Ashton-Under-Lyne Audenshaw Denton Droylsden Dukinfield Hyde Longdendale Mossley Stalybridge

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There's an extra incentive this year to ensure Tameside voters have the X-factor at the ballot box.

If you register to vote by November 5th, you will be entered into a free prize draw and could win £300.

Electoral registration forms are being delivered across the borough this week and Tameside Council has made it easier than ever before for residents to confirm their details and secure their right to vote. If the details on your form are correct you can enter the draw to win £300 immediately by simply texting (SMS), going online  or by using the council’s freephone service. If you need to amend your details you need to send back as soon as possible to secure your place in the draw.

Everyone needs to re-register every year and failing to act will not only affect your right to vote, it may also impact on your ability to obtain credit. All major credit reference agencies, mobile phone companies, banks and other financial lending organisations now check the electoral register before granting credit.

Tameside Council’s Chair of the Democratic Processes Working Group Cllr Ged Cooney said: “I’d really encourage everyone to act quickly to ensure their details are on the register so they do not lose their ability to vote on important issues that affect them. It’s easier than ever to register and you could be in line to win £300.

“Tameside Council is helping to lead the way nationally in finding more efficient, environmentally and customer friendly ways to carry out the canvass; we are still one of only a few councils in the country to enable our residents to register by text messaging - electronic methods such as this save time and tax payers’ money as well as being better for the environment. This year using an electronic method will guarantee your chance in to win £300 in the prize draw.”

Residents are required, by law, to respond to the canvass form in all cases even where the information held by the council on you is already correct. Under recent changes to the law to make voting more secure from fraud, residents have to register every year; otherwise they will be removed from the register.

Using the automated registration service means that all of a household’s details (where correct) can be confirmed in less than a minute, saving time and postage costs for the council and the taxpayer.

For more information contact your local registration office on 0161 342 3036 or visit www.tameside.gov.uk/elections or www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

Tameside’s Heroes

Tameside Council recognised the bravery of 18 local heroes at a dinner at Dukinfield Town Hall on July 16.

The guests of honour were the new Chief Executive, Steven Pleasant, and Supt Catherine McKay.

The winners were:

Amanda and Paul Burrows

Nominated by PC Tony Lawton (Stalybridge South Neighbourhood Police Team). They have helped the police and other agencies deal with and reduce anti-social behaviour

Kaine Clarke

Nominated by PC Ian Buckley (Denton West NPT), Kaine attends Egerton Park Arts College, Denton, where he sits on the school council. He has helped to write and film a play about knife crime and has provided a disco for the newly formed Club M34.

Thomas Delaney

Nominated by Insp Andy Aston (Ashton CID). Last September Thomas saved the life of a man who had been stabbed and then waited with the victim until an ambulance arrived. Thomas later attended as a witness at court where one of the offenders received a seven-year sentence.

Graham Halliwell

Nominated by PC Garry Titterington (Droylsden East NPT). In spite of health problems, Graham works tirelessly to make his neighbourhood safer. He was instrumental in setting up Farley’s Home Watch.

David Howarth

Nominated by PC Ian Rowley (Denton South NPT). He has been a key member of the Friends of the Haughton Green Playing Fields, is chair of a community centre in Haughton Green and has attempted to engage young people.

Christine Maher

Nominated by PC Mike Devine (Stalybridge North NPT). Christine has given witness statements which have led to the charging of two men for burglary. She has allowed the installation of CCTV in her home to monitor anti-social behaviour.

Agnes Mullen

Nominated by Insp Andy Aston (Ashton CID). Last year, an armed robbery took place at a mini-market in Denton. The robber climbed into Agnes’s back garden where she confronted him and suffered minor injuries. The man escaped but Agnes called the police and later identified him.

Ann Pearson

Nominated by PCSO Kimberley Burgess (Denton South NPT). Ann has played a vital part in the development of WDF, a residents’ group in Haughton Green.

David Buckley, Maurice Chadwick, Isobel Macfarlane, Lynne Perry, Anne Roberts, Nina Shurawell, Clare Smith and Patricia Williams.

Nominated by PC Richard Willock (Mossley NPT). This group stood up to a girl who caused major problems in Mossley. Thanks to their attendance at court the defendant received an ASBO.

