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Salford Councillors team up to oppose the Boundary Review

Posted by Tony Flynn on 22nd September 2011 at 03:26 PM
Salford Councillors team up to oppose the Boundary Review
Councillors from all political parties in Salford have teamed up to oppose the Boundary Commission’s plans to divide the city.

In a meeting of the full council the councillors voted to oppose the review, which places more than half of the city’s wards in parliamentary constituencies outside of the city.

The proposed resolution was put forward by the leader of Salford City Council, Councillor John Merry and seconded by Liberal Democrat Leader, Councillor Norman Owen. It asked councillors to oppose the Boundary Commission’s 2013 proposals and agree that a city with the history and heritage of Salford should retain two parliamentary seats within its boundary.

Councillors voted unanimously to oppose the review.

Councillor John Merry, Leader of Salford City Council, said: “This is not something we are prepared to take lying down. These proposed boundary changes make absolutely no sense and totally disregard Salford’s heritage.

“What is particularly frustrating for us is that our existing parliamentary boundaries already have the population numbers required by the boundary commission so should have been left as they were. It would appear that whoever has drawn these plans up hasn’t taken the time to look properly at the region and understand its communities and that simply is not good enough.

“I would encourage residents of the city to take a stand against this and oppose the boundary review plans.”

Councillor Norman Owen, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group at Salford City Council, said: “The Salford and Eccles constituencies have reviewed these plans and the Liberal Democrat group has already put alternative proposals forward.

"The Boundary Commission’s plans are clearly distorted and I have had feedback from colleagues from across the country that they are also not happy with the proposals put forward for their area. The public now have 12 weeks of consultation to have their say about the Boundary Commission’s proposals. From speaking to a lot of people in the city I know Salfordians will not stand for this.”

Councillor Karen Garrido, Leader of Salford’s Conservative Group, said: “The city of Salford is one of the UK’s oldest cities and deserves to be represented by its own members of parliament. Salford is also comprised of very tightly knit communities and has problems specific to Salford, which need the attention of local MPs who know and understand their needs. It is important to keep Salford Quays within the city as this now forms the foundation of future economic success.”

To oppose the proposals visit the Boundary Commission websiteExternal site or go to the Boundary Commission’s hearings on 11 and 12 October at the Britannia Hotel in Manchester.

Source: Sallford Council.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Lancashire Lad ( member )  23rd September 2011
Please look in "HAVE YOUR SAY" on the left of this article. "View Polls" and in particular the one headed "Overall, is Salford a better place to live now than it was 10 years ago?" 3.45% say yes! 96.55% say NO! 5741 people have voted up to date! How many people really care if Salford stays or goes. Great job Councillor John and your band of 'Merry' men and women! How many more years do you think you will need before you get it right?

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Lancashire Lad ( member )  23rd September 2011
Mr Merry, now you know how it feels! Salford residents feel the same about your plans with regards to the Core Strategy and the development of Burgess Farm. In fact we could use your exact words;- "These........changes make absolutely no sense and totally disregard Salford’s heritage". "It would appear that whoever has drawn these plans up hasn’t taken the time to look properly at the region and understand its communities and that simply is not good enough". “I would encourage residents of the city to take a stand against this and oppose the..........plans.” Mr Merry, you always appear to sound passionate about Salford, the people and its heritage. Unfortunately the actions of Salford Council do not reflect that passion. What you say and what you do are totally different things. If you really cared about our heritage and the people who live in Salford you would take more notice of our opinions such as during the consultations on the Core Strategy. To date your council have taken no notice of a very large number of residents who have opposed your plans and proposals for the city. The only people you appear to listen to are businesses and developers who contrive to make a fortune out of Salford. It is about time you started to look, first and foremost, after the interests of 'Salford People'. People who have been born and raised in Salford. All you are doing is is trying to encourage a lot of 'incomers' and forcing out true 'Salfordians'. We have become the laughing stock of the region. Personally I wish all of Central Salford was in Manchester and the remainder of Salford back in Lancashire where it was.

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