NHS Bury consulting on reducing funding for IVF

NHS Bury are asking patients and the public to share their views on proposals to review Bury’s current policy in relation to commissioning In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) services.

The consultation will run for six weeks from Monday 6th August to Sunday 16th September 2018.

Within the consultation document the CCG describes the reasons why it is considering changing its policy on commissioning IVF services, and seeks feedback from local people, stakeholders and health care professionals on a range of options.

An important part of the survey is to offer the opportunity for people to highlight if they feel the CCG has failed to consider something significant before coming to a decision.

IVF is one of several techniques available to help people with fertility problems have a baby.

NHS Bury CCG is one of only four CCGs in the country that provides IVF fully in line with NICE guidelines, including offering up to three funded cycles.

Bury’s projected spend for IVF in 2018/19 is around £320,000. The majority of CCGs in England offer one funded cycle.

Feedback from the consultation period will help to inform the Governing Body to make a decision on the future provision of IVF in Bury at its meeting on 26th September 2018.  The Governing Body meets in public and will publish the outcome of the consultation on its website, through social media and via the press and media.

How to get involved:

An online survey is available HERE, also available via the CCG website homepage buryccg.nhs.uk and in paper format by calling 0161 253 7636.

Views can be sent to the CCG by letter or e-mail:

  • By letter to: NHS Bury Clinical Commissioning Group, Communications and Engagement Team (IVF consultation) Townside Primary Care Centre, 1 Knowsley Place, Knowsley Street, Bury, BL9 0SN
  • By e-mail: to buccg.communications@nhs.net

The Liberal Democrat Group on Bury Council has been asked to meet with the CCG to give our views as part of the consultation, so please let us know if there are points you would like us to make (c/o Councillor Tim Pickstone tim@burylibdems.net

Residents and Business Consulted on Council Gambling Policy

Businesses and residents are invited to have their say on Bury Council’s gambling policy.

By law, the council is required to have a policy and review it every three years. It is now consulting gambling premises such as betting shops, amusement arcades and pubs, but anyone is allowed to comment.

The Gambling Act 2005 has three licensing objectives: to prevent gambling from being a source of crime and disorder, being associated with crime and disorder, or being used to support crime; to ensure that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way; and to protect children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

The policy can be viewed on the council’s web site at https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=11020

Comments must be received by 5 October 2018, and will be published afterwards. Any changes to the policy would start in January 2019.

Further details: Michael Bridge, licensing unit manager, on 0161 253 5208.

Call for Double Council Tax on long term empty homes

Thousands of empty properties across England could be brought back into use if councils are allowed to double the rate of extra council tax on empty homes say local government leaders.

The Local Government Association’s Liberal Democrat Group backed an amendment to the Rating (Property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax (Empty Dwellings) Bill to give councils the power increase the empty homes premium thresholds on council tax bills for homes left empty for five years or longer from 50 per cent to 100 per cent.

There are currently more than 200,000 empty properties in England. Councils work to encourage owners of empty homes to bring their properties back into use. As the majority of long-term empty properties are privately owned, this means also working with voluntary groups, private owners and government bodies to bring properties back into use. This includes providing advice and information, grants and loans and levying the existing empty homes premium through council tax.

Cllr Tim Pickstone, Bury’s Liberal Democrat Group Leader, said:
“At a time when we face a chronic housing shortage across the country it is wrong for so many homes to be left empty. Councils work hard to address the issue but the existing powers open to them are complex and difficult to use.Providing councils with the ability to charge more for empty homes would be a hugely positive measure which will enable councils to incentivise owners of long-term empty homes to bring them back into use.

GMSF revised timetable – next proposals in October

Greater Manchester’s Council Leaders are set to agree a revised timetable for the publication of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework plans. The next set of proposals, a Consultation Draft, will be agreed by the GM Combined Authority at its meeting at the end of October, followed by a 12 week consultation.

Consultation on the next version of the plan was intended to be July 2018, however, it was agreed to delay the consultation until October because of new population projections (SNPP) published on 24 May 2018.

The previous version of the plan proposed around 240,000 new homes across Greater Manchester (equivalent to an extra Bolton and a new Bury added together). It proposed destroying almost 50% of the green belt land in the Prestwich, Whitefield and Unsworth areas including 3,200 new houses on green belt land to the eastern side of Prestwich.


