Participation at Council Panels and Committees

I have attended most of the following meetings:

• Full Council meetings
• Executive Board Meetings
• TMBC Monthly Community Safety Panel
• Tameside Adoption Panel
• Labour Group Meetings
• District Assembly Meetings
• District Assembly Community Safety Meetings
• Tameside Housing Partnership Meetings
• Cabinet Deputy Briefings
• Dignity In Care Steering Group meetings
• RIQ Forums & Conferences
• Big Chat Events
• Compact Group
• Audit Panel Meetings
• Health Partnership Board
• Joint Commissioning Executive Board
• Tameside Hospital Foundation Trust
• Overview (Audit) Committee Meetings
• Denton West PACT Meetings
• Denton South Partnership
• Denton South Community Task Group

Any meeting that I was not able to attend was due, in the main, to other work commitments.

Participation at District Assemblies

I have attended all meetings of the Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly during the municipal year and continue to enjoy a good a working relationship with all of the officers and staff working on behalf of the District Assembly at Denton Town Hall.

During the last municipal year I have been the Lead Member responsible for Community Safety and have set up and chaired regular meetings of the District Assembly Community Safety Group.

I have been working closely with the Police, Town Patrollers, Tame Valley Partnership, relevant Housing Associations, Councillors and TMBC Officers and staff on issues throughout the DA area.

Participation on School Governing Bodies

I sit on the governing bodies of the following schools.

• Denton West End Primary School
• Federated Governing Body (FGB) of Two Trees Sports College (TTSC) and Egerton Park Arts College (EPAC)

I was elected Deputy Chair of the FGB and also Chair of the Finance and Personnel sub committee

• Denton Community College, Temporary Governing Body

I continue to act as Deputy Chair of this governing body and also chair the Marketing and Communications sub committee

Constituency Work & Surgeries

In the Denton West Ward there is a very positive approach to providing reasonable and frequent facilities for residents to have access to their elected Councillors.

Surgeries are held every Tuesday evening (with the exception of those weeks when there is a meeting of the Full Council) at the Community Centre on Hulme Road and Saturday morning surgeries are held on the first and last Saturdays of the month at the St George’s Church Hall, Windmill Lane and Denton Town Hall. These surgeries are usually very well attended and are a vital link between Councillors and constituents.

Denton West Councillors organise ‘walkabouts’ within the Ward and invite residents to indicate a requirement to meet us by displaying a notice in the window. I find this exercise to be extremely useful in both affording a facility to residents and allowing us, as Councillors, to note any irregularities that we observe – e.g. pavements/roads in need of repair, grot spots, etc.

During the municipal year I have attended most of the surgeries organised and all of the ‘walkabouts’ organised.

It is the policy and practice of the Denton West Councillors to distribute newsletters and information bulletins on a regular basis to all residents throughout the Ward.

I have attended several site meetings with the Town Manager and other Council Officers and fellow Councillors to discuss problems/issues raised by residents.

I have attended numerous residents meetings, public meetings and community events.

I regularly attend the PACT meetings, which I consider are a vital link between the Police, Councillors and Ward Residents. Since the introduction of Neighbourhood Policing in October 2006 and the PACT meetings, many local issues have been addressed and resolved, to the satisfaction of Residents.

The ‘Friends of Granada Park’ continue to work very hard to access funding for use in transforming the Park. There has been considerable progress during this municipal year and the Group have continued to bid for funding from a variance of sources. The new gates and perimeter fencing is now fully installed and a CCTV camera is located in the Park, linked to the central control room. These measures have had a positive impact and made a difference to enhance the security and integrity of the park. An Adult outdoor gym was installed mid 2009, and is proving very popular with people from all age groups. The Granada Park bowling club has been re-formed and invites younger people to join in, tuition is available.

I have supported residents in their desire to rid their communities of anti social behaviour and associated problems, together with addressing environmental issues.

Together with my fellow Councillors, we have supported many community groups within the Ward by donating ward monies and where possible attending functions. Denton West Ward Councillors have also organised a Christmas event for Senior Citizens in the Ward.

Training and Development Activities Undertaken

I have attended a number of training activities throughout the year relative to the different positions and committees that I serve.

Achievements During the Year

2009–2010 has been my eighth year as an elected councillor and I continue to be extremely busy.

I was re-appointed as a Cabinet Deputy, Personal & Community Services in May 2009, I have found this work to be very interesting and also challenging.

Tameside’s Adult Services have been independently assessed and audited and we are the only Local Authority in the UK to have achieved ‘excellent’ scores across all categories, I will do my utmost to ensure that this level of service is maintained.

The issue of ‘affordable housing’ is high on the Government agenda and Tameside continues to work with RSLs and other agencies to seek to address the growing demand in the Borough.

I continue to gain knowledge of the day to day issues that exist within the Ward and also within Tameside as a whole.

I continue to chair the Denton South Community Safety Task Group, a part of the Denton South Partnership initiative, and consider that important achievements have been made in addressing the many ASB and crime & disorder issues that were prevalent in the area. It is pleasing to note that as a result of the Partnership and Neighbourhood approach, incidents of crime and disorder are considerably reduced.

I have, with varying degrees of success, been able to assist many people and help them to deal with concerns and problems.

I feel that I have been able to compliment and add value to the work and commitment that exists between the Labour Councillors within the Denton West Ward and also within the Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly.

I continue to make new friends.