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SALFORD COMMUNITY LEGACY MONEY GOES TO ICT CHAIR AND MANAGERS
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Star date: 27th September 2016 £66,000 SALFORD NDC LEGACY MONEY SWALLOWED BY `GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT' WHILE VOLUNTEERS GET £13.80 Last year, over three quarter of the Charlestown and Lower Kersal New Deal for Communities (NDC) legacy money was swallowed by `governance and management' for the self-created Inspiring Communities Together organisation. Of the £81,000 NDC community legacy, £66,000 was used to pay a part-time Chair and managers while the total amount paid to local community groups was nil, and volunteers got £13.80 between them. Full details here...
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The government funded Charlestown and Lower Kersal New Deal for Communities (NDC) was a ten year £53million scheme that ran until 2011, slammed by academic Dr Andrew Wallace as a "menace bogged down in failure and incompetence"*... Indeed, anyone walking around Lower Kersal and Charlestown might think the place still needs £53million spending on it. However, what the NDC left behind was an annual legacy of public money from rents and things. In the years since the project closed, that legacy has been swallowed up by what was first called the Development Framework Group, later re-branded as a charity, Inspiring Communities Together, or ICT. The organisation was supposed to be "Investing the annuity in a way that has a positive and meaningful impact on the local community" but most of it has since gone on wages for people who were associated with the failed NDC. The latest accounts for ICT show that the legacy, or `Annuity', money in the year 2015-16 totalled £81,000, plus £9,000 value rent for its premises at the Salford Innovation Forum. Of this total, £66,000 has been spent on `governance and management' a part-time Chair and managers. "With regard to our salary costs as you would expect of an organisation which provides support to the local community and community groups much of our income is spent on salary costs" wrote ICT's CEO, Bernadette Elder, in response to Salford Star questions "ICT has a recruit process which ensures local residents are actively encouraged to apply for positions and ICT has been very successful in recruiting local residents to these posts." Meanwhile, no community groups got any funding** and the ICT's volunteers were paid £13.80 between them. ICT has also grown to take on outside contracts worth £128,449, and it's impossible from the accounts to see where the remaining £15,000 of public legacy money has been spent. The organisation currently has a `net operating income', or surplus, in its accounts of £52,907. "Work has been commissioned by Salford Royal Foundation Trust, Salford City Council Public Health and Salix Homes all showing that ICT is gaining commissions and a reputation for achieving successful outcomes for the community" wrote ICT Chair Ray Walker in his intro to the charity's annual report. It's been five years since the NDC closed, leaving this legacy money. Inspiring Communities Together has a Mission to... "achieve positive outcomes for local people based on the knowledge understanding and information that the community have about their area, through empowering individuals and groups to release their potential to develop their own solutions." Its Values are... We will be accountable to and representative of the local community
We will be innovative and provide value for money in our approach to deliver of
everything we do
We will value all volunteers, staff and members of the organisation ICT also wants to make a difference by `Strengthening local voices', `Improving people's lives' and `Creating better places to live'...
To read the full ICT Annual report click here
*See Salford Star report on Dr Wallace's work click here ** The figure of £3,457 noted as `grants for others' in the accounts was merely being held for a community group and was not a grant from ICT.
See also previous related Salford Star articles... Salford NDC Community Legacy Group Shock click here NDC legacy Oliver's Youth Club Closes click here
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Exooexcexm wrote
at 07:13:57 on 01 June 2017 |
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| If ICT is a registered charity I am sure it's constitution does not say pay chai and pay officers
...it will say something about supporting communities and projects, giving people a voice, and improving the area and life chances of residents.
If that is happening then let ICT prove it.
SO COME ON Ann- Marie and Bernadette ...show us all what you have achieved. |
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not again wrote
at 08:23:32 on 16 January 2017 |
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| I've heard that this lot are trying to have an AGM on the 1st Feb, and have not informed all members so they can push their friends into new posts on the board. |
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Salford Star wrote
at 06:06:21 on 11 December 2016 |
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| See Ruth's comment below...Hold your horses, we've been waiting for the Charity Commission to respond which they've now done. Article will appear in the next few days, so worry not...or maybe worry more when you read it!!! |
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Ruth, Charlestown. wrote
at 06:03:45 on 11 December 2016 |
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| I would please like to ask The Salford Star just why they have not investigated this corruption, bulling, fight for power from just two people with their supporters on the board of ICT. The question that needs to be asked as to why you the Salford Star have not contacted the charity commission. You have had so many community members telling their concerns and grievances regarding the so called charity ICT yet nobody is taking notice or acting upon the communities concerns. The questions that need to be asked are why SCC do not look into the bulling, power mad, money orinortiented, arrogant, self deluded people, people who try to portray themselves as community people yet the don't do that as our community are not stupid and they understand the corruption that is happening. A ICT chair taking £250:00 a week from community funds is unbelievable yet a chair of ICT has been taking this money for years without our community knowing. She should be ashamed but no she has no remorse. Just take the £1,000. a month for doing nothing and say thank you for taking this money from your community, every month. I ask in this day and age how can this corruption, bulling and dishonest behaviour can be taking place. Please Salford Star help the community of Charlestown and Lower Kersal and bring the truth forward. Please inform the charity commission and get the truth for our loyal honest residents. Thank You Salford Star for supporting our many true, honest and hard working residents. |
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wrote
at 07:37:58 on 08 December 2016 |
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| Well said Thomas C. There must be one person, her or him who signed and just handed over So many thousands to the ICT organisation yet they have no knowledge of the corruption, bulling and fight for power over Charlestown and Lower Kersal that has happened. The question that needs to be asked is " Does the person handing over these thousands of pounds of community money take the time to investigate as to why a chair is paid £1,000 a month, £250:00 a week for nothing. This person claims she is a community person. But the community do not Know that she is taking £1,000 a month for herself from community money and SCC have allowed this with no questions asked. The comments from our community members on this Salford Star site are just 100% correct. Great Salford Star for bringing the two people who are so minipulativate, power mad, financially motivated and willing to destroy anybody or anything who get in their way to light. They know who they are and so does the community of East Salford. The question is just how can they show their face when everybody knows what they do ? They will bring everybody down with them so beware. Thanks again Thomas C |
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Definitely not surprised wrote
at 07:36:29 on 08 December 2016 |
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| Website says and I say....
