churches Together, the management and volunteers at Church Lane Community Centre and the Prestwich Area Partnership who sponsored the event.

I am growing increasingly concerned that the semi-stalled climate talks in Copenhagen are going to fail to reach much needed major agreements.

Of course it is always difficult to get meaningful agreements out of these Governmental summits, and when they do they are almost always hard fought compromises that are often ignored or watered down further over time.

But I was hoping this time would be different. As the world fast approaches the point of no return regarding climate change and global warming, I had hoped that the growing climate crisis would start to break through national self interest and political posturing.

I had hoped that the rich developed world would recognise their responsibiities to the poor world and future generations and future life itself.

Failure to reach a milestone agreement will be a frankly damnable result that will consign the Copenhagen summit to the history books as the time that the world stood on the brink, looked around, talked about saving life on earth then stepped off the precipice.

For the sake of the planet lets hope there is a breakthrough.

If the last full council was bad tempered, apallingly managed and abused by some councillors, last nights affair  was flat, passionless and sterile.

Following a slap-on-the-wrist letter from the Chief Executive to Councillors asking that they behave better and control themselves we ended up with a non-event that achieved little if anything.

We had (by Government dictat) to approve a “Strong” leadership model constitution, which places more power and discretion in the hands of the leader of the Council who is apppointed for a term of 4 years (from next May).

We had no choice to approve this so it was nodded through. How it is supposed to provide us with a strong leader heaven only knows. Perhaps Cllr Bibby will tear open his shirt to reveal his green hulk like body before charging round the Millgate arresting wrongdoers vigilante fashion!

For me the highlight was a speech by Cllr Roy Walker about the democratic deficit that we now have at local and national level. He cited numerous erosions to our democratic process in a speech that I agreed 100% with and was eloquently delivered.

The Advertiser newspaper was also reporting on last nights non event and by way of novelty they were reporting live via twitter. Our group leader Cllr Tim Pickstone alluded to this new novelty and himself got in on the twittering act.

That was about it. Last time the meeting was a farce, this time it was more like a funeral parlour. I suspect normal service will be resumed in 2010.

On Monday December 21st from 7pm, Join the Mayor of Bury, Local Councillors, Faith and Community leaders for the 1st Prestwich Community Carol Service at St.Mary’s Church, Church lane, Prestwich.

The National Autistic Society is running a FREE Information Sharing Drop-In giving you the chance to meet a range of providers who offer support and services to people with autism and their families.

The Information Sharing Drop-In will also offer FREE training sessions on Sensory Issues by the National Autistic Society HELP! Team as well as information on the changes in Social care.

Date: Wednesday 9^th December

Time: 10am – 6.30pm

Location: The MET, Market Street, Bury BL9 0BW

Everyone is welcome! Just come along to have a chat and find out more. For further information, please contact Sara on 07766248915

For further information about Bury Adult Care Services? Then visit: www.bury.gov.uk/adults

Hundreds of local residents and represents of all three main parties on Bury Council turned out at lunchtime today to form a human chain around the Longfield Suite.

The event was billed as an opportunity for residents to show their support for the Longfield Suite and they certainly made it clear that they opposed Bury Councils plans to “reconfigure” the Suite. A move which could see the end of the much prized dance floor.

Vic D’Albert said, “If ever we needed to show that local people care and that local people want Bury Conservatives to change their mind about these plans then today they sent a very clear message to the Council leaders that Prestwich won’t put up with threatened damaging changes to the Longfield Suite.”

“Once more I would say to Cllr Bibby, Leader of the Council, to call a halt to these proposals, confirm that the dance floor will stay and involve local people in improving the Longfield Suite for all.” 

1st - Economy, Environment & Transport Scrutiny Commission, 7pm Bury Town Hall, public welcome 

3rd - Standards Hearing

4th - Civic Ball in aid of Mayoral charities, The Longfield Suite

6th - THE LINK- Opponents to Council plans to “reconfigure” the Longfield Suite will be forming a human chain around the Longfield Suite at 12.30pm - Come and join us - all welcome.

7th - Area Partnership Chairs meeting

14th - Climate Change Working Group 5pm, Bury Town Hall - Public welcome 

16th - FULL COUNCIL - Meeting of all Bury Councillors, 7pm Bury Town Hall. Public welcome.

17th - Manchester City Council Planning Committee to decide in application to build Goals soccer Zone in Heaton Park. GET YOUR OBJECTIONS IN NOW.

22nd - Prestwich Civic festival of Carols and lessons, St.Mary’s Parish Church

Last night I attended the first campaign meeting of the Save Our Suite Campaign group formed to fight Bury Councils proposals that threaten the future of the Longfield Suite.

At last nights meeting we essentially agreed what needs to be done to take the campaign forward and volunteers agreed to carry out certain tasks on behalf of the group.

The first key event is the LINK event to form a humain chain around the Longfield Suite to let Bury Council know exactly how local people feel about the Longfield Suite.

The Link is on sunday, December 6th at 12.30pm.

Now a campaign group has been established further activities are being planned which we hope local people will join in with. It is essential as many local people as possible get involved to fight for our community centre, otherwise Bury Conservatives will damage it forever.

Last night the probable timetable set by Bury Conservatives to decide on the fate of the civic venues was also outlined which takes us up til next March at earliest. The Save Our Suite Campaign group pledged to fight the proposals all the way - Join us and make sure Prestwich keeps its community centre.

Keep an eye on postings here and in the local press. For more information visit the web site at www.saveoursuite.com . Also join the facebook Save the Longfield Suite page and tell everyone you know to back the campaign.

Today was one of those incredible days when everything seemed to going on at the same time and almost overlapping into a strange amalgam of politics and community events that occasionally present themselves.

The day started off with me making the first of 3 visits to the Longfield Precinct to drop off a table for the Save Heaton Park campaigners to use for the petition etc. After I had helped them setup I had a chat with the nearby Save the Longfield Suite campaigners - sited the otherside of the Longfield Suite entrance! Then I had a wander round the farmers market to see how things were shaping up.

I had agreed to do a shift collecting signatures for the Save Heaton Park campaign from 1 to 2 pm - and so I found myself back there then with fellow campaigner Brian. I have to say the response was tremendous - at times we were nearly swamped and often there was a queue of people keen to sign. It was extremely heartening to see such support from the local community.

Meanwhile I was delighted to see that the Longfield Suite campaigners were equally busy. With these two high profile campaigns going on it’s beginning to feel like Prestwich under siege!

After my stint with assorted petitioners it was great to spend some time at the farmers market with my better half. some excellent stuff available and more stalls than previously. Finally I returned at 3 to collect my “campaign” table and watch the arrival of our celebrity “becky” from Corrie for the Christmas lights switch on.

All in all  a great days campaigning to protect local community “assets” and to see such a successful farmers market and lights switch-on. I guess Christmas starts here.

I was delighted to have been able to attend the Groundwork Environment Awards last night in Bolton.

I was there mainly as Chair of Prestwich Area Partnership, we were a finalist for a community award because of the success of the Love Prestwich campaign and The Big Clean.

Sadly we didn’t win- so my oscar style gushing acceptance speech remains unused for another year, however it was a tremendous evening. It was fascinating to see so many wonderful projects across the public, private and voluntary sectors highlighted and showing what can be done to improve our environment and work towards a more sustainable future.

It was also great to see Prestwich so well represented. The community category that the Area Partnership was a finalist in had no less than two other Prestwich finalists - the Rainsough Charitable Trust, who were commended for their tremendous work of improvements at Rainsough cemetery and Rooden Court Action group for their community garden and landscaping work.

It goes to show what a vibrant community we have in Prestwich. 

So congratulations to those groups and all the other finalists last night and especially the winners.

Last night The Save Heaton Park campaign held a public meeting to launch the final push to stop Goals Soccer centres building pay-to-use sports pitches on open grass in a corner of the park near to houses.

Following an update on progress so far to the packed St.Margarets Church Hall in Prestwich, a short video was shown of a Goals centre somewhere else so residents could see what they can expect if these plans get the go-ahead.

GET YOUR OBJECTION IN NOW

The plans are set to go before Manchester City Councils Planning Committee on December 17th. If you objected previously you will need to object again. But please in any case if you value the openness and natural beauty of Heaton Park please please get your objections in now.

COMPETITION

Also a competition has been launched for people to take photos of this corner of the park, draw, paint or write poetry with great prizes worth £200 open to all ages.

Details of the competition, letters and suggested actions are all available on the Save Heaton park web site at www.saveheatonpark.org.uk  

ACT NOW TO STOP THEM BUILDING ON HEATON PARK - DON’T LEAVE THE FUTURE OF HEATON PARK TO SOMEONE ELSE 

Tonights Prestwich Area Partnership was dominated by news that the Area Partnership Manager is to be moved to a different area.

Bury Council Management have decided that Area Partnership Managers will be rotated around the Borough every two years to help them develop their personal skills.

It was clear tonight that their was considerable upset and anger at the news. I made a short statement on behalf of Prestwich Councillors that I nor my fellow councillors have ever been consulted on this decision.

I further confirmed that we believe that to rotate managers would be detrimental to the efficiency of the area initiative and the delivery of local goals and objectives.

Finally I confirmed that all Prestwich councillors are opposed to the decision and I finished by calling on Bury Council to reverse this decision to rotate managers.

Councillors from all 3 Bury political parties have been opposed to this, 5 out of 6  Area Partnership Chairs are opposed to it, many local partners and community members are opposed to it, the area partnership managers are opposed to it.

In fact most people seem to be against it. Two people however DO support it, Cllr Yvonne Creswell and the Assistant Chief Executive. In fact at a recent meeting of the Area Partnership Chairs, Cllr Creswell confirmed that this is an officer decision.

So the question has to be put; Who is in charge at Bury Council? Do Bury Conservatives support this, or are they being kept in the dark and being told to support it? I know several conservative councillors that don’t support the decision to move partnership managers, but they seem to feel unable to change anything, despite the fact that they are in charge?

Read the rest of this entry. Read the rest of this entry.

Prestwich Local Area Partnership Meeting this week, at 6.30pm, Thursday 12th November, Heaton Park Primary School.

Prestwich Local Area Partnership will showcase Prestwich Winter Wonderland which kicks of on Sunday 22 November with a bumper Prestwich Christmas Farmers Market and Christmas Lights Switch On at The Longfield Shopping Centre with not only top Coronation Street Star Katherine Kelly (Becky) to switch on the lights.

There will be lots of family entertainment to enjoy this splendid day with top local entertainment, Dave K, a Town Cryer, Besses o’th Barn Brass Band, Pop Star Academy, Prestwich Arts College Choir, Sweeky the Clown and Santa’s Grottos of course.

Prestwich Library have pulled its own cracker for the visitors at the Farmers Market to drop in with their children to enjoy Carnival of the Animals Story time and mask-making 11am-12 for children under aged 10 and under in Prestwich Children’s Library and a FREE prize draw for a big cuddly blue teddy bear. (Please contact the library to book your place), a chance for children to write your letters to Santa and post them in the post-box at the Santa Grotto,

Local History Displays – with Craig Brisbane, Guitar Class & Art Society Demonstrations and a one off Computer Taster Session – ‘Shop till you Don’t Drop!’ teaching shoppers how to online shop from the comfort of your home 11-1pm. There’s even a chance to pop in and see Prestwich Hospital Exhibition. What a Cracker!

Read the rest of this entry. Read the rest of this entry. Read the rest of this entry.

I was honoured to be able to attend the Prestwich Remembrance service and parade today and to lay a poppy wreath on behalf of the Mayor of Bury.

It is noticeable that more people are attending the cenotaph these days. Clearly with the Afghanistan conflict and more and more touched by the tragedy of loss, that they want to show their respects and their support.

It was particularly poignant today with the terrible loss of 5 young people cut down by an Afghan policeman so uppermost in the minds of many there.

Following the service we learned of a further two soldiers killed today, and our thoughts and prayers must go out to family and friends of those and all those that have been lost over this past tragic month and the past year.

I must add my congratulations and thanks to the members and officers of Prestwich British Legion for once again managing the arrangements and providing a much needed and appreciated tea/biscuits etc afterwards.

Well over 200 local residents packed into the Longfield Suite in Prestwich last night and sent a clear message to Bury Council that they want to keep the Longfield Suite.

At a previous meeting residents had demanded that the Leader of the Council, Cllr Bob Bibby attend to face concerned residents, and he attended for an hour with Mike Kelly, Bury Council’s Deputy Chief Executive.

Following introductions from meeting organiser, Cllr Vic D’Albert and a statement from Cllr Bibby questions were taken from the floor.

Vic D’Albert commented, “I think it’s fair to say Cllr Bibby received a real grilling on proposals for the future of the Longfield Suite as residents demanded explanations and more details about the so-called reconfiguration planned. Sadly Cllr Bibby was generally unable to respond positively to any great satisfaction of those present.”

“What pleased me most about last nights meeting was not just the turnout, which for a miserable bonfire night evening, was excellent, but the broad representation of Prestwich residents that were present.”

“I hope Cllr Bibby has now taken notice of the strength of feeling from local people on this issue and I would urge him to show he has listened by scrapping the “Task & Finish” officer group he has established and to instead work with local people and councillors in an open and transparent way to look at how the Longfield Suite can be improved in every way to become a more sustainable and even more attractive community centre.”  

“It’s a great shame Cllr Bibby had to leave the public meeting to attend a Conservative meeting as many more people had questions to put to the Council leader. However we hope he has listened to those he did hear, and we now expect action. Meanwhile I would just thank all who attended last night and those who have volunteered to help with the campaign - it’s just a shame we needed to do it in the first place.”

2nd - Bury Liberal Democrats Annual General Meeting

3rd - Area Partnership Chairs Meeting, Bury Town Hall

3rd - Joint Scrutiny Climate Change Working Group

4th - Meeting with Longfield Precinct businesses

5th - PUBLIC MEETING: Save the Longfield Suite campaign. 7pm at the Longfield suite with the leader of Bury Council. All welcome,

6th - Bury Liberal Democrats Annual Dinner

8th - Remembrance Sunday - Prestwich Service at Heaton Park Congregational Church followed by parade and wreath laying ceremony at Prestwich Cenotaph on Rectory Lane.

