A new direction for Bury South

Last night I attended the AGM of Care Concern, the bereavement counselling arm of the League of Jewish Women and heard three case histories of clients they help (names changed of course).  This organisation provides a wonderful service not only to the Jewish community but to the wider community as well and are there to offer empathy – as one person said to help that person climb out of the black hole and stand alongside them.  In a week when a report has shown that the effects of anti depressants for mild forms of depression are no more effective than a placebo organisations like this make wonderful strides into helping people come out of depression – well done to Sally Bass and her team for all the hard work they do.

After that I found myself at quiz night at the Prestwich Church Institute.  Our team came second by one point but thanks to all who made me so welcome and I soon felt as if I had always been part of their team – I shall certainly be going back again once I have read up on obscure pop groups of the 80’s, geography and planets!

David Cameron spent some of this morning in Bury meeting Councillors and candidates before taking a whistle stop tour of Bury Market talking to stall holders and shoppers.   He had a taste of Bury’s famous black pudding and even bought some to take home for his daughter.

Then it was off to the Reebock Stadium where he gave the opening speech of the North West Conference which is taking place over today and tomorrow.

What a perfect way to end an exhausting week.  

The first budget to be set by a Conservative Group in over 21 years was approved tonight at the special Budget Council Meeting.  Council tax will rise by 3.4% (3.77% including the grant given to the fire and police) in 2008/09 with no increase on last year’s standard rate to the over 65’s (other than the police and fire element).  This is a wonderful achievement for us and  is a sustainable and prudent budget – well done to my colleague Cllr Peter Redstone, Executive Member for Resource and Performance, and to all the Executive and Officers of the Council who have worked together to make this possible.   We can only but look forward to many more years of sensible budgets set by a Conservative administration.

After a morning delivering leaflets on this sunny dry day I went along to the Chancellors Conference Centre at Manchester University to meet some of the competitors of the Junior International Bridge Competition which has taken place over the weekend. It was encouraging to see so many enthusiastic participants and indeed spectators who were able to watch the games live as they were being relayed over the internet.

I was delighted to meet David Adelman who is promoting minibridge in primary schools. Minibridge has many advantages such as encouraging team building, counting skills, boosting self-esteem, and adhering to rule to name a few. This will be the foundation for future players to represent their country – as with a lot of sports the foundations are being neglected to enable us to train the champions for the future.

I cannot believe where the week has gone.  Apart from the usual round of meetings last Wednesday night was the full Council meeting – 19 written questions were submitted the most I have ever known.  I spend the weekend in Cambridge visiting my son but apparently I was not the only one visiting Cambridge on Saturday as the Archbishop of Canterbury was also there!  Off to the Conservative Group Meeting tonight!

I was delighted to welcome Conservative Party Chairman, Caroline Spelman MP, to Bury South today and in particular to take her to meet our local Government election candidates and Radcliffe Councillors down by Radcliffe Canal where she launched our petition for the canal to be cleaned up. Caroline spent time talking to local activists and also taking time to hear about the history of the canal and to see for herself the terrible condition it has been allowed to fall into. After leaving Radcliffe Caroline was off to Bacup to meet Rossendale and Darwen PPC Jake Berry.

This morning at Whitefield Hebrew Congregation where I have been a member for nearly 25 years we were delighted to welcome The Mayor and Mayoress of Bury, The Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Bury, Inspector Dave Rycecroft Township Inspector for Whitefield and Prestwich, Cllr Ken Audin and Mrs Audin, Cllr Jim Taylor and last but not least the Leader of Bury Council, Cllr Bob Bibby.  This is always a highlight in the synagogue calendar and gives the members and the Mayor an opportunity to meet and see a sabbath service being conducted.   Thanks to all those who attended and helped out with the arrangements and to everyone for braving the snow on Park Lane.