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

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….

1. Hairs in my food
2. My cat catching squirrels all the time
3. The Tories in Bury being such control-freaks that they’ve even rearranged the mayoral ceremony so we/Labour don’t vote down their agenda tomorrow
4. The amount of self-interest & egotism in ALL politics and most politicians
5. The amount we spend on “defence” in Iraq, but we don’t have enough for proper flood defence at home
6. The fact that most things in the UK get ignored first time; done wrong second time; and re-done almost correctly at the third attempt!
7. Most people’s ignorance of their own governance arrangements & democratic forums

Distant Lands:

 I am appalled at the situation in China, and also the recent cyclone damage in Burma. The difference of attitude of the news agencies to such similar terrible natural events, and the relationship of the respective governments is surely no coincidence?

We/the US don’t like Burma’s “junta” - so they must be handling things badly. China is a very powerful nation, due to hold the Olympics this year, and they appear to be doing everything possible to save lives. Hmmmmm!

Local Stuff: 

On a local note, the planning “Local Development Framework” is now at stage 2. Bury Council are setting out their plans for development for the forthcoming few years, so your views are important - READ IT & COMMENT ON IT NOW! I will!!!

There is significant change to local parkland going on at the moment. Did you see the proposals from the Forestry Commission for Irwell Valley? It was on display at the local Clough Day - why weren’t you there? It was brilliant! Come along next year and show that WE ALL LOVE PRESTWICH!

We welcomed Mary, our newest Cllr., and paid tribute to all our workers, who make campaigning easier for us. We also reviewed the election campaign, but all you furrowed-browed Labour spies can look away now, because I’m not telling you any of our secrets! (We know you just copy what we do, even trying to pinch our slogans!)

Now it’s time to go through all the old post that’s been piling up during the election, and deal with the normal events of everyday life, as well as trying to update all the stuff I’d promised to do once the organised madness subsided.

Strangely, I’m looking forward to shopping for some new clothes for my hols (I know - I normally hate it!) This wierd transformation in attitude has probably come about because I’ve noticed that there is a trend in women’s clothing for the “scrunchy” look, and I too fancy some clothes that never need to be ironed (although in men’s size & styling!!!)

Right - just time for a brew, then back to the real job for a while (and it’s still only 8.20am!)

Donal

• 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!!!!

Richard was counting Ann’s votes for Sedgley, and at one point was convinced she’d lost to a Tory who sent out leaflets calling himself “Action Man”, without indicating he was a Conservative candidate! My heart sank - I was feeling empathy for Ann, and pity for myself that I’d have to speak to such an edgit on a regular basis (You should hear about some of his tactics!)

Then a little later, the bundles started piling up & I saw that Ann’s pile was slightly bigger, and my heart rose. Hurrah! The people of south Prestwich were not, after all, deceived by such a man! Why did I ever doubt them? After all, they vote for sensible politicians all the time!

I am now basking in the warm glow of satisfaction, that we Councillors, the wider team of candidates, the supporters and well-wishers have achieved a Golden Glow (the LibDem Party colour) over Prestwich tonight. 9 Out of 9! Brilliant!!!!

That picture of Ivan scuttling off is just priceless, by the way……….

1. Rid Prestwich of the influence of The Labour Party, who have proved that they are really just Tories wearing red dresses.
2. Employ another hard-working, committed reliable resident to work for the people of Prestwich.
3. Ensure that the Tories don’t get overall control of the Council, so that the LibDems can keep a close check on whoever runs the Council, as the largest party (it won’t be us this time, but one day it will be!)

4. Increase democracy, by giving more power to the people. Why should central govt. ring-fence how we spend money locally? Do they know enough to make decisions on our behalf?

What is interesting on Question Time?

1. Spending money on hospitals, education etc. is not the answer, it is part of a solution to make the Country better. The people want results, with clean hospitals, less littering, better credit responsibility etc. Labour have spent money willy-nilly, and have not focussed on results but soundbites.
2. Abolishing the 10p tax rate makes low-waged people pay more.
3. The 40% tax rate band is closer now to the “Average Wage” of £26k (at £33k?) than it ever has been, in percentage terms, so more & more are paying higher rate tax.
4. Why should “working parents” be given tax breaks but those who choose not to have children be penalised?
5. Zimbabwe is what kind of a problem? Life expectancy is low there (37); unemployment in at 80% (per Lembit Opik); the legal position of the elections is an outrage!
6. Talking & the pen are still mightier than the sword, but the value of money is getting too important, and we should remember that there are other things that are more important than money.
7. Is Jacquie Smith a typical lying toad, who should not have made an announcement about extra police during the run-up to local elections, or was she simply mistaken?
8. Lembit said dissolve the motives of terror, don’t just employ 300 more terror police (as we did in N. Ireland).
9. Politicisation of the Civil Service has occurred, and we do nothing to reduce this. Have Bury Council employed an ex-Labour employee/candidate in the Communications Dept., who has recently left?
10. Do we have too many “foreigners” in the Country? How many do you know on a personal basis? What do you know about them? Are any doing a job the same as you?
11. Was Enoch Powell partly correct in his view, when he gave his speech about “Rivers of Blood”? Do you know what he actually said?
12. Will these “foreigners” go elsewhere, as the economy falters?