10th - St.Michaels RC Primary School, Whitefield, Governors Meeting

12th - Prestwich Area Partnership, from 6.30pm, Heaton Park Primary School, Cuckoo Lane, Prestwich ALL WELCOME

16th - Standards Committee, 6pm, Bury Town Hall. Public welcome

19th - Street Lighting Sub-Group, Bury Town Hall

Well the show went on as they say. No doubt whether it should or shouldn’t have will be long debated.

But it was clear last night that the persistent challenging of the BNP by the other panelists on their much publiscised right wing views did start to get to the heart of the matter. Griffin struggled to explain past quotes and failed to explain their policies.

Policies that until now they had publicly dressed up in a cloak of moderation and nationalism were becoming exposed as rascist, bigoted, homophobic, islamaphobic, divisive, illiberal and intolerant. In fact against everything Britain stands for. The mask definitely started to slip.

In that respect it’s only a shame he was subject to more forensic scrutiny as at times panelists were clearly allowing their hatred of the BNP to (understandably) get the better of them a little.

However at the end of the day, I just wonder how many current or would-be BNP voters actually watched Question Time last night because its not Nick Griffin and his mob we need to go after it’s the potential BNP voter. The problem remains the same. Mainstream parties need to persuade BNP supporters that we are worth voting for and that means we have to take their concerns seriously and find solutions.

When mainstream politics re-engages with that massive swathe of dissilusioned, apathetic voters that feel deserted and let down, then the BNP will be defeated.

Commenting after the defeat of a Liberal Democrat Opposition day motion calling for Government, Parliament, and all public sector bodies to cut their carbon pollution by 10% by the end of 2010, Vic D’Albert, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Bury South said: “This is a bad day not just for Parliament, but our country and the planet.

“The Government has failed to understand the level of public support for the 10:10 campaign or to get the message that people want real political action now to tackle dangerous climate change.

The 10:10 campaign calls on people/organisations and Governments to pledge to take decisive action to cut carbon emissions by 10% in 2010.

“Britain needs a Government which sets an example and delivers immediate and ambitious carbon reductions in the UK. Today the Government has failed to show leadership and send a clear message to the rest of the world that Britain will take action on climate change now.

Last year Liberal Democrats successfully added an 80% emission reduction target to the Climate Change Act and continue to press for Green taxes both to drive down emissions and to gradually replace traditional tax mechanisms.

“The Liberal Democrats will continue to show political leadership in dealing with the climate crisis and we will continue to give the strongest backing to the 10:10 campaign.”On Wednesday October 28th, Bury Councillors will be debating a motion to commit Bury Council  to the 10:10 campaign. “I hope for the sake of our town and it’s future citizens that the whole Council will rally behind the 10:10 banner and start to seriously examine ways and means to cutting carbon emissions in Bury.”

If you would like to join with me in taking the pledge to cut carbon emissions by joining the 10:10 campaign go to www.1010uk.org

Cllr Bob Bibby, Conservative leader of Bury Council has agreed to face prestwich residents over the Longfield Suite proposals.

At the last public meeting residents demanded that Council leaders face them to explain the proposals and listen to their case for keeping the Longfield Suite as it is.

As a result I have now organised a further public meeting on:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH at THE LONGFIELD SUITE, from 7.00 pm

Council Executive member, Cllr Beverley Sullivan has agreed to Join Cllr Bibby to hear residents concerns.

If you have a question you would like putting, but can’t make the meeting please email me on vic@burylibdems.net.

In the meantime if you would like to sign the petition it can be downloaded here: sos_petition.pdf 

Just print off, sign and return either to myself or one of my Prestwich Council colleagues. 

Please find details of half term activities for next week in Prestwich for details of other events outside Prestwich during half term and all year round  you can visit Bury Council’s What’s On guide at  http://www.bury.gov.uk/Events/default.htm 

May I take this opportunity to ask if you are the parents/guardians  responsible for children who may Trick or Treat to ask them to take proper care when they knock on a door, if it is not answered, to walk away.  Many residents are vulnerable and do not wish to answer doors in the evening.

BUTTERSTILE SCHOOL

Dance Talent — Free October Half Term Workshop for children aged 4-11. Book ASAPSamantha IngramChildren’s Centre AdministratorButterstile 0161 253 7900

HEATON PARK SCHOOL

Free Sports Camp 10 am till 12 Mon-Fri, For further info call 253 7076

PRESTWICH CRICKET TENNIS & BOWLING CLUB

A Fun Event with a tennis theme will be held from 10.30 am to 12.00 noon on Wednesday 28th October 2009 aimed at children under 10 (although older children would be welcome). Entry fee £1 per child.12.30 pm - 3.00 pm, a tennis camp (coaching) where the charge will be £12 per person or £10 per person for members of the same family.Ring Keith on 0161 773 1677 for further details.  

SEDGLEY CHILDRENS CENTRE

Sedgley Children’s Centre would like to invite you to a Pink Community Café on Friday 30th October 10am - 1pm to raise money for Breast Cancer.For further information Tel: 253 7476

VENWOOD ROAD BALLZONE  Ballzone Sports Camp – Mon-Fri,1pm till 3.30.pmFor further info call 253 7076

ELMS COMMUNITY CENTRE, GREEN LANE WHITEFIELD from 6 to 7pm

Come along , say hello and find out more about Vic D’Albert, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Bury South at the next General election.

What are your priorities for the next Government? What kind of MP do you want? Do you have a burning question you would like to put to Vic?

Following last nights Public meeting organised by local Lib Dems following concerns about the future of the Longfield Suite, Bury Councils Executive Committee has agreed to a special meeting in Prestwich.

At last nights well attended meeting residents called for the Council leadership to come to Prestwich and face the public over their plans to alter facilities at the Longfield Suite.

Vic D’Albert chaired the meeting and welcoming members of the public he told the meeting, “Coming only a couple of months after this Council adopted the Love Prestwich Strategy document, following the biggest ever public consultation in Prestwich, this amounts to nothing less than a betrayal of the wishes of local people”.

The meeting was also attended by St.Mary’s Cllrs Donal O’Hanlon and Mary D’Albert, Sedgley Councillor Steve Wright, Ivan Lewis MP and Michelle Wiseman.

Several organisers of events at the Longfield Suite spoke, highlighting how well used the facility is, all condemning the proposals and calling for protests. The overwhelming view of those attending was that the much prized dance floor should be retained and that the size of the Suite should be maintained.

One resident told Conservative, Michelle Wiseman, “You don’t understand, we like it the way it is, we want it to stay the same”. Under pressure from local residents Cllr Wiseman would only confirm that “the leader of the Council has given assurances that there will be a Council civic “amenity” in Prestwich”.

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Prestwich Local Area Partnership is supporting a range of Christmas festivities in the town with a grant of £1,500.

Throughout the run up to Christmas local residents and visitors will be able to visit a Christmas farmers market at Longfield Shopping Centre on Sunday 22 November.  The grant is also being used to support the Community Lights Switch On later that day as the finale to the day, as well as a community carol service at St Mary’s Church on the evening of Monday 21 December.

Continuing the Christmas theme, Church Lane Community Centre was awarded £3,000 from the Local Area Partnership to help fund equipment, such as tables, chairs and kitchen equipment for its newly refurbished building. This will allow the community centre to host a special reception during the community carol service.

And finally Downham Tenants and Residents Association will be helping elderly and disabled residents with their gardening as a £800 grant from the LAP has funded a sit-on lawn mower.

Councillor Vic D’Albert, Chair of Preswich LAP, said: “As we approach the Christmas period it is great to know that there will be a range of events taking place. This year the LAP has awarded £30,000 towards supporting local groups in Prestwich to support a variety of projects and this has helped make a real difference to our local community.”

Clearly Cameron’s speech to the Conservative conference yesterday was full of fine , warm, words for those suffering at the front line of the worst depression  for decades. However if you have lost your job , struggling to feed a family, maintain your dignity and confidence in the future and keep a roof over your head , would those words make a difference to you?

The thing is we’re not talking about some wonderful economic theory, or building aircraft carriers, or policies to address endangered species.  We’re talking about peoples lives, here, now, and how they can be helped to recover and thrive.

That is where yesterdays fine words fail to meet the reality of the people he was clearly trying to reach. Because when you scratch the surface it’s the same old Conservative Party. They say they want to help the poor, so they plan to cut benefits. They say they want to help struggling families, so they plan to cut public services.

To paraphrase a famous quote, the author of which I have temporarily forgotten (to my shame). “Why is it that when they want to encourage the rich to work harder they pay them more, and to encourage the poor to work harder they pay them less?”

Cameron and Osbourne are right. If they win the next election there will be a lot of pain to endure, and they will be inflicting it without pain killers. Same old Tories. Squeezing the public services to pay for tax cuts for the fortunate.

Do you support the Lib Dems? Why not join us at our Annual Dinner on November 6th at The Woodthorpe Hotel, Bury Old Road, Prestwich.

You can expect all the usual - great food, raffle/prizes, games and good company all in the fabulous surroundings of the refurbished Woodthorpe Hotel.

This year our guest speaker is Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell.

Tickets are £27.50 per person ( a table of 6 for £137.50 - one free place!)

Interested? Just get in touch email vic@burylibdems.net or phone me on 07770 403022. 

On tuesday night, Ocober 6th, I will be hosting my latest “MEET VIC” event. An opportunity to come and say hello, and tell me what you think about our Government and what the issues are that really matter to you.

Feel free to raise any issues or ask me about Lib dem policies, or bring local problems to my attention. I will do my best to help in any way I can.

And the added bonus (if you are so inclined) is you can have a drink as well if you like.

It’s from 6 to 7pm at the Frigate Pub, Thatch Leach Lane, Whitefield. I hope to see you then.

What struck me most about Gordon Brown’s speech to the Labour Party Conference was that with possibly just 7 months left of 13 years in government how little there was left to offer the British public.

Ok, so he rattled off some notable achievements, fair enough,  but after 12 years it would be expected that something will have been achieved, however he completely ignored many of this Governments failings. Labours trampling and abuse of civil liberties, the failure to control public debt, the banks encouraged to gamble with that public debt. Excessive government borrowing to fuel failed initiative after initiative.

The complete failure to get to the heart of the green agenda and take the world forward - a missed opportunity if ever the was one. The illegal war in Iraq, the failure to have an exit plan, the absence of an exit plan in Afghanistan. The ethical foreign policy that vanished into this air. The 3000 extra criminal offences on the statute book - but failure to tackle the fear of crime and rising violent crime. Overcrowded prisons, under funded Councils, and far too much dithering to deliver real help and support when and where needed - for instance to the growing young unemployed.

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1st -  Prestwich Area Partnership, from 6.30pm Butterstile Primary School

6th - MEET VIC - Public Forum, 6 - 7pm, The Frigate Public House, Thatch Leach Lane, Whitefield. Informal opportunity to meet me as Parliamentary candidate for Bury South, and to raise the issues that matter to you, find out a bit more about me and what I stand for.

12th - Heaton Park Primary School Governors Meeting

14th - Prestwich Town Centre Regeneration Working Group, 6pm Prestwich Library

14th - Prestwich Festival meeting, 7pm Prestwich Library

15th - Area Partnership Chairs Meeting, 6.30pm Bury Town Hall

16th - Lib Dems “Pies & Politics”, 7pm 15 Lowther Close, Prestwich (invitation only - contact me for an invite!) An evening of lively political debate in an informal atmosphere while presumably eating pies!

19th - MEET VIC - Public Forum, 6 - 7pm, Elms Community Centre, Green Lane, Whitefield. Informal opportunity to meet me as Parliamentary candidate for Bury South, and to raise the issues that matter to you, find out a bit more about me and what I stand for.

22nd - Street Lighting Working Group, 6.30pm Bury Town Hall

28th - Full Meeting of Bury Council, 7pm Bury Town Hall, public welcome

I was delighted to be on hand to join in the presentation to Zack Hipps for winning the Prestwich Festival, “Prestwich has Junior Talent competition”.

Zack was presented with a framed canvass photo of himself with his sister - whom he beat in the competition, and a certificate of achievement.

I remember the competition very well. It was a lovely (rare) summers evening and there were some great performances from the young people. To me the whole event epitomised what the festival was all about. Hopefully next years event will be even bigger and better, but in the meantime congratulations to Zack, his sister and undoubtedly their very proud parents.

You can read the full speech here:

http://www.libdems.org.uk/news_detail.aspx?title=Speech%3a_Nick_Clegg_delivers_his_speech_to_Autumn_Conference&pPK=8751593d-e92b-47fa-b6d3-61cd48e7d55d

I would like to take this opportunity to wish friends, neighbours and residents celebrating the muslim festival of Eid and Jewish New Year.

Very best wishes for joyful celebrations and for a happy and peaceful year ahead.

I attended an excellent meeting of Heaton Park Action Group last night. Members of the group have clearly been very busy contacting organisations, lobbying and pushing the word out.

The big news last night was that we learned that the Environmental Law Foundation that they are supporting our campaign and are providing legal advice and support. This is clearly a major boost to the campaign.

The other key point to emerge was that Manchester City Council seem to have conveniently misplaced the deeds to the park. In particular the deeds relating to the sale from the Ear of Wilton estate. The deeds will detail any covenants as to the use of or development of the park and so are a key aspect of the campaign.

This is either clumsy/ negligent or something more sinister. Clearly if Manchester City Council are adamant that the deeds do not prohibit a Goals Soccer centre in Heaton Park then all they have to do is show them - end of!

Watch this space for news of forthcoming campaign activity and don’t forget the campaign site www.saveheatonpark.org.uk and the Facebook site: Save Heaton Park

Plans for Heaton Park School’s Childrens Centre have been approved by Bury Council’s Planning Committee.

At last nights meeting the committee unanimously approved the plans for the new centre on Cuckoo Lane.

This will prove a tremendous asset for both the school but especially the local community. The School will be undergoing refurbishment soon and the Childrens Centre work is expected to be wrapped up in that development/refurbishment work.

When completed it will almost be the finishing touch to the transformation of Heaton Park Primary school that in addition to a nursery , will also be getting a recently approved nursery play area.

These facilities are most welcome in this area and much needed by the local community and especially valuable to nearby Polefield estate that is recognised as a deprived area.

