my blog
Why government shouldn’t miss the last change to tackle scrap metal theft…
Not including a change in legislation in the recent Queen’s Speech was a missed opportunity for the coalition government to tackle the growing scrap metal theft problem that is sweeping the country.
They need to act now and ensure that a Private Member’s Bill makes its way to the House of Commons for consideration, before it is too late.
This mindless crime is spiralling out of control and has cost councils hundreds of thousands of pounds in recent years having to replace memorial plaques, manhole covers, metal gullies, children’s playground equipment, street signs and lead from schools, council offices and crematoriums.
10th Anniversary of Birkby Fatal House Fire
Tomorrow will see the 10th anniversary of an arson attack that caused the deaths of three generations of the same Huddersfield family – including five children.
Just before 2am on May 12th, 2002, a major fire at 40 Osborne Road in Birkby, Huddersfield, led to the deaths of eight members of the Chishti family.
This was a horrific crime, and shocked the whole community. But while many people have moved on, for the family involved this crime is still all too real and shattering for them.
In July, 2003, three Huddersfield men were convicted for their part in the crime. However 20-year old Shahid Mohammed, who was arrested in the early days of the investigation, escaped justice by failing to answer bail.
Now, on this poignant anniversary the police are renewing an appeal for information on his whereabouts.
I believe someone in the local community knows something about Shahid Mohammed that could help the police bring him to justice and to allow the family to grieve properly for their lost loved ones. Until this happens there can be no closure for the family.
I would join the police in appealing for that person to come forward and give all the information they have on Shahid Mohammed – a man involved in mass murder.
The Police believe that Shahid Mohammed could have fled to Pakistan but he was also known to have strong links to people in London, Birmingham and Leicester.
Anyone who could help with this investigation should call Huddersfield Police via 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, where a community action trust reward could be available.
Shahid Mohammed in 2002
Have your say….improving health and wellbeing
We are inviting organisations, groups and local people to help develop the Kirklees approach to improving the health and wellbeing of residents across our district.
Currently we are formulating the Kirklees Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy, the aim of which is to see significant improvements in the health of local people and to reduce inequalities at every stage of people’s lives by 2020.
Interview
Please have a look at this recent interview where I answer questions about the upcoming election and local issues.
Rugby Internationals visit Galpharm Stadium
On Friday 4 May the England and Ireland Rugby Football League Head Coaches will visit the Galpharm Stadium in Huddersfield ahead of the England vs Ireland fixture in the Rugby League World Cup 2013.
We are delighted that representatives of both teams will visit the stadium where they will have the opportunity to tour the ground and see the excellent facilities we have in Kirklees.
The bid to host the Rugby League World Cup in Kirklees was led by the council and we are delighted to be hosting this fixture which is the only guaranteed England match in West Yorkshire.
Kirklees Council, Huddersfield Giants, Batley Bulldogs and Dewsbury RAMS and their partners are now working hard to promote opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get involved in the sport whether as players, volunteers, coaches or spectators so that as a district Kirklees and rugby league will benefit in the long term from hosting this prestigious fixture.
Labour Councillors cleared by Standards Board
On February 13th of this year I met with Mick and Barry Thandi, along with Labour colleagues and Conservative Councillor Ken Sims, to discuss the businessmen’s proposal to build a pub at Castle Hill.
Following this meeting a complaint was submitted to the Kirklees Standards Board by Tory Councillor Christine Smith, alleging that the meeting had breached planning protocols by holding an unofficial meeting without informing Kirklees Council officers.
I am pleased to confirm that the independent Standards sub-committee dismissed this complaint at the first stage of the Standards process, which is designed to identify complaints in need of no further action.
Protect our Heritage
I have recently received an Email from the Heritage Alliance which I reproduce below. I believe its really important that we do not sacrifice the heritage of this country for short time gain. This Tory led government is doing just that and the short time gain is just minimal – a drop in the ocean.
So please do read the message below and take on board their pleas for help and support.
Kirklees Council’s innovative carbon reduction work
Kirklees Council has been nationally recognised for its commitment to the environment and sustainability.
We have gained this green reputation through such ground-breaking measures as the award-winning Warmzone programme and by being the first council to set a carbon budget in 2008. We have also won many awards for our environmental management work (EMAS) which included managing carbon emissions.
Below are just a few examples of some of our achievements; however you can click here to view the full article.
Late night levy for pubs and clubs
It’s entirely appropriate that bars and clubs should contribute towards the cost of cleaning up the inevitably messy aftermath of a big night out.
Under new Home Office proposals, councils and police will be able to charge venues for the cost of protecting their customers and cleaning up after them. However the Government is proposing that 70 per cent of the fee would go to the police.
This is why the Local Government Association (LGA) has called on the Government to ensure that its proposed new Late Night Levy for clubs and bars adequately compensates councils for keeping nightlife hotspots clean and safe.
Potential fuel shortage – safety guidance
It is understandable that residents will want to take sensible precautions for any possible fuel shortage and for some that will mean storing petrol at home.
However at Kirklees Council we want to make sure that residents are fully aware of existing laws and can store petrol safely and securely.
Filling a single petrol container with twenty litres of petrol is against the law and potentially lethal.
Currently, residents can legally store up to 30 litres (6 gallons) of petrol at home in two 10 litre (2 gallons) metal containers and two 5 litre (1 gallon) plastic containers.
Tory folly could cost tax payers millions
A senior finance officer has estimated that the experience from other local government reorganisations has shown that that the cost to split Kirklees Council would be in the region of a staggering £40 to 50million.
Splitting a council involves a lot of work by a lot of people including preparing for the changes, managing the change, informing the public, set up costs disturbance and relocation costs, office accommodation and removal, adapting IT, a new branding and identity, changing all the signage, there would be new all out elections and winding up costs such as redundancy costs and dealing with the residual liabilities of Kirklees.
Kirklees to host England v Ireland for Rugby League World Cup 2013
Today we have head that England will play Ireland at the Galpharm Stadium in Huddersfield in the Rugby League World Cup 2013.
This is fantastic news for rugby league in Kirklees! Our aim is to fill the Galpharm Stadium for this exciting world class fixture. We want to encourage people not only from Kirklees but from all across Yorkshire and further afield to visit Huddersfield, see the England – Ireland match and experience firsthand the thrill of rugby league being played at the very highest levels.
Kirklees Council supports a low carbon economy
The Kirklees Energy and Water Conservation Fund is a long-standing fund which is used to deliver efficiency projects that reduce carbon emissions and save money on utility bills within council owned buildings.
The fund programme for the forthcoming year has some exciting and innovative schemes but the two major projects that will be considered for 2012/13 are Skills for Climate Change and Environmental Support to Businesses.
Interfaith support for brave soldiers
Today is another difficult day for the families of the three local soldiers who died in Afghanistan, as their bodies are returned home, and as a council we will continue to do all we can to support the families at this extremely difficult time.
As the news broke about the deaths of these brave soldiers, we wanted to act quickly to pay tribute to the these courageous young men who died serving their country.
Flags on all our town halls across the district were immediately lowered to half mast, and the Mayor immediately contacted the families to pass on condolences on behalf of the people of Kirklees, and to offer them support.
Free outdoor concerts return to Huddersfield
McFly who performed at Concerts in the Park in 2009
Music lovers will be in for a royal treat this June, with a FREE three day music festival which will be held in Greenhead Park from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 June.
Created as the centrepiece of our Kirklees jubilee celebrations, this will be the first time that the concerts have been held in Greenhead Park since the renovations and we hope that residents and visitors alike will flock to the park to make it the perfect family weekend, full of live music and entertainment.
Further talks on Children’s Centres
Recent talks with Gemma
I have again met with Gemma Wilson, chair of the local Save Our Sure Start group, for further talks on the possible changes to children’s centres and family support services.
Everyone knows that these are tough times for local government and savings need to be made. We are looking very carefully at the range of services that could be offered at each centre.
Increasingly we would like to see people within communities getting involved in the way their children’s centres are run and my recent talks with Gemma are a key part of the engagement process.
Following the nine-week public consultation we have listened to what local people have to say and our original plans have changed as a result. New proposals for the centres will be considered by the Councils Cabinet on March 13.
Charity Antics
At the top!
On Thursday I took part in a fundraiser for the Mayor’s charity, the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice in Huddersfield.
The charity supports children with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses and their families from Kirklees, Wakefield and Calderdale.
Changes to children’s centre proposals
There is no escaping the fact that these are difficult times and due to the massive cut in the funding that we receive from government, savings must be made and we are looking very carefully at the range of services that could be offered at children’s centres across Kirklees.
Proposals from Government risk public health
People take great comfort in the fact that councils are working on their behalf to make sure the food they buy from shops, restaurants and takeaways is properly prepared and safe to eat.
However new legislation proposed by the Government would prevent environmental health officers carrying out on-the-spot hygiene checks. Instead environmental health and trading standards officers would have to seek a warrant through the courts to carry out inspections, unless given permission to enter by the business owner.
Tesco application approved
I am happy to say that the planning application for a new Tesco store in Huddersfield has been passed.
This means that the plans to build a new 21st century sports centre at Springwood can go ahead.
The centre will be a state-of-the-art facility that serves the leisure needs of thousands of people and will replace a building which unfortunately is long past its best.
Hundreds of construction jobs will be created at the new Tesco and sports centre and the surrounding area of the existing Tesco at Viaduct Street will be regenerated – high quality housing and much needed hotel accommodation will be built.
True picture of rent arrears in Kirklees
Recently the Huddersfield Examiner printed an article concerning the collection of rents at Kirklees Council.
The figures quoted in the article are skewed as they mix up current arrears and former arrears.
The following figures show the true picture of rent arrears in Kirklees:
|
2002 |
2012 |
|
|
Current arrears |
£3.5m |
£1.5m |
|
Former tenant arrears |
£3.4m |
£2.5m |
Work Begins on new Council Homes
I announced in December that we had managed to secure funding to build 466 new homes in Kirklees. See previous story in this blog. Well I’m now pleased to be able to say that work has started on twelve of the sites earmarked for development. (more…)
Kirklees Insulation Scheme
Any Kirklees householder who has not yet had their home insulated can apply to have it done free of charge through the Kirklees Insulation Scheme which is offering FREE loft and wall cavity insulation.
Following the success of the Kirklees Warm Zone scheme, we have allocated some more funding for loft and wall cavity insulation for owner-occupiers and private rented tenants, regardless of income.
The funding is limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. If you are interested contact the Kirklees Insulation Scheme, Private Sector Housing Unit, Kirklees Council on 0800 3280075 or 01484 221392, email: kis@kirklees.gov.uk.
Reliability of Wind Turbines
During recent gale force winds, a small number of privately owned turbines failed in the Hepworth and Cumberworth areas.
The failures involved one particular model and, following a review of information placed on the manufacturer’s website, we have decided that the council should put on hold any pending or future applications for this model of turbine until the manufacturer’s investigations into the mechanical failures have been completed.
Tackling Poverty in Kirklees
Reducing all inequalities is important – whether health, wealth, opportunity – but tackling poverty is vital. This is why it has been a major priority of the Labour Group since forming the administration at Kirklees Council in May 2010.
As a child I lived in poor housing that had no kitchen or bathroom and had an outside toilet. This makes me determined that in the future children in Kirklees will not have to face that standard of living, and have the best possible start in life.
However poverty is still a day to day reality for too many Kirklees residents. One in five children are living in poverty in Kirklees, and its not just children. one in five older people in Kirklees are in poverty and living longer coupled with being unhealthy could well exacerbate the levels of poverty for older people in the future.
Kirklees leads campaign against scrap metal theft
It’s absolutely clear that we have to find ways of combating scrap metal thefts, both inside Kirklees and on a wider national scale.
That’s why Kirklees Council is planning to become the first authority in Yorkshire to introduce a code of conduct for scrap metal dealers.
If Cabinet members give their approval at a meeting on January 31, Kirklees Council will consult with scrap metal dealers about the voluntary code – and will also take the campaign into a national forum, encouraging central government to bring in new legislation which helps councils and the police to enforce the code’s principles.
Council deal with KSDL
I am pleased to announce that the Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd (KSDL) Board has agreed to a restructured financial arrangement with the Council.
The council’s position on the private arrangement for transfer of shares between the owners of Huddersfield Town and Huddersfield Giants has been dictated by the economic conditions. Everybody knows the financial pressure that the council is under and that the clubs are in a much healthier financial position than they once were, with Dean Hoyle and Ken Davy driving forward their future success.
Low carbon economy will help to save money
Investing in low carbon measures would have a real effect on reducing energy costs in Kirklees and so have a positive effect on the local economy.
This message was delivered loud and clear at the launch of a new low carbon drive for the whole of the Leeds City Region and the 11 local authorities, including Kirklees, which are part of it.
I was part of the panel that launched the new report which is the culmination of a two year commission by the Centre for Low Carbon Futures to provide a strong business case for investment in carbon reduction in the Leeds City Region.
Fake Vodka health warning
Trading standards teams are warning all consumers looking to save money this year to be on the look out for cheap fake vodka.
Tests on counterfeit bottles recently seized by trading standards officers from around the country have revealed alarming levels of methanol – a key ingredient used to make anti-freeze with the potential to blind somebody – as well as various industrial solvents.
It is often made in uncontrolled conditions and those buying and drinking it will have no idea of its contents.
Metal theft scheme to be launched
Theft of scrap metal is soaring.
Until now outdated legislation has meant that councils and the police have not had enough power to clampdown on rogue dealers who buy stolen metal.
But a new scheme is set to be trialled in North East England from January 3rd will mean people who sell scrap metal to dealers will have to provide proof of identity, supported with a utility bill.
Reforms of Council funding and Council Tax benefits
Yesterday the Government announced the latest reforms of Council funding and Council Tax benefits.
At the moment, we receive around £135 million in business rates. After the changes in 2013 we will collect and keep approximately £100 million, although there are some promised safety nets to ease the impact of that in the short term. The shortfall will be made up by different grants and funding however we may have to bid for that or it may be for specific proposals which removes local decision making.
Dementia sufferers falling victim to financial abuse
The Alzheimers’s Society calculates that 15% of people with dementia have been victims of financial abuse such as cold calling, scam mail or mis-selling.
These figures are very worrying. If a resident thinks they or someone they know may have fallen victim to crimes that involve scams or rogue trading, they should contact their council trading standards service, the police, or Crimestoppers immediately.
Financial settlement figure in line with expectations
Kirklees Council has received news of its budget settlement from government for 2012/13.
There is now some work to do to go through the specific grants and the make up of the settlement, but the overall figure is in line with our expectations, and means we need to continue with our programme to reduce the size of the council and develop services in a way which is sustainable.
The announcement also vindicates our decision to begin looking at our innovation and efficiency programme when we did.
Council signs contract to deliver new affordable homes for rent Kirklees
Council has announced the conclusion of negotiations with the government and private sector partners, paving the way for 466 brand new high quality affordable homes for rent to be built within the district.
This is fantastic news for Kirklees. While the process we’ve been through has been complex, I’m delighted that we will soon be able to offer 466 families and individuals the opportunity to move into the quality homes which suit their needs, and which they deserve. This programme also gives us the opportunity to regenerate communities, in some cases removing old buildings which were no longer fit for purpose and replacing them with new modern quality homes.
Huddersfield’s Victorian arcade attracts new tenants as existing businesses expand
Already home to over 20 independent retailers and cafes, Huddersfield’s Byram Arcade has seen resurgence as retailers expand their businesses and new shops move in.
The past few months have seen three expansions, three new businesses move in and several major refurbishments – giving the towns oldest arcade a boost just before Christmas.
LDF Debate
On Wednesday, after a marathon 13-hour meeting, Kirklees Councillors from all parties agreed a Local Development Framework (LDF) plan for the area that will span the next 15 years.
However following a recent government announcement we will have to delay the implementation of the strategy – whilst this is very frustrating it is, unfortunately, unavoidable.
Kirklees Council’s Recession Board wins award
I am delighted to reveal that Kirklees Council’s Recession Board has been named as joint winner of a top award in Yorkshire and Humberside.
The Recession Board scooped the joint prize for ‘Outstanding responses to the economic downturn.’ at the Local Government Yorkshire and Humber ‘Make a Difference Awards’.
Kirklees Safeguarding receives glowing report
Safeguarding and looked after children services in Kirklees have received a glowing report from government inspectors.
Following a two-week inspection Ofsted published 22 assessments – 17 services were found to be good, three were adequate and two were outstanding.
Labour plan for 36,000 jobs and just 63 houses per year in the green belt
The Kirklees Labour group has published its proposal for a Local Plan to provide jobs and homes over the next 15 years.
We understand the need for balance when planning for a growing number of homes and the creation of conditions which will attract jobs and investment, while taking care to maintain the character of Kirklees.
Our long term vision will build on the proud fact that Kirklees is the 3rd most important district in England for manufacturing. These proposals meet the needs of current and future businesses, improves residential amenity and preserves the unique character of the district.
Career change apprentice wins national award
A local man has marked an unusual career change from engineering consultancy to horticulture by winning a national apprenticeship award. Paul Thompson-Gough joined Kirklees Council as a horticulture apprenticeship and has been based in Greenhead Park whilst he learns the ropes.
He has been spending three days a week working with a mobile council team and two days in a classroom working towards a Level 2 diploma in horticulture. The apprenticeship scheme combined with the work diploma provides a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds and provides a solid foundation upon which to build a career.
Powers to stop scrap cowboys
Following a surge in the theft of copper and lead from memorials, railway lines and power cables, councils really need greater powers to hold scrap metal dealers to account.
The majority of metal stolen by thieves for profit will end up being bought by scrap yards and because of the lax regulation of the scrap metal industry, thieves can make a quick buck from unscrupulous dealers without any worries it could be traced back to them.
Christmas free parking in Kirklees
I would like to remind everyone that free parking will once again be on offer on certain days in the major town centres in Kirklees in the run up to Christmas.
The busy retail period in the run up to Christmas is precisely the time we should be attracting shoppers to our town centres and offering some free parking concessions is a vital way of supporting town centre businesses. By doing this we are demonstrating our commitment to doing everything we can to help tackle the effects of the recession.
Carbon Reduction Commitment Kudos for Kirklees
Kirklees Council has topped the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) League Table for Yorkshire and Humber Local Authorities.
The Environment Agency’s newly published league table ranks Kirklees Council as 168 out of approximately 2000 organisations, and I delighted that we scored highest out of all the Yorkshire and Humber Local Authorities. Overall we were fourteenth out of all UK local authorities participating in the scheme which is a great achievement.
New Customer Service Centre Planned for Huddersfield
Kirklees Cabinet will decide on Thursday whether to move forward with plans to develop a new-look customer service centre at the Civic Centre in Huddersfield. Click here to view the proposals.
Garden Waste Charges
Charges for the collection of garden waste will come into force across Kirklees from October 1st.
Unfortunately difficult decisions such as this are having to be made by councils all across the country, due to a large cut in government funding – the total savings that we in Kirklees have to make is around £83m. This means we have to make tough choices between services that are desirable and services that are absolutely necessary.
Kirklees Women’s Awards 2012
Kirklees Women’s Alliance has launched the Kirklees Outstanding Women awards for 2012.
The awards aim to honour individuals of outstanding merit who have gone that extra mile to help others.
They celebrate the many contributions that women and young girls of all ages and backgrounds make to their families, work, communities, businesses and society as a whole which improves the lives and wellbeing of those around them.
Ed Miliband: New Shadow Cabinet
Ed Miliband today appointed a new Shadow Cabinet.
Six of the 2010 intake have been promoted, showing the Labour Leader’s determination to bring forward a new generation of Labour MP’s: Chuka Umunna, Rachel Reeves, Stephen Twigg, Liz Kendall, Margaret Curran and Michael Dugher.
Changes to Kirklees Council Cabinet
I am pleased to announce that Cllr David Sheard has been appointed as the new deputy leader of Kirklees Council.
