Hi,

I got out of the habit of updating my blog after the elections - only just back in the groove now. So here’s what I’ve been doing:

Tue 27/5: Economy, Environment & Transport (EET) Scrutiny Commission with my colleague Ann Garner. Work is diverse, so we took 2 sub-groups each - I got Transport/Highways plus Local Development Framework.

Wed 4/6: LibDem Cllr meeting about the Urbed proposals, to determine our “group views” on proposals for Town Centre Regeneration.

Fri 6/6: Meeting with the Town Centre Manager, Carran O’Grady, about the forthcoming TCR (Town Centre Regeneration) sub-committee of the PLAP (Prestwich Local Area Partnership). We worked through the previous minutes, plus the agenda, and had discussions about relevant town centre matters over a brew & a biscuit (I Chair the TCR).

Mon 9/6: My birthday, and for the first time in ages I was not abroad, and not at work! I took a day off, and went to town with my dad, to get him a new suit. We got a nice one in Slaters, and then he took me for lunch to Mr Thomas’s Chop House on Cross St (try their corned beef hash - it’s great!). On the way there, I managed to show my support for the LibDem “Save Our Post Offices” campaign at Spring Gardens post office (well-timed & prepared, I’m sure you’ll agree!)

Tue 10/6: Did some casework, particularly about vibrations on Sandy Lane.

Thu 12/6: Case work, this time with Mary D’Albert in late afternoon, then I chaired the TCR meeting at Prestwich Arts College. The main topics were the Roads Repair funds (how we allocate repairs to roads in Prestwich) followed by a presentation & discussion on Urbed’s proposals for Town Centre regeneration. This was lively & informative, with lots of different opinions being aired. Pleae continue to send us/Urbed your views, they are still consulting! More on this later….

 Sat 14/6: Went on hols to Croatia for a week with wifey. A great relaxing break, with lots of footy (supporting Croatia of course), a few bevvies, and some interesting site-seeing (One day we hired a car and went to see the Walled city of Dubrovnik - a UNESCO world heritage site in Croatia; Mostar’s Bridge of Songs - a UNESCO world heritage site in Bosnia/Hercegovina; and Medjugorje in Bosnia - a site where the Virgin Mary was witnessed by some children in 1981, and now a place of pilgrimage for Catholics from all over the world). It was also our 10th wedding anniversary whilst we were there, and we had a beautiful romantic meal watching the sunset and listening to a musician, then went to watch the end of the Croatia match! (See wife - I do mention you!)

Mon 23/6: Back into the thick of it with the first sub-group meeting (Highways/Traffic) of the EET, which I was appointed Chair. We discussed the previous work program, and set a decent program of study for the forthcoming year.

Tue 24/6: Casework & email responses, mostly, plus pre-reading proposals & notes for Full Council the next day.

Wed 25/6: Despite the Germany v Turkey game I still went to Full Council. The most important issues for me were the erosion of Councillors & Public questioning of Executive members (proposed by the Tories, and a shameful way to treat Councillors & those who elected us to serve them) plus the questions I had for other Councillors on cleaning of our Town Centres and the work of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority(GMPTA). The answer to the first was “It’s gone to Scrutiny” and the latter will be sent in writing because the meeting timed-out, mostly due to the bickering between Bob (I’m the Leader now!) Bibby and Mike (I can shout louder than you) Connolly. However, I’ve seen the answer to the latter, and it doesn’t refer to the points I raised whatsoever, so shall be asking Cllr Yvonne Creswell (Deputy Tory Leader) to answer it again properly!

Thu 26/6: Writing my blog; casework update; Six Town Housing Open Day & Euro semi-final with a Chinese meal & bottle of vino, whilst ‘er outdoors is crown green bowling in the pouring rain!

Remember, Bury Councillors do this on a part time basis, I still have a full-time career and other hobbies plus a home life to hold down! You will therefore forgive my tardiness in updating my blog, as I also have to fit in the following:

Occasional meals out with wife (see - mentioned her twice in one blog!); 5-a-side football (1-2 times p/w); Going to the gym (nearly as frequently!); Walking; Driving my classic car (for fun/to shows etc.); Delivering Focus leaflets (incessantly); Keeping up-to-date on National Politics; Local political party stuff; Career development with various courses; Various overnight stays around the UK/Europe/the world to see my clients; Jolly boys jaunts; Occasional pint on a Friday night; Seeing family & friends; shopping & eating.

Not all Cllrs have as many outside interests as I, but I hope that it keeps my feet on the ground and ensures I’m approachable & well-known.