At last nights Planning Committee I asked (on behalf of residents) that careful consideration be given to drainage issues surrounding the new development as in the past developments have adversely affected drainage of surface water into neighbouring properties. The committee noted my concerns

The long awaited regeneration of Prestwich village moved a step closer tonight when Bury Councils Planning Control Committee approved an outline planning application.

The initial outline application basically designates areas for use and provides a general overview of the proposals. This application will now be followed in the coming months with detailed applications relating to specific site developments.

I am pleased that the application was unanimously approved. St.Mary’s Ward Councillor Mary D’Albert sought clarification on the size of the proposed supermarket and assurances that the Longfield Suite will be unaffected and the new libary will be at least as big as the existing one.

St.Mary’s Lib Dem Councillor Donal O’Hanlon could not vote because he has a vested interest in the development as Chair of the Town Centre Regeneration Working Group that has monitored and pressed forward these proposals on behalf of the Area Partnership. He did however suggest a number of conditions of which one regarding contractors and subcontractors parking was adopted.

So onwards and upwards. Developers will hopefully be working on key aspects/detailed applications now and there may well be detailed consultation with Town planners on the details.

It is also hoped that these detailed applications remain true to the Love Prestwich Strategy document which has been so well received and the the Area Partnership and Town Centre Regeneration Working Group remain an active consultee of the developers.

Watch this space - or to be more specific the Longfield Precinct space!

Last night was a case of one extreme to another. I started off in the Councils Economy and Environment Scrutiny sub group looking at the Local Development framework for Bury and ended up in a pub in Prestwich in a Tenants and Residents meeting.

LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

This important sub group is responsible for monitoring the progress of the production of the Local Development Framework and associated documents. The LDF looks at the allocation and use of all land throughout Bury and for instance identifies land for business use, housing and of course the green belt. Perhaps the most controversial aspects include the need to identify new sites for gypsy’s and travellers as well as identifying land for about 11500 new homes.

As if that wasn’t enough they have to deal with the impact of climate change which will dramatically affect areas prone to flooding which we were told will have an impact on Radcliffe and Ramsbottom proposals.

LDF documents are still work in progress at this stage and there is much consultation and examination before they become adopted as policy by the council, but clearly there will be significant challenges with wide ranging impact on most of Bury.

POLEFIELD TENANTS & RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

Following the LDF meeting at the town hall I had to rush to a meeting of Polefield TRA at the Parkside Hotel in Prestwich.

The meeting included tenants, police, Six Town Housing officers and myself. We received reports that suggested that things were pretty quite on the estate - limited anti-social behaviour.

Plans are progressing for a Halloween night disco for under 11’s at Heaton Park School and a public meeting in November.

Tenants raised concerns about speeding on the estate, the use of (often illegal) bikes and quad bikes etc and potentially dangerous junction of Cuckoo Grove, Polefield Hall Rd and Polefield Circle. I promised to request the Council to investigate possible improvements to this junction along with the provision of some improved street lighting and road repairs.

Along with fellow councillors Donal O’Hanlon and Mary D’Albert I visited St.Mary’s Church on their open day yesterday. I must confess the main draw for me on this occasion was the fact that the Church Tower was open.

With expert guidance from a Scout leader we were led up the tower first to the bell ringers chamber and then upwards to the tower roof.

I can tell you now this is no trip for the claustrophobic or for that matter tall or “wide”. A very narrow winding staircase with a low ceiling leads you up in semi-darkness in places. Clearly people in the middle ages were both short and anorexic! At times I was feeling ahead with my hands on the steps ahead of me.

However it was well worth the effort for the views from the top are amazing. On a fine sunny, clear day you could see scout moor wind farm in one direction, the chill factor ski slope near the Trafford centre, and the Manchester Hilton Hotel. Sadly you could also see the Radius apartments rising like a monster from the centre of Prestwich village. With excellent views of St.Mary’s park and the clough it also served to remind me how green Prestwich is.

If you ever get the chance to go up the tower go for it, it’s worth it. After we finally got down (which is at least as awkward), we decided we to buy tea and cake in church - purely to aid recovery of course.

I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit Sedgley Childrens centre at Sedgley Park School yesterday.

The centre opened in July 2008, so it was great to see how it had progressed in 14 months since. The centre caters for all Sedgley’s diverse community including the growing muslim community and the orthodox Jewish community.

It was amazing to see the amazing rage of events that take place over the course of a week and to see and hear first hand about the facilities available and to see how health and childrens services are using the facilities.

The centre is clearly going from strength to strength and there clearly great pride and enthusiasm amongst the staff for the important services they are offering.

Congratulations to Vicky and the team for all their endeavours and achievements to date,

Well Done! (and thanks for the tea).

Bury Conservatives are failing Bury. At present they are failing our local democracy and failing to engage/communicate with citizens. However that failure will inevitably lead to policy failures which will affect local people.

It could be the Youth Service, it could be on leisure facilities, it could be childrens services - watch this space.

In wednesdays full council debate on the Lib Dem democracy motion to improve public question time, scrutiny and decision making, the Tories failed to understand that good decisions don’t just materialise out of the the Chief executives office, or departmental heads and especially the Conservative Group.

Good policies arrive from a deliberative process that takes ideas, that investigates practical hurdles, that challenges all involved to meet client needs and , yes, ultimately can withstand the test of detailed scrutiny. Then and only then after such a process can we say our policies are tried and tested and ready for the open road.

After wednesdays ridiculous, arrogant and frankly insulting display from the Conservatives they might as well develop policy on the back of an envelope - or are they doing that already?

It has been said that scrutiny is dead in Bury - I would agree but I also fear democracy in Bury is seriously ill. Opposition parties will need to decide over the coming months what action we now take to improve scrutiny and democracy in Bury.

In the meantime I have seen enough of Conservative Government in Bury to know that I currently have no confidence whatsoever in this administration and no confidence in the Council leader. It’s time for change.

Yesterday afternoon I popped along to the Prestwich Horticultural Society’s annual show. In recent years this has been at the rather too spacious Prestwich Arts College Sports hall, this year it was held at the new Heaton Park Congregational Church on Heaton Street.

The wonderful (and very large!) blooms on display only served to emphasise the general absence of summer again this year, and that (absence) also served to highlight the wonderful effort and achievement of the exhibiting gardeners.

Once again there was also a grand display of show vegetables - probably the largest onions I have ever seen, alongside a junior section. As is traditional for me, I couldn’t resist a cup of tea and the raffle.

Well done to the organisers of what was clearly a well attended event.

9th - Full Meeting of Bury Council, from 7pm Bury Town Hall. Public welcome

14th - Local Development Framework Sub Group, 6pm Bury Town Hall, Public welcome

17th - Economy, Environment & Transport Scrutiny Commission, 6pm Bury Town Hall, Public welcome

The next meeting of Prestwich Area Partnership is October 1st, Butterstile School, Prestwich from 6.30pm

Along with my better half I attended the Farmers market at the longfield precinct today.

Even bigger and better than last time it once again seems to have been a great success. It really does add value to the precinct in so much as it brings quality produce to our precinct to provide an added attraction for local residents who hopefully will take advantage and visit other local shops and pubs/restaurants.

As always my eyes were bigger than my stomach and we overspent - but it’s all good stuff. The good news is that I understand that it is scheduled to come back at the end of November. Hopefully it will remain a regular attraction now.

In what can only be described as gross insensitivity, the compassion shown by the Scottish Government in releasing early the Lockerbie bomber due to terminal illness was swept away by an insulting act of hero celebration for his return home to Libya.

Despite pleas from the British and Scottish Government for the reception to be low key the response by the Libyans was appalling and clearly shows how unaware or utterly uncaring they are about the act of terrorism that was the lockerbie bombing.

If anything this heroes welcome for the lockerbie bomber just raises further concerns about our determination to “bring Libya into the international fold”, can they be trusted?

Today is the first ever World Humanitarian Day to honour international aid workers. The UN who announced World Humanitarian Day hope the event will focus attention on aid workers and increase support for their role.

Aid staff are working in increasingly dangerous environments and are frequently targets of attacks, it says.

Last year 122 international aid workers were killed, a death toll that was higher than that for UN peacekeeping troops.

The inaugural World Humanitarian Day falls on the sixth anniversary of the bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, in which 22 workers died.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the UN in in New York to remember the victims of the 2003 attack.

The day comes six years after the bombing of the UN’s Baghdad office

Over the past few years Aid workers have been increasingly seen as legitimate targets for killing or kidnapping as a tactic for some groups.

The UN hopes the day will serve as a reminder that aid work is based on a very simple principle: to bring impartial humanitarian relief to all those in need, our correspondent says.

I know very well the risks taken by aid workers. I have a cousin who has worked as an aid worker for the UN, and has been shot, assualted and held at gun point in her time. That’s on top of having to endure hostile conditions, with basic or little amenities - she has also suffered from food poisoning and infections as a result. But she loves the work and the relief aid brings is immensely satisfying.

In our violent world of strife, civil unrest, increased climate extremes and disruption aid work has never been more important and is literally a matter of life and death for millions and a crucial support for struggling nations.

Last night I was at two meetings.

The first was a Standards Hearing to hear a complaint made against a fellow councillor. I won’t go into the nitty gritty here, suffice to say you’ll read all about it soon enough in the press. However I would just say its one of the most unpleasant meetings I ever have to attend. Inevitably there are often some sympathies with the plight of the accused councillor but thankfully I was but one of a three man Hearing panel, I just hope ultimately the decision taken can be seen as fair. But these things are never easy.

SAVE HEATON PARK

Thankfully my second meeting was far more pleasant as it was meeting with the local residents opposed to the development of a games zone in Heaton Park. Its getting quite exciting now and the evidence being accumulated by the group is both substantial and damning of Manchester City Council and their approach to the great green parkland legacy that is Heaton Park and local residents.

This one will go all the way to the wire, and there is much more to come on this , but again you’ll read more in the press no doubt.

Last night I was delighted to be able to attend the leaving party of Prestwich Area Youth Manager, James Perkin.

James became Prestwich Youth service manager 2 years ago and along with the rest of the Prestwich team has done tremendous work in the area, developing youth projects, reinvigorating the Phoenix centre and engaging young people on the issues that matter to them.

At last night leaving party, the greatest testament to his work over the past two years was the tributes paid by the young people themselves, especially the members of the band formed from the live music project that has been created at the Phoenix centre. They performed a number of songs, some well known, some self penned - including a special composition “James’s Song” , written in his honour.

It was a great night, I said a few words, but the best words came from the young people themselves.

What struck me though, and I said this to those there, was how vulnerable our front line services are. Over reliant on 1 or 2 people in an area each day to effectively try and deliver a service. People if asked might think there were 100’s of youth workers, 100’s of police officers. Yet the reality is that we are reliant on a small handful of highly committed, dedicated public servants.

As such it brought home to me again last night how fragile and vulnerable the youth service currently is, with the Tory threats of “outsourcing” or privatising the service hanging over it.

What the Conservative administration failed to realise (or perhaps they planned it that way), was by announcing their proposals they have threatened the very existence of the youth service - before they can even outsource it.

Bury Council is in recess at the present so there are very few Council meetings organised.

1st Polefield Fun day 12.00 4pm

13th Prestwich Town Centre Regeneration working group, Wilton Room, Prestwich Library 6pm 

13th Standards Hearing, Bury Town Hall 7pm

14th Six Town Housing Road show. St.Mary’s Park 12-7pm

17th Local Development Framework Working Group, Bury Town Hall 6pm

20th Standards Committee, Bury Town Hall 7pm

23rd Prestwich Farmers Market

The next Prestwich Area Partnership meeting is on thursday, October 1st at Butterstile School from 6.15pm (start 6.30pm)

Back by popular demand! - Sunday 23rd August 9.30am - 2.30pm

It is hoped to have another Farmers Market in November to coincide with a Christmas Lights “switch on”

Alongside the market activities incldue:
- giant free raffle
- children’s ride
- face painter
- squeaky the clown
- bag piper

The Prestwich Big Clean is being launched on August 3rd, to try and deal with the numerous grot spots and graffiti in Prestwich.

The Big clean is being supported by Community Payback which sees offenders being used in the community as part of a restorative justice programme. Offenders are supervised at all times.

A large number of sites have already been identified but if you know of any please let us know by completing this form graffiti-grot-spot-log.pdf and emailing to c.o’grady@bury.gov.uk

A dissapointing and ultimately frustrating Planning Committee meeting last night saw Bury Council respond with little more than a whimper over Manchester Councils plans for a sports zone at the St.Margarets end of Heaton Park.

The proposal for 12 soccer pitches and 6 tennis courts to be developed on open park land has dismayed local residents already subjected to intolerable levels of traffic and street parking. Now they fear noise and light pollution up to 11pm at night and even worse traffic and parking.

At last nights meeting the plans were before Bury for comment as part of required consultation with neighbouring authorities.

I addressed the committee calling for the council to recommend increased parking provision, floodlights to be switched off at 9pm in summer and 8pm in winter, an independant traffic and noise impact study and guaranteed use of the facilities for Prestwich/Whitefield clubs, associations and schools.

Officers had already recommended a floodlight turn off at 10pm rather than 11pm and a recommendation that Manchester ensure adequate parking ie provision meets demand.

A colleague of mine challenged the assertion that St.Margarets Road could cope with the increased traffic and another councillor called on Manchester to arrange a public consultation meeting in Prestwich. My requests were not taken on board.

Overall residents (and I) left dissapointed because firstly they were not allowed to speak. (3 minutes is all they wanted, Why not!!!) And secondly because yet again Bury reacts with all the venom of a rotting lettuce when faced with recognising and backing the concerns of their citizens over big brother Manchester.

What a let down. But the real fight continues too Manchester Town Hall where the full application is to be decided on September 10th.

Last night I was delighted to attend a reception to officially open Prestwich’s latest community facility.

A legacy to St.Mary’s Church, the former Pensioners Club on Church Lane has been refurbished and decorated and was last night re-opened as Church Lane Community Centre.

Following a lovely buffet and refreshments ,the Rev. Bryan Hackett was master of ceremonies and made a presentation to a former member of the Pensioners club before introducing the Bishop of Bolton who blessed the new facility.

I was then invited along with the other Cllr D’Albert to officially open the building by presenting the keys to a management committee member.

I was pleased to be able to congratulate all those involved in refurbishing the building, and said it would prove a tremendous asset to the Prestwich community for many years to come.

