My council duties, activities and commitments continue to form the cornerstone of my community work and involvement. I always seek to discharge my duties to the best of my ability. My duty to my constituents is always at the forefront of my mind, particularly in the solving of individuals' problems, and even though this is not always easy, I find the experience to be a thoroughly rewarding one. As in previous years I have had a large and varied number of meetings to attend, and those I have missed have been because of official duties or illness.

Participation at Council Panels and Committees

• I have participated in Council meetings
• I have chaired the meetings of Hyde District Assembly as well as attending meetings of Longdendale and Hattersley District Assembly
• I have held the position of Music and Choral Attache
• I have been a member of the Speakers' Panel until March
• I am a member of the Services for Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel, and I have participated fully in its business throughout the year
• I have attended Meetings of District Assembly Chairs and Deputies
• I have attended various business Meetings with the Leader of the Council, Deputy Leader, Chief Executive, other officers of the Council, as well as officers of outside agencies
• I am a Board Member of the Hattersley Neighbourhood Partnership
• Since March I have been a member of the Tameside Theatre Working Group as well as being a member of the Local Liaison Sub-Group.

Participation at District Assemblies

• As Chair of Hyde District Assembly, I have had responsibility for the overall running of the Assembly in line with the job description for that position
• I am in regular contact with members of the Advisory Panel as well as with elected members. I have liaised with the Town Manager, his deputy and other DA staff, members holding designated briefs as well as council officers of all ranks, to ensure the efficient functioning of the District Assembly area.
• As Chair, I have on several occasions, represented the District Assembly at outside functions and meetings
• I am also a member of the Longdendale and Hattersley District Assembly with responsibility for Local Liaison .

Participation on Outside Bodies

• I am a trustee of the Hyde War Memorial Trust, and I regularly attend meetings of that body
• I am a Board Member of the Manchester Camerata Orchestra, representing AGMA
• I am the Vice Chair of the Probin Mela Luncheon Club
• Member of the Tameside Racial Equality Council
• I have attended regular PACT meetings in Godley Ward
• Within the Labour party, I am the Godley Ward Secretary, as well as being an ex-officio delegate and Executive Committee member of the Stalybridge and Hyde Constituency Party
• I am a Justice of the Peace in the Tameside Petty Sessional Division, serving in both the Adult and Youth courts

Participation on School Governing Bodies

I am a Foundation Governor at the All Saints Roman Catholic College, Dukinfield, serving on the Finance and Pay Committees.

Constituency Work

• I have participated in the distribution of funds from the Ward Monies Scheme for Godley
• I have taken part in meetings with colleagues and officers in relation to Ward and District Assembly issues
• I have met with local business and residents' group representatives
• I have attended meetings with the police, the patrollers and other agencies regarding specific issues within the Ward and the District Assembly area
• I have dealt with a variety of constituents' problems during the year, liaising where necessary with our Member of Parliament and his staff as well as members in adjacent Wards.

Achievements During the Year

I have continued to enhance the cultural dimension in Hyde during the year, including the provision of further series of Hyde Live lunchtime and evening concerts, including the highly successful and well attended Autumn Brass and Choral Concerts

During this latest year of my tenure of the position of Chair of Hyde District Assembly I am delighted to have been involved with:

• In my additional role of Music and Choral Attache, I have been responsible for the organising of three prestigious Tameside-wide musical events involving the Halle Choir, The Black Dyke Band, and the Manchester Camerata
• The consolidation of recent refurbishment works to Hyde Park
• District Assembly projects throughout the District Assembly Area, including the highly successful additional environmental improvement works to land at Walker Lane and on Lumn Road
• Phase One of the Ken Ward Sport and Leisure Centre in Hattersley is now complete. Consultation has now begun on Phase Two of this development.
• I am pleased that the £200,000,000 regeneration of Hattersley is now underway, with many improvements still to come. E.g. Housing, Sports and Community Facilities.
• The Christmas Lights switch-on celebration
• The Hyde Splendid Weekend including the 'Prom in the Park' at which the Manchester Camerata featured
• More investment in the Hyde Leisure Pool
• The May 2007 unveiling of a statue commemorating the Historic Olympic successes of the Hyde Seal swimmers
• I am pleased that the refurbishment of Hyde Library is now complete, and I am please to note that the Rutherford Art Gallery, which will include space for local artists to display their work is underway and due to be completed this year.
• I have successfully assisted individual constituents in a variety of ways.

Members' Surgeries

• I have held regular Saturday morning surgeries at Hyde Town Hall, and at the Hattersley District Centre where, with colleagues and alone I have dealt with a wide range of constituents' problems and queries. I have endeavoured to make myself available to the public of Hyde at all times

Training and Development

• In order to enhance my skills and effectiveness as a Councillor, I have attended as many Training Sessions as has been possible during the year
• I have also attended Training Sessions and Seminars in connection with my role as a Justice of the Peace