Anyway - enough for now, more at weekend, probably….

 D

What’s been happening?

Tories elected a very nice man to Mayor - Peter Ashworth. I hope he has a very pleasant year, and uses it wisely.

Annual Council was a fairly tame affair, after which we had a meeting about Prestwich’s priorities for the forthcoming year.

Thursday 15th led me to St Mary’s primary School for photo opportunities with a cycling training event - we’re trying to get kids to get more exercise, and learn to cycle safely from an early age. Then it was the Local Area Partnership meeting, where Urbed presented their initial findings on the Town Centre Redevelopment Study.

Many were disappointed at the lack of innovation & social/leisure facilities, but these are only very early drafts, and include the realism of potential developers’ “wish-lists” too. There is much more discussion to be had, and the initial plans are up on display in the Library now, for people to view & comment upon - have your say now, before it is too late!

On Friday I attended a very interesting seminar on “Business Continuity” for work, but there was some very useful stuff for Council to learn also. I then got to see GMP’s Horse Unit, and a display by the dog handlers & armed response unit - at last something nice!

Saturday 17th was a thankyou party for leafleters & helpers, which was very pleasant. I should’ve been ref’ing on Sunday, but the game was scrubbed, so I had a bit of a free day!

This week I’ve had Planning Control; St Monica’s & Butterstile Governors’ meetings; a meeting with the Fire Service & the inaugral St Mary’s Conservation “Management Team”. The choice was between St Monica’s & the Conservation meeting, nd I felt it was more important to go to the latter, but because I didn’t get back from Consett until 6.50pm, I didn’t have time to forward my apologies to the Governors.

I’ve also had to think about mentoring Mary in her first few weeks & months, and also think about the local “Development Framework” that’s been issued.

Fairly busy then! I’ll let you know what happened at the meetings next time….

This should be a fairly quiet time as a Cllr, but casework keeps coming (especially as a result of canvassing) and there are big decisions to be made:

• What Scrutiny Commissions to be on next year
• What other Council groups to be involved with
• Group decisions on how “politically vocal” to be next year

 These are behind-closed-doors discussions, so ’nuff said for now - more to follow soon.

In the meantime, I’ve been working on the following:

• Securing the gates to St Mary’s park & requesting an internal barrier to prevent dogs/kids going straight onto the main road, following the alterations to the lights outside the gates (top of St Annes Rd)
• Enquiring about the double yellow lines on Bury New Rd outside said park
• Reporting asbestos fly tipping (how mad can people be?!?!) - with thanks to the public for that
• Thanking our helpers individually, for stakeboards & posters, delivering leaflets etc.
• Chasing up the closure of Prestwich cash office - who/why/where/when was the decision made?
• Considering road improvement schemes for 2008/9
• Chasing up outstanding work (e.g. the partially painted M60 J17 roundabout)

On the subject of that roundabout - some numpties still can’t follow the coloured lines, so I’ve asked for much better signage coming south from Whitefield.

Also been doing loads of my own stuff:

• Sorting cars out (tax/insurance/servicing etc.)
• Gardening/weeding
• Seeing family/friends
• My will & funeral arrangements (Really! - No wonder I’m a bit grumpy at the moment!)
• Refereeing
• Playing football & going to the gym
• Walking the Pennine hills, whilst my wife & her friends did the same route on horseback
• Oh yes, and a full time job, too!!!!

Hi,

 I’ve had some blog responses back recently, but haven’t posted them because I’m not quite sure how! (It is not because they’re negative - although some are) I’ll try to arrange a tutorial with a colleague soon, and post them for you.

Checking my messages on the ‘phone, I note that the reason for the 13-months delay in improving the roadworks to junction 17 of the M60, is the following:

• I asked for improvement work at the PLAP (then called Area Board) in January 2007
• The Officer took this request & engineers investigated
• In September 2007(!!!!), an order was placed to do the work
• Because the juction is with a motorway roundabout, the slip roads need closing, and thus it has to be done through the Highways Agency, who get Contractors to do it on their behalf. The Contractors have not found a suitable date that works with the Highways Agency yet!
• I’m now trying to get the Highways Agency to explain their delay!

I noted that a few calls from local papers had occurred recently, but because of work commitments, I was not able to respond in time for their deadlines.

Several planning & other personal issues have been dealt with for constituents, but confidentiality means I can’t put them on a blog!

Time for some real work now…

Sounds like a clip from Big Brother!