Throughout the reception members of the Halle Orchestra string section played a number of well known classics.  

I attended the “Stand up for Radcliffe” march on sunday afternoon organised by Churches Together and the local MP, however I am concerned that what was ostensibly a successful event with over 100 taking part, may have been marred by public comments by the local MP suggesting the Chief Executive of Bury Council had lied and had been dishonest regarding assurances given that all necessary contract had been (or would be) signed prior to Labour losing control of the council.

The allegations followed speakers including myself. First of all a representative of Radcliffe Churches Together was followed by a parent and a former head girl.

I then addressed the assembled marchers in Bury Council’s Town Hall car park. I thanked the organisers for providing this opportunity for concerned residents, parents and pupils to make their voices heard and made it clear that I was concerned that Bury Council was not listening to the concerns being raised about proposals for Radcliffe Riverside and The Derby High Schools. I said that Governments start failing the people when they stop listening to those that elected them. That leads to mistakes and in this case the mistakes they are about to make could disrupt and damage the education of many Radcliffe young people. Parents have a fundamental right to expect that their children will receive the best possible education from the local council.

Radcliffe deserves a first rate high school like every other town in Bury. Bury’s decision not only jeopardises the future of the new school to be built but will also have a damaging impact on Riverside pupils.

My comments were followed by Ivan Lewis’s allegations. Allegations that centre around apparent pledges made just prior to Labour losing control of the Council. According to Ivan Lewis the Chief Executive gave assurances that all necessary contracts re: the land for the new Riverside School were or would be signed before polling day. Subsequently this turned out to not be the case.

These allegations are extremely serious and will need to be investigated and responded to that is clear. However I am concerned that over and above these allegations the key issues are hear and now, not something that happened or didn’t happen two years ago.

We need to address real concerns faced by parents and pupils around the possible disruption of education, transport issues, disabled access and more.Sadly Ivan’s comments distract from those very real concerns and it is now likely that an almight row will now blow up about who said what and when, at a time when we should be addressing the concerns of the school community.

That’s the story of last nights busy Prestwich Area Partnership meeting at Sedgley Park School.

PRESTWICH FESTIVAL

The meeting was opened with a rolling slide show of photos from the 55 events held throughout Prestwich Festival. I took the opportunity to highlight how the festival came about and to thank all those that played a part in ensuring its success. I also requested feedback from residents who attended any of the events also with suggestions about to improve the festival next time.

OASIS CONCERTS

Graham Atkinson, Bury’s Director of Leisure services, reported back on the issues faced by Bury Council and the cross council  coordination of the Oasis concerts. He highlighted all aspects of the operation and identified areas to improved on next time. Which included aspects of parking and toilet provision, crowd dispersal at the end of concerts. Public transport issues  and nuisance/anti-social behaviour. A report is currently being compiled.

HIGHWAYS

We received a report with the delegated budget for local unclassified road repairs for the year. Prestwich is being offered just over £62,000 to spend. the report highlighted that the 13 worst streets in Prestwich needed repairs totaling £700,000. Its fair to say the Area Partnership was not amused. A resolution was passed highlihting our dissatisfaction and calling on the Council to review the situation as a matter of urgency and to get to grips with this issue that is now approaching crisis point.

HEATON PARK GAME ZONE

Residents from St.Margarets area attended open forum to raise the issue about Manchester’s plans for a private game zone in Heaton Park. In response the Area Partnership passed a resolution in support of residents and to inform Bury and Manchester Planning of our deep concerns about their proposals.

NEXT MEETING

October 1st, Butterstile Primary School arrive from 6.15 for 6.30 start.

Prestwich Local Area Partnership takes place this Thursday, 9 July 2009 from 6.30-8.30pm, at Sedgley Park Primary School, Bishops Road, Prestwich.

The Local Area Partnership brings together the local councillors in Prestwich, partner agencies like Police, NHS and Six Town Housing, and community group representatives.

Councillors and partners will be available from 6.00 to meet up with local people, the meeting starts with formal business at 6.30, and then the public open forum where everyone can have their say is around 7.30pm.

Main Agenda Items

The main agenda items include:
- report and evaluation of the Love Prestwich Festival
- reports from the Area Manager, Police, Childrens Services and Youth Services
- report on Oasis Feedback
- Highway Repair proposals
- local grants.

Local Area Partnership Papers

Agenda (pdf 38kb).

Action notes (pdf 104kb).
Local area partnership manager update (pdf 47kb).

Highways refurbishment programme (pdf 51kb).

All members of the public are welcome to attend.

Hundreds of local residents gathered in the threatened area of Heaton Park today to protest at Manchester City Council plans for a giant game zone area tobe developed there.

I was delighted to join protesters to help make the point that this area is valued by local people and to send the message loud and clear to Manchester that Heaton Park isn’t for sale!

My colleague Cllr Tim Pickstone reminded residents that parks don’t get “built” these days so when this is developed on it will be lost forever.

1st - Area Partnership Chairs, Bury Town Hall

7th - Climate Change Working Group, Bury Town Hall

8th - Bury Council Executive Committee, Bury Town Hall 6pm

9th - Prestwich Area Partnership, Sedgley Park School, Bishops Rd, from 6pm for 6.30 start

15th - Economy, Environment and Transport Scutiny Commission, Bury Town Hall

Today is the first Armed Forces Day -a day to remember past and serving armed forces personnel.

Taking into account the extraordinary service and committment of our service personnel across the world and domestically in recent years then surely this commemorative day is not before time.

This country is naturally proud of the men and women who serve this country, often in extremely difficult not to mention dangerous cirumstances. Prepared to lay down their lives if necessary.

I for one will be remembering past members of my family that have served this country and thinking of those especially in Afghanistan and still in Iraq that are being called on to risk the ultimate sacrifice.

Yesterday was Prestwich Carnival - and the climax to the Ist Love Prestwich Festival
Despite gloomy skies and an early shower the weather played ball. And the crowds came out in their thousands.
Congratulations to the organisers and the stall holders and parade participants that all played their part in ensuring it was a great day for all concerned. Well done to everyone involved.

More pictures here.

To all fellow hard working, long suffering, dedicated rivers of paternal love and affection out there!

Well no harm in making the most of the occassion is there.

Off to Prestwich Carnival shortly to rattle a bucket, while daughter sleeps off the excesses of her latest visit to Manchester’s nightlife. No doubt big card and pressy on their way, uhmm.

And to avoid confusion this isn’t the mythical heavenly paradise of tranquility and beauty, rather the once a month entertainment-fest at Prestwich’s Carlton Club. I know, I know, it’s easy to make the mistake.

Sadly I couldn’t stay all night due to my “other halfs” ear drums insisting they had suffered enough. For the record, I enjoyed the entertainment  (I am a sucker for any live music) - the comic, Verne Griffiths and Antistar a 5 piece rock band that made an excellent debut perfomance. I also particularly enjoyed the update about the shangri-la cat “Barry”. Believe me you had to be there.

Well done to the organisers, I can’t begin to imagine how difficult it is to put together a monthly variety enetertainment such as shangri-la, but its an excellent event and long may it have continued success and go from strength to strength.

Of course a few people recognised me as a local politician - one jester questioned whether I would be putting this on my expenses. Ho Ho Ho, how I laughed.

It’s started with a storm at Prestwich Clough and should end in glorious sunshine at Prestwich Carnival. After 35 days, 55 events, 1,000’s of visitors to events, money raised for charity Prestwich Festival puts its feet up and says goodbye for 2009 with a final weekend of fun.

The final push starts tonight with a Friday Night Social - Shangri La at 8pm at, Carlton Club, Bury Old Road featuring live music and a stand up comedian. And of course this will be followed by the customary bumper weekend of family entertainment at the Prestwich Carnival.

On Saturday 20 June a Football Tournament organized by FC United of Manchester will take place from 9am until 4pm at St. Mary’s Park.

In addition the Friends of Butterstile School will be holding their traditional fund day from 12.00 noon at Butterstile Primary School. As part of the fun all the children from the school will have the chance to enter a series of competitions to celebrate Prestwich, the four categories are photographs, poems, paintings or portraits. I understand Cllr Donal O’Hanlon is in the stocks for the wet sponge throwing. Now that’s an attraction not to be missed!

And finally on Sunday 21 June Prestwich Carnival Grand Parade kicks off at 1pm. The Parade arrives in the park at 2.30pm with six arenas showcasing local talent.

Read the rest of this entry. Read the rest of this entry. Read the rest of this entry. Read the rest of this entry.

If you give your people a vote to decide their Government, they expect it to count, If you tell the world you are holding democratic elections, then you have to accept the results. 

The lesson over the past week (and sadly repeated time and time again) is that democracy and fair votes is a serious business. It is to be protected, nurtured, developed. Not undermined, tampered with and discarded at will. It is not a showcase PR event for 24 hour news.

If you ask the question you have to be prepared for an answer you don’t like!

So whether it’s the Irish referendum on the Lisbon treaty, Irans elections or for that matter Gordon Browns reform of our democracy and voting reforms, politicians should remember democracy has the words “Fragile, handle with care” stamped all over it.

I applaud the Council’s Planning Committee for last night sticking to their guns and refusing the planning application from Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School to build a new school on green belt land near Old Hall Lane in Whitefield.

I know there were other factors, notably the under capacity at the school , but to my mind the overriding factor is that green belt land should not be built on. There is rarely an argument strong enough in my opinion to warrant removing for all time yet another green corner of our land. We must continue to take all necessary actions to protect and preserve our green belt.

So far as the school is concerned I understand their dissapointment and frustration. I would urge them to continue looking for a better location - perhaps a brownfield site in the area - but would ask them to see the big picture here, and try and understand the need to protect our diminishing green belt.

So Gordon Brown has finally set out plans for an inquiry into the Iraq war. Something tat the Lib Dems have been calling for years. But there are problems.

Firstly, he says it will be held in private and secondly it will take over a year - ie taking it past the date of the next general election.

So far as holding the inquiry is concerned, I appreciate the need to guard state secrets, operational issues etc BUT there is a need to satisfy public concern and in some quarters , outrage at being led into an illegal war. Therefore there is a need to to have an element in the public domain, because there is a need to put the record straight, to come clean and to remove any doubt or concern over a potential cover up or white wash over events that transpired.

As for conveniently publishing the findings after the General Election, well I suppose its no real surprise. I doubt that there is anyone outside the Cabinet and certainly the Labour party that wouldn’t believe that this is being “managed” to minimise the impact, and I suspect that the publication date of the report is merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to damage limitation.

So much for open government.

 Tonight I attended the latest Prestwich Festival event, “Prestwich has junior talent”. No prizes for guessing that the event, which was held in St.Mary’s Park, is based on the Britains got talent show. Mercifully the judges are lot kinder!

It was a marvellous event, with a couple of hundred people there, in glorious sunshine, and we were treated to performances from 8 talented young people from local schools. The event was organised by Parrenthorn and Prestwich Arts College - with their pupils managing the staging, lighting and sound etc.

All in all great entertainment and for me it’s what the festival is all about. Bringing local people together in local facilities, showcasing local talent, well done one and all!

Local Lib Dem Councillors have praised clean-up staff following recent Oasis concerts in Heaton Park, but voiced concerns that not enough was done to protect local people during the recent events.

The concerts, which saw 210,000 people enjoy music in the park over three nights, generated controversy over noise, but passed largely without major trouble.

Commenting on the concerts, Cllr Vic D’Albert, Liberal Democrat member for Holyrood and Parliamentary candidate for Bury South said “What’s clear is that over 200,000 people came to Prestwich and had a great time. But there were lots of problems for the people that live here, and we need to get the balance right. Before Manchester City Council think about having more concerts here, they need to think about Prestwich residents.”

Residents complained about excessive noise, particularly on the first night when a power failure caused a delay to the end of the concert. Cllr D’Albert said “Of course there was going to be noise, but I think continuing until 11.25 was too late, and I will be demanding that this never happens again. I want to know why the stage was set up facing the houses of Prestwich rather than the open space of the park, and why revellers weren’t moved on quicker at the end. This was particularly unpleasant for older residents and people with young children.”

Parking arrangements were only partially successful. Vic D’Albert said “We were given assurances that public transport would work and parking wouldn’t be a problem. Whilst streets in St Margaret’s and Sheepfoot Lane were well protected, those in Sedgley and Rhodes were not, and this wasn’t good enough. Buses and taxis were dropping off people in the wrong place, and queues for trams were very long. We need improvements to help residents.”

Cllr D’Albert did praise some aspects of the organisation. “I thought the street cleaning service was excellent, and lots of local people enjoyed a concert, either as paying spectators or for free in their gardens. A lot of local people enjoyed themselves, and local businesses received a welcome boost in trade. The gigs have raised the profile of Prestwich, and that’s great. In addition, some of the profits will be spent improving local parks, so people will see long term benefits as a result of short term disruption.”

“Prestwich Local Area Partnership will receive a report into all aspects of the concerts, and make this available to local people so that we can represent their views. I look forward to working with everyone - local people, and Bury and Manchester Councils - to make sure that if these things are to happen again, we in Bury make Manchester City Council learn from what happened.

There’s certainly room for improvement, but perhaps not for 200,000 people across three nights in quick succession. We need to deal with the noise better, reduce the numbers and restrict activity to sensible times and durations. We need to strike a balance between Prestwich people and money for Manchester.”

The drawn out process that started with abysmal local election results for Labour on thursday and finished with abysmal European election results last night served only to prolong the agony and confirm our fears for the state of british politics.

The mathematics of the European elections meant that the collapse in the Labour vote allied to reduced turnout directly related to the fascist BNP leader getting elected last night.

The results did favour the Conservatives, undoubtedly- again part of the mathematical process under this style of PR but don’t be taken in by Camerons spin on this. Voters were hardly flocking to the Tories - up just 1% to 27% of the total vote.

Once again my party , the Lib Dems, suffered for sticking to its principles in support of the EU and our committment to improving it rather than dismantling it as some would. But we held our seats and only lost 1%.

The real worry is the fragmentation of our political system, the spread of the vote widened further not just to the extreme parties such as BNP, UKIP, and English Democrats but across a plethora of small parties making up a spectrum of the odd, the eccentric, the self-interested and the extreme.

