SPEECH TO FULL MEETING OF BURY COUNCIL TONIGHT

Mr Mayor,The Liberal Democrat Group put this motion before Council tonight in an attempt to raise an issue in the borough that could ultimately have serious consequences for safety and crime detection in the area and therefore ultimately undermine the Bury Safe partnership. Greater Manchester Police are either heading for or in a crisis depending on your stand point. 

They are currently heading towards a £5m overspend on their current £560m budget and are in the middle of a radical shake up.Just before Christmas Chief Constable Peter Fahy and his deputy Simon Byrne imposed a 90 day action plan to improve performance. This includes:

• Getting more officers on the beat
• Cutting beaurocracy
• Targeting the worst performing divisions

Failure to succeed in improving GMP performance could lead to Home Office intervention.The affects of the budget overspend could lead to 450 jobs going, potentially 300 officers, although this is hoped to be mitigated by investment in new improved IT systems which is hoped will free up 200 officers from paperwork for frontline services.In addition 2 police stations (neither in Bury) are scheduled to be closed. On top of that there is real fear that GMP could even face a grant reduction which if not compensated by s significantly improved precept, and I doubt it would be, could lead to a £30m plus shortfall – the real disaster scenario. 

So what it will mean if these cuts are implemented is that in absolute terms there will be 100 less police officers and about 150 other positions in addition to two stations closing. Part of the problem faced by GMP is that have struggled to control spending on devolved division budgets. In addition they are now operating under a 3 year precept agreement which whilst it does carry significant benefits for financial management and accountability aligned to targets and performance management, significantly the big big downside is the difficulty in absorbing the financial implications of responding to high profile investigations and unforcasted events. 

Now before you think I’m knocking GMP let me be absolutely clear –  I am not. What I am outlining here is a situation identified and being responded to by Peter Fahy and GMP themselves.  

But whilst GMP are addressing these issues as best they can and with a determination to not only bring their spending under control but to use the opportunity to introduce improvements, they are being hampered, I believe unfairly, by the financial funding formula applied by the Home office.  Read the rest of this entry.

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

Bury Council has finally launched their formal consultation on the future of the Longfield Suite, Radcliffe Civic Suite and other threatened Bury Community centres.

Now is the time to act, whether you have signed the petition or not, if you care about the future of our local community centres then it is crucial that you complete a consultation form.

Forms are being circulated and are available in Council buildings and the Civic suites themselves. The consultation can also be completed online here .

Don’t forget to let Bury Council know what you think, don’t forget to tell all you contacts about the consultation.

Don’t leave the future of our community centres to someone else, act now!   

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.

I read with incredulity this weekend that according to Cllr Bibby, leader of Bury Council, that the only reason Bury Tories didn’t carry out proposals to make the Longfield Centre and other Civic venues more successful back in 2007 was because there was a “hung council” and they couldn’t get anything done!!!!

Lets be clear here for the sake of clarity, transparency and a bit of honesty - The Lib Dem group held the balance of power in 2007 and on no occasion did we hold up any plans for improving the lot of our civic suites, on no occasion did we block any plans for improving the civic suites.

Once again we find that when the leader of the council is caught out, found out or simply wrong, he finds someone else to blame and decides to go for distorting the facts rather than a straight answer.

Of course the real reason that proposals from the Best Value Review of Civic Suites in Bury were not carried out is because we now know that they had alternative ideas. It is likely that those alternative ideas were formulated out of that review. When the review didn’t say what they wanted to hear they merely shelved it.

Once again what is patently clear is that you really can’t trust the Conservatives, and certainly not with our public services and certainly not our valuable community centres!

Perhaps Cllr Bibby will have the common decency to admit that nobody but his Conservative Group blocked the implementation of proposals for the civic suites, I won’t hold my breath.

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.

Due to the huge public outcry Goals Soccer Centres have failed to present their plans to Manchester City Council Planning Committee twice but have now submitted a 3rd set of plans and ethy don’t get any better (see below).

They are trying everything they can to get these plans approved. It’s up to us to stop them.
They have tried and failed in other parks. We must fight them every inch of the way.

Goals have been stopped before

Regents Park - REJECTED
Mordern Park -REJECTED

Lets stop them in Heaton Park and make it three nil for all those people who love open
parkland.

We urge you to object to this new planning application
The new planning application from Goals includes raising the level of the pitches by
80 centimeters which is almost a metre higher than they were originally planned. Making this blot on the landscape even more obvious.

Additionally security fencing is also planned. This physical and visual barrier will effectively cut off this area of parkland and thereby detract from the special character of this area of the park.

You need to send your objections to Manchester City Council by 3rd February 2010 If you have already sent in an objection during the last consultation period you will still need to send in another objection.

A - Sign the Online Petition HERE

If you’ve already signed - find TWO friends to sign! - Ask them to join the “Save Heaton Park” Facebook Group.

Here’s the link to the petition to send to a friend in an email.
http://www.saveheatonpark.org.uk/?page_id=2

B - Download and email / send in an objection letter.

Download the letter here - you can amend this letter to include your own words and objectsion.

Email your objection to r.griffin@manchester.gov.uk

C - Write your own Objection Letter

Quoting Application No: 090370/FO/2009/N1

and send to:

Peter Babb
Head of Planning
Manchester City Council
P.O. Box 463
Town Hall Extension
Manchester
M60 3NY

D - Attend the Save Heaton Park Meeting
Find out what has been happening with the campaign.

Monday 25 January 2010
7.00pm Church House (St Margaret’s Road, Opposite the Church), Prestwich.

Thank you for all your support so far!

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. 

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey has today urged as 70 million population cap on immigration urging that the situation is taken more seriously by politicians.

Whilst I am not sure arbitrary caps are necessary what we do need is stronger control and policing of illegal immigration combined with a greater recognition of the impact that large scale immigration can have on an area and the stresses and anxieties that it can cause the local indigenous community. The days of politicians avoiding the issue of immigration like the plague are long gone and with a a forthcoming general election the main parties have to find rational, coherent manifesto points that acknowledge concerns and offer practical solutions.

My own party already supports a strong border police force and believes migrants should be directed to areas of the country where they are most needed and where the communities would have adequate resources to accomodate their arrival. Sensible though this approach is, it doesn’t go quite far enough for me and I would like to see a tougher policy towards trafficking and illegal immigration and across the board the main parties need to start addressing the perceived negative impacts of large scale immigration into areas and start focusing on how communities can be better supported and how large scale immigration into areas can be limited.

Its a difficult issue, especially for liberal thinkers, but its a crucial issue. Why? Because the people are telling us it is, failure to listen now would be further fuel and amunition to the BNP and would lead to further civic unrest in the future. It’s time to listen and to act.

Unable to get to work today I have spent part of the day being mesmerised by the excessive snowfall and part of the day removing christmas decorations and the christmas tree.

However away from the enchanting garden of white I now have I know there is travel bedlam and I would urge everyone who can possibly stay at home to do so.

I would also urge people to call on any frail elderly or vulnerable neighbours you may have, just to check they are Ok for basic provisions and have heating and are generally looking after themselves. Many will be worrying about the cost of the their heating with temperatures set to plummet further tonight, plenty of warm drinks and warm clothes will also ensure they do not run the risk of succumbing to the cold.

Bury Council was forced once more to close non-emergency services early again today due to the weather conditions, meanwhile the NHS are urging people to only contact them in life threatening emergencies. If advice is needed please call NHS direct on 0845 46 47.

Bury Councils emergency out of hours service is also available for emergencies regarding council services on 0161 253 6606.

If at all possible don’t go out. If you have to please check the travel situation and weather forecast before hand.

Plans to demolish 33 Glebelands Road and build a 12 apartment building with parking  have been rejected by Bury Councils Planning Department.

As an original objector to the first set of plans and to these resubmitted plans I am delighted that this planning Application has been refused.

This is a character victorian house and should be restored if at all possible - even if that means converting the existing building into apartments. But demolition would be a tragedy and a further loss to our built heritage on the edge of a council conservation area.

I do hope the owners come back with plans to preserve and restore this building in a way that satisfies both developers and the local community. If they can’t I hope they sell this building to someone who can.

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

Due to the atrocious weather conditions, the waste and recycling collections have had to be suspended for the remainder of today (Tuesday). A decision on collections for Wednesday and Thursday will be made in the morning.

Bury Council has informed local councillors that reluctantly, they have been forced to take this decision to protect the health and welfare of collection teams, who are finding it impossible to navigate through some of the borough’s streets.

The Statement from Bury Council goes on, “We understand any frustration that residents may have, but the weather has left us with no choice. We will endeavour to clear the backlog as soon as the conditions allow.Our gritting teams, however, will continue to grit the roads.”

In the meantime residents are asked to reduce and recycle their waste as much as they possibly can.  Plastic bottles, metal cans, glass bottles and jars can all go in the blue recycling bin. Paper, cardboard boxes and packaging can be recycled in the green recycling bag.  If cardboard won’t fit in the green bag, it should be flattened and left in a neat pile under the green bag.  Plastic carrier bags can be used instead of the green bag.  For details of household waste recycling centres and local recycling centres go to www.bury.gov.uk/recyclingcentres

Also, again due to the worsening weather conditions, Bury Council has decided to close adminstrative buildings with effect from 1pm today (Tuesday Dec 22). This includes Bury town hall, council offices, leisure centres, and libraries, which will re-open on Tuesday, December 29.

Staff supplying emergency services will be working as normal.

Local Councillors have received an update on the Gritting and Refuse collection service as they continue to battle against the snow and ice etc.

The Councils Head of Waste Management has confirmed that Gritters were out all weekend and 535 tonnes of salt were spread on Sat and Sun alone.

Today all Street Cleaning staff are employed on gritting duties including in town centres and refilling of grit bins. All 5 gritting vehicles are also out at the moment (as of 9.30am).

Refuse/recycling collections were severely disrupted on Friday in the Ramsbottom/Tottington area due to snow and ice. The Council have vehicles in the area today mopping up missed grey bins as best they can, but if anything conditions will be worse than they were on Friday.

Brown bin collections are effectively suspended today with contents of bins frozen solid in any case.

It was debatable as to whether the Refuse collection service should have been suspended or not on grounds of H&S.  A decision was taken not to suspend the service, however all collection crews went out late and combined with the road conditions it will inevitably mean that not all of today’s work will be completed.

Councillors have been assured by Bury Council that they are doing their very best to get all collections made before Christmas in very difficult circumstances.

I know colleagues have received a number of phone calls complaining about a lack of gritting in some areas or on some streets and I can assure residents that we will be seeking answers to these queries/complaints in due course.

As Prestwich Town Centre regeneration plans are firmed up over the coming year Bury Council must not lose sight of the fact that one of the strengths of the local economy is the small local independent traders, some of whom have operated from the Longfield Precinct for many years.

I believe it is reasonable to expect Bury Council to place relocation and support packages high on the agenda in negotiations with the landlords/developers, Hollins Murray Group (HMG).

Successful businesses know only too well the benefits of planning ahead, and at present many of the small businesses in the centre of Prestwich feel that they are in a state of limbo, uncertain of when development will take place and what support they will get towards relocation. They need plenty of notice and we need to ensure as much as possible that they don’t suffer too much as a result.

It would be devastating to lose local businesses as a result of regenerating the town centre to make it more attractive for new businesses!

I have already raised this issue with the Council and I will be pursuing the matter in the new year. We’ve got to back our local businesses.

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.

In response to the latest consultation with Bury Council about the proposed Goals Games Zone in Heaton Park, Bury Council has maintained their committment to a 10pm curfew on floodlights.

I had attended last nights Planning Committee to see what Bury’s response would be and to press for concerns to be raised about inadequate parking provision in the proposals.

I asked the Committee to maintain its previous position that floodlights should be turned off at 10pm and that extra car parking should be provided. The present provision appears to presume that Five-a-side teams will either arrive on foot or all in the same car, with no other visitors and will all leave just as the next customers arrive!

Although I regret that Bury Planning Committee has not taken a tougher stance in recognition of the noise and light pollution residents will face and additional traffic problems. They are at least maintaining  a consistent approach.

It is understood that Manchester City Council may not consider the application until February and that further public consultation may be required.

SAY NO TO GOALS, SAY YES TO PROTECTING HEATON PARK

 KEEP IT GREEN

Manchester City Council have announced that the application from Goals
Soccer Centres to build a commercial soccer centre in Heaton Park will
now NOT be considered at the Planning Committee on 17 December 2009. 

This is the second time that the proposals have failed to make it to Planning
Committee - earlier concerns meant the application was not considered in
September.
 
Local campaigners, whilst welcoming the delay, say the “fight must go on” to
stop this part of the park being ruined. The application is still expected to come
before Committee in the new year. 
 
Vic D’Albert, Parliamentary candidate for Bury South and local councillor said,
“I welcome this further delay and urge Manchester City Council even at this late
stage to reflect on the negative impact that this development would have on 
Heaton Park and the surrounding community. The legacy to future generations
should be trees and open parkland not concrete and cages.”
 
“Don’t sell Greater Manchester short, abandon these proposals and start a real
dialogue on how best to ensure Heaton Park is sustainable and preserved for
the benefit of all, this generation and those that follow.”

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.” 

