The beginning of February was very emotional for many people as the 50th Anniversary of the Munich Air crash came around on the 6th February.  As a life-long supporter of Manchester United I remember coming home from school only to hear news of the disaster at 3.04 pm. Everyone who supported a football team was affected. To me it’s the equivalent of Beckham, Scholes, Giggs, the Neville Brothers, and Butt from the 1999 United Team, all being lost at the same time

The 6th February also has very happy memories for Les and me.   It was the day we got engaged, but I must add not the same year as the Air Crash! 

February always gives you something to think about and remember, when the New Year really gets underway.  The weather is improving as daffodils begin to break out, showing that Spring is on its way.  A time to begin spring-cleaning.  At home things may look dowdy, people begin wearing brighter colours after the dark clothes of winter. In my ward, Heatons North, thanks to the dedicated 'Friends of Crocus Corner', and 'Friends of Heaton Moor Park' these two areas are coming back to life after the winter.

On the Council calendar February is budget time.  Last Thursday in the Council Chamber the controlling Liberal-Democrats again put a motion complaining bitterly about the allocation of funding from Central Government to the Borough and GM Police.  Basically it was the same motion for the third time in a year.  Everyone knows Stockport gets a raw deal. It was interesting to listen to Labour members trying desperately to defend the indefensible. I would have thought the way forward for Stockport's benefit would be to identify what could be done with what is available, re-assess priorities so Council Taxpayers benefit, and not be led by the desires and whims of the controlling group, e.g. a budget of £1.2 million for communications, which is simply enabling the Liberal-Democrats to tell you how wonderful they think they are.  Also money in the budget for car leasing for council officers.  Why?  You and I have to pay our own. Before the Liberal-Democrats tell us they've achieved a Four Star rating (but only a three star on the all important “Value For Money” Category), perhaps they should consider that the real judgement must be what the controlling group do for Council Tax payers, very little I'd say. 

As one member of our Group said in Council it's no use shouting about lack of money, concentrate on doing the best possible with what's available.  The only solution to funding is a change of power in Westminster which would result in fair funding.

February is my idea of the perfect time to ‘start as we mean to go on’ so let's make this February one to remember.

Cllr Jackie Jones
Heatons North Ward

This article, by Cllr J Jones, was first published by the Stockport Express 02/2008