tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324437072011-04-21T21:36:05.385+01:00The on-line diary of Richard Baum, Liberal Democrat Councillor for St Mary's ward in Bury. News from St Mary's Ward, Prestwich, Bury, the Liberal Democrats, and me!Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.comBlogger3451100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-40170755328890542202007-08-10T15:57:00.000+01:002007-08-10T15:58:53.738+01:00

My blog has a new home! From now on, new posts will be made to a brand-spanking new shiny Lib Dem blog site, accessible at www.richardbaum.netSo keep reading me from there!Rick

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-9165689904207510652007-08-07T12:16:00.000+01:002007-08-07T12:18:59.953+01:00

Radical new proposals to reduce poverty and tackle inequality in Britain have been launched by the Lib Dems. The plans aim to reverse Gordon Brown's dependency culture by giving people educational and employment opportunities as well as incentives to work and save. And they sound like good sense to me, as well as clearly differentiating us from the other two parties again.Five million people will

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-22503782059209725872007-08-06T16:39:00.000+01:002007-08-06T18:10:11.128+01:00

The Lib Dems have launched new transport polices to create a zero carbon transport system by 2050.The plans include a commitment to double investment in the railways by introducing a toll on road freight and a charge for internal air flights.The plans will be debated at the autumn conference in September, which unfortunately I won't be at because it takes place about as far from my house as is

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-24479294951888270232007-08-06T16:28:00.000+01:002007-08-06T18:41:46.083+01:00

I am working from home today, allowing me to get on with work without the distractions of a noisy office andf the phone ringing every thirty seconds. This afternoon was also supposed to be when Tam got back from her two weeks away, but unfortunately she is stuck on the M6 and has been in the Stafford area since about 13.00...Her return can't come soon enough. In the two weeks she has been away I

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-71010528137206110332007-08-05T13:34:00.000+01:002007-08-05T13:46:16.517+01:00

August is when the Council is on recess, allowing Members to concentrate on ward work and have a week or two off to go on holiday. Unfortunately the coming week is probably my busiest yet in terms of Council work. On Tuesday I have an appraisal with my Group leader. And on Thursday I am going to a meeting on Butterstile Lane which I suspect may be the inaugural meeting of a homewatch scheme there

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-28732681736916473642007-08-03T13:18:00.000+01:002007-08-03T13:20:08.603+01:00

I am a bit busy to be blogging today. I could spend a few minutes thinking of a part of my day to recall to you. But nothing momentous has happened, so I would be boring both you and me. Instead, I will leave it at this, excpet to say that I made enquiries with the Council about what to do if the people next door to you leave their house, it ends up empty, and the blue/brown/green bins are all

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-6159335858463748322007-08-02T13:06:00.000+01:002007-08-02T13:15:39.083+01:00

It's amazing what deals are possible if you shop around.I fancied a few days in London at the end of October, since my trips to London at present invariably follow the pattern of motorway-friend's house - restaurant - friend's house - trying to sleep on floor - motorway - home. I quite like the idea of going to London and being able to take in the interesting parks and buildings and history,

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-76756058997513885732007-08-01T12:39:00.000+01:002007-08-01T12:48:11.787+01:00

This morning Cllr O'Hanlon and I met with staff from the Early Years team at the Council regarding the proposed Children's Centre which may be built at Butterstile School. I am a governor at the school, and of course also a Councillor for the local residents, which could put me in a bit of a bind if the school want the Children's Centre and the residents don't. There have been concerns about

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-49899108001403952032007-07-31T11:34:00.000+01:002007-07-31T11:40:55.925+01:00

The Council's summer recess officially starts tomorrow, and there is a noticeable decline in the number of scheduled meetings ove rthe next month. Lib Dem Councillors work for you all year round though, and we have taken it upon ourselves to oorganise our own meetings over the next few days! Oh joy.At the last (which was, confusingly, the first) meeting of the Prestwich Local Area Partnership, it

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-54689806791662442372007-07-29T17:18:00.000+01:002007-07-29T17:27:39.474+01:00

This time 11 months ago I was sat in a hotel in Twenty Nine Palms, California, when I logged onto my blog and discovered that Iain Dale had decided that I was the 58th best Lib Dem blogger in the country. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.But, the good (or horrific) news, is that he is doing it again this year, and is asking blog readers the world over to nominate their top political blogs.

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-50466545087476681852007-07-28T15:36:00.001+01:002007-07-28T15:39:57.912+01:00

Today was the summer barbecue in Rainsough, organised by the Tenants and Residents Association (TRA). It was a fantstic event, with lots of local people there, and Cllr O'Hanlon and I turned out to meet local residents, show our support, and of course to take in some of the food!Thankfully the rain held off for the first time in a long while, allowing the dozens of local people who turned out the

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-16053012908388398362007-07-26T13:02:00.000+01:002007-07-26T13:10:45.494+01:00

The last couple of days have been fairly busy, and the next couple promise more of the same. I followed up a resident complaint about noise coming from The Priest's Retreat pub on bury New Road in prestwich Village the other day, and the Council's Environmental Health staff went and checked it out. Whilst there they did discover a noise problem, but also some pretty severe licenisng violations.

