Prestwich Councillors launch new Local Area Forum

Date published: 28 March 2011

Liberal Democrat Councillors in Prestwich have announced plans for a new Local Area Forum for Prestwich – building on the success of Bury's six Local Area Partnerships.

Cllr Vic D'Albert, chair of Prestwich Local Area Partnership, said "Liberal Democrats have long been champions of taking decisions at a local level. Our amendment at Budget Council created new Community Development Workers for our local areas, and also set up of £30,000 community grants fund to be spent on local initiatives"

"Here in Prestwich we need to take matters into our own hands, make the most of the new staff and money, and be a strong independent voice for Prestwich. We’ve achieved so much since the area working – it’s too good to lose. We want all the local groups and the people of Prestwich working with their elected Councillors to develop these new, exciting Local Area Forums."

Over the next couple of months Councillors will be asking local people how the new Local Area Forums should work best for Prestwich, with a first meeting pencilled in for May 2011.

Cllr D'Albert is confident that a new Prestwich Local Area Forum will be bigger and better than the LAP. He said "We all value the LAP, but sometimes audiences were small and there were parts that didn't work so well. We now have a chance to involve everyone in shaping the way the Local Area Forums will work into the future, as a place where important issues are discussed, people can question their Councillors, and where local groups can have a voice. It's exciting, and gives everyone in Prestwich the chance to make the most of the resources we have and put pressure on the Town Hall in Bury to give Prestwich what it needs.

Only by working together as Councillors and with our partners throughout the community will Prestwich thrive"