Cllr Sheard is a vastly experienced councillor in the Heckmondwike ward and he is taking over the role from Cllr Ken Smith, who stepped down from the Cabinet last month.
I can also reveal that Dewsbury East councillor, Cllr Cathy Scott will be joining the Cabinet, the council’s executive decision-making body.
Greenhead Park bowling pavilion gets green light
I am happy to say that the new bowing pavilion at Greenhead Park is definitely going ahead.
This week council officers met with the architect for the scheme and have discussed and agreed the construction details for the new pavilion. The council are committed to this programme of works and to ensuring that everything is ready for the spring 2012 bowling season.
The Waterfront and Kirklees College – The Facts
The Waterfront scheme is vital to Huddersfield. Not only will it will transform an area that has previously been under-rated and under-used but will also produce huge regeneration and economic benefits including 985 new jobs, 70 jobs safeguarded, new industrial floorspace and commercial development, 1.2 hectares of land improved and of course a new purpose build campus for Kirklees College.
In 2009 The Learning and Skills Council (LSC), the funding body for Further Education Colleges, announced that it had financial problems and told Kirklees College that it had to reduce the requested level of funding for their campus on the site otherwise it may lose the funding all-together.
This is when Kirklees College approached the Council about the possibility of obtaining a loan to fund part of the costs of the new campus. It was clear that we needed to act quickly to effectively save the application to the LSC and protect the plans for the new college, so a loan to assist the college was agreed to secure a better future for our young people and to help create jobs during the recession.
Festival Fun!
This year’s Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival was the busiest ever in the history of the event!
Visitors to the festival, which took place from 11th to 14th August in St George’s Square and the Byram Arcade, nearly topped 100,000 over the course of the four days, which is up 35% on last year.
Five councils agree legal services partnership
Five councils agree legal services partnership With the financial situation government has placed us in, we have to be innovative and look at any ways possible to improve our service while being mindful of the costs.
This is why Kirklees Council has just signed up to a ground-breaking agreement to work together with four other West Yorkshire authorities to share legal services expertise and resources.
Council secures first tenant for Pioneer House in record time
Following years of neglect at the hands of its former owner, Pioneer House in Dewsbury will get its first new tenant soon.
Discussions with the first tenant reached an advanced stage, less than two weeks since the council took formal ownership of building, and I am really pleased that the negotiations have reached a stage where both parties are happy to publicly announce our involvement. As our discussions are not yet finalised, I can’t confirm the identity of the tenant, but we hope to be able to make a further announcement very soon.
Kirklees Council – achieving more with less
Financial reports have shown that our council has made substantial savings of £22 million during 2010/11, despite the effects of the recession and cuts from central government.
This is a huge achievement for the council given the financial pressures facing local government.
This underspend has come as a result of keeping a tight grip on the budget and from one off savings, for example sending less waste to landfill, controlling vacant posts and increased levels of income. We have also been able to provide services with less money in some cases, which demonstrates our commitment to keeping costs down whilst still delivering high quality services.
A total of £15 million could be rolled over into this year’s budget. Topping up our reserves and rolling over this money puts Kirklees finances on a stronger footing and will help to smooth out some of the harsh cuts imposed upon us by the coalition government. This is in the context of reducing our budget by more than £80 million in this financial plan.
Kirklees has already made efficiency savings of more than £20 million however we are always looking at ways of working smarter to provide value for money for all local people.
Disruption at Council Meeting investigation results
Many people may well remember that back in February when Councils were preparing budgets in the face of the horrendous cuts imposed on us by the Tory led Government emotions were running high as Council budget meetings were lobbied by people not wishing to see cuts implemented. We had our meeting on the same day as Leeds where, for instance, they had to abandon their meeting. Here in Kirklees we were not so unfortunate and our meeting kept going albeit there was a considerable lobby wanting to get into the meeting. I was informed by Officers that in the throng a female member of staff had been hit in the face by someone insisting they be admitted. I felt that it was my duty to inform Council of this fact. An investigation into the incident was launched and whilst I have not yet had the opportunity to read the full report a summary has been relayed to me.
It appears there was much pushing and shoving by some members of the lobby, and one member of staff was kicked in the shins - behaviour that was to say the least intimidating and threatening. However it would appear that no-one is admitting to actually being hit. Staff were asked if they wanted to press charges but no-one wanted to do so – they don’t, quite naturally, want to go through the process of giving statements to the police and so forth. They are to be praised for wanting just to get on with their jobs.
I stand by my statement to Council at the time, as I was acting in good faith relying on information given to me by an officer of the council also acting in good faith on what he took to be accurate information, but in stressful and confusing situations information can get distorted. I give my thanks to all the staff who managed to keep the situation from getting really nasty and I now look forward to us all putting the issue behind us and dealing with the very serious issues involved in providing first class services to Kirklees residents
200 new jobs for Dewsbury with Think3e
Further to my post on 11th May, I am pleased to announce that Think3e is ready to take on its next wave of jobs at the Calder Mill Site.
There will be 200 new vacancies created for local people, making a total of 300 up to now.
Significant decrease in Kirklees crime
Newly released figures show that there has been real success in reducing crime and re-offending in Kirklees.
Over the last two year we have continued to work in partnership with the police, the NHS and the Probation Service as well as voluntary organisations and it’s great to hear that re-offending rates are falling.
Recycling creates 100 new jobs in Dewsbury
The opening of a brand new recycling plant has created 100 new jobs for unemployed local people in Dewsbury.
Think3e who are the largest recycling social enterprise in the UK has been working with the Council since last July to open the site at Calder Bank Mills in Scout Hill, Dewsbury.
Future Jobs Fund makes big impact on young people in Kirklees
Over the past 18 months a total of 742 young people in Kirklees have been helped into employment by the Future Jobs Fund.
Supporting our young people and increasing opportunities for them is one of the priorities for the council so it’s fantastic news that so many have been able to benefit from the Future Jobs Fund.
LibDem Parliamentary Candidate switches to Labour
Mehboob welcomes Andrew Hutchinson to the Labour Party
Former Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Dewsbury at the General Election, Andrew Hutchinson, has announced that he has joined the Labour Party.
Mr. Hutchinson, who lives in Westborough, Dewsbury, said, “I have joined Labour who are the only party ready to speak up for people and protect our communities from the effects of the financial crisis brought about by the bankers and the swingeing cuts of the Conservative-LibDem Coalition”.
Eric is just plain wrong!
As readers of this blog will know I have frequently stated my view that the Tory government is targeting the north particularly hard and unfairly in terms of its cuts in central government funding. Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities was quoted in the Examiner recently as stating that :
“Funding per head in Kirklees is more than eight times what it is in places like Surrey.
“I’ve done my best to protect places like this”
Government minimum alcohol pricing will have negligible impact
Earlier this year Government Ministers unveiled plans to set a minimum price for alcohol in England and Wales.
They want to ban shops and bars from selling drinks for less than the tax paid on them in the hope of cutting crime and to set a “base price” for the first time.
If this would mean the cheapest can of lager would cost 38p and a litre of cider 40p – less that a can of Coca-Cola!
Austerity protests spread across the UK
The brutal cuts to services being inflicted by this government are unnecessary, unfair and ideologically motivated. There are many organisations have been formed to oppose these cuts, however there is one group in particular that has been staging very high profile protests as part of the anti-cuts movement.
Funding shortfall for Community Safety
Earlier this year the Home Office revealed details of the funding they would be providing for councils to improve community safety and tackle crime in their areas for the next two years.
In January the Home office announced that a 20% cut would be made to the 2011/12 community safety budget. If that wasn’t bad enough the Home Office then went on to reveal that a further 50% cut would be made for 2012/13. These savage cuts to funding jeopardise vital services which combat crimes such as anti-social behaviour, domestic violence, graffiti, problem families and substance misuse.
Do it online! New e-petitions help you have your say
Check out the new online tool for creating e-petitions on the Kirklees Council website.
It’s now easier than ever for you, your friends, family and neighbours to make your views known to the council, when you think we can make a difference.
And I think it’s got to be easier to bring your petition to the attention of a wide range of people – particularly younger people – when it is online.
Just send them a link!
Government attack on social housing
This government are proposing changes that represent the biggest shake-up to social housing provision in many years which will result in the most vulnerable in society losing out.
The Government want to push councils and housing associations to grant fixed term tenancies lasting at least two years for new tenants. At the moment social housing tenants are granted a “secure tenancy”, giving them considerable rights and the confidence that, providing they keep to the terms of their tenancy, the house is theirs.
Kirklees Fairtrade Success!
Huddersfield and the whole of the Kirklees area have been successful is achieving Fairtrade Town status from the Fairtrade Foundation.
I’m delighted that we have been successful in gaining Fairtrade status, not just for Huddersfield, but for the whole of Kirklees and it is a deserved reward for everyone’s hard work.
Should Kirklees abandon its work on a local plan?
Recently some MPs have not been completely open with residents and claim that the council should abandon work on preparing a Local Development Framework (LDF).
The LDF is the way in which Kirklees Council presents its proposals for the use and development of land and for changes to the transportation system in our local area.
Our Local Development Framework plan has been developed by an All Party Councillor Working Group and was advised by Council Officers, taking into account government rules and regulations.
Over the last 10 weeks we have invited residents and businesses to put forward their views and during this time we have made information available to residents in a variety of different ways to encourage and maximise participation.
Kirklees Council – cross party proposals for a fully costed four year financial plan which minimises the impact of cuts and provides some protection for priority services
Cabinet members met yesterday to recommend a budget that promotes local economic growth while minimising the impact on frontline services. It will now be up to all councillors at full council to make the final decision in two weeks.
Setting the budget for the next three years has been the hardest challenge in my experience of local government. The three major parties have worked closely together on the proposals as it is too vital an issue to allow party politics to intervene. (more…)
25% cut to crime fighting budget
In parliament on Monday the final local government finance report was announced by the coalition government.
The report confirmed what we already feared in that local government will have to cover a funding shortfall of around £6.5bn in the next financial year, with some councils, especially in the north, facing huge reductions in the amount of money they receive from the Government, in fact it will be the toughest settlement in living memory.
Included in the report were the details of the funding that the Home Office will be providing for councils to improve community safety and tackle crime in their areas throughout 2011/12. We have been waiting since December to hear about this part of the settlement, and the delay has made planning for the future extremely difficult. The result was very bad news…
Poorest hit under government compulsory water meter proposal
Under new government proposals every household could be forced to have a water meter – if they are made compulsory in all homes then it could send water bills rocketing in some of the poorest areas.
Obviously those who use the highest amount of water will be worst affected and unfortunately this includes the disabled, large families, and those who regularly water large gardens or wash their cars.
The impact that water metering could have on people on low incomes or those with large families and who are in receipt of benefits could be catastrophic.
National recognition for Kirklees Town Halls
In The Times newspaper on 15th January there was an article detailing the demise of many town halls in the North of England particularly Oldham and Birkenhead which have been closed for over 10 years.
The flip side of the story talked about places where town halls have been developed and brought back into public use. Kirklees Council was singled out for its work on changing town halls from buildings just for council meetings to welcoming, exciting and diverse buildings for various events, rooms hire and community use.
Kirklees came to the attention of the reporter when he was researching the decline of northern town halls because Kirklees town halls kept cropping up for another reason – their wide and varied events programme. The reporter then contacted our town halls development manager for further information about Kirklees which appeared in the article. Click here to view.
Kirklees ranked in Stonewall top 100 employers
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Last week Stonewall, the lesbian, gay and bisexual charity, published its Top 100 Employers 2011, highlighting the country’s best employers for gay staff.
Kirklees Council came joint 38th in the index – five places up from last year, which is really great news for our authority as there were more entries this time than ever before and the criteria has also got tougher therefore competition has been really fierce!
North v South – The Spending Cut Divide
An analysis of the Government’s local government settlement has exposed huge differences in the cuts faced by Labour-controlled northern councils and Tory-controlled local authorities in the south.
Kirklees’ budget will drop 4.3% from £365.1m this year to £349.5m in 2011/12. The following year the figure will fall 3.41% to £333m. Compare this for example to Surrey Council who will only have its budget squeezed by 0.31% in 2011/12 and Dorset Council whose budget will actually increase by 0.25% next year.
The graph below show the average percentage cuts in council grants and it is obvious that northern authorities which tend to be Labour controlled are going to receive cuts in Government grants of more than twice the rate for Conservative authorities.
Cabinet Meeting First Webcast
Kirklees Council began webcasting meetings of the Full Council earlier this year and is now expanding public access to other council meetings starting with Cabinet.
Webcasting provides an opportunity to open up the council’s democratic processes to local people. I hope as many as possible will engage, both in webcasting and in the other methods that already exist to influence decisions. The majority of our meetings are open to the public and agendas, reports and minutes are published on our web site. Local people can also ask questions, submit petitions and make deputations.
Click on the below link to view the Cabinet meeting that was held on 21st December.
http://www.kirklees.public-i.tv/site/player/pl_compact.php?a=50436&t=&m=wms&l=en_GB
Deep cuts cause darkest day for local services
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has hit northern councils unfairly in the funding cuts unveiled by government.
We have pledged a council tax freeze in Kirklees, but the authority’s revenue spending power has been slashed.
The headline figure is a first-year drop of 4.26 per cent, based on the council’s total income and expenditure, but in real terms the figure is higher – there will be an 11 per cent fall in revenue support grant. (more…)
Festival of Light Success
I would like to thank everyone who came out and made Festival of Light 2010 such a huge success. Despite the snow and very cold temperatures, I was delighted to see thousands of smiling faces in Huddersfield on Friday and Saturday evenings enjoying the show in the square – and what a show it was! High-flying angels floating in front of the train station isn’t something you see every day – and the well-timed snow shower on the Friday night added to the spectacle. (more…)
Kirklees Council Adult Social Services Judged Excellent
Kirklees Council Adult Social Services and its partners have been judged excellent overall by the Care Quality Commission with significant improvements being made in safeguarding vulnerable adults and supporting people to live independently at home. The assessment looked at seven key areas and judged Kirklees excellent in four and good in three.
The announcement was made by commission on Thursday November 25 following a year of evidence gathering, visits and inspections. (more…)
Helping business through the Recession
I understand that all businesses have been struggling over the last year or so as the Recession bites. This has been exacerbated by the Government’s spending review, the details of which have yet to be fully revealed to us.
However, we believe that Huddersfield and the rest of Kirklees have a prosperous future. Within Kirklees Council we have been working tirelessly to do all we can to help local businesses, employees and the unemployed to thrive, grow and have better prospects.
Response to Recession
So far we have had the following successes in responding to Recession:
- 10 manufacturers awarded £731,000 of business rates’ relief, safeguarding 384 jobs
- 87 key account businesses engaged and 385 others offered general business support
- 22 leisure business start up enquiries
- 75 jobs created by Enterprise Centres and 105 known jobs safeguarded by business engagement
Recession Fund
We established the Recession Fund to respond quickly and effectively to the impact of the Recession on our district. This has resulted in a number of successful schemes:
2533 new members recruited to the local credit union to alleviate financial hardship
- Future Jobs Fund – so far 448 long-term unemployed have taken up employment opportunities
- 759 Kirklees Passports issued in the last six months (giving holders discounted access to a range of chargeable council, partner and private sector services)
- ‘build’ – engaging with and assisting SME businesses in a unique membership employer network, promoting the interests of the construction industry and assisting in the creation of jobs. Since Recession Fund support, the project has exceeded targets: 113 businesses assisted, 1516 jobs supported/safeguarded, 209 disadvantaged residents skilled, 32 employment opportunities created and 21 residents given work experience.
Supporting Town Centre Businesses
We are proud to have given direct support to commercial enterprises within Huddersfield in the following ways:
- Actively promoting town centre events such as the Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival and Festival of Light to increase footfall and visitor dwell time
- Engaging with owners of town centre properties to reduce vacancy levels and help improve the appearance of vacant shops.
- Business breakfast meetings giving the chance to network
- Management of the Retail Radio
- Promoting Huddersfield through Huddersfield Magazine and the Definitive Guide
Local Enterprise Partnership
We are excited to be playing an active role within the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) which brings together councils, businesses and key partners within the area to lead on local economic priorities.
The LEP, which should be operational by September 2011, brings together public and private sectors to create the right environment for businesses to flourish and be able to compete in national and international markets.
This includes providing the necessary skills and training for the region’s workforce and investing in transport infrastructure.
The LEP will be funded through local authorities and external partners. Its key tasks will be to commission responsibility for economic development and regeneration, specifically:
- Integrated strategic planning
- Housing and regeneration
- Transport
- Skills and worklessness
- Innovation and enterprise, including business support
- Economic development, including inward investment and sector leadership
- Climate change
We are sure that in combining all these measures, Kirklees Council can make a real difference.
Establishing a minimum energy efficiency standard for private rented properties
As the Leader of Kirklees Council I have recently signed up to support a new minimum energy standard for private rented properties.
Charities and consumer groups concerned about the number of cold, health-hazard rented homes are demanding a new law to help protect tenants and have issued a joint statement to which they are asking organisations to support and to sign up to.
The coalition of organisations, including housing, children’s, disability and environmental charities, is calling for urgent government action to make it illegal to rent out the least insulated properties until they are brought up to a higher standard of energy efficiency.
Private rented homes are the worst maintained part of the housing stock with many private rented properties failing the Decent Homes standard and a quarter of tenants living in fuel poverty.
In fact in Kirklees we have 26,030 properties that are privately rented and 8410 (32.3%) are deemed to be non decent. Therefore it is vital that we sign up to this campaign.
Improved information, advice and financial incentives for tenants and landlords are needed and all landlords, regardless of the energy efficiency rating of their property, must be helped to improve their properties through specially targeted schemes such as the Green Deal, which must provide upfront low-interest finance for the necessary energy efficiency improvements, including in hard-to-treat properties. With such assistance many landlords may choose to improve their properties and local initiatives such as accreditation can help with this, rewarding the best landlords.
The coalition of organisations believe legislation is essential to protect households who live in the very worst insulated and least energy efficient private rented accommodation from high energy bills, ill health and fuel poverty. This must be done by setting a legal minimum level of energy efficiency for private rented properties and a date by which it will be an offence to let properties which do not meet this standard. The Government must also legislate to sweep away the cost, complexity and resource barriers which stop local authorities using their existing powers under the Housing Act 2004 to improve the worst properties.
The previous Government had made commitments toward creating such a standard in order to ensure that private sector tenants had decent homes for their families.
Benefit Changes
The Government have announced a number of changes to Housing Benefit that will affect the Private and Social Rented sector. Some of the planned changes only affect Local Housing Allowance claimants and hence Social Rented sector tenants are unaffected directly by those changes. In summary all of the changes reduce the value of Housing Benefit whilst increasing rents charged to individuals.
• The Government will use the Consumer Price Index for the price indexation of benefits and tax credits from April 2011. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) will replace Rossi and Retail Price Index (RPI) as the tool used to decide on benefits increases in April each year (also known as uprating). The implication here is that benefits will increase at a much lower rate than was previously the case with recipients losing a potential 1.7p in the pound compared to the status quo.
• Deductions for non-dependents will be increased in April 2011 The rate of deduction made from a claimant’s Housing Benefit award if they have a non-dependant living with them had been frozen since 2001.However from April 2010 non-dependant deductions to be increased (uprated) on the basis of prices using the Consumer Prices Index. The implication is that the highest deduction might increase by around £22 per week. This will inevitably increase the rent charged to those with non dependants.
• The 5 bed rate in Local Housing Allowance (LHA) will be removed Local Housing Allowance (LHA) will be restricted to four-bedroom rate regardless of household size. A claimant’s LHA rate will be reduced on the anniversary of their claim and will ultimately lead to a reduction of around £56.00 per week. About 8,000 households will be affected.
