Councillor Walter Downs

Participation at Council Meetings and Panels

• During the course of the year I have attended most of the Full Council meetings
• I am Deputy Chair of Personal and Health Services Scrutiny Panel
• I am a Member of Resources and Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel
• I have attended the majority of both these Scrutiny Panel meetings
• I am on the Member Development Forum

Participation at District Assemblies

• I am a Member of Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly
• I am a Member of the Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly Financial Sub-committee
• I have attended most of these meetings
• I am a representative for the Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly Local Transport Group Committee
• I attended meetings of the Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly Safety Group

Participation on Outside Bodies and Partnerships

• I am a Member of the Joint Mental Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee for Pennine Care NHS Trust
• I am Treasurer of Denton and Reddish Constituency Labour Party
• I am Treasurer of Haughton Green Community Forum
• I am Treasurer of Haughton Green Centre
• I am on the Haughton Green Centre Management Committee and attend regular meeting with the PCT who are the owners of the building
• I am Deputy Chair of Denton Town Twinning Committee (with Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France)
• I am on the Committee of Friends of Haughton Green Playing Fields
• I have attended the majority of meetings of Denton South Partnership and associated Sub-committees of the Environmental Task Group and Community Safety Task Group

Constituency Work

• I have attended most Denton South PACT meetings
• I have attended most Denton South Irwell Valley Housing Association officers/residents estate meetings
• I have attended Denton South New Charter Housing Trust residents and public meetings
• I have attended and assisted at various gatherings and social events within the constituency at sheltered housing units, Haughton Green Centre events and Haughton Green Playing Fields fun day
• I have assisted with leafleting/newsletters in Denton South and other Wards

Members Advice Surgeries

I hold surgeries, in rotation with my two Ward colleagues, at Haughton Green Library or Yew Tree Community Centre on Saturday mornings and Haughton Green Young Peoples Centre on Monday evenings.

Training and Development

I have attended many training sessions offered by TMBC throughout the year.

Achievements during the Year

I believe that I have helped, with other partners, to make Denton South a better, safer and more attractive place to live in. I have a good working relationship with officers of the Council, Police, Housing Association Officers and various volunteer groups. I helped to some extent with Haughton Green Playing Fields to win a Green Flag and also another Green Pennant. I assist with the administration of Haughton Green Forum/Haughton Green Centre which is going from strength to strength with its various services. I am happy with my performance when I have chaired the Personal and Health Services Scrutiny Panel during the regular Chair’s absence.

Any other comments

When I won the By-election of Denton South Ward after the sad death of the sitting Councillor, Arthur Grundy, I said I would serve for four years. I have achieved that goal and I am very happy to now stand down and let a younger more vigorous person in the shape of Claire Francis take over the reins. I wish her every goodwill and success in the 2010 local Elections and shall also continue to support her and work within the constituency for the Labour Party.