SALIX TO INCREASE RENTS WHILE EXECS CASH IN

Salford Mayor Ian Stewart is set to rubber stamp an increase in costs for social homes this Friday, which will put monthly rent and service payments up by over £14 per month from April. And this is on top of Bedroom Tax payments for some of around £13 a week, also being introduced this April.

Meanwhile, according to the last set of available accounts for Salix Homes, its Chief Executive was paid £105,411, plus a car allowance of £925, plus he was eligible for a performance bonus of up to £10,000.

A Salford Star Exclusive

TWO SCL EXECS GOT £18,000 PAY RISE AS HISTORIC HALL FACES PARTIAL CLOSURE TO SAVE £25,000

Historic Ordsall Hall is to face Friday closure, forcing school kids and the public to miss visits, in an effort by Salford Community Leisure (SCL) to save £25,000. But the Salford Star can reveal that two Executive Directors of SCL, which took over the running of the Hall from Salford Council, received pay rises of over £18,000 between them in the last financial year.

Now a petition has been launched against the opening hours axe, which campaigners say breaks promises made to Heritage Lottery as part of a £4.1million grant agreement.

A Salford Star Exclusive

COUNCIL SPENDS £3.6MILLION ON THE LANDING AT MEDIA CITY

Salford Council spending more than doubled on The Landing at MediaCityUK, a `high-tech hub' for small and medium digital companies, which includes a private members club but no space for grass roots community media groups which was originally promised and advertised.

Initial costs for The Landing, met entirely with public funding, mushroomed from £8.4million to over £14million, with Salford Council's contribution rising from £1.7million to £3.6million during 2012 – the year of the biggest Council spending cuts for a generation.

A&E UNITS SHUT, AMBULANCES PRIVATISED, MEDICAL STAFF SACKED…

Greater Manchester Health Emergency Conference
Saturday 16th February 12-4:30pm
Friends Meeting House, Manchester

Bleak doesn't begin to describe the future of the NHS in Greater Manchester – and the country – if changes being proposed to the service are implemented. A&E units will be shut, ambulances privatised, hospital staff sacked. It won't be good for anyone's health.

In February trade unions have organised a Health Emergency Conference to bring all the campaigns against NHS cuts together. Everyone's welcome to attend. Words by Chloe Glover…

`BLAME THE SYSTEM' SAYS STEWART – BUT WHO SET THE BUDGET?

Salford Council has finally put the results of its Pay and Grading Review on the table, which, as the Salford Star predicted last October, included no pay reduction for Council fat cats - but up to £2000 slashed off the wages of hundreds of middle earning employees.

On local radio last night, Mayor Ian Stewart blamed the Review system but Steve North, who represents Council workers as branch secretary of Salford City UNISON says "Our initial view is definitely one of anger…"

ENGLISH HERITAGE REFUSES TO LIST QUAYS CARGO CRANES

It looks like the end of the road for the blue Salford Quays Cargo Cranes as English Heritage has refused to nationally list the iconic reminder of the former docks, despite a last minute appeal.

Salford Council has stated that it will begin demolishing in the spring but campaigners trying to save the Cranes are furious that another piece of Salford's heritage will disappear for the sake of £22,500. Councillors have also expressed their concern.

`THESE KIDS ARE BEING PUNISHED FOR BEING DEAF AND IT'S ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING'

Public Meeting Against Cuts for Kids with Disabilities
Saturday 26th January 11am
Swinton British Legion

Away from all the `reviews', `re-models' and `restructures' going on in Salford Council's Service for Sensory Impaired Children, real kids with visual and hearing impairments are having their specialist teachers ripped off them.

We went to visit the family of Alicia, age 8, to gauge the upsetting consequences of the bureaucrats' decisions… "She didn't ask to be born deaf …. she doesn't have a clue that her teacher, Sara, is going to be taken away from her… she doesn't understand…"

SALFORD'S REAL CUTS FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE SAYS MAYOR

"If I was the union leader…I couldn't possibly ask my members to agree to these things…" Ian Stewart, Salford City Mayor

As the ConDem Government chops another £24million from Salford City Council's budget, City Mayor Ian Stewart says that the cuts his Council is imposing "are going to affect real people with needs".

