Bolton Scene 1 BolThe council newspaper for theton Bolton family www.bolton.gov.uk Scene Issue 144 March 2018 Amazon jobs flow in THE building of Amazon’s new fulfilment centre in Bolton is in full swing. When the site opens later this year, it will begin recruitment for 1,200 new full time permanent jobs. The internet giant is the latest company to come on board at Logistics North. The distribu- tion and manufacturing site off the M61 has attracted sever- al big names, such as Aldi, to open new sites there. Recruitment for the range of roles has already begun and people interested in poten- tial opportunities should visit www.myamazonjob.com/op- portunities. T h e n e w c e n t r e j o i n s Amazon’s 16 fulfilment centres across the UK. JOBS BOOST: Pictured taking a look around the development of the new facility is Paul Ashraf who has been appointed as General Manager at the site Vision for town “Let’s talk Bolton up” Cllr Thomas was ap- generation and im- Bolton is planning ahead with the council working with “I’M really privi- leged to be tak- pointed Leader of the proving our town businesses, voluntary groups, other public sector organ- ing on this role to Council at a special centres for the fu- isations, and other groups through the Bolton Vision Part- champion our bor- meeting of the Full ture nership. They’re all working together to improve the bor- ough and our peo- Council last month • Narrowing the gap and outlined the two between the most ough by 2030. In this edition of Bolton Scene we speak to ple,” said Council- most important areas: vulnerable residents the new Council Leader, Cllr Linda Thomas, and new Chief lor Thomas. • Driving forward re- and the better off Executive, Tony Oakman, about the future. continued on page 3 2 Bolton Scene What does the council Every day your council runs hundreds of different services at a cost of: do for me? • £6.52 per person per day • £1.56 from Council Tax • £1.69 from Business Rates • £3.21 Government grant We empty approx. 53,200 bins per working day. During 2016/17 we collected We receive 5 complaints for Trading Standards to investigate every day 328.5 tonnes of recycling per day and 410.9 tonnes of general waste every day We issue 9 licences every day such as taxi driver applications and street trading 1564 books are borrowed every day from our libraries 3254 people visit one of our leisure centres every day There are 3555 visitors to our libraries and museums every day 317 miles are covered every time we do a full route grit We carry out 3 requests Around 5 older people receive a for pollution inspections visit every day to plan with them how every day they can live independently in their own homes and around 44 children and young 3 food hygiene inspections people receive advice about social are carried out every day care every day We help 48 people We register 36 births, with advice about civil marriages and deaths housing every day every day ...and much more! To find out what else the council does for you visit www.bolton.gov.uk Bolton Scene 3 Vision for town... She said: “To improve prosperity in the borough is heading and because of the peo- borough we’ve secured £100m to drive for- ple. People make places. Everywhere I’ve ward the changes that residents want to been everyone has been very welcoming, see in Bolton town centre. everyone has been very positive, people “It’s also about restoring the vibrancy of want to make you listen to what they want our other town centres, such as Farnworth, to see happen. which is a top priority for me.” “That’s not to say that there are not things The council announced last year it will that we need to improve, or that we can build borrow £100m to kick-start different de- on. velopment schemes as part of a £1 billion “But negativity gets us nowhere. We can masterplan to regenerate Bolton town cen- all talk about what’s not right. But actually tre. The ambitious redevelopment propos- the brave people are those that stand up for als aim to transform the centre. the things that need to happen, stand up for Areas for development will include the things that need to change, and impor- Church Wharf, and Trinity Street – where tantly talk help shape and improve things. a new hotel, office block and a multi-storey “I want to work with you as Chief Execu- car park could be built. tive of this council to shape, to inform and to work in partnership. As a council we can’t Strengths do it on our own, but by listening, by under- standing, by sometimes agreeing or disa- The new chief executive of Bolton Coun- greeing, we come to an agreement about cil, Tony Oakman, said he was delighted to