Cllr Howard Martin
Howard Martin Working Hard for Wyre Forest
Howard Martin is District Councillor for Broadwaters
Howard Martin
email: mail@wyreforestlabour.co.uk
Howard was born at Whitstable in Kent but has lived in Worcestershire since 1965. He is married to Terry and they have lived in Baxter Avenue since 2004. They each have two children from former marriages and 5 grandchildren between them.
Howard’s main career was with the Department of Trade & Industry in Birmingham, Nottingham and London from 1966 until the mid 90’s. He was involved firstly, in export promotion and overseas trade and latterly in economic development, regeneration and job creating grant appraisal.
Whilst with the DTI he was a committed trade union activist joining, the CPSA in 1967 and serving as Branch Secretary for 4 years. In 1971, on promotion, he joined NUCPS and became Branch Secretary and ultimately Branch Chair. In the mid 1980’s he was elected on to the DTI Departmental Executive Committee and was elected to the post of National Group Secretary with responsibility for pay, terms and conditions of service, disciplinary matters and industrial disputes co-ordinator. He also served as Regional Secretary for the Union’s Birmingham Area Committee, Delegate to Birmingham Trades Council and Conference Delegate between1983 – 95 and was Chair of the Equal Opportunities Committee. When he left the Civil Service in 1995 he was Departmental Trade Union Side Chair, involved in negotiating national terms and conditions with Ministers and Senior Officials. Several years ago NUCPS and CPSA amalgamated and are now PCS.
He is a qualified Counsellor (Psychotherapist) and still spends some time as a consultant in employment law, representing individuals at Employment Tribunals.
In 1999 he became involved in the Kidderminster Hospital Campaign and was first elected as a councillor in 2000 , was County Councillor from 2001 -05, Leader of Health Concern from 2003 -10, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council 2003 – 4 and was Richard Taylor’s Agent at the last election. He left ICHC in June over internal party differences and sat as an Independent in Broadwaters until joining the Labour Party in September.
Recent involvement in local activities.
A Victory for Common Sense – the Community Listened to over Broadwaters Car Park.
The issue surrounding Broadwaters Car Park has been resolved. It will remain free and be deemed part of Broadwaters Park in line with car parks at Brintons Park, Springfield Park and others. This decision comes after a local campaign, co-ordinated by Howard, in which local user groups and residents had a massive input in influencing Council thinking. The final outcome was the one unanimously favoured by those present at the public meeting in November. Howard says “We are all very pleased with the outcome and happy that the Council have listened to our views. It is a victory for common sense.”
Waterside Grange – Slow Progress on Road Adoption.
Despite numerous promises by County Council, the adoption of roads on Waterside Grange is still not forthcoming after a 10 year wait for local residents. Local services in the area are far inferior to what is offered on adopted roads – recently, for instance, 8 street lights were broken with little chance of early repair. Howard says “it is now past a joke and it is time for a bit of direct action. We will shortly be arranging a public meeting for residents to come and make their views known and decide a collective way forward.” More details will follow shortly.
Sion Hill Area Receives Award.
The area around Sion Hill has recently been given a national award for its level of street tidiness and cleanliness. The Housing Company Cleaner, Greener Safer Group and Broadwaters Residents Action Group (BRAG) co-ordinated to application which was appraised to a high standard by the assessors. “The award is a real feather in the cap of the community in general and the groups involved” said Howard, “all those involved can be very proud of themselves.”
Friends of St Georges Park to Receive Royal Visit.
The Duke of Kent will visit St Georges Park at the end of March. The visit is in recognition of the great work the “Friends” group has done, in conjunction with the council parks department, in making the park much more attractive and a safer place to visit. It is another example of “bottom up” community involvement delivering local improvements.
PACT Issues.
As requested, as the only councillor present at the last Broadwaters PACT meeting in January, Howard reports that……. There is no Section 106 money in place or needed to repaint the yellow box at Radford Avenue. Highways have it in their schedule for a spring revamp when the weather is settled…….issues of communication over refuse collection in the bad weather have been raised with council officers and are being addressed ….. concerns were also expressed about the Sladen site and footpath from the Foxholes to Stourbridge Road and answers are still being sought.
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Labour – building stronger communities
Published and promoted by Howard Martin
on behalf of Howard Martin at Paddington House, New Road, Kidderminster DY10 1AL