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-63274303489575485652007-07-24T13:00:00.001+01:002007-07-24T13:04:16.134+01:00

I am back in work today, although my back still feels asa though it is home to a pick-axe wielding fiend who is hacking away at me periodically.Last night's scrutiny meeting was informative on a number of subjects. Our capital and revenue outturn reports were presented, and the financial position of the Council is healthy. Preliminary discussions on alternative ways of providing services were

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-82697500184616835222007-07-23T11:15:00.001+01:002007-07-23T11:20:13.344+01:00

I am injured. I am off work because the back trouble that had prevented me from turning around fully all of last week descended last night into near paralysis. It is like I am made of sheet metal all of a sudden, utterly unable to bend in any direction, and forced to move in robotic lurches whenever I want to go anywhere.This morning's foray to the bathroom will live long in the memory.

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-31526541814589914012007-07-20T13:14:00.000+01:002007-07-20T13:19:55.940+01:00

Well, despite my cross-country journey and sunshine leafleting at the weekend, we didn't quite manage to pip Labour to the seat in ealing Southall. But it was still a pretty impressive night for us there and in Sedgefield. Nigel Bakhai slashed the Labour majority in Ealing Southall to just 5,070 votes. The Tories, despite the personal intervention of David Cameron, trailed home in third, picking

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-54767642135982157462007-07-19T12:49:00.001+01:002007-07-19T22:08:11.578+01:00

I am presently doing battle with the Council for a couple of residents regarding blue bin provision. Every household in the Borough was due to receive one thanks to the Lib Dem budget amendment last year. Of course there are a few exceptions like flats, but I have a couple of house-dwellers without their bins due to a variety of interesting excuses from the Council. These include "the wagons

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-55520446896155882512007-07-18T12:52:00.000+01:002007-07-18T13:14:37.602+01:00

I must say that the bureacracy in which local government seems to be mired the whole time is a frustration. Last night was the first proper Prestwich "Local Area Partnership." The name of the body itself is a nod to the type of committee-based decision non-making that frustrates the hell out of anyone with a pulse. Partnership working is great, when it works. But at the moment there is some

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-89338309376217331372007-07-17T12:28:00.000+01:002007-07-17T12:37:19.943+01:00

I find it interesting that I write about life as a local councillor pretty much every day for a year, and go months on end without a comment. Yet when I write about getting ripped off in restaurants I get three comments in the space of an hour! I think I have found the level of my readership! Ha ha...Last night was an evening of meetings. First off was a very successful inaugural meeting of the

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-49835311125142865162007-07-16T13:08:00.001+01:002007-07-16T13:09:49.807+01:00

Tonight is the inaugural meeting of the Sherbourne Court and Warwick Street TRA, at the library in Prestwich. I'll be there to support this worthy cause, and hopefully when the new committee is appointed it will be the start of better things for the area.Also tonight it's the Bury Lib Dem exec meeting. All members are welcome, so please do pop along if you want. Get in touch for more details.Rick

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-7540657219275267292007-07-16T12:58:00.000+01:002007-07-16T17:15:35.543+01:00

I have noticed a trend in restaurants in recent months, which annoys me.In the past, if service was average or better, social convention forced me to give a tip to the waiter/waitress, and I fulfilled my obligation, most of the time fairly willingly.But on Saturday night, for about the third or fourth time this year, my bill arrived with a service charge added to the bottom, and then a revised

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-561803481744226512007-07-16T12:41:00.000+01:002007-07-16T12:58:45.186+01:00

So I am back from campaigning in Ealing Southall. It was a fantastic sight to see the whole constituency festooned with posters from all parties, and the entire community seemingly caught up in the election buzz. If only people were so enthused by politics the rest of the time!It was like a street carnival with all the leafleters and stake-boards and posters everywhere. I met our candidate Nigel

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-34718271186274121562007-07-13T16:02:00.000+01:002007-07-13T16:09:01.531+01:00

Today I got in touch with housing officers from Bury Council as well as members of Salford City Council to discuss some of the things brought up at the Rainsough TRA meeting last night - the pavements and roads, the vacant shops on Chapel Road and the site of the Rainsough Brew pub amongst other things.Up bright and early tomorrow morning to head down to London for the weekend and help out in the

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-47985071163135842582007-07-12T12:04:00.000+01:002007-07-12T12:07:15.251+01:00

I am going to the Rainsough Tenants and Reisdents Association tonight. During the election campaign and subsequent leafleting missions ot the area, the issues of crime and the state of some of the houses in Rainsough were at the top of the priority list for local people. So tonight will give us a chance to talk through the issues and see if any progress has been made. Often I think Rainsough is

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-26320415328386644192007-07-11T13:30:00.001+01:002007-07-11T13:39:46.156+01:00

Gordon Brown has done away with centuries of tradition and announced his legislative programme for the coming year, rather than letting The Queen do it. And I applaud his decision to provide more affordable housing. For anyone interested in getting to the heart of the affordable housing crisis, please note that my own flat has been on the market for a while now at a more than reasonable price,

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-71976916667708078482007-07-10T13:31:00.000+01:002007-07-10T13:42:55.216+01:00

I have had a query from a resident who is an OAP and thus entitled to free local bus travel. He travels on the X43 from Prestwich to Burnley. In the past, he has travelled free until the boundary of the Borough of Bury, then got off the bus, joined the back of the queue, got back on the same bus and paid to travel the rest of the way. Recently he has been told that this is not acceptable.

