Tim Pickstone

Earlier this week this week I went to Afghanistan and Pakistan to see for myself the problems and challenges that those countries face. The coalition government is committed to playing our part to helping ensure that the region has a peaceful and prosperous future.

It was my second visit to our armed forces in Afghanistan, where I saw again the bravery and professionalism of our troops. Whilst the situation in the country is still difficult, I believe that we are beginning to turn the corner. As the Prime Minister has made clear, British combat troops will leave Afghanistan by 2015 and it is important that by then we have a full political settlement to take the country forward.

Yesterday I was in Pakistan where I saw the almost unimaginable impact of the terrible floods. It is almost impossible to appreciate their scale — the affected area is approximately the same size as the UK.

I was deeply moved as I witnessed the flooding from the air. It is sadly clear that it will take years for life in Pakistan to come back to normal. I met with President Zardari and aid agency workers to discuss aid being delivered to Pakistan and what role Britain and the international community can play.

I’m proud that the British people and government have together contributed over £100m to assist the aid efforts. If you would like to donate to the DEC appeal for Pakistan, as I know many people will have done already, you can do so here: www.dec.org.uk

Object to Manchester City Council?s Plans to Dispose of Part of Heaton Park to Facilitate Sports Zone
Although Manchester City Council?s Planning and Highways Committee have approved Goals Soccer
planning application in Heaton Park. Manchester City Council still have to give notice that they intended to
dispose of (by the way of a long term lease) land situated in Heaton Park.
You can object to Manchester City Council plans to lease this area of Heaton Park for the purposes of a sports
complex.

Objections to the intended disposal of land must be made in writing quoting reference L/JGH/CVL2021/54 and
sent to the address below no later than 20th September 2010.

Susan Orrell
City Solicitor
Manchester City Council
PO Box 532
Town Hall
Manchester
M60 2LA

Or email .orrell@manchester.gov.uk

Thank you for your continued support.

Prestwich Festival and many other important community projects may be at risk after an annoucement that Bury Council is to cut all Area Board Grants in the current financial year.

The Conservative-led Council has announced that there will be no Area Partnership grants for Prestwich - or any other the other parts of Bury this year. This is a grant scheme which has been running by the local areas for the last ten years. In Prestwich the grants have funded projects throughout the community, with the support for Prestwich Festival being the most visible in recent years.

Local Liberal Democrat Vic D’Albert said “This is another decision to cut services taken by the Conservatives without any consultation whatsoever. It’s damaging and not what people want. Once again we think the Bury Conservatives have got it wrong. We all know that cuts are needed to pay off Labour’s debt, but yet again the Tories at the town hall are cutting without asking people what matters to them.

“The Prestwich Festival is something we’re really proud of. We will fight to keep it going, and the Council need to realise how much this means to local people. They have made their decision without asking anyone, and are making the people of Prestwich pay disproportionately for Labour’s debt mess.”

(Picture: Prestwich Carnival Parade this summer)

The Lib Dems will be delivering on another manifesto commitment when car clamping on private land is banned.
Liberal Democrat ministers Lynne Featherstone and Norman Baker have announced that car clamping on private land is to be banned as part of the Freedom Bill this Autumn.

Home Office minister Lynne Featherstone MP when making the announcment said:

“The Government is committed to ending the menace of rogue private sector wheel clampers once and for all.

“For too long motorists have fallen victim to unscrupulous tactics by many clamping firms. Reports of motorists being marched to cash points or left stranded after their car has been towed are simply unacceptable.

“A ban on clamping and towing on private land will end this abuse and companies who decide to flout new laws will face severe penalties.”

This is a link to the BBC website article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10993473

Nick Clegg this morning delivered a speech on social mobility in which he outlined the Coalition’s commitment to making decisions today that will promote a better future: a more prosperous economy, and a fairer society.

Nick Clegg said:

As of today, the new Coalition Government is 100 days old. Inevitably there is a plenty of discussion about our performance to date. Everyone will have their own view about the start we have made.

I am proud of our achievements so far, from civil liberties, to political reform, to steps to reshaping our public services. And of course, our first Budget, which set out our plans to repair the public finances.

Our critics characterise us as being solely defined by our public spending cuts. So let me be clear: tackling the deficit is our immediate priority. But is it not our be-all and end-all. This Government is about much more than cuts.