Bury Conservatives conceded defeat again this week in their latest attempt at “cut first consult later”. They agreed not to cut the Councils Youth Services and instead merge it with the connexions service which provides help and support for 13-19 year olds.

OK admittedly not so much defeat as an ignominious retreat, but leaving many unswered questions that could still adversely affect the service.

For those not in the know at the last Council budget the Conservatives voted through a massive cut in finances for the service, then agreed that the issue should be consulted on following protests.

Then recently the Council scrutinised the decision and options and decided that keeping the service was the best option, leaving something like a £200,000 hole in the Council budget hence the merger proposal. Not so much a U-turn as a handbrake spin.

But this isn’t the first time this has happened. Three times this year the Conservatives have made decisions first and wondered about the implications later.

Read the rest of this entry.

The Social Work Task Force report published yesterday, provides a long overdue and much needed insight into the profession, but why has it taken so long?

These changes should have been made following the tragic death of Victoria Climbie’ nearly 10 years ago.

And, whilst very welcome the big question mark surrounds funds available. Cash strapped local authorities are already struggling to pay the kind of salaries to attract social workers and they will undoubtedly need to know that extra resources will be made available to provide the professional development, training, support and salary packages that need to be provided if the Government is serious about developing the profession and retaining experienced social workers.

So we will have to see how serious the Government takes this issue. Lip Service or crucial service? We will see. Whatever happens the fact remains that social workers do a difficult job in often difficult circumstances under extreme pressure and stress.

They deserve and we should expect that should have their situation and the professions future development taken seriously. We don’t need any more Baby P’s.

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.

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 

Bury Council is facing a funding crisis for Disabled Facilities Grants according to local Lib Dems. Figures obtained by Vic D’Albert, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Bury South reveal that over £1,500,000 of grants are either waiting for approval or approved and not yet paid.

“This is a serious issue with serious consequences for those waiting for these important grants” Said Vic D’Albert, adding, “These grants are essential to enable people with severe disabilities to adapt their properties to enable them to live as independent and full a life as possible. Often these involve proving basic ground floor facilities. These figures show that Bury is heading for a financial crisis with these grants, and are stalling over payments more and more in an effort to keep payments down. If the Council does not address this issue sooner rather than later we will see an escalation in the number of disabled people suffering longer and longer as a result.”

The Council had a budget for the year of just over £1.1m but already have applications totalling £1.53 not paid on top of £418,713 already paid this year. On top of these outstanding applications there are a further 34 cases that have now been marked as medium or low priority.

This backlog of grants follows on from the recent high profile local case of Mr Westwood of Whitefield, a double amputee and constituent of Vic D’Albert, who had to wait over 10 months for his grant. In another instance a mother with a 5 year old autistic child approached Vic D’Albert after being told by a council officer that “the council couldn’t afford to do the work yet – could they find the £29000 necessary and the council pay them back later”.

“I find it intolerable that in an effort to meet the budget that has been set at the beginning of the year, that Bury Council is effectively stalling on providing much needed adaptations. We are not talking luxuries here, these are essentials and needed immediately not in 10 months or a years time. I expect Bury Council to respond to this crisis with a detailed strategy as to how they plan to deal with this problem in a way that meets the demands of disabled residents.“

“It’s stressful, hurtful and frankly insulting for people to be treated this way. Bury Council needs to get a grip of the situation immediately.”

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.

Goals Soccer Centres have re-submitted an amended planning application to Bury Council for consultation following formal submission to Manchester City Council last week. It is expected to be a supplementary item on Bury Councils Planning Committee of NOVEMBER 17th where it will be presented for consultation only.

As reported last week, this application will be decided by Manchester City Council on December 17th.

The details are
Application number: 51957         Type of application: Consultation From Neighbouring Authority         Date Registered: 03/11/2009

Applicant: Goal Soccer Centres plc
Location: AREA ADJACENT TO EXISTING BOWLING PAVILION, HEATON PARK, PRESTWICH, M25 2SW
Proposal: PROPOSED SPORTS DEVELOPMENT COMPRISING OF DETACHED BUILDING TO FORM CHANGING ROOMS WITH ANCILLARY STORE, MULTI USE ROOMS AND CAFE BAR TOGETHER WITH THE FORMATION OF 13 SMALL-SIDED FOOTBALL PITCHES, 6 TENNIS AND NETBALL COURTS, SKATEPARK AND CLIMBING WALL WITH ASSOCIATED PARKING, LANDSCAPING, BOUNDARY TREATMENTS AND ASSOCIATED FLOODLIGHTING (AMENDED PLANS)

Plans will be available to view on the Council’s website within 2 working days from the date of this email. Should you require further details please contact the case officer: Mark Kilby on: 0161 253 7639 or reply by email. For further clarification please don’t hesitate to contact your local councillors.

Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors seem to be in the news today, locally and nationally.

At a national level, Gordon Brown has been attacked for spelling the name of a soldier killed in Afghanistan wrongly in a hand written note to his grieving mother which contained other grammatical errors.

Meanwhile a local Bury Labour Councillor has been accused of being illiterate by a Conservative Councillor for spelling and grammar mistakes on an email circulated to councillors.

Now personally I think that perhaps the biggest accusation that could be levied at Gordon Brown was that he should have paid closer attention to detail. And as such, for such a busy person, perhaps it was questionable as to whether he should have been allowed to pen such an important note in obvious haste.

But lets get something straight, and clearly I am no Brown fan, but there are far more important questions and criticisms to be hurled in the direction of our Prime Minister and his government than the standard of his spelling. It was a bad mistake to miss spell a soldiers name - but it’s not as bad as the poor equipment many soldiers have to put up with or the absence of crucial potentially life saving equipment and body armour.

Then there was the attack on a fellow Bury Councillor. I won’t pretend to know either Councillor personally - politics often gets in the way of developing friendships! But personally I have always had two principles that to me are crucial qualifications to decide if someone is a suitable candidate to be a local councillor. 

Firstly, they understand and can empathise with the people they seek to represent and serve. And secondly, they are prepared to listen and act on the concerns of those people.

It’s simple really - service and action.

I have met many people in the course of my duties as  a councillor that really have been illiterate and most people I meet and know(including myself) make spelling and grammar mistakes. But it does not affect my view of that person. I would not judge that they were unfit to represent people. This is 2009 not 1809.

Do you care for your community? Do you care for the people in your area? Do you want to make your town a better place? Yes? Do have the time and inclination to commit to playing your part in the community and the Town Hall decision making process?       Then that’s good enough for me.

What we don’t need is arrogance, personal insults, disrespectful behaviour and a dismissive approach to members of a different political persuasion coupled with abuse of the democratic process. 

Undoubtedly I have made some grammatical error in this statement, I am sorry if that offends - I was just doing my best.

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.”

Goals Soccer Centres have re-submitted their plans for a commercial soccer centre in the St Margaret’s Road area of Heaton Park this week.

These plans will now be subject to public consultation, and expected to go before Manchester Council’s Planning Committee on 17 December 2009.

The plans have been resubmitted despite significant opposition from local residents, heritage watchdogs and many users of the park.

The new plans see a slightly reduced scheme of THIRTEEN soccer pitches, SIX tennis courts and a climbing wall area. There are 40 car parking spaces and Club House.

Over the next week we’ll be giving you more information on how to campaign against the proposals - this will be our last chance to SAVE HEATON PARK!

More information on the planning application here (Manchester City Council). (Search under Higher Blackley Ward.)

Download the plans here and here.

Despite massive opposition and a wide range of concerns that our Heaton Park heritage will be damaged for ever Goals Soccer Centres have only made minor alterations. The key fact remains that if these proposals will go ahead they will be devastating for the St.Margarets area of Prestwich, damaging to the park and do virtually nothing in providing free access to sports facilities for young people in Prestwich.

Last night I attended a meeting of the Area Chairs Group - a meeting of the 6 chairs of local area partnerships along with the deputy leader of the Council and 3 council officers.

The meeting came just weeks after Area Partnership Managers were told that in future they will be moved around every 2 years and the Whitefield/Unsworth and Prestwich managers were to be swapped shortly.

This news angered Partnership Chairs because we rely heavily on the contacts and relationships our managers develop over a period of time. Many councillors feel that to move them every two years will just undermine the performance of local partnerships and weaken relationships with the wider community.

In addition what made things worse was that Area Partnership Chairs or other councillors have never been consulted on whether we support this change in policy and there has been no real justification given for swapping two managers now and in general the only justification given was to develop the area partnership managers.

But there has to be a hidden agenda here. It would seem Bury Conservatives or Bury Council management (not sure which yet) have decided to draw in the role of the partnerships and exercise greater control over their activities. It is clear to me that they fear the growing demands for local initiative and local working that the partnerships are bringing - and the demands that will bring on centralised Council departments that could be faced with diverse demands and pressures across the 6 townships. So expect more central influence and control over your local areas in the future. 

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

I want to inform you of a major change to the Housing and Council Tax Benefit rules.

From today child benefit payments will not be included as income for Housing and Council Tax Benefit purposes.  As well as increasing the entitlement of those who already receive HB and CTB, there will be a substantial increase in the number of people who may become eligible as a result of the change.

Families who have claimed Housing and Council Tax Benefit and were not entitled in the past may now be able to receive financial help towards their rent and Council Tax bill. 

Are you or someone you know one of these families? 

Bury Councils Mobile Advice Centre will be at the following locations on the following days between 10am and 3pm to help promote this change:

Monday, November 2: Mosses Community Centre, Edward Street, Bury.

Tuesday,November 3:Chesham Fold Road off Bell Lane, Bury.

Wednesday, November 4: Daisyfield Estate,Powell Street, Bury.

Thursday, November 5: Tesco, Prestwich.

Friday, November 6:Kay Gardens, Bury

Contact the The Benefits Service, Bury Council,Whittaker St, Radcliffe, for more information on 0161 253 5008 or email housingbenefits@bury.gov.uk

The LovePrestwich Big Clean will officially end next week – but the campaign to clean up the town still goes on.

The Community Payback team will hit the town centre on November 3 and 4 for a final go, then head to the Holyrood Road/Heys Road/Bury Old Road Area to tackle graffiti on shops, businesses, backs of shops, and the side of houses.

Vic D’Albert, chair of Prestwich Local Area Partnership, said: “If this Community Payback team were playing in the Premiership or Champions League, they’d be champions. Their team work is fantastic, their commitment without doubt and the difference they have made to Prestwich is phenomenal.

“The work doesn’t stop here - we hope to continue to work with Community Payback, subject to funding, for three days a month to clean off graffiti and much more.

“We certainly want to expand the idea, and arrange community clean-up weekends of action whereby, if people volunteer, we will provide skips and litter picks to tidy the streets. This team is a winning team and I hope it is here to stay.”

Graffiti and No Graffiti outside M&S earlier this month.

Wednesday nights Full Council meeting - is the 6 weekly gathering of all 51 Bury Councillors.  It has struggled to be an effective forum and rarely gets to make any real decisions - yes, talking shop would often be an accurate description.

When it can be effective is to provide an opportunity for informed debates about important issues - such as the 10:10 Environment debate we had last night.

However since the Conservatives have come to power in Bury we have seen numerous measures introduced to minimise questioning of the ruling party and provide greater control of proceedings.

That is bad enough in itself, however last night we reached a whole new level. Awkward questions were filibustered (an attempt to talk and talk without answering the question and to waste time etc), and often they weren’t answered at all. On occasion they were actually used as an excuse to attack opposition councillors.

Then the low point was reached when the Conservatives actually lost a vote. What happened next had to be seen to be believed. The Chief Executive (not a politician) advised that one of the options could be to take the vote again and allow the previously absent councillor that caused the Tories to lose the vote to reverse the decision. This was supposedly done with the advice of a senior legal officer present at the time. It should also be pointed out that the vote was counted incorrectly anyway in the first instance as there seemed a presumption that the ruling tory group had won automatically!

 It was incredible, disfunctional, manipulative, and many other things. What is was not was transparent, informing, in any way useful or democratic. It was a shambles an embarrassment and a disgrace.

Now I could take the view that this is exactly what the ruling Conservative group want. But I cannot believe they do. Ok they want to win the arguments, the votes, to get their own way like the rest of us but surely there is a better way.

I could take the view that it doesn’t really matter, who cares, it’s largely a talking shop anyway. But that would be giving in, i’m not good at that - and surely if managed better it could be a useful forum.

So I come to this conclusion. This should be an opportunity for putting things right, for reversing the damaging undermining of local democracy of recent months, for improving the way business is progressed in the council chamber and for restoring respect between councillors of different political persuasions.

 A FEW GOOD MEN (AND WOMEN OF COURSE)

Perhaps it’s time for councillors who would like to see improvements to come forward and come together to see if there is common ground to improve the way we all do things.

Naive I may be , but all in all I still believe that all 51 councillors are committed to improving Bury and to representing the people that they are elected to serve, to the best of their ability.

Perhaps we need a convention of like minded councillors that have had enough of the 6 weekly Bury council pantomine and want to start doing thing better, more professionally and with respect for their fellow councillors - however much you despise their policies.

The public frequently tell us politicians to work together, perhaps now would be a good time.

On the other hand we could just send for Coco the clown, the dancing dogs and make a proper circus of the whole shabang. Oh no they won’t….oh yes they will!

