After a great result this morning for my Under 14 lads against Summerseat (8-1 win!) I rushed home for a bite to eat and then dashed back out to the Swinton Civic Centre for the Mayor’s Garden Party. It was no surprise to struggle for a parking space, as the place was packed out and I managed to catch a couple of live performances and a bit of the dog show before heading off inside for “The Big Ask” – an opportunity for anyone to ask those burning questions to Salford’s leading Councillors.

With Lib Dem leader Councillor Norman Owen away in Bournemouth at the Liberal Democrat Conference, Deputy Lib Dem Leader and Swinton Councillor Steve Cooke took part in his place. Joining him on the panel was Labour Leader Councillor John Merry and Conservative Leader Councillor Karen Garrido.

Proceedings were chaired by Angie Robinson, Chief Executive of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce who did an admirable job – although I think she was the only person in the room who didn’t know who I was! At least that gave the room a good laugh…

I asked two questions, my first being about potholes – and this question kicked off this year’s “Big Ask”. Most people who know me will not be surprised to hear me ask about the dire state of our roads, so I asked the panel what their thoughts were about the terrible state of our highways and footpaths. It was good to at least get Councillor Merry to admit that the roads were in a very bad condition, but his answer that other things take higher priority is not good enough for me. A competent council has a duty to try and give it’s residents a high quality of life – but when that environment is worse than every other surrounding authority, we feel bad about our area. I feel that a Lib Dem controlled council would be able to achieve a good balance between spending on important areas such as adult social care, as well as our roads and pavements. Not surprisingly, we stayed on the subject of roads, highways etc. for a while as other residents queried further and a lively debate ensued.

My second question was about the new primary school currently being built in Langworthy, which will replace three old schools next year. It was recently revealed at the Langworthy Forum that the school was heavily over-subscribed and there would not be enough places for all the pupils in the current catchment area that covers the existing Langworthy Road Primary, Tootal Road Primary and Seedley Primary. I wanted to know what members would say to those parents who cannot send their children to the new school, because we are building a school not big enough?

Surprisingly Councillor Merry claimed this was the first he had heard of this. Doubly surprising, since the new Headteacher (already in post and working from the Langworthy Cornerstone) was already aware of the situation and I am sure she would have reported this fact to Children’s Services. Further, I know this news was no shock to Langworthy Lib Dem Councillor Lynn Drake – so I wonder where the reporting has failed?

Councillor Garrido was shocked to learn that we were building a school that would not be big enough to accommodate the children from the schools it replaces and said she would question who had made the decision. It was good to hear from Councillor Cooke that the Liberal Democrat solution would be to ensure we “do our sums” and accurately calculate pupil numbers. A no-brainer really!

My schools query sparked a lively debate across the panel over a wide range of educational questions, including the problem of Universities also being over-subscribed and the fact that many applicants are turned away due to lack of places. Councillor Cooke pledged that the Liberal Democrats would seek to offer University places to everyone who wanted to go – a really positive step that can only benefit Salford (and the rest of the country!)

Sadly, the hour seemed to tick by very quickly and only a handful of audience members were able to ask their questions, time reduced even further by Conservative Councillor Robin Garrido and Independent Councillor Geoff Ainsworth pitching in with long-winded questions/comments. I may be mistaken, but I thought “The Big Ask” was primarily for residents to ask their questions. Councillors have ample opportunity during full council to ask leaders questions – I hope next year they leave the floor free for more questions from their constituents.