Salford Star - with attitude & love xxx

TORY MINISTER KICKS LANCS COUNCIL OUT IN FRACKING DECISION

added 29 November 2015

LOCAL DEMOCRACY REMOVED FROM FRACKING DECISION

After Lancashire County Council rejected Cuadrilla's planning proposals to frack in Fylde, the Government has stepped in and stated that it will now make the final decision after an inspector's report.

Greenpeace UK states that the "unprecedented move...makes a mockery out of local democracy" and has launched a petition that has almost 45,000 signatures already.

LANGWORTHY CORNERSTONE TO OPEN NEW SALFORD BUSINESS SCHOOL

added 28 November 2015

HELP FOR SALFORD RESIDENTS WITH PRE-SELF EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT

The Langworthy Cornerstone's new pilot scheme for a business school to help local people take their first steps in self-employment is to be launched on 10th December. Offering `pre-self-employment' support, anyone who has an idea for a business but the very thought puts them off can get free help with skills, support and networking, plus an incredibly cheap office.

ECCLES GIVING DAY SEES COUNCILLORS HIT THE STREETS

added 28 November 2015

SALFORD COUNCILLORS COLLECT FOR FOOD BANKS

Eccles Giving Day
Saturday December 12th

Three Eccles councillors are gearing up for the third annual Eccles Giving Day on Saturday 12th December when they will be collecting food from constituents for local food banks. The councillors can be contacted and they will pick up donations, or they will be outside Morrisons and Tesco on the day.

SALFORD LAD DONATES BEDDING TO NARROWGATE HOMELESS SHELTER

added 28 November 2015

ETHAN HANDS BEDDING OVER TO NARROWGATE

Salford's Ethan Evans, who has raised thousands for local charities over the years, has dug into his own pocket and purchased new quilts and pillows which he has handed over to the Narrowgate homeless shelter... "He was shocked at the thought of so many people who are left behind by society and finish up homeless" says his granddad, Ed.

SALFORD POOR TO SUFFER AS SOCIAL RENT HOUSES CONVERTED TO SHARED OWNERSHIP

added 28 November 2015

Star date: 27th November 2015

SALFORD COUNCIL SET TO APPROVE CHANGE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSES FROM RENT TO SHARED OWNERSHIP

Next week, Salford Council's planning panel is set to approve a move to convert affordable housing from rent to shared ownership at the Burgess Farm development in Walkden and the Bridgewater Village development in Winton.

While only a few houses are affected, this is the tip of the iceberg as affordable housing providers seek to reduce social rent housing for the most economically disadvantaged in the city.

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL `DISAPPEARS’ £20MILLION PLANNING SCANDAL BY HIDING FINANCES

added 27 November 2015

Star date: 26th November 2015

OVER 1,000 PROPERTIES UP FOR PLANNING APPROVAL – AND NO PROPER FIGURES

How do you make a planning scandal that now reaches well over £20million go away? Salford City Council has decided to hide the real figures!

Next week, the Council's planning panel will consider applications covering over one thousand properties in Agecroft, Greengate, Chapel Street and The Crescent – but, unlike previously, the true amounts of what developers should be paying are not recorded.

And, over £800,000 of what is being paid by developers is going towards Salford City Mayor's pet project, the Meadows `iconic' bridge; in one case, at the expense of affordable housing...

SALFORD ROYAL HOSPITAL CANCELS OPERATIONS THROUGH LACK OF BEDS

added 26 November 2015

Star date: 25th November 2015

72 PATIENTS AT SALFORD ROYAL HAVE SURGERY CANCELLED

Salford Royal Hospital, which has a target of £30million `savings' this year, has cancelled 72 operations in the last six months "due to bed capacity reasons". On the day when Chancellor George Osborne is being urged to allocate more money to the NHS in his Autumn Statement, the picture from Salford Royal is also one of plummeting staff morale...

"What is going on at Salford Royal is definitely not in the best interests of patients" an NHS worker told the Salford Star.

