Salford Star - with attitude & love xxx

ANTHONY GRAINGER POLICE OFFICERS ISSUED WITH GROSS MISCONDUCT NOTICES

added 31 January 2018

Star date: 30th January 2018

IOPC ISSUES GROSS MISCONDUCT NOTICES TO GRAINGER CASE POLICE OFFICERS

Two Greater Manchester Police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Salford man Anthony Grainger have been issued with gross misconduct notices by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Last May, at the closing of the Public Inquiry into the shooting, the Grainger family issued a statement condemning the GMP... "Officers have attempted to conceal evidence and mislead the investigation" they said.

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL PROPOSING JOBS AXE IN £170,000 HEALTH IMPROVEMENT CUT

added 30 January 2018

Star date: 29th January 2018

AS £118,000 SPENT ON HEALTH WEBSITE, HEALTH IMPROVEMENT TO GET SLASHED AGAIN

Salford City Council is proposing to slash £170,000 and nine posts from its Health Improvement Team which helps some of the city's most vulnerable people. This comes after a £1.6million cut to the service recently.

Meanwhile, the Council has had the Team running first aid courses for dogs, and has lavished almost £118,000 on a My City Health website via Greater Manchester Transformation.

THE MOODS WIN SALFORD STAR AWARD FOR BEST BAND

added 29 January 2018

Star date: 28th January 2018

SALFORD STAR AWARDS SEE THE MOODS TRIUMPH

Last year, the Salford Star asked its readers to nominate winners in four categories reflecting Salford's cultural delights – Best Night, Best Performer, Best Play and Best Band.

From the shortlist, Live Events Editor, Ian Leslie, together with Salford Star staff, have decided the worthy winner of the first Salford Star Award for Best Band is top combo, The Moods.

MAXINE PEAKE SUPPORTS BOLTON LAW CENTRE APPEAL

added 28 January 2018

Star date: 28th January 2018

GREATER MANCHESTER LAW CENTRE APPEAL FOR BOLTON EXPANSION

Bolton Needs A Law Centre
Friday 2nd February 7pm-8pm
Bolton Central Library

After the successful launch of the Greater Manchester Law Centre in Moss Side two years ago, campaigners are now seeking to create a centre in Bolton, run by the community for the community.

GREATER MANCHESTER GRENFELL SOLIDARITY MARCH

added 28 January 2018

Star date: 28th January 2018

CANDLELIT MARCH FOR GRENFELL

On Wednesday 14th February, at 6:30pm, there's going to be a candlelit Greater Manchester Solidarity with Grenfell march and rally finishing at Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester. The idea is show solidarity with those affected by the horrific fire and to "show our commitment to ensuring that this tragedy will not be forgotten", states the organiser and grass roots trade union body, GMATUC.

JB BARRINGTON WINS SALFORD STAR AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMER

added 28 January 2018

Star date: 27th January 2018

SALFORD STAR AWARDS SEE JB TRIUMPH AS BEST PERFORMER

Last year, the Salford Star asked its readers to nominate winners in four categories reflecting Salford's cultural delights – Best Night, Best Performer, Best Play and Best Band.

From the shortlist, Live Events Editor, Ian Leslie, together with Salford Star staff, have decided the worthy winner of the first Salford Star Award for Best Performer is ace live performance poet JB Barrington.

ADVENTURES IN VIRTUAL REALITY AT FUTURE ARTISTS SALFORD

added 27 January 2018

Star date: 27th January 2018

TOMORROW'S VIDEO GAMES EXPERIENCES TODAY...

The Future of Video Games: Adventures in Virtual Reality
Friday 2nd February-Friday 2nd March 10am-8pm
Future Artists Studios, Chapel Street

The Future of Video Games is a pop-up curated Virtual Reality event running for a whole month at Future Artists' Studios in Chapel Street. Ever wanted to actually be in Star Wars? Now you can...

