Councillor Claire Francis

Participation at Council Meetings and Panels

Services for Children and Young People Services Scrutiny Panel, Deputy Chair – I have attended all but one meetings. This Panel also requires research and visits to other areas when scrutinising the various subjects. I have been pleased to be part of such a far-reaching panel.

We have been looking into Children’s Centres and Extended Schools which proved to be an extremely interesting review assessing and evaluating what these facilities offer, how they can be improved and also comparing them with other Boroughs.

The Panel has also looked into alcohol and substance misuse amongst young people and the services that are available. This was a particularly interesting review not least the presentation by the Youth Service and the visits to the ‘Branching Out’ service in Ashton which acts as an early intervention service for young people.

Liquor Licensing – I have attended every panel that I have been invited to sit on and have very much enjoyed fulfilling the role

Full Council – I have attended all meetings.

Participation at District Assemblies

Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly – I have attended all of these. I feel a lot closer to the community in this role and enjoy working with the Denton and Audenshaw Members and Officers. Haughton Green Playing Fields are another success story, people of all ages are now using the facilities there. The playing fields attained a Green Pennant for the fourth year running and also won a Green Flag in 2010, the first in the country to win both.

Participation on Outside Bodies and Partnerships

• Denton and Audenshaw Carnival Committee (Member)
• Police and Communities Together (PACT)
• Denton South Partnership and all related task groups
• Yew Tree Community Centre (committee member)

Participation on School Governing Bodies

• Corrie Primary and Nursery School
• Until July 2010 I was a member of the federated governing body of Two Trees Community High School and Egerton Park Arts College when it ceased to exist

Constituency Work

The Denton South Partnership is having a wholly positive impact in the Ward as a whole. Working with all the agencies such as Primary Care Trust, Regeneration Team, TMBC, Police, New Charter Housing Trust, Irwell Valley Housing Association, Regenda Housing, District Assembly Environment Team, my own Ward colleagues, Children’s Services, and local residents.

I have regular meetings with the Police, local residents, the social landlords and officers of the Council that are based in Denton South in order to help resolve resident’s issues.

Members Advice Surgeries

I have surgeries at Haughton Green Library on Saturday mornings, the Young People’s Centre on Monday evenings, and the Yew Tree Community Centre the last Saturday of the month. These surgeries are held in rotation with my Ward colleagues and are advertised in the local newspapers and on Tameside’s website.

Training and Development

I have attended as many training sessions as I possibly could.

Achievements During the Year

I am delighted to have been a part of the progression with regeneration in Denton South and the development of community groups.

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

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 in the Denton South ward and also within the Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly.

Any Other Comments

I have very much enjoyed this, my first year as a Councillor, in particular working so many fantastic people within the Ward, whether they are residents, community groups, volunteers, officers, the Policing team and of course my ward colleague Councillor Margaret Downs. I am sure I will have an equally good working relationship with Denton South’s new Councillor Mike Fowler.