What Phil does as a councillor . Page 1 of 2. Click the words underlined and in bold.
Like many other councillor's Phil has a number of different roles within the council.
Phil is an advocate for the Hough Green ward as a ward councillor, along with two other Labour Party ward councillors, Cllr Kevan Wainwright & Cllr Paul Nolan. This can include taking up constituents concerns or general ward issues.
A current example of this ward representation is the proposed new Play Area which is subject to public consultation at the moment. This new play area will feature a new flood lit multi-use games area. (MUGA) for older youths and a play area for young children. Funding has been secured from the Playbuilder programme and other sources. This funding will have helped to refurbish or build over 20 play areas across Halton. Halton is now in its third year of this investment in improved play facilities for the young.
Another example is the ongoing development of Arley Woods as part of the Mersey Forrest. Thousands of trees, bulbs and other plantings have been planned and delivered to enhance the green space across the ward and particularly in the south and east of the ward. The transfer of the former council housing to a new housing association has resulted in millions of pounds worth of investment and the future
environmental improvements across the social housing areas will involve ward councillors supporting proposals or putting the case for what form these should take.
The speed limit on Hough Green road followed lobbying by ward councillors, as have most of the alley gating schemes, which have brought real reductions in anti-social behaviour and crime. Alleygating examples include; Eversley; Edendale and areas off Haddon Drive, like Tiverton Close. These were all requested by local residents.
Your local councillors hold a surgery each month in the ward (except during December) and can also be contacted by phone, post or email. These means of contact are the way most local people bring issues or problems to the attention of the councillors.
Hough Green councillors also make a point of conducting walkabouts around the ward in addition to joint meetings with other local organisations like Halton Housing Trust or Cheshire Police. The police try to run a surgery at the same time as the councillors.
Phil also has a council-wide role in decision-making for the rest of the borough. This may be by participating in meetings that make decisions that impact on other areas of Runcorn or Widnes.
At other times it may be that councillors views are sought during the course of the year about some proposed changes to services or aspects of the council's structure or by an external organisation.
Phil also provides guidance on council services he is responsible for as a member of the Councl's Executive Board. The Executive Board is the council's main decision making body.
As a Council spokesperson, Phil may have to comment on matters within the local, regional or national media, for the areas he is responsible for and which are highlighted on the following page. (What Phil does in the council 2 of 2)
The overall roles, rights and duties of all councillors are set out in the Council Constitution. The constitution is a requirement of all council's and is required by central government.
In addition to being a member of the Council's Executive Board, Phil is also a member of the following;
Area Forum - Broadheath, Ditton, Hale & Hough Green. (local residents forum) Full Council.Executive Board Sub Committee.Local Development Framework Working Party. (considers emerging land use policy)Budget review working party. (considers annual budget savings)Phil's appoinments to outside bodies (those not within the council) are listed below.
Halton Rugby League Service Area.A Governor of The Bankfield School & All Saints (Upton) C of E Primary School.In addition to these formal appointments, Phil may attend other meetings that relate to his responsibilities; such as a sports forum; like the Widnes Football Forum or the Executive of the Halton Sports Partnership.
Cllr Phil Harris
Caring for the Elderly.
Want to know how well Halton Council's services for adult social care are ?
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