Last night  at a full meeting of Bury Council,  the main business was a motion calling for Bury Council to join with over 50 other Councils, and millions of people and join the 10:10 campaign to pledge to cut CO2 emission in Bury by 10% in 2010.

I had the honour of proposing the Lib Dem motion, my colleague, Cllr Richard Baum seconded. We accepted an appropriate amendment from the Labour Group and for a moment things actually looked positive.

Then the Conservative leader and others spoke against and my heart sank at the utter lack of understanding of the peril many of us may face in our lifetime and the perils our children and grand children will certainly face.

They talked of putting together a strategy, of putting it back until 2011, some even questioned the accepted scientific wisdom that the earth is warming and climate change affect.

Totally missing the point they talked about bringing others on board such as the business community - as it’s difficult in the recession etc.

I pointed out to deaf Conservative ears that action to cut CO2 emissions can save money as well as the planet. That the cost of ignoring climate change would have a devastating affect on businesses, our homes and quality of life. But all to no avail.

Clearly their slogan “vote Conservative, get green - is a non-starter, if not an insult to those that take the future of life on this planet seriously. Bury Conservatives are clueless on the environmental threat faced by the people of Bury , this country, the planet.

It seriously makes you question whether a Conservative Government would be prepared to take the necessary action or would they put it off ’till tomorrow. 

It was depressing, frustrating and in my book a dereliction of duty to those we serve.

You can read my speech to the Council here: climate-change-speech-281009.pdf

If you are concerned about tackling climate change I would urge you to visit the 10:10 website here and like me, join the 10:10 campaign, and encourage others to join. Bury Council may be fiddling while Rome burns but you can still play your part.

The latest clever wheaze (so they think) from Bury Conservatives is to set up “Task and Finish ” groups to deal with sensitive issues. These can be dealt with in the peace and quite of an office buried somewhere in the Town Hall out of the glare of prying public and for that matter local councillors.

Recently they set one up to look at options for the Council Security service and prior to that the result of the initial stages of the Civic Suites review was to establish a Task and Finish group to investigate the matter futher.

TASK & FINISH - HOW IT WORKS

Bury Conservatives have decided that the way to identify savings in council services is to carry out a number of Service Improvement reviews. These are carried out by officers. The officers produce a report which is then presented to a Scrutiny Committee (which does contain Councillors!). The report to Scrutiny will contain a number of options for consideration and the recommendation that a Task and Finish group be established to investigate further and report on it’s findings to the Council Executive (which is totally controlled by the Conservatives).

By dealing with issues this way they are hoping to minimise contact with Councillors - especially opposition councillors until the last possible moment. when no doubt a detailed officer report will produce overwhelming evidence in favour of the Councils preferred option. Effectively by-passing as much of the democratic process as possible.

Recently myself and other opposition Councillors proclaimed that Scrutiny is dead in Bury. Well, local Conservatives have just buried it!

This lunchtime I joined Save the Longfield Suite campaigners and spent two hours collecting signatures for the petition outside M&S in Prestwich.

I think I managed to fill over 5 pages of signatures and the response was terrific, with people eager to sign and pledge their support for retaining the Longfield Suite with it’s large sprung dancefloor.

The campaign is going from strength to strength and clearly campaigners are resolved to keep fighting until Bury Conservatives recognise the community value of the civic suites current facilities and back down over these plans. 

DON’T FORGET THE NEXT PUBLIC MEETING: Thursday November 5th, 7pm at the Longfield Suite. Your opportunity to put your questions and concerns directly to the leader of the Council, Cllr Bob Bibby.

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

AREA PARTNERSHIP PROGRESS UNDER THREAT 

Bury Council has unilaterally decided it is to move Area Partnership Managers around from Area to Area in what councillors have been told is to help improve skills and best practice etc across the Borough.

The move has brought condemnation from councillors across the party divide and especially from Area Partnership Chairs.

As the Chair of Prestwich Area Partnership it might interest readers to know that Area Partnership Chairs were not consulted, Area Partnership managers were not properly consulted. AND, when we made clear our strong opposition those views were ignored. Then a couple of weeks after the event on October 14th we received a letter from a senior council officer confirming the situation and if anything just adding insult to injury.

The Area initiative relies heavily on the managers - these are the only staff the local townships have. They work in the community, build up community relationships, develop contacts and work extremely hard to respond to local issues, take forward Partnership initiatives and address the local agenda.

At a stroke Bury Council has put at risk the effectiveness of the whole innitiative. Whilst previously I was concerned about the Councils committment to local involvement and local decision making, I now know they are committed to maintaining the status quo - power and control from the centre.

It’s frankly an insult to the hard work that the Area Partnership Managers have put in over the past few years and a blow to the hopes of delivering real improvement on the ground and real community engagement and cohesion from Ramsbottom to Prestwich, from Radcliffe to East Bury.

Diverse communities, diverse requirements and strong local voices that demand local solutions.

I suspect a hidden agenda behind these proposals, in the meantime all I know is we are expected to put up with yet another bad decision from Bury Council. 

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”.

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

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.”

PLANNING APPLICATION 

A Planning application has been lodged by Care UK for the siting of a mobile Health Clinic at Tesco’s for a period of seven years.

Details would be appear sketchy at present but presumably it will be one of those mobile testing clinics - where you can get your blood pressure checked out or perhaps have more serious matters checked/tested for problems. All potentially very good but immediately questions spring to mind.

Firstly why isn’t this happening at the walk in centre (or its much hoped for LIFT centre replacement)?

I thought the NHS was hard up. So why are they paying a private company to dump a mobile clinic at Tesco’s for 7 years and staff it?

It also seems a bit bizarre - have your heart checked out, while your better half rumages through the fruit and veg!

And I assume Tesco’s are getting a pretty good slice of the action also. Let’s face it they’re not exactly know for their benevolence to the local community. So perhaps someone will let us know who is paying what to whom in this novel initiative?
 

According to leaked reports to the Bury Times, Bury Conservatives are threatening to close the Longfield Suite and Radcliffe Civic Hall.

The proposals come following a review of Civic Halls by a Council working group which could lead to the closure of Radcliffe Civic Hall and sweeping changes to the Longfield Suite or even closure - depending on final recommendations.

The Longfield suite with its famous sprung dance floor, is the only one of the Councils Civic halls to make money but what is even more astounding is that the “review” comes after the Love Prestwich Strategy was adopted by Bury Council.

That strategy re-affirmed the views of residents following broad and detailed consultation that the suite should stay and the dance floor should stay - but acknowledged that refurbishment was required and some adaptations to make the facility more flexible in meeting 21st century community needs.

This is nothing more than a disgraceful attempt to save money - not for frontline life and death services - but to enable Bury Conservatives to modernise the ailing and loss making Elizabethen Suite - and guess where that is - that’s right, Bury Town Centre!

I’d like to put it to Cllr Bibby, leader of the Conservative Group at Bury that we should instead consider closing the Elizabethan Suite instead. We could then plough the savings into improving Radcliffe Civic suite and the Longfield Civic suite. How say you?

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

Last night I attended the  first Street Lighting Working Group meeting at the Town Hall.

The working group arose out of the Tories “turn them off - no turn them back on again” U-turn on a budgeted 1 in 3 street light turn off. I was one of those that opposed the original proposal because I believe the issue needs addressing properly both from a financial perspective but also to address environment issues. Our Street lights emit about 13% of the Council’s Co2 emissions.

Last nights first meeting was a briefing on the issues, the state of our street lights, the technology available in replacement lights and options available for improving street lights in the borough.

We were told we had about 18,500 street lamps and that 1 in 5 of our street lamps (that’s 4000) was over 40 years old - when they have a life expectancy of 25-30 years!  We also learned that we are currently spending the whole of the available street light maintenance budget on replacing unsafe, broken or fallen down street lamps.

In effect we are replacing about 150 lamps a year when we currently have over 4000 that need replacing now. When you add to that the urgency required to get our CO2 emissions down, you will see why the working group were supportive of looking into various options to find the capital to replace street lamps and bring others up to standards now required.

Earlier this month we discovered that it would take to 2084 to repair all of our roads last night we learned that it would take to 2035 to replace our decrepit (over 40 years old) street lamps.

It really does bring home to you how much of our infrastructure has been neglected under successive Conservative and Labour Governments. 

As previously reported, proposals to improve safety at this busy junction have been brought forward by Council Officers and have now been consulted on.

Only one resident raised any concerns and as such the proposed safety scheme is now set to be implemented before the end of the financial year in March 2010.

I attach correspondence and details of the proposal here: heywood-rd-bor-safety-scheme.pdf

Last nights EET meeting thankfully improved after the “coffee machine” disaster.

PARKING IN BURY

A annual report was presented about Parking services which outlined the number of penalty notices issued and other parking issues.

The report highlighted that the number of people parking in the town centre had reduced over the past year, that revenue from meters and notices will be less than budgeted and 6703 penalty notices were issued. My collegaue,Cllr Donal O’Hanlon raised a very interesting point that 24% or nearly 1 in 4 notices issued were eventually cancelled. In other words we (the Council) were paying people to cancel notices rather than being less heavy handed, reasonable or accurate in the first instance.

I requested that a wide ranging visitor survey be undertaken to focus on parking issues and identify any further issues. This was in response to a limited survey of 1000 motorists that appealed against notices.

STREET LIGHTING

Some avid readers of local current affairs will remember that the Conservative authority , first announced that they wanted to turn off street lights, then had an executive panic attack and decided to change their minds. This angered member of the Environment scrutiny commission who were aware of the need to improve street lighting both in terms of efficiency bu reducing CO2 emissions. Lighting accounts for 13% of the Borough total.

Last night we agreed to set up a working group to look at street lighting issues with a view to applying for a public finance initiative to improve our street lights.

HOUSING GRANTS

A paper was presented to the commission proposing changes to the grants available for residents to carry out housing improvements or adaptations. Much of these changes were non contentious - for instance amending the Minor repairs and Improvements Grants to take account of sustainability issues and decent homes standards.

However what bothered me intensely was changes to the Disabled Facilities Grants. Currently it is mandatory that the council finance up to £30,000 of adaptations, how they now propose that any further “top-ups” required will be only available in exceptional circumstances. Officers admitted that this was due to budgetary pressures - The council has a budget of around £1.2m which included £617,000 from the Government.

I am concerned that this is a start on squeezing local authority grants and support generally - and it greatly concerns me that this is once again financially driven - officers admitted that it is likely residents would have to wait longer or may be turned down for additional essential work.

I was tired at the start of tonights Council meeting at the town hall never mind the end. It has been a busy week - and it’s still only thursday. I had been up til 1am for the past 3 nights etc etc etc blah blah blah.

And so it was in that semi-zonked , semi distracted and very not concentrating mind that I approached a coffee machine in the meeting room.

So I picked up a saucer placed it on the required spot and pressed “cappuccino”.  I was startled by the sound of my colleage Cllr Donal O’Hanlon  sharing a joke with Conservative Cllr Ijaz Ahmed. ”I wonder what that cross party banter is all about” I wondered as the sound of coffee splashing into saucer suddenly reached my ears. That was bad enough but so paralysed by the shock of my actions, I didn’t rush a cup under the spout to catch the rest of the offering, no, I merely watched the saucer fill to the brim whilst wondering how I should deal with the inevitable spillage!

So dear reader thats what Council meetings does to your faithful representatives! And this one hadn’t even started!

It’s time for the weekend me thinks.

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

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

Application number: 51757         Type of application: Full         Date Registered: 15/09/2009

Applicant: Mr Naseem Dost
Location: 33 GLEBELANDS ROAD, PRESTWICH, M25 1WE
Proposal: RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT - 10 APARTMENTS WITH 12 CAR PARKING SPACES AND LANDSCAPING

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

A similar application came up for this site some time ago which I opposed along with many other local people and organisations. Once the plans are available I will be scrutinising them once more and will comment more fully at that time.

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.

It really does not achieve anything for Labour and the Tories to constantly try and twist each others words and statements on public spending in order that they then bleat “I told you so” to the media. With the Tories pledging to increase the costs of a ploughmans lunch in the House of commons and Labour trying to match the rhetoric with strong words but without saying much at all, we desperately need a grown up debate.

They talk of Public services as if they were something that is a luxury that can’t really be afforded in tough times - like eating out less or not replacing your ageing TV.

In all the talk of spending cuts and committments we need to remember that many public services are by definition quite vital and essential - relied on by many of the most vulnerable in our communities and by necessity not always affordable or providable through the private sector.

So in these difficult times whilst it is right to address Government spending, let’s also address Government income and Government waste, and lets have a sensible grown up discussion about services - the services that we can do without - ID cards etc and the services that need protecting - because of the impact of cuts.

The TUC were right to wade into the debate yesterday on the eve of their conference because we must not forget the implications of cuts invariably mean redundancies directly and indirectly.

Cuts will need to be made, but we need to ensure vital services are protected. It’s about services that matter, it’s about people lives as well as livelihoods.

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.

Tory Councillor and MP hopeful Michelle Wiseman says she is confused.

She is confused ,she says, because whilst the Lib Dems are opposed to a sports zone being built on open parkland in Heaton Park, we were proposing (at last nights council meeting), to press for more sporting activities and initiatives in Bury in the run up to the Olympic Games in 2012.