• The £15 top up in Local Housing Allowance (LHA) will be removed This is the rule that if the LHA rate is higher than the rent that a Housing Benefit claimant is paying, they can keep the difference up to a maximum of £15 a week. However there will no longer be a payment of up to £15 a week where individuals have secured a rent lower than the LHA rate.
• From October 2011 Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates will be based on the 30th percentile of rents of the local area rather than the 50th percentile All LHA cases will be reassessed between October 2011 and October 2012 to take account of the new rate. Rates are expected to reduce by around £10 a week for most claimants. Around 7500 households will be affected.
• From April 2013 Government propose to introduce a local Council Tax Benefit scheme This will be a local scheme decided upon by each LA. It has been suggested that a local rebate scheme might also include the awarding of discounts and exemptions as well as “benefit” and this might be rolled up into a new scheme.
• From April 2013 we are likely to see that new Housing Benefit applicants cannot make Housing Benefit claims and that from this point they will need to make an application for the new Universal Credit to cover housing costs. At this stage Housing Benefit as a scheme is retained for Pensioners, this change only affects working age customers. All working age customers will to move to Universal Credit by 2017.
• From April 2013, housing entitlements for working age people in the social sector will reflect family size. At the moment Social Rented Sector tenants receive housing benefit based upon the rent charged by their landlord. From April 2013 their Housing benefit will be restricted to a rate applicable to a property of an appropriate size.
• Structural changes to Income Support and Incapacity Benefit. Lone parents whose youngest child is over 5, will be transferred from Income Support to Jobseekers Allowance. All claimants receiving Incapacity Benefit will be transferred to either Jobseekers Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance following a medical assessment. Both changes will increase the number of “jobseekers” which has major implications in relation to the following point.
• Housing Benefit awards will be reduced to 90% of the initial award after 12 months for claimants receiving Jobseekers Allowance. From April 2013 Jobseekers Allowance recipients will lose 10% of their Housing Benefit award if they have been seeking work for 12 months or more.
• Total benefit receipts capped at £500 for those with children From April 2013 if Housing Benefit is in payment it will be reduced to bring the total benefit award down to £500. Couples with 5 children and single people with 6 children are affected at today’s benefit rates.
• LHA single room rent applies to 25 to 35 year olds. From April 2013 single people under 35 will be expected to share a house with others. There are currently around 800 single people aged 25 to 35 where Housing Benefit is based on a rent of £85 per week, that will reduce to £56.00 per week.
• From April 2013 LHA rates will be increased (uprated) by CPI and will from that point onwards be divorced from actual rents. If rents increase greater than CPI then this will reduce the value of benefit, if rents increase less than CPI then the value of benefits will increase.
Greenhead Park cafe to re-open this weekend
The completion of the restoration of Greenhead Park moves a step closer with the re-opening of the park café this weekend. The newly-restored café is a splendid place to visit, with ample seating space both inside and outside (weather permitting) for all visitors to the park.
The building has been closed for over a year and has been completely transformed both inside and out as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Kirklees Council restoration project.
The café will open to the public this Saturday at 10am. It will be open to the public from 10am until 3pm every day during the winter, with longer opening hours during the summer months.
The re-opening of the café marks an important milestone and signifies that this extensive restoration project is nearing completion. I would urge all the park’s visitors to go along this weekend and see what the new-look business has to offer.
There has been a café in the park since the end of the 1920s, but whilst the refurbishment has been taken place the business has been restricted to a small trailer near the play area. The café building also has a meeting room together with new public toilets.
The refitted café is heated by a ground source heat pump and has insulated walls, ceilings and floors to make it as energy efficient as possible.
Festival of Light 2010
Since the first event in 2004, Huddersfield’s Festival of Light has acquired a national reputation for bringing innovative and exciting street theatre to Yorkshire.
Corazon de Angeles by Theater Tol
This year’s Festival of Light has been extended to include two performances of the main show, Corazon de Angeles, and a programme of other entertainment and live music across Huddersfield over the whole weekend. Corazon de Angeles (translated as ‘Angel Heart’), comes courtesy of Belgian performers Theater Tol, who have entranced millions across the globe with their airborne operatic shows. Audiences have two chances to catch this amazing free show, which will be performed at 7.30pm on 3rd and 4th December in St George’s Square.
The town centre will come alive over the Festival of Light weekend with a veritable feast of attractions and performances in addition to the main show. A street theatre stage will appear in Market Place on Saturday and Sunday and play host to amazing hair artists Osadia who sculpt crazy hair styles on willing participants using various materials, including trolls (has to be seen to be believed!) They will be joined by renowned jugglers Gandinis and a whole host of walk-about street theatre artists who will be taking over the town centre and entertaining the crowds.
As dusk falls each evening, some of Huddersfield’s most beautiful buildings will be dramatically lit as part of a trail of light installations across the town. Byram Arcade, one of Huddersfield’s finest Victorian arcades, will be one such place and inside its beautiful building will be Ragroof Theatre, running a series of stylish tea dances taking people back to the roaring 20’s, 30’s and 40’s and giving them the chance to learn some new moves.
Also on the trail will be Huddersfield’s first ever ‘Lightgarden’, created especially for Festival of Light using animation and sound installations projected onto buildings including the Lawrence Batley Theatre and Huddersfield Library/Art Gallery. Christopher Baker’s Urban Echo will also be making its debut in Huddersfield over the weekend, an interactive projection which invites audiences to send text messages and voicemails and see them projected onto vacant shop windows. This piece has been seen all over the world, including a number of cities in America and across Europe.
Festival of Light is has become the jewel in Huddersfield’s event calendar, and over recent years, has been attracting more and more visitors from across the region and beyond into the area. We’re delighted to be working with Welcome to Yorkshire on this event and have their recognition that this event is a Yorkshire highlight.
The Festival programme is jam-packed and will give everyone the chance to discover, or re-discover, Huddersfield and see our buildings, gardens and town centre in a whole new light as performers take to the streets, buildings are illuminated and we have high-flying angels gliding across the sky!
Another first for Huddersfield in the Festival of Light programme is be an Art Market, brought to town by the organisers of Holmfirth’s successful and well established event. Visitors can browse the stalls inside Huddersfield’s innovative Media Centre to find jewellery, ceramics, art, leather goods and much more, most of which is made and presented by local artists. The Art Market will be open Friday to Sunday.
A festive food and drink market, traditional fairground and open-air ice rink will also be open over the whole weekend for visitors to enjoy at their leisure. A spectacular firework display will bring the weekend to a close on Sunday 5th in St George’s Square at 5pm.
In addition to the main Festival programme, over 30 Fringe Events are taking place across the town centre, giving festival-goers the chance to make the most of their weekend and enjoy live music, comedy and other entertainment. Highlights include singer-songwriter Sandi Thom, Leeds based indie band Sunshine Underground and live jazz from the Matt Wates Sextet. This year’s festival promises to be the biggest and best yet, and provides a perfect opportunity for all the family to enjoy.
The official Festival of Light website is www.huddersfieldlightfest.co.uk.
Top attendance record for Kirklees councillors
Research has recently been undertaken in the Yorkshire area into all councillors’ attendance records for meetings across the region.
Of the 22 councils in the Yorkshire area, Kirklees has come third in the league (out of all 22) for average percentage attendance record for councillors with 89.58%.
We are delighted to have such a good attendance record. This is a reflection of the hard work and commitment of our councillors, who also attend many non-formal meetings during each year and carry out a wide range of work in their wards on behalf of local people. In the further interests of promoting local democracy and opening up the process for as many residents as possible, we have also started to provide free webcasts of certain council meetings. These are streamed live through our website, www.kirklees.gov.uk
Kirklees leading the fight against benefit fraud
Officers working for Kirklees Council have uncovered almost £3.5 million in benefit fraud.
The new figures revealed today follow an Audit Commission report into the work of councils in recovering £135 million nationally.
The Kirklees team has discovered £2.5 million of fraudulent claims for housing and council tax benefit, and has already recovered just under half that amount. They are continuing to pursue the other 50%.
But they have also uncovered £950,000 of other benefit fraud for the Department of Work and Pensions.
This sends out a message that we take fraud seriously, and not only will we investigate, we will actively press to claim back fraudulently claimed money, or seize assets where the money has been spent.
Criminals who defraud the benefits system are stealing from all of us, and every pound we regain is a pound towards saving other services.
It is vital that those who are eligible have all the benefits they need and are entitled to, and this is not about stigmatising genuine claims. I personally believe that the government’s decision to axe the Audit Commission could weaken the fight to combat fraud.
Kirklees has now offered its service to the other West Yorkshire Councils (Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield and Calderdale) as well as West Yorkshire Trading Standards which enables the council to undertake proceeds of crime investigations on their behalf.
After fraudsters have been convicted, the team take on cases and conduct thorough investigations into people’s finances to establish whether or not they have benefited from the proceeds of crime. Once a financial investigation commences the investigators will also look for evidence of other offences such as money laundering and mortgage fraud and where appropriate will include these within the prosecution case.
The Green Vision: Sustainable Building Conference 2010
Construction companies are being invited to attend a high-profile conference in Huddersfield to learn about new opportunities in sustainable building.
The Green Vision: Sustainable Building Conference takes place on Wednesday November 24 at the Textile Centre of Excellence, where guest speaker Paul Davies, Sustainable Technologies Manager from Wates, a leader in the construction industry, will talk about the opportunities which currently exist in the sustainable building sector and provide practical tips on winning contracts.
Delegates will also learn about how they can prepare for the introduction of the 2016 zero carbon building regulations and the opportunities this will bring to construction companies.
And, importantly, the conference will give smaller construction companies the chance to meet large contractors in the sector – offering them a chance to develop new relationships, show their skills and expertise and look at how they can work together to develop more business.
I am delighted that we are able to host this year’s Green Vision conference in Huddersfield. Businesses all over the country face huge challenges and, as a council, we continue to play a vital role in stimulating our economy, creating jobs and finding innovative ways to help local people cope with difficult times – in fact Kirklees Council’s anti-recession measures have won praise from central government.
It is important that construction businesses in Yorkshire, and especially in Kirklees, seize the emerging opportunities in sustainable construction. The conference will give construction companies the tools and information they need to expand into this sector and I hope companies across Yorkshire will attend this valuable event and learn more about the opportunities available to them.
Jobs and growth are needed to help us tackle the deficit – not just cuts
The new Government budget will hit Kirklees hard – with many poor and lower paid people across the area dependant on welfare benefits or public sector jobs.
In amongst the massive cuts announced last week – where is the support for investment and growth that we will need to build and climb our way out of recession. Unfortunately, it doesn’t exist.
Playing fast and loose with our futures
The UK deficit needs to be tackled. But it is the unprecedented speed that this Government has committed itself to – and the way it plans to slash our vital public service that is foolish and misguided.
Residents in my Ward in Greenhead don’t pay their mortgage in four years – this would be far too fast – impossible to do sensibly. And this Tory led Government does not have to pay the Government’s debt in four years.
Alternatively Labour believes in economic growth – with Government debt being repaid but not at the expense of growth. The level of cuts – never seen in our lifetime – will increase unemployment and slash your local services and opportunities.
Tory economic policy is just deficit reduction; this leaves Britain without a plan for economic growth, which is what this Government has done.
It is a gamble that will put recovery at risk and may even push us back into recession.
Don’t believe the hype
This was a global recession – where America and every European country ran up deficits in 2008 and 2009 to support their economies and save their banks from collapse.
It was not about excessive public spending – and right up until last year the Tories agreed promising to spend the same on public services as Labour – while the Lib Dems wanted to spend even more.
Public spending is vital both to ensure we live in a fair world and to support our economy.
Kirklees Council is already making huge savings
In early 2009 I asked the Council to start an efficiency programme to save £30 million. By starting early we have made good progress – changes in the way services are delivered are underway and a number of colleagues have left the Council already – saving on staff costs. Efficiencies will help protect essential savings.
We are ahead of many other Councils and Government Departments in their planning to make efficiency savings.
However, the Government wants cuts of over £80 million from the budget. That is over a quarter of the whole budget – and nearly three times more than the efficiency target that Officers and I have worked towards.
Unfortunately, this Government has demanded that your local services are cut and thousands will lose their jobs.
Kirklees Council is a strong Council and we will do our best to fight against the Government’s attacks on your services.
David Cameron knows price of everything and the value of nothing
Cuts this severe will cost – much more than just money:
- Stalled growth in the local economy will devastate families
- Young people will have less opportunities and less chances in life
- Older people will be left vulnerable and without support
The Council I lead is strong and will work had to protect people from the cuts.
I am on your side – and I will battle with the Government to win investment in our area and people. We need a fair share of resources to create a fair community and a better future for all.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2010
The United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an occasion to re-affirm and draw attention to the rights of people who live with disabilities worldwide. It is held annually on December 3 and in Kirklees this year’s event will be bigger than ever before.
Kirklees Council is leading the two day event (the main event on the Friday) to raise awareness of disability issues, promote inclusion and independence, and celebrate achievements.
Activities will take place in Dewsbury on Wednesday 1 December, and then in Huddersfield on Friday 3 December. Taking centre stage will be a Dragons Den style event hosted by Huddersfield Town’s Andy Booth, where local people can test their inventions to make a difference to the life of a person with a disability, with the winners receiving an accessible holiday. Other events in Huddersfield sports centre are sports activities including football, rugby, table tennis, bowling, dance and climbing, as well as the chance to take part in arts competitions. All activities are fully accessible. At Queensgate market, there will also be a series of cook’s challenges in the demonstration area, showing recipes suitable for people with food allergies or intolerances.
The Dewsbury events will take place in the d-shop in Longcauseway and include arts and crafts, beauty treatments, games and lots more.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an important event to celebrate the achievements of those with all kinds of disabilities while raising awareness of what life can be like for someone who has a disability. As a provider of services and as an employer, Kirklees Council is committed to supporting the education of children and young people, and the wider community by raising awareness of disability issues and the importance of valuing individual’s differences.
Diversity gives us strength, and by highlighting some of the barriers that exist to people playing their full part in society, we can ensure that the aspirations of disabled people are reflected in our services.
Some further thoughts on the Comprehensive Spending Review
We have a headline figure of 26% cuts imposed on Local Councils in the CSR. This seems bad enough. However that headline figure does not show the reality of the situation that we, Kirklees and other, mainly northern, metropolitan councils face. Because of the way funding is distributed to Councils throughout the country, depending on their make up and needs, that 26% figure does not fall evenly on all Councils. The County Councils, those leafy shires, are much less dependant upon government grant than us and so will be less stringently hit. Information has still to come from the Tory led government – we are expecting some of the details to take days if not weeks to filter through – but such is the difference between the shires funding and ours that the New Local Government Network estimates that our cut in funding will not be less than 40% but might even rise to 50%.
It’s a figure that we cannot possibly achieve through efficiency savings alone. It will mean huge job losses and services radically altered or ceasing altogether. Knowing deep cuts were coming we have been working on our strategy to cope with such losses for some time but I have to say that the future for local councils is very grim indeed.
HUDDERSFIELD ON ICE RETURNS
I am pleased to tell you that Huddersfield’s sparkling Ice Rink is to return once again to be at the heart of the town centre’s Christmas experience.
Now firmly associated with the start of Christmas, the rink has grown in popularity each year, with last year’s ice-rink regularly reaching maximum capacity for the skating sessions, particularly on late night shopping evenings and weekends. Figures released from last year show that the rink brought thousands of shoppers into the town centre in 2009. So you’ll not be surprised to learn it’s popular with local retailers. Vernon O’Reilly, who manages the Piazza Shopping Centre where the rink is based, thinks it helps put the Piazza at the heart of the Christmas festivities in Huddersfield creating a wonderful atmosphere for shoppers to enjoy.
The Queensgate Market Traders Association has also reported that the ice-rink makes the Piazza area of the town centre much busier than before the rink opened, and are pleased to see the rink returning to the Piazza.
For me it’s crucial that we keep shoppers visiting our town centre at Christmas. Our town centre businesses rely heavily on their Christmas income and this year could be critical for many businesses. I am committed to doing everything possible to keep our town centre competitive and ensure the economy is supported. Not only that, but the rink itself will employ more than 30 local people, something very worthwhile doing over the Christmas period.
This year we are doing a lot to encourage more families to come skating, with ticket offers and a little helper for young skaters. Penguin skating aids are likely to prove a big attraction this year as they can be used to help budding young skaters gain confidence on the ice. And to make the rink an affordable attraction for everyone we have reduced the ticket price for children aged 12 and under who need to be accompanied by an adult.
My priority is making the rink accessible to everyone in Kirklees. The ice-rink team works hard to ensure this happens, with discounts available to make the visits affordable. It also makes sure all residents have the opportunity to experience the ice. Every year, we have opened the rink for a private skating session for Action for the Blind, we have wheelchair users on the ice and have supported groups of children with disabilities from some of our local schools. These visits ensure that the rink is a very special attraction at Christmas.
The ever-popular schools skating programme starts at the end of November and offers the opportunity for all children to experience skating at Christmas. Extra support is provided to the schools, and costs are subsidised to make it affordable for every school. Schools across the area can book the rink for 90-minute sessions just for their pupils. Exclusive use of the rink is important for the safety and support of the visit for the schools, and has proved a successful formula, with more schools than ever already booked to attend this year. The school trip programme is once again being boosted by the opportunity for schools to secure corporate sponsors for their school trip. Local businesses are being offered the opportunity to sponsor a school trip to the rink for up to 40 pupils and a minimum of four teachers. In return the sponsor company can have their logo on the Huddersfield on Ice website, be featured in the ice-rink promotional booklet and receive 25 half-price tickets for the rink.
Any businesses wishing to sponsor a school should contact the Events Team on 01484 223730. The deadline for sponsored visits to ensure inclusion in the marketing booklet is Friday November 5.
Huddersfield on Ice is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/huddersfieldonice and people are encouraged to join the site to be the first to hear about special offers.
The ice-rink will open to the public on Thursday December 2 and continue until Sunday January 2, closing Christmas and Boxing Day only. ENDS
First thoughts on the CSR
I thought it might be worthwhile just to publish the text of a speech I made in Council yesterday to give people a flavour of the way the CSR is going to affect us all.
While it will take some time for the details of George Osborne’s announcement to be worked out, at best we expect this to be bad news for local government and west Yorkshire. At worst it is an attack on the regions. However you look at it, these are the worst cuts to public spending in living memory.
We heard yesterday that defence will only be reduced by 8%, and that health and overseas aid are being ringfenced, so local government takes a bigger proportion of the cuts. And the most vulnerable in society are at risk when it is the benefits system which takes a bigger hit.
However, there will be a direct impact on Kirklees Council, and it will be hard to take. We cannot look at a reduction in our funding of this magnitude without realising that services will have to be cut and jobs will be lost.
In year budget cuts have already meant us having to cut services to young people through the Connexions service and to look at our spending on roads. Let’s be clear – this was money to be used in this financial year, for use only in the areas where it was being spent, which midway through the year was pulled from under our feet.
Our allocation of area based grant of £30 million was cut by 10 per cent in year. Over the course of the next three years we expect that £30 million to be halved. This has a direct impact on areas such as road safety, schools improvement at primary and secondary level, adult social care, mental health, local enterprise growth and the list goes on.
It appears that the welfare system is going to take a significant hit – this needs to be handled better than the recent announcement regarding child benefit as we are dealing with the most vulnerable people in society. But how can it be right that this financial crisis, caused by banks and casino bankers – both now back in profits and bonuses – is being paid for by children?
We all agree with targeting benefit fraud – but it is not good enough to randomly rediagnose people’s illnesses or injuries and then immediately stop their benefits. It would also appear that the overall plan the Tory led government has to reform the benefits system will need a significant amount of investment first to make it work (the single system for all benefit payments – from Iain Duncan Smith). We are yet to hear where that money will come from.
All parties recognised a need to reduce the deficit and cut spending – the jury is out on whether the cuts have to be so deep and made so quickly, risking returning to recession, or whether paying the debt over a number of years would have allowed us to be more strategic in where the cuts fell, protecting jobs and investment and steering clear of a second recession. If you put people out of work, it chokes spending and kills the local economy.
