BUSINESS and community leaders in Bury are being invited to have their say on prospects for the new millennium. The Bury Strategic Partnership believes the town has a bright future in Europe - if it cashes in on its advantages and addresses its weaknesses. Draft proposals for the economic development of the borough are set out in a wide-ranging strategy document.

It claims Bury is the fastest-growing metropolitan authority outside London.

The Partnership links public and private sectors through Bury Council, Bolton Bury Training and Enterprise Council, Bolton and Bury Chamber of Commerce and Bury College.

It is chaired by Cllr John Byrne, who said the document was the start of a process which would involve many organisations and individuals in projects which would take advantage of Bury's opportunities. "We hope everyone who is interested in the future of the borough will study and comment on our proposals," he said.

The mission statement is: "To raise levels of competitiveness and investment in Bury's economy to those of benchmark European metropolitan areas in order that all its constituent communities can benefit from sustainable economic growth and an enhanced quality of life."

To achieve this the document says the town must:

Attract new commercial operations.

Become a centre for leading edge industry.

Offer improved employment opportunities, taking advantage of good existing communications and developing information technology.

Expand leisure and tourism activities.

Increase environmental and lifestyle strengths.

Enhance its strong sense of local community.

At the same time, the document points out, Bury must tackle problems of social and economic exclusion and pockets of deprivation and unemployment by ensuring that economic, physical and social regeneration go hand-in-hand.

Further information is available from Strategic Partnership Co-ordinator Karen Harris on 01204 397350.

A similar document is expected to be produced for Bolton in the next two months.

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