Full details here...

added 25 November 2015

MASSIVE PROFITS FOR KEEPMOAT REVEALED IN SALFORD CHARLESTOWN PLANNING APPLICATION

Star date: 24th November 2015

A Salford Star Exclusive

NO SOCIAL RENT HOUSING, NO EDUCATION CONTRIBUTION BUT 18% RETURN FOR KEEPMOAT IN WHIT LANE REGENERATION

Residents in Whit Lane have been waiting over fifteen years for regeneration but a new planning application to Salford City Council reveals that Keepmoat, which intends to build around 430 houses in three phases in the area, will be allowed to make a return of 18%, or over £10million, from the venture - despite no social rent housing, and while avoiding £1.64million in education and open space fees.

GREATER MANCHESTER NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS... EVE OF BUDGET PROTEST

added 24 November 2015

Star date: 22nd November 2015

GEORGE OSBORNE'S NEW NIGHTMARE BUDGET AWAITS

Nightmare Before Christmas...Eve of Budget Protest
Tuesday 24th November 5pm
Piccadilly Gardens

On Wednesday, Chancellor George Osborne spits his Autumn Statement, which is expected to contain more cuts and misery. On Tuesday evening the People's Assembly has called a Nightmare Before Christmas...Eve of Budget Protest, which should feature loads of creepy George Osbornes hanging around Piccadilly Gardens, axe in hand...

THE SALFORD BATTLE OF BARTON MOSS EXHIBITION SEEKS FUNDING

added 22 November 2015

Star date: 22nd November 2015

BARTON MOSS EXHIBITION SEEKS FUNDING

In January 2016, The Battle of Barton Moss, an exhibition of photos by Steven Speed, opens at the People's History Museum documenting the struggle against the IGas frackers to drill in Salford. To help mount the exhibition a Crowdfunder page has been set up.

SALFORD SANTA SCOOTER RUN TO THE CHRISTIE

added 22 November 2015

Star date: 22nd November 2015

BIKES, TRIKES AND SCOOTERS TO DELIVER PRESENTS TO CHRISTIE'S KIDS

Vesperados Christie's Santa Run
Sunday 29th November 12noon
From Henry Boddington's pub

One of the best sights in Salford all year is the annual Santa Scooter Run in which hundreds of bikes and their `Santa' riders start at the Henry Bod pub on Manchester Road and ride to The Christie in Withington to deliver presents. Not to be missed. And bring a present to put in the sleigh...

DESCENDANTS OF SALFORD BLITZ VICTIMS SOUGHT FOR 75TH ANNIVERSARY

added 22 November 2015

Star date: 21st November 2015

SALFORD BLITZ REMEMBERED

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Salford Blitz by German bombers in which over 215 people were killed and 910 injured. The Friends of Salford Cemeteries Trust are seeking descendants of the victims to attend short wreath laying events at Agecroft and Peel Green cemeteries on Sunday 20th December..

THE BOX OF TRICKS COMES TO KINGS ARMS SALFORD

added 21 November 2015

Star date: 21st November 2015

BROTHERS IN KINGS ARMS

The Box of Tricks
Friday 27th and Saturday 28th November
The Kings Arms £10/£8

Judy Holt, who plays Scary Mary Jackson in ITV's Scott and Bailey, comes to Salford this week starring in The Box of Tricks, which centres on two brothers and is a play `that makes you appreciate your family'...

CHARITY SANTA RUN AT MEDIACITYUK SALFORD

added 21 November 2015

Star date: 21st November 2015

RUNNING AROUND THE QUAYS IN A SANTA SUIT

UKFast Santa Run
Sunday 29th November
MediaCityUK

Next Sunday it's the annual charity Santa Run around MediaCityUK, which will see hundreds of people legging around the Quays dressed as Santas. There's still time to sign up and get sponsored for a cause of choice, with the headline charity being Key 103's Cash for Kids.

