Date: 17/09/2007
Andrew Bingham was born in the High Peak and has lived here all his life. He is well known throughout the Borough because he was the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate at the last General Election in 2005. However, he has been a Borough Councillor for 8 years. Formerly the Chairman of the Social Inclusion Select Committee, he has now taken the Social and Community Development portfolio on the Councils' Executive.
Speaking about his Executive role, Andrew said: "I am delighted to take on this portfolio. I know that I have a tough act to follow in my predecessor, Councillor John Pritchard, but there are exciting challenges ahead as we look at the leisure provision across the High Peak."
Leisure provision features largely in Andrew's brief. "I want to use whatever power the Council has to ensure that the people living here have the best possible facilities available to them," he asserted.
"Our population catchment isn't big enough to attract some of the big players in the leisure market, so we as a Council have to do what we can to deliver the best facilities with the resources available."
Councillor Bingham's portfolio also includes housing. He confirmed: "Another big challenge surrounds the soaring costs of buying a home. I am looking at ways of providing affordable housing for local people.
"The future of High Peak Community Housing, who manage the council's housing stock, is due to be reviewed early in 2008. I have already met with the board of the company, and intend to do so regularly to ensure the best deal for our tenants."
Children and young people, feature strongly in Andrew's ideas for a safe and happy community: "It is vital that we provide things for young people to do right across the borough. We have made a good start through the free swimming, street sports and free football coaching initiatives, but I want to build on these and make sure that we can offer our young people sport and cultural activities in the winter months as well." He added: "I see this as integral to community safety aspect of my portfolio."
Andrew is pleased that he will be building on his previous committee experience: "I shall be liaising with the police, the voluntary sector and parish and town councils to ensure safe and inclusive communities. The exchange of ideas and mutual support will provide help for older and vulnerable residents and promote a sense of security throughout the High Peak."
When asked his overriding aim, Andrew replied: "I am determined that all of our residents feel valued, cared for and safe."