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.”

 

£567.935 for school sports in Bury

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.

Big Boost in Apprentices in Bury

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”.

Councillor Shortlisted for National Award

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

Councillor Pickstone has been shortlisted for the award of ‘Online Councillor of the Year’ for the national C’llr Achievement Awards, organised by the Local Government Information Unit.
“The C’llr Achievement Awards aim to recognise and reward those councillors who go over and above what is expected of them; councillors who show absolute dedication to their communities and make positive change happen to the lives of people in them”.

Commenting on his nomination Tim Pickstone said:

“Over the years we’ve done some really important work in Holyrood Ward to make sure that local people can keep in touch and up to date with me as their councillor online as well as through traditional methods”

“It is a real honour that the work we have done at the local level is being recognised nationally”

Tim keeps in touch several times a week with local people through a councillors website, regular ward emails, Twitter and Facebook accounts.

The awards will be made at a ceremony in London on 25 February 2013.

More information on the awards and a full list of Councillors shortlisted here:http://www.lgiu.org.uk/cllrawards/

 

Manchester Central By-Election – Help Needed

Manchester Central By-election is in it’s final week of campaigning and we need your help! Polling Day is next Thursday, on the 15th November and is approaching fast!

EVERY DAY! HQ is open 10am to 10pm for phoning, clerical work and delivery

We have a great HQ: Unit 4, Chancel Place, Store Street, Manchester, M1 2WB
(5 mins walk from Piccadilly Station)…

So please come and help ! Our Campaign Manager is John Bridges, johnbridges51@hotmail.co.uk or 07940 083218 if you have any enquiries about how to help. Look for activities and events on Facebook and Twitter and don’t forget you can help from all over the country on our Phonebank too.

Job Opportunity – Campaign Organiser

Bury Liberal Democrats are currently recruiting a Campaign Organiser (Part Time)
£20,000-£22,000 pa pro rata for 2.5 days a week (ie £10,000 – £11,000)

The purpose of the job is to plan, conduct and project manage campaigning for the Liberal Democrats in Bury.

More details and how to apply here.

For questions and further details please contact:
Tim Pickstone, Group Leader
timpickstone@gmail.com
07976 831 686

Closing date: 30th November 2012

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of Bury Liberal Democrats takes place on Monday 26 November 2012, at 6.30pm.

Unfortunately our normal venue at Elton Liberal Club is being refurbished at present, so the meeting will take place at the home of Ann and Andrew Garner 82 Glebelands Road, Prestwich M25 1NJ.

This is an important meeting, which helps set the strategy and direction of the party over the coming year, and also a great opportunity to catch up with friends old and new.

It is only actual members of the party who can come to the AGM, but if you are interested please come along and you can always join up on the night!

A nomination form, if you wish to stand for a position on the Executive Committee for 2013 has been circulated.