IMPROV MULLET COMEDY SPORTZ AT SALFORD KINGS ARMS

added 27 January 2018

Star date: 27th January 2018

GAGS, SKETCHES AND...MULLETS?

Improv Mullet
Saturday 3rd February 7:30pm £3/Free with mullet
Kings Arms

Gags, sketches and unexpected skits all feature in Improv Mullet, a new night of comedy on the first Saturday of every month at The Kings Arms. Anyone with a genuine mullet gets in free but what is significance of the night's Mullet billing? Ian Leslie discovers...

DANIEL CLARKE TRAMPIN’ STAMPIN’ IN SALFORD

added 27 January 2018

Star date: 27th January 2018

DANIEL CLARKE SOLO RELEASE AND RECORD DEAL

Former Death to the Strange singer, Daniel Clarke, has signed a deal with Salford label German Shepherd Records and releases a new track, Trampin' Stampin', an off-the-wall acoustic anthem, as Ian Leslie discovers...

SALFORD ROUGH SLEEPING ALMOST DOUBLES

added 27 January 2018

Star date: 26th January 2018

AS SALFORD SQUAT GETS COURT DATE, MASSIVE INCREASE IN ROUGH SLEEPING

As figures are revealed showing rough sleeping in Salford almost doubling from 26 people in December 2016 to 49 in December 2017, the homeless people currently taking refuge in a Peel Holdings building in Eccles face court on Monday.

Meanwhile, this morning the 'Homeless Hotel' squat in Manchester city centre was evicted.

SALFORD LEGEND MARK E SMITH PASSES ON

added 26 January 2018

Star date: 25th January 2018

MARK E. R.I.P.

Salford legend Mark E Smith passed away yesterday, with tributes pouring in from all over the music business and beyond. Terry Christian summed it up on Twitter: "R.I.P Mark E Smith - Salford Lad but the originator and guru of Manc Attitude..."

Here, the Salford Star editor gives a personal account of brushes with The Fall front man...

FIRST BUS STRIKE DIRECT ACTION SPREADS TO QUEENS ROAD DEPOT

added 25 January 2018

Star date: 25th January 2018

SALFORD COUNCILLOR JOINS DIRECT ACTION OVER PAY EQUALITY FOR BUS DRIVERS

Salford Councillor, Kate Lewis, joined supporters of the First Bus drivers' strike this morning as buses were blockaded at the Queens Road depot in Cheetham Hill. Drivers in Rusholme have been on strike for over three months for parity with other First Bus drivers who get around £5,000 more pay a year.

"It's the sort of fight that any good trade unionist should be involved with; it's a fight about equality" said Kate Lewis "and I think people from Salford should support a cause like this... the principle of workers' rights."

FIVE AREAS OF SALFORD SEE CHILD POVERTY RATES OF OVER 40%

added 25 January 2018

Star date: 24th January 2018

ALMOST 47% OF CHILDREN IN IRWELL RIVERSIDE LIVING IN CHILD POVERTY

New figures issued today by the End Child Poverty coalition show five areas of Salford with child poverty rates after housing costs of over 40%. Highest is Irwell Riverside with almost 47%, followed by Broughton, Little Hulton, Langworthy and Charlestown. Overall, Salford has 17,423 children living in poverty.

"There can be little doubt that the Government's policy of maintaining the benefits freeze despite rising prices is a major contributor to the emerging child poverty crisis" says Sam Royston, Chair of End Child Poverty.

AS HOMELESS SALFORD MAN DIES UNCLE ASKS WHY IT’S NOT BEING REPORTED

added 24 January 2018

Star date: 23rd January 2018

'FOR ME, IT'S ALL BEING COVERED UP...'

Last Friday, a homeless man from Salford sadly died after living on the streets in Manchester city centre; the latest, many believe, in a spate of such incidents.

Now his uncle wants to know why his nephew's death was not reported and says "This is probably going on in every big city in the country, and for me it is just being covered up..."