Sometimes I feel we’re in that bloody house - have you looked up recently to see how many cameras watch your every move? And how much safer does this really make you feel? Would you feel safer with more coppers around, as a visible, tangible presence?

I was down in London on Thursday, and as I entered the tube there were 2 cops with machine guns & sniffer dogs (thank heavens I had time for a shower in the morning!) and everywhere I went people seemed suspcious of everyone else. It dos not help that the day before I was subjected to a mandatory anti-terrorism video at work, and people ask for ID as permission to scatch your (sic) nose!

Somebody asked me for a photocopy of my passport for (my) safety purposes last week - I felt like saying “How about you hold onto my nuts, to make sure I return for them?!?!”, but in fact I declined the offer, saying that I have a copy in safekeeping already! Sometimes I am a little too polite!

I notice Ivan has a spot in The Guide this week. Not content with trying to usurp a legitimate process, he has to “big up” the (planned & existing)
improvements in Prestwich, as if he could care less, and as if he had anything to do with it. Let’s face it - he got nowhere being chummy with Tony, and he’s been kicked into Gordon’s long grass. He has no real input into the changes in Prestwich, because he only has 1 Labour Councillor in Prestwich (and she’s standing down this year - scared of the backlash from her foolhardy schools review, perhaps?)

He set up his Renewal Commission to try to kickstart something that the LibDems Councillors had already been motoring with for some time.

The whole population is rather fed up with spin, Ivan, and yet you are only latching onto the wave that passed these shores just after the Iraq invasion. Oops!

Still, don’t worry about it - I’m sure your increased taxes on beer, fuel, and other neceesities required to get away from the Scottish/English leaders of your party are bound to turn the voters onto your message this May!!!

Donal

Getting into the groove of this free thinking stuff now!

In days of yore, and on programs like “Last of the Summer Wine” you always see residents sweeping gutters outside t’house. What about Neighbourhood Watch groups organising occasional sweep-ups for an hour on a particular day? (rather than the TRA mass clean-ups we occasionally help with).

What about blood donors coming to council premises to do lunch-time collections from staff (will I be accused of squeezing the life-blood from our employees?!?)

I’ve been speaking to the Fire Brigade about talks on Fire Safety to the business community, given their recently revised (and confusing) strategy on commercial/industrial  fire alarms that connect to central stations. Hope to have that one up & running shortly…

What about a specific software system for managing health & safety within the Council? one that will highlight outstanding actions, so that work like un-finished pavements etc. get addressed without being left half-dug forever (yes - I’ve reported the one at the bottom of Sandy Lane!)

What about prizes for staff who provide innovations that save the Council money? We could base the prize by categories of amount saved per annum. We could include local schools or community groups in competitions, or widen it to the whole Borough?

How about insisting that all new building developments are not accepted without travel planning provision in place, for example with segregation of pedestrians & cycle routes away from roads, as you often see  in western Europe?

What about a Council website with a plan of the Borough, highlighting all public rights of way, bridleways, proposed developments etc. (I asked for this one a year ago!) You could put a search icon onto it, so you could plan your round route, a bit like walkjogrun.net?

Why not have Borough guides, with walks/day trips on the history & architecture of the Borough, assisted by heritage societies and highlighted to sports & social groups?

Blimey! I’m worn out now, with all this thinking….better go for a lie down!

Donal

Just been churning over in my head about what’s happened in the last few years, since we started getting rid of Labour Councillors in this area:

We consulted in depth about people’s wishes on “The Retreat”, and although we didn’t get exactly what we wanted, people were engaged, whether they had access to a computer or not.

We now have a “Developing Communities” group, working out the most effective ways to spend the little money we are given to maximise benefit to the people of Prestwich.

We have the Town Centre Regeneration Group, enhancing links between the people of Prestwich and the framework being developed to improve the area.

We really do speak to those who are interested in improving all aspects of Prestwich, and act upon the comments we hear back.

The one telling comment from last night’s Regeneration meeting (and I heard it several times from different people) was that the Councillors from Whitefield, Radcliffe & further north, really had NO IDEA how disastrous the “Radius” development would be. They thought it would be the catalyst for change, and it is just a “blot on the landscape” and has set us back, not forward.

What do people say to me about the Radius: 

The problem with the Radius is that it is totally out of keeping with the area. The problem is that the landlord can’t or won’t let the shops. The problem is that it blocks out the light to prevent greenery to grow in our town centre. The problem is that it perpetuates the “wind tunnel effect” (between the Library & the shops) that is so scary to the elderly. The problem is that it provides a free skate park for the kids, which annoys the hell out of the residents in the flats above. The problem is that it sits at the centre of a piece of land that needs regeneration, and any residents in the flats above can look forward to 5 years of building work & dust & dirt going on around their homes. The problem is that there are too few parking spaces. The problem is that the flats were mostly sold to the “buy to let” market, so there’s no permanent residents and no stability or neighbourliness.