SALFORD COUNCIL RENT HIKES FORCE WORSLEY INTIMATE THEATRE OUT OF COURT HOUSE

added 21 November 2015

Star date: 20th November 2015

THEATRE COMPANY QUITS AFTER 45 YEARS AT WORSLEY COURT HOUSE

Worsley Intimate Theatre
Teechers by John Godber
Tuesday 24th– Friday 27th November
Bridgewater School, Worsley Road

Salford Council's mad rent hikes of over £1,000 during the last five years have forced Worsley Intimate Theatre, or W.I.T.S, out of Worsley Court House where the amateur group has been performing for 45 years. W.I.T.S has now moved to Bridgewater School and presents its first production at the venue next week.

SALFORD COUNCIL TAX PAYERS SUBSIDISE 93% PROFIT INCREASE FOR COUNTRYSIDE PROPERTIES

added 20 November 2015

Star date: 19th November 2015

£91.2MILLION PROFIT FOR COUNTRYSIDE WHICH AVOIDS £2.3M PLANNING FEES IN SALFORD

Countryside Properties, the developer that was handed the massive regeneration of Lower Broughton, has today posted a £91.2million operating profit, up an incredible 93% from the previous year.

Countryside avoided £2.3million in planning obligations to Salford Council and providing 78 affordable houses for the city, as the developer stated its housing schemes in Broughton, Walkden and Seedley wouldn't be `viable' if it had to pay the fees - ie that it couldn't afford them.

SALFORD LABOUR PARTY AT WAR WITH ITSELF AS MAYOR TRIES TO CRUSH ANY OPPOSITION

added 19 November 2015

Star date: 18th November 2015

SALFORD LABOUR COUNCILLOR GETS HAMMERED FOR `UPSETTING MAYOR'

"We now have a Labour group split down the middle – it's bad news for Salfordians..." Labour Party member

Despite announcing his intention to quit today, Salford Mayor Ian Stewart was last night at the centre of debate, as Weaste and Seedley councillor Paul Wilson had the Party whip removed.

The incredibly narrow vote in favour of the censure means that the Salford Labour Party is now at war with itself, with one member telling the Salford Star that Wilson's treatment was an attempt by the Mayor "to crush any opposition to him".

SALFORD MAYOR IAN STEWART TO STAND DOWN IN MAY 2016

added 18 November 2015

Star date: 18th November 2015

FIRST AND WORST ELECTED SALFORD MAYOR TO QUIT

As revealed a year ago by the Salford Star, controversial Salford Mayor Ian Stewart is set to stand down in May next year. At today's meeting of Salford City Council, Stewart made the formal announcement, after earlier proclaiming he was `the listening mayor'...

Now the race is on to find Stewart's successor, with Labour Party councillors already declaring an interest, and one potential candidate censured at a fractious Labour group meeting last night...

SUICIDE LINKED TO WORK CAPABILITY ASSESSMENTS NEW STUDY SHOWS

added 18 November 2015

Star date: 17th November 2015

ALMOST 600 SUICIDES LINKED WITH TORY GOVERNMENT BENEFIT REASSESSMENTS

New research published today shows a possible direct link between the Tory Government's vicious Work Capability Assessment (WCA) and a rise in suicides, mental health problems and anti depressant prescribing.

Nationally, 590 suicides were linked to WCA, while in Salford, between 2011 and 2013, 8,030 Incapacity Benefit claimants went through the WCA and 1,740 were found to be fit for work. During this time there were 63 suicides in Salford...

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT UNDER THREAT

added 17 November 2015

Star date: 16th November 2015

SALFORD STAR URGES ALL READERS TO SIGN PETITION AGAINST WEAKENING OF FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

The Tory Government is proposing to seriously restrict the Freedom of Information Act (FOI), including making charges for information and making it easier to refuse requests on cost grounds.

Given that Salford City Council hasn't responded to the Salford Star for over two years, the FOI is the only way we can attempt to find out what our so-called `representatives' are getting up to behind closed doors. We urge all readers to join the campaign to stop further restrictions on Freedom of Information.