SALFORD APARTMENTS RE-BRANDED GREENGATE MANCHESTER AFTER AVOIDING £2MILLION FEES

added 23 January 2018

Star date: 23rd January 2018

£2MILLION FEE AVOIDANCE, £35MILLION OF PUBLIC MONEY, AND THEN APARTMENT BLOCKS MOVED TO 'MANCHESTER'

A huge 'luxury' apartment block which avoided almost £2million in fees to Salford City Council, plus around 100 affordable properties, and then got a £35million subsidy from the Government as it changed ownership for £110million, has branded itself 'Greengate Manchester'.

SALFORD COUNCIL PLANNING SCANDAL CONTINUES WITH JUST ONE AFFORDABLE PROPERTY OUT OF 196

added 23 January 2018

Star date: 22nd January 2018

WHEN IS THIS SALFORD COUNCIL PLANNING SCANDAL GOING TO END?

The planning panel of councillors for Salford City Council will be probably rubber stamping yet another huge development in Ordsall this week – two blocks of 'luxury' apartments, up to nine storeys high, off Ordsall Lane and Dyer Street.

From 196 properties being proposed by Selectric Investments Ltd, just one will be affordable, thanks to official Salford Council policy.

JOE O’BYRNE WINS SALFORD STAR AWARD FOR BEST PLAY

added 22 January 2018

THE HAUNTING OF BLAINE MANOR WINS BEST PLAY

Last year, the Salford Star asked its readers to nominate winners in four categories reflecting Salford's cultural delights – Best Night, Best Performer, Best Play and Best Band.

From the shortlist, Live Events Editor, Ian Leslie, together with Salford Star staff, have decided the worthy winner of the first Salford Star Award for Best Play is The Haunting of Blaine Manor by Joe O'Byrne – a horror masterclass!

GREENPEACE PENGUINS HIT MANCHESTER TO PROTECT ANTARCTIC

added 21 January 2018

CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT PENGUIN HOME

A waddle of Greenpeace penguins paraded in Castlefield, Manchester, yesterday, joining a worldwide awareness raising day about the need for the world's largest protected area to be created in the Antarctic Ocean.

EVIDENTLY WINS SALFORD STAR AWARD FOR BEST REGULAR EVENT

added 21 January 2018

SALFORD STAR AWARDS SEE EVIDENTLY TRIUMPH

Last year, the Salford Star asked its readers to nominate winners in four categories reflecting Salford's cultural delights – Best Event, Best Performer, Best Play and Best Band.

From the shortlist, Live Events Editor Ian Leslie, together with Salford Star staff, have decided the worthy winner of the first Salford Star Award for Best Regular Event is Evidently, the top spoken word night at the Eagle Inn.

HUGE PROTEST EXPECTED OVER NHS WINTER CRISIS

added 21 January 2018

MANCHESTER COACH TO NHS IN CRISIS LONDON DEMO

On Saturday February 3rd, a huge demonstration is planned in London to protest about the 'NHS In Crisis'. The Manchester People's Assembly has arranged a coach for anyone who wishes to go down and vent feelings against the Tory Government.

ACORN ANTI-POVERTY AND TENANTS UNION LAUNCHES IN GREATER MANCHESTER

added 21 January 2018

TENANTS POWER TO HIT SALFORD

ACORN, a nationwide union that uses direct action and community organising to build power for tenants, is launching a local branch that will include Salford on Tuesday 30th January 6:30pm at Friends Meeting House in Manchester.

SALFORD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU TO RUN ENERGY BILL SLASHING SESSION

added 20 January 2018

ENERGY SAVING CAMPAIGN COMES TO SALFORD

The Salford Citizens Advice Bureau is holding a special session at Pendleton Gateway this Thursday, 25th January, between 10am and 1pm, to help people slash energy bills by up to £300.

