Councillor John Kelly

Despite the fallow year (no local elections in 2009) I have been very busy with my colleague Dr Paul Buckley in Ashton Hurst and Ashton St Michael’s. We have delivered millions (and by millions I mean 1000’s) of leaflets, and we have spoken to many residents about their concerns.

The usual suspects appear again - bins not being emptied and of course concerns over the way speed bumps are breeding. I think the whole issue of traffic calming needs to be re-thought. Are we doing more harm than good?

I have maintained my 100% record at Full Council meetings another year which means I have succeeded in 100% attendance for my first term as a Councillor. For other panels I have almost attained 100%. Alas no-one is immune to the lurgi.

I have completed two years as Deputy of the Technical, Economic and Environmental Services Scrutiny Panel and have succeeded in pushing the Working Differently programme forward. I have also been on the Energy Panel, now renamed the Carbon Reduction Forum, and hope to continue with my work here, not least because I have an avid interest in the state of the planet. Briefly my main concern is the use of finite resources. Oil, gas and for some countries even water is under threat.

I am a member of Ashton District Assembly; I have voiced my concerns to fellow Councillors that the DAs have only perhaps a dozen people attending and we need to address this issue.

Lastly I have seen many constituents with a host of different and sometimes surprising issues. I will continue to assist as best I can.