Police in Whitefield and Prestwich are urging residents to be extra careful after a number of burglaries recently.

People calling at houses have pretended to be from the council and then stolen money from elderly residents.

Gaynor Mason, crime reduction advisor for Bury police said: “We would urge anyone who does have callers at the door to ask for identification. All official workers do carry identification and are pleased to show it. If you are still unsure then ring the company by looking up the number in the phone book. Any legitimate caller would be happy to wait while their credentials are being checked.

“People may feel embarrassed that they have become a victim of this type of crime but it’s important these crimes are reported, so we can investigate and catch the perpetrators.

If anyone knows the identity of the offender they should contact the priority crime unit at Bury on 0161 856 8179 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Bury MBC Service Managers and Managers within partner agencies are requested to ensure that staff, who may have a need to call on residents in the borough, carry suitable identification at all times.

Liberal  Democrats in Bury have accused Ivan Lewis MP and David Chaytor MP of failing to support local services after they voted to support the Government’s massive post office closure programme.

The Government has ordered that one in five branches be closed. Opposition MPs tried to stop the closure programme on 19th March when a motion was proposed in the House of Commons demanding the Government halt their plans to make 2500 branches shut up shop.

But enough Labour MPs rallied around the Government’s closure plans to reject the motion and ensure the closure programme can continue unhindered. Two of those voting to close post offices were Bury’s MP.

Disappointed local Liberal Democrat campaigners are calling on Ivan Lewis and David Chaytor to explain why s/he voted to close post offices.
“Our MPs have let down people in Bury by voting to allow the closures to continue,” said Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson Vic D’Albert. “In May the announcement will be made as to which branches here will be put forward for closure. This was an opportunity for Ivan Lewis and David Chayor to make a stand on behalf of residents. I am disappointed they have backed the Government rather than local people.

“The loss of post offices will hit communities hard in Bury. They are vital assets for many local people and closing them will cause many difficulties for older people and others with mobility problems, in particular.
“Despite the decision of our MPs to help the Government press ahead with closure, Liberal Democrats are continuing to fight the demolition of the post office network.”

Two new planning applications have been received which are within Holyrood Ward of Prestwich as detailed below:-

Application number: 49594         Type of application: Full         Date Registered: 07/03/2008Applicant: Mrs Saeeda Hussain
Location: 57 KENILWORTH AVENUE, WHITEFIELD, M45 6TR                                   Proposal: CONSERVATORY TO THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY.

Application number: 49638         Type of application: Full         Date Registered: 06/03/2008 Applicant: Mrs Yvonne Thompson
Location: 25 SUNNINGDALE DRIVE, PRESTWICH, M25 1JX
Proposal: TWO STOREY EXTENSION AT REARShould you require further details please contact the case officer: John Hodkinson on: 0161 253 5432 or access the Council’s E-planning pages at www.bury.gov.uk. Please don’t hesitate to contact your local councillors if you require advice about the process or commenting on applications.

Two new planning applications have been received which are within Holyrood Ward of Prestwich as detailed below:-

1.Application number: 49633         Type of application: Full         Date Registered: 06/03/2008

Applicant: Mr J Ormerod
Location: 124 SIMISTER LANE, SIMISTER, PRESTWICH, M25 2SB
Proposal: CONSERVATORY AT REAR

2.Application number: 49550                        
Type of application: Full
Date Registered: 06/03/2008

Applicant: Mr L Riley
Location: 273 HEYWOOD OLD ROAD, Middleton, M24 4QQProposal: SINGLE STOREY LOUNGE/KITCHEN/DOUBLE GARAGE EXTENSIONS AT REAR; NEW DRIVEWAY INCLUDING PILLARED WALL/FENCE TO REPLACE EXISTING FENCING 

Should you require further details please contact the case officer: John Hodkinson on: 0161 253 5432 or access the Councils E-planning web pages at www.bury.gov.uk. 

For further advice or if you wish to raise issues, please don’t hesitate to contact your local councilors.