From the original proposals: Part of the “Northern Gateway” site with 3,200 houses to be built south of the M60 on green belt.

The Sub National Population Projections (SNPP) were published on May 24th update the 2014-based projections are predicting a

    slower

growth in population – for Greater Manchester this amounts to 15% reduction by 2036 – around 43,000 people fewer than the 2014 proposals.
– Slower overall growth between 2016-36 – the population is projected of Greater Manchester projected to grow by 240,000 over the 20 years
– All districts are still projected to experience growth but overall growth is significantly down on that in the 2014 estimates.
– Rochdale and Oldham have slightly higher growth
– The largest decline in growth occurs in Wigan with 11,100 (53%) less growth than before. Trafford 8,600 (25%) and Bury 7,400 (44%) also show large reductions in growth.

New ‘Sub National Household projections’ are due to be published in September 2018, it is expected that the 2016 SNHP will be lower than the 2014 projections.

The new timetable is:
– Consultation Draft Approved: October 2018
– Consultation (12 weeks): November 2018 – January 2019 o Draft Plan Approved: July 2019
– Consultation/representations: Aug – Oct 2019
– Submission Plan approved: Dec 2019/Jan 2020
– Examination in Public: Summer 2020
– Final publication (adoption): Winter 2020/21

Liberal Democrats in Greater Manchester remain 100% opposed to building on green belt land. We do need new homes, particularly the affordable homes that people need, but these should be provided on brownfield sites.

Thank you for your support

Just a note to thank everyone who supported the Liberal Democrats across Bury on Thursday in both the General Election and local elections.

In the local elections we had a great night, gaining a seat off Labour in Holyrood Ward. Well done to our newly elected Councillor Mary D’Albert.

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The full results in the local elections are here.

Thank you for your help and support!

29,540 to get pensions rise – thanks to the Liberal Democrats

The basic state pensions will rise by at least £2.85 a week thanks to the Liberal Democrats triple lock. It means 29,540 pensioners in Bury will benefit from an increase in their pension.

This rise will bring the level of the state pension to at least £115.95 and will benefit millions of pensioners across the UK. This is £18.30 more, each week, than in 2010 when the Liberal Democrats entered coalition. This means pensioners on the full basic state pension are £950 a year better off than they were under Labour.

The triple lock delivers a pension rise of whichever is the greater of average earnings, inflation or 2.5%, meaning pensioners across Bury will see more money in their pockets.

The Liberal Democrats campaigned for it in opposition, have delivered it in Government and have pledged to write it into law in the next Parliament.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Pensions Minister Steve Webb said:

“This is fantastic news and proof that the Liberal Democrats are delivering in government.

“Thanks to the triple lock commitment in our manifesto pensioners across the country have benefited from a substantial income boost this parliament.

“I am proud of this record of delivery and that we are the only party with a 2015 manifesto promise to write the triple lock into law.”

Commenting further, Bury Group Leader Tim Pickstone said:

“The triple lock ensures that pensioners are guaranteed the security of a steady rise in their pensions, allowing them to plan for their future and giving them dignity in their retirement.

“We have ensured that pensioners in Bury are never again subjected to the indignity of the 75p rise they saw under Labour.”

Party Conference – Reporting Back

Bury Lib Dems had three representatives at Party Conference in Glasgow last week (Helen, Paul and Tim).

Here’s a quick report back on some of the main announcements at conference.

Personal Allowance
Liberal Democrats believe in opportunity for everyone not just a few at the top and letting people keep more of their own money is central to that. We have already raised the income tax threshold to £10,500 and in Glasgow we announced that we will raise the income tax personal allowance threshold to £11,000 in the first year of the next Parliament – a further tax cut of £100 for 29m working people. We would make this change in the Autumn Statement of 2015, meaning that the tax cut would kick in in April 2016.

This is the first step on the way to raising the personal allowance to £12,500 – which will put £400 back in the pockets of 30m taxpayers and take one million people out of tax altogether We will pay for the tax cut in 2016 by raising Capital Gains Tax for the wealthiest and cutting down on tax avoidance. Once the party has raised the tax-free threshold to £12,500, we will then start to increase the National Insurance threshold, continuing to cut taxes for working people.

