As a newly elected Councillor in 2007 my priorities have been to provide a quality service to my constituents, build working relationships in the Town Hall, and pursue a number of projects I want to see developed in Tameside.

District Assembly

As the Deputy Chair of the DA I have worked closely with my colleague Councillor Sean Parker-Perry on initiatives in Hattersley, Broadbottom, Mottram and Hollingworth.

We have continued to develop our parks and other parts of the public realm, supported local community groups, and begun the refurbishment of our local recycling centres. The first and most significant of these will be a new facility at Broadbottom Station to replace the existing site.

In the summer we undertook a major initiative to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. We funded a specific policing operation to cover the summer holidays and bonfire night, traditionally a difficult period. This was the first initiative of its kind and from the early feedback it appears to have been a major success. We will be looking to continue and develop this project in the coming years.

Longdendale Bypass

In line with the commitments I gave at the time of my election I have given my full support to the progression of the Mottram-Hollingworth-Tintwistle Bypass, working alongside local community groups such as the Longdendale Siege Committee.

Like all local residents I am disappointed with the delays to the Public Inquiry and am eager to see the Inquiry resumed later this year.

Friends of Broadbottom Station

I have continued my pre-election commitment to the Friends of Broadbottom Station group who have gone from strength to strength. The group not only campaigns to improve the station environment but also contributes considerably to the life of the local community with its many events and links with local schools.

Regeneration of Hattersley

Alongside my colleagues who also represent Longdendale and Hyde Godley I have continued to take a close interest and overview in the ongoing regeneration of Hattersley. I believe our programme of investment and renewal to be one of the finest examples of its kind in the UK and much credit must go to the work of our officers in the Housing and Community Regeneration Team, and the work of the Hattersley Neighbourhood Partnership (HNP).

Trip to Moclin and Montefrio

At the request of the local twinning committee in Broadbottom I undertook a self-financed trip to Moclin in Spain in January this year. We are now developing a partnership with the these two Spanish towns which will hopefully see schoolchildren from Longdendale Community Language College pay a visit to the area in the 2008/09 academic term.

Services for Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel

As a member of this Scrutiny Panel I have played a role in investigations into teenage pregnancy and the academic and value-added results of our secondary schools this year. We have also begun to look into post-16 provision in the Borough.

School Governor Commitments

I continue to serve as a school governor at both Hollingworth Primary School and Longdendale Community Language College.

Member Development Programme and Training Opportunities

As a new Member I have been asked to contribute to the member development programme to help provide a more comprehensive induction package to new Councillors. It is my belief that, in light of the Councillor’s Commission recent report, we have an even stronger duty to develop a system of Member support which allows as wide and diverse a group of people to stand for election as possible.

I have also enjoyed undertaking a place at the Leadership Centre’s ‘Next Generation’ training programme with Members from other Local Authorities.

Civic Engagements

I represented the Civic Mayor at the Broadbottom Remembrance Sunday parade and laid the wreath of remembrance on his behalf.