HUNDREDS ATTEND MANCHESTER VIGIL FOR FRANCE

added 16 November 2015

Star date: 16th November 2015

MANCHESTER AND SALFORD PEOPLE SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH FRANCE

Over five hundred people attended last night's vigil in Piccadilly Gardens to show solidarity with France after the shocking terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday. People from Salford, Manchester and beyond, plus French people living in the region, lit candles and brought flowers.

Full details here...

added 16 November 2015

PARLIAMENT WEEK HITS GREATER MANCHESTER

DOES DEMOCRACY HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH PARLIAMENT ANY MORE?

Parliament Week
Until Saturday 21st November
Various venues

This week has been designated Parliament Week which `connects people with Parliament by encouraging communities to hold events exploring the meaning and importance of democracy in their lives'. From The Chartists to the Pankhursts and beyond there's various events that explore what on earth is going on at the moment – and, hopefully, how to change it.

GO FUND ME FOR JAMIE’S SALFORD GIRLS

added 15 November 2015

SALFORD PEOPLE URGED TO HELP MUM LEFT WITH TWO KIDS

Jamie Beswick unfortunately died from a heart condition at the end of October this year, leaving young wife, Danielle, and daughters Cacey-Jai, four, and Ella, twenty months. As the illness was pre-existing, it meant that life insurance was not an option.

Now Danielle's mum, Michelle Corkovic, has started a Go Fund Me page where people can give towards the funeral costs and for Christmas presents for the kids.

PROUD AND LOUD ARTS DO PYRAMUS AND THISBE AT CONTACT

added 15 November 2015

SALFORD GROUP PROUD AND LOUD TACKLES LOVE AND SACRIFICE

Pyramus and Thisbe
Thursday 26th (7:30pm) and Friday 27th November (2:30pm and 7:30pm)
Contact £10/£6

Salford arts group, Proud and Loud, is bringing a wazzed up, digitally enhanced re-working of Ovid's Pyramus and Thisbe to Contact in Manchester. The classic tale of forbidden love and sacrifice is told through a relationship that exists through social media, gaming and blogging.

SALFORD MOTORCYCLE ACTION GROUP HOLDS AGM

added 15 November 2015

REPRESENTING RIDERS OF POWERED TWO WHEELERS

Salford Motorcycle Action Group AGM
Saturday 21st November from noon
Duke of York, Eccles

Salford Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), which organised the successful protest ride against armadillos being introduced into Salford and is pushing to influence Transport for Greater Manchester policy, holds its AGM next Sunday and is inviting all riders, and supporting non-riders, to go along.

MANCHESTER HOLDS SILENT GATHERING FOR FRANCE

added 15 November 2015

MANCHESTER AND SALFORD SHOWING SUPPORT FOR FRANCE

Silent Gathering for France
Sunday 15th November 6pm
Piccadilly Gardens

Following the terrorist atrocities in France last night, Florian, a Parisian living in Manchester, has organised a silent gathering in Piccadilly Gardens for tomorrow, Sunday at 6pm. Those attending are asked to bring candles.

BEZ AND VIVIENNE WESTWOOD TO JOIN UPTON ANTI-FRACKING CAMP

added 14 November 2015

`HELP ME SHAKE MY MARACAS AT THE FRACKERS' SAYS BEZ

On Monday, 16th November, Bez, Vivienne Westwood, Joe Corre, the Lancashire Nanas and co will be joining a day of solidarity at the Upton Community Protection Camp near Chester. The Camp has been resisting attempts by the IGas frackers to remove it from the site, and currently has an eviction notice hanging over it...

KISSING FROGS AT THE KINGS ARMS SALFORD

added 14 November 2015

THIRTY? SINGLE? STUCK IN A DEAD END JOB?

Kissing Frogs
Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th November
Kings Arms £10/£8

Are you thirty, single, female...stuck in a dead end job? Kissing Frogs is the comedy show for you. It's a `journey of love, loss and self-discovery, full of laughter and set to a backdrop of classic hits from the 80s' performed and penned by actress Sophie Osborne.