The expenses scandal has clearly damage mainstream politics further and coupled with successive Government failure to address the issues facing many led to growing disilusionment with the established parties. One wonders how long the clock will tick before the timebomb of extremism will go off in our faces? Because then it will be too late.

I know many politicians local, national or international of all parties work their socks off to tackle their constituents issues. So why is it that the parties of Government are apparently paralysed and unable to respond to the screams from our streets and estates?

What is clear is that Government has to start listening soon. This isn’t about Gordons job, its about our democracy, it’s about our way of life.

Following last nights first of 3 Oasis concerts at Heaton Park there are already massive questions looming.

From the perspective of local residents there has to be questions about the fact that the agreed end time was breached by at least 20 minutes. This was due to a generator and sound problems. Sorry but their technical difficulties encountered aren’t our problem.

And there has to be a question mark over the sheer volume of noise. I live perhaps half a mile from the venue and still could make out every word really felt for those living literally over the road and as such I do wonder whether a venue such as this so close to residential accomodation, in a fairly mature residential area is suitable for this kind of event as opposed to a football stadium.

Surely there could be other events staged that could generate income and be less intrusive or disturbing for local residents.

As I write a special debriefing meeting of last nights event is being held , with council officers, emergency services etc present.

As Area Partnership Chair, following these events I will be requesting a special report from the Council detailing the operation, any cost to the authority and highlighting problems etc. As local councillors I know myself and colleagues will hope to feed residents comments into such a report.

The fact is there are massive questions now being posed as a result of this event - do the authorities have satisfactory answers?

Councillors are calling on local people to join them for a community cleanup of  Drinkwater Park in Prestwich on Saturday 13th June as part of Prestwich Festival, with tickets to a gig by chart-topping act Lady Gaga on offer for volunteers. 

The clean-up is in partnership with Orange RockCorps, a national campaign to encourage local people to get involved helping their local community. In return for giving four hours of their time to clean up the park, participants get a ticket to an exclusive gig at Manchester Apollo on 13 July featuring Lady Gaga and N-DUbz. 

Liberal Democrat Councillor Vic D’Albert, the chair of Prestwich Local Area Partnership who are organising the Prestwich Festival, said “This is a great project, and hopefully the opportunity to see Lady Gaga will help lots of people get involved.”

Volunteers on the day will have a chance to be involved in lots of park improvement work. Cllr D’Albert said “Volunteers can help with painting, fencing & barriers works, litter picking, and working on trees, bushes and shrubs. There’s something for everyone.”

The event is open to all, but young people are particularly encouraged to get involved. If you are aged 16 - 25 and interested in volunteering at this event or any others contact Bury vinvolved on 0161 274 3299. 

Cllr D’Albert concluded by saying: “Drinkwater Park is a hidden gem in Prestwich.
This gives local people the chance to make it better and pick up some free tickets to see an international star in concert, all as part of Prestwich Festival. It’ll be an exciting day.”

For more information log on to www.orangerockcorps.co.uk.

Today is polling day. Many people are understandably angry with Parliament over the expenses scandal, many are undoubtedly dissillusioned with British politics. And I know many are toying with the idea of voting for one of the extremist parties such as the BNP or UKIP.

Whatever you do today please don’t vote for the extremists, politics may be damaged but backing extremists will damage Britain. Please vote and please try and vote for one of the mainstream parties.

If you want a strong British contingent working in Europe for Britains future then vote Lib Dem.

Europe: Stronger together, poorer apart. 

I was delighted to attend the latest meeting of the Save Heaton Park campaign tonight.

Tonights meeting focused on updating residents with work done so far and then identifying what needed to happen next and how we should take the campaign forward.

It was interesting to hear from residents on various aspects of “evidence gathering” and lobbying for support from varied organisations and individuals and it was agreed that we  now need to start feeding that information into a central point.

In addition residents highlighted a number of key areas that needed to be looked into further and information that needed to be accessed and it was therefore agreed that an action committee is now established. 6 volunteers have agreed to join that committee and coordinate future action on behalf of local residents.

I pledged my continuing support to the campaign to save Heaton Park from development and I told the meeting that now is the time to stop talking about the issues and start taking action.

And so it was agreed that a number of innitiatives would be developed over the next few weeks to spread the word and to take the campaign to Manchester City Council, Bury Council and local media.

If you would like to offer your assistance to the campaign please don’t hesitate to contact me and don’t forget to visit the excellent web site set up by my colleague, Cllr Tim Pickstone at www.saveheatonpark.org.uk where you can also sign the petition and let everyone know about the site and the campaign - spread the word!

Hazel Blears, the latest resignation from Brown’s marooned and paralysed Government, was both inevitable in the wake of her part in the expenses scandal, but also necessary.

Part of the process of clearing up the mess in British politics has to be a clear out of all those tarnished and damaged as a result of the ongoing expenses scandal. Thats why Hazel Blears and others have to go.

Only then alongside the necessary reforms can we begin to move on and begin to restore trust and confidence from the British Public.

Sadly, she for the moment at least has only resigned from the cabinet. She needs to step down as an MP as well. We have to cleanse the system of those that have abused their privileged positions in our society.

Please find attached a pdf copy of a letter being distributed to residents providing information for residents about the forthcoming Oasis concerts on 4th, 6th and 7th June.

I also attach a list of frequently asked questions that is on the back of the letter.

oasis_hp_letter_front.pdf

oasis_hp_letter_back.pdf

June 3rd - Save Heaton Park meeting from 7pm St.Margarets Church House. 

June 4th - European Elections Polling Day - polls open from 7am to 10pm.  

June 4th, 6th & 7th - Oasis come to town!

June 9th - Polefield Tenants & Residents Association

June 9th - St.Michaels RC Primary School Governors Meeting

June 21st - Prestwich Carnival and Parade, St.Mary’s Park

June 24th - Full Meeting of Bury Council, Bury Town Hall from 7pm 

Don’t forget in addition to the Carnival there is a full range of LovePrestwich Festival events taking place virtually every night between now and Carnival day on June 21st.

I have pledged my support to Scope’s “Time to get equal week” from June 8th to 14th.

Scope’s Time to Get Equal Week is a celebration of disabled people’s contribution to society and a chance to raise public awareness of the barriers disabled people face in their day-to-day lives.

Their campaign covers four main themes: Beating disabilism, freedom of expression, independent living and making rights a reality.

If you would like to pledge your support or get involved with their campaign go to www.timetogetequal.org.uk

The highlight of the second weekend of Prestwich Festival was undoubtedly the Farmers market on sunday.

With the weather behaving this weekend the crowds flocked to the Longfield precinct. But it wasn’t just about picking up some quality northwest produce, there was clowns, face painting town crier and bouncy castle for the kids as well.

I understand that the event was such a success that some stalls were running out of produce. As a result of this success it is hoped to now put on further farmers markets later in the year as well as repeating the event next Prestwich Festival.

CREATIVE LIVING CENTRE OPEN DAY AND DOMINOES CHALLENGE 

On saturday I visited the other main event of the weekend. The Creative Living centre behind TGI friday’s hosted an open day with stalls, music, food, bouncy castle etc. Great fund for all concerned.

One worry I am already facing is that a commom denominator of much of the festival so far would appear to be “FOOD”. Watch out for a much bigger version of me by Carnival day!

Well done to all those involved at the Creative Living Centre, I hope you raised much needed funds for your organisation. 

It would seem that the world of current affairs has got stuck in the groove of “expense-gate” recently. It actually took the end of a war (Sri-lanka civil war) to knock it off top place on the news!

As a political campaigner there is nothing more revitalising than getting out on the streets and meeting real people, hearing about real issues that affect peoples day to day living and quality of life. Thanks to the European Elections and the Radcliffe By-election thats exactly what I’ve been doing lately (when not enjoying the latest event in Prestwich festival!)

On the one hand you despair at the the claims for moat cleaning, swimming pool maintenance, duck islands and gi-normous plasma screen TV’s (and the rest).

But what is exhillarating is the great british public voicing their anger and giving the political extablishment a damn good kicking where it hurts most. In a perverse kind of way it shows our democracy and parliament really does matter to people. And so long as the anger and dissapointment is responded to properly by the political parties, I am convinced we will ultimately end up with a much better Parliament, better MP’s and better Government. That has to be the case because if things go in the opposite direction I fear for our democracy and future Governments. 

Back to the campaign trail (or Browns Waterloo as it seems to becoming), and it’s genuinely refreshing to hear peoples concerns about the local issues as well as national and international affairs. Its also good to know that not all politicians are viewed with distrust, dissapointment and disdain nor as fraudsters mired in sleaze and arrogance for their fellow man. No not all of us - just most of us !  

Congratulations to the Clough Centenary Committee and all those involved in Prestwich Clough Day 2009 at St.Mary’s Flower park, Prestwich.

As is often the case a war of nerves was played out with the weather, which on more than one occasion threatened to ruin the event, but as always everyone battled through and with typical British stiff upper lip stubbornness, people stuck it out.

Once again this event was well attended and hopefully aided by the extra publicity across Prestwich as the opening event in the Prestwich Festival.

Once again I failed miserably to get my hands on a fetish-for-food burger! (despite two attempts).

It was particularly enjoyable to see the enjoyment of the young children getting excited and carried away watching the punch and judy show. It just shows that entertainment doesn’t actually have to be “plugged in” to have fun and traditional entertainments can still be just as much fun  - if not more so.

Congratulations - on to the next event!

This was the week that…

·         Parliament was rocked by revelations about the misuse of MPs expenses [more]

·         One of David Cameron’s closest aides was forced to quit over his ‘unacceptable’ expenses claims [more]

·         Labour suspended a former minister from the parliamentary party [more] and accepted the resignation of the Justice Minister over the expenses scandal [more]

·         Two Labour peers faced suspension from the House of Lords after being found guilty of intending to accept money to amend legislation [more]

·         An opinion poll showed that Labour support has fallen to a record low [more]

·         A poll of Euro-election voting intentions showed a three-way tie for second place, with Labour, the Liberal Democrats and UKIP all on 19% [more]

·         European leaders criticised Cameron’s decision to move his party to the fringes of European politics [more]

·         Nick Clegg’s public approval rating continued to rise [more]

·         An expert on crime reduction said Labour had failed in its pledge to be ‘tough on the causes of crime’ [more]

·         On Burnley Council, Labour and Tory councillors teamed up with 4 BNP councillors to try to unseat the Lib Dem council leader [more]

Over the last week we learnt that…

·         The number of unemployed jumped 244,000 in the first three months of the year [more]

·         BT announced that it is to cut 15,000 jobs, mostly in the UK [more]

·         100 primary schools are closing every year as demand for places looks set to grow [more]

·         Alistair Darling’s economic forecasts are over-optimistic, according to the Bank of England [more]

·         Teenage crime has soared 60% under New Labour [more]

·         The government has cut funding by 25% for five key environmental initiatives [more]

·         Only 13% of terrorism arrests lead to convictions [more]

·         Gordon Brown is “brutal” and has “anything but” a moral compass according to a former aide [more]

Over the last week the Liberal Democrats…

·         Launched their European Election campaign under the slogan ‘Stronger Together Poorer Apart’ [more]

·         Wrote to party leaders urging them to fully accept the recommendations of the investigation into MPs’ expenses [more]

·         Called for intercept evidence to be made admissible in court in terrorism cases [more]

·         Welcomed proposals for a mandatory code on alcohol sales [more]

·         Revealed the environmental impact of the government’s major road schemes [more]

·         Uncovered the fact that over 15,000 farmers earn less than the minimum wage [more]

·         Argued for a shift in focus in crime policy - from punishment to crime prevention [more]

·         Pushed for an investigation into allegations against the police at the G20 protests [more]

All combined for a typically broad ranging Prestwich Area Partnership meeting at Heaton Park School last night.

FESTIVAL

Area Partnership manager Carran O’Grady and Festival Organiser David Curtis gave a joint presentation on arrangements for the 1st Prestwich Festival which kicks off on sunday with the Clough Day in St.Mary’s Flower Park. From an initial hope that we may have about 10 events this inaugural festival has grown to a whopping 50 events. Much credit must go to the efforts of David and Carran amongst others.

OASIS

The Area partnership had requested an update on arrangements for the June Oasis concerts in Heaton Park.  Questioners asked about toilet provision, parking arrangements and security. There were also concerns raised about access to homes and polling stations. A 700 car parking facility will be available at Bowlee ticket holders are being advised that there is no local parking available. In addition there will be a massive security operation, including wheel clamping and monitoring of public drinking etc.

YOUNG PEOPLE

The partnership received a presentation from a representative of the Youth Inclusion Support Panel (YISP). YISP tries to intervene to help young people avoid the slippery slope to crime by intervening through referalls when young people get involved in anti-social behaviour. They help and support young people in meeting acceptable standards, adhering to ascceptable behaviour contracts etc and advising and offering help on youth issues.

HEALTHY EATING 

As opposed to tackling the the obese the NHS has instead launched a massive £75m campaign to encourage healthy eating. I’m sure most will have seen the nationwide TV advertising campaign. Basically it places greater emphasis on encouraging better, healthier eating habits and more exercise. It encourages parents to review what food they provide, portion control etc and develop more exercising for their children and themselves.

POLICE REPORT

PC Andy Ferguson gave a brief report at the end of the meeting informing the partnership that following a sustained campaign on Polefield the gang of young people that had caused much nuisance had been broken up and the estate is now much quieter.

There is to be a further campaign against the illegal use of quad bikes and scooters shortly. The campaign over last bank holiday weekend was a big success with several bikes confiscated. 

Yesterday was the Annual meeting of the Council at Bury Town Hall.

The event attended by most councillors is in two parts. The first part is dominated by a “State of the Borough” speech from the leader of the Council followed by a short debate and the appointment of councillors to committees for the new municipal year.

Traditionally the leader of the Council (and yesterday was no different) takes the opportunity to tell us how wonderful life is under his administration.  Traditionally the opposition use the debate to remind him that we haven’t quite reached a state of nirvana just yet.

The second part is full of pleasantries and warm words. This is the ceremonial voting in and robing of the Mayor and Mayoress for the coming year, followed by a speech from new and outgoing Mayors and presentations etc.

The Mayor for 2009/10 is Cllr Sheila Magnall and I would take this opportunity to wish every success, happiness and goodwill for her term of office. Her daughter will be the Mayoress.

