Cllr Shahbaz Arif is the Leader of the Conservative Group on Bury Council 

Local government should be about improving people’s lives. Residents expect clean streets, safe roads, reliable public services and a council that listens to their concerns. Yet one of the biggest frustrations I hear across Bury is that council tax continues to rise while residents question whether the services they receive are improving. As Leader of the Conservative Group on Bury Council and a councillor representing Bury West, I believe residents deserve better value for their money, greater accountability and a clear plan for the future.

Council tax is a significant expense for households already dealing with the cost of living. When bills rise year after year, people understandably expect to see improvements in their neighbourhoods. They want potholes repaired, pavements maintained, streets kept clean and their concerns addressed promptly. Residents should not feel that they are paying more while receiving less. Labour, which runs Bury Council, must explain how it is managing public money, setting its priorities and ensuring that taxpayers receive value for every pound spent.

The Council’s financial position is a serious concern. Its published forecasts have highlighted substantial budget pressures, including a projected overspend for 2026/27 and a significant budget gap for 2027/28. These challenges cannot be ignored. Financial pressures affect councils across the country, but that makes careful spending, effective scrutiny and long-term planning more important than ever. Residents deserve transparency about the choices being made and how essential services will be protected. As Conservative group leader, I believe we must challenge wasteful spending wherever it exists, examine whether services are delivering value and insist on a credible plan for financial stability.

Road maintenance and road safety are among the most important issues affecting residents in Bury West. Poor road surfaces, potholes and unsafe crossing points can make everyday journeys difficult and dangerous. These problems particularly concern parents with children, older residents and people with mobility difficulties. Residents should not have to repeatedly raise the same issues before they feel their concerns are being taken seriously.

I spend considerable time working in my ward, listening to residents and pressing the council for practical improvements. One recent example is the campaign for new pedestrian crossings on Ainsworth Road. Following continued pressure to improve road safety, the proposal has now been approved by the Council’s Cabinet. The necessary arrangements have been completed, and work is expected to start shortly. I welcome this decision because safer crossing points can make a meaningful difference to pedestrians and families. However, approval must lead to delivery. I will continue following the project and pressing for the work to begin as expected. This is what local representation should mean: listening to residents, pursuing their concerns and working to turn decisions into visible improvements.

Housing and development are also important to Bury’s future. People need homes, including affordable options for young families and younger generations hoping to remain in the area. However, development must be planned responsibly. Residents are right to ask what large housing developments will mean for traffic, schools, healthcare, public transport and existing neighbourhoods. They also value the countryside and green spaces that contribute to Bury’s character and quality of life.

I believe housing policy must strike the right balance between meeting genuine housing needs and protecting our environment. Where development is proposed, the council must properly consider its impact on existing communities and ensure that infrastructure keeps pace. Roads, schools, healthcare facilities and public transport cannot be afterthoughts. The council should also give serious consideration to opportunities for brownfield regeneration. Residents deserve a planning strategy that considers the long-term interests of the borough rather than focusing solely on the number of homes delivered.

As Leader of the Conservative Group, my responsibility is to scrutinise Labour’s decisions, raise residents’ concerns and offer constructive alternatives. Opposition should not simply mean saying no. Where proposals benefit residents, they should be supported. Where decisions fall short, they must be challenged. Effective scrutiny means asking difficult questions about spending, demanding clear answers and ensuring that the voices of local communities are heard.

My ambition for Bury is straightforward: safer roads, better-maintained neighbourhoods, responsible financial management and public services that meet residents’ needs. I want people to feel that their councillors are accessible, that their concerns matter and that decisions are made with their interests in mind. Trust is built through honesty, persistence and practical results, not promises alone.

Bury has strong communities and enormous potential. Our task is to protect what makes the borough special while addressing the challenges facing residents today. Labour must be held accountable for the decisions it makes, and the Conservative opposition must continue to scrutinise those decisions and press for better outcomes.

Ultimately, a council should be judged by what it delivers for the people who pay for its services. Residents deserve responsible spending, safer neighbourhoods and a council that listens. As councillor for Bury West and Leader of the Conservative Group, I will continue working to make sure their voices are heard and their priorities remain at the centre of local government.