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-32794039101723566982007-07-10T13:25:00.001+01:002007-07-10T13:31:39.950+01:00

This evening it's the next meeting of Prestwich's Development Strategy Working Group, where ethe future of Prestwich centre is discussed. It's important that we seize the opportunities that are there for us in the near future, and really get going in improving Prestwich and making it a great place for everyone to live. So watch out for changes to the groups and some positive outcomes in the next

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-67538350979438945442007-07-09T17:07:00.000+01:002007-07-09T17:09:35.739+01:00

Very busy today, so just a short post.I have had the pleasure of seeing the Oldham Council staff award ceremony today (I work at Oldham MBC, nothing to do with my job as a Councillor in Bury). It is always a great sight to see so many dedicated servants of the public come together and celebrate the successes of their year working hard to improve people's lives. It has been my job to organise the

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-59596359308305362742007-07-08T13:54:00.000+01:002007-07-08T13:57:56.045+01:00

As mentioned the other day, I went to a presentation at Prestwich Cricket, Tennis and Bowling Club on Friday to learn about their plans for a new building and improved facilities. I think this is an excellent community facility, bringing people together for sport and social reasons. And I am behind their plans for the new building 100%. Funding is coming from a variety of sources, not least

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-76921684042940374572007-07-06T13:38:00.000+01:002007-07-06T13:42:34.809+01:00

Tonight I have a couple of engagements - first I am going to the Prestwich Cricket, Tennis and Bowling Club to attend an open event to hear about their plans for development and the future. This is a great Prestwich club which rightly has the respect and support of local Councillors and the population in general. It will be very interesting to see and hear about their plans.I will rush home after

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-5371723353723980292007-07-06T13:30:00.000+01:002007-07-06T13:38:33.784+01:00

This morning I attended the first meeting of the year for the Transport Network Committee of GMPTA. This is where we talk about issues connected to the transport network - the buses, trams and trains that operate across the area. I took the opportunity to raise a couple of crucial points that had been brought to my attention in recent days.First, I asked about delays to commuters struggling on

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-64433121147368024502007-07-05T13:39:00.000+01:002007-07-05T13:50:29.742+01:00

This morning's news that the government's new Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears, has announced plans for more powers for communities, is good news. The government have said that ten pilot areas will trial the idea of giving budgetary powers to local people - essentially giving communities a voice over how many millions of pounds of local money is spent.I applaud these ideas, but I think we need

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-19678041896742926002007-07-04T12:43:00.000+01:002007-07-04T12:52:18.941+01:00

Last night I attended the first meeting of the Bury Council Youth Cabinet for this year. I am the new Lib Dem Councillor representative on the group.It was absolutely fantastic to see so many young people round the table. The group is made up of representatives from youth groups and schools, together with Councillors from across the parties, and staff from the Youth Service. Members get the

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-12592739955939425572007-07-03T13:34:00.000+01:002007-07-03T13:41:31.798+01:00

Tonight is the first meeting of Youth Cabinet for the municipal year, where issues to do with the provision of youth services are discussed. As one of Bury's younger Councillors (and, credit to Bury Council, there are a fair few of us to choose from), I hope to be able to give views on the issues that might be a bit more in touch with the young people of the Borough than is typically the case

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-36944718507871945372007-07-02T17:56:00.000+01:002007-07-02T18:05:40.804+01:00

There are two parliamentary by-elections on July 19th, and the Lib Dems are fighting hard in both. I am going to help out in Ealing Southall the weekend after next, and I know lots of people are going there and to Sedgefield to help the Lib Dems campaign there too.The by-elections give us a great opportunity not only to win two more seats in Parliament, but also to show the country that we can

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-32709322561119972532007-07-02T17:51:00.000+01:002007-07-02T17:56:24.035+01:00

Yesterday I was soaked on a number of occasions whilst out leafleting. I apologise to any residents of Prestwich Hills who saw a stranger lurking by their front-doors at teat-time, but it was only me trying to shelter from the torrents that had arrived without warning. I thought I'd seize a rare break in the wentess to get all my leaflets out, but sadly God's incessant mocking continues and he

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-38551045890560642007-06-29T12:17:00.001+01:002007-06-29T12:25:39.096+01:00

We'll be back on the leaflet trail in St Mary's this weekend, so hopefully the weather won't spoil the Focus party...This will also be the last weekend when I will be out on the street looking like a hungover and washed-up rock star - I am finally getting rid of my glasses with the "Reactions" lenses that go dark the moment I step outside. They are a fine idea in theory, and I'm sure my retinas

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-33955258321064907572007-06-28T13:25:00.000+01:002007-06-28T13:30:11.918+01:00

Last night at Council my question to the Leader regarding the future of threatened creative industries was well answered. So thanks to the Executive for that. It seems as if the desire to save these businesses is shared across the Council, even if there seems to be little being done to actually save them! I asked a supplementary question seeking assurances that more work will be done to stop

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-84289128358517951722007-06-27T13:06:00.000+01:002007-06-27T13:08:47.761+01:00

Today is a day of firsts – Not only is it the first day of Gordon Brown’s premiership, but it is also the first full Council meeting of the municipal year. I know which one of those two may make more headlines around the world, but for local people the outcome of tonight’s Council meeting may have significant ramifications.We will be debating the proposed congestion charge tonight. The Lib Dems

