Why is it that every time we produce our carefully created Focus Leaflets, mistakes are spotted after printing and not during proof-reading?   

‘Bland Road’s traffic rat-run is now working effectively, bringing a new harmony and peace for residents’.    NO NO NO NO NO NO ……… We’ve got the road split up into two and bollards HAVE BEEN PLACED to put an end to the rat-run  …… Hopefully my dyslexic-slip will be grinned over whilst I hold my head in shame! 

This week’s evenings have been far too MANY, long and busy.  My laundry needs attention and I have piles of people to get back to instead (much more interesting than chores).  I’ve visited a Sure Start Children’s Centre – brill local community hub (really positive fact-finding visit); managed not to fall asleep in our Budget Setting Council Meeting (and asked a re-cycling question that residents and I hadn’t managed to get answered); interviewed perspective students for next year at the college where I work

…. HIGHLIGHT …. (middle-aged woman thing) shook Nick Clegg’s hand (looks like I’ll now have to join his fan club) and enjoyed the Wolf Fund dinner that went with the hand-shake (will add photo from the hand-shake if its any good). 

Next week: Pupils with Special Needs sub-group of Parrenthorn High School (where I am a governor) meeting, Councillors Training Meeting to discuss training needs of, Sure Start Children’s Centre Sub-group, Developing Sustainable Communities Working Group for Prestwich (which I Chair) and my final evening meeting of the week is a full governing body of Parrenthorn High School (which start at 7 and often finish at 10). 

AT PRESENT THERE IS NOTHING IN MY DIARY FOR FRIDAY EVENING – so its been assigned for marking my students’ coursework (with a glass of red wine and chocolate bar treat to look forward to afterwards).

Lib Dem’s Secure More Money for Children and Young People, and more money for Parks and Cleaner Streets 

Liberal Democrat Councillors saved services for young people and vulnerable children and secured extra expenditure on much needed environmental services such as parks, cleaner streets and environmental enforcement in Bury Council’s budget for next year.

The Lib Dem proposals, which were agreed and have become part of the budget:

- saved advice services for children and money for youth services across Bury

- saved services for disabled children, the “young carers” service and provision for children who are at risk

- secured new money for our parks and environmental services

- secured new money for a cleaner environment such as street cleaning and enforcement such as dog fouling and fly-tipping

 Cllr Tim Pickstone, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group said:

 “This is a difficult budget again for Bury. We all need to be clear on why these difficult savings once again have to be made. The blame is quite clearly with the Labour Government who, despite many years of pressure, continue to effectively give Bury a “poor deal”.

“Services to young people are already stretched  -  A vibrant youth support service is essential to ensure educational staying on rates and engagement in training or employment, with the subsequent positive impact on reducing anti-social behaviour”

“We are not prepared to put up with an unsafe reduction in support for vulnerable children, and to not see advances in supporting the environment in this borough.”

Cllr Richard Baum, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Resources said

“The people of this Borough want cleaner streets, green space and safe places for their families. And the Liberal Democrat group will ensure that as much as possible is done to give them what they want. Our proposals tonight are to invest in parks in this Borough to ensure that every community has a well-managed place of peace and greenery to enjoy.

Attacking the Labour Party Proposal to cut vital services for a zero Council Tax rise Cllr Pickstone said:

“This proposal is madness. We would all like to have a zero council tax rise, but the Labour Party are proposing to scrap £700,000 on much needed services for disabled people, are proposing to scrap services for young people and vulnerable children, and proposing to run Bury Council into the ground by running reserves down to a dangerous level. This is a disgrace - I am shocked that that Labour Party will stoop so low in a pathetic attempt to gain votes.

“There are two opposition parties in Bury. One, the Lib Dems, have achieved over £1/3 million of expenditure on young people, children and the environment, while Labour have achieved nothing but a cheap gimmick at the expense of vulnerable people.” 

We’ve been out campaigning and taking ‘photos for our next Focus leaflet.  Half term is almost over, our home is tidyish, my marking done, case work caught up with and lessons for next week planned (the ironing has been ignored- by everybody as usual).  I’ve spent a few precious days in the garden, catching up on spring-time work in order for my plants to have what they need.  I also finally got round to read Sebastian Fauks’ ‘Human Traces’, which I thoroughly enjoyed.  Still catching up, we finally had our Shrove Tuesday pancakes last night.  Even when life is too hectic and we have to wait a while, it’s a tradition I’ll never miss.  It’s also good to still be able to remember how to make them, without looking at the recipe!

Half term has enabled me to attend ADAB’s Muslim Awareness Training event yesterday – it was good to mix with people from other faiths and communities and explore how we can create more understanding and tolerance together, of each other. 

At an Italian in Stockport, we had a great meal together but escaped before the disco – we don’t go out together very often but it’s really good to spend time with colleagues outside the confines of classroom and staffroom!  I was due to drive us back but looking at the snowy forecast, I backed out and luckily Andrew was more than happy to be behind the wheel.  Unfortunatley most of our snow has melted.  I’d been looking forward to getting Grandpa’s pipe and old cap out ready for the snowman I was hoping to make!  Looks like I’ll have to go out and leaflet after all!

This embryonic group is developing really well and the reluctant secretary was wonderful, welcoming newcomers and encouraging them to get involved – however, the rat and drain problem that’s literally plagued the area for the past year still isn’t being sorted and residents are getting fed up, being bogged down by the same problems that are not getting resolved.  Steve and I have enjoyed supporting this group to grwo and develop.

Was one of the topics presented by our PCT partner, explored through our Developing Communities working Group this week – a sub group of our Local Area Partnership for Prestwich.  What’s frightening is the statistics that in 14 years, 40% of the working population of Bury will retire.  Unless we up-skill people presently not working and ensure that everybody else is fit and healthy, there will be a huge shortage of workers – so I assume that the retirement age will move and I’ll be stuck at work for EVER!!!!!

Hassanat Ahmed, at our Holocaust Memorial Service, on Monday evening said ‘It is with common love for Abraham and his family that both Muslims and Jews should look towards the future, a future of understanding respect and most of all peace’.  I couldn’t agree with him more.  The service was poignant and reflective of the loss through Nazi persecution and destruction as well as for other communities all over the world, when crimes against humanity are committed.