Mental Health waiting times
Nick Clegg used his conference speech to make a major Government announcement about mental health treatment and care. He announced that treatment for mental health conditions will be brought into line with other NHS services, with the introduction of the first ever waiting time standards. He said that it is wrong that someone needing a hip operation can expect treatment within a clear timeframe but someone with a mental health condition has no clarity about when they will get help.

We will end the injustice and from April 2015 most patients needing talking therapies will be guaranteed the treatment they need in as little as six weeks, with a maximum of 18 weeks.

NHS investment
The Liberal Democrats committed to a £1 billion real term investment in the National Health Service. The manifesto commitment will see the health service receive an extra £1 billion of real term funding in 2016/17 and 2017/18. It will be funded by reversing Conservative tax breaks for the wealthiest.

Apprentices and minimum wage
Business Secretary Vince Cable announced plans from the Lib Dems in Government to boost pay for thousands of apprentices. A proposal to create a single national minimum wage for 16 to 17-year-olds in work and first year of apprentices will be presented to the Low Pay Commission (LPC). It would mean around 31,000 apprentices in the first year of their programme will benefit from a pay rise of more than £1 an hour.

Affordable homes
We need to build 300,000 homes a year to tackle under supply and stop housing costs from spiralling out of the reach of ordinary families. Liberal Democrats reaffirmed our commitment to building the 300,000 new homes, as well as create a Housing Investment Bank. The bank will boost housebuilding and help low-income working families earning too much for social housing but unable to afford a home on the open market.

 

Here’s Nick Clegg’s speech at the end of Conference:

Bury Council Budget 2014-2015

Liberal Democrats welcome Council Tax Freeze

The Liberal Democrat Group on Bury Council have welcomed the decision to freeze the Council Tax in Bury 2014-2015.

The freeze is possible thanks to a £772,000 grant from the Coalition Government – equivalent to a 1.2% increase in Council Tax for 2014-2015.

Councillor Tim Pickstone, Bury’s Lib Dem Leader said:

“These are difficult times for many people and it is great that the Coalition is helping with the cost of living by enabling councils to freeze Council Tax.

“It is only a shame that Bury’s Labour Council didn’t take this free money last year and instead made us all suffer a 2.5% rise (6.8% for over 60s).”

Labour Councillors voted down Liberal Democrat proposals to invest more money in roads and to provide additional help for young people finding work.

“Bury’s roads and pavements are at breaking point with pot-holes and uneven surfaces wherever you look. It is a disgrace that Labour Councillors voted against £4 million of investment in roads, even though they seem happy to pay out £3 million in compensation for uneven roads and pavements in the last three years!”

The Lib Dem Councillors also welcomed, and fully supported, the decision to invest £500,000 in Bury New Road through Prestwich.

Councillor Donal O’Hanlon, who represents Prestwich Village, said:

“Bury New Road urgently needs attention to improve both traffic flow and parking for local businesses. We have been campaigning for this for years and wrote to the Council’s Executive Director only a month ago asking for just this. It is great that the Council has finally seen common sense”.

“Prestwich remains at the bottom of the list for investment for Bury Council. £1/2 million is great, but is nothing compared to the £25 million being invested in Radcliffe”.

ends.

Bury Council Budget Highlights

– Council Tax rise (the Bury Council element) will be 0% for 2014-15. (There will be a small rise as the Labour Police Commission has put up his element of the Council Tax.)

– Council (Six Town Housing) house rents will go up by an average of 2.5%

– The Council has decided to spend £12.4 million on improvements to council (Six Town Housing) houses over the next three years.

– £500,000 to improve Bury New Road through Prestwich.

Liberal Democrat Proposals (voted down by Labour)

– £2 million investment in repairing roads and pavements (taken from balances)

– £200,000 to improve Bury New Road through Prestwich

– £200,000 a year (for three years) to pay for a a shop unit (e.g. at the Longfield) to be converted into an centre to help young people into employment.

– £200,000 LESS spent on management costs – by changing the way that the Council is structured (not having a ‘Directorate’ structure.

