A bit about me
Education genes are in my family; my mother and two aunts were teachers, my daughter is a teacher, and my granddaughter is an HTLA; I came into local politics via education when I chose to become a school governor after taking early retirement from teaching! I came into the then Liberal Party through hearing David Steele at the university where I was a founder member of the Mature Students’ Association; I am an excellent example of lifelong learning having been a drop-out when I was 18, gained a Teaching Certificate in my 30s and gained my degree after I had finished paid work. I had been a Careers Teacher and continue actively now to promote vocational education alongside academic education and employment with training for young people. In a constantly changing world, it is good to know that there are opportunities for new learning and new training at any age.
I am now a governor at City of Leeds School and at the North West Leeds SILC; the latter has gained my interest in provision and opportunity for those people of all ages who have any kind of a disability.
Full council occurs every six weeks or so, but it is on the Scrutiny Boads that the real work is done. My own Scrutiny Boards are Adult Social Care and Central and Corporate, which looks at issues affecting the whole city, not just my own ward. Full Council and the Scrutiny Boards are open for the public to attend and hear what is going on; if anyone would like to visit one of them please contact me and I can give details of time, place and topics to be discussed. Such visits may be of particular interest to anyone who has ever wondered what it is like to be a councillor!
I attend meetings of residents groups, and committees dealing with particular ward issues; we hold drop-ins and consultation meetings to check tht local resdients ahve the chance to meet both officers and myself who are seeking public approval to make improvements in the ward about a large variety of issues. As a councillor I serve on several boards of voluntary organisations and as a council representative on University Court, where I try actively to promote good relationships between the universities, their students and local residents; students are increasingly active in community affairs as volunteers and are on the lookout for more volunteering opportunities.
Hyde Park & Woodhouse Ward is a constanly interesting and absorbing place to work, with lots of diverse and interesting residents to meet at councillor surgeries, in their homes and at open meetings. If you would like me to meet with you please let me know and we can make arrangements to do so, Phone me on 294-6976, or e-mail nme on Penny.Ewens@leeds.co.uk
Surgery Details
First Tuesday in each month, 12.30-1.30pm, Burley Lodge Centre.
Second Tuesday in each month, 2.30-3.30pm, Woodhouse Community Centre, Woodhouse Street.
Third Wednesday in eaxh month, 11.30am-12.30pm, Little London Community Centre, Oatland Drive.
Fourth Tuesday in each month, 6.00-7.00pm, Woodsley Road Community Centre.
