Melanie Swan

Welcome to My Website

A very warm welcome to those of you who have moved into our lovely Ward of Mount Joy. I was elected to represent you, as the Ward Councillor, in May 2005. I have experience of campaigning on education issues, in addition to those relating to a range of health and disability matters.

The Council elected me to Chair the Commission for Children and School Results which I did for two years. In May 2007 I was appointed as the Cabinet Member for Children's Services and the Lead Member for Children. I resigned that post in September following a sudden change of Council Leadership. I subsequently resigned from the current Leadership Whip in December in order to fulfill my election undertakings. Consequently I am effectively an Independent Councillor although I remain a member of the Conservative Party, supporting our Island MP. I sit with the Non-Aligned Group of Councillors (NAG) in the Council.

I am currently on the Board of Governors for Nine Acres Primary School and Nodehill Middle School. I was also elected to represent you, as one of the two Mount Joy Parish Councillors, in the first Newport Parish Council elections on May 1st.

Thank you to everyone who brought their concerns to my attention and I apologise for those times when I have not been able to respond as quickly or as fully as I would have liked to do.

Our pcso, Andy Brown, and I will have joint Ward surgeries and the times will be included in the news section below. We are using the external classroom at Nineacres School, which I previously used for Ward surgeries. If you would like me to discuss Ward issues in the meantime, or would like me to visit you, please call me on 530894.

My News

04/03/2008 - Nine Acres Field
Residents were concerned over the state of the Nine Acres Playing field for a long time and I am pleased to say that, following my enquiries and discussions, the Council's Parks and Beaches Department.... More >>

19/06/2008 - Ward Surgery with our Police Community Support Officer
Our local Police Community Support Officer, pcso Andy Brown, will be holding his next joint surgery with me at Nine Acres School on July 11th. between 6 and 8pm. The surgeries take place in the outsi.... More >>

04/03/2008 - Trafalgar Road and surrounding roads
Following many urgent representations made to me since the closure of Chapel Street, I asked the Director and Cabinet Member whether we could have a trial reversal of the traffic flow in Trafalgar Roa.... More >>

27/05/2008 - Public Meeting for Nine Acres Field community project
My application to the Newport Town Management Committee for funding was successful and I'm grateful that they granted the project £1,300 for a professional survey and plans. The architect and committ.... More >>

04/03/2008 - Dog fouling
To report incidents of dog fouling, please report to the Public Realm Department, Charter House, St Thomas's Square Newport, PO30 1SL, tel (01983)550980

04/03/2008 - Education proposals
Thank you to the many hundreds of people who emailed and wrote to me about the Council's education proposals. I have attempted to answer everyone individually and I sincerely apologise if I have miss.... More >>

27/05/2008 - Elm Grove: road safety information evening
The Highways Department held an information event about Elm Grove road safety issues at Nine Acres Primary School on Friday 16th May The 4 hour event was very well attended and a Highways engineer wa.... More >>

02/05/2008 - Newport Parish Council election result
The first election for Newport Parish Councillors was held on Thursday 1st May 2008. The following results were declared on Friday 2nd May. In order of votes gained: Swan (Independent) 353; Ball (Lib .... More >>

29/05/2008 - Newport Parish Council
Cllr Geoff Lumley was elected as the Chair of the Newport Parish Council, and Parish Cllr Shirley Smart was electeed as the Vice Chair, at the first meeting. The next Parish Council meeting will be o.... More >>

19/06/2008 - Schools 'reorganisation' - Formal consultation meetings for parents
The formal consultation for the reorganisation of Island schools has now begun. The meeting for the Newport area relates to West Wight Middle School, Nodehill School and Carisbrooke High School. It .... More >>

Surgery Details

Not Currently Available

About Me

Name:	Mrs Melanie Swan
Political Group:	Non Aligned Group
Electoral Division:	Mount Joy
Address:	124 Carisbrooke Road Newport Isle of Wight PO30 1DF
Telephone:	07976009488
E-Mail:	melanie.swan@iow.gov.uk
Biography:	I was born in Bournemouth in 1952. I have worked in a number of areas, including the Civil Service, the House of Commons and I also trained as an icon painter in France. I later combined studying for a degree with having my two eldest children. I moved to the Island in 1983, had my thrid child at our temporary home in Quay Street and graduated shortly afterwards! I have lived at my current address since 1984 and my youngest son was born in our home in Carisbrooke Road. I subsequently served as a Lay Representative on the Maternity Services Liaison Committee and briefly on the Family Practitioner Committee. I've campaigned on health and education matters at local and national levels and have direct experience of a range of disability issues. Following a long period of being a full-time carer, I resumed my work as an artist a few years ago. I organise, and take part in, exhibitions, combining my own work with running craft workshops. I have experience of teaching adults and children, including those who have a range of particular needs. I took the Advanced Carnival Arts course in 2006, working and performing in Island Carnivals. I'm looking forward to taking part again this year. My husband, Martin, is also an artist and he was born and brought up in Newport. We live in what was his best friend's house from Primary school years! My four children all attended local schools, and two worked on the Island for some time before moving to the Mainland or overseas. (My youngest son only recently left Island education in 2007, having successfully completed a course at the Isle of Wight College).
Annual Report to Full Council:	Click to view Annual Report to Full Council