It is hard to believe that it has been three years now since
I was elected to represent the Chequerbent Ward in 2012 – time seems to have
flown. A result of keeping busy, attending and participating in Council Meetings
and doing my utmost to represent you the best way I can, committed and proud to
serve. I stood thinking the electorate deserved better, and I can honestly say
I have enjoyed the role, and have had some success along the way. For example,
initiating the installation of the new hand rails [Bolton News] installed for our War
Memorial on Market Street, making it safer for the frail and elderly; our
Westhoughton Town signs cleaned and presentable, and championing and being fully behind the Town Council in the Lancashire flag flying over our Town Hall on ‘Lancashire Day – 27th November.’ Even thought it was disappointing that is was quickly taken down the day after. I do wonder why the council does not leave
it there; a reminder of County Palatine of Lancashire heritage, still widely
supported by the people of Bolton, yet the official Bolton Council line was: “we
are in Greater Manchester and Get over it!” Even a Union Jack flying would be better
than an empty flag pole. Sometimes decisions taken not to upset people are
baffling; political correctness not something I encourage.
Over-development
Regarding the over-development of our town, Westhoughton; when the possible development of 100+ houses off Bolton Road (Roscoes Farm) came in, I was the only councillor to vote against the proposed development back in February 2014, then twice again when the Resolution and Amended Plans came back for planning consideration - at this point there was a general consensus amongst Town Councillors that we were against it. In November 2014, I was one of the three councillors who attending a meeting with developers invitation to discuss the proposed plans for 300 homes to be built on
green land at Lee Hall - this a development I am totally against, telling the developers
so; local residents are naturally up in arms about this (first step) incursion
into protected land outside of the Local Plan, which was developed and
consulted on over several years. This is a development we do not need and one
that will likely impact negatively on Westhoughton. I encourage everyone to
stand together, and if possible give help and support to the like of SWAN, a local action and campaign group, who have campaigned over many years
against over-development of the town.
I also objected and spoke out to the closure of Winifred
Kettle Home [Bolton News] on Washacre at Council Meetings and at Public Forums,
gaining public applause for speaking out and challenging these decisions. The
local paper highlighted my concerns by echoing my remarks in that rather than getting
in a purpose built clinic for a town of our size, we are getting a ‘clinic on
the cheap’ (which may bring more additional problems to our ward). It does seem
odd that patients are sent and families expected to traipse to the other side
of Bolton for respite care. This kind of care
should be accessible within local communities.
As Membership Secretary of The Bolton and District Civic Trust
I have a great belief and passion for our historic heritage and rich values of
our town. When I took office I was disappointed
to find that our very own Council Chamber was in much need of repair, had been neglected
with evidence of cracked, flaking paintwork, a leaking roof, stained carpets
and missing light bulbs out – the situation still same three years. As custodian of this 1904-built, Grade II listed
building, given to the people of Westhoughton, I wrote to express my concerns
to the Town Clerk, only to find the building is owned by Bolton Council, who
are spending millions on Bolton Town Hall in this time of ‘austerity,’ and yet
it seems continually neglect Westhoughton. Ironic too that Westhoughton Parish
Councillors could not even hold surgeries with constituents at our Town Hall
when only Bolton Councillors could.
As Vice-chair of Planning and Finance, many planning
applications that come before me, I scrutinize with this perspective of our rich
heritage, wanting to try to preserving the character of our town and our
identity. I was only one of two Councillors who objected to the demolishing of
the Red Lion Pub in spite of it being in a Conservation Area, which has stood
on the site for over 300 years, only for it to make way for a private car park
for a care home. I am the only
councillor who opposed the demolishing of the Cross Guns Pub [Bolton News] with its natural brickwork, and to object to planning to build the ‘Open Prison’-style building, which I feel should be on an industrial estate, as it is not in keeping with the local area.
You don’t always agree with other councillors on the
decisions that are made, but as an Independent Councillor for our ward I feel
obligated to challenge decisions that are made; we should always try to
preserve our identity as an historic town, and preserve our greenbelt and our
green fields by making sound decisions on planning applications that are in
keeping with the environment and the wishes of our community – and this I
always tried to do.
Election 2015
As you may be aware, there are two seats Chequerbent Ward (Town Council) with three candidates standing, myself as independent candidate, who lives and
works in our ward and two Labour candidates drafted in from Bolton
to challenge me. I value that you may
have your own political views – and this I truly respect – though I hope that
my track record on fighting on your behalf and having the second highest
attendance rate and town council meetings of over (>90%) stands as true
testimony of both my commitment and desire to give you the best representation
for our ward. Electing an Independent Councillor can help bring about change,
but more importantly encouraged others to stand within our community from a
non-partisan point of view to bring about positive change and sound local
management that we all can be proud of.
I am also standing as your representative on Bolton Council
for the Westhoughton North Ward – again there are two seats being allocated.
Your support here too, even as a second vote could make all the difference
allowing for Independent representation at Bolton Council, and again
encouraging other to follow suit. I do believe we need more independent
representation in our democratic processes – party politics looks jaded and
very out of touch.
It has being remarkable journey for me personally and I
would like to thank all those who elected me back in 2012 and I hope in some
way that have not disappointed you, it is not always easy and sometimes you
have to be thick-skinned, but with your help I wish to continue that journey to
serve and fight for our community. To those who may vote for me again and
possibly for the first time on the 7 May 2015, I will do my utmost not to
disappoint you and to serve and represent you well.
Councillor Jack Speight
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