Councillor John F. Swift

Biography

Born in Catcliffe I have lived in Treeton since 1964, with my wife and two daughters.

My working life began after a college education and training as a haulage worker with British Coal before moving on to become a pit deputy, overman and finally colliery overman before taking early retirement.

My interests are:

Sport, especially football where I played for Rotherham Boys, Treeton & Thurcroft.

The countryside and environment and my love of walking. Unfortunately, this is being spoilt by 'off road' motorcycles and we must try to curtail this so that people can go out and enjoy the countryside with pleasure.

My involvement in the Labour Party began in 1976 and I became a Parish Councillor one year later. I have held the post of Chairman on Treeton Parish Council for the last four years.

My children were educated in local primary schools and I became involved as a school governor. I am Vice Chair for the governing body at Aston Comprehensive School, this post I have held for 11 years. I have also held post of Chairman for Premises and currently hold post of Chairman of the school's development for it's swimming pool and leisure complex.

I have been a trustee with Treeton Partnership since its formation, with particular interest in environmental issues as well as overseeing applications for grants, all of which benefit the village.

Following my election in June, 2004 as  a Borough Councillor for the Rother Vale Ward, I wish to work on issues regarding house maintenance, anti social behaviour and promoting access to local services and amenities. My experience as a Parish Councillor has developed a firm belief in equal opportunities, which I will bring into my role as a Borough Councillor.

I am Chair of the Rother Valley West Area Assembly and Vice-Chair on the Scrutiny Panel for Regeneration and I am also a Member of the Licensing Board and Licensing Committee and the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee.

Rothervale Ward cover the areas of:

Treeton, Orgreave, Ulley, Brampt

Rother Vale Ward News

New Homes for Old
Non-traditional houses in Rother Vale Ward to get new lease of life

Celebrating an outstanding investment in housing in Thurcroft and Treeton, Rother Vale Ward Councillors declared, "We are really delighted to get this news - it's everything that we've been working with residents to achieve." 

"When we first met the residents of the forty-two houses, which were built with non-traditional materials in the two villages, we were all very concerned that their homes might be seen as too expensive to bring up to modern standards and householders might have to move," explained Cllr John Swift.  "Many of the residents had lived in the same house for years or had bought their properties - so it was very worrying for everyone."

"As Councillors, we've been active in bringing forward policies to support housing improvement and build new Council houses," said Councillor Jeb Nightingale, "so we're particularly pleased that the Council have now decided to invest in keeping these homes available."

"Bringing the houses up to date with new external walls, modern standards of insulation and secure windows, new kitchens and bathrooms will involve a lot of work, but we know from a similar scheme on houses in Ulley, that disruption will be kept to a minimum and residents will receive support to deal with the changes as they're made."

The scheme to invest in thirty-six non-traditional homes in Elgitha Drive, Rotherwood Crescent, St Withold Avenue and Ulrika Drive, Thurcroft and six in Burntwood Crescent, Treeton is planned to be carried out before the end of March 2011 and is part of a total investment of approximately £1.7 million to bring these non-traditional buildings to twenty-first century standards.  It follows a highly successful scheme in Ulley which was completed in 2009.on, Thurcroft and parts of Swallownest.

Surgeries