There is a danger that districts like ours will not recover so quickly from this attack on the regions. Impact of cuts in public sector is disproportionately high in areas like Kirklees because of the high spend in the public sector and the lack of private enterprise compared with the south east. Can we be sure that the private sector can increase its employment in this region to re-home all those looking at losing their jobs from the public sector? Do the figures that are being put about by the Tory led government add up – that the private sector will employ people at a faster rate than the public sector will lose them? That the private sector will employ people at a faster rate than they did in the times of record growth? We have to remember that the public sector is also a big commissioner of private sector services, and this will be reduced drastically – are we convinced that the private sector will develop at the speed needed to take up the people who will be looking for work.
While we must protect the vulnerable, for areas like Kirklees we must give business and enterprise the stimulus and conditions they need to develop so we become the district of choice for employers. This will need investment in infrastructure, in creating the conditions for employers to thrive here and so we must give two cheers for the announced investment to improve the M62 link. But the Tory-led government has to be explicit in coming up with a programme which supports jobs and growth at its heart – without such an approach, those who leave the public sector will not find work, they will stop spending and local businesses and therefore the local economy will suffer and we will find ourselves with a bright new motorway but with no goods to carry on it.
Let’s not forget that the VAT rise will go ahead in the new year, while bodies bringing in investment like Yorkshire Forward have been scrapped before a replacement has been put in place. We have our own local economic partnership and are part of the city region partnership, but the cut has come too quickly, threatening regeneration in the county.
While I said earlier that we will now work through the figures in detail over the next few weeks, I think it is fair to say the announcement is worse than we believed at the time of the general election, but in line with our planning following the conservative led Tory led government’s emergency budget in June.
But we have to be mindful of the impact on our partners also, and what that means for people in Kirklees. With health budgets increased slightly, we are talking about a real terms cut – the health budget has doubled over the last decade, which has just about balanced the budget against the greater demands on use and the increased costs of treatments and drugs. It is still the worst NHS settlement since the early 1980s. With the police, we are looking at cuts of 4% each year across west Yorkshire – we are fooling ourselves if we think this can be done without resulting in fewer police officers, fewer support staff, delays in responses to members of the public.
Social housing providers and tenants have a double hit – for Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, we are looking at a reduction in central funding, plus an increase in rents to be equivalent to the private sector, plus an end to secure tenancies with reviews after 5 or 10 years and a reduction in housing benefit if you start work with those tenants who have successfully improved their financial situation being told they have to move on – this is a disincentive to work. Why should someone take a job if it means losing their home? This is a u turn on what David Cameron said in the run up to the election when he talked about protecting and respecting tenants rights.
All the government’s changes appear to reduce the value of housing benefit while increasing the rents charged to individuals.
It also appears that Kirklees could lose out to the tune of £19million through the Tory led government moving away from their commitment to reward building affordable housing by giving funding worth six years of council tax.
Cuts to funding for our university threaten future provision, with a new generation of students potentially starting their careers with a massive increase in debt. Estimates show that an average size university is likely to shed around 1,000 jobs under the new funding.
Kirklees is one of few councils still handing our pensioners a council tax discount of 3% for all those who are not receiving council tax benefit – this currently costs us £750,000 a year. We need to seriously consider how we can continue this kind of support.
So let us be clear. Decisions taken today threaten a generation of young people, they threaten the prosperity of areas like ours. They are driven by ideology, and not the best interests of places like Kirklees and the people who live and work here. The burden falls on the poorest, not the richest. At the same time as they are throwing people out of work, they are reducing support to help them to return to the workplace. It will be harder to return to work because of the changes to tax credits.
Jobs are key to reducing the deficit, key to leading the recovery.
The jury is out on the proposals for education and what that means for vital areas like Sure Start.
George Osborne claimed the CSR is both progressive and fair. A proposal that dreams up private sector posts, squeezes the poorest in society, reduces budgets to police forces, has the worst NHS settlement for 30 years, makes the debt payable by babies not bankers is neither progressive nor fair.
Carbon Trust Standard
I am delighted to announce that all our efforts here in Kirklees to “green” the council and reduce our carbon emmissions has been publicly recognised by our being awaded the Carbon Trust Standard.
And not only did we achieve the standard, but Kirklees scored 80% in the rigorous assessment which is necessary to achieve the award. The Carbon Trust Standard is an independent award which recognises real action and results and the assessment process certifies that organisations have measured, managed and reduced their carbon emissions and are committed to reducing them each year.
Cutting carbon is a very smart move because by using our resources more efficiently and saving energy, we are helping to tackle climate change and making significant cost savings across our operations at the same time. I am told that in the first half of 2010 alone the council recorded a huge saving of approximately £80,000 on energy and fuel bills, which is really good news. The assessment for the Carbon Trust Standard will be carried out every two years to ensure that we are maintaining and improving our efforts.
As a council we have a long term goal to reduce carbon emissions from our own operations by 40% by 2020. We have also signed up to the national 10:10 Campaign (see my post of July 19th, Corporate Carbon Reduction Targets & Strategy) which is a commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 10% in 2010.
The council is achieving results by addressing the key issues of energy use and fuel use including projects such as installing energy efficient lighting and insulating heating pipes.
If you want to know more about Kirklees Council’s carbon reduction programmes or to see what you could do to save energy in your home or community visit www.kirklees.gov.uk/climatechange.
Working at the car wash
On Friday 1st October a fundraising day was organised by Highway’s Streetscene charity fundraising team in aid of the Pakistan Flood Appeal.
On the day £258.00 was raised through the sale of cakes, a dress down day and a car wash.
I took part in the charity car wash along with council officers to raise valuable money for the Pakistan relief effort.
Huge budget cuts could push Yorkshire charities to the wall
Charities and voluntary groups in West Yorkshire fear many will fold as Government funding cuts push the sector into “terminal decline”.
Seventy per cent of voluntary sector organisations in the region plan to cut staff over the next three months according to the latest research by Yorkshire & the Humber Forum.
Unsurprisingly, almost all those surveyed in September expect the general financial picture for the sector to worsen over the next twelve months, mirroring the sentiments of the public and private sectors.
With proposed budget cuts of between 25 and 40 per cent across the board it is obvious why many council leaders are seriously concerned over the financial position of charities and the protection of vulnerable communities.
I attended a meeting on Tuesday that was arranged by civil liberties group JUST West Yorkshire which enabled charities and black and minority ethnic groups to discuss their fears with council leaders. I met delegates from groups such as Bradford Action for Refugees and Leeds Jewish Welfare Board.
The cuts make me extremely anxious. It’s something that keeps me up at night, thinking about how we’re going to manage to deliver good quality public services and protect vulnerable communities. The level of cuts is absolutely draconian.
A meltdown in public services is what’s coming. All local authorities are striving very hard to improve efficiencies, but you can’t take this amount of money out of public services and not cut them.
There is a big question about whether smaller organisations, who are on the front line, delivering vital services to the most vulnerable, will survive these cuts.
The chairman of voluntary support consortium West Yorkshire Local Development Agencies, Chris Hollins, has said that cuts already hitting third sector organisations can only get worse and that there “are going to be lots of organisations which will disappear”.
The Government has yet to reveal its plans, but everything we have heard so far points towards cutbacks to reduce the UK’s deficit.
All aboard the charity ghost train
The Pakistan floods began in July following heavy monsoon rains and more than 2,000 people have died and over a million homes have been destroyed since the flooding began. Companies across Kirklees have mounted fundraising drives to raise money to help the people of Pakistan. Events include a charity cricket match, sponsored car wash, Town Hall charity dinner and a sponsored drive in a clapped out banger from Huddersfield to Granada!
Now the the Grand Central Railway Company in York are organising a special ‘Ghost Train’ in aid of the Pakistan Flood Appeal, on the evening of Thursday October 28th. It starts at Bradford at 1835 and picks up at Halifax at 1850 and Brighouse (handy for Huddersfield!) at 1905. With ghostly goings-on, spooky tales, scary songs and lots more it should be a really great night out. Tickets can be purchased via the Station Buffet on Huddersfield Station or directly on 01904 633307. Click here for further details.
Kirklees Concert Season 2010/11
Did you know that Dewsbury is the smallest town in the country to have its own orchestral season?
The orchestral seasons at Huddersfield and Dewsbury Town Halls are delivered by a partnership between Kirklees Council and the Orchestra of Opera North. Last year the audience grew by 13%, bucking the trend elsewhere in the country where audience figures were at a standstill or declined.
The theme for Kirklees Concert Season 2010/11 is ‘Romantics and Revolutionaries’, and with 36 concerts being played at Dewsbury and Huddersfield Town Halls there’s something to suit everyone’s musical tastes.
The season begins on Thursday 23rd September 2010 at 7.30pm at Huddersfield Town Hall with performances of works by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky.
Since the last concert season there has been an exciting development with resident orchestra, The Orchestra of Opera North, being named Classic FM’s Orchestra in Yorkshire. They now join other Classic FM orchestras who are regular guests in the season: the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Northern Sinfonia. Together with Classic FM, the Orchestra of Opera North has selected four concerts from the new season which will make the ideal introduction to the power and variety of great classical music.
These popular concerts continue to gain a strong following with the residents of Kirklees and visitors from surrounding areas. If you haven’t been before, treat yourself to some of the best classical music around played live in our wonderful town halls
Completing the showcase of the great northern orchestras, Kirklees are also pleased to welcome the BBC Philharmonic and, for the first time in several years, the Hallé.
Click here to view the Concert Season brochure and for tickets contact Kirklees Booking Offices:
Huddersfield Visitor Information Centre in Huddersfield Library, Tel: 01484 223200
Dewsbury Town Hall Box Office, Tel: 01924 324501
Holmfirth Tourist Information Centre, Tel: 01484 222444
Or book online at http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/townhalls
Green Housing Projects
Ground Source Heat Pumps in Almondbury
Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH) is replacing old, inefficient electric storage heaters in over 180 council homes on Fernside Estate, Almondbury with ground source heat pumps. The new pumps will cut customers’ energy bills by at least a third, provide much more efficient and controllable heating systems, and reduce carbon emissions by two-thirds.
In addition, most of the homes already have solar panels fitted, which means that on some bright or sunny days, the ground source heat pumps will run on solar energy, effectively providing free heating and hot water.
The £1.6 million scheme is part of a much bigger project to improve energy efficiency in council homes as well as tackle carbon emissions and fuel poverty. Over the next five years, KNH will invest more than £13 million in schemes like these and another £8.5 million on thermal cladding on properties that can’t have cavity wall insulation.
Air Source Heat Pumps in Caldercliffe
Community Energy Solutions, working in partnership with KNH, recently installed 60 state-of-the-art air source heat pumps (ASHPs) into homes in Caldercliffe. Using heat pumps can help reduce domestic heating energy needs by up to 70% and can help cool homes in summer. All of the homes, which are off the gas network, previously had to rely on outdated electric storage heaters.
Other KNH Energy Efficiency Initiatives
- KNH are currently installing external cladding to 1100 of our non-traditionally built homes. This is a five year program costing £8,500,000.
- Schemes for the replacement of old inefficient gas boilers with high efficiency ones is ongoing. The budget for 2010/11 is £2 M
- Replacement of commercial sized gas boilers (district/sheltered heating) with high efficiency gas and biomass installations is ongoing, with four scheduled in 10/11.
- Installation of a voltage optimisation unit at Holme Park Court. Other large usage sites are being considered, including Perseverance House
- As part of the maintaining decency programme, loft insulation is being topped up to the current recommended level of 300mm.
Residents urged to avoid danger and protect their money this Christmas
Almost four years have passed since Farepak collapsed and the 120,000 families affected are yet to receive a penny in compensation, which is why I would urge residents to stay well away from informal Christmas savings clubs this year and join Castle and Minster Credit Union to ensure that their savings are safe.
The Farepak scheme allowed customers to choose Christmas hampers and vouchers, months in advance before making regular payments towards the goods over the year. Despite customers thinking of their contributions as savings which were safe, none of the money was actually protected and an estimated £37 million was lost when the company went bust in 2006.
On the other hand, credit unions such as Castle and Minster are fully regulated by the Financial Services Authority and account deposits are protected up to a value of £50,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme so your money will never go missing. Furthermore not only is your money safe, in contrast to high street banks Castle and Minster operate on a not-for-profit basis, meaning any surplus income generated from loans is shared between the members as a bonus on their savings. Members can even borrow money at competitive rates after saving for a short time.
The only criteria for joining Castle and Minster is that you live within Kirklees. Unlike some other financial services providers, you don’t have to be employed in a job or pay a large deposit to become a member. There are no hidden fees or charges either – you simply make a one-off payment of £1 to open an account.
Castle and Minster have three branches within Kirklees, with offices in Huddersfield, Batley and Dewsbury. However support received from Kirklees Council, the Deighton and Brackenhall Initiative, Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing and Kirklees Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations now means that Castle and Minster services are offered at the Civic Centre 1 in Huddersfield town centre, Marsden Information Point and the Chestnut Centre in Deighton too.
For more information on the credit union, please contact me at mehboobkhan@kirklees.gov.uk
Action on litter
In response to my article in the Weekly Examiner about ‘grot – spots’ in the town centre, I have been receiving emails from residents who want to report such areas. For example over the weekend I was emailed by a resident who wanted to bring to my attention one particular ‘litter-strewn-stairwell’ in the town centre.
Council Officers visited the site this week and agreed action points with the neighbouring local business to ensure that the area is cleaned up. For example, the area will first be fully cleared and then a net secured over the recess next to the stairwell to ensure that litter does not fall or cannot be thrown into the bottom and can be easily cleaned off the netting on a much more regular basis.
It was evident from the litter that was collected that the rubbish left behind was not from the local business but from people who congregate in the area and residents in nearby flats. So we are working with the enforcement team, cleansing services, the Police and Community Rangers to keep on top of waste issues in this area and to hopefully find a more permanent solution to the problem.
I was also contacted by a local resident who wanted to report a’ grot spot’ near his home and he also sent me this photo. The resident reported seeing a neighbour throwing litter onto the path and this is the result. A Recycling & Waste Advisor visited the site on Wednesday 16th September and the litter was removed from the site. Contact was made with a resident to the property to ensure this situation does not arise again and this matter was also passed to the Enforcement Team to follow up with regards to waste on domestic land.
- Evidence that the rubbish has now been cleared
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Request for rethink on proposed travellers site at former tip
At today’s Full Council meeting I will receive a thousand-signature petition against the proposed travellers site on the Wakefield Boundary near Ossett and Shaw Cross.
The traveller site is being proposed as part of Wakefield Council’s draft Local Development Framework (LDF) and would be located at Owl Lane when the current household waste site is shut down. The proposal would see 18 new pitches for travellers.
This petition has been drawn up by Cllr Paul Kane, Chair of Dewsbury’s Regeneration Board, on behalf of Kirklees residents affected by the plan and I intend to discuss it, on behalf of Kirklees residents, with Cllr Peter Box, Leader of Wakefield Council.
We are asking Wakefield Council to think again on the location of this site. The original proposals were to use the land as a golf course or other local amenity and those plans would fit much better with the aspirations of local people.
Wakefield Council has asked that as many people as possible put forward their views on the LDF by the deadline at the end of September. As well as making an objection on behalf of Kirklees residents, we will make sure that residents who may be affected by the plans are also encouraged to take part in the consultation.
Objections to the site have also come from Dewsbury Rams Rugby League Club who believe that their development plans could be affected by a loss of investment if the site went ahead.
At least 1,000 local people, many from Shaw Cross and Dewsbury, have signed the petition against the site which they say could affect more people in Kirklees than it does in Wakefield.
Views can be made online through Wakefield Council’s website at www.wakefield.gov.uk/ldf and the deadline is 5pm on Wednesday September 29. More information is available on 0845 8 506 506.
Litter clean-up pledge
Huddersfield is a great town, full of surprising qualities, strong traditions, impressive architecture, good shopping, top class sport and exciting festivals. It is the second most important in West Yorkshire after Leeds and we have a lot to be proud of, however there is always room for improvement.
In areas of the town centre there are “grot spots” which are full of litter, bags of rubbish and graffiti. I would urge all Huddersfield residents to help me tackle town centre “grot spots”.
Therefore I would be grateful if residents would email me with details of instances of littering and graffiti – so the council can put pressure on property owners to clean up eyesores sites.
Currently we have had a real drive to tackle fly posting and graffiti. We have bought new equipment to wash and remove dirt and chewing gum from pavements. But it is clear that our expectations must be even higher.
The level of the problem became apparent to me during a walk from the town hall to attend a meeting at the Media Centre. On the way, I saw examples of eyesores including a pool of oil outside St Peter’s Church and flower pots and planters used as ashtrays and many of the problems involved private land.
The council is prepared to take enforcement action against the owners to clean up their sites, but we would prefer to find the owners and speak to them. There are sometimes easy solutions to these problems. If the owners want us to clear things up for them, we will, although in some cases we will have to make a charge.
If people email me with examples of “grot spots” I could then build up a picture of the worst cases for council officers to target – I am not bothered if I get bombarded with emails. We need to find out where the problems are and work with the owners of these properties to sort them out. I will take each email seriously.
Improving the look of the town was important as part of efforts to encourage more shoppers, visitors and businesses into Huddersfield.
Email me at mehboobkhan@kirklees.gov.uk
Pakistan Flood Appeal Charity Dinner
The people of Pakistan are now facing the largest humanitarian crisis in their history as worsening floods are affecting even more people than the Boxing Day Tsunami and Haiti earthquake combined. Nine million children have now been affected – more than the entire population of Greater London.
To help raise essential funds, Kirklees residents are being given the chance to buy tickets for a prestigious charity event on September 26 in aid of the Pakistani Flood Appeal.
The event is being organised by United Huddersfield which is a partnership between Huddersfield Pakistani Community Alliance and Radio Paigham.
It will feature a formal dinner with musical entertainment and is being held at Huddersfield Town Hall. I will be attending the dinner along with Professor Bob Cryan of the University of Huddersfield and Ken Davey and the Huddersfield Giants.
This will not only be a prestigious event to be enjoyed by all who attend, but it has a serious purpose in bringing everyone together to focus efforts to help people displaced by these disastrous floods. The Pakistani community in Huddersfield have set themselves a fundraising target of £50,000 but this is already nearly halfway there with the proceeds of a charity cricket match held in August which raised £21,000.
Many groups are organising other events across the district and we are pleased to support these admirable efforts within the community to assist those suffering in Pakistan.
To buy tickets (£25 per head) or to make a donation, please email floodappeal@hpca.org.uk or telephone 01484 544877.
Join the debate on tough financial choices
Since the government cut funding to the public sector throughout the country, Kirklees has to save £83 million over four years. We are struggling to keep our front line services – and this means we have to make some difficult choices.
This is a massive cut to the Kirklees budget which will affect the lives of everyone living in our towns and villages. It is a Tory government decision and we can’t avoid it.
However, because of the drastic effect it could have on the lives of many residents, we think it is only right that we should ask for your guidance on the difficult choices we have to make.
Kirklees Council has set up Your voice…, a website where you can put forward your ideas on how we can do things differently to save money. You can also see what other people think and join in the debate.
Everyone uses council services and many people are dependent on them to maintain their way of life. We want you to tell us what is most important to you and if you have any suggestions about how we can make our services more affordable.
We have already made many savings in our efforts to protect front line services. We plan to become more efficient and provide improved value for money. For example, we have found more ways of working together with our partners to reduce costs.
Unfortunately, this is not enough. We need to do a lot more and we would like to hear your ideas on the best way forward for the future of Kirklees at this difficult time.
The site is available on the following link: www.yourvoice.kirklees.gov.uk. Forum users need to register with an email and a password and can then post their views and take part in ‘polls’ on various issues as well as vote on which comments they agree with, and those which they don’t agree with!
