Last night, the Tory Council Leader mixed up Prestwich with Whitefield and admitted he only gets down to our end of Bury every few weeks or so.  So, in the far too long and acrimonious political verbadshindaggerings of the meeting, it made me wonder why?   What’s wrong with us?  Is it the smelly haze of the Water Treatment Plant?  Which is a posh title given to our sewage works – that reeks all summer and is bearable in the winter, only?  Artificial perfume is pumped into the air in large quantities as an odour suppressant.  Unfortunately I am sceptical about anything put in the air that we then breathe in – is it safe, I always wonder?  The again, I also wonder about mobile phone use and car emissions, too. 

Previously I’d been told, when asking, that United Utilities is a private company (not a public utility any longer) and not a Council partner, so you cannot interfere or work with them.  So, I asked:

‘In view of the Council’s positive approach to partnership working, what steps are underway to work with and improve the smelly sewage works at Blackford Bridge?’ 

The Tory Executive member, from north Bury, didn’t know there was a sewage works there or that it is a problem.  However, she has agreed to look into it.  It would be really, really fabulous if residents could breathe in real air rather than artificial enhancements – and the smelly haze – depending on the weather and heat, can waft over to Sunnybank and into Unsworth and over to the cemetery and Albert Street (near our famous luggage factory).  Something else to follow-up.

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.

I’ve been putting a graffiti list together – helped by residents who e-mail/phone to add to the list.  The list has been sent to Bury Council with a request for a concerted effort to rid our area of it – and keep a firm eye to prevent it from happening again:

·                Side of house on Bury Old Road on corner by the British Legion.

·                War Memorial by St Margaret’s Church

·                Bollards on pedestrian crossing islands on Heywood Road at the Rectory Lane junction & Heys Road.

·                Fencing on ginnel from Heywood Road to Park Place.

·                Prestwich Clough, most recently ‘Welshy’ on the bridge.

·                Footpath tunnels that go under the motorway, junction 17 of M60. Also on various utility boxes, bins, etc, and the electricity sub-station in Prestwich Clough and on Church Lane.

The silent walk of witness organised by Churches Together in Prestwich, lead by the Cross to remember and celebrate that God loves each and every one of us, took place in Prestwich this morning.  We walked from St Mary’s Church through the village, to Tesco - where there was a short service in the windy chill reminded residents, petrol pump visitors and shoppers - people outside the walls of local Churches, that Good Fridayis a special day in the Christian Calendar. 

Ivan Lewis and David Chaytor both voted to close post offices in the debate last night in Parliament. All Lib Dem MPs voted to save them (as did tories).  See link to Hansard records.

Please note that on Sundays, re-surfacing of the Sheepfoot/Scholes/Bury Old Rd junction will be re-surfaced in such a way that you may not be allowed to make right/left turns.  Simpler re-surfacing will take place in the week.  Work at the junction is behind due to the weather.  I met with residents the other day, who are still concerned at the site of the bus stop for the 135 bus, flowing towards Prestwich - with junction changes, it’s even more exposed.  GMPTA have promised to re-review this bus stop site asap.

After an intensive time supporting my students to catch up with outstanding coursework, before our exam board’s deadline, I have a week to catch up with case work, deliver leaflets and see residents. It’s been a mad, mad few weeks!

BOGUS CALLER WARNING TO ELDERLY RESIDENTS
Police in Whitefield and Prestwich are urging residents to be extra careful after three burglaries involving bogus callers in the Whitefield (Frankton Road and Higher Lane) and Prestwich area (Albert Avenue).

The offender stated he was from the Council and needed to turn off taps in the property. Entry was allowed on this basis and whilst distracting the elderly occupants, the offender managed to steal an amount of cash.

Officers believe the same offenders have committed these three offences. One is described as a white male, fat, approximately 40 years of age, with a round face and wearing a dark coloured woolen hat, dark zipped fleece jacket and blue jeans. The other is described as a white male, approximately 30 years of age, with a thin dirty face and wearing a dark woolly hat and zipped fleece jacket.