"I'm quite open to criticism about the judgement" he adds "as long as people accept that the judgement is made within the overall problem of the Coalition Government taking millions of pounds away from the people of this city."

The Mayor is certainly going to get plenty of criticism, with the first public campaign meeting scheduled for this Saturday, against cuts to support for deaf and visually impaired children.

DEMO AS PRINCESS ANNE RIDES INTO NHS CUTS FIASCO

Demo Against NHS Cuts
Tuesday 22nd January 12-1pm
Royal Bolton Hospital, Plodder Lane entrance

Salford people are being urged to join a half hour demo outside Royal Bolton Hospital this Tuesday lunchtime, against horrendous NHS cuts, including the proposed axing of fifty midwives, which will impact on Salford's community, following the closure of Salford Royal Hospital's (Hope) maternity unit.

SAVE UP TO £250 ON ENERGY BILLS TO HELP WITH FUEL POVERTY

In Salford, more than 9,000 pensioner households, 4,000 families with children and more than 5,000 disabled households are officially living in fuel poverty. But a new Greater Manchester publicly run scheme is aiming to help knock up to £250 off yearly bills with a collective energy buying scheme, backed by Salford Council and every other council in the area.

The latest scheme ends on 28th January – get in quick!

SALFORD GETS THE WEIRD AND ABSURD AS SFTOC URGES `DON'T BECOME AN X IN A BOX'

Sounds From The Other City and Helen-Lois present
☒☒☒☒☒
Saturday 26th January 7.30pm-2am
Islington Mill £4 (adv)

Music, art, performance and the audience collide at Islington Mill next Saturday as the Sounds From The Other City team promise an event that will alter how a gig is experienced. Starring performance artists, Topical Jungle, collaborating with post-apocalyptic live band, Dogshow, and curated by art duo Helen-Lois, it's all going to be strange, surreal and hopefully stunning…

OVER £23 MILLION CUTS FOR 2013-14 BRINGS TOTAL TO £100 MILLION SINCE CONDEMS GRABBED POWER

"…a devastating impact on services for the people of Salford, and particularly the most vulnerable" Steve North, Salford City UNISON

Eccles and Barton Moss Children's Centres to close! No care for `moderate' needs adults! 151 jobs to go! Reductions in speech and language support! Reductions in residential and nursing care! Cuts in support for homelessness! Loss of three ranger posts! Parks and cemeteries to be left open at night!

It goes on and on and on…but no pay cuts for Mayor or Chief Exec or senior officers…

`DR CASHCOW' SAYS REDS DEAL WILL BE DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

During a press conference held after the Reds friendly against Wigan last night, Dr Marwan Koukash – or `Dr Cashcow' as he's being dubbed – told the media that a deal to take over Salford City Reds will be concluded as soon as possible.

No mention was made by the racehorse owner of the Reds takeover possibly being related to a new racecourse in Worsley…

`LACK OF SUPPORT, LACK OF INTEREST AND IMPOSING ITS OWN AGENDA' – GOVERNORS ACCUSE COUNCIL

Governors at Clarendon Road Community Primary School in Eccles have issued an unprecedented press release slating Salford Council over its decision to remove the current governing board and apply to the Government to impose its own `Interim Executive Board', or IEB.

The school is currently in special measures, and the Governors believe that the IEB decision is more about Salford Council's own agenda…possibly to force Clarendon Road Primary into becoming part of the Council's Salford Academy Trust. According to the NUT, Salford City College which jointly runs the Trust, stands to gain "up to £355,000".

GOVERNMENT REJECTS ACADEMY STATUS FOR IRLAM AND CADISHEAD COLLEGE

The Department for Education has rejected an application by Irlam and Cadishead College to become an academy. Campaigners, including trade unions, people from the community and Salford's Assistant Mayor and local councillor, Roger Jones, fought the plans and have declared themselves `delighted' with the news…

GREATER MANCHESTER WEST NHS TRUST PICKETED OVER DROP-IN SUPPORT

"People with Tourette's mixing with mums and babies…" Stephen Cullen USUC

Salford mental health cuts campaigners have taken their protest to the front door of the Greater Manchester West Mental Health Trust, claiming that the Trust wants to chuck them out of purpose built units currently housing drop-in groups, and to cut support for some of the most vulnerable people in society.

