At each Council meeting, you are entitled to submit questions to the Leader or bodies that the Council works with such as Fire, Police, Waste and Transport.  There is also time put aside for the public to ask questions (not all councils still allow the public to ask questions at meetings ie Manchester!) there is also a slot for councillors to ask ‘free’ questions, that you don’t need to pre-submit.   

Our written questions explored the progress of our Prestwich Urbed study as we’re passionate that our urban village is re-built to be the most positive benefit to residents and businesses as well as the environment.  The study is a consultation process to explore views and needs of our area. We also asked about progress to ensure Children’s Sure Start Centres is kept on track, about help for our Jewish communities for Passover refuse collections, the creation of an Alley Gating policy (as its well over-due and no projects can go ahead without it), Litter enforcement (as we feel there is far too little in our area).   

Finally, my colleague Steve Wright had submitted a question about energy efficiency of council buildings as a promised study has not yet been completed.  If we don’t know the emissions and energy inefficiency, how can you take steps to prove you are becoming more efficient, if you don’t know your starting point?  The report is delayed but happening, we are promised it, for early in the next municipal year – so we need to chase this up – as we do the alley-gating policy, after the local elections. 

Good ‘green’ news is that a feasibility study is being undertaken to explore using solar panels to heat Ramsbottom swimming pool – great stuff – I just hope that projects like this happen though, as initial investment is needed for long-term savings both for the council’s coffers as well as for the environment.