This Government is committed to the long term – to making decisions today that will promote a better future: a more prosperous economy, and a fairer society. Our determination to fix the deficit is matched by our determination to create a more socially mobile society.

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Two activities for the late summer organised by Bury’s ranger service:

Summer strollers are invited to join Bury’s rangers on a guided walk of the local countryside.
The 4.5-mile circular walk is over moderate terrain and takes place on Tuesday August 24.

Starting from Burrs Country Park, walkers will pass through Chesham Woods Local Nature Reserve and pass Clarence Lido before returning to Burrs. There will be an opportunity to find out more about the varied work of the ranger service.

Walkers should meet at the chimney, in the main car park at Burrs Country Park, at 10.30am. No booking in advance is required, but people should bring their own refreshments and wear suitable footwear and clothing.

Don’t miss out on a last chance for summer holiday fun before heading back to school.
Bury’s rangers have set a number of challenges to get young minds racing at a free event in Burrs Country Park on Thursday August 26.

In the Ranger Quest, youngsters of all ages can try their hand at map reading and solving various tasks and riddles around the park. All children must be accompanied by an adult, and prizes will be given to all who complete the Ranger Quest.

Booking is not required – just turn up and register between 10am and 10.30am at the chimney in the main car park at Burrs Country Park.

For further information call Kathryn Fairclough on 0161 253 7984.

Six Town Housing, the arms length housing provider for Bury Council is about to comment a number of internal improvements to many properties in the Prestwich area. The work, being undertaken byThe Casey Group includes replacing kitchens and bathrooms, heating works to include replacing boilers, re-wiring kitchens & bathrooms. (Please note work will vary in each property dependant on meeting the decent homes criteria.)

Properties to be included include houses on:
Bury Old Road, Langley Avenue, Langley Crescent, Langley Gardens, Langley Grange, Langley Grove, Langley Hall Road, Polefield Approach, Polefield Grange, Polefield Hall Road
Heys Road, Holyrood Court, Parrenthorn Road and Woodward Road.

Commencement date - 23rd August 2010
Completion date - 19th November 2010
Emergency Out of Hours: Bradley Fold - 0161 253 6606

North West Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies reports on his battle for fuel efficiency.

Even when you think you must be onto a sure-fire winner, a combination of commercial vested interests and short- sighted politicians can line up to defeat you. But in the battle for more fuel efficient vans, we’re not beaten yet!
The European Commission has proposed a regulation intended to reduce CO2 emissions from new vans and light commercial vehicles by 33% (to 135gCO2/km by 2020). I strongly support this. I’m confident that affordable technology exists to make it possible.

The protests from the vehicle manufacturers began as soon as the draft was published. They claim that they can’t do better than a 20% reduction over the next decade except at disproportionate cost. Cynics might point out that these same manufacturers opposed measures requiring lead free petrol, catalytic converters, compulsory seat belts, rules for recycling end-of-life vehicles, and reductions in CO2 emissions from passenger cars, yet they comfortably met (or are meeting) the standards once introduced.

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There will be plenty to tantalise the tastebuds when Prestwich Farmers Market returns to the Longfield Centre on Sunday August 22.

The market has become a regular fixture in the Prestwich calendar offering a range of locally sourced foods and products to suit every taste.

On offer will be traditional, quality goods ranging from speciality meats, pies and cheeses and home-made cakes to pastas, chutneys, jams and drinks. There will be plenty of opportunities to sample the food, enjoy entertainment from Squeaky the Clown, and enter a draw to win a hamper worth £50.

Councillor Vic D’Albert, chairperson of Prestwich Local Area Partnership, “The partnership supports the Farmers Market as part of our strategy to promote Prestwich Village as a visitor and shopping destination and to support our local businesses.”

The farmers market runs from 9.30am to 2.30pm.

A great way to experience Bury’s countryside - Bury Ranger service are leading the second of their four cycle rides this Sunday

Join them on a leisurely circular cycle ride starting from St Mary’s Park in Prestwich. We’ll be following National Cycle Route 6 along the Outwood trail and the Bury Bolton canal to Bury. Heading through Pilsworth, Unsworth, and Heaton Park back to St Mary’s Park.

Covering approximately 20 miles the route is both off and on road, some of the off road sections are on rough surfaced tracks and the ride includes some short steep slopes but no big hills!

There will be stopping points along the route including a lunch stop, so please bring pack lunch and plenty of liquids.

Start time:
10:30am Sunday 1st August

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