GARFIELD WESTON FOUNDATION LAUNCHES £5MILLION FUND FOR COMMUNITIES

added 20 January 2018

SALFORD COMMUNITY ORGANISATONS COULD RECIEVE UP TO £150,000

To celebrate its 60th anniversary, the Garfield Weston Foundation has launched a £5million fund for charities and community organisations, to be spent on things like buildings and refurbishments.

SALFORD COUNCIL AJ BELL STADIUM WORTH £6.5MILLION DESPITE OVER £24MILLION PUBLIC LOANS

added 20 January 2018

PEEL HOLDINGS WILL SELL STADIUM, SALFORD COUNCIL WON'T SAYS SALE SHARKS OWNER

Speaking to the BBC North West Tonight, Sale Sharks owner Simon Orange said that the AJ Bell Stadium, which has had over £24million in public money loans from Salford Council, has now been independently valued at just £6.5million.

He added that the Sharks had offered to buy the stadium at "more than 50% higher" than the valuation, but, while joint owners Peel Holdings were keen to sell, Salford Council were "not interested"

Full details here....

added 20 January 2018

SALFORD COUNCIL RUNNING FIRST AID FOR DOGS AFTER £1.6MILLION CUT TO HEALTH IMPROVEMENT

Star date: 19th January 2018

DOGS FIRST AID COURSE AFTER HUMAN GROUPS CUT

"An insult to the people of Salford..."

Salford City Council is using its Health Improvement Team to run First Aid For Dogs courses, after slashing £1.6million from its budget which helped improve the lives of humans.

The courses, run in conjunction with the PDSA, cover doggy bloat, doggy bandaging and resuscitating doggies... "It's an insult to the people of Salford that managers are putting the health of dogs before the health of people" says one resident affected by the Health Improvement cuts.

‘ETHICAL’ AVIVA TRIES TO EVICT NEW MANCHESTER HOMELESS SQUAT

added 19 January 2018

Star date: 18th January 2018

MANCHESTER COUNCIL SAYS 17 HOMELESS PEOPLE 'WOULD NOT BE INTERESTED IN RELOCATION BECAUSE THEY ARE ACTIVISTS'

After the brutal eviction of 17 homeless people from occupied offices above BetFred in Manchester centre on Monday morning, they have taken refuge in a new building on King Street owned by Aviva Investors Pensions Ltd. Tomorrow, the company is taking the homeless people to court to face further eviction, despite its 'social purpose' statement that "one of our values is to 'care more'"...

Meanwhile, the homeless people are furious about a statement purportedly made by Manchester City Council on the court papers that "they would not be interested in arranging any relocation because they are activists"...

91% OF SALFORD UNIVERSAL CREDIT CLAIMANTS IN ARREARS WITH CITY WEST

added 18 January 2018

Star date: 18th January 2018

HUGE INCREASE IN SALFORD RENT ARREARS DUE TO UNIVERSAL CREDIT

91.3% of City West tenants claiming Universal Credit are currently in arrears with their rent payments, compared to 42.3% of tenants in arrears who are not claiming Universal Credit.

Relating the figures to yesterday's full meeting of Salford Council, City Mayor Paul Dennett added that there was "a clear correlation between the introduction of Universal Credit and increased use of collection orders.

NEW CLADDING FOR SALFORD TOWER BLOCKS IN MARCH SAYS DEPUTY MAYOR

added 18 January 2018

Star date: 17th January 2018

PENDLETON BLOCKS WILL HAVE NEW CLADDING IN MARCH

At today's full meeting of Salford City Council, Deputy Mayor, John Merry, said he was "fairly confident" that new cladding will be put on the nine Pendleton tower blocks, beginning in March. He added that residents' safety had been put "top of the list...I don't think anyone can complain".

John Merry disclosed that documentation relating to cladding on blocks owned by Salix and City West had been sent to councillors, although nothing has been published for the public. He added that a report into how the dangerous cladding was put onto the blocks in the first place will soon be available.