A Salford Star Exclusive

`VINDICTIVE' SALFORD COUNCIL FORCES CLOSURE OF ST GEORGE'S IN LITTLE HULTON

"I want to make it absolutely clear that our proposal for St George's is for its refurbishment on the existing site" John Merry 2010

Having failed to shut St George's RC High School three years ago, when the Schools Adjudicator ruled that it should stay open, Salford Council has now forced the school's proposed closure and amalgamation with the new St Ambrose Barlow RC school.

Walkden councillor Ian Lindley agues that St George's has been "starved into submission" by a "vindictive" Salford Council. Last time the Council tried to shut the school it brought the whole community out battling in its support .

WILKINSON WINS SALFORD STAR `BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR' MARY BURNS AWARD

Ladies and gentlemen, the annual Salford Star Mary Burns Awards are given out to honour the most deserving individuals and organisations in the city for their stupid statements, dodgy dealings and iffy activities over the past 12 months.

Now then, who could have wished for a shiny new stadium to solve a certain rugby club's woes? Ladies and gentlemen, please rattle your rattles and wave your Willows goodbye for the winner of the Salford Star Mary Burns `Be Careful What You Wish For' Award…Mr Salford himself John `Wilko' Wilkinson…

SUPER MAGNIFICENT SALFORD STUFF WAKEFIELD AS REF RUINS RECORD

Salford City 5 Wakefield 2

Super, super Salford City were 5-0 up at half time against Wakefield with a brilliant hat trick from Danny Heffernan, including a stunning second following a flowing move of over twenty passes.

In the second half the Ammies were looking at their record victory. And then the ref stepped in. The tangerine dream turned nightmare as Salford finished the game with only eight men left on the pitch…

CREATIVE TOURIST WINS MARY BURNS READERS AWARD

Ladies and gentlemen, the annual Salford Star Mary Burns Awards are given out to honour the most deserving individuals and organisations in the city for their stupid statements, dodgy dealings and iffy activities over the past 12 months.

In December we asked for nominations for the Salford Star Readers Mary Burns Award and we got loads, many unfit to print. But we have a winner. Ladies and gentlemen please doff your caps for the winner of the Cappuccino-fuelled and Publicly Funded Disdain for the Working People of Salford Award…Creative Tourist!

THOUSANDS OF SALFORD FAMILIES SET TO SUFFER AT HANDS OF CONDEM GOVERNMENT

The ConDem Government actively voted to make poor people even poorer yesterday, with its benefit cuts to low paid workers and the unemployed. Cameron and Clegg put a 1% cap on annual rises for benefits, even though the rate of inflation is over double that figure - meaning those in receipt of the payments will get an average £12 a month cut in support.

For Salford, where average wages are over £50 a week lower than the national average, and where over 13,000 children are officially living in poverty, the Government's welfare policies are going to prove catastrophic.

SALFORD MAYOR IAN STEWART WINS CHICKEN OF THE YEAR AWARD

Ladies and gentlemen, the annual Salford Star Mary Burns Awards are given out to honour the most deserving individuals and organisations in the city for their stupid statements, dodgy dealings and iffy activities over the past 12 months. This includes fowl play and a new Awards category…Chicken of the Year.

Up for this Award was every single Labour Party councillor who won't stand up in public against Mayoral decisions that they are not happy with. But the winner by a mile was their half cocked chief. Ladies and gentlemen prepare your rotten eggs for the winner of the Salford Star Mary Burns Award for Chicken of the Year…. Mr Ian Stewart!!!