Probation stars shine brightly at awards

Tameside shone brightly at the Probation Stars ceremony, with 17 of the borough’s Greater Manchester Probation Trust (GMPT)  employees winning 29 awards.

The event, which was held in Standish, near Wigan, was attended by 220 people, including GMPT’s chief executive, John Crawforth, and Hilary Tucker, chair of the trust’s board.

Probation Stars recognises excellence in a variety of categories, from those who show individual aptitude to high-performing teams and academic achievers.

Two Tameside employees, offender manager Melvyn Hackney and business and performance officer Claire Dean, were highly commended.

District manager Carolyn Smith also collected two awards. She said: “I am pleased that the hard work and commitment shown by probation staff on a daily basis to reduce reoffending and protect members of the community has been recognised and acknowledged.”

Tameside’s unpaid work concentrator team - offender managers who work closely with community payback staff to ensure offenders complete their orders - won a high performance team award for their pioneering work.

The operational policing unit received an award for partnership work after being nominated by senior probation officer Kevin Bulman. Det Chief Insp Denise Worth and Sgt Nick Helme collected the certificate.

Mr Bulman added: “As well as information sharing, the OPU helps to develop and implement risk-management plans so that the people of Tameside are better protected.”

Bridge draws crowds

Scores of people took up the invitation to visit the Operation Bridge open night held at the Fairfield Moravian Settlement, Droylsden, in August.

They were able to visit a variety of stands, had the chance to chat with Droylsden East ward councillors Susan Quinn and Jim Middleton, and got free refreshments and goodies into the bargain.

The police, community support officers and patrollers were very much in evidence, and there were details of the Community Payback Scheme under which offenders are made to do work which benefits the environment, and community engagement days through which the public can learn how the magistrate’s courts work.

But the evening did not focus solely on crime. People were able to learn about Tameside Trading Standards’ Buy With Confidence scheme and the services offered by Tameside Older People’s Partnership.

Sure Start staff explained how their children’s centres work with families, New Charter  and Partners and Communities Together (PACT) were present, and the hosts, Fairfield Moravian Church, had a stand.

Cllr John Taylor, Executive Member for community safety, said: “We were all very pleased with the turn-out and I’m sure it was very useful for the people living in Droylsden East.

“It was important that local residents attended so they could find out about the work that is being done in their area on their behalf. The Buy With Confidence scheme has been running for several months now and is highly successful, with more and more residents using it all the time. The Sure Start and Tameside Older People’s Partnership staff highlighted the range of services on offer, services that demonstrate we have the ability to care for our residents from the cradle to the grave.”

District Assemblies

Find out what’s happening in your local District Assembly area.

It is our intention to feature two of the District Assemblies in each edition of the Tameside Citizen over the next 12 months. This month, Dukinfield and Mossley and NE Stalybridge Assemblies.

Zero Tolerance to Graffiti

Tameside District Assemblies have announced a zero tolerance to graffiti as it begins a campaign to remove it from around the borough. The service will also be working in partnership with the probation service with participants of the Community Pay Back Scheme repainting subways/walkways which are regular problem areas.

Dukinfield

Dukinfield Park: The renovation of Dukinfield Park has taken a big step forward with the restoration of the park’s historic Victorian-era staircase.

The completion of the £250,000 project to renovate and repair the 108-year-old staircase that had stood almost untouched since the park opened in 1902 was celebrated by Cllrs John Taylor, Brian Wild, Jackie Lane, Eileen Shorrock, the Mayor John Sullivan; and Denton and Reddish MP Andrew Gwynne.

The steps are the first, and centrepiece move, in a range of planned repairs and additions to the park that includes improvements to paths, drainage and sporting facilities.

Senior Citizens' Party: Dukinfield District Assembly held its annual senior citizens' party at Dukinfield Town Hall on July 7. Everyone enjoyed a fun packed evening organised by the local councillors and volunteers which included potatoe pie, entertainment provided by local artistes, bingo and prize draw.

Viscount Mackintosh: There was a sweet homecoming for the family of one of Dukinfield’s most famous sons. Clive Mackintosh, 3rd Viscount Mackintosh of Halifax, is the great-grandson of John Mackintosh, founder of the world famous confectionery company that was later part of Rowntree Mackintosh, who was born in Dukinfield in 1868.