SALFORD HOMELESSNESS CONFERENCE EXCLUDES HOMELESS AT OVER £325 PER TICKET

added 17 January 2018

Star date: 16th January 2018

SALFORD UNIVERSITY CONFERENCE PROMISES 'UNIQUE INSIGHT INTO CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS' – WITH NO HOMELESS PEOPLE PRESENT

A University of Salford conference which promises to "provide unique insights into the underlying causes and potential solutions to the homelessness crisis" is charging £325+VAT per ticket, thus excluding not only the homeless but also grass roots housing organisations.

One of the speakers is Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, while a panel will ask 'How can we most effectively improve services to vulnerable homeless households and individuals?'...without any 'vulnerable homeless' people there to share their views.

‘NO COMPASSION’ AS MANCHESTER HOMELESS SQUAT EVICTED

added 16 January 2018

Star date: 16th January 2018

BETFRED SQUAT EVICTED AS 17 HOMELESS PEOPLE BACK ON STREETS

Yesterday's early morning eviction of a squat above the BefFred shop opposite Manchester Town Hall has been roundly condemned by housing campaigners, as 17 homeless people were put back on the streets.

Greater Manchester Housing Action stated "shame on whoever it was that made the decision to evict"; while Angela Barratt, of Salford Manchester Street Support, who was volunteering at the squat's night shelter as the eviction happened, told the Salford Star that "There was just no compassion..."

PEEL HOLDINGS SALFORD BUILDING SQUATTED BY HOMELESS

added 16 January 2018

Star date: 15th January 2018

PEEL OFFICES IN ECCLES SQUATTED

As the Manchester squat above BetFred in the city centre was evicted this morning, homeless people in Salford have occupied an office building owned by Peel Holdings near Eccles.

Peel recently received a cheap public money loan of over £8million for its Lightbox apartments in MediaCityUK, where flats cost up to £400,000... "This was our only option" says John who has been homeless for almost five years.

80 YEAR OLD SALFORD PERSON WANTED TO PLANT 80TH ANNIVERSARY TREE IN BUILE HILL PARK

added 15 January 2018

Star date: 14th January 2018

BUILE HILL PARK CELEBRATES 80TH ANNIVERSARY

This month, it's the 80th anniversary of Buile Hill Park since it was inaugurated at its present size. And to celebrate this oak anniversary, the Friends of Buile Hill Park are looking for an 80 year old Salford person, preferably born in January 1938, to help plant a tree.

The Friends are also searching for any living relatives of John Thomas Harrison, who was Chairman of the Parks Committee in 1938.

THOMAS PAINE TO BE CELEBRATED AT SALFORD WORKING CLASS MOVEMENT LIBRARY

added 14 January 2018

Star date: 14th January 2018

A PAINE IN THE DEMOCRACY FARCE

Celebrating Thomas Paine
Saturday 27th January 1pm free
Working Class Movement Library

The Mary Quaile Club and the Working Class Movement Library are to hold a celebration of legendary Brit radical Thomas Paine, whose ideas on democracy and more still hold major relevance two hundred years on. Top tv and film writer Trevor Griffiths will be one of the speakers.

EMPOWER HELPS SALFORD DISABLED PEOPLE TO BE MORE ACTIVE

added 14 January 2018

Star date: 13th January 2018

80% OF DISABLED PEOPLE WANT TO BE MORE ACTIVE BUT ONLY 17% HIT LEVEL

80% of disabled people want to be more active, but only 17% meet the recommended levels of activity, and for people with sensory impairments it's even lower. Empower, founded by Ben Andrews, is aiming to change this by supporting disabled people to better manage their health and well-being in Eccles, Pendleton and Swinton.

SALFORD TUC FIRES NEW SACK ESTHER MCVEY CAMPAIGN

added 13 January 2018

Star date: 13th January 2018

BENEFIT SANCTIONS MP FACES NEW CAMPAIGN FOR SACK

Salford TUC is firing a new campaign to 'Sack Esther McVey Again', having four members on its national steering committee, including two Salford councillors, and making the first donation towards its funds.