The only thing that bothers me about this ceremony is that it seems to be getting shorter with minor changes each year. And it led me to wonder how it was done say 100 years ago and if he have lost any of the traditions. It may be worth restoring a few of the frills of the event. Make a bit more of the occasion of the installation of the new first citizen.

I was delighted to have been invited to address a meeting of Bury Branch of the Unite (formerly TGWU) Union yesterday.

I used the opportunity to highlight my concerns about the impact the Councils potentially over zealous use of RIPA powers (the so-called snoopers charter). In particular the damage done to morale and the potential damge to public confidence.

Specifically I outlined that I have written to the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council calling for a review of the powers used by Bury and for democratic accountability and independent checks to be introduced into the process.

Members of the audience were clearly very concerned about the councils use of these surveillance powers, specifically those at the receiving end of Operation Garbage - the councils surveillance of bin men in August 2007.

The staff of any organisation is its greatest asset. My concern with regard to Bury’s staff who are already suffering from low morale as a result of the Pay review and regrading shambles is that the message the Council is sending is - “OK you maybe our greatest asset, but we don’t trust you an inch”.

Not only will that affect morale further but it will damage the important element of mutual respect that needs to exist between employer and employee. Things need to change and change soon.

Yesterday afternoon I attended the League 2 play off 2nd Leg of Bury v. Shrewsbury.

It was one of those games where you came away thinking we would never have scored, despite numerous chances. And  the Shrews keeper played out of his skin as well. Then two minutes from the end of normal time Shrewsbury cancelled out the lead Bury had from the first leg and the rest is history.

Hopefully lessons will be learned and next season the team will have more belief - knowing that they got this far this season.

But there were so many distraught people at the end, and the crowd throughout the match were doing their best to will the team on. It really did bring it home to you how much it meant to so many people to have a successful team in the town.

Next season we’ll have that automatic promotion place!

On friday afternoon I attended the Festival Launch event at the Church Inn.
Amidst Town crier, balloons being released, carnival queens et al politicians (yes myself included), said our “thank you’s” to all those who had put so much hard work into getting this first Prestwich Festival off the ground, and wished everyone the best of luck for the forthcoming events.

I particularly singled out Area Partnership Manager, Carran O’Grady, Ruth Shedwick and Organiser, David Curtis for all their involvement and commitment to ensuring Prestwich Festival actually happened!
35 days of events across Prestwich commence on Sunday 17th with the Clough Day at St.Mary’s Flower Park.

As I said on friday, its time for Prestwich to come together, to party, to have a great time. I hope to see you there!

Nominations have now closed for the elections for the European Parliament on 4 June 2009. This is the full statement of persons nominated.

Liberal Democrat list is headed up by our existing Member of the European Parliament Chris Davies MEP. Chris is a great friend to our area and has been to Prestwich on many occasions. Here’s his campaign website.

Meanwhile Prestwich residents are being encouraged by Bury Council to “vote early” or vote by post” with the following message:

Prestwich residents are being encouraged to vote early, or use a postal vote, in the forthcoming European elections.
Read the rest of this entry. Read the rest of this entry. Read the rest of this entry. Read the rest of this entry.

So 6 years of British involvement in Iraq has all but ended with the tranfer of authority in Basra to US forces.

Commentators and Government spokesmen were last night telling us we’ve done a good job. So why don’t I feel the slightest bit elated?

I feel relieved that (hopefully) there will be no more British casualties, no more widows and grieving families from the conflict. I feel proud that our service men and women have done a first rate job in often hostile or difficult circumstances.

But I still feel anger that we invaded without the backing of the rule of international law at the whim of George W Bush and caused death and suffering to thousands and thousands of innocent Iraqi’s in the process. That an illegal war has led to the loss of life of  outstanding servicemen and women of many nations. And I feel anger that this act of war designed by Bush to break the so called axis of evil actually made things worse and brought relations with the muslim world down even further and brought fundamentalist extremism to our shores.

No I don’t feel is happy or elated. Perhaps because I fear what happens next in Iraq, what happens when the US pulls out, when the next internal elections are due. When the different factions and ethnic groups decide they want to do things differently.

I have hope that we have help settle a peaceful future and foundations for a stable state, but I find it hard to believe at this point in time. But for the 234 British and UK led troops that lost their lives over the past six years I hope my fears are unfounded. 

8th Official Launch of Prestwich Festival

13th Annual Meeting of Council - Bury Town Hall. The ceremony to appoint the new mayor for 2009/10 - Cllr Sheila Magnall and the Annual State speech from the Leader of the Council followed by the State of the Borough debate.

14th Prestwich Local Area Partnership - Heaton Park School, Cuckoo lane, from 6.30pm

16th Polefield TRA / Holyrood Councillors Surgery - Heaton Park School 2-4pm. Informal surgery with cakes and refreshments, why not drop in for a cake and a chat! 

17th Prestwich Clough day www.prestwichclough.co.uk The opening event of Prestwich Festival. For the latest details of all Prestwich Festival events in May including the farmers market on the 24th, go to www.iloveprestwich.com and look for the festival web page link. Details are also listed on the page listed on the menu on the left (but this may not be as up to date as the site above.)

18th Heaton Park School Governors

The historic victory for the Lib Dem motion in the House of Commons yesterday was a victory for justice.

Whilst it was a good day for the Lib Dems it was an even better one for the Gurkhas and justice for people that have been prepared to lay down their lives for this country and its freedom across the generations.

It was also a great day for Nick Clegg who said that, “This is an historic victory for the Gurkhas who have served our country so bravely.

“This Government has now lost its moral authority. From the first moment I challenged Gordon Brown on this over a year ago, he didn’t understand that there was a simple moral principle at stake.

“People who are willing to die for our country, should be allowed to live in our country.

“The Government must listen to Parliament and scrap these shameful rules immediately and grant justice without conditions to all retired Gurkhas.”

This was the first occasion that the Government has been defeated on an opposition motion.

Vic D’Albert added “Whilst we must now wait for the Governments response, one thing is clear they have to address this issue now or lose all moral credibility to lead this country. If they cannot accept basic principles of justice then they shouldn’t be running the country.”

“It’s a shame Bury North MP, David Chaytor couldn’t bring himself to support the Gurkha’s cause unlike some of his colleagues.Yesterday was all about justice for the Gurkha’s, I hope he’ll reflect on his position and ultimately come to recognise the deeply felt principle at the heart of the Lib Dem stance on this.”

I attended the associations latest meeting last night, along with representatives of Six Town Housing and the Police.

It was very assuring to hear from the Police of a number of positive improvements taking place on the estate, especially following a crack down on anti-social behaviour.

In addition the TRA is pushing ahead with its own plans. Starting with a joint Councillors surgery on Saturday May 16th from 2pm to 4pm at Heaton Park School. Ostensibly this is being run as a sort of tea and cakes afternoon and will also have a raffle. Councillors, TRA reps, Police and Six Town Housing will all be on hand to offer advice or at least a cup of tea! All welcome.

Meanwhile a suggestion and problem box has been installed at the school for residents to let us know anonymously abut issues or make suggestions for the TRA to pick up on.

In addition a number of activities are now being planned for the summer hols, so watch this space!

Local residents packed into St.Margarets Church House in Prestwich tonight to let local councillors know their views on the proposed development by Manchester City Council of a commercially operated sports zone at the St.Margarets corner of the park.

Over 80 residents attended the meeting chaired by Cllr Tim Pickstone and assisted by Cllr Vic D’Albert. Sedgley Lib Dem councillors Andrew Garner and Ann Garner were also present as was the Vicar of St.Margarets, The Reverend Debbie Plummer.

Cllr Pickstone outlined the proposals that have led to the meeting and that as councillors we needed to know the views of constituents.

The vast majority of residents were opposed to the proposals although there were some strong supporters in favour of the proposals.

The main reasons for opposition cited by residents were:

• The impact on local traffic - especially on St.Margarets Road
• The impact on parking in the area - with the fear that many visitors will try and park in side streets.
• Increased traffic late into the evening
• Noise and light pollution (floodlights) in the evening from the sports zone activities
• Loss of historic public open parkland

Cllr Vic D’Albert told the meeting, “What I struggle with on this issue is that when the park was first being proposed for refurbishment and regeneration years ago the Councils consultants told us that he aim was to restore the park to its original splendour, to restore the “vistas” of the original park. I fail to see how a sports zone fits in with those plans. Its a difficult issue, on the one hand we desperately need 21st century sports facilities in this area, but we also want to retain our park. On the balance I think its wrong - it boils  down to location, location, location.”

Voluteers were sought at the close of the meeting to collect signatures for the campaign against the plans and also to form a small action group to lead the campaign.

Remember you can sign the petition online at www.campaigns.libdems.org.uk/saveheatonpark or via the community web site www.myprestwich.org.uk

I had the pleasure of attending the annual Simister Fare and St.Georges Day parade yesterday.

Despite no band (apparently the plague has hit Besses O’th Barn band - get well soon),  and worsening weather, it was its usual success. Lady Wilton Hall was packed to the rafters  with lots of stalls including some fine home baking on display. Thankfully it was also packed with villagers as well so much needed funds will have been raised. The traditional crowning of the Simister Rose Queen also took place outside St.Georges Church which also played host to more stalls. With a bouncy castle and other outdoor stalls and entertainments there was something for everyone.

Congratulations to the organisers for another successful and enjoyable event. 

In response to anger, shock and dismay from many local residents your Holyrood Councillors (myself, Cllr Tim Pickstone and Cllr Wilf Davison) have organised a Public Meeting.

The meeting will be on monday, April 27th from 7.00pm at Church House on St.Margarets Church opposite the Church.

We want to take the opportunity to hear your views, update you on what we’ve done so far , what we’re planning and to share any further information we have.

We will have posters, leaflets and petitions available. See you there. 

The list of events for this inaugural Prestwich Festival has just been announced.

Go to the festival page listed on the left of the web page for the full detailed listing. But I am pleased to announce that an incredible 45 events are scheduled from May 17th with the Clough day to June 21st with Prestwich Carnival.

A programme is to be delivered across Prestwich shortly (if you’d like to help deliver it please get in touch).

I would take this opportunity to thank David Curtis and Carran O’Grady and others such as Ruth Shedwick for all their input and the massive effort required to reach this point.

It’s now down to you, the great Prestwich public, to show you like the idea and get out and support these events. Remember you will be supporting local charities and voluntary organisations, local businesses and local talent. And have fun!

As I breakup for the Easter holidays, I would like to wish everyone a happy and memorable Easter.

With the arrival of Passover I would like to take this opportunity to wish all jewish neighbours and friends a very happy passover. May you share peace and happiness amongst family and friends during this festival of freedom.

Next year in Jerusalem!

Despite recent assurances, notably at the recent Prestwich Area Partnership, I am growing increasingly concerned about aspects of preparation for the Oasis concerts in June.

I understand that despite initial suggestions to the contrary it is now expected that half the numbers attending these gigs will be travelling from out of the area by car or coach etc - that’s an influx of 35,000 using private transport on our local roads.

In addition I am concerned that the provision of portable toilets is likely to be wholly inadequate.

It also surely makes sense that we introduce some form of Residents permit for key blocks of residential areas adjacent to the park. If these events are to be a success then that means local residents won’t suffer unecessarily as well.

I will be seeking assurances over the coming week that these aspects will be re-examined. We need a committment from the organisers that the safety of local people and the Prestwich environment will be protected.

This was the week that…

·         World leaders met in London and agreed to pump $1 trillion into the world economy [more]

·         A report showed that only 0.6% of the Government’s fiscal stimulus will be spent on green measures [more]

·         At least 4,000 jobs were lost in the UK across a range of sectors [more]

·         The UN named and shamed the UK over its response to the Somali refugee crisis [more]

·         The Home Secretary was criticised for charging the taxpayer for her husband’s adult films [more]

·         An inquiry began into a millionaire’s donations to the Tory party [more]

·         21 NHS trusts failed to meet new hygiene standards [more]

·         Lord Myners came under pressure to resign after he was accused of misleading Parliament [more]

·         A Select Committee called for the National Curriculum to be slimmed down – a Lib Dem policy [more]

·         The scandal into MPs expenses showed no sign of disappearing [more]; [more]

Over the last week we learnt that…

·         Unemployment will hit 3 million within two years [more]

·         The national DNA database has grown 40% in two years and now has more than 5 million people on it [more]

·         There are 10% fewer hospital beds today than there were three years ago [more]

·         The Government’s adult literacy drive is failing and wasting billions according to a government adviser [more]

·         According to most measures, house prices continued to fall in March [more]; [more]

·         Boris Johnson proposes to cut his environmental team in half [more]

·         160,000 kids left primary school without basic English and Maths competency [more]

·         Older people do not have fair access to mental health services in most mental health trusts [more]

·         The Europe Minister hasn’t read the Lisbon Treaty [more]

·         Conservative run Bournemouth Council are employing a transport manager who lives in Edinburgh – and paying £200,000 a year for his travel expenses [more]

Over the last week the Liberal Democrats…

·         Challenged Gordon Brown to turn the G20 agreement into real help for British people [more]

·         Led a debate challenging the Government in the House of Lords over tax havens [more]

·         Unveiled research showing that 80% of hospitals do not pass on knife crime information to the police [more]

·         Led a debate calling for a step up in nuclear non-proliferation action in the House of Lords [more]

·         Proposed a bill to end discrimination in the line of succession to the throne [more]

·         Highlighted shocking figures showing that prison assaults took place every half an hour in 2008 [more]

·         Called for the same guarantees of access for mental health care as for other health services [more]

Variety and talent show for individuals, pairs and groups no larger than five, attending Prestwich Junior Schools

Prizes include:

•  £150 Canvass portrait 
• Family meal at Croma
• Music Vouchers for all finalists

Auditions are open, so turn up anytime between 3.30 and 5.50 on April 28^th at Parrenthorn High School.

The finalists will perform at “Prestwich has Junior Talent” in St Marys Park Thursday June 11^th  in front of a panel of industry professionals who will decide the winner. 