So, given such comments, what should we do with it? Knock it down again? Make the most of a bad job? Complain to the developers?

The reality is, financially & legally, it would be difficult to knock it down. We’ll have to develop things around it that try to stop it looking such an eyesore, that detract your eyes away from it. Let’s hope that  the workshop last night will help to resolve the problem that is the “Radius”! If we continue to work with the people of Prestwich in the way that Labour forgot to do for so long, then the people of Prestwich will get what they want & deserve, which in my terms is, “The best, not just ‘better’!!”

Donal

Last night  I attended the Town Centre Regeneration Meeting hosted by Urbed. Cllr Vic D’Albert (Chair of the local Area Partnership) welcomed everyone, and then David Rudlan (from Urbed, the Council’s appointed consultants) began the round-table “visioning” exercises for the people present, of whom there appeared to be about 130.

It was fantastic to see so many people so animated, active, and working together to come up with a viable future for Prestwich Town Centre!

Urbed provided a Consultant for each table, to keep us all focussed, and by ‘eck, did we need it! Our table was brilliant, made up of a real mix of ages, backgrounds and experiences. Some remembered the past fondly, some wanted us to be like a new European city, some wanted a mix, and all wanted the heritage buildings to be more focal points.

I get to have my say in this town quite a lot, so I deliberately kept in the background a bit, letting everyone else get their say. It was fascinating and heartening to see so many being so passionate about our home town, or the place we work. Brilliant!

Unfortunately, I had to leave at 7pm to go to a Tenants & Residents meeting in Rainsough, primarily about the development of the shops on Chapel Rd. The Council had undertaken a study to find out what the residents wanted the units to be used for. The survey came back strongly in favour of shops, but about half the people present on the night either wanted the shops to be bricked up, or knocked down completely!

The Chairman was left in a difficult position, as people started shouting without waiting for the Chair to invite them to speak, and then when he tried to get the meeting progressed, he was accused of being rude.

When asked about the leaflets going around, I was not given an opportunity to explain that Salford Councillor, Peter Connor, had shamefully used his position for political benefit: When Labour had 3 Councillors in St Mary’s, none of them had contacted Salford Councillors to work with them on improving Rainsough estate. Richard Baum, a newly elected LibDem in Prestwich contacted Mr Connor (should that be “con-er”?) in 2007, to find out what the position was about the shops, and whether we (Bury & Salford Councils)could jointly develop them for the residents’ benefit. Mr Connor then refused to take any more of Richard’s calls, and would not return  calls. He contacted Maggie Gibb, the last remaining Labour Councillor in Prestwich, and went on a photo shoot to show his commitment to the cause! Shame on both their heads!

Back to the TRA Meeting:

The Chair closed the meeting in some disarray, and explained that the next meeting was for the election of Officers to the TRA, and he would not be standing for re-election. This is a shame, because the TRA needs a strong character as Chair to keep control in the meetings, but hopefully they’ll elect a worthy successor.

I returned to the Urbed workshop about 8.15, just as some tables were finishing. My table were still working away, but it seemed that an impasse had occured on the “new or old” question. A mild consensus was agreed, but none of the participants seemed too happy with the final results.

After the event, a couple of the chaps from the table told me about some “Linux” software, that enables input from all sources on an “open access” platform. They explained how it could work on this project, and were interested in showing it to Council Officers to get it moving - sounds good to me! One of them already works with the Council IT bosses on telephony equipment, so it may be easier to get it trialled.

I’m all for “open Government”, and as I implied in the paper last week, I trust the people of Prestwich to come up with great ideas, and firmly welcome all input. Let’s “Go For It”, as was so famously said by that post-punk band, SLF.

Onwards and upwards….

Donal

This morning I blogged about not going to conference, and instead got stuck into some leafleting, some DIY, and family stuff.

I never got to go for that walk, it took much longer to power-wash the patio than anticipated. This was mainly due to the interruptions of having to deal with local youths smashing up a derelict house nearby. First time I went down, I told three lads to get lost (or words to that effect!) and that they did. I picked up a mobile phone off the ground near where they’d been standing, intending to pass to the police.

