Liberal Democrats Response

Last week, Bury Action Group sent out a request to all candidates to answer a number of questions on where their party stands on a number of issues, and how they would approach them if elected.

Liberal Democrats - Tim J. Boaden
Constituency - Moorside

Introduction

I have just been made compulsorily redundant from 35 years local government service, and have decided to stand as a local election candidate because community care, welfare and fair governance for people has always been a strong part of me, and because different people have said I would make a good local councillor. I am a person of principle, and believe that party politics often gets in the way of the real issues. I have not put myself forward for personal gain. I believe a fairer voting system for MPs is long overdue, but we are not being offered the better proportional alternative. Other details are contained in my letter which I am distributing across Moorside ward. Please bear with some limitation of my answers, my not having been ‘in office’.

Budget Cuts

Youth services are vital to keep for the young people and future of our society. How could youth services operate without some paid jobs? The loss, misery and extra burden on society would be an indictment on such mis-government.

Local Area Partnerships and their managers: YES I would restore. If there were alternative managing arrangements achieving the same quality but costing less, then that could be possible.

School crossing patrols: yes restore for children’s safety. Why do councillors and council workers (responsible adults) have to have a special crossing at considerable expense outside the Town Hall?

Yes, restore the valuable jobs of Park Rangers necessary to ensure the maintenance and facilities of our now very good parks and the wide range of voluntary activities within them. Surely we don’t want our parks to deteriorate to their former often neglected, eyesore and unsafe condition?

Transformation Strategy

The Liberal Democrat policy is for a thorough review and carefully weighing up each service on its merits, NOT the wholesale privatisation of council services. Strong scrutinising and check of the teams of officers involved is essential to ensure the service’s best points is brought out. If the quality of a particular service can actually be maintained or improved for less cost, then privatisation is feasible.

As well as actively informing and involving the public via the Bury Times and media and local community groups (TRAs, LAPs if still functioning), I believe the experienced views of the hands-on or field staff must be seriously taken into account; they know what works and what doesn’t and how!

Making an Impact as a Councillor

The Coalition Government have declared that more empowerment should be given to local councils and communities and there is the Localism Bill. So there is no excuse why local councillors should not be able to make more decisions with openness about local matters. The Conservative ruling group on Bury Council has inherited a decision made when it was apparently under Labour, and now it seems more like a dictatorship. The Leader has too much power without reference to everyone else, and has not answered two of my letters yet. Every councillor should have his/ her freedom of conscience to vote on the issue concerned, and without being ham-strung by the ‘party line’ such as barred from speaking with fellow councillors of other parties and even voting with them at times. I take very seriously the warning of Edmund Burke, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing”.

I believe a vote For or Against should be the norm, abstaining used rarely. I would vote against a bad budget, but could not vote to prevent ‘the setting of a legal budget’ because that is something every council is bound to do. Otherwise the council could be dissolved and central Government step in.