The views collected through the forum will be considered by the leadership of the council.
Affordable Warmth – Heating Advice
One of the recommendations from the October 2009 review of the Kirklees Affordable Warmth Strategy was to provide more detailed support to vulnerable residents on the best use of heating systems.
The aim of the project would be to offer comprehensive support and advice to residents who have received heating grants, to ensure they are using heating systems efficiently and safely, that health needs are met and that their heating is affordable. The heating grants provided households with central heating for the first time or a new boiler, but it has been recognised that householders who do not fully understand how to use their heating controls and boiler settings will not get the full benefit of the measures that have been installed and could be contributing towards high fuel bills.
It is proposed to develop an advice service targeted at new central heating grant recipients, which will provide in depth advice to the resident on:
- Correct use of heating controls
- Room temperatures that are appropriate for residents with cold related health conditions and that they are fully aware of health risks of letting temperatures drop too low.
- Understanding bills, reading the meter and a comparison of available energy tariffs to the resident.
- Other relevant services and support including the importance of regular servicing of fuel burning appliances.
- Signposting to other agencies able to give relevant support including possible handyman services and financial and benefits advice.
- Options where further energy efficiency support is required, for example in a hard to treat home with poor or no insulation.
This project will support fuel poor and vulnerable residents to remain healthy, independent and financially able to heat their homes. This proposal supports council objectives to support families, combat the recession, achieve a low carbon and a sustainable economy, by creating and maintaining jobs.
Community Energy Savings Programme
Our aim is to secure Community Energy Savings Programme funding from utility companies to support energy efficiency measures in homes which are not able to benefit from the Kirklees Warm Zone ‘Hard to Treat Homes’.
In Kirklees approximately 40 Lower Super Output Areas (LSOA) are eligible being in the lowest 10% on the basis of income. Community Energy Savings Programme funding can be used to match both council capital funding and European Regional Development funding. Both private homes and social housing are eligible for the funding.
The Community Energy Savings Programme is targeted to support energy efficiency measures in hard to treat homes through a ‘whole house’, ‘whole community’ approach. The more support that a house receives and the more homes receiving measures in a particular LSOA, the more credits in the form of carbon points are given to the scheme and the more match funding awarded by the utility to the scheme. Payments are retrospective from the utility company.
Currently Community Energy Savings Programme schemes are being developed in three areas where European Regional Development funding is also available, in Golcar, Chickenley and Eightlands, Dewsbury.
Fieldhead celebrates first new homes
The first new homes to be built on the Fieldhead estate in Birstall were officially handed over to their new owner Kirklees Community Association (KCA) this week, exactly a year after work got underway on the £16 million regeneration project.
The new homes have been built by Keepmoat on behalf of Kirklees Community Association, a local charitable trust, whose unique status has enabled the project to be funded at a time when many other social housing schemes have been put on hold. Other key partners include Kirklees Council, which donated the land, Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH), which manages the estate, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), which provided a grant, and local residents.
The Fieldhead project involves 155 unpopular flats and maisonettes being demolished and replaced by 139 new family homes for rent and for sale. The remaining homes are also being upgraded to blend in with the new properties; new shops and play areas are being built; the road system is being improved; and a range of other environmental improvements will be carried out. The project is due to be completed by autumn 2011.
KCA will over 70 of the new homes. The first eight will be for rent, while others will be available for shared ownership, which means that those who qualify will be able to buy a 50% share in a brand new home from only £45,000.
The council is committed to building affordable homes, creating jobs and giving our communities a much needed lift during these still difficult economic times. The Fieldhead project is helping us achieve these aims and I’d like to thank everyone involved who has helped to get us to this stage.
Restoring Upland Wildlife Habitats
The uplands in Kirklees are European Designated Wildlife Sites, which need to be protected under planning obligations.
Significant quantities of carbon are stored in the peat soils of the uplands – but air pollution has damaged the vegetation which creates these peaty soils and peat is no longer being created in the uplands. Consequently, the ability of the soils to absorb carbon from the atmosphere has been lost.
In addition, peat is being lost from the uplands through erosion and drying (likely to be exacerbated by climate change), which is adding to district carbon emissions.
Moors for the Future (a non-government organisation) has secured a total of £7.12 million of European and other funding to restore upland habitats in the Dark Peak and South Pennine areas, including those in Kirklees. This restoration work will help stabilise peat soils in the uplands, so reducing carbon losses. The project will also research how the peat forming vegetation can be encouraged to recover and once again facilitate the growth of peat and, the sequestration of carbon from the atmosphere.
We are working with Moors for the Future to support the restoration of the uplands area and to determine the role of the uplands in helping to meet carbon reduction targets.
Town Halls Autumn Events
Kirklees Town Halls are wonderful historic public buildings in the heart of Batley, Cleckheaton, Dewsbury and Huddersfield. There are also a diverse range of public halls within the area from Holmfirth to Gomersal and from Slaithwaite to Honley.
These prestigious venues located across Kirklees accommodate a variety of events differing in size and style from 12 – 1200 people. The venues have a variety of spaces offering the ideal settings for main stage concerts, events, conferences, meetings, film locations, wedding receptions, award ceremonies, multi cultural events and other celebrations.
The area is renowned for its celebration of music with Huddersfield and Dewsbury Town Halls hosting the Kirklees Orchestral Season. We aim to offer a lively and diverse programme of music, shows and comedy promoting both local and international talent.
Click here to view the new season’s brochure which is available from today!
Highlights of the season include:
Huddersfield Town Hall: Best of British Variety Show, New Mill Male Voice Choir featuring Julian Lloyd Webber, Marc Almond, Rhod Gilbert and Kirklees Orchestral season.
Cleckheaton Town Hall: Open Mic UK Singing Competition Heats, American Wrestling, The Full Monty, Wizard of Oz Panto and Ratpack at Christmas.
Batley Town Hall: Guys and Dolls, Family History Fair, Beatles Show and Hammonds Saltaire Brass Band Christmas Concert.
Dewsbury Town Hall: Black Dyke Band Christmas Concert, Open Mic UK Singing competition Yorkshire Finals, Orchestra of Opera North @ Dewsbury Minster (due to the roof being replaced above the Main Hall).
Tickets can be obtained from the box office: 01484 223200 / 01484 222444 / 01924 324501 or online at: www.kirklees.gov.uk/townhalls
Hillhouse Greening the Gap – Low Carbon Communities Challenge
This is an innovative pilot project, one of only 22 nationally that have been funded through the Department for Energy and Climate Change’s (DECC) Low Carbon Communities Challenge (LCCC). As a pilot project, the aim is what enhances low carbon outcomes and what doesn’t.
Greening the Gap is working with the community in Hillhouse to plan and install solar PV panels onto around 40 homes and four community centres in the area. The Solar electricity panels will reduce energy bills for the people paying them (typical saving of £130 per home/ yr). In addition, national government will pay money each year for twenty years through the ‘Clean Energy Cashback’ Feed in Tariff scheme for the electricity generated.
Money from the Clean Energy Cashback will be around £20,000 per annum and will be used to create the Greening the Gap Community Energy Fund which will be spent on further low carbon work in Hillhouse for at least 20 years.
Community engagement and education work will take place alongside the physical measures, to encourage positive behaviour change to reduce carbon emissions.
Learning to go green
Work is being done to integrate climate change into classes and modules at adult learning establishments, providing strategic and community grants to support low carbon community initiatives, and promoting council schemes that encourage low carbon living.
Tempted to Go Green is a tutorial website which will be available across Kirklees. This new interactive web resource is an informative learning tool designed to help users develop their essential computer skills and raise awareness about important environmental issues such as climate change, energy use, waste and transport. It was launched at the Adult Learning Centre in Paddock Village Hall, May 2010. To view the package visit: www.temptedtogogreen.org.uk
Work being is also being undertaken with Kirkburton Children’s Centre and Brian Jackson centre to include energy efficiency / renewable energy measures.
Rethink needed on possible court closure
The Ministry of Justice announced in June the start of consultation on the possible closure of 103 magistrates’ and 54 county courts – including Dewsbury County Court and Batley and Dewsbury Magistrates Court – on the grounds that they are ‘underused and inefficient.’ The consultation ends on September 15.
I am unconvinced by the arguments being put forward to close Dewsbury magistrates Court and move cases to Huddersfield. What sounds simple on paper may lead to greater inefficiencies in practice with the result being more expensive and less effective justice.
Delivery of justice and public confidence in the legal and courts process should be at the heart of this argument rather than the merits of whether the buildings themselves are usable or require investment.
The move would result in defendants from North Kirklees having to travel seven to ten miles to the court and failure to appear, or arriving late, would have a negative impact on the running of the courts and the amount of time available for defence or prosecution arguments to be made. The transportation of prisoners from Dewsbury Police Station would become more costly as would travel for witnesses and families of those involved in cases and extra pressure on the Huddersfield court could also lead to problems.
There will be a knock on effect for Dewsbury’s economy as court staff will spend their money elsewhere and if local cases are moved even further afield, such as Wakefield, Bradford or even Leeds, the effects will be even greater.
Everyone in the public sector is well aware of the need to cut costs but this should not be at the expense of justice and to the detriment of local towns. This proposal damages justice and damages the Dewsbury economy as everyone involved moves out to Huddersfield. This is the direct opposite of what I as council leader, want to achieve in regenerating and rejuvenating Dewsbury.
Reglazing of Greenhead Park Conservatory
I recently went to visit Novaglaze Gardner and Newton Ltd and had a very interesting and fascinating tour of the premises. My visit was a twofold visit; I went to welcome to new apprentices Karl Sladen and Jack Slater. Who are in the
National Glass Apprenticeship scheme.
They are completing their NVQs and learning various manufacturing techniques.
However the other reason I went to visit was to say a huge thank-you to Ken Woodcock and his company because they have reglazed the conservatory completely free of charge. The company has supplied over 2,000 panes of glass cut precisely to shape, with some being just small triangles to ensure they all fit exactly into the frame of the grade two listed conservatory. The conservatory is the main structural building in the park and a centre piece of the park’s renovation and I think that the gesture by this business is just amazing.
Ken Woodcock who owns the company told me that he started business more than 20 years ago in a small workshop in Park Avenue, near the park. Now based in bigger premises in Lockwood, they have a prestigious client list. Mr Woodcock said: “Park Avenue and the people of Huddersfield gave me a good start. This is my way of saying thank-you.”
Me with Ken Woodcock at the Conservatory in the Park
Pakistani cricket internationals turn out for Pakistan flood appeal game in Huddersfield
Star cricketers took part in a Twenty/20 match to raise thousands of pounds for the Pakistan flood appeal.
Test professionals from Pakistan and India joined local amateur players for the game at Birkby Rose Hill Cricket Club on Tuesday.
The match, organised by the club within 10 days, featured top players including Pakistan internationals Misbah Ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq and Shabir Ahmed and India international Wasim Jaffer.
However on the morning of the game it looked like there was no chance of the match happening, most of the ground was under water. However not only did the match happen but it happened around the scheduled time and it is well on target to raise 20k which is an amazing achievement.
Hundreds of spectators from Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Bradford and further afield gathered around the pitch for a close-up view of some of their favourite players.
By 4.30pm the match had raised £12,000, mainly from donations at the gate, and the money will go to the Edhi Foundation to provide relief work in Pakistan.
The floods, which began a couple of months ago, have been the country’s worst natural disaster in recorded history, affecting 17 million people.
The number of spectators at the event was estimated at around 1270.
Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival 2010
Huddersfield’s free Food and Drink Festival returned to celebrate its 10th anniversary. This year’s Festival really had got something for everyone, with local celebrity chefs, its tempting mix of local and regional fresh produce stalls, cooked food, free cookery demonstrations , real ales and ciders and plenty of free entertainment for children including cookery workshops and circus skills.
Due to the recent remodelling of St George’s Square, the Festival was able to host more than 70 food and drink stalls, more than 80% of stalls were occupied by Yorkshire businesses.
The Festival kicked off with a cookery fight between local celebrity chefs Barrington Douglas, chef and owner of Caribbean restaurant Discovery Bay and Tim Bilton, chef and owner at the award-winning The Butcher’s Arms. Both chefs have had TV fame – Barrington was one of Gordon Ramsay’s finalists on his F Word Best local restaurant programme last year and also went around the Caribbean with Chef Gary Rhodes on Rhodes Around the Carribean on UKFood channel. Tim Bilton recently competed in the North East heats of BBC1’s Great British Menu.
A number of initiatives also took place to encourage festival-goers to visit the town centre as well as the Festival in St George’s Square. On Saturday 7th August (week before the Festival) a Taste Trail raised the profile of local restaurants amongst hundreds of new customers and shopping vouchers from independent retailers were given out during the Festival at the festival information marquee.
The feedback from previous festivals was that people wanted late night opening so on Friday and Saturday stalls stayed open late and with live entertainment to entertain the crowds, St. George’s Square had a continental feel about it on both nights.
More than 65,000 visited the event over the course of the four days, with many of the stallholders commenting that it was the most successful food and drink event they’ve been at this year anywhere in the country and stallholders are already asking if they can sign up for next year and have bigger stalls.
New weekend-long Festival of Light
Now attracting almost 20,000 visitors to the town, Huddersfield’s incredibly popular Festival of Light will grow to a two-night Festival this December, spanning one of the busiest weekends in the run up to Christmas.
Festival of Light is undoubtedly our most popular winter event, and over recent years, has been attracting more and more visitors from across the region and beyond into our town. By extending the Festival over two nights, not only are we creating further audience capacity for what is now an extremely busy event, but generating a really lucrative opportunity for Huddersfield businesses to get involved and take advantage of extra visitors in the town each evening.
We know that restaurants and bars around the town enjoy one of their busiest trading evenings for Festival of Light, so by adding an additional evening’s entertainment, we’re hoping to sustain footfall in the town for an extra day, supporting our town centre and local businesses.
We are keen to work with retailers in the town centre, and want to encourage shops to extend traditional opening hours, to attract shoppers both before and after the main show. We’re also suggesting that bars and restaurants might see this as an ideal opportunity to host live music over the duration of the Festival, again encouraging festival visitors to stay longer and spend more with our town centre businesses.
Theater Tol production
The spectacular centre-piece of this year’s Festival of Light comes from German performers Theater Tol who have entranced audiences across the globe with their airborne operatic shows, featuring angels gliding serenely across the night sky. With further activities yet to be announced in the run up to the December event, Theater Tol will be performing on both Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th December in St George’s Square.
In just a few short years, Festival of Light has grown to be one of the biggest nights of the year for our town. By sustaining that magical atmosphere over a full weekend, I am confident that Huddersfield’s Festival of Light can become one of the biggest and most attractive weekend destinations for visitors in the entire region.
New look for Batley Town Hall
A £1.4m refurbishment is restoring Batley Town Hall to its former glory.
A major facelift of the exterior has been completed; some £700,000 was spent on the outside makeover with repaired and cleaned stonework, a new flagpole and new festive lighting. There have also been roof repairs and the replacement of rainwater gutters, as well as the building now being made wind and water tight. Improved insulation and secondary glazing means the town hall has also become more energy efficient. Later this year, new feature lighting will be installed on the front of the building along with attractive new poster display boards.
Over the last few weeks work has started on the inside of the building with another £700,000 being invested into the building by the end of September. A new lift and other improvements to access are taking place, along with refurbished public areas including toilets and corridors. Lath and plaster ceilings are being repaired; electrical upgrades are in progress and new lighting which is more energy efficient is being installed.
When all the work is completed later in the year, customers should experience a more accessible, attractive and welcoming reception into the Town Hall, whether they are attending events, accessing information about local services or making payments. A new Reception and Information area is being developed in the old Cash Office area but customers will still be able to make cash payments and the area will still be staffed.
Customers will also be able to buy tickets for events and use computers to access information. This latest development will result in fewer queues and quicker transactions, enabling customers to go about their business in a more efficient and user-friendly manner and in a more welcoming environment.
Batley Town Hall opened in 1853 and is situated in the centre of Batley overlooking the town’s Market Square. The atmospheric main hall can seat up to 288 people for theatre events.
Plans to prevent winter chaos
Last winter’s weather created problems for all councils as it was the most severe for 30 years. We are currently in the process of making arrangements for winter maintenance and these are expected to be finalised soon.
As part of the preparations we are looking for any groups or community organisations out there that would be able to help with moving snow and spreading grit in their own local areas should there be further heavy snow fall.
Volunteers would assist in clearing paths and places that our gritters do not usually treat until later on in the planned routes. We would only ask the groups to shovel snow and or spread the grit.
We are particularly interested in organisations/groups that could help out vulnerable people who need assistance to clear the access to their homes, shops, health/community facilities, etc.
Kirklees Council will organise insurance cover and provide materials for any interested groups who are willing to work in their own agreed areas. Any volunteer groups would also be provided with a risk assessment and plans of the agreed areas they would cover.
After last years unprecedented snow fall this suggestion was put forward by a number of people so we thought it was worth investigating the idea further.
If you feel that you can help or would like further information then please contact me.
RE-Charge Scheme
In August 2008 Kirklees Council launched the RE-Charge Scheme with the aim of helping householders generate their own energy.
Since the late 1990′s Kirklees Council has developed and supported a number of projects to increase the use of renewable energy in homes in Kirklees including:
- One of the largest domestic solar energy projects in the UK (SunCities) involving 500 households, resulting in 5% of the total UK domestic photo-electric generation in 2005.
- Solar water heating on around 100 Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH) and Yorkshire Housing properties.
- Top ups to national grants awarded to around 140 private households to install solar water heating.
Under the scheme, homeowners in Kirklees were able to apply for an interest-free loan of up to £10,000 to install renewable or low carbon technologies such as solar electricity panels on their property. The loan is secured to the property and is repaid to the council when the property ownership changes or transfers. So far 169 households have benefited. Around 20% of the funds have supported households in fuel poverty who cannot afford to heat their homes properly.
The scheme was a pilot however a model has now been developed which has the potential to be rolled out either by other local authorities or as a regional or national scheme.
Climate Change Adaptation
Changing our responses to the impacts of past, current and future climate change is known as ‘adaptation’. Future climate proofing our way of living & working are needed as UK climate impact projections for the region have shown increased temperatures, decreased summer rainfall & increased winter rainfall which will lead to more frequent floods, droughts, heatwaves & storms.
To calculate historical severe weather impacts, the council developed a Local Climate Impacts Profile (LCLIP) see how the district has been affected by climate change in the past. This was carried out by looking at reported severe weather events, comparing this to Met Office data and identifying council departments effected by the events. The results of the study found that there had been 21 climate change related weather events in the district over the last ten years with an attributed cost of between £283,030 and £1,225,200 per year
The council is currently working with internal services, local partners and other local authorities in the region to develop a West Yorkshire adaptation action plan, which will highlight the climate change risk to key sectors and outline what actions they need to take now in order to prevent the escalating social, environmental and economic cost of severe weather.
Kirklees Warm Zone
Kirklees Warm Zone won the 2009 Ashden Award for the best local authority sustainable energy scheme in the UK. It is the largest local authority free home insulation scheme in the UK and offers free loft and cavity wall insulation to every suitable household in Kirklees.
It is estimated that every £1 invested returns £5 into the local economy. The total economic impact is approximately £80m from a combination of direct funding, job creation, householder fuel savings and increased benefits uptake.
Total householder fuel savings are estimated to be £9m per year (Jan 2010), but this should reach £10m per year once the scheme is completed and the accumulate year on year.
Warm Zone has directly created over 100 jobs per year for three years, and indirectly created an additional 29 jobs per year. The indirect jobs are calculated as a result of the extra spending generated and spent in the local economy, thus generating more jobs.
Post Warm Zone
The Kirklees Warm Zone achieved a very high level of uptake and has given residents multiple opportunities to access free insulation over the last three years.
