THE Bury Labour Party now controls the council budget. There is a certain justice in this. Under Blair and the local Labour Party, Bury MBC bloated the local economy to a state that couldn’t possibly have been sustained even if the national economy wasn’t in recession.

The money has to come from some place; expenses have to be cut; budgets have to be cut. However, even in this interim period the Bury MBC have committed themselves to the following expenditures: l £19m for a new high school. The last time Bury MBC came up with the threat of closing High Schools, a consultation was called, 600 residents turned out to protest.

The result was a resounding vote of support for those three good Bury high Schools. Bury MBC was forced to make a U-turn and we heard no more about closing Schools — until now. Now the idea of building a new high school in Radcliffe has been revived, under the outgoing Tory administration. The proposal is to close Derby High School and pay for a new high school in Radcliffe by selling off council owned sites. We should have a consultation with financial details, disposal of the Derby High School building and site etc.

l £2m for a new gymnastics centre for the exclusive use of a gymnastics club, which currently has about 35 gymnasts. The Tory administration didn’t have a consultation; the discussion took place in Letters to the editor in the Bury Times and at the Bury East LAP. In all the years this has been on the agenda not one stalwart defence has been given (except by civil servants). No financial details have been given. There are substantial reasons (other than financial) why this should not be built. The Bury East LAP voted against this after a real discussion when we were permitted to put our argument for a refurbished sports centre. Bury East LAP much later reversed this, on the nod, on the recommendation of a civil servant.

l £1.6 million for a new fire station. The supposed needs given for a new fire station are very thin indeed — “cost effective” — in a recession! “Car park space”, “The police have one”. What there is of a case is presented in the Bury Times, May 5, 2011, Page 2.

Apparently the money is there in various budgetary pockets; but ultimately it is all out of one pocket — ours!

Unless a case is made that three new buildings are necessary and vital to education, sports or for fire services, should this expenditure be made?

The buck now rests squarely on Mike Connolly and the Labour Party. Give us some facts and figures: how much on what, disposal or use of old buildings, need for new building and how a new building will save money or improve services.

The public deserve and demand facts. Labour could get credit for saving £22.6m without sacking people.

In all three of the projects, councillors have hidden behind civil servants’ recommendations without any real public airing. Hopefully the new Labour Council will take firm charge and allow us to be part of the decision making process.

Bill Brison Scott Avenue Bury