Councillor David Sweeton

This last year has been my fifth in the post of Project Head for Sport and Leisure, with special responsibility for Britain In Bloom, Heritage Lottery Bids (for our large parks) and Green Flag and Pennant Scheme submissions.

Sport, Leisure and Wellbeing

Sport within the Borough has always received political backing like no Authority I have come across before. Tameside MBC recognises that sport and its participation whether at competitive or wellbeing levels can have so many benefits to so many people whether directly or indirectly.

I see my role in a very simplistic manner. The facilities we have now and in the future should be to the highest standard and their role objectively defined in our Sports Strategy. Access and signposting to facilities and community clubs should be as robust and innovative as we can possibly make them and community clubs should be understood, nurtured and backed to ensure their sustainability and continued footprint within the Borough.

The recent media attention on the health of our nation reinforces the importance of such initiatives, and the work carried out over the last five years in addressing our priorities has now begun to be recognised in our CPA scores indicating an increased participation rate in all ages right across Tameside.

After finalising the debt servicing model between the Council and the Sports Trust, £7million of investment has now been accessed and Copley, Hyde Leisure and Ashton Pools have opened (to much acclaim from the general public) to compliment the previously refurbished Medlock Centre in Droylsden.

In my view I have done everything possible to provide pivotal foundation block facilities at affordable prices and at a standard to rival any private provider.

This statement is crucial for the journey we need to embark on with the Borough to address massive health issues and inequalities, and my heartfelt thanks go out to all the people who have helped me achieve this goal including the Sports Trust Chairman and senior management team who, like me, have endured many highs and lows throughout this process.

In addition to our multi-purpose key sports hub refurbishments we have also delivered enhanced bespoke facilities at the Longdendale Centre in Hattersley where we have created a gymnastics centre of excellence. Previously operating out of the Etherow Centre in Broadbottom this refurbished facility means that for the first time senior boys and men can be coached due to the building’s increased height.

The Etherow Centre has in turn been fitted out to offer unique state of the art indoor bowling to meet an ever increasing demand from bowlers throughout the Borough.

Britain In Bloom

Once again 2009 was a terrific year for Tameside in the In Bloom competition both regionally and nationally. The environmental enhancements within the Borough provided by individuals, organisations and the Council saw Tameside win the regional city category as well as the ‘cleanest streets’ discretionary award. We were also nominated to represent the North West in the National Competition later this year for the 3rd time. What a magnificent achievement and I have nothing but the highest of praise for all those involved.

Heritage Lottery Bids

Following a lengthy process of design briefs, consultation and visits by key people from the Lottery’s ‘Parks for People’ programme, the 200k Phase 1 monies enabled us to secure the full funding to refurbish Stamford Park.

Following our successful Stage 2 bid we are currently in the process of procuring a contractor to help us deliver all the improvements now agreed for the park.

The first people will see of the development programme will be the refurbished Darnton Road toilets and the complete remodelling of the Children’s Play Area which should be completed by the school summer holidays.

Over the next 24 months the Park will be totally transformed as part of the £5.5million project with facilities including new aviary and depot, state of the art pavilion which will incorporate toilets, café and community rooms, new crazy golf and interactive water/play feature being created.

In addition the much loved dingle will undergo extensive refurbishment to reinstall some of the many historic and unique original features.

Full Council and District Assemblies

To the best of my knowledge over the past twelve months I have attended all Full Council meetings and all of the Dukinfield and Stalybridge District Assemblies. For both the District Assemblies I have taken on the role of community safety and as a result I have attended all of the subsequent meetings organised on a monthly basis. 

As part of my role on the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, I have attended training courses in Leeds to assist in my position.

Constituency Ward Work

This year has seen a significant reduction in alcohol induced nuisance and crime largely due to my opinion to proactive initiatives arising from the PACT meetings.
Although housing developments have largely stopped in the current economic climate, a proposed development on Hill Mount continues to raise its head and cause concern and distress to local residents. I have been extremely pro-active with my ward colleague, keeping people informed and organising public meetings in a bid to ensure inappropriate developments don’t take place.