This event is part of the Love Prestwich Festival and is sponsored by the event organisers plus Prestwich Arts College and Parrenthorn High School 

For further details telephone 772 4405

This was the week that…

·         HSBC became the latest company to make cuts – 1,200 jobs are to go [more]

·         Business leaders queued up to warn that Britain cannot afford another fiscal stimulus [more]; [more]

·         The government confirmed there will be an Iraq War inquiry, but suggested it will be held in private [more]

·         A UK bond auction failed to find enough buyers for the first time since 2002 [more]

·         The split between the Prime Minister and the Treasury began to widen [more]

·         The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner launched an inquiry into a minister’s expenses [more]

·         A Sunday newspaper revealed the affair of a Labour MP and close friend of Gordon Brown [more]

·         The Conservative Party Chairman came unstuck justifying his expense claims [more]

·         Ken Clarke admitted he wasn’t sure if controversial Conservative tax reforms could be afforded [more]

·         Vince Cable was the only politician named in a ‘fantasy boardroom’ [more] 

Over the last week we learnt that…

·         GDP suffered its biggest quarterly fall since 1980 in the last quarter of 2008 [more]

·         The government will borrow £351bn in the next two years – more than in the 306 years up to Labour’s election victory in 1997 [more]

·         Retail sales almost stalled in February, coming in well below expectations [more]

·         15% of shops will be vacant by the end of 2009 [more]

·         Poor leadership at the Foreign Office has created a culture where “mediocrity flourishes” [more]

·         £3bn of overpaid tax credits have been written off as unrecoverable [more]

·         As many as one quarter of government databases may be illegal [more]

·         The Department of Transport misled environmental groups over Heathrow expansion [more]

·         Unemployment is good for your health – according to one government minister [more]

Over the last week the Liberal Democrats…

·         Launched their G20 development plan [more]

·         Successfully amended the Coroners and Justice Bill after forcing a government u-turn [more]

·         Tabled an Early Day Motion calling for the second home allowance to be abolished for London MPs [more]

·         Called on the Government to replace the VAT cut with investment into public transport and home insulation to create new jobs [more]

·         Revealed that anti-terror legislation is routinely used by local councils against minor offenders [more]

·         Wrote to the Chancellor over Sir Fred Goodwin’s pension payments [more]

·         Highlighted shocking statistics about Britain’s knife crime culture [more]

Last nights Area Partnership meeting at Sedgley Park School was billed as “the one not to miss”, and I think it lived up to expectations.

The meeting was well attended - although most members of the public were there to here further about proposals for the development of Prestwich Village or arrangements for the Oasis concerts in Heaton Park. Key highlights included:

Prestwich Festival

Panel and residents received an update on progress for this years inaugural Prestwich Festival which will run from May 17th to June 21st.

David Curtis who leads the carnival organising committee and is coordinating the Festival on behalf of the AP gave an update and confirmed that at present there are 25 events scheduled to take place. Starting with the Clough day on May 17th and climaxing with the Carnival on June 21st.

More events are being finalised and added all the time so its a case of wait and see. The Prestwich Festival programme will be printed in the next month and will schedule out all the events.  

Oasis concerts

3 concerts are too take place in Heaton Park on 4th, 6th and 7th June with Oasis headlining. Many residents have expressed concern at these proposed concerts. Especially with regard to home security, traffic, anti-social behaviour  etc.

The event promoters attended alongside the Manchester City Council project manager and a representative of the Event traffic and & transport management company. They addressed concerns raised and informed residents that a information leaflet is to be delivered shortly and a hotline number is to be established. Inspector Ryecroft confirmed that there will be a massive police operation to maintain security. In addition a private security firm are to be deployed.

Its fair to say that concerns still remain about traffic and parking issues and the impact across Prestwich, although they will be directing traffic through Middleton Road. and from Bowker vale Tram station.

Prestwich Centre Regeneration

Representatives of Hollins Murray Group the owners of the precinct - gave a presentation on their plans for the precinct following the proposals formulated by Urbed and subject to extensive consultation. Plans were also made available to view. Essentially at present they are not significantly dissimilar from the Urbed love-prestwich vision plans and that can only be good. Obviously it is relatively early in the process still and HMG informed the meeting that an Outline Planning Application would be submitted shortly. It would be fair to say that the presentation and proposals were well received from those that asked questions or made comment.

Police Report

Inspector Ryecroft reported on the last crime and security situation. he outlined that there has been a spate of burglaries across the area  and a drop in anti-social behaviour generally - although Holyrood ward remains the worst affected.

Graffiti was raised by a number of residents and Inspector Ryecroft was delighted to report that a main culprit has been caught who has confessed to 65 graffiti offences.

Next meeting: May 14th, Heaton Park School, Cuckoo Lane. 

A letter is shortly to be delivered to residents bordering Heaton Park advising of two surgeries which will take place to enable residents to get advice and raise concerns about the Oasis concerts planned in June. The proposed advice surgeries are as follows:

Tuesday, 5th May from15:00-19:00hrs at Heaton Park Bowls Complex (St Margaret’s Rd entrance)

Wednesday, 6th May from 15:00-19:00hrs at Parkside Training Centre (Sheepfoot Lane)

For further information or to register comments and concerns you may also wish to contact the Park General manager, Graham Wightman on 0161 773 1085 X209 or Email: g.wightman@manchester.gov.uk

Residents are urged to attend the next meeting of Prestwich Local Area Partnership when three massive issues will be on the agenda.

Prestwich Festival, the summer’s Oasis concerts, and the latest plans to regenerate the town centre will be discussed.

The LAP meeting is on Thursday March 26 at Sedgley Park Primary School in Prestwich, starting at 6.30pm.  There is a chance to meet and great local councillors, the police, housing officers from 6.15pm onwards.

• Love Prestwich co-ordinator David Curtis will outline plans for the five-week festival, which runs from May 17 to June 21, and how local people can take part and help out.

• Rock legends Oasis are playing Heaton Park on June 4, 6 and 7. Concert officials and promoters will be at the LAP to detail arrangements for the shows and plans to minimise disruption to residents. 
• Topping the bill are developers Hollins Murray Group, who will unveil their proposals to redevelop the Longfield shopping centre. These have been drawn up in direct response to residents’ comments on their original vision. The plans will be on display in Prestwich Library on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (March 24 to 26).

Councillor Vic D’Albert, chair of Prestwich Local Area Partnership, said: “What can I say – these are three massive issues for Prestwich residents.“Prestwich Festival is about bringing our community together and celebrating the best we have to offer, so please come along and listen to what’s planned. 

“The Oasis concert is a massive operation and this is a great opportunity for residents to seek reassurances about safety, security and traffic.

“Finally, the Longfield redevelopment plans are long-awaited and much needed and I hope that local residents feel that their views are listened to and have been responded to. All I can say is, be at this meeting!”

LOVEPRESTWICH FESTIVAL

Starts at Prestwich Clough Sunday 17 May till Sunday 21 June at Prestwich Carnival. To Keep up to date with LOVEPRESTWICH visit www.iloveprestwich.com 

“I was disappointed to read Mr Palmers comments published in last weeks letters regarding the recent announcement of a Prestwich Festival. 

To my knowledge there has been talk of developing a Prestwich festival for some years, and certainly since the Clough Centenary event. The idea of broadening Prestwich carnival was mooted several years ago. Such ideas have not been exclusively reserved for local or national politicians. 

But to my mind, (and I appreciate Mr Palmer is a supporter of Mr Lewis), I feel that whilst any number of local people could probably claim to have thought of the idea first, that is irrelevant and misses the point completely. 

The Prestwich Area Partnership, which I am honoured to Chair, was early last year charged with updating the Local Prestwich plan following consultation with the Prestwich public and Council partners such as the Police, NHS Primary Care Trust etc. One of the tasks in that document was for the development of a Prestwich Festival.

Recent announcements are a direct result of that commitment to the Prestwich Plan.  Plans for this inaugural year were initially modest, due to limited resources. However I think it’s fair to say all those involved have been bowled over by the response so far. 

Clearly these are early days and no doubt the festival will evolve with time. But it is my fervent hope that Mr Palmer and the rest of Prestwich see Prestwich festival for what it is. An opportunity to further develop Prestwich community spirit, showcase Prestwich talent, bring back Prestwich success stories while raising funds for local charities and projects not to mention having a great time as well.

I would finish by appealing to any talented Prestwich residents, if you would like a platform to showcase that talent then get in touch. If you would like to support Prestwich festival then we need sponsors, we need venues and we need you – the great Prestwich public to support the events commencing with the Clough day on May 17^th to the grand finale of Prestwich Carnival on June 21^st.”

if you would like to get involved in any way contact David Curtis on 07875 596713 or email d-curtis2@sky.com 

Last night I chaired the launch meeting for Prestwich Festival (May 17th - June 21st) at Prestwich Arts College and it was good to see so many people there.

As hoped for, we had quite a wide audience from local restaurants and other businesses to charities and representatives of Prestwich Clough centenary committee, Prestwich Cricket, Tennis and Bowling club, shangri-la, All the Skills, and more.

I briefly outlined how this event has come together and the Area Partnerships vision for the festival (at least to start with) and that is:

• To provide a platform for local talent
• To bring Prestwich success stories back to Prestwich
• To support local businesses
• To raise funds for local charities and projects
• To bring Prestwich together.

David Curtis from the Sunshine Team (that organises Prestwich Carnival) has kindly agreed to help coordinate the festival and he outlined the growing list of organisations and local groups that have come forward to date to express interest in putting on an event.

Keep an eye on the local press for further details and announcements. Remember it is all down to local organisations and local people to come forward and offer events - it won’t happen without you. If you are interested in staging an event at a local venue or would like to take part please contact:

David Curtis on 07875 596713 or email d-curtis2@sky.com or c.o’grady@bury.gov.uk or indeed drop me a line.

Lets bring Prestwich Together - We look forward to hearing from you.

2nd Heaton Park School Governors

3rd St.Michaels RC Governors

4th Prestwich Festival - 7pm Prestwich Arts College. All welcome

6th-8th Liberal Democrat Spring Conference, Harrogate

11th Area Partnership Chairs, Town Hall

12th Bury Racial Equality Council

16th Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive: Lib Dem Briefing

21st North West Lib Dems Conference

24th Polefield Tenants & Residents Association meeting. 6.30pm Heaton Park School, All Polefield residents welcome

25th Prestwich Business Networking event, 6pm Croma, Longfield

26th Prestwich Area Partnership 6.30pm

Bury Conservatives have ignored the recession and forced through an inflation busting 4.79% Council Tax increase amidst cuts to public services at the special Budget setting Council meeting last night.

Much of the debate was focussed on the proposals to cut youth services in the second year of the 3 year budget approved. The Conservatives plan to cut £200,000 from the service by outsourcing aspects of this vital service.  A large number of young people attended to ask questions and lobby against the proposals.

The other controversial issue was the proposal to save money by turning  a number of street lights off at night. Full details of this proposal are yet to emerge, however it has to be made clear that this is a money saving measure from the Conservatives NOT an environmental energy saving measure. It clearly has not been thought through as yet and may well take some persuading before it happens. But that doesn’t bother the Conservatives.

Whilst there was a welcome cash injection for disabled adult services which has struggled with adequate funding, there were cuts across the service spectrum and further use of reserves.

Opposition parties proposed amendments which were both defeated by the Conservatives. The Lib Dems proposed an additional £300,000 for local street repairs and an additional £300,000 in support of a apackage of measures to support local businesses through the recession over the next 12 months. In addition we proposed a review of youth services - but significantly with a view to ploughing back any savings directly into providing better youth services across the borough.

The debate was marred by the constant “bating”, provocation and insulting behaviour by a number of senior members which in my opinion bordered on showing a lack of respect for their office and threatened to reduce the debate to a cross between a playground squabble and a circus.

I raised concerns in the debate that the Conservative group were using the budget to announce major policy initiatives involving significant resources, without any consideration by officers, scrutiny by councillors nor consultation with the public. This could lead to serious problems as the year progresses.

It is now clear to me that the Conservative strategy is to bump up Council Tax this year and cut services as there are no elections. Then prior to next years elections we will see more cuts in an attempt to set a council tax as close to 0% as possible. Politics of manipulation, deceit and cynicism.  

Radcliffe born director Danny Boyle, Bury based band Elbow and Paralympian Zoë Robinson are set to be given the Freedom of the Borough in recognition of their outstanding individual successes over the past year.

Guy Garvey, Mark Potter, Craig Potter, Richard Jupp and Pete Turner from, the Mercury Award and Brit Award winning band Elbow, formed at Bury College in the mid 1990s and all have roots in the town.

Zoe Robinson, lives in the north of the borough and attends Boccia training sessions at Bury’ Castle Leisure Centre on a regular basis.

Oscar winning film director, Danny Boyle grew up in Radcliffe and his family still live in the town.

Borough Councils can confer the status of Honorary Freemen of the Borough on  persons of distinction and those who have rendered eminent services to the Borough. This is carried out at a specially convened meeting of the full Council, where the Freeman are presented with the honour.

The Freedom is the highest tribute that a Borough can bestow and although in modern times it is an honour only and does not confer any legal rights, Honorary Freemen are invariably invited to take part in all important ceremonial occasions in the Borough.

The proposals are currently being drawn up so that they can be put before a special meeting of Bury Council for approval.

In recent times this honour had been bestowed on long serving councillors who had served in excess of 30 years on Bury Council. The last time the status of honorary freeman was bestowed was on former Councillor Bill “Mr Tottington” Johnson. 

Personally I can think of no finer local examples of hard work, endeavour and the pursuit of excellence than these recipients.  

The Five Stars Appeal on Bury New Road has just notified the Area Partnership of a new monthly networking event at Croma Prestwich which will be held on the last Wednesday of every month. This will be a very informal affair with no joining fee, no commitment and everybody is welcome. Croma Prestwich and Five Stars Appeal are looking at working together with the local community through this difficult time, to encourage new relationship building that will be of benefit to all.

You will be greeted with a glass of wine before heading up to the mezzanine to mix and mingle with local business people, a selection of mini pizza and dough balls will be served during the evening.

Where              Croma Prestwich

                        The Radius , 30 The Longfield Centre

When               Wednesday 25^th February

Time                6.00-9.00pm

Cost                 £10.00 per person (to be prepaid)

To reserve your place at this new event please contact Nicola@fivestarsappeal.co.uk or call 0161 798 8901 or 0789 9971000

You may have seen in the local press that Prestwich Area Partnership is launching Prestwich Festival this year. It will start with the Clough day on May 17th and finish with the Carnival on June 21st.

