Politics and Services
The town has long had a reputation for closely reflecting political feeling across the country. Between 1974 and 1986 the Conservative Party controlled the council. In 1986 the Labour Party gained control, and continued in power, at first with an overall Labour majority and subsequently through a Labour executive running the council in a state of no overall control until 2007. The May elections in 2007 saw the Conservative Party become the largest group on the Council and the Conservative Group took control of the Council and its Executive. The Leader of the Council was named as Councillor Bob Bibby. At the 2008 local elections, the Conservatives won three more seats and took overall control of the Council. In 2010, the Conservatives lost overall control with the new council having 23 Conservative, 20 Labour and 8 Liberal Democrat Councillors.
The Audit Commission reported in 2006 that Bury Council continues to make good and sustained progress in improving services for local people. Overall the council was awarded 'three star' status, similar to 47% of all local authorities.
The council was said to be improving well in children's services, particularly in social care. The Audit Commission also noted that resident satisfaction was rising, reflecting improvements in the quality of the environment and services generally. Ten parks have achieved green flag status with recycling levels above average and street cleanliness improving. The council is on target to reach its Decent Homes target by 2010.
The assessment concluded that the council has improved the way it uses its resources to deliver its plans, improving how it manages its finances and service performance and strengthening arrangements to make sure that it achieves good value for money.
Read more about this topic: Metropolitan Borough Of Bury
Famous quotes containing the words politics and/or services:
“I believe you to be a brave and a skillful soldier, which, of course, I like. I also believe you do not mix politics with your profession, in which you are right.”
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)
“Men will say that in supporting their wives, in furnishing them with houses and food and clothes, they are giving the women as much money as they could ever hope to earn by any other profession. I grant it; but between the independent wage-earner and the one who is given his keep for his services is the difference between the free-born and the chattel.”
—Elizabeth M. Gilmer (1861–1951)