Councillor Paul Dowthwaite

Constituency Work

Dealing with constituents’ problems has been the most time-consuming, the most difficult and the most rewarding part of my role as a new councillor. I have dealt with more than 130 issues of varying complexity ranging over planning matters, refuse collection, winter weather problems especially those affecting older people, road safety and traffic matters, anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping, pollution, drainage, footpaths, dog-fouling and landscape. Outcomes have been positive in the majority of cases but some remain to be resolved. After holding surgeries at the George Lawton Hall and at New Charter Offices with very little public interest, I have now taken to doing street surgeries - visiting areas and knocking on doors. Most of my contact with constituents is by telephone and e-mail which I generally follow up with a personal visit.

Community Involvement

I have continued as Secretary of the Friends of Mossley Park and have been heavily involved in events, working parties making funding bids and general organisation. I continue to be involved in the Friends of Mossley Station, a group for which I was the sole founder. I am a member of the Mossley and District Sports Forum, the Twinning Committee and the New Charter Partnership. I am also an active participant in the Mossley and District PACT (Police And Community Together).

Achievements

Below are some of the bigger successes but the many small achievements not mentioned here are just as important especially to the people involved.

• The return to free public use of the parking area on Stockport Road.
• The draining of Castle Lane which had been a long term source of flooding on Huddersfield Road
• Successful submission of the bid, which produced the Feasibility Report enabling the Micklehurst Fair Share monies to be spent as the community wishes and within the timescale allowed. As part of this project the release was secured of Section 106 monies for the improvement of Egmont Street playing fields
• Successful lobbying for the major works in Mossley Park and submission of a successful Lottery bid to add to Council expenditure.
• Installation of new play equipment in the Park and seeing the Park well used and better respected.
• Major input to a new approach to conservation, which will involve community groups and support for the proposals of Mossley's Civic Society in this respect.
• Gaining agreement between police and patrollers of a new protocol, which will allow CCTV footage of miscreants to be shown to teachers for identification purposes.
• Getting the Council and British Waterways to admit their responsibilities regarding the blocked canal towpath at Lockside and getting grudging commitment to act.
• Working with Refuse Collection Service to improve services in Mossley whose difficult terrain presents unique problems.

Participation in Council Meetings

I am a member of the Technical Scrutiny Panel, the Taxi Licensing Panel and occasionally the Liquor Licensing Panel. I am Deputy Chair of the Mossley and NE Stalybridge District Assembly. I am also a member of the Mayoralty Working Party and of a Working Party which is to oversee the Council’s Service Reviews.

Training and Development

I have undergone comprehensive induction training as a new councillor. I have also received subject specific training as part of my role on the Technical Scrutiny Panel and awareness training in Tameside Works First and related economic initiatives.