A COMMUNITY activist who was given honorary freedom of the borough has appealed to council bosses not to sacrifice the ranger service as they seek to save an additional £8.7 million over the next two years.

Harry Reed underlined his concerns surrounding the under-threat service during public question time at last Wednesday’s full meeting of Bury Council.

He said he was worried that the removal of the rangers would have a serious effect on numerous community events which relied heavily on the service. He was concerned the number of such activities could be “decimated.”

But council leader Cllr Mike Connolly replied that, at this stage, the proposal was part of the overall consultation process for the authority’s Plan for Change document setting out potential savings.

Later, Mr Reed said: “I appreciate that these are difficult times. But we really need the ranger service. They take the lead on community events and have the equipment there. We don’t want to lose that. I want the council to sit back and think about what they’re doing and the effects that removing the rangers will have on the community.”

Mr Reed, who is a member of the Friends of Openshaw Park, was given honorary freedom of the borough in July in recognition of his long and outstanding contribution to community work.

At last Wednesday’s meeting, Cllr Donal O’Hanlon sought information on what events the rangers had supported in the last two years.

Cllr Jane Lewis, cabinet member for leisure, tourism and culture, said: “The council is aware of the good work that is carried out by the rangers and volunteers. But in these challenging times, we have to review how support is provided to the third sector across the council and what level of events and activities we can afford to sustain.”

The rangers provide a comprehensive programme of events and activities, including playschemes, health walks and volunteer-tasking sessions, and also support volunteers and community groups with larger events such as Party in the Park.

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