Gaynor Mason, crime reduction advisor for Bury police said: “Don’t let anyone into your property if you are not expecting them to call. It’s a sad fact that some criminals impersonate officials to prey on vulnerable people and it’s extremely rare that a representative will call round unannounced.

“We would urge anyone who does have callers at the door to ask for identification. All official workers do carry identification and are pleased to show it. If you are still unsure then ring the company by looking up the number in the phone book. Any legitimate caller would be happy to wait while their credentials are being checked.

“People may feel embarrassed that they have become a victim of this type of crime but it’s important these crimes are reported, so we can investigate and catch the perpetrators.

“We would also ask anyone with elderly relatives, especially those that live alone, to make them aware of these crime prevention measures as they are more likely to be targeted.”

If anyone knows the identity of the offender they should contact the priority crime unit at Bury on 0161 856 8179 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Liberal  Democrats in Bury have accused Ivan Lewis MP and David Chaytor MP of failing to support local services after they voted to support the Government’s massive post office closure programme.

The Government has ordered that one in five branches be closed. Opposition MPs tried to stop the closure programme on 19th March when a motion was proposed in the House of Commons demanding the Government halt their plans to make 2500 branches shut up shop.

But enough Labour MPs rallied around the Government’s closure plans to reject the motion and ensure the closure programme can continue unhindered. Two of those voting to close post offices were Bury’s MP.

Disappointed local Liberal Democrat campaigners are calling on Ivan Lewis and David Chaytor to explain why s/he voted to close post offices.
“Our MPs have let down people in Bury by voting to allow the closures to continue,” said Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson Vic D’Albert. “In May the announcement will be made as to which branches here will be put forward for closure. This was an opportunity for Ivan Lewis and David Chayor to make a stand on behalf of residents. I am disappointed they have backed the Government rather than local people.

“The loss of post offices will hit communities hard in Bury. They are vital assets for many local people and closing them will cause many difficulties for older people and others with mobility problems, in particular.
“Despite the decision of our MPs to help the Government press ahead with closure, Liberal Democrats are continuing to fight the demolition of the post office network.”

It was odd to hold our NW conference yesterday, the weekend after the National Spring Conference in Liverpool and surprisingly, well attended.  My husband had volunteered me to help – my job was to issue conference badges and write ones for those coming on the day ….. what a hoot …. my spelling is appalling and I’ve never come across some of the places people came from either.  I put a E not an A in Wirral (ie squirrel).  Neither did I recognise an MP (I’ve only been to Southport once , for a course at a college) but at least I’d read articles he’d written and knew how to spell his name and not compound my embarrassment which was a great hoot to the man sitting next to me!   

The training I did, courtesy of ALDC, was as always brill and I’m ready to put my new knowledge and skills into action.  Next job on my list to get my nomination papers signed so I can re-stand as a Cllr – I must be nuts to offer to do another four year stint.  I enjoy helping residents and meeting new people and being involved with residents groups but really, really, really dislike long, formal, boring meetings. 

Highest rated case work referral for the past month is RATS and roof damage due to squirrels!  One even came from under a bush by the entrance to the Town Hall last week to say hello as I passed!   I spoke to the gentleman on reception to report it, to be told not to worry they come inside when it’s quiet to play in the foyer!  A purge is needed!

There is nothing worse than being ‘under the weather’, when there is much to do.  I’ve had enforced lists making: of students whose coursework is outstanding, lists of jobs for our council ward as well as beginning a list of graffiti to ask for an area- wide clean-up.  So I sent out an e-pal request to make up my graffiti ‘Little List’ also asking if ‘Little List’ is from the Mikado.  Straight away the Hendersons replied that it is – so I’ve spent a few hours listening to an to my Mum’s old LP Ace of Club’s D’Oyly Carte copy.  You do have to listen to the whole opera to appreciate ‘I have a little list’ – the lyrics without connection to the plot make me look like a tory – of which I can assure you I’m not – if everybody was on the ‘list’, there would be nobody left. 

My enjoyment was followed by local resident Jules’ phone call update about her cycling business: National Cycling Academy with great ideas for a community event too.  

So, Andrew might be Lib Dem conferencing in Liverpool and I might be here instead, of my Ferry Enjoyable day with him, heigh ho.