Mossley and NE Stalybridge

Mossley Park: A £133,000 investment in new play equipment at Mossley Park was showcased back in May at a Picnic in the Park event attended by more than 1000 people. Activities such as music and circus skills were central to the event and helped to make the day a success.

A further £400,000 of improvements to the park are planned – which could include mosaic paths, a performance area, play and sport facilities and space for wildlife and wildflower conservation. 

 Calendar of District Assembly Meetings 2009/10

District Assemblies are working hard on your behalf, visit www.tameside.gov.uk/districtassembly to learn more about them and what they do. 

Benefit cheat pays heavy price

A man from Stalybridge who was sentenced to three months in prison last year for benefit fraud has now been ordered to pay back almost £200,000 following further investigations by Tameside Council.

Christopher Barcroft, of Huddersfield Road Stalybridge, originally pleaded guilty to 13 charges relating to fraudulent benefit claims between 1994 and 2004 for which he was jailed in July 2008. During this period he had claimed around £32,000 housing and Council Tax benefit from the council.

It was only following further investigation, that it was discovered Barcroft had amassed investments and capital in excess of £750,000. It was this that prompted the council to begin confiscation proceedings against him.

Initially the council sought an order restraining Mr Barcroft’s assets while the financial investigation was ongoing. This had the effect of preventing Mr Barcroft from using any of his money throughout the investigation period other than the amount which had been allocated to him.

In a case such as this, once a defendant has been convicted of the crime, the law places a burden on them to prove that any assets they possess have been acquired legitimately.

The barrister representing the council told the crown court that following the financial inquiry Barcroft had been found to have assets of £794,342.96 and that Barcroft was able to demonstrate that all but £120,000 of his assets were acquired legitimately so an agreement had been reached between the parties.

His Honour Judge Khokhar ordered that the amount of criminal benefit that Mr Barcroft received was £120,000 and this amount in full would be confiscated from him. In addition Mr Barcroft would pay the prosecution compensation in the sum of £39,662.24 and the prosecution costs of £23,001.37.

The total amount that Mr Barcroft will have to surrender as a result of his crime is £182,663.61.

Like a breath of fresh air!

It’s not just children who get to play at Granada Park in Denton.

Now parents and grandparents have their own suite of outdoor gym equipment to keep them active while the youngsters enjoy the adjacent newly refurbished playground.

Friends of Granada Park , supported by Denton ward councillors, successfully bid for £15,000 funding for the project from Tameside Council’s Opening Doors for Older People initiative.

The gym includes a selection of state-of-the-art, all-weather strengthening, cardiovascular and therapeutic training equipment.

It has been designed to give older people more opportunities to get active while enhancing the all round appeal of the park, which recently underwent a £100,000 refurbishment to its children’s playground. The new features included a giant dragon’s head – the only one of its type in the country.

Executive Member for personal and community services, Cllr Brenda Warrington, said: “We have just spent thousands of pounds providing new play equipment for children and young people in the park, so this is a great opportunity to offer something specifically for all their mums, dads and grandparents. Older people spend hours at the park with their little ones – they should have opportunities to get active also.”

Safer than ever

Tameside’s roads are at their safest since records began in 1983.

For the first time, the number of personal injury collisions has fallen below 500 and the provisional total for 2008 (490) represents a reduction of 53 on 2007 - almost half of what it was in 1990 (963).

Even better is the news that the number of casualties is below 700 for the first time, the 656 incidents recorded in 2008 being 89 fewer than the previous year. The number of serious injuries in 2008 fell to 50 – a reduction of almost three quarters on the highest figure recorded, which was 181 in 1983.

An excellent example of the work done by Tameside Council’s road-safety engineers can be found at the junction of Alt Road and Gambrel Bank Road, Ashton.

Cllr Alan Whitehead, Executive Member for technical services, said: “These excellent road safety figures have been achieved not only through the Local Road Safety Scheme programme and the Watchman system, but through the dedication, hard work and expertise of the traffic-management and road safety teams.

“But we are in no way complacent. Tameside Council will continue to monitor the borough’s roads and will implement additional safety measures whenever the resources are available.”

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