CONSERVATIVE Cllr Jackie Harris has been appointed as chairman of Bury West Township Forum.

The appointment was confirmed after a vote at the forum’s latest meeting at the Elton Centre in Alston Street, Elton, last Thursday evening.

Cllr Harris’s Tory colleague, Cllr Sue Nuttall, was appointed deputy chairman.

The previous chairman was another Conservative, Cllr Michael Hankey.

Police officers attended the meeting and the forum welcomed Bury North’s new inspector, Dave Ryecroft, who is a former inspector of Prestwich.

Insp Ryecroft said: “It is wonderful to be back in Bury and I’m looking forward to working with people here.”

Officers warned residents that there had been an increase in the number of reported burglaries in recent weeks and urged people to close windows and lock doors.

Police also gave advice to residents of Foulds Avenue, Elton Vale, who were concerned about children playing football for long periods outside their homes.

Forum members considered a report on the performance of the forum last year.

It said that an average of eight people attended the six forum meetings held in the past 12 months.

Cllr Roy Walker said that, while attendance is traditionally low, the forum was useful when big issues crop up.

“In the past, we have had 60 or 70 people turning up to discuss single issues and we can often ask people to attend from groups that can answer key questions,” he added.

Another £8,000 is available to local groups to pay for projects in the Bury West area in the next 12 months and organisations can apply for up to £500 each.

Since April, there have been applications from All Saints Amateur Operatic Society, based in Elton, to help the cast and crew put on future shows and from Fusiliers Court Residents Association, which wants to organise activities for older residents.

Both were awarded £500.

Visit bury.gov.uk/townshipforums-funding to find out how to apply for the cash.