The Coalition Government has announced a £567,935 boost for school sports in Bury from September. Every state primary school in Bury will receive funding for sports in 2013/14 and 2014/15, roughly – £9,250 per primary school.

The funding is the equivalent of around two days a week of a primary teacher’s time to provide more sport for their pupils.

Commenting, Cllr Tim Pickstone said:

“This money means children in Bury will be able to take part in sport in primary schools.

“Sport can help children to build confidence, understand teamwork and, above all, keep healthy.

“Liberal Democrats are determined to make sure we take advantage of the enthusiasm we saw during the Olympics last year. The best legacy of the Games would be more children taking part in sport and learning how to live a healthy lifestyle.”

Provisional Figures for Bury are:
All Saints Church of England Primary School, Stand £8,835
Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School £8,610
Butterstile Primary School £9,430
Cams Lane Primary School £8,800
Chantlers Primary School £9,020
Chapelfield Primary School £9,060
Chesham Primary School £9,355
Christ Church Ainsworth Church of England Primary School £9,055
Christ Church CofE (Aided) Primary School £9,055
East Ward Community Primary School £9,175
Elton Community Primary School £9,140
Emmanuel Holcombe Church of England Primary School £8,430
Fairfield Community Primary School £8,940
Gorsefield Primary School £9,550
Greenhill Primary School £9,020
Greenmount Primary School £9,015
Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Primary School, Bury £8,905
Hazlehurst Community Primary School £8,865
Heaton Park Primary School £9,460
Higher Lane Primary School £9,950
Holcombe Brook Primary School £8,995
Hollins Grundy Primary School £8,875
Holly Mount Roman Catholic Primary School, Bury £9,305
Holy Trinity Primary School £8,755
Lowercroft Primary School £9,050
Mersey Drive Community Primary School Community School £8,660
Old Hall Primary School Community School £8,620
Our Lady of Grace RC Primary School £9,615
Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Primary School, Bury £8,670
Park View Primary School £9,720
Peel Brow School Foundation School LA maintained schools £8,665
Radcliffe Hall Church of England/Methodist Controlled Primary School Voluntary Controlled School LA maintained schools £8,970
Radcliffe Primary School £9,255
Ribble Drive Community Primary School £8,835
Sedgley Park Community Primary School £8,995
Springside Primary School £8,835
St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School, Radcliffe £8,845
St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School, Ramsbottom £9,025
St Bernadette’s Roman Catholic Primary School, Whitefield £8,925
St Hilda’s Church of England Primary School £8,385
St John with St Mark CofE Primary School £9,030
St John’s Church of England Primary School, Radcliffe £8,495
St Joseph and St Bede Catholic Primary School £9,260
St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School, Ramsbottom £8,815
St Luke’s CofE Primary School Voluntary Controlled School £9,765
St Margaret’s Church of England Primary School £9,065
St Marie’s Roman Catholic Primary School, Bury £8,900
St Mary’s Church of England Aided Primary School, Prestwich £8,885
St Mary’s Church of England Primary School, Hawkshaw £8,435
St Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary School, Radcliffe £9,765
St Michael’s Roman Catholic Primary School, Whitefield £8,890
St Paul’s Church of England Primary School, Bury £8,755
St Peter’s Church of England Primary School £9,010
St Stephen’s Church of England Primary School £8,590
St Thomas Church of England Primary School £8,985
Summerseat Methodist Primary School £8,440
Sunny Bank Primary School £8,855
Tottington Primary School £9,280
Unsworth Primary School Community School £8,915
Wesley Methodist Primary School Voluntary Controlled School £8,980
Whitefield Community Primary School Community School £8,510
Woodbank Primary School Community School £9,105
Yesoiday Hatorah School Academy Converters £10,535

Funding for schools will be calculated by reference to the number of primary-aged pupils (i.e. children between the ages of 5 and 11). All schools with 17 or more primary-aged pupils will receive a lump sum of £8,000 plus a premium of £5 per pupil. Smaller schools will receive the sum of £500 per pupil. This means a school with 16 eligible pupils would receive £8,000; a school with 12 such pupils would receive £6,000; and a school with five such pupils – the smallest that we know of – would receive £2,500.

The figures are provisional, based on this year’s school census, so although schools will receive approximately these amounts, the final allocations will depend on the exact number of children on the school roll next year and the year after.

Nick Clegg meeting apprentices in the construction industry last year in Greater Manchester

More than 2050 people were on an apprenticeship last year in Bury thanks to the Liberal Democrats, final figures reveal. That is a huge increase of 64% compared to the last year of Labour’s government.

These figures are a big boost for apprenticeships and young people in Bury which comes as National Apprenticeship Week is underway, which aims to raise awareness and celebrate the successes of the apprenticeship scheme.

Commenting, Councillor Tim Pickstone said:

“Apprenticeships are a brilliant way for young people to learn the skills and get the experience necessary for a successful career.

“Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government have promoted and invested heavily in apprenticeships because they are one of the most effective ways of helping young people get jobs. Apprenticeships also allow us to build a stronger economy, with a highly-skilled and flexible workforce.

“Apprenticeships rely on employers making opportunities available. I hope that National Apprenticeship Week is another opportunity to celebrate the success of our apprentices and for businesses to see how valuable apprentices can be to them.”

In Bury there is mixed news for youth unemployment. At the end of December 2012, there were 1,330 16-24 year olds looking for work – this was a decrease on the previous year of 9.2% – however, the decrease across Greater Manchester was higher – 14.6% –

“The Council has a key role to play in getting the best deal for Bury. We should be above the average, not trailing behind”.

Lib Dem councillor Tim Pickstone, who represents the Prestwich’s Holyrood Ward on Bury Council, has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.