Yesterday was the Annual Council Meeting of Bury Council. This is an important meeting as it establishes who will be running the Council for the following year, and which Councillors will serve on various Committees and outside bodies. In the second part of the meeting we elect the Mayor of Bury for the year.

This year the people of Bury have decided that no single party should have a majority on the Council (a “hung council” or “balanced council”). The Liberal Democrats have decided not to enter into a coalition with either party, and we remain a strong opposition on Bury Council.

In a statement I made to the press I said: “The people of Bury have chosen the Conservatives to be the largest party on the Council. They will be forming a minority administration. We will decide on issues on an individual basis in the best interests of the people we represent and serve.”

“Labour made it clear that they had no interest in running the Town Hall, just like they showed no interest in running the country. Maybe they want to avoid taking responsibility for tough decisions.”

“The Liberal Democrat group will continue to put the needs of Bury before politics, and will continue to be an effective opposition to the Conservatives, and make every single Liberal Democrat vote in Bury count”.

The long serving Labour Councillor Cllr John Beirne from East Ward was elected as Mayor for 2010-2011 (pictured above), and the existing Mayor, Cllr Sheila Magnall from Ramsbottom elected as Deputy Mayor.

I have been re-elected as Leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the Council. Any questions please ask!