Leader's Blog

Hello and welcome to my blog! I'm Councillor Mike Connolly and I am the Leader of the Bury Council. Take a look at my latest blog entry to find out more about what I have been doing to help and support local residents.

On this blog I will provide a timely update on my work as Leader, this will include my work with other councils across Greater Manchester as part of AGMA and also details about how we are facing some of the financial challenges ahead. If you would like to make a comment for consideration on the blog please use the link below.

19 June 2013: In matters vegetable, animal and mineral.

You know how you hear a tune and can't get it out of your head? Well, after seeing a cracking Pirates of Penzance at the Opera House, I am even more convinced that I am the very model of a modern council leader.

Lest anyone suspect hubris, or shout something more down to earth and Buryite, being brainwashed by Gilbert and Sullivan can be the only reason why I posed for this picture at the weekend's Prestwich Carnival. It was a great day out, enjoyed by thousands, and a credit to the organisers. But someone started pouring the pirate sherry and filling the pirate glass, and before you know it I was joined by Sedgley councillor Andrea Simpson in this photo. (I'm on the left, in case you're wondering).

But stay, we must not lose our senses! Back in the real world, it was pleasure to visit adult learners at Bury Carers Centre and unveil a tapestry they had made. Equally, we welcomed some pupils from Higher Lane Primary in Whitefield at the town hall this morning, and I gave them a tour of the council chamber. You never know, they might be debating local politics in there in a few years' time.

The future of local business is always at the forefront of my priorities, and later this week I'm visiting Roxtech (based at Waterfold Business Park, who specialise in flexible cable and pipe seals), and also Rakem Ltd, suppliers of white pigments and fillers, based in Wellington Street in Bury. I took the chance to meet local business leaders in an informal setting at the AMF bowling alley in Bury - I'm pictured here with Stephen Wroot, deputy manager.

Tomorrow, I have a meeting of governors at East Ward Primary School. And on Friday, I'm heading for the Kelloggs Building in Manchester to talk about tackling the growing problem of food poverty, which in my opinion is a scandal in a developed country like ours in the 21st Century.

Don't forget - it's Bandemonium on Saturday (22 June). Bury town centre will be filled with the sounds of live music from brass and concert bands, including the Greater Manchester Police Band, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Band, Bury Music Service, Tottington Band and Derby High Band. It's all free, and takes place in public spaces across town, from Kay Gardens to The Rock, from the Mill Gate centre to the Parish Church and the East Lancs Railway. It all takes place from 1pm to 4pm, and full details are at this link.
http://themet.biz/event/bury_bandemonium/1740/

7 June 2013: Keeping Sir Richard in business - Branson, that is

I'm sure Virgin don't need the money, but I'll be putting a few shekels their way this coming week with all the trips I'm making to London. Not a jolly in sight, folks, but all serious business on behalf of the good people of Bury. (Applause here, please).

My first journey to the big smoke is on Tuesday, when I'm meeting colleagues in SIGOMA - not an eye disease, but a group of metropolitan councils - to argue the case for fairer Government funding for authorities like ours.

And then it's back 'darn sarf', if I may lapse into the vernacular, on Thursday to discuss another very important issue - I'm meeting Ivan Lewis MP and representatives from Capita and O2 to discuss their proposals for the Bury site and seeking to get assurances about its workforce.

On the business front, it was fascinating to visit local company Rowe Hankins Ltd. They've been doing great work recently with Network Rail and the London Underground, by developing, here in Bury I may add, world class safety products which are exported across the globe. I'm pictured here with Michael Hankins.

I'm also making a visit to Manchester Town Hall for a meeting about the "bedroom tax", organised by the Local Government Association, a subject which I know many of you feel passionately about.

Let's hope the weather stays great for the weekend. Come and join me tomorrow (Saturday) for the Radcliffe Dance-Off, a fantastic annual event which this year also boasts a new artisan market. And on Sunday it's the Bury Carnival, which I hope will be as enjoyable as last weekend's Radcliffe event. Don't forget that next weekend it's the turn of Prestwich to hold its carnival.

I'm looking forward to seeing the pupils of East Ward Primary School present their summer Extravaganza show on Wednesday.

The council's staff do a tremendous amount of hard work providing local services, so I'm delighted to be attending our annual STAR awards, where we thank those employees who have "gone the extra mile" over the past year. I'm also joining the Mayor on a trip to Bury Carers Centre where we've been invited to unveil a tapestry that the members have made.

Finally, it's off to the AMF bowling alley in Bury. Again, it's not quite as jolly as it seems - I'm meeting local business leaders. You never know, I might strike lucky (groan - ed) and get them to support our Backing Young Bury scheme.

3 June 2013: Too late - I've scoffed the evidence

You may have read in the papers recently about problems some politicians are having with declaring their interests. I have a confession to make - I'll soon be joining them.

It all happened yesterday at the Topping Fold TRA Big Lunch, a cracking event to bring together the local community. There was street dancing, face painting, and "beat the goalie". And then I won a Crunchie in the chocolate raffle. Yes I know, I should have declared it in the members' register. But it was such a lovely day, and everyone was so happy, that the evidence somehow miraculously disappeared. In a flash, too.

Back at the town hall, and the latest group of young people to have their artistic talents on show in our People's Place gallery are from Tottington High School. They based all their work on the theme of Bury, and I must say I am very impressed with their work. Why not drop in and see it? I'm pictured here with Year 10 pupils Dominic and Jessica, in front of their paintings.

On Wednesday I'll be meeting my fellow governors at East Ward Primary School to discuss plans to improve the leisure facilities. I've also got a date with the board of Marketing Manchester, and presenting certificates to our adult learners in Bury. My latest visit to a local business takes me to Rowe Hankins Ltd, specialist distributor and manufacturer of electro-magnetic components, who are based in Parker Street, Bury.

Then on Thursday (6 June), I'll be at Bury East Township Forum. There's loads to discuss, from health and housing to jobs and community safety. The important thing is that we need your views on all these matters so that we can draw up a Township Plan for the area. Come along and have your say! The meeting is at the Jubilee Centre and starts at 7pm.

Keep your comments coming!

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