Western in ‘ongoing’ talks with Lib Dems over pact
TRAFFORD council’s Labour leader says talks with the Liberal Democrats over a potential pact are still ‘ongoing’ in the wake of May 3’s dramatic local election result.
The town hall toppled into no overall control following the crunch poll, ending 14 years of Tory rule and leaving Labour the largest party.
But in the absence of a majority, it still remains unclear whether Labour leader Coun Andrew Western will make a deal with a smaller party or seek to form a minority administration.
Either way, Labour’s election pledges and pronouncements provide clues to its vision for the borough as it enters a new political phase. Already, it has put highly contentious plans to develop greenbelt land at Turn Moss on hold. Ex-Manchester United star Gary Neville, backed by the former ruling Tory party, had wanted to develop the site, in Stretford, into new facilities for Salford City FC and the University (UA) 92.
But on Monday Coun Andrew Western said - as per his pre-election manifesto - the council would now ‘engage with the community’ to come up with a plan for Turn Moss that benefits everyone, not just ‘a private football club.’
Neville himself appeared to concede defeat on Twitter.
Coun Western has also promised to scrap plans to build more than 300 homes on Flixton greenbelt land, despite the homes currently being allocated within the draft Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF).
Labour has also said it will hold the council’s controversial environmental provider Amey to account and service standards.
On health and social care, Labour promised during the election to sign up to an ethical care charter for the delivery of social care, enabling more people to live independently.
Bosses also plan to develop a 10-year workforce strategy to reduce the number of socially isolated residents so they have access to support and information.
On roads and transport, the party pledged to restrict the speed limit around primary schools to 20mph and create a safety plan for all schools. Labour also said it would protect libraries from closure and increase funding for adult social care. The party said keeping the borough’s remaining children’s centres open was also a priority.