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-81403783980201195302007-06-26T17:01:00.000+01:002007-06-26T17:05:30.786+01:00

The next time I write my blog, we will have a new Prime Minister. Our nation will have a new leader for the first time in ten years.Tony Blair came to power when I was 16, and he has been the PM through all of the changes that have happened in my life since then. Ten years ago, I never thought I'd be doing any of the things I'm doing now. The word "blog" didn't exist, for one thing. Big Brother

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-76324917649465220922007-06-26T13:29:00.000+01:002007-06-26T13:37:10.018+01:00

My heart goes out to those who have lost family or friends in the flooding which has hit the country in the last couple of days. And I also send my best wishes to those displaced by the floods. The pictures that I have seen in the media are very worrying, and the carnage that nature can cause in such a short time is quite incredible.It is concerning that freak weather conditions like this will

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-34405699021554781812007-06-26T13:26:00.000+01:002007-06-26T13:29:31.784+01:00

Friday's meeting of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority saw a deal between the Labour and Conservative Parties to keep the pro-charging LabourParty in power on Greater Manchester's Passenger Transport Authority. This is absolute madness!With no party in a majority on GMPTA, the tiny 5 member Tory Group allowed Labour to take charge for 2007/8 at last Friday's Annual Meeting.

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-29962211574225864352007-06-24T10:56:00.000+01:002007-06-24T10:58:15.725+01:00

It is a genuine delight to wake up on the day of my first barbecue of the summer to see it pouring down outside.And to add to what will doubtless be a day of many drips, I am leafleting in an hour - distributing papier mache with my barely-discernable face on it through the doors of Prestwich.For once, today only, I'm with the "Sunday as day of rest" people.Rick

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-50828284716940108962007-06-23T20:07:00.000+01:002007-06-24T10:56:20.702+01:00

I have just returned from Birmingham, where I put in a flying appearance at the Lib Dem Local Government Conference at the ICC. Cllrs D'Albert, Andrew Garner and Pickstone were there from the Bury contingent, as well as me, although they were all there for the whole day whereas I turned up specifically for one hour session. I didn't drive all that way and back just for an hour though - I did meet

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-52944283819189799382007-06-22T16:35:00.001+01:002007-06-22T16:40:29.254+01:00

This morning was the AGM of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, followed by a regular meeting of the same body. It was good to meet my colleagues on the PTA for the first time, and we talked about many things during the meeting - not least of which was of course the congestion charge proposals. Still no word from the Labour controlling group about precisely what questions people

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-42156934599996687932007-06-21T13:39:00.000+01:002007-06-21T13:44:17.388+01:00

I've been very busy the last couple of days, preparing for meetings to do with both work and being a Councillor. There may not be any rest for the wicked, but that appears also to extend to those with community-minded pursuits like me!Tomorrow is the first meeting of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA), to which I have been appointed along with Cllr Andrew Garner as

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-74686728243405751102007-06-19T12:51:00.000+01:002007-06-19T13:06:22.486+01:00

Yesterday I had the day off work, so took care of some case work instead! A local lady and her son have mobility difficulties, and wanted some help with their housing situation. At present their bedrooms are upstairs, and they have difficluty getting to them. I gave the Housing Placement people at the Council a ring and made enquirieis about a medical assessment which will hopefully ensure that

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-19126685556102111552007-06-18T14:48:00.000+01:002007-06-18T14:52:47.071+01:00

Yesterday was a very successful Prestwich Carnival. Thousands turned up, and one notable absentee was the rain, thankfully! It was a very well run event, attracting people from miles around to Prestwich. My congratulations to all those involved in the organisation. Well done and thanks too to all the performers, stall-holders and helpers who ensured that there was a massive variety of things to

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-72553351486685553042007-06-18T14:46:00.001+01:002007-06-18T14:48:00.630+01:00

One of my constituents is Sally Williams, who runs a textile business from Bury Crafts in the centre of Bury. She, along with others in the creative industries, are threatened with eviction by the Council, who are renovating the building. One man in real danger of losing his livelihood is Nick Potts, who runs a jewellery making and silversmith business. He has recently invested over £20,000 in

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-65614249711319575212007-06-15T19:45:00.001+01:002007-06-15T19:48:21.551+01:00

Fellow Facebookers can now interact even easier with the Bury Lib Dems, thanks to our new group on the Facebook site. Just join up and search for Bury Lib Dems, and you can join Councillors and supporters to discuss the issues, say hello and give us your thoughts!This weekend is the Prestwich carnival, one of the highlights of the year locally. There's lots to do in St Mary's Park all weekend,

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-81905405638394460282007-06-14T18:06:00.000+01:002007-06-14T18:07:12.500+01:00

The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) has outlined proposals to bid to Government for a scheme that would be dependent on a congestion-charging scheme for motorists applying to roads connecting the Borough of Bury to Manchester.Bury Lib Dems are against these proposals, and have set up a website at www.burysaysno.com where YOU can add your voice to the growing numbers of people

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-64954709674045252392007-06-13T11:50:00.000+01:002007-06-13T11:57:05.984+01:00

This afternoon I am attending the summer meeting of the goverining body of Butterstile Primary School. The last meeting took place in the middle of the campaign, and like the idiot I sometimes am I managed to turn up exactly 24 hours late, to the bafflement of many of the staff there. Today I have double checked that it is indeed the right day, so hopefully I can achieve something more useful