I would urge Mrs Wiseman to get out more (and meet real members of the public) as things aren’t always as black and white as Conservative Central Office makes out.

The Lib Dems are opposed to the specific proposals because, put simply, they are:

a) in the wrong place

b) Not freely available for public use - charges may be as much as £45 for pitch hire and,

c) Will mean the end for yet another piece of Heaton Park .

They are primary reasons and when you throw in the damage to the environment and extra congestion and nuisance to neighbouring residents we feel that makes a compelling case.

That should not however mean we are opposed to sports facilities - for the record we did not oppose the building of the Commonwealth Bowling greens and pavilion etc. But why should we be building on historic open parkland when there are derelict brown field sites across North Manchester and Bury?

But what was most dissapointing from Mrs Wiseman was that her desperate attempt to sit on the Heaton Park fence was exposed last night after telling Heaton Park Action Group that they had her 100% support we now know that was a shallow empty committment.

As for our motion we believe the Olympic Games provides a great opportunity to encourage young and old alike to get involved in sports and improve fitness and health etc by tapping into that enthusiasm that will be growing over the next few years. So it was particularly dissapointing that Michelle and her Tory colleagues voted down our proposals which included the development of a Greater Manchester Leisure Card enabling all residents across greater manchester to get better more affordable access to facilities across the area.

Confused, Shallow, Fence sitting - Bury Conservatives, one change we don’t need.

At last nights Full Council meeting at Bury Town Hall, I proposed a motion on behalf of the Lib Dem group that called on the Council to scrutinise the use of the so-called “snoopers charter”, that is surveillance powers available to Councils.

Under powers available to Bury Council they can carry our surveillance including recording phone calls, videoing, use of unmarked vans with one-way windows, tracking, camers, binoculars etc. Over the past 5 years they have used this powers over 165 times to my knowledge.

At last nights meeting I was frankly amazed at the raction of both Labour and the Conservatives - both opposed our motion. I am amazed because I didn’t call for the powers to be scrapped or restricted (at this stage), or for any outside intervention or authorisation. I simply called for the procedures in place and the details about who can authorise spying and the type of incidents to be placed before councillors in order that they may satisfy themselves that this is a good use of Council tax money and officer time and that these ectreme spying powers are being used appropiately and with restraint.

I can only assume from the ruling Conservative groups determination that Councillors shouldn’t vet the use of these powers that they do have something to hide. I’ll just have to keep digging.

You can read the text of my speech in support of the motion here:  ripa_powers_motion_99091.pdf

As if the current recession isn’t bad enough, I came away from last nights Council Climate Change meeting with the realisation that things are going to be very difficult for local authorities and for that matter central government if we are to meet internationally agreed targets for Carbon emissions.

Effectively from 2011 a set of increasing financial pressures/penalties will be applied vice-like by Government in order to force councils to reduce carbon emissions. 

At the centre of the proposals is a scheme of carbon trading which would involve councils with emissions over a certain level having to “buy” carbon allowances and possibly trade them in etc.

What was clear from last nights meeting was that there isn’t really any alternative to these proposals and in Bury’s case perhaps as much as £300,000 in allowances may need to be purchased to start with (from where will the money come from I hear you ask?) and this may well rise if we struggle to reduce emmissions. It could all be a nightmare for councils and in turn council services that will require investment to meet the reduction targets.

The biggest challenge is likely to be with our schools. Currently it has been identified that 72% of Bury’s carbon emissions come from our schools.

I suppose what hit me last night was the fact that a) there is virtually no room for manouvre on this, b) Its another financial problem for public services and c) there is no choice!

After all if we fail on climate change we fail future generations and the clock is already ticking.

Bury Council are “consulting” on the future of Bury’s Youth Service. This follows the decision in March to seek external partners to run the service in what was viewed by Lib Dems as a damaging cost cutting exercise.

The Youth Service promotes and delivers personal and social development to 11–25 year olds. It operates out of four local authority centres in Radcliffe, Whitefield, East Bury and Elton while the Phoenix Centre in Prestwich is used in partnership with Prestwich Methodist Youth Association.

Many partners work with the service, such as Connexions, the Youth Offending Service and schools.

It seems a tad disenguous that people are being for their views now several months after the decision was taken to cut back on the youth service. Any comments will be cash strapped by the councils earlier decision which ignored the views of the young people, youth workers and many councillors at the time.

Nevertheless of course if you don’t make your views known that will go against the youth service provision in Bury as well. So please do make your views known before Sunday, September 20, contact youthservicereview@bury.gov.uk or visit the service’s Facebook group. And please please please back Bury’s Youth Service - it needs better funding not chopping!

For more details and to ask questions, call Amy Svensson, improvement adviser, on 0161 253 6549.

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

At long last it finally seems the Council are set to approve a policy for gating back alleys. A mere three years after I first pressed for a policy to be adopted.

It has been a frustrating three years to, with many schemes unable to proceed despite residents pleas, police support and councillors support - but because Bury Council didn’t have a policy we were stuffed!

The fact is it has been proven elsewhere that closing back alleys cuts crime and anti-social behaviour dramatically and as such I will be pressing for a number of alleys to be closed as soon as possible.  In some ways it’s a shame but if it cuts crime and improves the lot of affected residents then it has to be a good thing.

This may seem like my craziest post yet but the fact is that unless politics is revitalised and revamped with new faces, new blood - and I mean ordinary people like YOU!!!  then it will prove disastrous for this country - leading to poorer Government, (even more) out of touch politicians and terrible decisions.

WE  NEED YOU NOW. And I don’t mean the Lib Dems alone. All the mainstream political parties. If you care about the area you live in, your community, your town and the issues that affect you, the do something about it. Talk to the local political parties and either join one of them or get involved helping out to start with.

Only by community minded local residents getting involved and influencing the parties will our politics become more representative, more vibrant and dynamic and more effective. So go on get involved - we don’t bite you know, and you might even enjoy yourself! 

I read with interest local Conservative, Mr Grosskopfs comments in last weeks letters. Mr Grosskopf starts with a mistaken understanding of Gordon Browns economic policies and then goes on to provide a kindergarten explanation of how a Conservative Government would make everything in the garden rosy.

Fist of all, and anyone who know me knows that I am no defender of Labour policies, but I will grant that Gordon Browns economic policies have sought to end boom and bust in our economy despite Mr Grosskopfs comments last week. It is the methods employed in ending the boom and bust economic cycles previously suffered that has led to ridiculous borrowing levels by financial institutions and individuals alike that has led to our present demise. So if we are to blame Labour for the state of our economy lets at least get the reasons right!

He then goes on to suggest that a Conservative Government will sort this mess out and it will somehow be better for local government. I was first elected to Bury Council under a Conservative Government and perhaps I need to remind people - certainly local Conservatives, about the devastation wrecked on local Councils by a Conservative Government intent on blaming all the worlds ills on local councils while claiming the glory for every “saving” going at national level. Conservative Governments brought local councils to their knees, forcing damaging cuts to vital services and enforcing savage cuts to council responsibilities and powers. A Conservative Government would be no friend to local councils - remember the poll tax!

He then goes on to tell people that in any case the Lib Dems don’t stand a chance locally at the next general election. Me thinks he is worried. If  everything was as it was in 2005 he would be right. But we have more Councillors - more than the Conservatives in Bury South, Labour are much weaker, the world has changed  and the Lib Dems are stronger. And just to correct his comment, actually a vote for the Lib Dems will be just that AND will help us win in Bury South AND help us ensure we get fairer Government, better Government and a fresh start for Britain.

He finishes by questioning the Lib Dems achievements in the 10 years since we took “power” in Prestwich. I wish he checked his facts first. Sadly we have only been controlling the Area Partnership for the past 5 years and if he checked out the “powers” we have at local level he would discover that we are very limited in what we can do aside from Tory controlled Bury Council. In actual fact under those cicumstances I feel we have achieved an awful lot in 5 years and undoubtedly if the Bury Council was Lib Dem led we would have achieved much much more. But the one fact remains that whoever rund Bury or the Area Partnership I can assure residents that local Lib Dems will be fighting your corner on the issues that matter.

The news that the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has come out in opposition to the proposed development of a Goals soccer centre at Heaton Park is surely another serious blow to Manchester City Council’s ambitions in that direction.

HLF have confirmed that they support the sentiments of English Heritage that essentially the plans amount to over development and are not in keeping with the historical nature of the park and it’s open parkland.

Meanwhile Manchester City Council refuse to allow residents to see the deeds to the park.

In response to a Freedom of Information request MCC said they wouldn’t supply a copy of the deeds as they were available elsewhere (not quite true). The question has to be asked what is Manchester  CC frightened of , why are they hiding the deeds, what are they trying to stop local people seeing.

For years it has been suggested that the deeds contain covenants stating that the park can not be developed. So perhaps its time for Manchester to come clean. If they have nothing to hide show us the deeds, it’s as simple as that.

Last night I chaired the Council’s Local Development Framework Sub group (of the Economy, Environment and Transport Scrutiny Commission). Believe me it’s more interesting than it sounds!

Ostensibly the group has been set up to oversee the progress of the Council’s production of a Local Development Framework (LDF) and to scrutinise the consultation process and ensure all bases are covered etc.

The LDF is a votal planning document that will inform future development and conservation across the whole of Bury for the period up to 2026. For instance it will highlight where development will be permitted, whether that development can be for employment purposes or housing for instance. It will identify green belt and green “facilities”.

So all in all its a crucial piece of work that will have a far reaching affect on he future of Bury. Last night was only our second meeting so some way to go yet. But good progress is being made.

The meetings are open to the public - next meeting September 14th, 6pm Bury Town Hall.

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

Application number: 51601         Type of application: Full         Date Registered: 12/08/2009

Applicant: Mr Churchill
Location: LAND TO THE REAR OF 58 - 62 BURY OLD ROAD, WHITEFIELD, M45 6TL
Proposal: SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION TO FORM 4NO STORAGE UNITS, FIRST FLOOR EXTENSION TO FORM ADDITIONAL STORAGE TO UNITS 8,10,12 & 14 & ASSOCIATED DEVELOPMENT

Plans will be available to view on the Council’s website within 2 working days from the date of this email. Should you require further details please contact the case officer: Tom Beirne on: 0161 253 5361 or contact either myself, Cllr Pickstone or Cllr Davison for advice about commenting on this application.

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.

With the announcement that Bury Council is to contest the recent equal pay ruling against the Council would suggest the Tories are playing a dangerous game indeed both with Council services and finances.

I understand all the other Greater Manchester Councils have accepted the decision, yet Bury Council seems to think that they somehow have a special case.

Having already incurred costs of over £600,000 they are now committing to spend a whole lot more on legal expenses to fight a claim that will cost millions if lost. To that end I appreciate the Chief Executives judgement that as protector of the public purse they must do all they can to safeguard public funds and as such the maths says it all, sadly however form on this issue isn’t good.

What is deeply worrying is that having seen what has gone before on this issue leaves me with precious little faith in the Council strategy especially with regard to any involvement from the ruling Conservative administration.

It must be remembered that not so long ago councillors were being told that we had to go through the painful pay and regrading review because if we didn’t we faced hundreds of legal actions against the Council.

So having demoralised half the staff, with many leaving, surpise surprise we end up with legal actions culminating in the recent decision that exposes Bury to claims running into millions.

Of course that was also helpfully followed by Bury’s Chief Executive warning of redundancies with dire consequences for council services.

Now the Council is advised that we once again have a great case. I wish I was that confident and in any case the moral arguments would seem in many cases to outweigh any legal technicalities. Then there is the sleeping partner in all this - the Labour Government that has stood back, washed its hands and refused to offer any crumbs of comfort to beleagured councils around the country- the silence is deafening.

Bury Council is proposing to introduce some safety improvements for this junction primarily consisting of the introduction of push button pedestrian facilities and some minor road widening.

Attached below is a copy of the letter and plans highlighting what measures are proposed for the junction and which will be delivered to the residential properties/businesses near to the proposed scheme later on this week.

If you have any queries or wish to raise any concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact either myself, Cllr Pickstone or Cllr Davison.

bor-hroad-plan.pdf      bor-hroad-letter.pdf

  LETTERS TO THE PRESS 6/8/09

I was amused to read the letters pages of 23^rd July with broadside against the Lib Dems from Lab/Con members.

Most amusing was the Labour member saying its all our fault for putting the Tories into power at Bury, and the Tory member saying we should remember that we were in coalition with the Tories in Bury. Who was right? Of course neither. Both sadly so wrapped up in their own spin and bitter take on events that they prefer to ignore the truth.

When Labour lost power the Tories were the largest party. The public that had voted against Labour and in two cases for 2 new Lib Dem councilors would not have stomached the Lib Dems then propping up a Labour administration. Straight and simple.

We have never been in coalition with anyone on Bury, preferring thus far to handle matters on an issue by issue basis and that has seemed to work well. But of course that will never satisfy the Tories or Labour who would simply prefer us not to exist – 3’s a crowd in politics so far as they are concerned.

The Conservative member then went on to lambast us “suggesting not a lot has happened”. I would correct him on that score, and suggest that not a lot has happened in Prestwich as a result of the Tories being in power –  but a lot has happened as a result of the local Lib Dems.

