Back by popular demand is my week in politics and at the moment its fairly quiet as far as council meetings are concerned.

Since the last posting we have had all the problems with MP expenses yes far too much and also I find it very annoying when the MPs say ” I have done nothing illegal” as if that makes it okay, Now listen very carefully Mr Browns cabinet and anyone else who wants to hide behind that excuse. If when you are out driving and you hear sirens behind you from either a Fire Engine or an Ambulance its not illegal to remain in the middle of the road and not let them pass - however most normal people (exec browns cabinet) will pullover asap and let them pass.

Prestwich Festival will take place for the first time in 2009. It is intended to be an annual four week calendar of events running from 17 May to 21 June. The festival will provide the opportunity to showcase as many events as possible during a four week period and will build on its success year on year, similar to existing events like Prestwich Clough and Prestwich Carnvial.

Click here for an first look at the packed events listing

Sedgley Lib Dem Councillor, Steve Wright is urging Bury Council to use its sponsorship of Bury Football Club to provide publicity for local charities and good causes.

Under the £30,000 deal Bury Council has its logo emblazoned across the team shirts and receives other publicity. However at a recent full meeting of Bury Council, Cllr Steve Wright argued for the Council to forgo publiscising the Council in favour of a local charity. 

Cllr Wright said, “There is no need to advertise Bury MBC in Bury! It would be much better if the council could offer the space to someone else, for instance a local charity or possibly an organisation such as the Lancashire fusilier museum.”

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Bob Bibby, declined to accept Cllr Steve Wrights suggestion responding that “Its our advertising space and we will use it.”

“I was disappointed by Cllr Bibby’s blunt response and would ask that he reconsiders. Many local charities are struggling due to the recession and yet Bury could provide added publicity to important local charities at no extra cost”.

Vic D’Albert, Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate for Bury South has called on Bury Council to halt its use of surveillance until “proper protection and independent checks are established”.

The call follows the revelation that over 120 residents, businesses or Council employees have been subject to surveillance by Bury Council since 2002.

Powers are available to authorities under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 but the House of Lords recently condemned the growing use of these powers to “undermine the publics right to privacy”, citing “the pervasive and routine electronic surveillance and collection and processing of personal information”.

Vic D’Albert said, “At the end of the day it may be the case that the use of these powers by Bury Council may have been justified. The trouble is councillors are not briefed and it is unclear who has the power to authorise surveillance and under what justification. These are very intrusive powers that infringe on our civil liberties. They should only be used as a last resort and under strict guidance.”

Figures passed to the Lib Dem candidate for Bury South, show that since 2002 at least 67 members of the public, 45 employees and 12 businesses were “spied” on under the RIPA powers.

“With the absence of any apparent transparency or Councillor monitoring it is unclear if this is the tip of the iceberg or the sum total, it is unclear how many instances led to a prosecution and it would be interesting to know how much this whole operation costs! One thing is clear however and that is there is an absence of independent scrutiny and approval.

“There are many questions that need answering and until we have answers Bury Council should halt any further surveillance. This whole area needs to be investigated and scrutinised through the democratic process to ensure surveillance is appropriate and proportionate, is justified from all aspects and is independently approved.