BROADY ART EXHIBITION AT THE CORNERSTONE SALFORD

added 14 November 2015

ORIGINAL AFFORDABLE SALFORD ART

Follow That Dream
Langworthy Cornerstone until end November

Upstairs at the Langworthy Cornerstone this month is Broady's second exhibition of over seventy depictions of old Salford, football players and local celebs depicted in coloured pencil, plus his trademark dog images. With prices averaging around £40 it's a great chance to get an early original Christmas present.

POMONA GREEN SPACE TO BE TRASHED AS TRAFFORD COUNCIL GIVES PEEL HOLDINGS GO-AHEAD FOR CONCRETE JUNGLE

added 14 November 2015

Star date: 13th November 2015

CAMPAIGNERS TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT FOR POMONA

Trafford Council last night gave the go-ahead for Peel Holdings and Rowlinson Developments to build two ugly blocks of 164 unaffordable flats on the former Pomona Docks, yards over the border from Salford.

Campaigners want the land to be turned into an Eden North project, to protect the rare flora and wildlife, and will continue to fight to save the rest of the site – "We still have an opportunity to do something world class for people and wildlife on the main Pomona Docks" says James Walsh of the Manchester Ship Canal World Heritage Group.

PENDLETON TOGETHER BALCONIES POTENTIAL KILLER FOR SALFORD KIDS

added 13 November 2015

Star date: 12th November 2015

NEW HIGH RISE BALCONIES CHILD DANGER IN PENDLETON

As part of Pendleton Together's refurbishment of high rise blocks, new floor to ceiling glass doors have been fitted that open up onto immediate `Juliet' balconies that children could easily climb over. There's even a step to help them.

Whitebeam Community Association has been trying for six months to get answers from Pendleton Together and Salford City Council – are the flats safe for children or not? No-one wants to give an answer...

JUNIOR DOCTORS SUPPORT RALLY IN MANCHESTER DRAWS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE

added 12 November 2015

Star date: 12th November 2015

MIDWIVES, NURSES AND PUBLIC JOIN RALLY IN SUPPORT OF JUNIOR DOCTORS

`Junior doctors are fighting for the life of our NHS...' Sarah Davies, Royal College of Midwives

Last night around four hundred people attended a Not Safe - Not Fair protest rally in support of junior doctors who are balloting on strike action against the Tory Government's wicked contract proposals.

Dr Rory Hicks told the audience that "This fight is everybody's fight", while Sarah Davies, from Salford and the Royal College of Midwives, brought a message of support which will ring true with anyone who has used the NHS. Emma Pearce reports...

SALFORD COUNCIL TO TURN £10MILLION PROPERTY SPECULATOR

added 12 November 2015

Star date: 11th November 2015

COUNCIL SET TO APPROVE UP TO £10MILLION FOR PROPERTY SPECULATION

Cash strapped Salford City Council is set to speculate up to £10million in a portfolio of property investments, including swanky offices, shops and retail parks stretching from London to Glasgow.

Next week's meeting of the full Council is being asked to approve funds for the `investments', with a warning from its `treasury management' officers that the "value of the fund may decline as well as rise..."

FAST FOOD HORROR STORIES AT SALFORD MCDONALD'S PROTEST

added 11 November 2015

Star date: 10th November 2015

POVERTY WAGES AND MORE IN THE UK FAST FOOD INDUSTRY

Today, fast food workers in three hundred American cities walked out in protest at poverty wages and shocking conditions. In Salford, a solidarity protest took place outside the headquarters of McDonald's on Cross Lane. And the Salford Star heard equally horrid stories about the UK fast food industry.

SALFORD COUNCIL GOES AHEAD WITH CUTS TO HEALTH IMPROVEMENT BEFORE LEGAL CHALLENGE HEARD

added 10 November 2015

Star date: 10th November 2015

HEALTH IMPROVEMENT SERVICE TO BE SLASHED IN BONKERS COUNCIL DECISION

Weeks before a judicial review takes place at Manchester Civil Justice Centre, Salford City Council today voted to slash its Health Improvement Service and put jobs at risk – even though it might have to reverse its decision if the legal challenge is won.

