THE future health and quality of Bury’s communities is at stake as a result of austerity measures imposed by Bury Council and in truth by our elected Government.

Services have been decimated and there is apparently more to come.

Yet, as far as the libraries are concerned, I do not believe that our council is really committed to sustaining our communities. Why?

Bury Council has only put forward two of its own options for a future library service and although it has been presented with a third option of putting remaining resources into libraries with a strong community input, it is evident that it is not considering any other options.

This is no proper consultation with the public.

Councillors will say they are asking community groups to come up with a professional business plan and then be prepared as volunteers to run a business with all that entails today.

The council has the wherewithal to cost all sorts of service projects; it should cost any worthy options offered by the public.

Many volunteers are those people who are already doing lots of different volunteer work and often overloaded without taking on extra organisational responsibilities.

As to why Bury Council should be looking at Option 3 presented by Seedfield Tenants & Residents Association, and any other options, here are a few reasons:

• Health and well-being in the North West of the UK has been recognised as very poor.

• Isolation is a serious concern in our communities.

• Alzheimer's and dementia are serious and increasing diseases plaguing our communities.

• Partnerships is a key objective of local councils, and the invaluable achievements of this in running suitable community activities and effective liaison are shown in the Moorside Community Partnership.

• The continuance of such community activities, which depends upon such partnership, will save money in NHS and social care.

• There is no room for wasting public money, and no point in setting up services and then closing them.

• Goodwill and mutual support.

The council should be welcoming good ideas that will strengthen our togetherness and community life.

Let’s have more options in this direction that the council will support.

Tim Boaden

Seedfield Road

Bury