What's Up In Bolton?

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This is the text of Bolton Council Leader, Bob Howarth's talk, taken directly from the Deane-Cum-Heaton Labour Party's Branch minutes.

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{short description of image}  More Money For Education

There had been a recent meeting of the Education 400 group, a voluntary organisation of school governors, teachers, etc. plus the Director and Chair of Education. The £4.8 million extra funding from the Government will all be passed on to the schools and he hoped that, this time, the teachers pay award would be fully funded.

{short description of image}  A Tight Budget

The Council is expecting another tight budget and possible capping, although Hilary Armstrong, Local Government Minister, has talked about ending "crude capping". The settlement will be announced in December.

{short description of image}  Crime and Society

There had been a "Crime and Society" meeting as part of the Government's "tough on crime" initiative. Local authorities will have to come up with compacts between themselves and the local police for reducing crime. Bolton already has such a scheme involving a number of agencies, including the education service. This has lead to a "claimed' reduction, especially in juvenile crime on some of the estates.

{short description of image}  Other Issues and Questions

{short description of image}  Lostock Open Air School

There had been a lengthy and heated public meeting in Chew Moor about the proposal to sell off the former Lostock "open air school" for development.

{short description of image}  The Old Bolton Fire Station

There are currently plans to sell off the old fire station to UNISON for a £1 million conversion into accommodation, offices, social facilities, etc.

{short description of image}  The Forner Royal Infirmary Site

The former Royal Infirmary will be developed as a David Lloyd Tennis Centre and the Middlebrook development is going apace with all the industrial and retail units let.

{short description of image}  The Middlebrook Site and the Reebok Stadium

There is a problem over the proposed railway station (to be funded jointly by Greater Manchester PTA, Bolton Wanderers and Orbit Developments) due to the difficult ground conditions. The cost would now be £2 million instead of £1 million. Funding for the sports complex on the southern side of the stadium is dependent on £11.7 million of lottery money.

{short description of image}  Questions

Bob's talk was followed by a lengthy question and answer session covering education (Anne), Deane Branch Library (Leilia), traffic calming on Glengarth Drive (Alan, Joyce and others), release of capital receipts (Leilia) involvement of ethnic minorities in the Party and Council (Anne and various members) and several other issues.

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