As part of the 2007 fireworks campaign, the Fire brigade website is hosting a fireworks special – which includes a competition to win an ipod video, as well as a list of organized bonfire/firework events in Greater Manchester, information about the campaign and firework/bonfire safety information.

The competition is only open to people aged 18 or UNDER so it is aimed at the target audience of the campaign. To enter, you just have to answer a simple fireworks-related question – see www.manchesterfire.gov.uk - it has a prominent link to it from the homepage.

prop-tro-heywood-rd-heaton-st.pdf 

The Council’s Traffic Management Unit are consulting on proposals for “No waiting restrictions” (Double yellow lines) at the junction of Heaton Street and Heywood Road.
Please see the attached document for more information.
Please contact the officer concerned (Ian Lord) or your local councillors for further information or clarification or to make representations on the proposals.

The latest meeting of Prestwich Area Partnership (which replaced the Area Board) took place last night at the Longfield suite.  Items raised included:

Alley-gating schemes - Members have grown frustrated at the time taken to get schemes up an running to get alleyways/ginnels gated to improve security etc. Finally a proposed council policy on alley-gating schemes it to come before the Council.

Street Cleansing - A constant problem and source of many complaints especially around the precinct. Members asked to see cleaning rotas to identify potential improvements that could be made.

Rainsough TRA/Community centre is to receive £10,000 to refurbish the upstairs area of the community centre for senior youth.

There were also updates from the Police, Fire Service and the Area Partnership Manager

In the Open Forum concerns were raised about traffic and parking problems on Highfield Road - The Area Partnership promised to investigate and seek solutions from Bury Council.

If you would like further clarification on any of the above issues or would like to raise an issue for consideration by the Area Partnership please don’t hesitate to contact myself or any of my colleagues.

Next meeting: Tuesday, November 27th, Sedgley Park School, Kings Road (6.30 start, public forum 7.45)

Oh dear, I ‘ve just been told that I have been evicted from the “project “I’m a Councillor get me out of here” (see my earlier post). The schools project to engage young people with local councillors has seen evictions each night this week following a string of questions from young people last week.  Out of 6 starters my eviction leave my Lib Dem colleague Cllr Richard Baum and Cllr Berry in tomorrows final eviction. I would put on record my thanks to all the young people who voted for me and my congratulations to all involved in this project, it has been a very rewarding and interesting experience.

Last night I attended a meeting of Prestwich Business Group - a local initiative to try and provide a forum for Prestwich business to discuss issues and feed into the local decision making process and be consulted by the Council on matters affecting them.

The meeting received an update on “The Retreat” art project on the precinct - The granite imported from china, destined to replace the recently demolished glass wall, has now reached Birmingham!

Meanwhile A notice board/info point for the precinct is progressing more slowly partially because of the cost of materials involved.

Local Police officers highlighted that there has been an increase in the amount of purse snatches on the precinct and especially in charity shops. They would urge all residents to be careful how they secure purses etc. Often girls are being used to carry out these crimes.

In addition I raised the issue about the future development/direction of the Group, suggesting it should consider being now run by businesses and perhaps offer networking opportunities and a forum to campaign on business related issues.

Finally, Bury Council officers confirmed that as part of the next phrase of Town centre development tenders have been invited for planning consultants to apply to develop a development franework for the village/precinct. Consultants are expected to be appointed in November - an extensive public consultation should follow. 

Sir Menzies Campbell has resigned as leader of the Liberal Democrats with immediate effect.

Yesterday evening a letter of resignation was delivered to Party President Simon Hughes MP.

The resignation means that an election for Ming Campbells replacement will now be held. With nominations opening today, ballot papers to all members being sent out by the end of the month and the result expected on December 17th.

Cllr Vic D’Albert said, “The party is indebted to Ming Campbell for the way he stabilized the party following Charles Kennedy’s resignation and he has been instrumental in modernising the party and supporting the adoption of more female and ethnic minority candidates. Clearly Ming felt that as leader he could take the party no further himself and following the postponement of a general election felt now was the right time to stand down. No doubt his vast experience and knowledge will still be fully utilised by the party in the future.”