The roles a community anchor organisation can play may include:
Providing services...No
Attracting resources...No
Acting as an advocate for the community..No
Supporting community organisations ...only 3
Strengthening community participation. Definitely no |
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Thomas C wrote
at 03:54:16 on 07 December 2016 |
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| I have just been going through the comments regarding ICT and have come to the conclusion that some very clever and manipulative people are taking our community members, Councillors and council employers for a very expensive ride. There must be a council employed person who had signed the cheque to these very clever and power and financial driven people. My view is this person should be questioned as to why they have just handed the 93m to these people. It just shows that they are cleverer and more assertive than the person at SCC who has signed their cheque. An inquiry needs to happen but SCC and our elected Mayor do nothing they just wait for it to go away. I always supported our Mayor because I thought he was a people person but now I am dissapointed as he has just sat back and done nothing to support his community members in this quest for the truth.
Come on Councillors, council employers and our Elected Mayor support your community and hold an investigation into the governance of ICT. This is the only thing that will bring the truth to light and stop any corruption and bulling within the organisation.
I must just ask, do our Councillors, council employees and community members read the Salford Star because they say it just how it is.
Let's hope this group is investigated as soon as possible because the £93 million is our communities money. |
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Josey from Charlestown wrote
at 05:52:54 on 19 November 2016 |
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| In reply to LK's comment. I have lived in Charlestown for 43 years and have never been asked any questions never mind consulted regarding this Inspiring Community people. I ask who are they and just who do they consult because over the last few days since I stumbled on this article regarding Inspiring Community I have researched and looked at the many community comments. I have asked many of my Charlestown neighbours and not very many has any knowledge of this group let alone been asked questions. It must be a very tiny % of residents who are asked or maybe just people they know will say what they want. The residents who had knowledge of this group had really bad experiences and indeed felt this group should be investigated. Looking at all these comments I need to ask if this whole thing is a joke because if it is not it is so very alarming and sad that nobody seems to listen to our local residents. It seems residents get nothing from the £93K so why does SCC not look into this as the money is for Charlestown and Lower Kersal. Just because 2 very clever and manipulative people and papers they have put together say one thing yet the residents say another I need to ask do our residents not have a right to put their case forward. It seems these two people have outwitted SCC and Elected Councillors for so many years yet they have not managed to fool the local community (who have no voice) and our SCC officers are supposed to be so clever yet they do not have the local common sense and ability to smell a rat. Alarm bells should have been ringing in SCC employees and our local Councillors and they have heard nothing yet they have been alarm bells ringing in our residents ears for many years so what does that say. I ask who and when is somebody going to support our community members and stand up to this Inspiring Community Sham. Inspiring Community is outwitting all our councill employees and Councillors but I am very proud to say not our residents. We need to have an explanation from Salford Mayor as to why SCC employees and our local Councillors have been outwitted by these very clever people yet not our community members (who can do nothing) Please Salford Mayor listen to your community and support them just as they supported you to become our very valued Salford Mayor. Questions need to be asked as to why SCC has not ordered an investigation. It maybe because SCC thought an investigation may be hard work and that the findings may be not be just what they want to find, It may be that the problems of putting the annuity money into an honest community led group acting in the best interest of our community would be adding to their workload or it may be the embarrassment of being taken for fools. Well us residents say "the longer you are being fooled the bigger the fool you become in the end". I thank you Salford Star for bringing to light this corruption that is happening in Charlestown but after reading the many comments, I know many residents and myself think you should put this news regional and even national because I am sure if you don't it will be brushed under the carpet as it has been so many times over so many years. If going regional and national is the only way to stop the corrupt people then it should be done. Indeed the comments by one or two people who describe our situation as having our very own Animal Farm in Charlestown and Lower Kersal with Snowball and Nepoleon running the farm. In this day and age can this happen? well just ask SCC and Salford Elected Councillors just why they are blind as to what is happening in Salford and how do they also justify their pay. Salford Star support and help your community to open up the truth and help us get the communities monies back to our community. We know Salford Star with your help and support we can at last find a community voice and an ability to prove a case supporting our community members. Please go regional and national regarding our very own Snowball and Nepoleon who reside in our very own Animal Farm (ICT). Look at paperwork, reports, accounts and the voices of former members and trustees and you will have a clear report to take to regional and national press. Thank you Salford Star for supporting the residents of Salford. I just hope you are able to help us your community. |
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Ann Local Resident wrote
at 19:46:44 on 16 November 2016 |
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| In reply to John Monks comments. Please do not tell the local residents to just ask ICT what they do and where the £53 goes. Residents should not have to ask. The local residents who have lived with NDC, DFG and now Inspiring Communities Together are not stupid. Many people have volunteered throughout the three organisation. I think you will find that many good honest residents have a much better knowledge regarding ICT than you have. These residents deserve respect. I feel it fair to say most all local people who have volunteered have walked away because the did not have a voice and did not receive respect. I suggest you need to stop shouting at the local people, get off your very high soapbox and give people respect. Flippant comments and jibes at people you know nothing about is disrespectful to say the least. And your comments that you put in BOLD letters shows you are shouting. Please treat people with respect because I am sure they will respect your comments even though the comments are very insulting. |
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LK wrote
at 19:46:40 on 16 November 2016 |
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| Just read all the comments about ICT, and decided to delve into the website inspiring communities together Salford,
Quite shocking and disturbing reading..What We Do.....Every year, Inspiring Communities Together carry out a neighbourhood consultation using the community outcome star model to gain views of local people about how they feel about the neighbourhood......
