'Funding fiddle' will be tackled

Bury's two new MPs, Ivan Lewis and David Chaytor, have persuaded government ministers to consider the borough's cash crisis. Mr Lewis, who represents Bury South, managed to secure a private meeting in the House of Commons this week with local government minister Hilary Armstrong.

"We had a full and frank exchange of views on the unfair treatment meted out year after year to Bury," said Mr Lewis.

"I urged Mrs Armstrong to review her department's assessment of Bury's spending needs, tackle the funding fiddle which favours Westminster, and reconsider the level of the Government's revenue support grant."

Mr Lewis presented Mrs Armstrong with documents outlining how little Bury has to spend compared with other authorities.

"While welcoming the increased funding to be provided next year for our schools, I pointed out that this could mean £9 million cuts have to be found from other services."

Mr Lewis said the minister acknowledged Bury's difficulties and expected some changes next year in the way money was dished out.

But she made it clear that "years of Tory unfairness" could not be put right overnight.

"I am confident that Mrs Armstrong understands the strength of Bury's case for a fair deal," said Mr Lewis.

"It is significant that she agreed to meet me prior to the Parliamentary recess when many other MPs have been unable to secure a meeting."

Mr Lewis, along with his Bury North counterpart David Chaytor, is also to meet Stephen Byers, the minister for school standards.

Mr Byers has agreed to attend a council-organised School Improvement Conference in Bury in October.

It is hoped he will meet a delegation of teachers, governors and officers.

"We are delighted Mr Byers has accepted our invitation as we believe Bury's family of schools provides a model of good practice consistent with the Government's national crusade to raise standards," said Mr Lewis.

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