Esther McVey, the former Employment Minister who introduced benefit sanctions guidelines, lost her seat in the Wirral after a huge 'Sack Esther McVey' campaign, but then got re-elected in Tatton at the last General Election, and was recently handed the job of Secretary of State for the Department of Work and Pensions – an appointment Jeremy Corbyn said would be "a cause for alarm for disabled people".

£14MILLION GOVERNMENT WORKING WELL JOB SCHEME MADE ALMOST NO IMPACT IN GREATER MANCHESTER

added 13 January 2018

Star date: 12th January 2018

70% OF SALFORD PEOPLE ON JOB SCHEME SAY IT DID NOT IMPROVE EMPLOYABILITY

A £14.4million Government Working Well scheme to help benefit claimants into long-term jobs, piloted in Greater Manchester, "has not increased the chances of individuals moving into work", states an early impact study from the Department for Work and Pensions, published yesterday.

Meanwhile, a separate independent evaluation done for Big Life Enterprises, which got the Salford contract, reported that over 70% of those who gave feedback thought that Working Well did not improve their employability. The GMCA is about to start a £52million extension to the programme.

UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION SALFORD CITY COUNCIL FINALLY RELEASES VIABILITY ASSESSMENT – WITH EVERYTHING REDACTED!

added 12 January 2018

Star date: 11th January 2018

AFTER MONTHS OF WAITING, BROWN COW PUB VIABILITY RELEASED – WITH EVERYTHING BLANK!

After waiting months for a response to a Freedom of Information request to see the full viability assessment for the Brown Cow pub development, Salford Council finally released the documents today – with 99.9% of information blanked out!

The Salford Star originally estimated that developers, Caspia Management Ltd and Robinsons Brewery, had avoided £100,000s in planning fees through the loophole that their profits wouldn't be big enough if they had to cough up. The Star wanted some transparency in the process...er...

A TOUR THROUGH SALFORD COUNCIL SPIN ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING

added 11 January 2018

Star date: 10th January 2018

IT'S NOT WHAT THEY TELL YOU, IT'S WHAT THEY DON'T TELL YOU

Today, Salford City Council issued a press release outlining its plans to "build the first council houses in the city for a generation" and how its new housing company, Derive, "is already involved in projects to deliver around 900 affordable homes by 2021".

Here, the Salford Star goes through the spin and discovers that it's not what they tell you but what they don't tell you...

KOUKASH OUT AS SALFORD RED DEVILS OWNERSHIP ‘IN HANDS OF SUPPORTERS’

added 10 January 2018

Star date: 9th January 2018

'FANS CONSORTIUM' SALFORD RD HOLDINGS TAKES OWNERSHIP OF SALFORD RED DEVILS

Salford Red Devils has announced the takeover of the club by a not-for-profit consortium, Salford RD Holdings, with four new 'fan' board members. The move signals the end of the controversial reign of Marwan Koukash who, the club states, has relinquished control.

"The new ownership structure puts the control of the Club into the hands of the supporters" says board member Andrew Rosler.

COMMUNITY SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN HOLDING COUNCILS TO ACCOUNT STATES PARLIAMENT REPORT

added 09 January 2018

Star date: 8th January 2018

75% SAY PARTY POLITICS AFFECTS SCRUTINY

The findings of a new House of Commons report on 'Effectiveness of local authority overview and scrutiny committees' concludes that party politics affects the way that council leaders are held to account; that the public and service users should be involved in scrutiny; and that council leaders and officers should 'welcome constructive challenge and democratic accountability'...

In Salford? In your dreams!