I've have lived in Lower Kersal all my life (57 Years) and can homsgly say I've never heard of ICT until I seen it here on Salford Star,I've never have been consulted on anything neither have my neighbours when I've as,ed.
Are these figures Just plucked out of the air, it's an interesting read on their recent Annual report fo to inspiring communities together Salford website,look at what's been spent on the community and what's been spent on salarys, eye watering reading to say the least.
Charlestown & Lower Kersal as this is the area they are suppose to cover,will be very interesting to hear of any other residents to see if they are aware of this or been consulted on anything that relates to ICT.
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Martin O'Brien wrote
at 06:19:20 on 16 November 2016 |
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| Questions need to be asked to the Treasurer of ICT and also to SCC. The Treasurer must know just how much communities monies are sat in an ICT bank account when the monies should be invested and put back into the community of CHALK. Questions need to be asked by SCC who are supposed to ensure the £90,000 go to our community and is not just sat in the ICT bank account. Questions need to be asked just how much communities monies are sitting in ICT bank account approved by ICT Treasurer. There are so many questions and discrepancies regarding ICT and the way it is run especially by the Chair, Treasurer and CEO who seem to control and manipulate everybody and everything. Serious questions need to be asked about the ICT group and just who controls everything as it seems the self elected Chair ( while the elected Chair Mr Walker is investigated by Ann-Marie Pickup because he questioned serious allegations made against a trustee and the CEO of ICT) Do we need to question just which trustee the serious allegations were made against, I think not. Talk about manipulating everybody just a couple of people within the ICT group have and are outwitting everybody involved in East Salford including SCC, our Elected Councillors, Residents and service providers. Just how can SCC and our local elected councillors (many who have been board members and witnessed first hand the way ICT board works) allow this. Please Salford Star ask these questions because it seems like nobody is strong enough to stand up to these bullies, and that is what they are BULLIES who hurt and distroy people and for what POWER, MONEY or both. How sad are they, they should be so ashamed of themselves distroying people. Yet remember the saying " The people you stand on to get yourself to the top you will meet on your way down " Salford Star please stand up for our community as it seems nobody else is strong enough to stand up to ICT Bullies. Please get the truth out about this group and bring the truth to our Communitiy members so they can decide where their £93,000 will be investigated in their community. Thank you Salford Star for your honesty and communities support.
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Ralph, Leven's Street, Salford. wrote
at 05:05:37 on 15 November 2016 |
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| Looking at the residents comments, questions need to be asked regarding the running of ICT and just who are these people who made the decisions as to where the £90,000 grant for Charlestown and Lower Kersal goes.
A chair who takes over £250.00 a week, £1000,00 a month from our communities money and who should be ashamed yet is proud to put herself forward as a valued community person. I am sure our Communitiy residents are able to make a judgement and see through the dishonest behaviour by some people in our community. The question that needs to be asked is why our local elected Councillors are not coming forward to challenge such dishonest behaviour and giving their support to our very honest and supportive residents. Also questions should be asked as to why SCC just hand over this large amount of money when there are so many questions and allergations regarding the actions of this group. Questions need to be asked to the treasurer as to why large amounts of money are being stored in the bank and the large amount of monies are not being put back into the community . The questions are just why does the treasurer not question these actions and why are these actions excepted. It is the treasures job to monitor the finance. Questions and investigations need to be taken regarding this group and the sooner the better. SCC please do this investigation to show you are honest and above board and want the truth to be paramount. The question to be asked is just who is blocking an investigation when there should be nothing to hide? Who in SCC is protecting this group? Why is the Mayor not investigating allegations regarding this group? Why the treasurer of this group does not question the lack of investment that goes back into our community and allows monies to just sit in the bank when it should be going back into Charlestown and Lower Kersal. So many questions yet why are they not asked ? Or answered and people made to account for their actions. I must ask why our elected councillors have not taken the grave concerns from our community members to the Charity Commission? and why our elected Mayor and the people who authorise the payment to Inspiring Communities Together the monies £90,000 every year, no questions asked, no input from Charlestown and Lower Kersal residents. £10,000, £1,000 a month, £250.00 a week for a chair when so many community groups have chairs who support our community and ask for nothing. This chair is taking all this money £250.00 a week from our community and we need to ask " How can they justify their actions " taking so much communities money for themselves £10,000 just because they are chair of a community group" we have so many great community groups who take nothing and are just happy to support our community.
