myPRESTWICH

Residents are being asked for their views concerning the borough’s civic halls - so its time for Prestwich to have their say to save the Longfield Suite!

The consultation process will run for the rest of January and until the end of February.

The council is conducting a review of its civic venues “to make sure they are best placed to enjoy a prosperous future”.

According to a Council statement: No decisions about any of the venues have been made. There are no proposals to close any of them, but the council needs to look at the best way forward for each venue.

A review is being carried out by a Task and Finish Group. As part of this review, the council is keen to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to have their say.

All survey results will be considered as part of the overall review.

The survey will be carried out as follows:
* a paper form for residents and civic hall users to complete. These forms will be available in a wide range of venues, including the civic halls themselves. Staff will also be distributing the forms around the venues and town centres to ensure as wide a distribution as possible.
People will be asked how often they use the halls, for what purpose, and what they would like to see them used for.

* people can also fill in the survey online, at www.bury.gov.uk/howarewedoing

* an email address has been set up for people to put forward their views. This is: civichallsreview@bury.gov.uk

The Task and Finish Group will include a review of any letters, comments and press articles received as part of the consultation process.

The group’s recommendations will be presented to the council’s executive on March 10.

A Bury Council spokesman said: “We appreciate that some residents feel strongly about the borough’s civic venues. This is your chance to have your say and give us your suggestions on the best way forward.”