A TRIP INSIDE THE CRESCENT SALFORD POLICE STATION

added 08 January 2018

Star date: 7th January 2018

THE DERELICT EXPLORER TOURS THE CRESCENT POLICE STATION

In the midst of all the development along the Crescent and Chapel Street, the old Salford Police Station HQ still stands empty as developers and Salford Council are at loggerheads over its future.

Meanwhile, Matt Holmes, the 'Derelict Explorer', managed to gain entry into the building and took some extraordinary photos... "The inside is extremely dangerous and deteriorated" he says but adds that "The building needs to be saved".

KINGDOM LOST NEW ALBUM AND NIGHT AND DAY GIG

added 07 January 2018

Star date: 6th January 2018

IN THE CRUCIBLE OF KINGDOM LOST

Kingdom Lost
Thursday 11th January 8pm
Night and Day, Manchester £6

Salford band, Kingdom Lost, release their second euphoric album, and play Night and Day Cafe this Thursday. Ian Leslie admires their sound's subtlety and sub-text that makes them 'bang on the zeitgeist'...

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL WINS £7.3MILLION OUR FRIENDS IN THE NORTH AWARD

added 06 January 2018

Star date: 5th January 2018

SALFORD COUNCIL WINS OUR FRIENDS IN THE NORTH MEMORIAL PRIZE AS DEVELOPERS AVOID OVER £7MILLION IN PLANNING FEES

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 11th annual Salford Star Mary Burns Awards, which 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 twelve months.

The Our Friends In The North Memorial Prize harks back to the brilliant classic drama series about regeneration gone rotten, starring Salford's own Christopher Eccleston; and this year's award goes to Salford City Council for letting developers avoid over £7million in planning fees and the provision of dozens of affordable houses...

UKIP WINS SALFORD STAR AWARD FOR SELF DESTRUCTION

added 05 January 2018

Star date: 4th January 2018

THE END OF UKIP IN SALFORD AWARD GOES TO...UKIP

In the run up to the various elections this year, UKIP disintegrated in Salford with allegations of sleaze and racism, and resignations of its leading lights. For all intents and purposes UKIP is no more. So, ladies and gentlemen, whip yourselves into a frenzy for the winner of the Salford Star Mary Burns Award For Self Destruction – UKIP!

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE WINS SALFORD STAR SHAMEFUL AND UNACCEPTABLE PRACTICES AWARD

added 04 January 2018

Star date: 3rd January 2018

GMP WINS SHAMEFUL AND UNACCEPTABLE PRACTICES AWARD

In July 2017, the United Nations finally issued its report on evidence gathered at the Barton Moss anti-fracking protests relating to the behaviour of Greater Manchester Police. It found GMP's practices "shameful and totally unacceptable". So, ladies and gentlemen, put your head in a muddy ditch, arrest a schoolgirl for walking slowly and run riot for the winner of the Shameful and Unacceptable Practices Award...Greater Manchester Police!

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL WINS STALIN AWARD FOR OPEN AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT

added 03 January 2018

Star date: 2nd January 2018

SALFORD COUNCIL WINS UNCLE JOE STALIN AWARD FOR OPEN AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT

Salford Council's refusal to be open and accountable gets worse, with emails revealing an agreement with housing company Pendleton Together not to respond to legitimate press enquiries from the Salford Star. So, ladies and gentlemen, butcher the peasants of your democracy for the winner of the Uncle Joe Stalin Award for Open and Democratic Government – Salford City Council!

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL WINS GRENFELL TOWER URGENCY AWARD

added 02 January 2018

Star date: 1st January 2018

SALFORD COUNCIL WINS GRENFELL TOWER URGENCY AWARD

After the horrific Grenfell Tower fire tragedy in June, Salford Council was quick to come out and state that the fire trap cladding on nine Pendleton tower blocks would be removed... "There will be no waiting around in Salford" said the Mayor. Almost seven months later, the cladding is still on. So, ladies and gentlemen, adjust your aluminium composites for the winner of the Grenfell Tower Urgency Award...Salford City Council!