Please Salford Star publish this news, and please SCC make investigations regarding allegations made against Inspiring Communities Together and explain who is responsible for handing over £90,000 every year, no questions asked. When really it should be residents of Charlestown and Lower Kersal who should be asked " What has this £90.000 impacted and improved your community and I am sure the answer would be what £90.000? And it has done nothing for our community. |
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wrote
at 06:39:53 on 06 November 2016 |
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| John Monks you know nothing about inspiring communities together and they way they work and the manipulation involved. The communities of Charlestown and Lower Kersal know just how ICT work and take control of CHALK. Yet just how much of the £90,000 do they put back into our community. I think you should question the treasurer of ICT and ask just who controls the accounts and why questions are not asked as to why money is not being put back into our community. Also why the treasurer and the trustees are not questioning this behaviour. Questions need to be asked as to why this behaviour is allowed to happen.
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Salford Star wrote
at 07:43:34 on 04 November 2016 |
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| Please note that we will not be posting any comments alleging stuff against individual officers. We have also removed all previous comments related to this. We believe that this is not about individuals but the organisation itself. The Star will be updating this article very soon. |
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Amgrty wrote
at 06:47:03 on 03 November 2016 |
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I'm really confused now...AGM. Cancelled..not heard anything since it was cancelled,websites changed,memberships changed,have they had the AGM ???! I also read on the website see.......http://inspiringcommunitiestogether.co.uk/
It says..which doesn't appeal to no one in the community...
The roles a community anchor organisation can play may include:Providing services
Attracting resources
Acting as an advocate for the community
Supporting community organisations
Strengthening community participation
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Tommy Charlestown wrote
at 20:36:12 on 31 October 2016 |
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| In reply to John Monks. I respect your comments, I do not agree with you. To be fair I do not think you have in depth knowledge of ICT. Many people who comment regarding ICT do have in depth knowledge and will also disagree with you. Their comments also deserve respect. I hope John you will read all the many comments as I think you will see that many residents of Charlestown have grave concerns about ICT. I also would like to thank The Salford Star for letting people have a voice and providing the facts relating to the running of ICT. Residents are entitled to read comments on such an important and serious matter. I ask if SCC pay this money for the community why do they fail look into all the allegations and the management of ICT. Maybe they find it easier to look at papers that the management put together and take it as face value because if they found anything that did not sit right they would have to work to put things right, do SCC have an alternative way to get the £90,000 into out community, I think not because if they did investigations would have taken place yet years on and so many residents leaving the board because they complained and nobody listened. When they resigned they were never replaced ask why and what community involvement is there in ICT? I think you should maybe dig a little deeper before you give your very long comments. Again John as I said I respect you comments even though I totally disagree. Hope you understand. |
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Michael James Felse wrote
at 09:34:12 on 31 October 2016 |
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| The community ask for the Mayor to reply. Nothing, even with the £60k mayoral allowance. Time for no pay mayors. The ones that will take time to answer. Labour do not give a fig. |
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AxA Pickford wrote
at 21:43:34 on 30 October 2016 |
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| My questions was regarding the cancellation of the AGM with no explanation. After reading the communities concerns I find there need to be questions that need to be asked and answered that need to be shared with us community members who are just finding out who ICT is and I ask just what do they they do?
Why are our councillors paying them so much money when we ask just what people from our community get to have a say in where this massive amount of money should be spent. I am sure no community member would allow £1000.00 a month be paid to the chair so why do our councillors pay this money. There are many community groups with chairs who volunteer so much of their time for nothing because they support their community. But ICT have a chair who gets £1000.00 from our Councillors so what does this say about valuing volunteers in Salford. Taking £1000.00 from our community is disgusting, shameful and actually taking the p... out of our community people but most of all our councillors and Mayor who give them this money every year, no questions asked just tick our box and do as you like with our communities money. I still cannot believe SCC do nothing but hand over almost £90,000 when they should be asking our residents what do ICT do for our community and I could answer that question with " I know almost nothing about what they do and never seen anything about them except on Salford Star " Thank you Salford Star for bringing these people to the notice of us Charlestown residents. Salford councillors stop handing this money over and do your job looking after and supporting the people who voted for you. |
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Salford Star wrote
at 06:08:19 on 30 October 2016 |
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| See Frank Ridge's comment below... The Star will be reporting on this again very soon. |
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Frank Ridge wrote
at 05:59:19 on 30 October 2016 |
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| Salford Star why are you keeping this very alarming news on the back page. This should be out in front off so many very mild news stories. This is serious news that our community need to know about so that it can be investigated by SCC who pays these people nearly £90.000 a year in an annuity to put this into our community yet why do they not ask questions when the chair takes £1000 a month from this communities money and the CEO takes a massive wage even though she has paid staff doing her job. I have only moved to the area half way through the NDC programme but I have taken an interest and observed that many good community volunteers have resigned because of the behaviour of these people. Nobody seems to be able to stop these people who do not seem to care about anybody but themselves and their power and wage.
What is so confusing is that why are SCC still not investigating ICT and the people who rule everything. Our Councillors should be investigating and supporting our community as should our city Mayor. If ICT have nothing to hide they should welcome an open investigation. The question is just who is blocking this investigation in SCC and brushing things under the carpet. These are questions that need to be asked. So come on Salford Star and put this as front page news and SCC put things right and stop the cover up, your community members and loyal councillors deserve this support from you.
I hope whoever is responsible for paying ICT all the money and the Mayor will ask questions and do the right thing for our community members, especially the many members of ICT who have resigned because of the treatment they received. Again I ask why do our councillors not get the support they need when they are true to our community members, just who is letting them down ?