At lunchtime today, members of Salford City UNISON held a lobby outside the Civic Centre urging councillors to defer the cuts decision until after the court case – but the logic fell on deaf ears as councillors and Salford Mayor, Ian Stewart, approved the axe.

POMONA D-DAY LOOMS AS COMMUNITY OBJECTS TO PEEL HOLDINGS GREEN DESTRUCTION

added 10 November 2015

Star date: 9th November 2015

BIRDS, FLORA AND GREEN SPACE SET TO BE TRASHED ON POMONA FOR PEEL'S 164 FLATS

This Thursday, at 5:30pm, campaigners are to protest outside Trafford Council, which is set to approve Peel Holding's planning application for 164 flats in two ugly blocks up to eleven storeys high on Pomona, across the bridge from Ordsall.

Community ecologists have recorded more than one hundred bird species and over 150 flora species on the site of the old docks but these are set to be trashed by Peel, with no planning contributions in return, except for some trees, a hedge and a `green roof'.

HIP HOP VERSUS CANCER TWELVE HOUR RAP, BEATBOX, GRAFFITI ART EVENT

added 09 November 2015

SALFORD'S RED VENOM LEADS HIP HOP V CANCER DAY

Hip Hop v Cancer
Sunday 15th November 12noon – midnight
Live Room, Manchester

Top Salford rapper Red Venom is to lead a Hip Hop versus Cancer twelve hour fundraiser and awareness event at the live room next Sunday, with around two dozen rappers, graffiti artists, DJs, beatboxers and break dancers starring in a family friendly atmosphere. Special guest is Bronx legend, Donald D, from Ice-T's Rhyme Syndicate.

IRWELL VALLEY MINING PROJECT POP UP TOUR OF SALFORD

added 08 November 2015

IVMP AIMS TO MARK THE FAMOUS PENDLETON PIT

The Irwell Valley Mining Project held a `pop up museum' event on Friday at Pendleton Gateway to launch a fundraising drive to create a monument at the old Pendleton Colliery on Whit Lane.

Over the next few months the pop up museum will visit Eccles, Walkden and Swinton with artefacts from Salford's never to be forgotten mining industry.

CABINET OF MILLIONAIRES PROVIDE SOUNDTRACK FOR ANTI AUSTERITY CAMPAIGN

added 08 November 2015

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DANCING ON DAVID CAMERON'S PSYCHE

Cabinet Of Millionaires is a poignant reference to the Tory Government and also the name of an electronic dance music project that is providing the soundscape for anti-austerity campaigns, with performances in Manchester and Salford recently and a single with the catchy chorus `Revolting, Revolting...'

MANCHESTER HANDS OFF JUNIOR DOCTORS’ CONTRACTS RALLY

added 08 November 2015

RALLY TO STOP CHANGES TO JUNIOR DOCTORS' CONTRACTS

Hands Off Junior Doctors
Wednesday 11th November 7pm-8:30pm
Manchester Cathedral

Julie Hesmondhalgh, Rufus Hound and a posse of medics will be speaking at a rally at Manchester Cathedral on Wednesday evening in support of the fight junior doctors are currently waging against the Tory Government's imposition on new contracts which will force them to work longer hours and slash wages.

SALFORD MCDONALD’S TO BE HIT AGAIN IN FAST FOOD RIGHTS ACTION

added 08 November 2015

RIGHTS ACTIVISTS HUNGRY FOR JUSTICE

This Tuesday, 10th November, the McDonald's HQ in Salford, at the corner of Cross Lane and The Crescent, is set to be the scene for a Fast Food Rights protest, following up from similar action last April.

The demo is in solidarity with American fast food workers who are on strike across the US for $15 an hour and trade union rights, and atrocious conditions in this country.