It is anticipated that the request for cavity and/or loft insulation going forward is likely to be around 200-300 enquiries per year. A proposal is being developed with regard to insulation grants post Warm Zone so that any resident can continue to take up cavity wall and loft insulation measures, subject to a technical survey, on a first come first served basis, until funding ceases.
Sustainable Schools
Kirklees Council aims to provide a more coordinated approach to working with and supporting schools on their journey to sustainability. The Department for Children, School and Families published their Sustainable Schools’ strategy and framework in 2006, and a corporate sustainable schools strategy for Kirklees Council would build upon this guidance, and ensure best practice in schools within the authority.
The main objectives of this strategy are to engage, support and encourage Kirklees schools to become sustainable, inform relevant council services of the importance of sustainable schools and their role in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change and to develop a co-ordinated package of support for schools in Kirklees.
The Department for Children, School and Families national framework for sustainable schools identifies a selection of themes where schools can establish or develop their sustainability practices. These are:
| Food and Drink | Inclusion and Participation |
| Energy and Water | Local Wellbeing |
| Travel and Traffic | Global Citizenship |
| Purchasing and Waste | Biodiversity |
| Buildings and Grounds |
High Speed Rail Service – Sheffield or Manchester
The government seems set on a High Speed rail service that will connect Leeds to London only via Manchester. This is wrong thinking on the part of the Government.
- The right high speed rail network will transform UK plc through a re-balanced, better distributed economy.
- Our evidence strongly supports the case for a ‘Y’ shape route which would provide a direct link from London to Leeds via the East Midlands and Sheffield city region.
- This ‘Y’ shaped route would deliver far greater economic benefits than an ‘S’ shaped route which would connect Leeds to London only via Manchester; a direct link between Leeds and London would connect more places and people and deliver much faster journey times.
- Any high speed rail route to the city regions of Leeds and Sheffield should be progressed at the same time as a route to Manchester to avoid the creation of a significant imbalance in the economy of the north.
- A package of supporting economic development, regeneration and conventional transport measures, eg upgrading the East Coast Mail Line, would ensure the maximum benefit from investment in high speed rail.
public sector cuts – not good for the economy
Some people are cheerfully dismissive of public sector cuts, apparently unaware that our schools and universities – all publicly funded and currently under threat – provide a skilled and educated workforce that in turn provides vast amounts of our national income though medical research, legal and financial services and all aspects of the arts.
They may also be deluded by Tory PR into thinking that as public service jobs decline, private firms will simply take up the slack. If so, they should pay attention to the numerous warnings to the contrary:
- Investec [analysts for the building industry] says ’major land buyers are pulling out of the market for fear of a double dip’
- Taylor Wimpey’s shares have fallen by 30% in the last two months
- Balfour Beatty have warned shareholders about the effects on the building business of ‘government funding of infrastructure investment’
- The National Housing Federation warns of the risk of ‘all house building…falling off a cliff’
- The Construction Products Association noted that getting rid of Labour’s school buildings plans ‘will lead to further substantial job losses’
It isn’t only the building industry that talks of job losses and failure in economic recovery. The finance people say so too:
- Deloitte’s survey of UK Finance Directors found that two-thirds of them believe that cuts will badly affect their companies
- Ernst & Young say that ‘confidence has been knocked back over fears of the upcoming fiscal squeeze’; and
- The Office for Budget Responsibility told a committee of MPs that cuts ’logically increase the possibility of a double dip’
And closer to home, the Mid-Yorks Chamber of Commerce declares that ‘the public sector spending cuts will definitely have an effect on the speed of our economic recovery’. Praising Labour’s more gradual approach which kept unemployment down, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD] states that ‘labour market policies should be adequately funded’.
Perhaps those people might think again, recognise that public sector jobs do indeed create wealth and fight against the speed and scale of the cuts which will do damage at both a personal and national level, throwing people out of work and slowing the rate of our economic recovery.
Dewsbury Court Update
Dewsbury Magistrates’ Court could close under plans announced by the Ministry of Justice. Ministers have said that consultations will take place on modernising and improving the use of courts in England and Wales.
The arguments for closing Dewsbury Magistrates Court that have been put out so far do not convince me. I have now written to Dyfed Foulkes, the Area Director for Her Majesty’s Court Service (HMCS) to register my objections to the proposed closure and to let him have my views on the relevant areas in the consultation document.
Having spoken to a number of agencies, the feeling is that the proposed moves towards a more streamlined service in Huddersfield would not only create logistical problems with a likely impact on the criminal justice process but also will have a direct impact on the Dewsbury economy at a time when we are striving to invigorate the area.
Further issues relate to the logistical aspects caused by the increased delay with a likely increase in the number of defendants failing to appear and increased levels of waiting time at Courts which are likely impact on space, compliance and increasing the workload and costs of an already overstretched police service.
I also share the concerns that have emerged in discussions with partners about the capacity of the proposals such as whether there will be enough trained magistrates to manage complex cases of domestic violence and relating to Drug Rehabilitation requirement .
It is also likely that the increased business in the remaining courts may reduce the availability for Probation staff to access court facilities such as interview rooms for preparing “on the day” reports therefore causing adjournments and delays in justice. The delay in breach courts could increase re-offending and impact on victims, communities and further increase the prison population.
However the strongest part of my objection is that another service is being removed from Dewsbury town centre with the distinct possibility that this will impact on local business in the form of retailers or equally businesses such as solicitors in the town at a time when we are making good progress in regenerating and rejuvenating the town.
In fact the danger is that rather than save money – if the current proposals are implemented – we may well see more expensive and less effective justice.
Update on Voluntary Action Kirklees
I thought it would be useful to provide you with some background information on the decision to reduce the council’s funding to voluntary and community sector and its impact on Voluntary Action Kirklees in particular
I would like to emphasise that this decision has no impact on the existing £5.1 million of grants and development support that is paid directly to VCS organisations. There are over 20 grant programmes that include both grants for specific activities and funds to support development. For example the community organisation development fund administered in adult social care and the creative enterprise development fund administered in Communities and Leisure.
Due to the change of Government and the emergency budget on 22 June, the financial picture which was put forward in the early months of the year has now changed significantly, increasing the savings the Council need to make year on year. The Council had forecast that savings up to 20% over 5 years needed to be made. However, the new government has set the savings at 25% over 4 years. There will also be a significant reduction in capital funding.
To put the savings into context, by the end of 2014 the Council’s target is to be saving £83 million from its budget. This is the equivalent of what we currently spend on Highways, Regeneration, Culture and Leisure plus Environmental Services – including Waste Collection, Waste Disposal and keeping our streets clean.
With reference to VAK; we were already in a process to commission sector support though a competitive tendering process. The aim was to ensure transparency and openness whilst ensuring we would best meet the needs of the sector as identified through previous consultation with the sector.
This is clearly the way we wish to continue to engage with the wider voluntary and community sector. Our immediate focus is on the impact on VAK and the support services they provide. However beyond this our challenge as a partnership will be for us to engage with the widest range of VCS organisations and groups as possible. Together I hope we can then continue to build on the strength of the sector in Kirklees and strive for further improvements across Kirklees.
Further budget reductions
Kirklees Council Cabinet members are being asked to approve savings of £7.1million by the end of March next year.
The council was already making carefully planned cutbacks and preparing for tough financial challenges ahead, but there is also a need for urgent budget reductions due to a funding cut by central government.
The savings which go before Cabinet next week will affect the Children and Young People Service (£2.66m), Environment and Public Protection (£4.1m) and Well Being and Communities (£0.33m).
Recent announcements by the new government have meant Kirklees has to reduce its budget by a total of 25 per cent over four years. The £7.1m is the confirmed fall in government grant for the current financial year.
All local authorities are facing massive challenges and there is no escaping the fact that difficult decisions will need to be made. In Kirklees we stayed ahead of the game by planning for change early – which means there will no crisis cuts further down the line – but the new Conservative-led government have made the situation even tougher.
Their recent emergency budget made it clear that the impact will be deeper and quicker than originally anticipated, so we have no choice but to amend our spending plans in the current financial year.
The government cuts are mainly linked to Area Based Grant. We are looking at different ways to absorb this in the services involved, but it is clear that cuts from Environment and Public Protection will lead to fewer road safety initiatives.
The council’s own Innovation and Efficiency programme is ongoing and this balances the need to make major savings with the need to maintain a high standard of services.
We are taking a responsible approach throughout this difficult process. The council has a strong sense of direction and the protection of frontline services is very much a priority.
New Senior Management Review
In reaction to last month’s budget announcements and the changing economic picture in local government, Kirklees Council will now have to make greater savings over a shorter period of time.
Originally we were looking to reduce the budget by 20 per cent over five years, but this has risen to 25 per cent over four years. Put another way, our target is to cut an overall £83million from the budget by 2014 and this is at a time when our government grant is falling.
The most responsible way forward is to re-examine our senior management structure and use this as the first way of looking for further savings.
We have already reduced the number of assistant directors from 29 to 19 as part of our programme of savings but the number of assistant director posts will be cut further, although the number is yet to be finalised – but the change will be significant.
We have taken a carefully planned approach throughout our programme of change because it is vital to balance the need to make savings with the need to maintain a high standard of services.
These are extremely tough times for local government, but the council maintains a strong sense of direction and the protection of frontline services is uppermost in our plans.
Corporate Carbon Reduction Targets and Strategy
The council has a target to reduce emissions from its own operations by at least 40% by 2020 from a 2005 baseline. The council has also signed up to the National 10:10 Campaign aiming for a 10% reduction in council emissions in 2010. If we achieve this it could bring savings of approximately £1.5million on our energy and fuel bills and also make our buildings run more efficiently in the future.
The Council also will have to comply with the new Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme which was introduced in April 2010. The aim of the scheme is to promote energy efficiency and good energy management. The Council will have to calculate its carbon footprint every year (buildings energy use only) the council must then buy allowances each year to cover the carbon it emits. The money raised from organisations buying the allowance will be `recycled back’ to them in October every year with a financial penalty or bonus dependant on performance.
In December 2009 Kirklees Council also signed the Covenant of Mayors which commits the District to a 20% reduction by 2020. The Covenant of Mayors is a European Commission-led project which unites towns and cities across the continent with a common environmental purpose. It aims to allow local authorities to work together, sharing ideas and strategies to create energy-efficient and low-carbon cities.
The council has been doing some intensive work in some key council buildings, making physical changes to improve building energy performance and working closely with staff in those buildings to improve energy management. For example:
Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) – These are computer-based control systems installed in buildings that control and monitor the building’s energy use.
Energy Surveys – These reports have identified opportunities in each Kirklees building/schools to save energy and reduce carbon.
Intelligent/ Smart Metering – Contracts are now being drawn up for the roll-out of Smart Metering across 300 Kirklees owned sites.
Pipe Lagging -Heat losses are occurring in boiler rooms where insulation is not fitted to bends, junctions, flanges, valves and pumps. The costs will be recovered within approximately 2 years through energy savings.
Other Corporate Carbon Reduction Projects
Street Lighting – Street lighting contributes 19% of the Council’s carbon emissions. Work is planned to continue replacing the lanterns with more energy efficient options, and to trial solar powered / high reflectivity bollards.
Vehicle Telematics – Installation of a vehicle tracking system into all council fleet vehicles will save the council approximately 9% of carbon emissions from fuel use over the next three years. The ongoing roll out of environmental driver training will help drivers use fuel efficiently.
Biomass – Kirklees Council have adopted a policy of using biomass as the preferred heat source in council buildings, both new built and boiler replacement programmes. To maintain a cost effective low carbon supply of biomass fuel for future boilers installations, Kirklees Council are seeking to bring their woodland estate, circa 250-300 hectares back into management by supplying biomass fuel.
Energy Efficiency in Schools
The council has just begun working with the Carbon Trust to develop an energy reduction programme for selected high energy consuming schools across Kirklees.
Update on government’s budget implications for Kirklees
We set up the Innovation and Efficiency programme last summer to meet anticipated reductions in council funding. We forecast we would need to make savings of up to 20% over 5 years. The government’s budget on 22 June has now set the savings figure at 25% over 4 years, although government departments have also been asked to look at provisions for cuts of up to 40%. We have based the figures below on a 25% saving over 4 years.
This position is much worse than we had thought, and for which we had planned. For this reason have to revisit all our current plans.
The table below shows the pre- and post-budget savings targets, together with the savings for which we already have plans in place through the I&E programme. The last row shows the level of savings we now have to find for which we had not planned. We will continue to refine this picture as the government’s savings figures become clearer after the comprehensive spending review on 22 October.
| Cumulative savings | 2011/12 | 2012/13 | 2013/14 |
| Pre-budget target | 17.8 | 46.0 | 63.8 |
| Post-budget target | 19.9 | 69.4 | 94.5 |
| Savings already planned through I&E | 17.8 | 34.7 | 34.7 |
| Gap which now requires further plans | 2.1 | 34.7 | 59.8 |
*all figures in £m
For example to set this in context, the new target saving for 2013/14 is £94m is as much as we currently spend on Libraries and LICS; Public Halls; Parks and Opens Spaces and Museums; Services for Older People PLUS Highways Services.
We do have plans in place to drive out a significant amount of savings but these plans alone will not deliver the level of savings we now need to find.
We now have to decide what Kirklees as a council will look like in the future – what type of services will it provide, to whom and to what level. There will be things that we do now which we will not be able to do in the future: there is simply not enough money to do everything we would like. This requires a radical review of everything the council does. This work has started and is likely to be about delivering the right solutions for different communities and less about providing services on a universal basis. The council – councillors and staff – will engage local people about these decisions during October.
We will make every effort to limit the need for compulsory redundancies through measures such as voluntary early retirement and voluntary redundancy, re-skilling and vacancy management. But the scale of the reductions means that we will not be able to avoid compulsory redundancies. During this challenging and unsettling time the council will give support to individuals as well as engaging clearly so that staff understand why changes are needed and what will happen. The key is to develop a flexible workforce which can deliver the best services possible within the new environment in which we now operate.
The challenge for everyone at Kirklees is to think about how we can do things differently to open up opportunities which will maximise our impact and the outcomes achieved for Kirklees citizens.
Dewsbury Magistrates Court
Dewsbury Magistrates’ Court could close under plans announced by the Ministry of Justice. Ministers have said that consultations will take place on modernising and improving the use of courts in England and Wales.
Dewsbury’s Magistrates’ court is one of 103 being looked at which are classed as underused and inadequate. The town’s county court is also on the hit list as one of 54 underused county courts.
The arguments for closing Dewsbury Magistrates Court that have been put out so far do not convince me. In fact the danger is that rather than save money – if the current proposals are implemented – we may well see more expensive and less effective justice.
The consultation document states that moving the work from Batley and Dewsbury Magistrates Court to Huddersfield would lead to a more efficient listing of cases, reducing the overall number of court sessions required, reducing administration and therefore lead to efficiency savings. But my fear is that the process sounds simple on paper but will lead to greater inefficiencies in practice.
Quite apart from the merits of whether the buildings themselves are usable or require investment, delivery of justice and public confidence in the legal and courts process is at the heart of this argument. For example, if defendants have to travel from north Kirklees to Huddersfield, they will have perhaps seven to 10 miles to travel. If they fail to appear, or arrive late, this impacts on the running of the courts and the time for legal officers whether defending or prosecuting.
Transporting prisoners from Dewsbury police station also becomes more expensive and difficult to organise, and the difficulties in travelling can be extended to families and witnesses who will all be inconvenienced.
There will also be a knock on effect for Dewsbury’s economy. Local trade will be affected, as solicitors, court staff, clerks, administrators spend money elsewhere.
On a practical level, I am also to be convinced that Huddersfield’s court will cope with the increase – when you add to the daily court lists other functions such as coroners court, drug rehabilitation requirement reviews, interview rooms for solicitors to meet their clients, probation service space and all the other activities that go with the work of the courts, there will be a lot of pressure on space.
All this could mean an even worse case scenario where local cases are moved elsewhere – Wakefield, Bradford or even Leeds which will remove local knowledge from the cases as well as inconvenience people further.
Everyone in the public sector is well aware of the need to cut costs and cope with the wider economic climate. But this cannot be at the expense of justice and to the detriment of local towns. As the proposal stands it is the worst of both worlds – justice is damaged, and as everyone involved moves out to Huddersfield and damages the Dewsbury economy, the result is the direct opposite of what I, as council leader, want to achieve in my efforts to regenerate and rejuvenate the town.
Swim4Free to continue for the Young
Kirklees’ Swim4Free scheme will continue until the end of September for children only.
The scheme, which currently offers free swimming during public swim times to people aged 16 and under and 60 and over, has been running since April 2009.
The Government will no longer be funding the scheme; however Kirklees Active Leisure and Kirklees Council will be able to continue it for a short while. People aged 60 and over who have registered can swim free of charge until 31st July. Those aged 16 and under will be able to continue with Swim4Free until 30th September.
Children taking part in the Learn to Swim scheme are also entitled to swim for free for the duration of their course of lessons during public swim sessions and free adult swimming lessons will be extended to include all adults who are either complete beginners or weak or nervous swimmers which is good news.
It is a shame that we are not able to continue the free swimming programme in the long term as many people both old and young have enjoyed taking advantage of the scheme but it will not be possible without continuing Government funding.
We are have been keen to continue withSwim4Free in some form until the end of summer so as to benefit children throughout the summer holidays and with two thirds of the free swimming customers being 16 and under, the majority will still be able to take advantage.
Swim4Free has been a massive success in Kirklees, with more than 28,600 people registered and more than 108,000 visits since April 2009. We are also delighted that Kirklees benefited from the single biggest capital grant of £2.37m given out as part of the Swim4Free project. The programme to update and refurbish the ageing pools at Batley Sports and Tennis Centre has just been finished, creating a fabulous modern swimming facility for all the community to use. The new look pools and changing rooms will reopen on Monday, July 19.
Help on repossession
The economic downturn means that millions of people are facing the combined threat of unaffordable mortgage payments and negative equity.
Any rise in unemployment will mean more people are going to struggle to meet their housing costs and those already in arrears will be unable to make payments, this could significantly increase the numbers facing repossession.
Financial experts are also predicting an increase in interest rates which will have a major impact on some homeowners particularly those on reduced incomes or who are currently in arrears.
Repossessions in the rental sector are likely to increase over the next few years as banks take advantage of any improvements in the housing market.
The government also intend to change benefit rules and implement these over the next 12/18 months. This is set to include a reduction of 10% in Housing Benefit for customers on Job Seekers Allowance and Income Support. It is expected that this will have an increased impact on residents presenting themselves as homeless.
This is why funding has been approved to recruit a CHAS repossession worker for 2010/11. The intention is that the postholder will spend the first few months promoting the service to the public and other agencies to let people know help is available and engage them early whilst we can still prevent repossession, this would support our overall Housing Strategy which is focussed on prevention.
The following nine months will be spent working directly with the courts to prevent as many cases as possible. We can manage the post so as to provide us with intelligence and insight to inform the housing strategy in terms of repossessions and homelessness.
Funding has been agreed as there will be a large impact on the council should we do nothing. If repossessions increase we will see more people presenting themselves to Housing Options as homeless, we know from recent audit commission reports that each Homelessness presentation costs the council in the region of £3000 pounds.
Festival in the Park 2010
Festival in the Park is a fantastic free outdoor festival, featuring live music, entertainment and activities.
There will be a full weekend of live music, activities and stalls in Crow Nest Park, Dewsbury on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 July.
The Festival gets off to a great start with The Magic of Motown on Saturday night – a fantastic tribute show which regularly sells out in theatres up and down the country, featuring the hit music of much-loved acts such as The Temptations, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Stevie Wonder and The Jackson 5. The show comes to us as part of its national tour, and is usually a performance people pay to see. Bring your friends, family and a picnic to enjoy an evening of free outdoor entertainment.