SALFORD MAYOR WINS GEORGE BUSH `READ MY LIPS' MARY BURNS AWARD

"We as a Council must be more open and transparent with the public"

Ladies and gentlemen, the annual Salford Star Mary Burns Awards are given out to honour the most deserving individuals and organisations in the city for their stupid statements, dodgy dealings and iffy activities over the past 12 months.

Over the past years the George Bush `Read My Lips' Award has been claimed exclusively by John Merry, former Leader of Salford Council, but this year there was only one contender. Please stick your tongues out for Salford City Mayor…Mr Ian Stewart!

SALFORD REDS GET ANOTHER MONTH

Salford City Reds has been given another month to pay its debts today as the Winding Up Petition, already adjourned from December, was put off again until February 4th.

The Winding Up Petition was brought by ex players Luke Pattern and Vinnie Anderson for an amount quoted as £60,000 but was added to by the tax office, or HMRC, which is owed, we understand, a further £291,000.

SALFORD ORG GIVES FREE GOODS AWAY

Salford Freegle is an organisation with the top slogan `Don't throw it away, give it away!'. They call it `online dating for stuff', allowing anyone with anything they don't want the chance to find it a home. And for people looking for stuff, the chance to give it a second use, without any money involved at all.

While Freegle is a national organisation, there's a Salford branch that has just clocked up over a thousand members.

AMMIES SICK AS CAMELS AS REF SETS UP SCOUSE WIN

Cammell Laird 3 Salford City 2

Yet again, a clown referee has handed Salford's opponents a lifeline as he awarded Cammell Laird a penalty on the stroke of half time that should never have been. Despite a dogged fightback from the Ammies, two defensive errors ultimately cost victory in what has been a ref led disappointing start to 2013.

SALFORD COUNCIL TRIUMPHS IN SALFORD STAR MARY BURNS AWARD FOR `FIDDLING WHILE ROME BURNS'

Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the annual Salford Star Mary Burns Awards ceremony. These prize gongs are given out to honour the most deserving individuals and organisations in the city for their stupid statements, dodgy dealings and iffy activities over the past 12 months.

This year the judges have added a special category for Fiddling While Rome Burns – and Salford Council has waltzed away with the prize for writing out another £3million cheque to the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Ladies and gentlemen rattle your jewellery and fondle your oboes for outright winners Salford City Council…

SALFORD STAR MARY BURNS AWARD FOR FOLLY OF THE YEAR

Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the annual Salford Star Mary Burns Awards ceremony. These prize gongs are given out to honour the most deserving individuals and organisations in the city for their stupid statements, dodgy dealings and iffy activities over the past 12 months.

There were two nominations for Salford Folly of the Year Award, a tight fought contest between the cursed Salford City Stadium and the deserted Greengate Square. But in the end the judges were unanimous in their derision…Ladies and gentlemen get your pointing fingers out and boo the Salford Folly of the Year.

SALFORD COUNCIL WEBSITE WINS FIRST SALFORD STAR MARY BURNS AWARD

Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the annual Salford Star Mary Burns Awards ceremony. These prize gongs are given out to honour the most deserving individuals and organisations in the city for their stupid statements, dodgy dealings and iffy activities over the past 12 months.

The first Mary is presented for the Most Unfortunate Website of the Year. And there could only be one winner. Ladies and gentlemen of Salford – give it up for the fab Visit Salford website…

Salford City 3 Trafford 3

AMMIES GIVE HIGH FLYING TRAFFORD NEW YEAR FRIGHT

Salford City came from a goal down to take the lead twice against play-off placed Trafford in the big New Year derby match today at Moor Lane. But Trafford eventually forced the draw in the final few minutes of an enthralling game.

SALFORD STAR WEBSITE OF THE YEAR!

`Always cheeky and sometimes hilarious, it is on its own in trying to address the major issues, including the bankruptcy of local politics…'

The Salford Star has won the Website of the Year award from the respected, left leaning Lipstick Socialist blog site. Other winners included PCS trade union leader, Mark Serotka and the Spanish Miners.

In handing the Salford Star the award the citation stated…"Over the last year it has exposed the villainy of Salford Council and the new Mayor of Salford in their support for the interests of big business against those of the people of Salford…"