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-65904975537696928932007-06-12T13:31:00.000+01:002007-06-12T13:40:41.121+01:00

Last night was the planning meeting for the future of Local Area Partnerships (the new Area Boards). Lots of governance issues were discussed, including membership and the types of things that might be priorities for the year ahead. If you're involved in a local community group in Prestwich, watch out for publicity in the coming days and weeks about how you can become involved.The agenda for last

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-81576224345748161732007-06-11T12:04:00.000+01:002007-06-11T12:13:45.273+01:00

Tonight is the first Prestwich "Local Area Partnership," the new body set up to replace Area Boards. It's also my first one, since I wasn't elected in the days of the Area Boards. Lots on the agenda tonight, including funding, shaping the agendas of the meetings, and discussing who will be members and how they'll be selected. The meeting is public of course, and everyone is welcome to see the

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-69015698918423816532007-06-08T11:50:00.000+01:002007-06-08T11:51:58.552+01:00

I am taking an overdue post-election break for the weekend from today, so there'll be no blogging for a couple of days. We are off to Cumbria for some walking, reading, eating, drinking and sleeping. Not necessarily in that order.The place we're going to is apparently quite well hidden, so my fear is that much of the weekend will be spent looking for it. But we shall see... In any event, I am now

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-43360432840542912732007-06-07T13:08:00.000+01:002007-06-07T13:18:32.371+01:00

Last night was the first meeting of the Resource and Performance scrutiny commission, of which I am a member. There was a very informative presentation and report on the state of Adult Disability Services, followed by reports on complaints handling and the cost of housing provision. It was my job as part of the commission to scrutinise the work of the officers, ask the probing questions and get

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-62337282762829042022007-06-06T12:29:00.000+01:002007-06-06T12:40:23.505+01:00

Last night I met a very interesting young couple who were interested in talking about the local issues and maybe getting involved with us. After a great chat about all sorts of stuff, both joined the party and agreed to leaflet for us. Not a bad return for an evening that began with me wandering straight past their front door and having to turn back towards their house in full view of

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-19321824435209365312007-06-05T12:20:00.000+01:002007-06-05T12:24:07.837+01:00

Today I am spectacularly busy at work co-ordinating my organisation's STAR Awards short-listing day! The STAR Awards give Special Thanks And Recognition (geddit?!) to high-performers, and those who go the extra mile. I make sure the event happens properly, which is quite a task for someone not in any way experienced in organising awards ceremonies from start to finish... So today I have assembled

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-29630941837621036662007-06-04T08:29:00.000+01:002007-06-04T08:34:42.475+01:00

The weekend just gone was another busy one on the leafleting front, as we continued our Prestwich-wide "Thank-you"leaflet distribution. Everyone in St Mary's should have got one now, more or less, so on Saturday afternoon I started putting pen to paper on the new edition of Focus. Well, less "pen to paper" and more "Ariel font to blank MS Word document," but the former sounds more romantic.This

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-72934818857645620322007-06-01T13:23:00.000+01:002007-06-01T13:33:51.632+01:00

The weather is gorgeous outside today - a sobering reminder of global climate change, but on the other hand, a cheery introduction to two days that will see lots of leafleting!Tonight I may be forced to watch another England friendly- never a wise move, but it is Brazil, and it is at Late Wembley, so I may make an exception. Let's hope that the new stadium gives the game some atmosphere, not like

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-31854976351200781832007-05-31T13:06:00.000+01:002007-05-31T13:11:59.586+01:00

Last night I attended to lots of casework that has come my way over the past couple of weeks. All of the issues I'd picked up at the street surgeries, and all of the other stuff I'd been contacted about in recent days. I also received a message from the Council's "Ask your Councillor a question" service, accessible from the Council's website. Bizarrely, despite this being an online service for

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-24942406278308308302007-05-30T12:48:00.000+01:002007-05-30T12:50:33.428+01:00

Last night's street surgeries again let Cllr O'Hanlon and I meet some local residents and tal through some of the issues - anti-social behaviour, cracked paving slabs and street cleanliness (again) were the main discussion points last night.Today I am busy all day interviewing and entertaining some of the new crop of graduates hoping to be management trainees here at work. So I am blogging on a

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-35347842288620595272007-05-29T13:31:00.000+01:002007-05-29T13:50:43.802+01:00

Tonight I am back out on the streets of St Mary’s with street surgeries three and four. After the success of numbers one and two last week, tonight I am at the junction of Butterstile Lane and Venwood Road between 19.00 and 1945, then travelling to the corner of Carr Avenue and Cawley Avenue between 20.00 and 20.45. If you want to say hello or have any issues you'd like us to have a look at,

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-13535353894506668682007-05-25T12:46:00.000+01:002007-05-25T17:10:35.554+01:00

The news has been full of congestion charging stories today. My advice is not to believe everything you read, and certainly not to get carried away in the hyperbole of it all. From what I was hearing this morning, the media was carrying on as if people would be charged a fiver a day from next Tuesday! This simply isn't the case, and any charge will be many years off if it ever happens at all. The

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-42549042178206337462007-05-25T12:42:00.001+01:002007-05-25T12:44:57.266+01:00

