Councillor Josephine A. Burton

Biography

Like many of the Rotherham councillors, my family are local to South Yorkshire, and most of them still live here, as I do. In the past I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel and as  a young woman, I travelled  overland to Pakistan where I lived for a year working mainly as a teacher.

I came back to this area in 1972 and after a varied career as a social worker and teacher in Further Education, I was elected as a councillor for Anston and Woodsetts in 2004.  I now work part time as a relief worker in a women's' Refuge, in order to give time to Council Work. 

I have lived in North Anston for over 23 years and I know that a primary consideration for both Anston and Woodsetts is a clean, safe and healthy environment. This means not only encouraging the work of Streetpride and taking advantage of the "grotspot " initiative, but also working with all local groups to create a real sense of community involvement.  

I also know that many residents are very worried about the new twenty year plan or "Local Development Framework" as it is called. I want to reassure people that this is a very preliminary look at what needs to be considered in terms of housing and general development up to 2026. We cannot set ourselves in aspic but equally I am very keen that we should not be creating concrete jungles. We should be building sensitively, with a view to good design and harmony with the environment. We can have affordable houses that suit our needs if we are prepared to think about it carefully.

At present my Council responsibilities are with:-

 Children and Young People, especially fostering.
 Community Involvement
 Planning and
 Public Health. I currently chair the review on breastfeeding which is looking at how the Council can work with the NHS to encourage young mums to breastfeed. There is no doubt that this is the healthiest way to bring up baby for both for mum and baby, and  breastfeeding does not incur the risks that bottle feeding does. The full report is due out soon.

I have also been active in helping to set out the Rotherham Women's Strategy, and part of that strategy is to encourage more women into public life in Rotherham.

I would encourage all residents to take advantage of the many mechanisms now available to discuss things with the council and help make the changes that they want to see. Increasingly we have a regular dialogue with the Police, with community groups, with Health Service Professionals and with others and through that dialogue I hope that we can build a better community for all of us.

Surgeries

Woodland Drive Family Centre, 1st Saturday of the Month - 10.00 am to 11.00 am
South Anston Community Centre, 3rd Wednesday of the Month - 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm
Anston Parish Hall, 3rd Monday of the Month - 6.30 pm - 7.00 p m
Woodsetts Pavilion, last Wednesday of the Month - 6.30 pm - 7.00 pm

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