A new direction for Bury South

Last night I attended my first meeting of the Economy, Environment and Transport Committee chaired by my colleague Cllr David Higgin.  I ‘volunteered’ to go on two sub committees one looking at imposing weight restrictions on Croft Lane and implementing a 20mph speed limit on all residential roads in the Borough and one looking at litter and enforcement etc.  These are some of the main issues that I have been contacted about lately so I am pleased to have the opportunity to be involved.

Another issue I have been contacted about this week is the East Lancashire Railway’s war time re-enactment weekend which is held every year.  Whilst the ELR do an amazing job to promote tourism in the Borough the company they hire to carry out this event do not take note of the restrictions placed on them regarding the wearing of uniforms and many residents have been once again offended and hurt by people wearing SS and Nazi style uniforms.  I was promised two years ago that this would not happen again but alas it has so ELR organisers take note many people are far from happy!  �

Well done to Edward Timpson on his amazing victory in Crewe and Nantwich last Thursday.  It was a spectacular result achieved from a well run campaign and one that went to a well deserved candidate.  The swing of 17.6% is a sign to Gordon Brown and his Government that the country is ready for a change and is worried about managing financially with the rising cost of living, the credit crunch, falling house prices as well as other issues that affect them on a day to day basis such as law and order and the health service.  Spending the bank holiday weekend catching up with emails and paperwork, seeing friends and oh yes it is my birthday tomorrow! 

This evening I am off for my second visit to Crewe and Nantwich this week.  I have read in the press and seen on the television about the campaign that Labour are carrying out but was amazed to see for myself some of the literature they have been putting out about our candidate.  Last night was the first Executive Meeting of the new municipal year apart from a short agenda I think the fact that there was a football match on the tv last night might have sped up the meeting – 22 minutes in all! 

This afternoon is the Mayor Making and the First Council Meeting of the new municipal year one to really celebrate with the Conservatives in control for the first time in 22 years.  It really will be a special occasion.  In spite of being offered my role back on the Executive I have decided to decline this in order to concentrate more on my role as LAP Chair.  It was not a decision I took lightly and a role that I shall miss very much.

Last Friday I visited the Samaritans office in Bury which is situated just across the road from the Town Hall.  I was shown around by Stan Edwards and had the opportunity to meet some of the volunteers who give of their time often at unsociable hours to staff the phones and welcome visitors.  It was interesting to hear of how they operate and hope that I can be of support in the future with the issues of concern they raised to me during my visit.

Tonight I attended the 60th anniversary party of the founding of the State of Israel at the Sheridan Suite in Manchester.  The event was superby attended by over 1,300 people.  The atmosphere was fantastic and I had the opportunity to meet many people I had not seen for ages from all over Manchester.  After a very filling falafal and pitta bread I sat down to listen to the music and relax for a while.  Well done to all involved in organsing tonight’s event it was well done and a credit to all.

It was an exciting Group Meeting on Tuesday night and I am delighted that I am to remain on the Executive as porfolio holder for Safer and Secure Communities.  I have also been appointed as Chair of the LAP (ex Area Board) and wish to thank Cllr Bernie Vincent for his hard work in this role over the past year and wish him every success as Chair of the Planning. 

What a magnificant result for the Conservatives on Bury Council taking control for the first time in 22 years.  Now the hard work begins but we will continue to deliver on our pledges of last year.  After an exhausting week all the hard work paid off and David Cameron MP kept his promise and visited the centre of Bury on Friday morning.

Taking the total votes cast across Bury South the Conservatives polled more votes than Labour!

After trying to catch up on some sleep this weekend went to a meeting this morning where we re-elected Cllr Bob Bibby as Group Leader and Cllr Yvonne Creswell as Deputy Leader not only of the Group but of the Council – congratulations to them both on a successful year.

Then went off to a wedding and a diamond wedding anniversary party – so a busy day and weekend.