We want lots of entertaining events in between using local facilities and organised by local groups, associations, schools, church,faith groups etc.

Basically we want to showcase Prestwich Talent and bring back Prestwich success stories to inspire the next generation , and oh yes , raise lots of dosh for local charities and for local projects.

DO YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO CAN HELP? CAN YOU HELP ?

Get in touch and lets get Prestwich buzzing this May/June. For more information go to my Prestwich Festival page and go to the launch meeting, Thursday March 5th, 7pm at Prestwich Arts College .

Bury’s young people turned out in force this evening to fight for Bury Youth Service.

Under proposals put forward by Bury Conservatives the service face £300,000 of cuts this year as Bury Council seeks to outsource much of the provision.

Campaigners fear this would ultimately mean the end of the service as it is , would lead to a “fractured” service and would mean crucial outreach work on some of our estates is no longer tenable.

“I was honoured to have been invited to say a few words to the protesters tonight”, commented Vic D’Albert, adding, “The Conservatives are dressing this up as improving efficiency and the fstark fact remains they are looking to save money and they see the Youth Service as an easy target. Bury Lib Dems are proud to back Bury’s young people and we will continue to campaign against these proposals and for a better resourced service providing the service improvements demanded by young people not cuts demanded by the Tories”.

Hundreds gathered at Bury Town Hall to vent their feelings in a good homoured turnout. “If nothing else they have sent a message loud and clear to Bury Conservatives tonight - Hands Off our youth service!”

Last night was the latest full meeting of Bury Council - when all 51 Councillors come together to debate key issues and ratify council decisions.

Last nights event was notable for a motion of no confidence in the leader of Bury Council - as tabled by The Labour Group.

I don’t really like such motions as they inevitably become personal mud slinging matches, and last night did languish perilously close to that scenario at times. The real crux of the matter was however the Councils handling of the Pay review of council staff and a series of innapropriate/badly worded or wrong letters sent out by the council to staff and/or residents on various matter over the past few months. And, all that is on the top of the Conservatives cutting back the rights of residents and councillors to ask questions at meetings.

The vote was 26 to 25 against the motion (or in favour of the leader). Lib Dems supported the motion largely on the basis of the growing belief that the Council Executive is increasingly failing the people of Bury in a number of areas and appears intent on silencing or at least stifling opposition members and minimising the scrutiny of council policies and decisions.

For me the the lack of confidence in Bury Councils Executive is a direct result of the tampering with the rights to ask questions, limiting opposition scrutiny and in fact, increasingly treating the scrutiny process with contempt.

A fundamental aspect of our democracy is the role of opposition to challenge and scrutinise. It is essential and is crucial to the process of adopting sound and appropriate policies. Those in power should have to justify their reasons for making particular decisions. If they can’t or won’t then there is a problem. One thing is sure the problem is not with the opposition.

Bury Conservatives need to learn fast that you can silence the opposition in Council meetings and you can mess with our democracy , but you cannot win the argument and it doesn’t make you right. What it does mean is that your policies are being made in a democratic vacuum devoid of engagement and scrutiny. That is bad government and that is damaging to the people of Bury who will be the real victims in all of this.

4th Full Meeting of Bury Council, 7pm Bury Town Hall. Public welcome

11th Healthier Communities Scrutiny Commission, Bury Town Hall. Public welcome

12th Standards Committee, 7pm Bury Town Hall, Public welcome

25th Special Meeting of Bury Council to set the budget for 2009/10, 7pm Bury Town Hall, Public welcome

26th Bury Looked After Children Achievement Awards  

28th Mayoral Charity Fundraising Dinner

Despite the valiant efforts of local people at last nights Council Executive meeting Bury Tories passed proposals for The Derby High School to take over Radcliffe Riverside School.

As I listened to question after question being put to the Executive from Radcliffe residents it quickly became apparent that the Conservative group was in no mood to listen to their grievances , never mind act upon them. It was an appalling way to treat worried parents, teachers and pupils and no way to run a council.

Major questions remain unanswered about the consultation process and the sustainability of the very split sites proposed (especially bearing in mind recent exeperiences with radcliffe High and Coney Green).  But the Conservatives just will not listen to reason. 

Last night I was pleased to be able to attend Bury Councils memorial service for the victims of the holocaust.

The service recognises and remembers the victims of genocide, ethnic cleansing, persecution and oppression and looks to build bridges between faiths and communities and use the horrors of the past to positively contribute to ensuring such horrors are not repeated.

Last nights theme was “Stand up to hatred” and highlighted the detructive forces of hate and urged people to work together to understand cultures, faiths, sexual orientation and celebrate our diversity, warning us of the need to be vigilant against those who would use hate to divide our communities and destroy our liberties.

As always it was a very moving ceremony. The Mayor of Bury and leaders of the three political parties on Bury Council (Cllr Tim Pickstone represented the Lib Dems) signed the statement committing them to work to ensure liberties are protected and to oppose discrimination, oppression and exclusion.

The most moving aspect as always is the contribution of the young people of Bury, from all backgrounds including the jewish community - coming together to vividly highlight the lessons to be learned and the message for our communities.

AGE OF OPPORTUNITY CELEBRATES 2nd BIRTHDAY

Bury Councils Age of Opportunities innitiative is celebrating its 2^nd Birthday and you are invited to join the party on:

Date: Wednesday 18th February 2009

Time: 11:00am - 6:00pm

Venue: Elizabethan Suite, Bury Town Hall, Knowsley Street, Bury, BL9 0SW

Age of Opportunities is an initiative focussing on the promotion of health, well-being and independence for the people of Bury aged 50 plus, and builds upon the national Dignity in Care and Respect agendas. It is being delivered by a wide range of organisations across the borough from the public, private and the third sectors.

To ensure the day is as successful as last year, we need your continuous support and attendance to show that services we offer are being improved and are having a positive contribution towards promoting the health & wellbeing of the 50+ residents in Bury.

This fun filled day is going to be packed with a Nintendo Wii Demonstration, a wide variety of information stalls, activity taster sessions such as Plant Potting, Art Classes etc, a Free prize draw and much more.

Please find below a copy of the invitation/ Registration Card, which you can complete and bring with you to the event to be entered into our FREE prize draw with the opportunity to wim a variety of fantastic prizes.

age-of-opps-registration-card.pdf 

For further information about the event or the Age of Opportunities Scheme, please click on the following link:
http://www.bury.gov.uk/HealthAndSocialCare/SocialServices/ GeneralSupportCare/AgeOfOpportunities/default.htm

If you have any further queries regarding the event or the Age of Opportunities scheme, please contact the Adult Care Communications Team on 0161 253 6021 or via email at adultcarecomms@bury.gov.uk

It was a sad day on friday. It was the last day that the Bury Times was based in Bury. All reporters will be based in Bolton from monday, leaving the town of Bury with a newspaper in name only.

It’s shortsighted and it will mean it will be harder for reporting staff to maintain good links with the community they are covering and inevitably they will gradually become more and more out of touch on issues.

To mark the occassion Bury Times staff held a reception at the Boltholt Hotel. The reception was also held in honour of two senior reporters that were leaving the paper as part of the upheaval - Peter Doherty and Terry Morgan. Two reporters of over 20 years experience each, whose departure will leave a massive void. Whilst I new both men, it was Peter as chief political reporter who I came across most. I always valued his comments and often probing questioning and had the highest respect for him as a professional who knew his subject at least as well as you did! As I have been in politics for 25 years  he has been a constant feature for nearly all my political life. So it was with that history and sadness that I attended the reception and said goodbye to them both.

Every success and happiness in your future endeavours to you both and as for the Bury Times? Anyone know someone who would like to start a newspaper in Bury? 

As a staunch and passionate supporter of the state of Israel and the right of the jewish people and the palestinian people to peacefully coexist in the middle east I think its time the Israeli “doves” reasserted themselves over the “hawks” for the sake of long term peace and stability in the region.

The problem faced by the Israeli Government is how to tackle terrorists within the confines of international law and democratic accountability balanced with the demand of its people to live in peace and security.  I don’t believe there is any country on earth that would be prepared to face rockets randomly launched at its towns and communities. That is an act of war. That act of war has been met with an armed response, understandably.

The problem is that Israel is responding with conventional security forces and weapons designed for modern warfare, against terrorists. I cannot recall any terrorists being defeated by weapons and warfare alone. Yes many will be killed and amongst them the many innocents will be killed - the real victims of war. But how many more risk being driven into the evil grip of Hamas, how many more who have now lost everything will now sympathise with Hamas objectives, and how many more when the truce does arrive, will be in the queue to be the next suicide bomber?

Israels enemies, want nothing less than the destruction of Israel, Israel and ordinary palestinians just want to live in peace. War will not solve the long term ambitions of either side in the middle east only a true and lasting peace can pay dividends. But so long as the hawks hold sway over the doves on both sides more will die and more will suffer.

If anything long lasting comes out of this conflict it must surely be the recognition that war isn’t the answer. All sides and anyone with any support for either side needs to redouble their efforts and work harder for peace.

The following items were discussed at last nights meeting of Bury Council’s Healthier Communities Scrutiny Commission.

The public meeting was not attended by any members of the public or local press.

National Year of Reading Evaluation

Good report showing increased take up of library membership and book loans despite cut backs to book budget and libraries over previous years etc.
I was complimentary of some of the “legacy” initiatives such as reading clubs for carers but was critical about the lack of statistics especially comparing aspects of our performance with neighbouring authorities. Following my request a report comparing the results of the year of reading initiatives with other authorities will be coming to a future meeting

Direct Access Diagnostics and Clinical Assessment Treatment and Support Services update

Progress is being made to bring a number of non-emergency services out of hospitals and into community based facilities.
However there was criticism that of the 7 sites chosen to provide Clinical assessment treatment support services (CATS) none are in Bury.
The CATS will have facilities for Musculoskeletal, Gynaecology, Urology, ENT, General Surgery.Mobile Units will be used at Bolton, Oldham, Salford, Manchester, Rochdale Town Hall, Trafford, Tameside.
I was critical of the claimed travel times to these sites. The report claimed that anyone in Greater Manchester could get to one of these sites by car within 20 minutes and by public transport 49% could get to one within 30 minutes (what about the other 51%!) 
The presentation by Anne Coates (PCT Director Commissioning) also raised concerns about Dermatology treatment. The Acute Trust are struggling to maintain these services to targeted treatment/Waiting times. Which is becoming a major problem. The PCT are in discussion with the Acute Trust and may well start commissioning their own dermatology services to ensure services are retained to appropriate standards/targets.

Safeguarding Adults

We are all aware from the numerous enquiries etc that there is much protection and legislation in place to try and safeguard children. Well there is precious little in place to protect adults from abuse and there is much abuse.
The Government are consulting on developing greater protection through various means to protect adults and local authorities are being asked to consult on how they see their roles in this area in particular any leadership roles and the issues that need to be addressed from our perspective.

Age of Opportunities

Finally there was a dissapointing powerpoint presentation on the work of the Age of Opportunities initiative (now nearing the end of its second of 3 years).
I was very critical. The presentation gave no evaluation or detailed statistics of the work done to date. I told the commission that I was at a loss to see the point of this agenda item. It transpired that a fellow Commission member had requested it two meetings ago. But there was no point, it didn’t do anything, there was nothing to scrutinise. We were told that an impact study was to be undergone. I said that made me suspicious about the timing of this and queried whether funding for the 3rd year is safe and whether a case for scrapping it altogether after the 3 years is being put together.
Another Commission member rightly raised concerns about the fact that Care link was included in the presentation which also served to raise concerns about the future of that service as that has nothing to do with Age of ops at all. I requested an update report on the Care link service asap.

Reports for the above items are available from the councils web site. Minutes should be available soon. 

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if any of the above items raises concerns or needs clarifying. In addition I look forward to any comments.

The meeting finished just after 10pm.

The next Prestwich Local Area Partnership meeting will take place on Tuesday 13 January at 6.30pm at Butterstile Primary School, School Grove, Prestwich.

Items under the spotlight at this meeting are the final regeneration plans for Prestwich, changes to local NHS services and an update on St Mary’s Conservation Area.

One of the key issues highlighted through responses to the consultation was the importance of keeping the Railway and Naturalist pub in the centre of Prestwich. The LAP meeting will announce the final proposals for this aspect of the regeneration plans. Attendees will have the chance to discuss the regeneration plans, before they are considered by the Council Executive. In total, nearly 500 people responded to the consultation and results indicate that the majority of people supported the proposed ideas put forward.There were some important issues highlighted and these have been considered and shaped the final version of Love Prestwich Regeneration Strategy.

Councillor Vic D’ Albert, Chair of Prestwich Local Area Partnership, said “This meeting marks the end of a twelve month period of finding out what people like and don’t like about Prestwich and how we can make our town centre thrive again.  I am delighted that the number of responses to the consultation have been one of the highest I’ve seen in my time as a Councillor in Bury, which clearly indicates how  important our village town centre is to us all”. 

“The feedback raised some very important issues such as retaining the Railway & Naturalist Pub as well as divided opinions around traffic.  The final report reflects these points and I hope its cheers all round.  We can’t please everyone all the time with the plans, but we support the plans that reflect the views of the majority of residents and businesses to ensure that we get back a thriving town centre”.

Butterstile Children’s Centre will also be staying open so that anyone attending the meeting can have a look round this new community facility at 6pm. Staff from the Children’s Centre will also be on hand to answer any questions or queries.  

5th - Bury Liberal Democrats monthly meeting

7th - Meeting with Six Town Housing

8th - Healthier Communities Scrutiny Meeting, 6pm Bury Town Hall, public welcome

12th - Joint Scrutiny meeting into Elderly Persons Accomodation, 5.30pm Bury Town Hall, public welcome

13th - Prestwich Area Partnership 6.30pm

20th - Standards Committee Hearing 6pm, Bury Town Hall

26th - Lib Dem Group meeting

27th - Holocaust Remembrance Service

At the risk of incurring some ancient curse for saying it before midnight, I thought i’d take the opportunity to wish everyone in Prestwich and of course Bury, A very happy 2009. I hope it is happy, healthy, memorable and peaceful.

Somehow I have managed to reach Christmas Eve. I still have cards to deliver, shopping to do and I confess to feeling exhausted already.BUT, we’ve made it to Christmas despite credit crunch, global down