Crow Nest Park will come alive on Sunday afternoon with live music, street theatre, activities and stalls. Well-known chart acts Gabriella Cilmi, Roll Deep and Eliza Doolittle will perform on the main stage, supported by Ignition, The Sighting and this year’s Battle of the Bands winners. And on the 2nd stage will be world music performers including Huddersfield Community Gospel Choir, Manasamitra, Ruby Wood and Noah Burton. A Children’s Zone will feature activities and entertainment especially for kids and the Bizarre Bazaar is the perfect place to pick up handmade arts and crafts. On top of all this there will be street theatre performers moving around the park to entertain and amuse the crowds.
For more details and performance times go to www.kirklees.gov.uk/festival
Schools Build Programme Axed
I was shocked to hear the news on Monday that the new government has axed a £450 million scheme to improve our secondary schools in Kirklees.
This is seriously bad news. The withdrawal of funding will have a devastating impact on the educational opportunities of our local children for generations to come.
We had been working with government to create vast improvements to our schools, starting first with north Kirklees and Huddersfield, with the rest of the Authority to follow.
The investment for Kirklees was due to be £450m to £500m which would have funded improvements at nine high schools and built a new sixth form centre. Our high schools need significant investment; the buildings are shot to pieces. North Kirklees does not have a sixth form centre and pupils have to travel to Leeds. That is why, if any education budgets are going to be protected, it needs to be a priority.
Not only that, but if the investment doesn’t happen, we will have spent 3.7 million pounds of tax payers money in preparation work that will now be completely wasted.
Despite this we still have a duty to all our children to raise the achievement of our education system. In parts of Kirklees 15 per cent of young people leave school without going onto further education, employment or training. This decision by the Government shows they do not care about changing these numbers. I wrote to the Education Secretary Michael Gove setting out the strong reasons for BSF funding in Kirklees to be protected and I am very disappointed by this announcement. The education standards for thousands of pupils who desperately need a good start in life will suffer. It would be the biggest let-down of Kirklees by any Government.
It should also be noted the cavalier way in which Michael Gove released the list of axed school building schemes. Even in our own small list in Kirklees, there are two obvious mistakes. His list shows the Studio School suggestion at Netherhall Campus as an Academy which it never was. The Studio School system and funding is absolutely outside the BSF system.
The most obvious mistake is he has R M Grylls Middle School down as ‘stopped’ progress on BSF. This school was closed years ago.
Just two examples in Kirklees’ small list suggests that his national list is littered with errors. I can only think that this is a sign of a rampaging government acting before thinking. They talk ‘local decisions’ but send down decisions from London in complete ignorance of our local situation.
This decision is also a double blow because at a time when we haven’t the necessary facilities to be providing the best education possible for our children, more of their parents will be out of work – the construction industry alone has estimated that this one cut will lose 500,000 jobs nationally and think of all the extra jobs that the work would have created.
£400 million spent on our future investment in Kirklees would have been the biggest ever boost for our area both now and for the future of better-educated young people. The cut is the biggest blow ever to hit the Authority and the worst day for the future of many generations.
Free swimming to continue in Kirklees despite government cut
I have pledged to keep free swimming available for the young and old for as long as possible, despite the Conservative-led government cutting the scheme. Withdrawing the scheme contradicts all the positive messages being given about healthy and active lifestyles, and will have a disproportionate impact on those in most need.
This government announcement was made last week without any consultation, just before the start of the summer holidays, and when we want more people to become more active.
I have asked colleagues at Kirklees Active Leisure to look at how we can possibly keep this valuable scheme locally – since it began more than 100,000 free swims have been taken by customers aged 16 and under or 60 and over, and at a time when the recession is biting and people need to consider how they spend their disposable income, this scheme really helps.
The government decision will mean a loss to Kirklees of almost £250,000, a loss of 200 hours free swimming per week, and an impact on the health and social benefits to key target groups. There is also run a free swimming lesson programme in parallel to this scheme which is likely to be hit. We will need to take a decision on the future viability of offering the free swim scheme.
We will do all we can to keep this going as the social and health benefits cannot be underestimated. As the poorest are hit hardest, we may need to look at how we target the programme in the future, but it is scandalous that the scheme is being cut when the need for it has never been greater.
Fire & Rescue – Parties to forge new partnership
Me and Cllr Ridgway
Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors have joined forces to provide new leadership for the country’s fourth largest metropolitan fire and rescue authority. No group has enjoyed an overall majority on the fire authority for almost a decade but Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors have provided the Chair on a rotating basis in recent years.
Labour’s gains in the local elections gave it 11 of the 22 seats on the fire authority. It would have been wrong for the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives to steer the organisation through the very tough times ahead when voters had indicated a different arrangement.
The main aims of the new administration will be to provide stable and effective strategic direction for the brigade, to manage its budget prudently and hopefully thus maintain essential frontline operations.
West Yorkshire has been a high performing fire authority for many years and during his time at the helm Lib Dem Councillor Ridgway has provided excellent stewardship. I look forward to working with David and members of all parties on the authority to secure vital emergency services.
Future jobs fund bid safe
The latest Kirklees bid to the government’s Future Jobs Fund (FJF) looks to have escaped the freeze on government spending.
The Conservative-led government has since made an announcement that no further bids would be accepted. Under the scheme Kirklees Council has applied to generate a further 350 jobs to March 2011.
It is obviously good news to hear that our latest bid has escaped the drastic cuts from the Tory led government, but I am very disappointed that the door has been closed to further bids to this excellent scheme.
I had plans to extend this important route back to work for long term unemployed as it is a success story, generating jobs locally and boosting the local economy. Kirklees was the first council in West Yorkshire to run this scheme, and I have read headlines from other areas saying there will be protests against scrapping FJF.
To apply, people have to be 18-24 and to have been registered with Jobcentre Plus for 6 months or people over 24 must have suffered longer term unemployment in the Kirklees ‘hotspots’ of Batley West, Birkby, Crosland Moor, Dalton, Deighton, Dewsbury East, Dewsbury West, Newsome and Paddock. Those who qualify should contact their local job centre for details.
Despite these difficult times, 41% of those who complete the 26 weeks have moved directly into further employment which proves just how valuable this scheme is. So far we have around 200 people employed in these jobs across the district.
Future Jobs Fund work provides the opportunity for people to gain real work experience in a real work setting and allows them the chance to get back into work, update skills and learn new ones.
Future Jobs Fund work provides a stepping stone towards more permanent employment, education or training through providing up-to-date experience for CVs, a current reference and real evidence of workplace achievements. It also helps these employees focus on gaining the skills needed for their career development.
With the further bid made before the cut off period, Kirklees will have helped create 742 Future Jobs Fund posts up to the end of the grant period in March 2011.
The Huddersfield Salon
The Huddersfield Salon is a new space in Huddersfield for people who are interested in hearing provocative ideas from engaging speakers, and participating in stimulating debate.
The general format of the salon is to take a specific question such as ‘Is Feminism Dead?’ and invite a speaker in favour and one against to present their argument. Then the audience is invited to ask questions and join in the debate. So far, they have had debated multiculturism, assisted suicide, feminism, supermarkets, wind turbines and many more.
The next debate will be held at Café Ollo, The Media Centre, Huddersfield on Tuesday 13th July at 6.30pm. The topic will be Britain after the Cuts. The speakers will be myself and Andy Howell, political blogger and former Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council.
Reduction in grants to local council
Kirklees Council is to lose over £4million in funding as part of a swingeing round of cuts by the new Conservative led government.
Kirklees will lose £2.6m from its £260m schools grant from central government this year. Some £1.2m will also be removed from the 2010/11 roads budget of £25.9m.
Another £200,000 will be cut from other council spending areas.
The cutbacks by the government are unprecedented as they come into effect in the current financial year, severely affecting both schools and roads and the reduction will have a major impact on local people.
In a matter of weeks, the Tories have broken promises they made during the election campaign. All councils knew cuts were on the way, but people have been deceived.
These cuts are totally separate to the council’s innovation and efficiencies programme – which is now ongoing and will lead to big job losses – but that review had steered completely clear of any cuts to education.
Education is an area which should be protected from cuts and in Kirklees our commitment to providing the best possible opportunities for young people is well established. The reduction in funding will damage the way we support and work with schools. It will lead to exam results deteriorating – affecting the opportunities our children will have in life – and there will be less School Improvement Officers – who help drive up standards.
The Tories kept their intentions well and truly under wraps and they must surely recognise the harm they are doing to education in Kirklees, and also in other areas which are victim to these ill conceived cutbacks.
It’s a similar story with the roads and transport budget. This council rightly made road repairs a top priority and now the government is taking away £1.2million. We all know roads are in a poor condition after the most severe winter for 30 years, but in Kirklees we have committed time and money to putting this right.
People tell me that a good education and decent roads are among the most important services the council can provide to them. The Tories have struck at the very heart of what we are striving so hard to achieve.
Many thousands may have voted differently if they had known such crucial services would come under attack.
Full details of the funding cuts are available from the DCLG website.
Kirklees – Ship without a Captain?
Kirklees Chief Executive Rob Vincent will leave the authority on 1st July and we will work to ensure a replacement chief executive is in place as quickly as possible so no momentum is lost in the drive to reform the council.
All local authorities are facing huge challenges and it is crucial that we have a strong chief executive to work closely with officers and political leaders and to help the organisation move forward.
Cllr Robert Light, Leader of the Kirklees Conservative Group has suggested that not replacing the post of chief executive would save the council money but I can assure you that it would be a false economy – and a very foolish move – if the council tried to move through a very difficult period without the management structure it clearly needs. It would actually cost us £40 million because it would hugely jeopardise our drive to make the savings we need.
It is well documented that we are working to cut our budget by 20 per cent and reduce staffing by 1,500 over three years whilst also improving the services we offer to local residents. Delivering those changes will not be easy. We are making good progress – we are ahead of many other councils in preparing for cutbacks – and the contribution of the chief executive has been vital. Ultimately we must both seek and offer improved value for money, yet failing to have a chief executive means you run the risk of becoming a failing council, that’s what we have seen elsewhere, most notoriously at Doncaster.
It would be a reckless gamble and cost us all the momentum we have worked so hard to build. Cllr Light is in total disagreement with his own party and the new Tory-Lib Dem government because they are supporting us to appoint a new chief executive. The larger the organisation, the greater the need for strong, intelligent and stable leadership. And Kirklees Council is a large organisation going through significant change. Local government is sailing through choppy waters at the moment – it is ludicrous to suggest Kirklees Council should be a ship without a captain.
Last Chance for Free Scheme!
The free home insulation scheme, Kirklees Warm Zone is coming to an end on June 30.
The award winning project has visited all 23 wards of Kirklees over the past three years and insulated 43,000 homes completely free of charge for householders. The council-backed scheme is not means tested and everyone is eligible regardless of age, household income or size of property.
Every home in the area has been visited and every householder given the opportunity to get involved. Over 80% (132,401) of households in Kirklees have signed up to Kirklees Warm Zone.
Now the scheme is coming to an end so this really is the final chance to sign up to the scheme and get the work done for free before it is too late! This scheme really has something to benefit everyone in Kirklees. Please sign up and don’t get left out in the cold.
Warm Zone has cost around £20m over the three-year programme. The previous government secured Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) funding of £11m from Scottish Power and £9m came from the Kirklees Council Capital Plan. However, it is estimated that for every £1 invested £5 has been returned to the local economy – over 120 jobs have been created and the average household saving on energy bills is over £200.
Kirklees Warm Zone also offers residents free energy-saving light bulbs, a home energy report, and a carbon monoxide detector. The scheme also offers referrals for energy efficiency grants such as those for boiler replacement, benefit and debt advice, fire safety checks, water conservation advice and support for carers. There is also an opportunity to enter a prize draw worth £300 when you sign up to the scheme.
THE WARM ZONE PROJECT WILL END ON JUNE 30. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 0800 052 0071 OR VISIT www.KIRKLEES.GOV.UK/WARMZONE<http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/warmzone>
Don’t be left out in the cold and call today!
Innovation and Efficiency update
As the worldwide recession continues to grip the UK, all councils are facing up to extremely challenging times. Massive savings will need to be made as overall public spending is set to be reduced significantly during the five years from 2011 onwards.
The Innovation and Efficiency (I and E) programme that was announced last September aims to reduce the council’s budget by around 20 per cent, or £400 million, over a carefully managed five-year period.
However we will ensure the changes delivered through the I and E programme are done with the sole intention of continuing to provide excellent services to people across the district.
We are under no illusions about the size of the task facing Kirklees and all other local authorities, but we can take credit for tackling these issues in a mature way which will allow us to make strategic choices at this time. This will mean that we will be able to avoid further crisis cuts in the future.
The foundations of this problem are the excesses of the bankers and the global recession. The General election result confirmed our prediction that we will have to work with a reduction of up to 20% in the government grant over these next few years. We have been open and honest with staff from the start that this will mean a reduction in the number of employees.
But we will continue to invest to ensure services are maintained and improved, making better use of technology, getting better value for money and making better use of our buildings and other assets to ensure the council works efficiently and effectively through these next difficult years. David Cameron has confirmed that we should expect a budget statement in summer setting out details of an immediate £6bn reduction in government spending in 2010/11, and a full Comprehensive Spending Review in the autumn.
One of the main motivations for facing up to these challenges early was to limit the impacts of these sorts of reductions on the lives of citizens and our employees as far as we could, and we continue to be determined to achieve as much of the reduction in staff numbers through turnover and voluntary redundancy as we can.
I promise we will continue to do all we can to limit the number of compulsory redundancies, working with trade unions and staff to reduce that risk as much as we can. It is important to restate – this change is about the delivery of services to the people of Kirklees, and as leader I will continue to deliver the best services possible with the budgets we have.
Kirklees welcomes the abolition of regional strategies
A recent announcement from government has confirmed the abolition of regional and national strategies on development in the area.
The changes have been announced by the Rt. Hon Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, who has written to local councils to signal the abolishing of regional strategies in favour of more local control over the planning and development process.
This move gives local councils and their communities a much greater say in how future housing is provided. More control locally can only be a good thing and I welcome this move. Our emphasis should be on providing homes to meet local housing need and not because we have to meet national targets imposed by government.
We acknowledge that this will still mean that development takes place, but it can be much more carefully driven and targeted specifically at those communities who need to be able to expand and where development can drive economic grow, create new jobs and therefore fuel future prosperity.
We do not want to be in a position where there is a free for all and a local development plan is still very much needed to target those areas which need new housing for a growing population and to which developers can be directed. However, the plan need only include what is necessary for Kirklees and will not be guided by national factors.
Kirklees Council outlines replacement plan for chief executive
Following the recent announcement that Rob Vincent, Kirklees Council Chief Executive is to leave the authority on 1st July to take up his new role at Doncaster Council, we must ensure a replacement chief executive will be in place as quickly as possible so no momentum is lost in the drive to reform the council.
The council is facing the biggest challenges in its 36-year history but is in a strong position to continue to improve. It is facing significant challenges with a cut of 20% in budget, a reduction in staffing of 1,500 over three years, an ageing population, rising expectations of local residents and our preparations to take advantage of the growing economy. We are making good progress, but I do not want us to lose any momentum at all. At the moment I feel we are ahead of the game, but that time could very easily be lost. Strong officer and political leadership are the ingredients for progressing rapidly as we tackle these key issues.
Rob has been an excellent servant to Kirklees and is now leaving us at a crucial point. Leading councillors have asked for the relevant committees and groups to be put in place immediately to ensure that we have an interim chief executive for the start of next month, and that recruitment to the permanent post begins at the first opportunity.
Whilst the news of the chief executive’s departure came earlier than planned, a succession plan was already in place as we were already aware of Rob’s intention to retire next year, and following our programme of recruitment to the team of directors, we had already laid down plans for the recruitment process for a new chief executive. A committee of leading councillors – including all the party leaders – will now form a committee to lead the search for a full time chief executive.
We have looked at all options on alternative arrangements. Some councils like Stoke and Doncaster had moved to not having a chief executive and having a council manager instead. But this would not be the solution for Kirklees. The preferred option of leading members is to have in place a strong individual who can lead on our priorities of continuing to improve despite the financial climate, improving the life chances of Kirklees residents, and promoting the economic opportunities and businesses in the district.
First webcast of council meeting
The Kirklees Council Annual Meeting held on 26th May has been broadcast for the first time on the internet.
It is intended to webcast all full council meetings from now on and to eventually use the technology to broadcast future meetings of cabinet and overview and scrutiny.
Further meetings to be broadcast will include the full council meetings on June 23; October 20; December 8; January 19, 2011; the budget meeting on February 23, 2011; full council on March 23, 2011; and the Annual Meeting on May 25, 2011.
Webcasting provides an opportunity to open up the council’s democratic processes to local people. The new system will be of particular benefit to members of the public who may not be able to attend and who can follow the proceedings from home. It will also provide an electronic record of discussions for residents to view after the events. I also look forward to the extension of webcasting to Cabinet meetings in the near future which provides a chance to see decision-making in action. I hope as many as possible will engage, both in webcasting and in the other methods that already exist to influence decisions. The majority of our meetings are open to the public and agendas, reports and minutes are published on our web site. Local people can also ask questions, submit petitions and make deputations.
To see the Annual Meeting broadcast, please follow this link http://www.kirklees.public-i.tv/site/player/pl_compact.php?a=40619&t=&m=wm&l=en_GB
Departure of Kirklees Chief Executive
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DLGC) has invited Rob to become interim chief executive in Doncaster for the next 18 months. The process is now subject to a three week consultation period.
I was asked to consider the DCLG request to allow Rob to leave, and while I am very sorry to see an outstanding chief executive depart, Kirklees is in an excellent position to continue to improve.
Rob has done a terrific job here, so it is no surprise that when government were considering somebody to lead Doncaster’s improvement journey, they decided to look here.
He has seen the council through rapid improvement, and has never avoided any issues that needed to be tackled. He has also left us an excellent executive management team who are now in a position to continue taking Kirklees forward.
I believe it is an honour for Kirklees that the DCLG chose our chief executive – that is confirmation of the job well done here and their confidence in us to continue to improve once Rob is in his new post
I have agreed to a shortened notice period of one month so Rob will take up his new role from 1st July. I am aware as leader of my responsibilities to Kirklees, but also my responsibilities to wider local government. If by releasing Rob early we contribute to a better outcome for Doncaster and South Yorkshire, I am pleased to be able to help.
Although the role is interim for 18 months, Rob has indicated he will not return to Kirklees at the end of the appointment. A recruitment process has now begun to appoint a new interim chief executive, any additional costs to be funded by government.
Future of Building Schools for the Future Funding
I have recently written to the new government to ask for clarification on the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.
With a Comprehensive Spending Review due in Autumn, I have written personally to the Secretary of State Michael Gove MP setting out the benefits of BSF locally, and the risks associated with not going ahead with the £280m funding package at this late stage of the process.
I am mindful that there is nervousness regarding BSF. This is our chance to achieve a massive change in attainment, achievement and aspiration by a programme of change management and capital investment that will transform the ways our young people learn, how our schools are configured, managed and led, and the quality of our learning environments. If we are to meet our six key aims in the future education programme, then the government must listen to us.
The aims are to:
- raise attainment through a broad curriculum
- enhance diversity and support self governance
- improve performance and improve the figures around those not in education, employment or training
- improve inclusion
- provide school places where they are most needed and appropriate
- promote community cohesion
We have undertaken extensive public consultation over the last 3 years, resulting in (to date) 19 sets of statutory decisions relating to school closures, creating new schools, adjusting sizes, age ranges and priority admission areas. We have particularly sought the views of all parents to help shape the new system and proposed a pattern of provision that both meets the balance of parental and pupil wishes as expressed, whilst shaping a viable and sustainable system. In some parts of Kirklees we have engaged with parents in up to four separate consultations as we have tailored the plans to fit their aspirations for their children.
In this context, and given the scale and importance of our collective ambition in Kirklees, we feel strongly that any reduction in capital investment through BSF would not only reduce our capacity to provide stimulating and high quality learning environments, but could fundamentally affect our drive to improve standards.