As I write we have teams cleaning graffiti and grot spots across the area, we have had a successful Prestwich Festival, plans for the development of Prestwich village are before the Councils Planning Committee, we are finally getting an alley-gating scheme to cut back crime, and we continue to press for this Conservative Council to get real and stop neglecting our highways. And, we will continue to stand up for all of Prestwich, while the Tories and Labour no doubt increase the mud slinging and point scoring in the run up to next May’s elections.

Finally, I noted  the Labour member saying we should have proportional representation because its not fair that the Lib Dems have all 9 Prestwich seats. Now there’s a turn up, welcome to the club Frank!

Last night Bury Councils Healthier Communities Scrutiny Committee confirmed the Councils decision to close all but one of our elderly persons homes and change some to special centres ie for dementia/respite care etc.

Whilst the issue was controversial in itself and only went through on the casting vote of the chair, what is in many ways more controversial is the manner in which this decision has come about and the delusion that the Council scrutiny committees actually scrutinise to any degree.

Last nights meeting took over 2.5 hours to scrutinise the future accomodation needs and facilities required by the elderly in a 10 year plan culminating in the hoped for build of two care villages by 2020.  Were projected costings scrutinised? No. Were detailed analysis of the various options scrutinised? No. Have the implications for those with learning disability been fully scrutinised (as it will affect their facilities)? No.

Effectively what was actually being scrutinised (and I do use the word loosely now) was a vision from officers of what they would like to see developed over the next 10 years for elderly accomodation provision. Visions are fine but they are the beginning of a process, not the end.

Bury’s scrutiny of council decisions amounts to little more than a rough evaluation or assessment of the decision. How on earth can you scrutinise life changing decisions of the council in a couple of hours, especially when ranged in front of you are a bank of senior officers in support of the decision and no support for councillors trying to scrutinise.

The “scrutiny” system is a disgrace, doesn’t work, and a pointless waste of time.It will lead to policy mistakes and that means people may suffer. Surely even the ruling Tory group don’t want to see that. 

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

Application number: 51622         Type of application: Full         Date Registered: 03/08/2009

Applicant: Bury Metropolitan Borough Council
Location: HEATON PARK CP SCHOOL, CUCKOO LANE, WHITEFIELD, M45 6TE
Proposal: EXTENSION AND REFURBISHMENT TO PROVIDE NEW CHILDREN’S CENTRE

Plans will be available to view on the Council’s website (see the Planning Dept link on the left) within 2 working days. Should you require further details please contact the case officer: Helen Longworth on: 0161 253 5322 or myself or my fellow Holyrood Councillors, Cllr Tim Pickstone or Cllr Wilf Davison.

A few people in favour of the proposed development of a sports zone in Heaton Park keep challenging the “anti” development campaign, including myself and colleagues, accusing us of spoiling things for the kids that want sports facilities.

I am frankly amazed at what little regard some people seem to have for parkland, and especially for something as widely cherished as Heaton Park.

They don’t see a problem with building on parkland, they don’t see the loss - only the gain, almost blinded by the potential gain. And perversely they fail to see that sports can be played on grass parkland as well. In fact unless things have changed isn’t football supposed to be played on grass? Grass parkland is the ultimate in flexible sporting facilities!

Would the same people like to see Bury Council build sports facilities on St.Mary’s park, Barnfield Park or the Clough?

Our parkland has to be protected because once developed it will be lost forever and that would be an apalling legacy to leave future generations.

 ”on this site once stood open grassland - a habitat to wildlife and mature trees, shrubs and wild flowers. A haven and place of tranquility and sport to be enjoyed by the many and available to all absolutely free”

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)

Following on from the news that 12,000 high street businesses have closed their doors this year, I remain alarmed at how little is actually happening on the ground to help struggling small businesses through the worst recession for decades.

If you strip back the warm rhetoric from the Government we are left with the facts that banks are not lending as they should - they have admitted to building up reserves rather than lending, and the Government just keeps moaning about it in the media. Not good enough.

As if that isn’t bad enough we have a local Council that sees the building of a new shopping centre and cranes towering over Bury as a sign that Bury is booming. Cllr Bibby if you bring your gaze down from the lofty cranes you will see boarded up shops, shops To Let etc all over Bury. The trouble is when the shopping centre is redeveloped will there be any local independent businesses left to be part of it or will it be the usual collection of national chain stores you can find anywhere?

The Government must apply more pressure to get banks lending and at local level we need Councils to stop “living the dream” and get real with the plight of struggling local businesses and do what they can to ensure they get whatever support we can offer them. After all small businesses are the lifeblood of towns like Bury and Bury Conservatives must not forget that. 

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.

As an update from my previous post, a council officer has now come back to me and apparently Environmental Health will pay a visit and try and find evidence to prosecute someone. Progress at last!

The answer so far is 25 days and counting.

Baguley Crescent, Rhodes , Middleton - One block of flats has a mountain of household refuse including rotting foods and dumped mattress at the rear with over flowing drains covered in grease. I reported it to the Council initially about 6 weeks ago - no response. I re-reported it on June 22nd! I’ve just re-re-reported it an hour ago. I was told the supervisor is looking into it and will come back to me.

On another part of the same estate there is a stack opf asbestos roofing leaning against a wall. I reported that also on June 22nd - it is still there.

It really isn’t good enough that residents complaints - especially on an evironmental health issue (rats have been seen), should be so appallingly handled.

Lets see what happens next.

Bury Council have developed a Highways safety scheme to cut speed and improve pedestrian safety in the vicinity of Prestwich Arts College.

The initiative follows an accident about a year ago and pressure from local residents and local Councillors for action.

There will now be a short period of consultation with residents and interested parties about these proposals followed by a report to the Prestwich Area Partnership meeting of October 1st.

Please contact either myself or Cllrs Tim Pickstone or Wilf Davison if you require further information, meanwhile I attach proposal details and consultation form here heys-road-safety-scheme.pdf

Last nights meeting of Bury Councils’ Economy, Environment and Transport Scrutiny commission was most notable for one of the worst examples of a council trying to do a policy u-turn and save face that I have ever witnessed.

It all came about because in this years council budget the Conservatives decided that in oirder to save £250,000 they would switch off perhaps a third of street lights for a period each night.

Was this policy proposed as a grand environmental initiative - NO, Was this planned after extensive consultation - NO, Was this done as a blatant attempt to cut costs irrespective of the consequences - YES.

This was further ratified at a recent meeting of the Councils Executive that then requested the EET to scrutinise the issue.

Fast forward to last night and out of the blue the Conservative Chair, proposes a motion to go to Executive telling them to forget about it as it’s a bad idea.

Ok, even if we can put aside the fact that the Council Executive asked us to scrutinise the issue and we would be effectively be saying NO! And we could leave aside the potential environmental merits of reviewing the streetlights CO2 and power costs and requirements etc. At least we could if it was done for the right reason.

What was clear last night was that the Conservative Group, desperate to get out of a mess on this issue, with Council officers opposed, residents opposed and Police opposed, were desperate to be bailed out by the EET scrutiny commission. So now they can say they were prepared to go ahead but have bowed to pressure from the scrutiny commission.

I told the meeting that I didn’t think it was the job of this commission to find a way for the Executive to save face and get them out of this mess.

In the end due to something of an impasse (this item lasted nearly 40 minutes) and the opposition at least were opposed the switch off anyway, we agreed to tell the Executive to forget about turning off the street lamps (for now), so long as we can examine a long term strategy for reducing the environmental and financial impact of the boroughs streetlamps.

Phew, but what a joke!

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.

The Government are set to announce plans for fast tracking professionals into Social Work to help meet the critical shortage of social workers.

The pressure comes in light of the report into the Baby P death which highlighted the shortage of social workers at Haringey Council - A problem faced by many Councils.

Whilst I applaud every effort to bring more people into Social Work we have to be extremely careful that their inexperience coupled with on-the-job training pressures both with trainees and their experienced couterparts, doesn’t stretch our social services even further. 

The public needs to have confidence that the trainees aren’t getting a cut down training programme on the cheap that could ultimately put at risk even more children and vulnerable adults. We experience Social workers leaving or retiring all the time we could end up with a highly inexperienced and dangerously exposed social worker network.

At the end of the day we have to address the drain of social workers away from this service by bring pay and other benefits in line with the daily risks and pressures that they face.

To my mind that’s first base, we can then address the best ways of bringing more people into social work as quickly and expedient as appropriate bearing in mind the extreme vulnerability of their clientele and the high expectations of the general public.

I have just returned from Bury Councils Executive meeting at which the Councils Executive passed the Love Prestwich Regeneration strategy unaminously.

My colleague Cllr Tim Pickstone who attends the Executive on behalf of the Lib Dem Group, welcomed the strategy.

The strategy document sees the redevelopment of the Longfield Centre precinct with anew retail store, revamped library and Longfield suite coupled with more offices, shops a hotel and wider high street paving, larger open square area in the middle and much more.

Approval followed critical questioning from a representative of Tesco’s and supportive questioning from local residents and the Precinct owners, Hollins Murray Group.

The strategy will now become a material planning document. This means that any planning applications that come forward from developers (including Tesco’s) will be matched to the requirements , criteria and strategy outlined in this document.

Whatever happens next I am delighted that the biggest ever public consultation carried out in this area has finally been accepted by Bury Council. We must now await Hollins Murray Planning Applications and with the expectation that they are acceptable in light of the adoption of this strategy.

Stage 1 - mission accomplished, onto the next stage!

I would finish by thanking everyone who had an input into the strategy and have effectively helped create a truly acceptable blueprint for the future of Prestwich Village.

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.

Attended my first meeting as Bury Lib Dems nominated member of Bury Council’s Climate Change committee last night.

This Committee is actually a sub-committee to the Councils Economy, Environment and Transport Scrutiny Commission.

Last nights meeting was generally about deciding what particular aspects of climate change the committee would like to concentrate its efforts on over the coming year.

It was agreed that we would like to compare the relevant performance indicators set by the Government with actual results and compare to targets We will be receiving regular reports on these indicators throughout the year.

We will also be examining various aspects of the Councils carbon emissions to see how best that can be reduced.

It was also decided that examining the impact of climate change locally and possible mitigation measures should also be considered along with further examination of Bury’s recycling policy and allotment provision.

This meeting is open for the public to attend and ask questions, let me know if you would like details of the next meeting.

On Thursday 2 July the Government announced a shift in policy for managing the Swine Flu outbreak.

As Swine Flu spreads and more people start to catch it, it makes sense to move from intensive efforts to CONTAIN the virus to focusing efforts on TREATING the increasing number of people who have the disease.

This means that the UK’s Pandemic Flu plans will change from the containment and outbreak management policies to the treatment phase.

What should you do if you think you have Swine Flu?
The most comprehensive information about Swine Flu can be found at: NHS website.
Definition of flu like symptoms
Fever (a temperature of at least 38°C) and either influenza-like illness (two or more of the following symptoms: cough, sore throat, runny nose, limb/joint pain, headache).

Advice
It is extremely important that if you think you have swine flu, you do not go to hospital or to your GP. If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned because you think you have been in contact with someone who may have had Swine Flu:

•  
  • Stay at home.
  • Check your symptoms on the NHS Direct website, if possible.
  • Call the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513 to hear the latest advice.

If you are still concerned, call your GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Do not go into your GP surgery, or to a hospital as, if you do have Swine Flu you may spread the virus to others who are already unwell and less able to cope with the new strain of flu.

For more information visit the Swine Flu page (see menu on the left of this page.

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.

I have attached the Councils proposed highways refurbishment programme for Prestwich the schedule lists the worst streets in Prestwich - in need of repair and you will see that the worst is Fairway with estimated repair costs of £165,000.

The trouble is Prestwich Area Partnership has been allocated £63,000 to carry out all necessary repairs.

The gap between budget and repairs needed is growing and growing and as reported last week the number of claims meanwhile is growing as well with £2,000,000 paid out between May 07 and June 09.

This Highways budget is set to be presented to Prestwich Area Partnerships meeting on thursday July 9th at Sedgley Park School. It has become an almost apologetic item on the agenda that only serves to cause irritation. Bury Conservatives have to take action to deal with our crumbling roads, or the claims will carry on growing.

The schedule and estimated costs can be found here: prestwich-with-footway-costs-split.pdf

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

A leading member of the ruling Conservative Group conceded that our roads are a disgrace at the recent full meeting of Bury Council.

The admission from Cllr Gunther was in response to a question from Lib Dem councillor, Mary D’Albert (St.Mary’s ward).

But most astonishing was the reply that for the period May 07 to June 09 Bury Council has paid out on 333 highways claims with the total amounting to a shocking £2.1 Million. The average claim was just under £6500.

This is further evidence if needed that Bury’s roads are in a terrible state and in need of massive investment. At he full council meeting we called on the Council to consider drastic action, if need be obtaining one off loans to bring inject much needed funds into the highways maintenance programme.

The Conservative leader of the council conceded that the amount needed to bring our roads up to speed is more likely to be in the region of £40 million.

One thing is sure we need action now, because our roads are getting worse, claims are going through the roof and accidents are likely to happen.