An Honest Frank. |
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wrote
at 06:16:28 on 22 October 2016 |
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| ABC 123 well said and Shirley Jones, Bernard, people need to know, Matt and many others have voiced concerns about this group that calls themselves a charity. The question needs to be asked " Why are the Salford Council and Charity Commission allowing this without looking into the workings of this so called Charity based in Irwell Riverside and Lower Kersal. I also agree with Thomas C this should be on the first page news. Another question as asked by AxA Pickford " Why has the AGM meeting been cancelled? " The community need an explanation not the usual as it seems a dismissive comment. Salford Star I agree with previous comments you need to tell our community what is happening and ask the questions " Why has the AGM been cancelled " our community have a right to know just what this so called Charlestown Charity is doing? Why are they paying a chair a £1000 a month when the expenditure for volunteers for a full year is less than £12.. You know the comment from Matt about Animal Farn is spot on. Salford Star put this information out for our community to read as I have just read this news and I am so shocked and I am sure the community will also be shocked and appalled that this dishonest behaviour is allowed to happen but most of all how can they call themselves a charity and I agree why do the charity commission allow this? And Salford council keep giving them community money so why? I am sure this is not our real true Salford. Come on Salford Star and tell our community what is happening in our community if you can find out just what ICT is doing, does and why the AGM is cancelled. Good Luck |
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Thomas C wrote
at 07:26:13 on 21 October 2016 |
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| Salford Star put this as news and not on the back page. You should be informing people as to what is happening within our community. Salford Council how can you allow this daylight robbery and curruption to be taking place. This money is for the community not for people to use as they please and get paid so much. An example is for the chair to take over £1,000 a month when so many community groups have chairs who take nothing for their very valued hours of time they give freely. These people who take advantage of the great community volunteers should feel ashamed at how they have manipulated and how can they justifie their behavioure and live with theirselves when they take so much for their own profit when they know they are taking the money from our community while portraying and promoting themselves as community people. Salford Star come on and post the information regarding ICT as this is news the community need to hear and know about just what is happening in our community. With community support we can try and get SCC to look at taking a community investigation into the running of ICT and show our community that SCC is doing it's job. This whole charity seems that it needs investigating by the charity commission and sooner rather than later. Salford Star get this information and news on your Headlines, first page for people to see and comment. Please let's get this news and hopefully something done and investigated and the results sent out to our community. |
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Matt wrote
at 07:25:58 on 21 October 2016 |
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| After reading all the information about Inspiring Community Together group. I am shocked that SCC, our elected councillors and our community can except this behaviour and basically the people manipulating so many people should be made accountable for this disgusting and greedy behaviour. Why have they been allowed to basically take the money and give the orders and SCC have paid them the money to do this. A chair taking a £1000 a month from the communities money. Why do SCC not stop this groups behaviour and ask questions. The charity commission need to know what is happening. Where did the £80,000 paid every year go ? No sign of it in Charlestown except to put money in to St Sebastian's community centre and really what do St Sebastian's provide the community ? One thing stands out another Animal Farm in Charlestown. Come on SCC do something or are they just clever and manipulative and you don't see it ? Also Salford Star why is this not front page news, you should be informing our community that we have our own Animal Farm in Charlestown and Lower Kersal. |
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Prisoner Irlam wrote
at 19:39:46 on 11 October 2016 |
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| Democracy according to..... , aggressive putdowns over concerned citizens challenging salary payments if it was the real world the company would collapse as all profits would be sucked out , with very little to reinvest , i suggest voluntary redundacy!! |
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AxA pickford...kersal wrote
at 05:47:40 on 11 October 2016 |
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| It's confirmed...ICT has postponed the AGM...Why ?..no explanation to this,we are the community ..then tell us why.... |
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ABC123 wrote
at 08:48:33 on 10 October 2016 |
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| Inspiring Commimities together...where,...How...When...never heard of this group...how can public money , very large percentage going on salaries and Not the local area,After research money is also being spent in Broughtonmoutside the area its stated for......
Is this a secret club...and why are we not having a say,sack the robbing gets talking our money,and we will spend it on the area we know best it can be spent....Disgrace to you all. |
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Charlestown Resident wrote
at 17:19:38 on 01 October 2016 |
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| Marin...well said, I've lived through the NDC and now ICT...Mt Monks get a grip is locals Know what we're talking about...please no more long,boring,I know it all comments..leave it to those who really do know the true facts, Amen. |
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Important enough to be worth mentioning twice wrote
at 17:19:31 on 01 October 2016 |
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| Here is what I posted on the article about the closure of Olivers. I think it is worthwhile adding it to this article.
"Whilst is is sad that the youth club is to close, I think what really needs to be looked at is the waste of 53 Million pounds £53,000,000 and weigh that against the cuts in recent years. Pictures should be taken of the area and the people who were involved with spending the money held to account. I would guess that most of them are still involved in schemes that involve spending public money and still getting paid a very good wage as well. If someone did not tell you that 53 Million (that is £53,000,000)had been spent on the area, you would never guess by looking at it. When you think of the good that the money could have done around Salford and you look at all the services that have been cut by the council it is almost criminal. Part of the trouble with the people involved in these schemes is they get paid around 10% of the total money spent. Therefore, it is in their interest to get the most money they can for any scheme that is taking place. They are not paid on results (otherwise, most of them would never get paid at all) and when the schemes end and the money runs out, like a plague of locusts, they just move one to another area and another 10% of any funding for other schemes. With a lot of funding, not just council spending,if the budget is not fully spent within a certain time, then there is less money available for the next time. This system does not encourage the good use of the money, more the thinking that "We need to spend this money" With any residual money left from the scheme, if there actually is any, a plaque with the names of all the people who pissed away the money and caused the devastation to the area could be put up. It might serve as a warning the next time some "Emperor's new clothes" scheme comes up."
