Born and bred a Lancashire lad, I have lived in the Town of Westhoughton for twenty six years, an historic town which lays in the Old County Palatine of Lancashire. Like many I feel that a sense of pride and shared identity is one of the things that combine communities together. And ‘Historic Westhoughton’ is no exception. Westhoughton has and I feel will always have an independent spirit and distinctiveness within Bolton Borough. This same fortitude and uniqueness illustrate by its town people when I was elected to office of Westhoughton Town Council as an Independent councillor. This is without doubt, a great honour and an endorsement to serve in the community where I live with an independent voice.
I am happily married to my wife Nilda who I am indebted for her unvarying support and help and have one daughter who has fled the nest many years ago.
I am happily married to my wife Nilda who I am indebted for her unvarying support and help and have one daughter who has fled the nest many years ago.
I have been involved in the transport industry for over thirty years and I am currently employed by First Bus UK (Greater Manchester) as Employee Director, a position that expresses the views and feeling of employees at boardroom level. This is a very challenging role within the company and yet it is so rewarding when outcomes and issues are address for the good of all.
I am not a member of any political party and never have been. I have always felt that everyone as a common aspiration within their community, reflecting on issues such as policing, health and education. The latter I was a privilege to experience when I was elected to represent Salford University Students Union at congress level as a National Union of Students delegate, and fought on many issues affecting students.
During my life I have always been actively involved with community work, a passion that is driven by a great sense of reward I get from helping people. My present involvement is I am coordinator of Wigan and Leigh Local Support Group of the Federation of Holistic Therapist, a local group which I stated in 2007 and gives support to students and professionals in the holistic area of medicine.
I am a founding member and chairman of Friends of Daisy Hill Station which aims to transform our local railway station as a central part of our community, and founding member and chairman of Westhoughton Fairtrade Steering Group which has already achieved its first national award.
At present as a councillor of Westhoughton Town Council, I represent the Town Council at Lancashire Association of Local Councils at Preston Town Hall, where we have an executive seat. Elected by my peers and fellow councillors as an executive member it is with great honour and proud to say that the people of Westhoughton can be reassured that our town is truly embodied in County Palatine of Lancashire with a strong voice. And that our historic town and independent identity is something I am excited to be part of.
Thank you for taking time in reading this brief biography.
Cllr Jack Speight