Here is the full text of Sir Menzies Campbell’s letter of resignation as Leader of the Liberal Democrats:

“When I was elected Leader of the Party in March 2006 I had three objectives.

First, to restore stability and purpose in the party following my predecessor’s resignation and the leadership campaign itself, second to make the internal operations of the party more professional, and third to prepare the party for a General Election.

With the help of others, I believe that I have fulfilled these objectives, although I am convinced that the internal structures of the party need radical revision if we are to compete effectively against Labour and the Conservatives.

But it has become clear that following the Prime Minister’s decision not to hold an election, questions about leadership are getting in the way of further progress by the party.

Accordingly I now submit my resignation as Leader with immediate effect.

I do not intend to hold a press conference or to make any further comment.”

Yours sincerely,

Menzies Campbell

On tuesday I attended the Council’s Healthier Community Scrutiny Committee meeting at Bury Town Hall.

OLDER PEOPLES (SERVICES) INSPECTION RESULTS
We received a presentation and report on the results of the recent inspection of Bury Councils services for Older people. The results were mixed - overall it was fair to say the outcome was “Ok - but could do better”. The department now has a number of action plans to address issues raised. I raised the issue of adequate resources to being available to develop home based services further.

BEST VALUE REVIEW OF ADULT CARE SERVICES
Another review of services with a similar result - could do better. The Disability Services team struggles with a largely inadequate budget but does obtain pretty good results overall. The biggest problem would appear to be waiting times for home adaptations for the disabled - this has recently “improved” to 36 weeks! I was assured that on average waiting times for equipment is 7 days. Once again action plans are in place to address issues identified.

OUTCOME OF MAKING IT BETTER - THE CLOSURE OF MATERNITY AT FAIRFIELD etc
Just for noting really this reported the final report that sounded the death knell for Maternity, SCBU and childrens services at Fairfield. We were asked to make comments - I just said it was the wrong decision. The whole committee were opposed to the closure proposals and agreed that the way forward is to fight for a midwife unit and to ensure that the hospital isn’t threatened further and to support new services.

Full minutes of the above meeting should appear on the councils web site shortly.
If you would like further information on my role on this committee or would like to raise issues or clarify anything please don’t hesitate to contact me further.

Tonight I was delighted to attend the Carnival committees presentation evening at the Longfield Suite. This is when the Sunshine Committee (who organise the Carnival) hand out cheques to worthy local causes from the proceeds of Carnival day.

I was privilaged to have been asked to present cheques to 9 local organisations from local scouts and guides to local football teams and a Tenants and Residents Association and local charities.

The Sunshine Committee has been running the Carnival for 10 years now and has taken the carnival from strength to strength and supported many good causes in the process. Well done Sunshine Team and Congratulations to the groups that benefited. 

From this week - until I’m evicted, I will be taking party in “I’m a Councillor, get me out of here. This councillor/community awareness project organised by “The Big Vote” is designed to bring young people and councillors together (via the internet-www.bigvote.org.uk) to discuss the issues that affect them and their communities and to challenge councillors about what they do or for that matter how they do it! Young people from local high schools ask questions of local councillors and we have to answer them in a satisfactory way or when its time to vote we may get kicked out. One of the aims is to raise awareness about politics and local government and the issues we face.

I recently attended the funeral service of Gerald Leahiff, longstanding Simister resident and recently dubbed “Mr Simister” by local press. I attended in two capacities. Firstly as one of the ward councillors (Cllr Wilf Davison also attended), I wanted to pay respects to a man who had for many years served his community with distinction. Helping neighbours, looking after them and basically doing his bit for the community.

Secondly I have known Gerald’s Wife , Beryl for many years. She was a key activist in the Liberal Party when I first started campaigning and she in no small part did her bit to help me get elected. Fortunately Gerald supported her in her political activities and in fact use to deliver Focus leaflets in Simister for a few years, or when Beryl was unable.

Gerald was one of those people that you always tend to bump into-he always seemed to be around doing something for someone. I know Gerald will be sadly missed by all who  knew him, Simister will not be quite the same without him.