A CRUCIAL meeting to discuss Bury's financial crisis with the Government has been missed because council leaders blundered with their timetable.

They missed the deadline to take an all-party delegation to London to argue Bury's case, say Bury's two MPs.

Alistair Burt and David Sumberg say they contacted local government minister David Curry to arrange a crisis meeting. But he told them it was too late, because Bury had made the request on January 20.

The deadline was on January 3, as the council was told in November in the letter announcing the Government's grant for Bury.

Mr Sumberg, MP for Bury South, said: "I am really disappointed that many of my constituents have been badly let down by this lack of action.

"I shall try my best to repair this loss by speaking in a debate on this matter next week."

Bury North MP Mr Burt admitted that the council had made written representations on time and both he and Mr Sumberg had supported some of the points made.

"But, for a meeting with ministers to be worthwhile, it had to take place before decisions are made on the grant for next year."

Mr Burt added: "We will, however, see Mr Curry ourselves and discuss Bury's position."

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