Last night was the meeting of Prestwich’s “Local Area Partnership”. It was only the second meeting of the Partnership in its new form, and it was good to see a wide range of partner organisations round the table. This included health (Bury PCT), police, fire service, schools, the youth forum, Prestwich Council of Churches as well as your local councillors.

The meeting discussed Alleygating (gating or partial gating of back alleys and ginnells). Bury Council is currently drafting a new policy on alleygating and we all urged the Council Officers to get on with drafting the policy. I asked if the council could be more supportive to small groups of local residents who are keen to estabish an alleygating scheme for their houses by ”clubbing together” to raise the money.

 We also received a report on street cleaning. At present Prestwich is cleaned on a six week rota, which obvoiously means that some areas can look messy again before their turn comes round again. We agreed to have a discussion with the cleansing team to see if some busy areas (e.g. the precinct) need cleaning more often. I asked about the review of street litter bins - I know that this has been an issue for some residents who live near Heaton Park. Some new bins are on their way, but the Council is limited by its small budget for this area.

The Area Partnership agreed its largest grant ever (£10,000) to support the refurbishment of the Rainsough Community Centre for young people - a very welcome move. The other half of the “community development money” that’s been given to Prestwich has been earmarked for the Polefield area. We’re going to agree how to spend this money at the next meeting - hopefully on activities for young people.

 The next meeting of Prestwich L.A.P. is on Tuesday 27 November 2007 at Sedgley Park Primary School (Kings Road). (Business meeting 6.30pm, public forum 7.30pm.)

 Tim