What other important topics are on my mind?

1. Why should some children get money to go to school or college, yet pay college fees to go to Uni? (It’s means tested, that’s why!)
2. Why have Labour failed to redistribute wealth, which is part of what they were really about, originally?
3. Fuel duty is abominable at present, but the Government has achieved what exactly, in terms of public transport? Now they propose a TIF bid for Gtr Manchester, for which we will pay much higher tax in the future, because 2/3 of it is a loan!
4. Is the impact of Local Councillors restricted, because central government has a very tight leash by “ring-fencing” how we spend our cash? Either you trust a Community to make a decision (you trust them to vote for you, after all) or you don’t. What is the point of a local council, given the restrictions they include!

What personal questions arise today?

1. Should I change my car? I have an LPG-powered Jaguar which I bought 2 years ago as a 6-year old car. It’s lovely, cheap & relatively eco-friendly to run, but LPG has gone from 36ppl (at it’s lowest) in August 2006 to 60ppl (at motorway services). Some information I have read says that cars do not become carbon neutral until they are 14 years old – should I run my car (which does 20k per year) for that length of time? What kind of car would I go for anyway?

2. Thankyou!

A quick thankyou to the couple who returned my wife’s handbag. They found it on Lowther Rd, and returned it immediately on Sunday morning – it shows that Prestwich is full of trustworthy souls. Good job too, it was a Radley bag, a Christmas present from me!

Sunday 18/4/08

I was sat down enjoying Foyle’s War on ITV (instead of watching a bunch of Luvvies pat themselves on their backs for doing their job) when the power cut came on. It just reminds my wife (the candidate) of the 3-day week in the ‘70’s – who was running the country then?

There’s not much to do without telly, radio, no lights to read etc. Thank God for my head torch!!! It came in useful during the “inferno” on hols last year, and now once again we have the usefulness proved.

Good job that I charge up the laptop battery – a full 5.58 hours left!

The last significant power outage was on 31.10.07, less than 6 months ago – I will have to ask the question, “Why does it keep happening in Prestwich?” On that night I was in a full Council meeting, and asked a question related to the power loss – clearly some lessons seem to not have been learned!

Enough for now….

Lots of minor issues noticed & reported, with some positives in the pipeline, and some partially completed.

Seen the M60 J17 roundabout - they’ve put red paint on surface to aid drivers with poor lane discipline! Hurrah!!! I’ve been campaigning for this for over a year!

My other Work has also been hectic - major project due for completion & issuing to colleagues.

Also went to osteopath to get some minor treatment - feel great now!

Coroporate Risk Management in the Council is now developing nicely - I’ve asked a few things to b addressed & hope to have answers shortly on that….

I’ve been ref’ing recetly too, but no cup finals this year for me, because I was so busy with other stuff that I forgot to let the secretary know of my availablity (oops!)

Sad news on recent deaths - Gordon Sharkey (former Freeman of the Borough & Labour Cllr. that I sat next to in the Chamber last year); Charles Cross (also Freeman of the Borough & Town Clerk of Prestwich in 1974, when subsumed into Bury Metropolitan Borough. Charles was a resident of Prestwich, and in his day was the Country’s leading light on local Govt. law, highways, public health & related subjects. No wonder Prestwich was so lovely as I grew up in the 70’s!

Warren Flood, a former Labour Cllr & party activist has also died suddenly, recently. I didn’t know him well, but I believe he did some good work in his days as a Cllr., and I did meet him on polling day in the last couple of elections. He seemed like a nice chap, and I wish the families & friends of all the departed my sincere condolences. 

As always, it will be a long dirty fight with Labour in Prestwich, whilst the Tories will be present in parts.

However, that’s not paramount in my mind this morning - I have lots of work to attend to, and then I have a health regime to get stuck into.

 (Above written on Monday)

I have to improve my back & posture so went to an osteopath today - feels miles better already!

Also got some emails off about the work done in the last few weeks, in time for the next Focus leaflets. I’ve been chasing all sorts of stuff as usual, but as the Council seems to spend most of the available cash in the last few weeks of the Council year. And it’s difficult to shout about them because Officers are not allowed to say anything which may give an advantage to any Councillor or prospective Cllr!

 Anyway - enjoy the lack of posts, because I’ll be busy from now on!

Donal

 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…