Last night was the regular meeting of the “Full Council” in Bury. It was a packed agenda with a number of important topics. Please see the separate posting about the debate on Congestion Charging.

As usual my colleagues in the Liberal Democrat group asked some very probing and important questions to the Council Leadership. These included questions on the value for money and effectiveness of CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) systems, progress towards the Children’s Centre outreach service in Rainsough and highlighting the amount of money the council loses through the 1400+ empty homes in the borough.

My colleague Cllr Ann Garner asked an excellent question about the junction at “Hilton Lane ends” on Bury New Road. Many residents, including children from at least three schools are having to maneuver this complex junction which just seems to have been made worse by the “SCOOT” traffic management system. Cllr Andrew Garner asked a question about the lack of a permanent dining room at Prestwich Arts College. My understanding is that PAC is the only high school in the borough without a permanent dining room. The Executive Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Diana Ashworth had recently visited the school at lunchtime and said “that the conditions the pupils have to endure at lunchtime are simply not acceptable in this day and age”. Thankfully she promised to do something about it!

Apart from the major debate on Congestion Charging the Council approved a number of core policy documents including a new “Sustainable Communities Plan”, but only after it had been amended by councillors to make it more “green”.

We also voted on a motion to overturn the decision of the Executive Committee to proceed with building Radcliffe Riverside School at a 600 capacity with room for further expansion if demand exists in the future. Regrettably as the Council meeting had reached its maxiumum 3 hour time limit, the debate didn’t receive the time it deserved which is a shame as its an important issue. For the reasons that we’ve previously stated we voted against the motion – we want a first class school in Radcliffe, but at present there is only the demand for a 600 capacity school.

You can view the full agenda for the meeting, together with all the papers and motions here. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need any more details on any items.

Tim