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Martin O'Brien wrote
at 07:33:42 on 01 October 2016 |
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| Who is this John Monks and just who does he think he is ? What long winded and practicing person. Every person has a right to an opion without being put down by Mr Monks who seems to think he is above other community members and that he knows more than community members. He has no respect when he makes jokes and dismisses other people's opion's. Mr Monks you say you have recently moved to Charlestown yet you dismiss residents comments who have lived in Charlestown for the many years of the NDC programme. You talk about residents who call them Angels now do you not think this an outragious and stupid statement . Tea and Tec is a good training programme I agree but where is the follow on training ? Mr Monks please listen to the comments and understand residents who have lived in Charlestown through the NDC regeneration programme then the DFG and now the Inspiring Communities and you should have more respect and understanding of their very valued and knowledgable views. Please stop your very insulting and yes as James P wrote very condescending. You say you won't call the article Bullying yet your use of capital letters is very offensive. Please will you take time to listen to the views of some residents who have lived through the NDC regeneration programme and the annuity programme. The annuity monies is for all the community like community groups, older people and younger people groups, community environmental projects not just Tea and Tec or Communitiy reporting. Please Mr Monks can you explaine how the Angels as you call them deliver these programmes because I live in Charlestown and have done for over 50 years and I have no idea where these projects are taking place. In the future Mr Monks please respect other people's views and stop making fun at their expence, as this just backfires and show's you to be very petty minded and condescending as James P very correctly observed. |
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Rayofsunshne wrote
at 11:19:00 on 30 September 2016 |
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| Michael seems to be in a bit of a bind; on one hand he feigns "concern" for the condition and future prospects of Salford
Citizens. Yet on the other hand he blatantly lusts after the post of G.M Mayor - a post/institution that may quite probably lead to the further political/economic margilisation of Salford.
I wonder is Michael aware of this contradiction? If he is, does he take solace that at the end of the day it's all
about building "Brand Felse" -- all things to all people!
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James P wrote
at 05:59:48 on 30 September 2016 |
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| In reply to John Monks. Your comments are very long and very condescending to the local residents who have lived in Kersal/Charlestown from the start of the NDC programme. Indeed the people who were paramount in delivering the failed NDC programme are the very people who still receive an income from I.C.T. As you seem so knowledgable regarding I.C.T. you may be able to inform us on just how much money has been invested in local grass root community groups ? and how much has been given out in community grants ? How much has been spent on community green projects ? Maybe Mr Monks before you start to lecture the local residents ( and indeed shouting in capital letters ) you need to do a little more research and respect many residents of Charlestown/Lower Kersal who also spend much time volunteering in our community often with no thanks. So please Mr Monks respect other views and forget the long condescending comments. I hope you understand that many residents have a great deal of knowledge regarding N.D.C and I.C.T. Everybody is entitled to their view so please can we all respect that. |
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John Monks wrote
at 14:03:31 on 29 September 2016 |
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| I think it's great that this article has prompted so many of us to comment, and it's always good to hear other viewpoints, I enjoyed reading both the comments from " people need to know " and also from Ian.
" People need to know " is right when he / she says there are points I'm not aware of. Quite correct. I know that the history of the failed NDC is even now affecting people, who link what happened before to what they imagine is happening now.
I honestly don't blame anyone for reacting that way. 53 MILLION? I'm not being funny, but if I was given £53 MILLION to spend on an area, I damn well know I wouldn't be paying over the odds for outside " consultants " to tell me where the money needs to be invested.
My first instinct is that there would have been a mass flyer campaign aimed at the local residents, to inform them we are having meetings to discuss where the money should be spent. Both off line and online.
A lot of people would have responded, there would inevitably be a lot of nonsense volunteered " empty my bins and paint my shed " sort of nonsense, but there would also have been some valuable feedback from the local community.
Decisions would be made about where the money would be invested and contracts would be put out to tender, inviting companies to " bid " for the job.
Money would have been partitioned off into segments, and companies would have been made to agree that they would be solely liable to both start AND finish the job required for the price quoted within an agreed reasonable timeframe. I believe that would have seen a lot more done, but yes, hindsight is a wonderful thing.
I'm sure everyone reading this has had similar ideas where the money should be spent. In terms of what we're discussing now, it all boils down to value for money.
When you start to build ANYTHING ( whether that is a charity / business / social enterprise of ANY kind ) you have to invest in your own people first, or the charity won't grow. It dies a death. Yes, I've seen it happen.
The people making the decisions have to know they have a paycheck to look after their families and that the charity will have a secure enough footing to be able to sustain itself long - term. It needs a surplus of cash in the company coffers to ensure there is money available. This is the fundamental rule of ANY business / enterprise.
I.C.T are a completely different organisation to the disaster that was NDC. For one, they are a small, focused charity with limited resources and have a tiny reach, meaning at the moment, you MAY NOT be hearing from them.
Again, you have to ask yourself, do they offer value for money? Well, let's think about it.
If I invest £100k into a 5 people organisation that tell me, with that money they can attract funding, create new growth opportunities, form new long - term, mutually beneficial, strategic partnerships and also fulfill my core value of beginning to reach out to the local community to create change, I'd snap their hand off, and so should you.
Did NDC pay one contractor over £100k for " consulting work " only for a plan that was then shelved? I believe they did. So let me ask you this, based on this logic, WHICH offer the most value for money RIGHT NOW? A new, small, focused organisation which has learned from the HORRENDOUS mistakes of an old one and now is trying to build itself up step by step to be a positive force for good, OR the old NDC that gets over 250 TIMES that amount, and collapses in on itself, not really achieving much? GIVE THEM A CHANCE.