 

Campaign to end 15 Minute Care Slots in Bury

Bury Council provides nearly 38% of all home care visits in slots of just 15 minutes for elderly and disabled people. This high level of ‘short care’ visits, revealed by research by local Lib Dems, has been condemned by care charities like Leonard Cheshire and Trade Unions like UNISON.

Sign our Petition to end the use of 15 minute care slots in Bury 

Leading charities, like Leonard Cheshire, have called for an end to 15 minute care slots.

Screen Shot 2013-10-08 at 07.52.32

BBC News 7 October 2013

Leonard Cheshire Disability is the UK’s largest voluntary sector provider of social care services to disabled people. As they say: “As a charity that has been providing high quality care for over 60 years, we know that 15 minutes is insufficient time to give disabled people high quality personal care and support. To put it clearly – it’s not care if the support worker does not have time to take their coat off. Let alone have a proper conversation.”

‘Care workers are telling us that they cannot properly support disabled people to get up, to bathe, get dressed and to have breakfast in 15 minutes. This is not care. It is box-ticking. The situation has become critical. This is why we are going to stop bidding for 15-minute home care contracts, unless the person specifically requests a short visit, for example to receive medication.

‘In the most extreme cases we have seen a tender for visits of only 10 minutes. This is entirely unacceptable.”

Find out more about Leonard Cheshire’s national campaign here. 

Trade Union UNISON have also joined the campaign nationally to end 15 minute care slots. 

There research show that  73% of councils in England, Wales and Scotland still commission 15-minute home care visits to elderly and vulnerable people.

UNION say: “In the government’s own words, 15 minute home care appointments ‘risk stripping people of their dignity and jeopardising their human rights’”

Home carers repeatedly raise concerns that elderly people are suffering because 15 minutes is not enough to provide even the most basic care. Frail elderly people cannot move quickly, making it impossible to carry out the range of tasks that often have to be completed in 15 minutes – feeding, bathing, administering medicines and getting people up or into bed. People with dementia find the rush of such a short visit particularly distressing.

Care workers are also deeply concerned that they do not have time to talk to people in their care. This is especially worrying given that home carers can be the only source of social contact in an elderly person’s day. The impacts of loneliness on health and wellbeing are well documented. The rush of a 15 minute call also makes the risk of mistakes with medication higher, say care workers.

UNISON is calling on the government to ban 15 minute care slots, and for councils to sign up to its Ethical Home Care Charter, which sets out basic standards for home care. The charter also provides guidance for councils to use in the commissioning process – 80% of homecare is provided by the private sector and paid for by councils.

Find out more about UNIONS’s campaign to end 15 minute care slots. 

15 Minute Care Slots are happening today in Bury

Bury Council last year provided 4790 15 minute care slots – nearly 38% of all care.

Total Number of visits per week Number of 15 minute visits Number of 30 minute visits Number of 45 minute visits Number of 60 minute visits Number of visits over 60 minutes
12782 4790 5796 1433 578 185
100.00% 37.47% 45.35% 11.21% 4.52% 1.45%

Sometimes 15 minutes might be right for someone, as part of a proper package of care, but we don’t believe this applies to 38% of all care provided.

Sign our Petition to end the use of 15 minute care slots in Bury 

Extra Funding for Free Early Years Education

 

The Government has announced additional funding to provide free early years education to two-year olds across England including 1,100 2 years olds across Bury.

130,000 two-year olds from the poorest homes will be eligible for 15 hours of free childcare a week with a nursery or childminder.

The Government is investing more than £500 million into childcare this year and £100 million through local authorities to create new places to ensure those children eligible right now can benefit from these places.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said:

“From today, if you’re a parent on a low income with a two year old in the family your child will qualify for 15 hours a week of free early years’ education. These funded places are focused on helping the families that need them most.”

Next year the Government will be investing £760m to help an additional 130,000 two-year-olds in families on less than £16,190 a year who receive working tax credits.

Commenting Bury Lib Dem Group Leader Councillor Tim Pickstone said:

“This is a welcome announcement for families across Bury.

“Early education helps promote a child’s physical, emotional and social development. This extra support for low income families is a real Liberal Democrat achievement.”