In a shocking oversight which was pointed out to me today, I forgot to mention that, yes, Cllr O'Hanlon beat me in Sunday's Great Manchester Run. By about a minute.However, I maintain strongly that this was due to a number of competitors recognising me from the recent campaign Focus leaflets, flocking towards me, and causing congestion which slowed me down. Meanwhile, so alarmed were the other

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-31404788646049239362007-05-24T12:55:00.000+01:002007-05-24T13:02:48.446+01:00

Today I have begun working with Councillor colleagues and officers of the Council to address some of the issues I picked up at the street surgery the other night. A lot of them are to do with highways – cracked pavements and the like, so I have been in touch with the Highways people to see what we can do. I have also been in contact with a local resident to try and organise a meeting between me,

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-91270955863734711092007-05-23T12:06:00.001+01:002007-05-23T12:15:02.207+01:00

Last night was the first of (what I hope will be) many street surgeries in St Mary's, when cllr O'Hanlon and I can meet residents on their home patch and talk about the issues affecting them.I was at Agecroft road East/West and Sandy Lane last night for 45 minutes, before holding a second surgery at Gardner Road / Harold Street. Lots of people came down to say hello, and there's a lot of case

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-18795886548686737662007-05-22T08:42:00.000+01:002007-05-22T08:47:11.310+01:00

During the election campaign, we promised to work for residents all year round. We intend to keep that promise, so as well as continuing to produce and deliver our regular “Focus” newsletter, we are now introducing street surgeries, which will take place regularly across the ward.Street surgeries give you the chance to come and meet us, and give us the chance to meet local people and talk through

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-31598291638070062492007-05-21T12:16:00.000+01:002007-05-21T12:23:35.755+01:00

Obviously my internet at home is no longer working. The weekend's flurry of activity was just a flash in the Orange pan. We are back to square one with them now, and I return to my look of casual acceptance, with occasional head-shaking. Unfortunately I am not being helped by Bury council, who are still to provide me with an email address or IT facilities to answer constituent issues. So blogging

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-25842897199020863282007-05-20T14:10:00.001+01:002007-05-20T14:24:05.390+01:00

This morning's Great Manchester Run saw me cross the finish line in 59.48, which beat my target time by twelve seconds. Although it wasn't a personal best, I was hampered by the fact that I'd done no training to speak of, and also because trying to get some pace going when surrounded by 30,000 people dressed as pantomime horses and Elvis isn't easy. My first kilometre took over seven minutes, but

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-68121970219455443872007-05-20T14:05:00.000+01:002007-05-20T14:10:08.134+01:00

I have had an internet connection at home for over 24 hours now, which is a giant step in the right direction. Unfortunately the Orange Broadband School for Technical Engineers / Circus Clowns (Motto: "Who Knows Which One You'll Get When You Ring??") has once again thrown a spanner in the works by delivering me "broadband" at a quarter of the old speed. So every step forward is accompanied by

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-71827585292948499182007-05-18T13:07:00.000+01:002007-05-18T13:10:18.880+01:00

This weekend is the Great Manchester Run, which I am running for the George House Trust, a Manchester-based charity for people living with HIV. If you would like to sponsor me, please visit www.justgiving.com/richardbaum.I haven’t run a 10k race since Accrington in November, in the aftermath of which I was so proud of my achievement that I forgot to keep the training up. With the campaign and

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-31269752903684584582007-05-17T12:13:00.000+01:002007-05-18T13:10:47.202+01:00

Following the recent local elections in Bury which resulted in no party having overall control on Bury Council, the local Lib Dems yesterday voted not to enter into a coalition or arrangement with either of the other two parties. The Lib Dems abstained in proposals put forward by both the Labour and Conservative groups at yesterday’s annual Council meeting.We feel that it's in the best interests

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-39097240936907692762007-05-16T08:46:00.000+01:002007-05-16T08:55:05.946+01:00

The other day I received a hand-written letter from Hampshire, from a man asking about his grandfather, who had been a Liberal Councillor in Ramsbottom in the early part of the 20th century. Last night I penned a reply saying that, after asking around likely party archivists in the area, I’d had little success. Most of our archives relate to Prestwich, and there’s not much that goes back more

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-9692452764193476912007-05-16T08:45:00.000+01:002007-05-16T08:46:04.293+01:00

Last night I went to see my Councillor “mentor” Vic D’Albert, to talk about some of the things I want to do as a Councillor – for St Mary’s and Prestwich, for Bury and for my own development. It’s great to have an experienced Councillor to bounce ideas off, especially since I don’t really know what’s going on half the time at the moment.For instance, we talked about the procedure at Council

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-32515582722497330972007-05-15T11:57:00.001+01:002007-05-15T11:57:31.050+01:00

Last night was the second part of our Group AGM, where we gave thought to which of the other Council and outside bodies various Councillors will sit on in the coming Municipal year. After that it was a meeting of the local party Exec, where we updated the membership on the ups and downs of the campaign, and the latest goings-on in the party in terms of fundraising, membership and associated

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-44586095716166589162007-05-14T12:43:00.000+01:002007-05-14T12:53:49.104+01:00

Yesterday was the second annual Prestwich Clough Day. Last year was the 100th anniversary of the Clough, and we had a fabulous day celebrating local groups and people who contribute so much to the community and the outdoor life in Prestwich. Someone suggested that we make it an annual event, which prompted some smart-alec (me) to remark jokingly that you can't celebrate something's 100th birthday