However, when I got back home I noticed that they were back, and so this time I ‘phoned the police. Whilst I was on the line describing the miscreants & their nefarious activities, the Peelers arrived! - Talk about rapid service!! I went down & described the kids, gave the bobbies the mobile phone (which was switched on) and left them to it.

As I was returning home, I spotted the kids, and told the bobbies. They knew the kids, and said they’d deal with it appropriately.

So when Labour’s retiring Cllr. Maggie Gibb and her little helper say they’ve been doing something about Shrewsbury House, you can tell them that their words were of no use whatsoever, and that LibDem Councillors prefer action to talk!

The truth (as I understand it) about Shrewsbury House is that the current owners want to sell it & the land, for development. However, the house is in a conservation area so must be maintained in appearance, and many of the surrounding trees are under “preservation orders”. Any developer who wants to buy it probably can’t make money on doing up the house & grounds, then selling it on. The only way to make money on it is to build something else in the grounds, such as starter-homes or a block of flats (which would be difficult because of the trees!) Bury Council also has put a halt to building new homes in most parts of the Borough (apart from town centres), so developers can’t get planning  permission to put extra dwellings in the grounds even if they could overcome the tree problems.

The owners have not replaced the roof that was partly stolen a couple of years ago, so the house timbers will be rotten, and it will not be economically viable to repair the house - most of the interior needs totally replacing. I suspect that the owners hope that vandals will burn it down, so they can demolish it & save themselves lots of money. I will try to ensure that this doesn’t happen, and ask Council if they can make the owners keep it water-tight, due to it’s historic value to the area (I’ve already asked them to ensure it is re-secured on several occasions).

So today, at least, I can confirm that actions DO speak louder than the words of Maggie Gibb or even Nick Clegg (Leader of the LibDems)!!!

Donal

Town Centre Regeneration (TCR) - what’s it all about?

TCR is a sub-committee of the Local Area Partnership (formerly Area Board) that tries to help the regeneration of Prestwich. I’m the Chair, and other Prestwich Councillors, Council Officers & interested third parties (businesses; residents etc.) are co-opted in to provide specialist knowledge & support.

We held a meeting on Wednesday at the Library, where Urbed (the consultants we’ve engaged to undertake a professional study of Prestwich’s “wants & needs”) presented their preliminary findings. It was very good, and promises to be a sound springboard for positive future change.

A group of Prestwich residents, many with relevant professional experience, also presented their vision of what Prestwich should aspire to, and this mostly concurs with the Urbed study. As a result, representatives of the group have been co-opted onto the TCR, to use their professional experience to ensure Urbed get the right questions asked.

After the presentations, a Q&A session was held, where Urbed & the residents’ group were quizzed on specific points, especially relating to the conflict of Bury New Road (BNR) traffic & pedestrians; delivery of plans into real development; how Bury Old Road can help shape the vision for the Town Centre and alleviate the problems of BNR; the outcome if a recession occurs; and the inter-relationship Prestwich will have with the promised “Irwell Valley Urban Park”.

Excellent questions, and some good answers, although it’s fair to say that the study is ongoing, and thus not all the answers have been developed into achievable plans yet.

The next steps are:

• A presentation to Prestwich Local Area Partnership on 3/4/08 (come along & see it!)
• A “Visioning” workshop to interested representatives of specific groups at the Logfield centre on 13/3/08
• A link through the Bury Council website to the Urbed website, keeping us all up-to-date on the work Urbed are doing (I’ll probably put a link from this one too, when I know how)
• Postcards to nearby neighbours of the Town Centre, asking for their views

So, whilst we don’t have a fantastic town centre just yet, the first steps in making change happen have been taken! (And don’t forget, this all happened when LibDems got elected in Prestwich, but for the decade before when we had a Labour-controlled Area Board, all we got was a broken water feature!!) Hmmm……

Prior to the meeting, we held meetings with Traffic/Engineering Officers from the Council, regarding Highfield Road & Whittaker Lane parking arrangements. I’m glad to announce that as a result, a study will be commissioned to review a “Residents Only” parking scheme on Highfield Rd (the initial stages of which will not take long, but the implentation of which could take much longer!); and that Officers are studying the possibility of a “Private Management Agreement” for a car park behind the Chemists, as well as supplying additional parking signs & marked bays.

So a very progressive couple of meetings, but blimey, it took us a long time and an awful lot of meetings to get to this point!!!

Next job is to draft a couple of important letters on specific issues, and deliver gazillions of leaflets (both personally & to our distributors) over the weekend. Anybody want to deliver some for us?

Cheers,

Donal