Many residents will be aware about the discussions that have been taking place around the development of play facilities in the area of the Holyrood Ward to the East of Bury Old Road (Polefield, Parenthorn, Cuckoo Lane areas etc). At present there are no play facilities at all anywhere between the younger children play area on Bailey Street (near Heaton Park Metrolink) and Simister.

Many residents have raised this as a concern with their local councillors and we have been campaigning for the money to change this. This money has now been made available.

Original Plan

The origional plan (which is now not proposed) was to construct three play areas on the grounds of Heaton Park County Primary School on Cuckoo Lane (one for Under 5s, one for slightly older children, and a “ball zone” for teenagers).

We have held extensive consultations with residents who live nearby to the school, and also with parents and children at the school. It very quickly became clear that there were major security problems around the back of the school playing fields which is causing nuisance to local residents. Understandably, local people were concerned that the plans would make the issue worse, not better!

We have listened to these concerns and the plans have now been changed:

Current Proposals

The current proposal is in three parts:

Firstly, we propose to invest money (both money from the Local Area Partnership and the School will invest some money) to make the fencing around the school and the school playing fields more secure to reduce trespassing and nuisance to local residents. In addition a CCTV camera will be installed to monitor the area.

Seondly, we propose to build only one play area on the School site - this will be a play area for small children (under 5’s) and will only be locked after around 6.30pm by the School Caretaker. This will also be monitored by the CCTV scheme to make sure that the area isn’t abused.

 Play area plan - click to see larger image

Thirdly, we propose to build a “ball zone” for older children on the grounds of Parenthorn High School further up Heywood Road. Plans for this are at an early stage.

The Local Area Partnership has agreed all the necessary funding for these three schemes, but at the request of your local Councillors this funding has been agreed subject to further consultation with local residents and the two schools concerned. We want to make sure that the schemes are exactly right for the area and will only proceed when local people, including local children and young people are happy with the proposals.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need to know more.

Tim, Vic and Wilf

Prestwich Local Area Partnership has announced a package of grants to support a number of local initiatives. The grants were agreecd at the Area Partnership meeting on 4 March 2008.

The Area Partnership can allocate them to local groups throughout the year. Already this year for instance, we have allocated £10,000 to the Rainsough community centre, with more to follow for Children’s Centre outreach both there and in Carr Clough.

Last night the following awards were made:

- Prestwich Carnival were awarded £2,125, which will ensure the continuation of this excellent community-wide event for the next two years. This money was awarded from the Kickstart Community Initiative fund, which is to benefit the entire community.

- The Prestwich Clough Centenary group also received £2,125 so that the Clough Day which has taken place for the last two years can continue for the next two as well. This too is a wonderful Prestwich event, and we are proud to provide the money to keep it going. This money also came from the Kickstart Community Initiative fund.

- £1,500 was given for the provision of a sensory garden for disabled children at Butterstile. This money came from the Kickstart fund, which is for small projects.

- Heaton Park School applied for money for fencing around the school, which will be an asset to the local community and which we were happy to provide £5,000 towards. This grant was made from the Cleaner, Greener, Safer capital fund, which is for capital schemes benefitting the local environment.

- The Cleaner, Greener, Safer capital fund was also the source of money for the Downham Tenants and Residents Association, for whom the LAP has given £500 towards the cost of creating a “wildlife corner” for communal use on land that is currently an eyesore.

- And the Cleaner, Greener, Safer capital fund has been made available for refurbishment of the Parksway ginnel in Sedgley ward, where £1,000 will be used for essential security work.

- A ball zone will be created at Parrenthorn school, with £5,000 coming from the Community Development fund for projects in the community.

- In addition, a further £5,000 has been made available from this fund for a new under 5’s play area in Polefield.

Altogether last night there was over £22,000 of money invested by the LAP into much needed community projects. This is a massive investment, and we have secured major projects like the carnival and much-needed play facilities, as well as smaller things like the Downham wildlife corner.

Holyrood Ward in particular will benefit from the major investment in play facilities which is very welcome. All in all a very good night for Prestwich.