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-20864807189513324222007-05-14T12:34:00.000+01:002007-05-14T12:43:48.677+01:00

Saturday night was the annual Lib Dem post election party, which thankfully for the last few years has been a time of celebration, rather than bitter recriminations / evil and revengeful plotting / tears and sadness. This time of course we had a triple celebration, as we thanked all the leafleters, envelope stuffers and volunteers who helped elect me, Steve Wright in Sedgley, and Wilf Davison in

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-67196540867558271182007-05-14T12:31:00.000+01:002007-05-14T12:34:53.958+01:00

Apologies for no weekend blogging - the staff at Orange Broadband obviously mistook the exam in buck-passing for the exam in internet technical maintenance, and passed the former with flying colours whilst neglecting to take the latter. Hence they now blame BT for the ongoing lack of broadband action at my house. Idiots, the lot of them. Unhelpful in the extreme, and just plain unable to sort my

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-35467670546474679572007-05-11T12:04:00.000+01:002007-05-11T12:06:09.346+01:00

The Tony Blair resignation has obviously got a lot of publicity, and rightly so. I’m no political commentator, so I won’t add to the fray except to say that some of the coverage, especially on message-boards and letters pages, is almost unbelievably vitriolic in its criticism of Mr Blair. Yes, there have been disappointments, and yes, we are in a mire in Iraq – but regardless of political

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-54264620314363281592007-05-10T08:37:00.000+01:002007-05-10T08:50:37.689+01:00

Last night was the induction for new Members of Bury Council. My first surprise (other than my complete inability to attach an ID badge to my jacket which, on reflection, wasn't that much of a surprise after all) was that there were only four of us. Cllr Penketh and Cllr Grimshaw, together with Steve Wright and me. I had expected lots more, but then I suppose the results last week weren't quite

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-85427223454170281762007-05-09T12:56:00.000+01:002007-05-10T08:51:22.377+01:00

Last night I took advantage of my final night off of the week by doing very little. In honour of the 18th century communication methods which must have frustrated the life out of William Pitt the Younger, I am making very slow progress on William Hague's biography of him. But I managed 50 more pages yesterday evening, in between bouts of Orange Broadband Helpdesk-baiting (my new favourite

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-73620556653464003172007-05-08T13:23:00.000+01:002007-05-08T13:42:17.597+01:00

The sky's angry grey and heavy rain indicated that, mood-wise, it was with me this morning as I dragged my unwilling self out of bed and towards work. There's something unutterably depressing about the combination of returning to work and drizzle. When I was younger I used to dread the first day of term. On the last night of the holidays there were frequently tears, well into my teens (I should

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-20302721783536786432007-05-07T10:58:00.000+01:002007-05-07T11:10:04.962+01:00

As well as writing a blog, I also like to read other people's, and applaud those Councillors / MPs / candidates etc who have their own - especially when they write their own. We local Lib Dems are pretty good, with Cllr Ann Garner flying the flag for us, as well as this one of course.The only other regular blogger in Bury that I'm aware of (and please correct me if I'm wrong - by regular I'm

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-21927419066148466312007-05-07T10:21:00.000+01:002007-05-07T10:32:56.206+01:00

I was delighted to see this blog mentioned in The New Statesman magazine recently. I must confess that I don't read it (although I might start now...) and am an Economist reader instead - but still, this is great news, and hopefully will push the regular readership up towards the magical double digits. I have to say though that I am not entirely sure whether the article will attract people to the

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-80926509519955129812007-05-06T12:03:00.000+01:002007-05-06T12:13:17.670+01:00

Without my leaflets and canvass sheets I was at a bit of a loss for a time. Having been so tied up in campaigning for weeks on end, it is a bit of a shock to the system to be able to take a leisurely walk round Heaton Park and lie down for two hours reading a book. But that's what I did yesterday (this book, should you be interested). And after that, I took a couple of my most loyal campaign

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-77446444347578497142007-05-05T10:20:00.000+01:002007-05-05T10:47:39.497+01:00

Well, the most manic week of my life is over. Aside from the election, I crashed my car, and my mum sold her house! But here I am now at 10.30 on a Saturday with no campaigning to do at all. Joyous.The final couple of days of the campaign were truly hectic, and I don't think I've ever worked so long and hard at anything in my life. The most inspiring thing about the entire process was that plenty

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-46229707495379874862007-05-04T10:32:00.000+01:002007-05-04T10:37:44.623+01:00

So, after weeks of hard campaigning, and a year of big issues across the ward, the people of St Mary's put their faith in us yesterday. I am immensely grateful to everyone who voted, and all those who helped in the campaign - Councillors, friends and family, community volunteers, neighbours and others who gave their free time to help us over the last few weeks.I haven't slept much for the last

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-50348361728197324972007-05-04T10:28:00.000+01:002007-05-04T10:32:04.672+01:00

Last night's election results were fantastic for local Lib Dems. After a hard-fought and tough campaign, I was elected Councillor for St Mary's ward, with a majority of 322. In Sedgley, Steve Wright won the seat for us, pushing Labour into third place. And we held Holyrood with another large majority.Here in St Mary's, the result was as follows:Richard Baum (Lib Dem) 1424Keith Grime (Lab)