If you've taken the time to read this far, then maybe you're the sort of person who will understand what I'm trying to explain. Forget NDC. Forget everything that happened, because it's happened, nothing you can say or do can change it and all you can do now is be POSITIVE and move forward. Look, I.C.T are doing it the right way. They are bit by bit, getting the right people on board, they are taking things slowly, doing things one step at a time rather than rushing in, and are slowly starting to reach out to the community through the use of forums and meetings ( which let's be fair, most residents don't yet know about, because I.C.T can't YET afford to pay for the delivery of thousands of flyers...again, give them time. )
Some of the older generation that have already been helped by I.C.T ( TECH N TEA ) why not ask THEM if it's worth the money? They've helped lots of people ALREADY. If it's true that NDC were paying some people over £100k each, and I.T.C. operate slowly with 6 people and volunteers, who offers the best value for money, and who is doing it in the right way?
By all means, the whole LOT of us should be showing our support and admire the Salford Star's efforts in highlighting the failings of an old bloated organisation. Bravo to you all.
But guys, to come down SO HARD on a company that has only just started, with not even a hundredth of the NDC budget at it's disposal, and expect them to work MIRACLES overnight is RIDICULOUSLY UNFAIR.
Give them a chance to grow, give them a chance to do what they're trying to do. Help them and encourage them. Why not PROMOTE them POSITIVELY with the headline " I.C.T. Doing It The Right Way "
If all you do is slag them off, you're not part of the solution, just part of the problem, and you'll spoil any chance I.C.T have of making a difference for Salford.
I.C.T are doing it the right way. If you're a volunteer, have a chat with someone there and find out what they're trying to achieve.
Again, sorry for the long windedness, there will be people who won't agree with me, and I know there are some people who aren't happy unless they have something to moan about.
We all know that one person who looks at the sunshine through a window but only notices the specks of dirt on the glass ( if you don't know anyone who fits that description then I'm sorry to tell you...it's probably you ) Hey, if we were all the same...wouldn't life be dull! Thank you to the Salford Star for printing my novels, next one is out in October. It's a horror movie called NDC - revenge of the residents. ( basically we all band together and overthrow the government ) Take care everybody. |
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People need to Know wrote
at 09:14:31 on 29 September 2016 |
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| Thanks Salford Star for keeping on top of these organisations. I'm not sure you understand the full past of the Inspiring Communities or its original remit before it changed its name John. Inspiring Communities is the legacy organisation of the New Deal for Communities Programme which spent over 56 million in ten years (most of it on doing up houses for people who attended meetings) the rest purchasing land that is now being developed. In the midst of all this spend there has been many victims, mainly people whose lives have been on hold for over ten years due to false demolition orders implemented by the NDC. I'm not gonna dwell on the NDC and its past failings but detail some aspects you may not realise John. Inspiring Communities has its OWN Marketing budget and editor paid from the £81,000 given to it by Salford City Council, this has been in place over three years. The Salford Star does not have that luxury! The funding provided by SCC is for IC to represent the views of the people in both Charlstown/Kersal it maintains it does this via its Forums which are attended by more workers than residents it then claims its representing what local people want!. I think you'll find that the bullying has come from both SCC and NDC/ICT in respects of the Salford Star over the past six years. Banned from obtaining any form of devolved budgets Banned from press conferences there "crimes" have been endless in the pursuit of destroying Our Salford Star. The people that Inspiring Communities Whatever supposedly represent do not know who/what/they do. They do not have no form of wide spread mandate from the communities to plan or deliver services. It would seem that as time has transpired they have developed into another "training company" and where needed changed to benefit themselves and leave behind there commitments and reason for originally existing.This is public funding provided via the taxpayer. For this reason Salford Star carrying on doing what you do because otherwi8se the alternative is "Life in Salford "Limelight" and whatever other GLAD MAGs out there. |
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Ian wrote
at 06:25:18 on 29 September 2016 |
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| In reply to John Monks, with respect I have lived in Charlestown all my life yet who is I.C. T. I am a volunteer in Charlestown and Lower Kersal yet have had no support or value from I.C.T. I am told they only meet every few months and only support St Sebastian's. If Salford Star has looked into the annual reports and found such appaulling behaviour why should anybody try to justify this practice.
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John Monks wrote
at 20:03:46 on 28 September 2016 |
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| I've read and re - read this article, looked at the comments it generated and I'd like to thank everyone who commented ( it shows you care ) and also to thank the author for trying to highlight what they believe is a problem with the I.C.T organisation.
If something is in the public interest, and could potentially lead to positive change, I'll back you up all the way and I always will.
I have a different viewpoint entirely to the author, and for the sake of offering some much - needed balance to all this, I'll attempt to explain how I see things.
I will be, above all, fair and balanced.
I recently within the last couple of months, moved back to Salford after 20+ years of living in Prestwich / Whitefield. Over the years I have volunteered, or just given my time for free to help various children's charities ( parachute jumps being the most memorable and NOT recommended for the faint of heart )
Like most people reading this, I believe that once I have all the facts, I can form an opinion.
Until I know what I'm talking about, I won't open my mouth, otherwise you look like a fool ( I'm still a bit gobby, but that's me.)
Last month I decided, after looking around, that I would volunteer for I.C.T.
You may ask, out of all the organisations in Salford, why did I choose I.C.T?
Simple. I like helping the hard - working little guy.