what our key policies are and what we need be working in Bolton. to do.” “Bolton was a place I wanted to come to Councillor Thomas added: “Some of you and I already feel like part of the Bolton have asked how can we deliver with less and family. It is the people in this town that innovate in the face of austerity. Narrowing make it such a special place and we need to gap underpins everything we do and it’s be positive about the borough’s strengths.” what I’m personally been committed to my At the recent Vision Conference, Tony whole life. spoke of the need to mobilise the borough “We’re pushing forward our anti-poverty in celebrating its strengths and rising to support offer, the most generous in Greater the challenges, by working together. Manchester. So far we have secured more “This is a place I wanted to come and than £2 million to help our most vulnerable work in, because of the vision, where the residents who are really struggling.” NEW VISION: Pictured at the Vision Conference are (from left) Dave Singleton, Chair of Bolton Vision; Councillor Linda Thomas, Leader of the Council and Tony Oakman, Chief Executive of Bolton Council Young people are future BOLTON’S young people are at the heart of the bor- people had to play in the strategy for Bolton 2030 and pre- ough’s vision for the future. sented a video with their hopes for the future of the town. Youth MPs Jonathan Wright and Jaya Patel addressed hundreds of leaders from the business, education, health, Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Linda Thomas, said: “The voluntary and community sectors at the 20th Bolton Vi- youth council is a great example to their community and sion Conference. the energy and ideas they brought to the day was just fan- Jonathan and Jaya reflected on the success of the first tastic.” Youth Vision Conference last October The day also featured a performance from the Youth They also talked about the important role that young Council. YOUTH VOICE: Jonathan Wright and Jaya Patel speaking at the conference Church Wharf Work starts to new Multi-storey plans plans next steps Farnworth bus station move forward PLANS for the multi-million redevelopment of Church DEVELOPMENT PLAN: The river Croal could become a major feature TRINITY GATEWAY: The new scheme could be similiar to one in Stockport WORK has started to the street lighting; cycle park- PLANS for the multi-mil- The plans see the area new bus station for Farn- ing; improved passenger PROPOSALS to build a Plans for a multi-storey lion redevelopment of having a mixed type of worth. information and wayfinding multi-storey car park near car park, hotel and offices Church Wharf have taken a housing, some officer and The existing bus station signage. the new Bolton transport are being put forward in step forward. commercial development, on King Street has closed Passengers should check interchange have taken an- their place. Local businesses and the and opening up the River while the development www.tfgm.com for details of other step forward. The new car park is ex- public have commented Croal as green space and takes place. bus stop locations and bus The former Wayne Walk- pected to be one of the first about a document which is an attraction. The new facility will in- route changes. er meat store and Motor- projects in the £1 billion to be used to redevelop the clude improved bus shel- It is expected to open in cycle Mega Store are being regeneration of the town area. ters and seating; CCTV; summer 2018. demolished. centre. 4 Bolton Scene Meet your councillors... Astley Bridge Farnworth Horwich and Blackrod Rumworth Hilary Fairclough Jean Gillies Alan Bury 01204 332238 Dr Ebrahim Adia 01204 336343 or 07814378406 01204 332131 [email protected] 01204 332371 [email protected] [email protected] Surgeries: Mon 19 Mar, 7.30-9.30pm at [email protected] Blackrod Community Centre, Greenbarn Con Lab Lab Please contact for details Way Lab Surgeries: John Walsh Vacant Ann Cunliffe 01204 332375 Ismail Ibrahim 01204 332216, 840118, [email protected] 01204 337636 07836 363635 Surgeries: Sat 14 Apr, 10-11am at [email protected] Blackrod Library. For issues in Horwich Con [email protected] Lab Please contact for details Lab Surgeries: please contact me for an appointment Paul Wild Noel Spencer Stephen Pickup 01204 337078 Shamim Abdullah 01204 591824 or 331957 01204 793800 or 336833 [email protected] 07392 108236 [email protected] [email protected] Surgeries: Sat 7 Apr, 9.30-10.30am at [email protected] Con Lab Horwich Library and Sat 14 Apr, 10-11am Sat 7 April, 10am to noon at High St Lab Surgeries: at Blackrod Library Lab Library, by appointment.