Cllr Sheila Magnall followed the House of Commons speaker in making a very competent debut at Wednesdays full council meeting at the town hall, maintaining a firm control of proceedings and not afraid to make judgments. Clearly the lady is not to be messed with!

However it is a shame she is operating in an apparently ever diminishing democratic environment at the Town hall.

To recap the Conservatives have made it more difficult for members of the public to ask questions at council, they have limited questions from councillors at Full Council and restricted questions at Executive meetings, they require further notice of questions in writing. On top of that they are in my opinion trying to restrict the scrutiny commissions scrutiny of policy and limiting the scrutiny commissions work programme of items they may wish to scrutinise. And if that wasn’t bad enough if an item is scrutinised, any recommendations to teh Executive tend to be ignored - at least if opposition members have had a significant input.

We desperately need to open up our democracy and re-engage with members of the public. The public we serve!

It’s time our democratic decision making and policy review structures were completely reviewed, if necessary with the aid of independant advisors or members.

Last night I took the opportunity to question the Conservative leader of the Council about his references during the week to disabled children attending Radcliffe Riverside. He had stated at a previous meeting that “It’s a reality of life” and the move to The Derby High could pose “A bit of a problem” as it does not have disabled access.

Whilst he clarified his comments last night, I told him that his remarks had been totally insensitive to the concerns of disabled people in the Borough not least Radcliffe and he should have apologised.

I also put it to him that the disability access issue is symptomatic of a Conservative Council making policy in a panic, on-the hoof and that the reorganisation of high schools had been mishandled and was a shambles.

He neither apologised or agreed with me - no surprise there. What was surprising was the leader of the Labour group accusing me of hypocrisy. This was apparently because we supported the motion to proceed with merger (with the Derby) to get the school built. Cheap points scoring, when he knows full well we never agreed to close Riverside before The Derby High. And we have consistently pressed for the pupils, parents, staff and Governors to be fully consulted and kept on side all along. Of course what we now know is that the Tories panicked and the rest is history.

Police investigated a quite staggering 300 cases of child abuse in Bury last year and a further 180 complaints from residents worried about child welfare etc.

Vic D’Albert commented, “These are frankly frightening statistics and in many ways a sad reflection on modern society. I just hope and pray that these statistics represent most if not all of the “iceberg” rather than the tip. There is no place for abuse in our society whether child or elder abuse and I would implore anyone who is worried about an individuals welfare and the possibility of abuse to contact the authorities immediately. I also applaud the Police and Council officers for their efforts and diligence in what must often be very trying and disturbing circumstances.”

Bury Police also confirmed that between 90 and 110 incidents of domestic violence are reported in Bury each week. The unit also investigates 120 reports of serious sexual offences each year, including 40 rapes, and 300 video interviews per year are conducted with vulnerable witnesses and victims. Around 100 complaints are received in Bury each year about the abuse of elderly and vulnerable people.

To report a crime contact the unit by calling (0161) 872 5050.

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.

Only Cllr Bibby, the Conservative Leader of Bury Council, could manage to insult so many local people in one meeting.

The local paper is reporting that Cllr Bibby commented that being disabled was a “reality of life” after admitting that disabled children being sent to a school without disabled access would be a “bit of a problem”.

As someone who is disabled I am happy to enlighten Cllr Bibby that disability is more than a “bit of a problem” and, whilst it may be a reality of life, such throw-away remarks and obvious complete lack of understanding of disabled people, their concerns and needs in coping with the daily realities of life are  almost beyond contempt. In fact when I read the comments I had to read them twice, because I couldn’t believe that someone elected to represent local people,  including the disabled, could say such a thing.

Equally alarming is that Cllr Bibby is leader of the Council and no doubt responsible for disability stratagies and helping the disabled enjoy equal access to services and facilities. Oh dear.

Incredibly this furore came about because of the proposed closure of Riverside in a couple of years time with Radcliffe children being encouraged to attend the “non-disabled” access The Derby High School while a new Radcliffe school is being built.

Cllr Bibby hit top score in the insult stakes when not only he offended the disabled, but arguably the most vulnerable of disabled groups - the young disabled. It’s bad enough going through the inevitable growing pains and other emotional upheavals you ordinarily face at that stage in your life. You just want to fit in and join in - Something Cllr Bibby clearly doesn’t understand. I hope he has at least the courage to apologise or failing that perhaps the rest of the Conservative group will publicly distance themselves from his remarks.

Planners at Bury Council have given approval for state of the art new facilities at Prestwich Arts College, marking the end of a long campaign for improvements to the successful local school.

The Council’s Planning Control Committee voted on Tuesday 16th June to grant planning permission for a new dining room and arts auditorium for the school, which was threatened with closure back in 2005. Local Lib Dem Councillor Vic D’Albert welcomed the news saying “This is a great boost for the school and the whole Prestwich community. As the only high school in Bury without a dining room,  this is long overdue. We’ve been lobbying the Council for years, and finally common sense has prevailed and given Prestwich young people what they need.

Commenting on the new arts auditorium, Cllr Pickstone, who is also a governor of the school, said “This will be a first class facility for a top quality school. But more than that, it will be used as a community facility, bringing better arts provision for the whole of Prestwich. I’m delighted it’s been given the go-ahead.”

The new facilities will be built in the near future. Cllr Pickstone said “We need to listen to the concerns of local residents on Heys Road, Glebelands Road and other nearby streets to ensure that the plans do not adversely affect local residents. When we get the process right, Prestwich Arts College and the whole area will have splendid new facilities.

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.”

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

The most notable item on the agenda of this weeks Economy, Environment and Transport Scrutiny Committee at the Town Hall was an item highlighting future pressure for the Council to provide more permanent sites for gypsies and travellers.

The Government say that Gypsies and Travellers want permanent sites in order that illegal encampments can be minimised. As a result the North West (unelected) Regional Assembly has worked out the amount it feels all Greater Manchester Authorities should provide over the next few years.

Currently Bury provides 17 pitches on one site, however North West Region believes that Bury should provide and additional 70 pitches by 2016 and an additional 117 by 2026.

The demand justifying these figures is currently disputed by Bury officers and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities that have carried out their own study of the demand for sites.

In addition to the difficulty and likely local opposition to finding this many sites, the other barrier at present is the cost. It is estimated that it would cost of £5m to provide these sites. While Bury would receive a grant incentive from Government, it would not nearly cover the cost.

At present this whole issue is going through preliminary stages and as mentioned even the amount of required provision is disputed. It set for further consultation of firmer proposals in 2010 so watch this space.  

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!

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.

This was the week that…

·         Cabinet members came under fire as details of their expenses claims were revealed [more]. Outrageous expense claims included claiming for mock Tudor beams [more]; storm windows [more]; hanging baskets [more]; and plumbing to fix water that was ‘too hot’ [more]

·         A Labour peer was accused of abusing the expenses system by claiming expenses for an unoccupied flat [more]

·         A senior Cabinet minister attacked the “lamentable failure” of her own government [more]

·         The pressure was kept up on the government over the poor treatment of Gurkha veterans [more]

·         A Tory MEP received a standing ovation from the European parliament for criticising David Cameron [more], while another Tory MEP described Cameron’s European policy as “dotty” [more]

·         Senior figures in the Foreign Office called into question Tory foreign policy [more]

·         Labour braced themselves to lose their four remaining county councils at the local elections [more]

Over the last week we learnt that…

·         The gap between the rich and the poor has widened significantly under Labour [more]

·         A think tank believes this will be the worst recession since the 1930s [more]

·         House prices are set to fall 28% on average overall [more]

·         Over 20,000 civil servants think the government is run badly [more]

·         Only one in four voters back Brown and Darling to manage the economy properly [more]

·         The gender pay gap is higher in the public sector than in the private sector [more]

·         The government has spent £28,000 on ‘media training’ [more]

·         A Tory MP claimed swine flu is “nothing worse than a cold” [more]

Over the last week the Liberal Democrats…

·         Revealed the significant increases in train and bus fares under Labour [more]

·         Wrote to the FSA to encourage them to release details of bank ‘stress tests’ [more]

·         Continued to press the government for the fair treatment of Gurkhas [more]

·         Called upon the government to go further after the abandonment of Science SATs [more]

·         Pressed the government for further action on the removal of innocent people’s DNA from databases [more]

·         Uncovered the fact that two million social tenants have missed out on a government rent promise [more]

·         Demanded an urgent review of the out-of-hours care system [more]

·         Rubbished the government’s proposals to ‘fix’ the social services system [more]

The Governments response to a European Court ruling that its DNA database of 4.5 million people is illegal, is to time limit the keeping of records for innocent and cleared citizens.

The Government says it is because offenders are likely to re-offend within that timescale, thus missing the point completely that the “unfair” and illegal records are for those proven innocent or not even charged!

What the Government is effectively saying to its citizens is, “OK, we couldn’t prove it this time, but we think you will commit a crime - so we’re going to take the evidence now so we can use it against you later”.

If you can understand the need to do that in a democracy with an independent judiciary and justice system based upon the doctrine of “innocent until proved guilty” please explain, cos’ I must be missing something!

The Government plans to retain DNA for those found not guilty or not charged of serious and sexual crimes for 12 years, lesser crimes for 6.

And what happens when a database containing the names and addresses of those on the 12 year list goes missing, like details of missile systems etc etc etc.

The fact of the matter is that the Government wants the DNA of every man, woman and child in the country, that’s the only way this can ever make any kind of sense. They can’t get away with that so this is their next best option. But its unfair, intrusive, unnecessary, undemocratic and an offence against personal liberty.

In Scotland they have a system where records are retained for 3 years. The police may apply for an extension , but they have to show reasonable justification and get court permission. That is at least fairer with a check against unnecessary retention. 

ID Cards, databases, access to emails and phone calls, surveillance by local councils - I’m just waiting for curfews, greater censorship and social genetic engineering and then i’ll be off. 

I have recently written to the Conservative leader of the Council, Cllr Bob Bibby and Chief Executive Mark Sanders regarding the questions posed by the Councils use of RIPA powers on 165 occasions.

The powers now dubbed the snoopers charter raise important questions about accountability, transparency and monitoring and so I made the following points in my recent email:

“You will I know be aware of concerns I have raised recently in public regarding the use of RIPA powers and specifically their use of in carrying out surveillance and monitoring operations involving employees, local businesses and members of the public.

I believe the use of these powers on 165 occasions over the past  six years raises a number of important questions surrounding internal authorisation, democratic accountability/monitoring and transparency in the eye of the public.

I feel therefore the best way to address such issues is to bring a detailed report on the whole issue to the next meeting of the appropriate scrutiny commission.

It would be appropriate for Scrutiny to receive a report detailing the scope and methodology of use, the internal decision making involved (procedures), impact on resources - personnel and financial. The success or impact of surveillance and other measures employed including details of convictions or other results obtained as a result of this action.

I hope you would agree with me that It would appear reasonable if not necessary that members finally have an opportunity to scrutinise the use of these powers to satisfy ourselves that the powers are not being abused (as per comments from the Home Secretary recently), that appropriate mechanisms are in place and that suitable officer/member iinvolvement is occurring and that such actions are proving to be an appropriate and best value use of resources.”

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

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

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. 

In order to take forward the “Love Prestwich” Village Centre strategy, a further retail capacity study has been undertaken to ensure that the key recommendations of the Love Prestwich Village Strategy are based on the most up-to-date possible assessment of the capacity and need for new retail development within Prestwich.

This new evidence, the Prestwich Town Centre Retail Capacity Assessment, has now been prepared by Drivers Jonas and can be viewed by following the link below:

Download Prestwich Town Centre Retail Capacity Assessment document (1mb 127 page pdf)
Visit the Prestwich Regeneration page (see menu left) for a summary and more information.

I am pleased to see that the Home Secretary has agreed to review The Regulatory and investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) which has been used by councils to spy on resident,businesses and staff alike and has acknowledged that they have often been used for trivial offences.

Unfortunately she hasn’t seen fit to review the processes employed and feels that they  can remain at the discretion of the Councils or Police without independent outside checking/authorisation  ie by a magistrate. So in essence my key concerns remain about transparency, accountability and justification. But it’s a start!

Read more here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8003123.stm

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!

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

Application number: 51209     Type of application: Full     

Date Registered: 15/04/2009

Applicant: Governors of Prestwich High School Arts College
Location: PRESTWICH HIGH SCHOOL, HEYS ROAD, PRESTWICH, M25 1JZ
Proposal: AUDITORIUM EXTENSION WITH LINK TO EXISTING BUILDING

Plans will be available to view on the Council’s website within 2 working days from today. Should you require further details please contact the case officer: Tom Beirne on: 0161 253 5361 or any of your local councillors.

We will be happy to receive your comments and advise on how you can formally comment.

Sir,I read with interest the response from Bury Council in last weeks Bury Times to the concerns raised by myself and Unions regarding the use of powers to spy on staff, businesses and local residents.

The trouble with the Councils limited response is that it offers no assurances, no names, just  a big fat – trust us we know what we’re doing. And that really isn’t good enough.

The powers the Council are using to justify their surveillance operations may well be justified ultimately. However without any transparency and democratic accountability we don’t know that.   