GREATER MANCHESTER SAYS NO TO TRADE UNION BILL

added 08 November 2015

Star date: 7th November 2015

RALLY HEARS THAT TORIES ARE ATTACKING BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS

Today in Piccadilly Gardens, trade unionists and campaigners gathered to oppose the Tory Government's Trade Union Bill, which some of its own MPs have labelled `fascist'.

Steven North, Branch Secretary of Salford City UNISON said that the Bill, which will affect 6.4million trade union members, will attack "basic principles of human rights".

SALFORD UNIVERSITY SWIMMING 50% PRICE HIKE FOR LOCAL KIDS

added 07 November 2015

Star date: 6th November 2015

SALFORD UNIVERSITY AND DOLPHIN ACADEMY SWIMMING LESSON 50% INCREASE

Salford kids are being forced out of taking swimming lessons at the University of Salford due to a 50% price hike per child per month. The new increase has come in after the Dolphin Academy took over all swimming lessons at the University pool as the `sole provider'.

Salford University has hailed the move as marking "a new dawn, with regards to our aquatic provision and Commercial Partnerships". One parent said that the "University has scant regard for the people who live in the community around it".

SALFORD COUNCIL CAN BIN INFORMATION REQUESTS FROM RESIDENTS AND PRESS - OFFICIAL!

added 06 November 2015

view full size

Star date: 5th November 2015

"THE COUNCIL IS NOT OBLIGED TO RESPOND TO REQUESTS FROM INDIVIDUALS OR THE PRESS, NOR TO ENGAGE WITH THEM..."

Salford City Council's new Monitoring Officer, Miranda Carruthers Watt has told the Salford Star that "The Council is not obliged to respond to requests from individuals or the press, nor to engage with them".

Carruthers Watt - brought in to ensure propriety after the fall-out from the Mayor/Martin Vickers Salford Reds scandal - had been asked to investigate the `politicisation' of the Council's press office, which has not responded to any questions from the Star for over two years, despite being supposedly `politically neutral' – and despite wages being paid by Salford residents.

SALFORD COUNCIL SPENDS OVER £3,500 AT MIPIM PROPERTY ORGY WHILE COMMUNITY EVENTS GET CUT

added 05 November 2015

Star date: 4th November 2015

SALFORD COUNCIL SPENDS £THOUSANDS AT PROPERTY FEST WHILE CUTTING COMMUNITY EVENT SUPPORT

Cash strapped Salford City Council spent £3,650 sending two of its workers to the MIPIM property orgy last month, where it shared a stall with Peel Holdings and other property developers which have avoided paying millions of pounds in planning fees in the city.

While removing support for community events as part of huge cuts to its Health Improvement Service, the Council paid £2,250 towards its stall at the £600 a ticket MIPIM bash.

PEEL HOLDINGS GETS ANOTHER £4.6MILLION PUBLIC MONEY FOR PORT SALFORD

added 04 November 2015

Star date: 3rd November 2015

PEEL HOLDINGS' £35MILLION PUBLIC MONEY FOR PORT SALFORD

Peel Holdings has just been handed a £4.6million loan of public money towards Port Salford by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. This comes on top of over £30million of grants and loans from the public purse for Peel's Port, including £15million from Salford City Council.

The new loan is for roads to the Port, but Peel – owned by the John Whittaker family, worth £2,370million - has already had huge loans and grants towards the roads...

SHOCKING MESSAGE OF CHARITY AND THIRD SECTOR SELL OUT FROM NCIA AS IT CLOSES AFTER TEN YEARS

added 03 November 2015

Star date: 3rd November 2015

CHARITIES AND VOLUNTARY GROUPS ACCUSED OF BEING `SILENCED' BY `POWERFUL OUTSIDE INTERESTS' AS NCIA CLOSES

The Salford Star, along with 64 other voluntary groups, has signed an open letter in support of the National Coalition of Independent Action (NCIA), which has shut down after nearly ten years of "alerting us to the progressive silencing of charities and voluntary groups"...

In a statement, NCIA explains that the situation "is now both desperate and dangerous"...The NCIA story should be read by every third sector, charity and voluntary group and service user in Salford...