Oldham Council
Annual Report of Activities 2017
Councillor name: Colin McLaren
Ward Name: Chadderton Central
I have lived in Chadderton for nearly 30 years. My working life for 45 years was spent teaching in a secondary school in Oldham and working in professional football (youth development).
I have been active in local politics for nearly 40 years and a school governor for over 30 years. I am now in my fourth year of my third term of office representing the Chadderton Central Ward. I have previously been a Councillor in Manchester for 11 years before moving to Chadderton in 1989.
As a Councillor, I have enjoyed working with individuals, groups of residents, council officers and fellow Councillors and I continue to work closely with ward and district colleagues on many issues including:
· Foxdenton Development
· Foxdenton Hall and Pavilion
· A variety of highway issues in the ward
· United Utilities Waste water treatment plant
· National grid and the renewal of overhead line equipment
· Resurfacing of Middleton Road
I am actively involved in school governance as a Governor of Christ Church C of E Primary School and The Radclyffe School.
Participation at Council meetings and committees
I am currently chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board and I also serve on the following committees:
· Chadderton District Executive
· Licensing Committee
· Licensing (Driver Panel)
· Health Scrutiny Sub Committee
· Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Pennine Acute Trust Committee
· Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Pennine Care Trust Committee
· Greater Manchester Health Scrutiny Committee
· Greater Manchester Combined Authority Corporate Issues and Reform Scrutiny Committee
· Peak District National Park Authority
I have spoken in Council on a number of issues including Broadway and the Crossley Estate.
Participation at District Partnerships
I attend meetings of the District Executive and I work closely with other elected members in the ward. I also attend meetings of the Health and Wellbeing Working Group as well as the Cultural and Heritage Sub Group. Ward Councillors are delegated a limited budget to be used for the benefit of the local community. This money has been used to fund a variety of projects in the area including the following:
Individual Budget Spent
Cllr C McLaren 2017-18 Individual Budget / 2017-185000.00
Project / Amount £
Pooled budget / 2000.00
Grit bins for winter 17/18 / 203.71
Luncheon Club Over 60's Club / 250.00
Christmas Lights FADRA / 500.00
Foxdenton Park gates/Security issues / 641.75
Chadderton Together Community Garden / 1000.00
Return of funds from previous grant / -95.46
Block Lane TRA / 500.00
Total Spent / 5000.00
Total Remaining / 0.00
Participation in Training/Member Development Programme
I have participated in training that will benefit my role within the Council including the following:
· Emergency planning and civil contingencies
· Adult safeguarding
· Children safeguarding
Elected Member contribution to Get Oldham Working
As the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board I have supported a number of projects including the redevelopment of the town centre which will generate employment opportunities during the construction phase and beyond.
Co-operative difference
With ward and district colleagues and members of the district team, I have supported local organisations and events as follows:
· Litter picks around the ward
· Chadderton Day and Chadderton Christmas Market
· Crossley Centre Pop-up Café
· Firwood and District Residents Association luncheon club at Mills Hill Primary School
· Crossley Residents Forum
· Chadderton Home Watch Association
These are just a few of the groups in existence in the ward and an example of the events that take place over the year. We are fortunate in having such a large number of active community groups who work hard to ensure that Chadderton is a good place to live and work.
Participation on outside bodies and partnerships
I am involved in various local groups and organisations as outlined below:
· Governor of the Radclyffe School
· Governor of Christ Church C of E Primary School
· Trustee of Hollinwood Amateur Rugby League Football Club
· Trustee and Vice President of Chadderton Together
· Vice President of the Chadderton Historical and Heritage Society
· Director of the Chadderton Building Preservation Trust Limited
Ward work
During the past 12 months, I have attended meetings of the Firwood and District Residents Association, Block Lane Tenants and Residents Association, Mona Road Tenants and Residents Association, Broadway Residents Association, Chadderton Together, Chadderton Home Watch and the Crossley Forum I have also attended many meetings with other groups of residents to discuss issues of concern in particular areas.
Ward surgeries
The Ward Councillors share this workload and we have ward surgeries that are held monthly at the Crossley Community Centre and alternate months at either the Kingfisher School or Mills Hill Primary School. The exact dates and times are published on the Council website and in the local press.
We also organise street surgeries where we distribute leaflets in a small area stating that we will be in the area at a certain date and time. If a residents wishes to speak to a Councillor, they can display the poster in a prominent place asking us to call and we will respond to the request.
I can be contacted as follows:
Phone 0161 627 4197
Mobile 07581 464 535
Achievements during the year
· Introduction of traffic lights at the junction of Lansdowne Road and Middleton Road.
· Supporting Chadderton Together to try and find the funds to renovate Foxdenton Hall and Pavilion
· Supporting the Chadderton Historical and Heritage Society in their efforts to establish a Heritage Centre in the Chadderton Town Hall annex
· Seeking funding to fence the Crossley Playing Field Car Park in order to reduce anti-social behaviour.
· Endeavouring to introduce a Public Space Protection Order on Moston Road in order to reduce fly tipping.