SWAN people are a dedicated bunch, made up of ordinary folk from all walks of life, giving up their time for a good cause.
There is a main committee that meets every fortnight, and mini-teams that look into Research and Fund-raising reporting back as and when. Whilst the work goes on, like any organisation there are peaks and troughs in activity.
The current Committee is made up of:
- Chairman: David Chadwick – Dave is a local councillor on both Town and Borough Councils, familiar with the machinations of local government.
- Vice-Chairs: Ruth Duckworth & Andrew Glithero – Ruth is a teacher, and Andrew runs a small textile company.
- Group Secretary: Susan Whiteley, who looks after the admin side.
- Treasurer: Sylvia Riley, who carefully looks after the finances.
- SWAN Online: John Webber, who as well as looking after SWAN's website and being the initial point of contact for e-mail enquiries, lends his marketing and research skills to the team.
- Others on the Committee include:
Dave Fearnley (our wildlife expert), Tony Riley, Linda Glithero, Barry Howarth, Reg & June Kenyon.
Of course, everyone mucks in and contributes. Decisions and strategy is discussed and agreed upon; although differing views and opinions help form the colourful melange that is SWAN – one example of this being the proposed Wigan-Hindley-Leigh-Westhoughton Bypass, the A5225 has people for and against it.
The committee meetings are 'open' meetings, and as such guests and visitors are welcome. We make a point of inviting experts and interested parties (e.g., local MP Ruth KellyRuth Kelly) to join our meetings, to share their knowledge and hear our views
Of the sub-committees Research tasks itself with:
- Looking at planning applications; studying legislation, planning policies etc., to ensure Council and developers are following current planning laws. This takes into account traffic, amenities, environment, wildlife, etc.
- Assimilating evidence for opposing inappropriate applications, especially where they relate to Greenfield sites.
- Registering objections with the Council and giving evidence at Public Inquiry
(e.g., with Lee Hall)
Fund-Raising. SWAN is a voluntary group and needs to fund itself:
- To achieve our aim of protecting greenfield sites and do the necessary research, acquire documents etc. finance is needed. The fundraising committee organises various events e.g., Race Nights, the odd Caberet show, sales of our much sought after wooden swans, stocks and tombola at events such as Westhoughton Carnival
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