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Notes:
WYRE FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL
ANNUAL REPORT OF ACTIVITIES 2009/10
COUNCILLOR: Marcus Hart
WARD: Sutton Park
Section 1: Ward Activities (including Surgeries)
My main focus of work within the Sutton Park Ward during the last 12 months has been to continue to represent all of the Electors of Sutton Park.
I have carried out a considerable amount of case work on a variety of topics. I have engaged within the community by delivering regular newsletters throughout the year and by attending residents' meetings.
I have engaged in a number of community activities as I am the Assistant Group Scout Leader of 15th Kidderminster Habberley Scout Group.
I sit on the Governing Body of Sutton Park Primary School and Baxter College, and also the Temporary Governing Body of the new Special School.
I also attend the Friends of Brinton Park meetings whenever I can, which is a community group set up by interested residents surrounding Brinton Park and they carry out projects within Brinton Park. This is supported by Wyre Forest District Council.
I have also attended residents' groups within the Ward, namely the Hillcrest Residents' Association and given them considerable support in local issues, in particular regarding highways and planning applications.
I have also attended the Wyre Forest Community Housing Tenants Consultative Committee Meetings within the Sutton Park area.
I have been active within the ward throughout the year responding to case work by way of e-mail, phone calls, letters and personal visits.
I also sit on the Partners and Communities Together (PACT) Meeting Committee as the Ward District Council representative and have attended all of the meetings within the last 12 months.
I, together with my two ward colleagues, Councillor John Campion and Councillor Tracey Onslow have also delivered a regular newsletter to residents throughout the whole of Sutton Park.
In the last year 538 letters have been written and internal memos and emails have also been sent to and from constituents.
Section 2: Council Meetings
Appointments & Appeals, Bewdley Museum, Cabinet, Council, Ethics & Standards, Kidderminster Educational Foundation and Planning.
Section 3: Achievements
It is difficult to pick one specific achievement or success throughout the last year.
I, together with my ward colleagues, have responded to a considerable number of people who have asked for assistance within the ward over a whole variety of issues.
I have assisted them in dealing with these issues, whether it be liaising with the Police, Departments within Wyre Forest District Council, Wyre Forest Community Housing, Occupational Therapist Department and Worcestershire County Council.
I have successfully lobbied the County Council to ensure that roads are re-surfaced and potholes are filled in. As a result, a significant number of roads have been resurfaced in the last 12 months.
Street name plates have been repaired, litter bins have been repaired or replaced, litter hot spots have been reported and cleansed accordingly. I have given assistance on planning applications and I have given advice on how the Planning Development Control process works.
Section 4: Special Knowledge
The specialist knowledge I have is from my professional training as a solicitor. I do find this has helped me, particularly when sitting on the Planning Committee. Whilst I am not by any means an expert in planning law, I did study some at University and do understand the general principles which I have found assisted me greatly in determining what is and is not a material planning consideration.
I also sit on the Ethics and Standards Committee and find that my legal background has helped me in respect of this. Again, I sit on the Appointments and Appeals Committee and my legal training has helped me tremendously to be able to play a positive role on this committee.
Also, as a solicitor who specialises in criminal law, advocacy is a big part of my job and therefore, as a result speaking at Council meetings is a lot easier.
Section 5: Attendance Percentage for 2009/10
90%.
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