Councillor John S Bell

Once again my colleagues in the Conservative Group elected me as Leader.

As Leader of the Opposition a great deal of my time has been spent ensuring that the Conservative Group are a responsible and credible opposition on the Council holding the Controlling Group to account for their activities for better or worse.

Together with this role I am an elected representative on the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority where along with the Liberal Democrats my Party hold the balance of power. To enable the smooth running of this important emergency service, the Conservative Group formed an agreement with the Liberal Democrat Group to control the affairs of the Authority, and I am currently the Vice Chair of the Authority.

Together with these two important roles, I am a qualified Peer Councillor for the Local Government organisation, the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA).

This enables me to carry out, if selected, inspections of other Local Authorities and share best practice.

During the year I have served as Deputy Chair of North West Employers Organisation who provides advice, support and consultancy services to constituent Local Authorities in the area of human resources, management practice, learning and development, organisation and political structures.

In June I was appointed to the Local Government Association as a Policy Board Member serving on the national committee of the Fire Service in England, the Fire Services Management Committee. I also serve the Conservative Party in Greater Manchester as Chairman of the Greater Manchester Conservative Leaders Group.

I have attended regular advice surgeries throughout the year, and had an expanding casebook helping people with their problems.

Together with my Ward colleagues, I have attended monthly meetings with the Police, Police Community Support Officers, and neighbourhood Patrollers to deal with community safety problems.