Update from Cllr Ollie Cross

Reflecting on a year as an elected member of High Peak Borough Council. It truly has been a pleasure & a privilege to serve Padfield Ward over the past 12 months. It’s been an extremely busy year so I thought I’d let folk know what I’ve done to support local residents and the community I love since last May.

The past 12 months have easily been the best of my entire life and I’ve gained so many happy memories along the way. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself into community life as much I as possibly can by regularly visiting Tuesday Club, Carmel Coffee Morning, Time to Listen and Care, Carmel Community Meal etc. As well as mucking in each Thursday at Bellies Not Bins.

I’m incredibly to lucky to have had lots going on commuity wise in my ward and taken part in numerous community orientated events throughout the year such as the Big Padfield Litter Pick, the Great Padfield Sheep Trail, the Famous Padfield Coal Race, Hadfield Lantern Parade and many more.

Over the past year I’ve helped tackle local issues such as dog fouling and litter by conducting regular litter picks and organising for new anti anti-dog fouling signs to be erected around Padfield Ward. I’ve also held monthly local surgeries to help keep abreast of the issues what matter to my local residents the most.

I’m proud to be a member of a council which has unanimously declared a climate change emergency, passed a motion to tackle perioud poverty in the High Peak and approved a budget which includes support for town centres such as Hadfield to help our high streets thrive, commitment to clean ups in our local communities, and investment in the borough’s car parks with contact ticket machines, resurfacing and ev chargers.

Moreover, I’ve used my Councillor Initiative Fund to help several community groups and local charities such as Hadfield Coming Together Group, Glossop Arts Project, Glossopdale Foodbank, Glossop Scrub Hub, Time to Listen and Care et al whose various projects benefit local residents in a variety of different ways.

I just want to reassure my local residents that I’m working as hard as ever during the Covid-19 crisis. Not only with casework, but I have spent each Thursday (apart from when I was ill) helping to package up food parcels for the BELLIES NOT BINS Delivery Service. Hadfield Coming Together in conjunction with Carmel Hadfield Church distribute the food parcels to those who are currently self-isolating, vulnerable or elderly in our local community.

I can’t quite believe it has been an entire year since I had the great honour of Padfielders & Hadfielders placing their trust in me to give them a strong voice on the Council. I’m immeasurably proud to serve such a kind hearted, generous and thoughtful local community. I consider myself to be exceptionally lucky to represent Padfield Ward and I’ll always keep on working tirelessly for every single Padfielder & Hadfielder for the remainder of my term. ❤ #padfield #hadfield #hpbc #communitylife#councillorlife #onyourside #oneyearon #highpeak