Participation at Council Panels

I am still the Deputy Chair of the Speakers Panel, which determines all planning issues in Tameside, occasionally standing in for the Chair. To ensure my knowledge is up to date I have represented the Council at occasional Planning seminars and conferences.

In 2007-2008 I was also an active Member of the Services for Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel. I asked to go on this Panel due to the work I now undertake in my role as a Cabinet Secretary. Throughout the year I attended meetings including accompanying Members on fact finding visits.

Participation at District Assemblies

There have been no substantial changes to my role as a Member of the Droylsden District Assembly. My role still covers crime and disorder and I have continued to attend the monthly Community Safety Panel meetings with the Cabinet Deputy responsible along with senior police officers and the Council's community safety team.

I also attend the monthly PACT (Police & Communities Together) meetings. This helps me to see and hear more about the concerns local people have with community policing issues.

I am once more proud to be the Droylsden Member responsible for the successful and popular Droylsden Garden Competition, which I have been leading for eight years and which I have helped to grow stronger and better, adding new and more relevant categories.

 I also attended the Droylsden East Partnership which has been tasked with finding solutions to help reduce crime and anti social behavior. I Chair the youth sub group which has increased youth facilities in Droylsden. Including the "Teen Shelter", which is near the Medlock play area and has proven very popular and successful.

Participation on Outside Bodies

I am a Board Member for "Connexions", which is responsible for helping young people plan for their working future. I have also been elected to the regional executive of the North West Employers group which looks into all Human Resource issues on behalf of North West Councils.

Constituency Work

I have continued to be involved throughout the year in the many activities and groups, which have been established in Droylsden East. I attended numerous meetings, especially of local Homewatch schemes. In the last year I have continued to support the Field Street Homewatch scheme, the Farleys Homewatch, the Moorside Homewatch as well as supporting the more unofficial resident’s gatherings.

I am still involved in the production of our local Ward newsletter, which I regularly deliver across the Ward, along with my fellow Ward Councillors.

Achievements during the year

I have helped people with their problems and served my community to the best of my ability throughout the year.

I organised for the second consecutive year a Christmas party for the elderly residents in the sheltered housing schemes in my Ward. This party, which was held at Droylsden Football Club, was a huge success and I now expect it is an annual event.

I also helped organise a community fun day with the Friends of Copperas Fields which considering the poor weather was a massive success.

Members' Surgeries

The Droylsden East Members hold 2 surgeries per week.

Training and Development

I believe in training and I will attend any training course, which is offered as part on the Member Training and Development Programme