Cllr. Clifford Morris- "A Vision for Bolton"

At the Branch's December 2006 meeting Cllr. Clifford Morris, Leader of Bolton Council, spoke to members on what has happened in the Borough since Labour regained de-facto control in the local elections, outlined his "Vision for Bolton" and answered members' questions.

The Chair welcomed Cliff to the meeting.

He began by saying that the “Vision for Bolton” policy was a series of objectives for the period 2003 – 2012 with the objective of making our town the place that people want it to be and the place it should be as one of the biggest towns in the country.

However, our budget and the Government’s White paper on Local Government will tend to knock our vision sideways somewhat.  The White Paper is supposed to encourage communities and initiating change from the bottom upwards.  It puts a great deal of emphasis on strong leadership.  The Government’s structure suggests that Bolton will become part of one of the new City Regions and if we are part of one with a good economy then it will be beneficial to the Borough.  We will, of course, be part of the Greater Manchester City Region, lead by a Board made up of the Leaders of the constituent authorities.  Beneath this Board will be a series of others dealing with transport, the economy, education, including universities, health, etc.  On each Board there must be involvement from the private sector.

In theory, the Boards won’t be taking powers or responsibilities away from local authorities but will received devolved powers from central government, e.g. Job Centre Plus will be controlled by the City Region.  The intention is that there will be an elected mayor for the City Region with widespread powers, rather like the Mayor of London.  The mayor and Leaders will be elected for four year terms unless there is a vote of no confidence or a change in political control.  It’s likely that local elections would then be held every four years.

The White Paper envisages the role of local councillors to change dramatically.  Each local authority will have an Executive made up of elected Councillors but the other Councillors, not part of the Executive, will only work within the wards that they represent.  If the Council wishes the number of Councillors can be reduced to one per ward.

George said that we’ve seen the decline of manufacturing not just in our region but country-wide.  People don’t want to spend their whole days sat in front of a computer screen.

Cliff continued, saying that for the coming year’s budget, we have a £10 million shortfall, over and above the amount that has to be spent on the re-grading/equal pay exercise.  The Council’s total budget is £352 million and each service has to find savings of 7%.  If successful, the Council Tax increase will be capped at 4%.  This time even education has to make savings (of £1 million).

Most of the savings have now been identified, e.g. £200,000 from pensions, reduction in out of borough care in Children’s Services, monitoring team for schools to be combined with a revamped Educational Social Worker system, a freeze on voluntary sector grants, reduction in the subsidy of the Schools Music Service (it is hoped to still subsidise this but there is a total of £ 3 - 4 million unspent by schools in the last year).

Cliff said that the biggest problem will be in Adult’s Services, especially support for the elderly.  This Department should have handed over £1 million to Children’s Services when the old Social Services Department was split.  Including the £1 million, Adult’s Services has to save a total of £4 million.  Some of the people being cared for should be looked after by the NHS and in insisting that this is done, £¼ million will be saved.

We spend a lot of money on welfare rights and this area will be looked at to see if the advice given is already being provided by voluntary organisations.  The sleeping allowance to care workers will only be paid if they really do sleep over (currently it’s even paid to staff who are on long term sickness absence).  There will be a review and redesign of the respite care service.  Thicketford Hall has to be redesigned and care will be moving to elsewhere in the Borough.  Cliff emphasised that respire care will continue, undiminished.  The day provision at Thicketford Hall will continue.  Manor Court will be demolished and a high dependency unit for the elderly will be built.

Cliff said that, contrary to popular belief, Heaton Fold Nursery will not be closed.  He added that this and Bowmore are subsidised to the tune of £¼ million per year.  Some of the young people working at Heaton Fold might go to Barton Grange, along with a care worker.

Cliff ended his talk by saying that there is a “wind of change” blowing through the town centre.  It has to be recognised that there are a lot of people who don’t have cars and computers and they and may others will continue to support town centre shopping.  It is hoped that there will very shortly be an announcement of what is to happen in the Central Street area.

Cliff’s talk was followed by questions:

There was a further general discussion.  The Chair then declared the meeting closed, thanking Clifford for his input, the members for participating in the discussion and Pauline for the use of her home and her hospitality.  He wished all members a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

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