Jenny Harrison

Councillor Jenny Harrison Annual Report

Cllr Jenny Harrison – Alexandra Ward

MY WARD PRIORITIES

•      Work for a clean, green, and safe environment

•      Reduce social isolation

•      Improve health and wellbeing of Alexandra residents

•      Work with voluntary and faith groups to support and involve their communities in making a positive difference.

Training Completed

It’s important that councillors regularly update their knowledge and skills in order to be effective in their role.

This year I’ve completed training on

•      Child protection and safeguarding through six modules ‘A Child First’ delivered by Barnardos.

•      Digital Transformation

•      Highways Regulations

•      Environmental Services

•      Preventing Hate

•      Personal Safety for Councillors

·             

Work in the community

During the last year, the Council has continued to be at the frontline in responding to the Covid19 pandemic, including distributing emergency food and medicine, providing vital social care, running testing centres and rolling out the vaccine. I have actively supported this work by advising residents where to get help and advice when needed and by regularly sharing factual information and details of vaccination and testing centres. I’ve also joined the Community Engagement teams.

Throughout 2021, the pandemic has continued to impact on the way that the Council and Councillors work.

Some meetings that I attend on your behalf have returned to Oldham Civic Centre, but some meetings are still held virtually, accessed via phone or laptop. I have undertaken training on using this technology so that I could continue to represent you throughout this difficult time. I’ve been able to remain in close touch with the Alexandra Park Junior School, where I’m Vice Chair of Governors, through virtual meetings of the full governing body and sub committees and informal meetings with the Senior Management Team. However, these meetings have gradually been returning to being held in the school.

Last year, because of the pandemic, I had to scale back the amount of work I could do in the community due to not being able to get out and about. However, this year I have been out in the ward much more, visiting various groups and individuals face to face to deal with issues. I have always been available by e-mail or telephone for people to contact me if they have problems they would like my assistance with. Alexandra residents contact me regularly and I’ve been able to deal with a wide range of issues for them including fly tipping, getting appropriate benefits, housing problems, neighbour problems, covid grants for businesses, highway, and problems and much more. I have been part of several community litter picks in various parts of the ward. I helped to set up the Hathershaw Community Group which is working hard to tackle fly tipping, litter, and other antisocial behaviour in the neighbourhood. Hopefully we can extend this into other areas.

I have kept in touch with local community groups as much as possible, particularly on social media.

In May 2021, I had the great honour of becoming Mayor of Oldham. This has been a wonderful experience. Among other things, it enabled me to meet and thank many of the people who give their time and effort to make Oldham the caring borough it is.

CONTACT ME

E:jenny.harrison@oldham.gov.uk

M: 07875676731

SURGERIES

We are planning to resume face to face ward surgeries soon, but you can contact me by phone or email for any issues or problems.