Councillor Information
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Notes:
WYRE FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL
Annual report and review 2024/2025
Section 1: Attendance at Council, Committee and Sub-Committee meetings
Name of Committee
Appointment & Appeals – Appeal Panel 1 held 1 attended
Cabinet 7 held 7 attended
Council 5 held 5 attended
Planning 10 held 9 attended
Strategic Review Panel 2 held 2 attended
This represents an overall attendance of 96%
Other attendance
Period of Extended Absence, (e.g. Maternity leave/Sick leave):0
Number of meetings attended as a substitute: 0
Section 2: Mandatory Training Completed
Training Activity Date attended
Planning Training 14/05/24
Other training Number of modules completed
Core e-learning
0
Additional e-learning
0
Cyber security training
0
Section 3: Community Involvement
I am a Trustee of Kidderminster Special Educational Benefits Trust, Trustee of Kidderminster District Scout Council of which I am chairman, Trustee of Kidderminster Harriers Football in the Community Trust, Trustee of Mentor Link, Member of Wolverley and Cookley Parish Council, Member of Worcestershire County Council, Member of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority and until last summer a Non-Executive Director of Worcestershire Children's First. I am heavily involved in the community that I represent, I am also regularly ‘on the patch' meeting residents, looking at issues, attending events and attending all 6 Parish Councils on a regular basis, in conjunction with my two ward colleagues Ian and Robin. I spoke at the second public inquiry against the Lea Castle Quarry.
Section 4: Assisting Constituents
It has been another busy year in my role as an elected member. I have responded to all queries raised to me by constituents either by telephone call, letter or email and indeed have face to face meetings with residents on specific issues and have also convened residents meetings on various issues.
I respond to literally dozens of emails relating to casework issues within the ward on a weekly basis.
Litter and fly tipping have been constant issues throughout the year. Planning Enforcement issues in all six parishes are very much a huge part of my post bag and liaison between residents', parish councils and the planning enforcement officers is a big part of my role.
The Local Plan and protecting the green belt has also been an issue raised by many local residents, notwithstanding it was approved by Full Council in April 2022.
I also deliver a regular newsletter to all households within the ward together with my two ward colleagues throughout the year. We deliver at least 3 editions per year. I also put regular posts on Facebook and share to the residents' groups too.
In addition to the regular newsletter, there are often issues which affect a particular street or area and I always communicate regarding those issues as well.
I also attend village events, Rushock coffee mornings, Wolverley Carnival, St Cassian's Church fetes in Chaddesley, to name just a few.
Section 5: Supplementary Information
This is now my tenth report that I am writing as a Councillor for the ‘new' Wyre Forest Rural Ward. Since I wrote my last report, I continue to work very closely with my ward colleagues Cllrs. Ian Hardiman and Robin Drew.
From 2002 to 2015 I represented the Sutton Park Ward which was an urban ward. The new ward, made up essentially of the previous wards of Wolverley, Cookley, Chaddesley and Blakedown is geographically, by far the largest ward and whilst being in a three member ward, the number of electors is approximately a third larger than the previous ward, in line with all other three member Council wards.
The ward is a lot more rural and whilst there are urban parts to it, the rural nature of the ward makes this a different and more interesting challenge. In particular, there are no less than six parish councils, Broome, Chaddesley Corbett, Churchill and Blakedown, Rushock, Stone and Wolverley and Cookley of which I and my colleagues continue to attend regularly on a rota basis, providing them with regular reports and updates and I believe that liaising with the parish councils and their councillors is essential to maintain community ties in particular in the rural areas.
I enjoy serving on the Planning DC committee and have done since I was elected in 2002 continuously.
I was elected Leader of the Council in 2023 again, having previously served as Leader from 2014-2019. I have now been Leader of the Conservative Group continuously since 2014.
Finally, I have now completed 23 years continuous service to WFDC and the electorate and await our fate as we will cease to exist most likely from 30th April 2028.
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Marcus
Hart
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