So we are left with yet more questions, Who is the senior officer that approves surveillance? Who are the team of officers that vet the process? Who carries out the surveillance, Staff or outside contractors? If contractors are used, how much do they cost the Council? And perhaps most pertinently, do the means justify the end? In other words how many of these instances result in convictions or a result for the Council? 

The problem is the most high profile of the cases so far resulted in an out of court settlement that cost the council thousands of pounds and readers may be interested to know that no report on surveillance operations has ever been scrutinised by a Council Committee involving Councillors. 

I believe the public and staff have a right to know the answers to these and other questions. They have a right to know invasive and quite extreme powers are being used sensitively and prudently and they have a right to know that operations of Bury Council are subject to scrutiny and appropriate checks and balances. It’s time for answers and assurances.

Vic D’Albert

Parliamentary Candidate for Bury South

A report from the National Housing Federation today warned that 2.65m people could be living in overcrowded accomodation by 2011 if the Government don’t provide a major house building stimulus as soon as possible.

Whilst they make some valid points and I confess I haven’t read the report in detail, I am concerned that such reports from organisations with a clear vested interest only address part of he problem and with simplistic solutions at that.

There is already a major problem developing. homelessness is now grwoing sharply again, the hidden homeless (those sleeping temporarily under someone elses roof) is been growing for some time and yes, overcrowing is a growing problem too.

But the answer is just about more houses. Yes we do need more homes to be built, but we need to seriously tackle the amount of empty and derelict properties and empty and derelict commercial buildings. We need more funds at local level for compulsory purchase of such properties, for refurbishment, conversion etc.

We need joined up thinking and some imaginative working to provide real solutions. On the same day as another report highlighted the decline in marriage, that 1/3rd of 20-34 year olds still live with their parents and the growth in living alone, we need modern solutions that address the changes we face in society reconciled with housing demand and disused properties. And the NHF are right - we need these solutions and action now.

Prestwich Lib Dems have launched a petition opposed to Manchester City Councils plans for a commercial sports development of the St.Margarets end of the park.

The petition is as follows:

We the undersigned are opposed to the proposal to create a private use “Sports Zone” at the St Margaret’s entrance to Heaton Park. We welcome new sports and leasure facilities, but not taking up public parkland!

If you want to sign the petition online you can do so at: http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/saveheatonpark or go to www.myprestwich.org.uk  and look for the Heaton Park petition article.

We plan to circulate paper copies in the near future.

Furthermore anyone interested in joining the campaign is invited to a public meeting at St.Margarets Church House (opposite the church) on St.Margarets Road, Prestwich on monday April 27th at 7pm.

Goals Soccer Centres information office have kindly supplied my colleague, Cllr Pickstone with plans of the proposed Sports Zone at the St Margaret’s corner of Heaton Park.

They stress that these plans are subject to change. The location of the proposed skate park has already been moved and there are already proposals to move the skate park, and to swap tennis courts with football pitches to reduce noise levels.

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.

Bury Liberal Democrats have accused Labour of playing with our children’s future after a stormy debate at the meeting of Bury Council on April 1st.

The Liberal Democrats defeated a Labour motion to Council which would have halted
plans to relocate the Derby High School to a newly built school in Radcliffe.
The relocation is crucial to over £80m of government funding as part of a “Building Schools for the Future” programme which will see new and refurbished schools all over the borough.

Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman for Bury South, Cllr Vic D’Albert, accused Labour of political posturing over the move.

Cllr D’Albert said “Labour claim to be standing up for the people of Bury, but in fact they’re doing the opposite. They claim that the people of Radcliffe and East Bury will suffer under these plans, but how can that be when this is the best way to guarantee a new school for Radcliffe, and is an idea supported wholeheartedly by the governors of the Derby School?”

The defeated Labour motion called for two new schools to be built, one in Radcliffe and one in East Bury. Cllr D’Albert continued “Labour’s ideas simply don’t stack up. There aren’t enough children to fill two schools, and building two small ones won’t give our children the best education. The plans we support mean that children in Radcliffe and Bury will get a brand new, state of the art school that is close to their homes. Radcliffe will get the new school they’ve been promised for years, and we’ll be giving the Derby School what it wants too.”

The Lib Dems were particularly scathing of Labour’s potential scuttling of Building Schools for the Future money.

Cllr D’Albert said “The government are offering Bury a once in a lifetime chance of £80m for schools. But we only get the money if we tackle surplus places. This is one way of doing that. Labour dogma is putting all that at risk. The money isn’t just about a new school for Radcliffe, but also for substantial refurbishment of many others. Labour seem willing to sacrifice that. We are not. The future of our children is more important than political games.”

Vic D’Albert, Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate for Bury South has called on Bury Council to halt its use of surveillance until “proper protection and independent checks are established”. 

The call follows the revelation that over 120 residents, businesses or Council employees have been subject to surveillance by Bury Council since 2002. 

Powers are available to authorities under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 but the House of Lords recently condemned the growing use of these powers to “undermine the publics right to privacy”, citing “the pervasive and routine electronic surveillance and collection and processing of personal information”. 

Vic D’Albert said, “At the end of the day it may be the case that the use of these powers by Bury Council may have been justified. The trouble is councillors are not briefed and it is unclear who has the power to authorise surveillance and under what justification. These are very intrusive powers that infringe on our civil liberties. They should only be used as a last resort and under strict guidance.” 

Figures passed to the Lib Dem candidate for Bury South, show that since 2002 at least 67 members of the public, 45 employees and 12 businesses were “spied” on under the RIPA powers. 

“With the absence of any apparent transparency or Councillor monitoring it is unclear if this is the tip of the iceberg or the sum total, it is unclear how many instances led to a prosecution and it would be interesting to know how much this whole operation costs! One thing is clear however and that is there is an absence of independent scrutiny and approval. 

“There are many questions that need answering and until we have answers Bury Council should halt any further surveillance. This whole area needs to be investigated and scrutinised through the democratic process to ensure surveillance is appropriate and proportionate, is justified from all aspects and is independently approved.  

At tonights full meeting of Bury Council the main item on the agenda was a motion from the Labour Group calling for the Council to withdraw its decision to build a new high school in Radcliffe and to join the Derby School and the Riverside school together on that new site.

There were passionate arguments from councillors representing all 3 parties for and against but in the end the Council voted against the motion and in favour of the earlier decision of the Council’s executive.

For me what decided this issue was the deadlines for the Building Schools for the Future Programme (BSF). Under the Councils bid for BSF funds Bury Council has applied for a package worth £80 million - to build a new school in Radcliffe, refurbish Elton, Broadoak and Bury Church and Elms Bank. If this Labour motion had been successful it would have jeopardised those crucial improvements especially the much needed new high school for Radcliffe.

So this is good news, its not a perfect deal by any stretch though and I feel both Conservatives and Labour have serious questions to answer about how this process became such a mess and has dragged on so long, but for now lets look forward to a new state of the art school in Radcliffe and lets start working to ensure Radcliffe childrens education does not suffer during this process.

Creation of a new Sports Zone, St Margaret’s Gate Entrance

Local Lib Dems are growing increasingly concerned at Plans for a Sports Zone in Heaton Park.

Plans are likely to come to Manchester Council’s Planning Committee before the summer for a “Sports Zone” near to the St Margaret’s Entrance of the Park. This would build on the existing Bowling Greens (created for the Commonwealth Games).

The proposed Sports Zone would include:
· 5-a-side pitches
· 7-a-side pitch
- Tennis Courts
· Spectator area
· Climbing wall
· Single storey pavilion comprising changing rooms, meeting rooms and bar
· Car parking

It would be run by a private company (ie there would be a charge for using the facilities normally, however it is proposed that it is made available for community use at non-peak times with free access for under 16 year olds. We’re also assured that there will be no activity after 9.00pm at night.

Vic D’Albert commented, “While in many ways this is a very positive development with the creation of much needed additional sporting facilities there are major worries too.” 

• Will the Prestwich Public and local schools and community groups receive free or discounted access or will that only be for Manchester City Council residents?
• This development would mean much more traffic along St.Margarets Road
• Should an historic public park have a large chunk hived off for the use of a private profit making business. Is this the start of further developments. MCC have already tried to build a school there!

“I am deeply concerned that local Prestwich residents  will once again get the short end of the stick with this development. We would urge all local residents to respond to the consultation and as your local councillors, myself Wilf and Tim will be responding formally to Bury Council and Manchester City Council on this issue. ”

The project is still at the planning stage and a public consultation exercise will take place in the Farm Centre, Heaton Park within the next 2 months following which the Planning Application will be submitted. (I will let people know when I have a date for this.)

What do you think?
Please let me know your views on this issue, which is likely to have a big impact on the St.Margarets area of Prestwich.

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. 

Last nights meeting of Polefield TRA was hopefully a turning point in the fortunes of the organisation and the estate.

Local police were in attendance with Anti-social behaviour officers. They are currently organising a clamp down on anti-social behaviour and crime etc on the estate as part of a concerted effort to restore the fortunes of the estate and improve community spirit and confidence.

As part of this coordinated efforta number of initiatives are planned for residents - young and old. It’s too early to go into detail yet, but I hope this is at long last the much needed breakthrough this estate and the decent long suffering residents have been waiting for. Watch this space!

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 

Bury Liberal Democrats are calling for a commitment from Bury Council to clamp down on graffiti across the borough. 

The Lib Dems have launched a “6 to fix graffiti” campaign and are challenging the Conservative-run Council to take a zero-tolerance approach to the problem. 

Vic D’Albert, Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate for Bury South commented, “Bury Council has failed to tackle the problem of graffiti. We have to show our support for local people who are the victims of this crime, and our commitment to our community which shouldn’t have to put up with vandalism like this.” 

“Despite graffiti being an issue for several months now, all the Tories at the Town Hall have done so far is issue Area Partnerships a few graffiti cleaning kits. While that’s a start it’s a wholly inadequate response to the problem. They are telling us we should clean the mess ourselves, but it’s the Council that should be tackling the problem. The Conservatives running Bury Council talk about writing a policy, but it’s taking months and it’s not getting rid of any graffiti.”  

“It’s time Bury Conservatives showed some leadership on this issue and worked alongside local police, residents groups and others to tackle the problem head on. It’s spoiling our town”

Local Lib Dems have identified 6 points they would like to see developed to fix the problem of graffiti.

1. Local people – encouraged to challenge graffiti, report graffiti 
2. Bury Council – to commit  to clean up graffiti quickly
3. Local Businesses – pledge to clean up graffiti on their property 
4. Police – to catch the offenders and punish them including getting them to clean their own mess up
5. Schools & Youth Service– to educate and challenge pupil perceptions and opinions
6. Utitility Companies – to work with Bury Council and commit to cleaning sites swiftly. 

“We believe we have been patient with Bury Council, but now we need action not more warm words from Bury Conservatives. Let’s see some commitment to our communities, A coordinated effort and zero tolerance.” 

Manchester City Council are considering plans to cut two holes in the Heaton Park Wall opposite St Monica’s RC High School on Bury Old Road.

We’re assuming that the two new double gates that are proposed would be in place in time for the Oasis Concert, but the application seems to imply that the gates would be permanent.

I know that my colleagues who are Councillors for the Sedgley Ward of Prestwich (Ann Garner, Andrew Garner and Steve Wright) have already been asking Bury Council about its views on the issue and suggesting that the Council should be raising serious concerns with Manchester about the impact the proposals have on Prestwich, the School and on traffic.

You can view the full Planning Application on Manchester Council’s Website here.

The words of the old Chuck Berry classic sprang to mind when musing the meeting of Area Partnership Chairs I attended last night. 

Area Partnerships are Bury Councils Area committees. The six Bury Townships ie Prestwich , Radcliffe, Bury East etc all have a committee containing councillors, Partners(NHS, police etc) and co-opted local residents representing aspects of the local community ie Council tenants, elderly etc.

Last nights meeting of the Chairs of the AP’s was notable for a report into an AP’s - review document.

Sadly I found the proposals did little to take forward the Area Partnerships. I feel local people are crying out for local committees that can deal with local issues proactively, that can take responsibility for a limited range of local services/facilities and that can have limited control but real influence that aims to meet local needs and demands.

This report achieved none of this and worse still failed to address key concerns about tieing into the Councils decision making process, ensuring appropriate officers are at meetings and just plain getting things done.

Dissapointing, unambitious and another missed opportunity.

I’m beginning to think this Conservative administration (despite noises from some) doesn’t care that much for Area Partnerships. Perhaps they fear they would be losing control to opposition parties and worse still give too great a say and influence to local residents. Heaven forfend!

Local people are rightly growing in frustration over the lack of action from Bury Council on the problem of graffitti.

Last year the current spate of graffiti flared up and was met with the incredible sight of local residents , some elderly and retired, being threatened with court action and fines if they (the victims) didn’t clear up the mess.

Since then the Police have done tremendous work trying to catch culprits and through restorative justice have managed to get some of the perpetrators to clean up the mess.

As for the Area Partnership, due to a lack of resources, we have only been able to offer the gesture of free clean up kits for those that want. Nevertheless people have been community minded to take up the offer.

What we are crying out for now is a) A council policy for dealing with this issue, b) People within the authority with the responsibility to clean up the mess and c) Action.

The council have been supposedly working on a policy for months, meanwhile seemingly every day there is another example of graffiti to put up with.