Whenever I choose an organisation to help, it doesn't matter how small or large they are, all that matters to me is their intent to try to make a difference to the people that need it and the amount of effort they put into it.
I didn't talk to the managers until later. First I talked to people like you and me, the volunteers, because let's be honest, usually, they are the people on the street actually making the difference. The people on the front line.
They told me how volunteering for I.C.T had changed their life, given them the self - confidence they always wanted and enabled them to feel good about themselves again.
They told me how well -supported they felt, and considering how small I.C.T's budget actually IS,( and believe me, it is, I've seen lots of charities budgets ) they were amazed so much was being done in Lower Kersal and Charlestown.
If YOU live in the area and don't know what's being done by I.C.T...why don't you just ASK? Go on their website, give them a ring?
We all know that a lot of the older generation are set in their ways, and will struggle by themselves in silence, but a lot of the I.C.T programs that are out there ( look them up for yourself - they're really quite good! ) are helping to connect the older generation, to give them the support that they've never had before.
Here's the link if you're interested -
http://inspiringcommunitiestogether.co.uk/index.php?id=what-we-do
I've talked to people that have benefited from the help of I.C.T who call them " angels ".
By all means, question what is happening and where the money is going, ( you always SHOULD ) but NEVER question the intent of people that are trying to make the lives of your parents and grandparents better.
I've typed a lot here and I wanted to keep it short.So here's my point.
This article, while being well - written, HEAVILY skews towards a negative view of I.C.T...it BULLIES an organisation that is TOO SMALL at the moment to defend itself....and I know why.
A good headline gets your attention...and that's it. It has to stand out ( I know editors who work i advertising and the golden rule is - sensational. ) It has to generate interest.
Ask yourself, why does the article not list what the day - to - day workings of I.C.T actually are?
Try reading the article from the point of view of us volunteers who actually KNOW what is happening at I.C.T!
So, it talks about paying wages. Wow. You mean people are actually being PAID for working? OUTRAGEOUS!!
It goes to " managers ". Er...yeah obviously. They are employed!
So are you seriously suggesting that the people that;
1. Plan strategy.
2. Work their GUTS out trying to grow a TINY organisation into something great
3. Day - to day MANAGE a growing organisation -
phone calls, meetings, applications, legalities
4. Work hard ( and they do ) to create ways of making a difference
5. Give their time to it at home - off the clock by the way - just like our great teachers do
They shouldn't be paid? Because no one who is employed should be paid. That's what the article is saying. Ok, now that we know the ground rules...
I take it then that by default, that the investigative journalists at the Salford Star, who spent time researching things they could USE to write such a negative article, WITHOUT actually trying to offer an alternative viewpoint, will now DONATE their wages to a charity publicly?
I VOLUNTEER to take their picture if they do.
That £13.80 given to volunteers by the way - is expenses for things like busfares. The article didn't tell you that...and a lot of OTHER THINGS.
The only reason I've come on here to type that is because I just received text messages from other volunteers who are unhappy that this has been printed, and about how UNFAIR it is.
I.C.T won't comment on this article, because why should they? Everything they do is on record and they hold themselves to account and take pride in what they do.
I've met a couple of the people mentioned in this article, and found them to be honourable people with a very caring nature. They just want to help.
I won't call this irresponsible journalism because that's unfair to the author. I'm sure you meant well. All I would ask in future, that more research is done before going to print. If you don't know WHY something is happening, then ASK.
If you're going to type an article that angers people, also remember that if you pose questions, people want answers. Try including the answers, otherwise it just becomes a witch - hunt.
I.C.T are the little guy who works hard trying to develop into something bigger and better. I won't call this article BULLYING, but you know very well that there are MUCH BIGGER people to go after out there, right here in Salford.
To the readers reading this. Remember, there are ALWAYS 2 sides to anything... don't just believe everything you read in the papers...but DO keep reading the Salford Star online.
We live in a great town, and it's also great to see people commenting. It shows you care.
Thanks.
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wrote
at 19:56:09 on 27 September 2016 |
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| Time for honesty Mr Felse??? Does that mean everything you have said on here up until this point has been false??corona |
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shirley jones wrote
at 14:42:26 on 27 September 2016 |
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| If they are accountable to the local community then surely there must be somewhere the local community can report this to, so that it can be thoroughly investigated? Why was this situation not being monitored on an on going basis? Why has no one in authority questioned why no money was paid out to any group and why volunteers only received £13.80? Who exactly is responsible? Too many unanswered questions. How many more of these schemes exist? Seems everyone benefits but the people they are intended to help. |
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Michael James Felse wrote
at 14:41:59 on 27 September 2016 |
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| Time for honesty. When I moved to Salford 16 years ago I was then a Labour activist. My meetings with leading Salford Labour Councillors told me there was a 30 year plan to rid Salford of what they then called problem families. Hence the £53million into changing communities with similar cash amounts into other wards, such as Ordsall. Half way into the big plan we now find problem families removed plus many traditional homes gone to mask the plan. Next phase is the growth in High Rise new builds bringing in a lot of new people and social housing waiting lists being offered to inward families. In 10 years these will have altered Salford. The final years on plan will rename wards, such as Ordsall that will become Regent Ward and Salford becoming called Manchester. Part of this plan will see location of the Greater Manchester Mayor into Manchester City Centre. This is already on track as there are reports of office space being allocated in Churchgate House on Oxford Road. Be sure the plan is being repeated across the North as part of the Westminster dominated changes for NorthernPowerHouse status. The question to ask is WHY? But I am sure you already know the answer. |
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