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-38714142786906323522007-05-02T18:12:00.000+01:002007-05-02T18:14:44.836+01:00

Remember - polls are open from 07.00 - 22.00 on Thursday.You DON'T need a polling card to vote - just turn up if you've lost it or never received it.Even if you had a postal vote, you can hand it in at the polling station and it WILL be counted.If you want a lift to the polls, just give us a call - o161 798 0117.I will let you know how it goes. Thank you all so much for your kind words and good

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-28034822395958159602007-05-02T18:08:00.000+01:002007-05-02T18:12:32.098+01:00

Tomorrow is election day - the day YOU can change the future of Prestwich. Don't forget to vote, and think about how you want the future of Prestwich to be. Do you want four more years of shrinking services, potential school closures, increasing taxes, increasing traffic and Councillors caring more about staying in power than answering residents' concerns? Or do you want another hard working Lib

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-69877242313738464672007-05-02T18:06:00.000+01:002007-05-02T18:08:09.791+01:00

Not long to go at all now - and the choice is clear: Another four years of Labour let-downs or second Lib Dem Councillor for St Mary's.Since Donal was elected last year we've achieved so much and made a lot of progress - on The Retreat, on traffic, on improvements to the local environment and on recycling. I have been lucky enough to play a role in these campaigns and now I can make it

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-48845604674024527362007-04-30T09:09:00.000+01:002007-04-30T09:15:18.669+01:00

1) The Retreat - The Retreat art feature was built when Labour controlled both the Council and Prestwich Area Board. It fell into disrepair on their watch, and the people of Prestwich said they wanted rid of it. Now, Lib Dems control Prestwich Area Board, and after a campaign of pressure led by us through our Focus newsletters, action will be taken in the coming months to knock it down and

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-20517786229850098762007-04-29T15:26:00.000+01:002007-04-29T15:37:59.334+01:00

Remember that on Thursday we are electing a councillor to represent St Mary's for four years. So consider what has happened in St Mary's in the last four years...- The Retreat has been built, at huge cost, and left to decline into a fenced-off mess.- The number of Police officers on the beat has declined. How many do you see on the streets now?- Prestwich Precinct has continued to decline, with

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-87327041305489143712007-04-28T11:49:00.000+01:002007-04-28T12:00:45.524+01:00

Labour have let St Mary's badly down this year. Lib Dems act on behalf of local people all ear round. Compare our action on Prestwich Arts College, The Retreat and Blue Recycling Bins to Labour's record of letting local people down:1) Labour have continued their programme of closing down old people's homes in Bury, including Claremont in St Mary's ward. The Lib Dems have steadfastly opposed this

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-76197944113947018312007-04-27T13:40:00.000+01:002007-04-27T13:42:08.104+01:00

The final weekend of the campaign is nearly upon us, and thanks to the twin effects of el-nino and global warming, it’s going to be a fine one. Short term gain (perfect weather for leafleting) but long term pain (what’s that crashing sound? Oh, an iceberg melting… Are anyone else’s feet getting wet?) I feel.This weekend sees the next Election Focus deliveries, as we continue talking to the people

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-63678266828412448092007-04-27T08:40:00.000+01:002007-04-27T08:41:41.922+01:00

It is slightly strange to go canvassing on my own street - I don't know what to expect, and somehow anything other than a definite "yes" from a near neighbour feels more like a personal sleight than anything else. Why I should think that geographical proximity to my house should alter voting intentions is something that I can't quite put my finger on... But the feeling is there all the

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-48324447536701186432007-04-26T08:38:00.000+01:002007-04-26T08:41:03.906+01:00

Apologies again for the odd posting times for blogs of late. I am waging an ongoing battle with the people at Orange Broadband who seem singularly incapable of fixing whatever intermittent problem it is that causes my phone to work but my modem to not. And their Indian call centre isn't helping the problem. The lines are faint, there is a satellite delay, and the poor staff on the other end are

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-29205911050192952522007-04-25T08:50:00.000+01:002007-04-25T08:52:16.957+01:00

Monday night was our first experience of the year of canvassing in the rain. I forgot my umbrella and had to borrow one from Cllr D'Albert, but managed to acquire one that was completely beyond control, which couldn't be tamed no matter how hard I tried. Thus I abandoned the early policy of trying to handle it, a clipboard, some leaflets, and myself all in one go, and decided to drip onto

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-58412716965177973172007-04-23T17:18:00.000+01:002007-04-23T17:21:54.828+01:00

The rain has returned to Prestwich today, but I’m hoping it won’t prevent us from going out canvassing and meeting more local people on doorsteps and out on the street. One advantage of canvassing over leafleting is that people, by and large, don’t melt into goo when it rains.I have been interested to see some of the Labour leaflets being distributed in the last couple of days. I was hoping for a

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32443707.post-52110059434864236642007-04-22T15:11:00.000+01:002007-04-22T15:16:07.411+01:00

Those local residents you elect to vote by post will be receiving their postal votes in the next few days. They can be returned any time up until polling day itself (although they have to ARRIVE by polling day, so if you fill it in late, make sure you hand it in in person at the polling station - don't post it on polling day). I have written to all postal voters explaning the reasons why a Lib

Richard Baumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05514744361067727777noreply@blogger.com0