Bury Conservatives have got to get their act together and respond faster to local problems.

Its taken nearly 2 years for an alley-gating policy (and we’re still waiting), We’re approaching the 1st anniversary of the graffiti policy ( and still waiting). It’s hardly surprising Radcliffe Riverside school has taken so long to get built!

Its just not good enough.

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.

Last nights meeting welcomed a couple of new Governors and welcomed back an old friend - Mervyn Turnberg rejoining the Governors as a Community Governor.

Key points of note were:

• Governors raised concerns at Bury Councils shortage of Educational psychologists - a widespread problem but with implications for supporting children with special educational needs and leading to delays in “statementing” etc
• The Head teacher updated Governors on proposals to rebuild part of the school and refurbish aspects as part of a school moderniation programme which would also see a childrens centre being built
• It was reported that there has been an increase in the school roll since autumn with an additional 19 children on roll across all years.
• I asked that the school try and find ways to allow access to school facilities for the local Polefield Tenants and Residents Association.
• Concerns were raised about plans from the Government to pressure Bury Council into taking back “surplus” funds in the schools account. Some schools have been accused of hoarding funds and the Government would like excessive funds removed for use generally in the local education service. Schools are being consulted at present on 4 options being proposed by the Council. 

Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Bury South, Vic D’Albert has told Bury Council they “need to get a grip of the situation affecting Radcliffe Riverside and The Derby High Schools as they risk letting down both schools”. 

Problems with the planned re-building of Radcliffe Riverside on the old East Lancashire Paper Mill site has rumbled on for months and recently new plans that envisaged utilising The Derby High School site were mooted. Then following the Councils decision being approved The Derby School Governors rejected the proposals.

Vic D’Albert said, “This whole saga has veered from concern to anguish to anger amongst those affected. And now if Bury Council don’t deal with this issue properly they risk losing millions of pounds of investment in local High Schools.”

Under the Governments’ Building Schools for the future programme, Bury Council can tap into millions of pounds of grants for rebuilding and refurbishing local schools. Bury Council planned to tap into these funds for the rebuild of Radcliffe Riverside and refurbishment of other schools. However the Government makes it conditional that the Local Authority addresses issues of spare capacity (as a result of falling rolls) and they need assurances that all affected schools support the proposals. 

“The recent turn of events which has seen Radcliffe Riverside unhappy at plans and The Derby High reject the proposals, now means these proposals and the much needed funds are at best in serious jeopardy. Bury Council needs to get a grip of the situation for the benefit of all concerned. They need to bring people together, consult properly with all stakeholders and deal with this issue. If all concerned need to be locked up together in the town hall until the matter is resolved then so be it.

“This situation cannot be allowed to continue drifting with the arguments being raged through the local media.If Bury’s Conservative administration fail to deal with this properly they will adversely affect the future education of thousands of high schools students.”

I have today written to Bury Council’s Director of Childrens Services urging a special summit meeting of all concerned is organised in order to resolve the issue and progress the matter formally, breaking the deadlock. He has suggested representatives of both Governing bodies, Head teachers Officers, and the Councils Executive Portfolio holder should be involved at the very least.

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 South Liberal Democrats have welcomed plans to boost affordable housing and avoid home repossession. 

The plans, launched by the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable MP and Shadow Housing Minister Sarah Teather MP, include: 

• providing refurbishment loans for owners of empty homes if the homes are leased to housing associations,

• boosting the amount of private housing for rent including using empty commercial property temporarily as housing,

• bringing in a new type of secure mortgage to help boost lending to house buyers,

• letting councils and housing associations buy up unsold private houses and allowing them access to funds to bring their homes up to social housing standards,

• making sure the courts allow repossession only as a last resort.

Parliamentary spokesperson for Bury South Lib Dems, Vic D’Albert said, “There are many people right across Radcliffe, Whitefield and Prestwich who are struggling to get their own home or are facing repossession because of the recession. We must do all we can to help residents through these bad times. 

“Many homes built just before the recession started lie empty, often because the banks are not lending to people wanting to buy, yet there are many people needing a place to live. We want to unblock the system and our plans will help to do that. 

“Giving housing associations and councils the opportunity to buy up empty homes that builders cannot sell will mean hundreds of local families will be able to rent a place of their own.

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.  

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 .

Last night saw the much needed and delayed scrutiny of elderly persons accomodation review proposals proposed by Bury Council.

In order to get these important proposals properly scrutinised the Lib Dem Council Group had to formally “Call-In” the decision of the Council Executive. The reason for this Call-In was to find out about the impact these proposals would have on people with learning disabilities and the proposals for the elderly accomodation review.

The whole process has been badly handled by Bury Conservatives from the start, with a strong pervading feeling that they were trying to rush these policies through amidst a reluctance to share information and curtail scrutiny.

Last nights scrutiny meeting was notable because after the initial presentation from officers, Council proposals and policies seemed to be peeled off in layers  one by one . Until by the end of the meeting at 10.15 there was seemingly a blank piece of paper left - on which the Council was assuring members and public that all users/stakeholders would be completely and thoroughly consulted on at all stages.

But there is now some confusion as to what we are now consulting on. Proposals for Care Villages for the elderly appear to be being reduced to aspirations rather than real objectives and “wellbeing “centres alongside care villages may or may not be for those with learning disabilities depending on any number of variables. In addition officers confirmed that there may be difficulties in achieving aspects of the councils own 2005 proposals for Learning disability services especially as they no longer have an implementation plan!

 All in all a worrying state of affairs. I left with the one positive feeling that everyone will be thoroughly consulted when we eventually have any firm proposals from this Tory Council. However I am very concerned that some important modernisation to services may never happen and I can’t help feeling that there has been an attempt to manipulate the democratic process, and even worse, the general public throughout this whole sorry saga.

The Committee made a number of recommendations in the end. Which included bringing a further report to scrutiny within 6 months - essentially an updated proposal for learning disability services with an implementation plan. However it was felt that we should not delay the consultation process and so allowed the general decision to move forward.

Democracy and public engagement are two areas of growing concern in Bury at the moment.

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!”

So today is the day David Cameron embraces “localism” and suddenly wants 12 cities to have elected mayors. referendums on Council Tax increases and more control of their own affairs.

Could it be he is getting desperate to find ways of taking control of our major cities in the wake of Boris’s London coup? Surely he wouldn’t be that cynical, would he?

The fact remains if you want to make our local councils more accountable you would restore more powers and delegate more funding and resources to local councils. Powers and resources removed the last time the Tories were in power (because councils didn’t tow the Tory line).

In addition if you want to make Councils more accountable, you don’t need the discredited elected mayors - (Outside london) the few that have them are desperate to get rid. No all you need is a fair voting system. A system that means all votes count and you don’t end up with Councils with massive controlling majorities for one particular party.

If you returned business rates to local control that would help as well. DC forgot to mention all that. But then that’s Lib Dem policy and that would really kickstart accountable “localism” as opposed to his piecemeal, cynical approach. Nice try David, just not good enough.

Last night I attended the meeting of Bury Councils Healthier Communities Scrutiny Commission at the Town Hall.
The following agenda items were discussed:

WORLD CLASS COMMISSIONING
The committee received a presentation from NHS Bury about progress towards proposals to ensure key local health improvements are met and to ensure we have the best local health services possible.
As part of this process NHS Bury have been marked against the best possible standards over a broad range of services etc and has come out fairly well with 8 “good” and 2 Satisfactory.

JOINT HEALTH OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY-PENNINE CARE & PENNINE ACUTE
This was a basic report to provide committee members an overview about the committees jointly established with Bury and local NHS trusts to scrutinise their work, services and policies etc.

ANNUAL HEALTH CHECK 2008/9
NHS Bury has to undergo an Annual Health Check by the Healthcare Commission. This is to check its performance and to provide information in an attempt to improve local services.
Bury Council have been invited to make comments about NHS Bury services for submission to the Healthcare Commission.
I raised a concern that we are being asked NOW to make comments, which have to be submitted by the end of March. As there are no further Healthier Community meetings before then this means we are unable to discuss possible comments as a committee. The Committee agreed that the matter would be delegated to the Committee Chair. I asked that this comes to a meeting earlier in the year next time.

LEARNING DISABILITY TRANSFER OF MONIES FROM FROM NHS BURY TO BURY COUNCIL
An update report on progress towards this aim was submitted for information.

URGENT BUSINESS
I, along with Lib Dem colleagues recently “called-in” the Councils review of elderly accomodation to enable us to scrutinise proposals for elderly persons accomodation and the impact of learning disability services.
The Committee agreed to arrange a special meeting to discuss these proposals on Thursday February 19th at 7pm in the Town Hall. Public as always are welcome to attend.

The meeting finished at 8.45pm

Full minutes of this meeting will be uploaded to the Councils website (meetings pages) shortly. Please contact me if you would like to clarify something or would like further information.

Local Councillors have reacted with anger after another spate of graffiti in Prestwich, and are calling on the Council to take immediate action to clean up the mess.

Cllr Vic D’Albert, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Holyrood ward and Chair of Prestwich Local Area Partnership said “I am disgusted that vandals continue to bring misery to local people by daubing our streets with graffiti. And I am equally angry with the Council’s woefully inadequate response. This has been going on for too long now, and it’s about time action was taken. The Local Area Partnership and the Police are already using very tight resources to try to manage this problem, but the Council need to take action now to help us and clean up the streets”

Liberal Democrats at Bury Town Hall have been campaigning for action for months. At a Council meeting in February they staged a demonstration displaying photographs of graffiti which has blighted Prestwich for months. The Council have offered graffiti kits for residents and businesses, but have so far directed no extra resource to clear up a problem which is getting worse.

Lib Dem spokesperson for Environmental Service Cllr Ann Garner said “The graffiti is on everything from streets signs to walls, and from utility buildings to business property. Graffiti kits are not a suitable solution except in limited circumstances. The Council have the power to insist that utility companies clean up graffiti on their property, and need to direct real efforts into cleaning it from their own property. I am proud of what Prestwich has to offer, and it is being ruined by graffiti which goes uncleaned for months.”

Cllr D’Albert concluded “We need to work together on this. Prestwich Councillors are doing their bit by leading the community fight. The Police did their bit by catching offenders, and we are supporting them to try to catch the latest offenders. But the Council are letting us down. They need to take action to clean up Prestwich now. “

Ends

Notes to Editor
Cllr Vic D’Albert is the Chair of Prestwich Area Partnership and is a Councillor for Holyrood Ward in Prestwich
Cllr Ann Garner is the Lib Dem Spokesperson on the Environment and is a Councillor for Sedgley Ward in Prestwich

Overnight there has been a further outbreak of Graffiti from Prestwich Tram station down to the cenotaph at PADOS house.

I am pleased to say the Police are already on the case and are believed to be seeking to identify and speak to 4 youths.

While clearly it is difficult to eradicate this vandalism we remain committed to a policy of zero tolerance towards these acts and will continue to press for more resources to aid the clean up. Meanwhile we will work with, support and encourage the Police in their efforts to trace the individuals and in getting them to clear up their mess.

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.

Bury Council have updated Councillors as to the present situation with regards to gritting procedures during the ongoing adverse weather conditions.

Gritter’s were deployed at 21:00hrs on Sunday 1/2/09 and worked continuously until 06:25 this morning. 137 tonnes of rock salt was spread across the borough highways.

Two gritter’s were deployed again at 07:00hrs covering the North and the South of the borough and are still out at the moment.

Two drivers’ from the highways dept are to join up with existing drivers to cover as many side streets as possible so it aids refuse collection tomorrow.  Once achieved they will be continuing from South to North and fully operational tonight from 18:00hrs.

If I receive further updates I will update this site accordingly. In the meantime please be very careful if you have to go out. If at all possible avoid going out after sunset (about 5pm) as temperatures are set to drop again and partially melted snow is likely to freeze again making roads and pavements treacherous.

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

Following last nights Council Executive Committee it’s now clear to me that Learning Disability services in Bury are under threat from Bury Conservatives.

At the recent Joint Scrutiny meeting called to examine proposals for Elderly accomodation in the Borough, members of all parties were unhappy with proposals to take over learning disability facilities at Whittle Pike and William Kemp Heaton.

As no details were provided about the impact of these proposals on these centres and Learning disabilities, members of the committee took the reasonable step to ask the Council Executive to withdraw the proposals and re-submit a more complete report that detailed the impact on learning disability services in the Borough.

A reasonable request was met with cynicism, accusations of playing politics and utter contempt from the leader of the Council and his Conservative Executive for the Scrutiny Commissions request, which was ignored as they approved the proposals as they stood - without any knowledge of the affects on some of the most vulnerable people in Bury.

Last night the process of scrutinising council policy was dealt a major blow as well. The whole concept of councillors scrutinising decisions of the Council Executive is based upon a respect and acceptance of that process and the need (for the benefit of all concerned) to examine proposals to ensure they are acceptable, offer best value and meet the needs of local people.

Last night Bury Conservatives decided they don’t need scrutiny - well perhaps we don’t need Bury Conservatives.

What we certainly need is a Council administration that values Scrutiny , values the opinions of local people and stakeholders and is prepared to take reasonable time, care and attention to ensure it delivers policies and proposals that the people of Bury need, irrespective of political agendas.