Street Lighting Overhaul in Doubt
The plan to improve 50,000 street lights in Kirklees and fit them with modern technology has had to be put on hold because of cuts being proposed by the new government.
Kirklees Council was one of six local authorities invited by the previous government to submit a business case for its street lighting PFI scheme. The scheme was at an early stage of a formal process that if successful would see almost £66m invested in street lighting.
This development is disappointing but was to be anticipated in the light of the current cuts being made by the coalition government. The first draft of the outline business case for Kirklees had been completed following three months of concerted effort. However, until there is clarity about the future of the PFI we will proceed with the policy but leave the business case in its draft form.
One of the biggest concerns residents raise with me is the quality of our outdated street lights and it is one of the areas of work that I hope we will be eventually able to proceed with.
Improving street lighting in Kirklees would make an estimated saving of in the region of 100,000 tonnes of CO2 over the life of the contract. Leeds and Wakefield councils have recently undertaken a similar initiative and the evidence has shown that residents feel much safer due to brighter, more energy efficient white street lighting.
Road repairs in 2010/11
Due to the severe winter weather that we experienced earlier in the year, many roads in the area cannot just be patched but will need a programme of resurfacing or extensive repairs.
Kirklees Council has spent £4.1m filling in 7,000 potholes since the end of the cold snap – the worst winter for 30 years and in February alone, the council was inundated with 4,394 requests from members of the public. Kirklees originally earmarked £600,000 to tackle the problems but we quickly realised this was not enough and decided to set aside another £3.5m to resurface roads.
Now winter is over, we need to deal as quickly as possible with the problems it has caused in order to improve the situation for the travelling public.
Below is the provisional list of roads that will be resurfaced or repaired in the Greenhead Ward alone:
| Willow Lane East |
| St Johns Road |
| Arnold Avenue |
| Filbert Street |
| Broomfield Road |
| Croft House Lane |
| Linden Avenue |
| Rose Avenue |
| Gorse Road |
| Heatherfield Cres |
| Heatherfield Road |
| Hillhouse Lane |
| Park Avenue |
| Percy Street |
| Eleanor Street |
| Cleveland Road |
| Willow Lane |
| C6107 Spaines Road, Birkby |
| C640 Church Street, Paddock |
| C540 Paddock Roundabout, Paddock |
| C640 Market Street, Paddock |
| A640 Gledholt Roundabout |
| C629 Blacker Road, Birkby |
| Back Lea St/Mead St |
| Alwen Avenue |
| Wheathouse Terrace |
| Link Road |
| Beacon Street and Back Beacon Street, Birkby |
| Halifax Old Road |
| Grimscar Avenue |
| Wasp Nest Road |
| Willow Lane |
| St Johns Road |
| Blacker Road |
| Luck Lane |
| Church St / Market St |
| Carr Street |
| Clifton Road |
| Corby Street (service rd) |
| Moorfield Road |
| Norwood Road |
| Scholes Road |
| South Cross Road |
| West View |
| Woodbine Road |
| St Johns Road |
| Gledholt Road |
| Heaton Road |
Click here to view the sites on a map. Please note the colours in the plan represent the location of the streets but not necessarily the extent of the proposals.
Dewsbury and Batley mean business
This winter the economic climate has been harsh. We hope that the situation is beginning to improve, but we know that many companies, jobs and consequently families have been badly affected by the recession.
We are only too aware of this terrible reality and have been trying to put in place measures to kickstart an upward spiral of positive trading and successful future for our local businesses.
Supporting local businesses
Over the past year we’ve launched and supported a number of initiatives to encourage more people to shop in our town centres. Dewsbury’s free car parking initiative has been a huge success with over 200,000 free scratch cards distributed in the town and the extension of the scheme until June this year. In addition, the free town bus in Dewsbury is also proving successful.
And in Batley, we’re pleased to be supporting the Batley News ‘Help our High Street’ campaign which encourages local people to spend a minimum of £5 per week in local independent shops to support our retailers.
A total of 50 small businesses in Batley and Dewsbury will receive free security packs from the council as part of a scheme designed to benefit those adversely affected by crime in the last two years. The successful businesses will benefit from items including forged note detectors, alarms, shopwatch radios and cctv systems.
Helping people into jobs and employment
Various initiatives and projects have been developed to boost the job market in Kirklees; we were the first council in West Yorkshire to secure funding for the Future Jobs Fund for example. A total investment of £2.4 million has been made from the Government and we are creating nearly 400 jobs across the district for people who have been unemployed for a long time.
We have also made sure that local people and employers are benefiting from national schemes such as Train to Gain. In Kirklees, Train to Gain has assisted 2,710 local people with training and nearly 6,000 apprentices gained new qualifications to help them into work.
Engaging events
Events create memories and positive feelings about a place and support local businesses by increasing visitors into a town or area. Those who came to Dewsbury’s street theatre show Spirit at the end of February will have enjoyed the fantastic atmosphere in the town; I have also heard that the shops and cafés that chose to stay open late during the show benefited enormously from the increased footfall
I hope that all these initiatives, projects and investments should all work together to improve lives of the people of Batley and Dewsbury.
A new Sports Centre for Huddersfield
Artists impression of the exterior of the building
The council is inviting residents to see the artist’s impressions and proposed plans for the new state-of-the-art sports centre in Huddersfield at a series of public displays.
The display will show how the sports centre could look from the outside and some of the facilities inside the building. There will also be architect’s plans of the proposed layout to see.
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The proposed new sports centre will offer wonderful modern, quality facilities for the people of Huddersfield as a place for keeping fit and active as well as having fun. The display brings to life the look and feel of the facilities to make it real for people.
The proposals reflect our commitment to encourage everyone to use the facilities as, amongst others, the needs of older people, families with young children and disabled people have been taken into account by the design team.
These proposed new facilities would be a huge boost for Huddersfield, attracting visitors into the town centre.
The display will be in the reference section of Huddersfield Library from Wednesday 17 March until Friday 26 March. (Opening hours are Mondays and Tuesdays 9.30-8pm, Wednesdays 9.30 – 5pm, Thursdays and Fridays 9 – 8pm and Saturdays 9-4pm). The display will then move to the existing Huddersfield Sports Centre from Monday 29 March until Wednesday 7 April before moving to the Stadium Business and Leisure Complex until Friday 16 April. The display will then move to other locations across Kirklees.
You can also view the artist’s impressions, plans and online video of the proposed facilities at www.kirklees.gov.uk/hsc
Empty Shops
As in the case of Huddersfield, Dewsbury vacancy rates have some improvement, with the number of vacant units edging closer to the 2007 level.
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| Floor Space % | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | April2009 | October 2009 | December2009 |
| Huddersfield | 12.2 | 10.6 | 4.7 | 8.2 | 6.3 | 5.8 |
| Dewsbury | 11.3 | 12.8 | 17.3 | 18.2 | 14.9 |
The improvements are due in part to successful interventions funded from the council recession fund and in partnership with Huddersfield Town Centre Partnership Ltd and Dewsbury Town Centre Traders and Business Association.
The improvements are due in part to successful interventions funded from the council recession fund and in partnership with Huddersfield Town Centre Partnership Ltd and Dewsbury Town Centre Traders and Business Association.
Lobby on salt production
Snowy St George's Square in the recent bad weather
Local Authority Leaders in the region have joined forces to lobby government on salt production following the problems faced across the country during the recent spell of bad weather..Following the recent severe weather and continued need for salt to make sure the roads in our region are safe and that places are accessible, our region’s Leaders have written to the Minister of State for Transport, the Rt. Hon. Sadiq Khan MP, to share their experiences and to inform any “lessons learned” process.
I welcome the approach that Yorkshire & Humber Local Authority leaders have taken and we will continue to cooperate with our regional partners to ensure that Councils in this region have sufficient salt supplies and in particular that greater reserves held regionally.
We recognize that we need to ensure that everyone is better equipped to deal with excessive snow and ice and we will continue to explore other options in the provision of a winter weather service.
Council to help firms gear up for recovery
Kirklees Council means business when it comes to supporting the district’s economy.
We have kept the central recession fund going – which is now our recovery fund, to continue helping local firms to keep people in jobs. We have budgeted for a further £3m over the next three years.
We were also the first authority to provide a business rate relief scheme for smaller manufacturers, which is calculated to have helped secure about 200 jobs and we have pledged to pay all invoices within 10 working days to help suppliers with their cash flow.
We are not going to take our foot off the accelerator.
We have recently set up a ‘Sell to Kirklees’ website for firms to register and tender for council contracts; to help manufacturers cut through red tape; and we have hosted two high-profile meetings between local business leaders and regional minister Rosie Winterton.
Other initiatives include the organisation of a Huddersfield Loan Fund offering low-interest finance for job creation; investment in council-owned business and enterprise centers to “incubate” new businesses; and the creation of a land and property bulletin to pinpoint development sites to would-be investors.
The area has distinct advantages in the wake of the recession – including the resources of Huddersfield University with its 26,000 students; plans for an £85m investment in a new campus at Chapel Hill for Kirklees College; and the town’s world-renowned media centre.
The district is one of the most important centres in the UK for manufacturing and for internet-based businesses, we have a wealth of talent in the business sector and we aim to create an environment for enterprise.
Through Leeds City Region, we aim to improve transport links at key points, including Leeds Road, Cooper Bridge while a Huddersfield Gateways scheme aims to improve traffic flow on the ring road. We also want to see a high-speed rail link between Manchester, Huddersfield and Leeds.
The future of town centres is a major concern for councils as shopping patterns change but we have to make town centres much more attractive and secure places for people to visit.
The revamp of St George’s Square has also provided a “wow factor” for visitors to the town while events such as the Festival of Lights has encouraged people to visit the town centre in the evening and sample its restaurants as well as shops.
Improving St Peter’s Gardens and efforts to seek a site for a high quality children’s play area are also on the agenda – to make the town centre a “day out” destination.
The council is currently working with representatives of organisations such as the University, Kirklees College, the Media Centre and Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd on a Huddersfield Futures group to plot the course for the town over the next 10 years.
Gurmail Singh Memorial
A faith event will take place in Huddersfield on Saturday following the tragic death of shopkeeper Gurmail Singh.
The gathering is to show solidarity in condemning the murder and to express sympathy to the Singh family, and to all those affected by the recent events, on behalf of the Muslim community.
The event is on Saturday, March 13 (7pm) at the Hanfia Institute, a mosque on Bentley Street, Lockwood.
I will be attending along with key figures from local communities. The council’s Safer Stronger Communities service is supporting Hanfia with planning and West Yorkshire Police will also be represented. The Mayor of Kirklees, Cllr Julie Stewart-Turner and representatives from the Interfaith Council will also be attending.
People from all faiths and backgrounds were shocked by Mr Singh’s death. He was a pillar of the community and the event on Saturday will be a real show of support, not only for Mr Singh’s family but for the wider community. The strength of community spirit and positive relations between people of different backgrounds have shown that as a community, we are united and determined to support one another. We will remember Gurmail, and continue to support both the family during this ordeal and the police in their very important work.
Halabja Memorial
On Tuesday 16th March 2010 there will be a memorial service to commemorate the Halabja at the Grace Centre, St Johns Road, Birkby at 11.00am.
The Halabja Memorial will remember the poison gas attack in Iraqi. This occurred in the period of March 16-17, 1988. Chemical weapons were used by the Iraqi in the Kurdish of Halabja. The attack instantly killed and injured thousands of people. Thousands more died of complications, diseases, and birth defects in the years after the attack. The incident, which some define as an act of genocide, was as of 2010 the largest-scale chemical weapons attack directed against a civilian-populated area in history.
Before the Memorial Service a procession will take place from the main gates of Greenhead Park to the Grace Centre. From this the service will begin and will include music, poetry and moments of silence to remember those who were affected by the attacks.
Gurmail Singh: portrait of a random British killing
The below link will take you to a moving article that has been written by The Observer journalist, Euan Ferguson about the life of Gurmail Singh.
The piece is compassionately written and truly highlights the level of respectful regard in which Gurmail was held by those who knew him and by those who didn’t…
I encourage you to read the article.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/mar/07/gurmail-singh-murder-euan-ferguson
More local jobs created as Future Jobs Fund extended in Kirklees
I am pleased to say that Kirklees Council has extended its Future Jobs Fund programme, which is a Labour Government scheme aimed at tacking long term and youth unemployment in ‘hot spot’ areas, bringing the total number of new local jobs to 371.
In the first phase of Future Jobs Fund, we created 138 jobs with local organisations and a large number of the additional 233 positions have already been identified. This announcement brings the total investment of £2.4m through the project to date.
The Future Jobs Fund initiative compliments a range of recovery from recession projects which are aimed at boosting the local economy, increasing employment and skills and creating a future fair for all. Kirklees Council was the first West Yorkshire authority to rise to the challenge and submit a successful bid in September 2009.
Tackling youth and long term unemployment is a priority for this council and the government and I’m delighted that we have been given the extra funding, enabling us to build on the good work done so far and give even more people the chance to get back into the workplace and enhance their skills.
Since October, we have been working with organisations across the district such as the University of Huddersfield, Kirklees Active Leisure and the National Day Nurseries Association to create the positions and Job Centre Plus has recruited people into them. As well as managing the project, the Council has created a third of the jobs to date.
Employers who have recruited through the programme tell us that people are grasping the opportunity with both hands and impressing the companies they are working for, as well as building up their own confidence in the workplace.
For example, Alasdair Brown, Kirklees Active Leisure’s Chief Executive told us:
“The Future Jobs Fund has provided KAL with a group of enthusiastic young staff members, who have taken to the range of tasks asked of them with energy and commitment.
We would certainly recommend any employer with the opportunity to get involved in the FJF programme to do so and to help develop the skills, self-confidence and ability of these young people that will hopefully lead to their permanent employment in the longer term.”
We have also had excellent feedback from the young people and long term unemployed people who have taken up positions through this scheme. For example:
44 year old Joan has been working at Kirklees Council’s Ray Street Enterprise Centre since December, after being unemployed for 18 months following a redundancy.
Joan said:
”When I found out I’d got the job I was relieved and ecstatic – just totally over the moon. When I was made redundant I went from working long hours in a job that I enjoyed to having no money and no real purpose to my days, and that was so hard. Being employed again is fantastic, and it’s not just about the money – it’s about getting back to normality and having a routine again.”
The jobs created through the Future Jobs Fund last for six months; Joan’s job will end in June this year but she is optimistic about the future;
“I’m using this opportunity to keep my skills fresh and regain confidence in myself. The people I’m working with are really fantastic and it’s great working again. I’m so grateful to have been given the chance to do this and look forward to what the future holds for me.”
Sally, age 21, trained for three years to be a hairdresser after leaving college and was devastated to be made redundant after just three months on the job. She is now working in the sales and membership team at Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL) and looks forward to a bright career;
“I’m the type of person that needs to always be doing something so I was applying for all sorts of jobs and rarely hearing back about them. It really started to knock my confidence as I didn’t feel like I had a purpose and it was hard not having any money.
This job is only for 6 months but I’ve already been talking to my manager about what I could do next, they’re really supportive and have even mentioned putting me on a lifeguard training course.
I hope that other people get the chance to have this opportunity like I have, working within KAL has built my confidence within the workplace, benefiting me for any future job that I may have.”
Tribute to Gurmail Singh
The response from the public to the sad and untimely death of Gurmail Singh has been overwhelming. Gurmail’s family is obviously going through a very difficult time but all the offers of support and warm wishes have been a great comfort to them.
The Sikh community held a memorial service for Gurmail at the Sikh Temple on Sunday 28th February. This was attended by hundreds of people including many who do not follow the Sikh faith and many people who live in the Cowcliffe area. Those from outside the Sikh faith also took part in the ‘Langhar’ which is the traditional sharing of food after the prayers have concluded. It was heartening to hear the many stories that were told about Gurmail. People spoke emotionally and very fondly about his good work for the local community, tales were told of how he would help elderly people with enquiries about bills or arrange council services for them and how he recently delivered goods to their homes in snowbound conditions.
Next Sunday a memorial service for Gurmail will be held at St Hilda’s Church in Cowcliffe from 3pm to 4pm.
I have known Gurmail personally for many years. We lived on the same street in Fartown from 1991 to 2000 and in that time my family and I got to know him and his family very well. He was a hard working family man who devoted himself to his children and to caring for his elderly wheelchair bound mother. His death comes as a deep shock to everyone but it is also a very personal loss for me, not just in my capacity as a local councillor but I regarded Gurmail as a longstanding personal friend.
My family had a convenience store on Bradford Road in Fartown from 1983 to 2003. My brothers and I helped out in the shop and some evenings, particularly Friday or Saturday things could get lively with attempted shoplifters or rowdy customers but I could never imagine that such low level anti-social behavior could escalate into such a heinous crime in a corner shop in Huddersfield.
Gurmail’s shop was in an area with a low level of crime. It seems that his shop was deliberately targeted, possibly because he was 63 years old, the perpetrators may have thought that he would not be able to adequately defend himself or his shop.
The police investigation team, led by Supt Pervin is doing a fantastic job and have so far arrested and interviewed six individuals in relation to death of Gurmail.
The strength of community spirit and positive relations between people of different backgrounds have shown that as a community, we are united and determined to support one another. We will remember Gurmail, and continue to support both the family during this ordeal and the police in their very important work.
Energy efficient
As a council we plan to make significant improvements to the energy efficiency of our buildings. Measures go recently agreed by cabinet include pipework insulation, improvements to hot water systems and upgraded lighting.
If we can run these buildings in a more efficient manner, we will be able to save money for other essential services and help us make better use of taxpayers’ money. These measures also help reduce our carbon footprint, and prepare for government initiatives about to come into force.
Over the lifetime of the energy efficiency measures of ten years we will save the public in the region of £1 million and 8,000 tonnes of carbon. We have also carried out energy surveys for all buildings and schools to identify opportunities to make further savings.
In addition to the Warm Zone scheme which has given all residents in Kirklees the opportunity to residents to reduce costs and their carbon footprint, we have also been awarded £500,000 from the Department of Climate Change, Low Carbon Communities Challenge Fund for a pioneering scheme in Hillhouse, Huddersfield.
Houses in this area will get low carbon makeovers including insulation, draught-proofing and solar electricity panels. The energy measures will also be carried out on the Chinese Community Centre, Clare Hill Community Centre and Hudawi Centre. The solar panels could generate around £21,000 a year and this will be invested back into the community to fund more energy improvements to benefit the 1,500 residents.
£3.5m for damage to roads
The condition of roads has been affected by the severe weather, this not just affects Kirklees but the whole country. At the weekend I was in London, travelled by car and the number of pot holes had multiplied since my last visit by car in December.
At Kirklees we have allocated a sum of £3.5m to repair local roads which have been significantly damaged during the winter. We need to reassure road users that we are making sure funds are available to deal with the problems being caused by freezing weather and that we are committed to tackling the situation. The money will come from reserves and efficiencies and will go towards repairing the damage caused to much of our road network by the harshest winter for 20 years which saw almost a month of plunging temperatures and snow.
Repair work on the roads to date has cost around £90,000, but winter is far from over. Ten pothole gangs are currently assessing and repairing pothole damage and have already repaired thousands of holes in the last five weeks. This winter we had five weeks of ice and snow plus the obvious disruption to the bin service. Now our minds are concentrated on the longer term impact of the weather. The additional money will be used in the short term to fill pot holes and patch road sections which have been badly damaged and we are trying to address the problems in as many roads as possible as quickly as we can. Major work on this programme will start when the weather is reliably frost free.
Do get in touch with me or the Highways Department on highways.ross@kirklees.gov.uk to report pot holes.
Victory on product placement
I welcome the governments recent announcement that product placement on television will be strictly controlled. We all know that advertising and marketing can be very influential in people’s diet and lifestyle, especially where the young are concerned.
In Kirklees we have a strong commitment to tackling health issues. In this role and as a Non-Executive Director of NHS Kirklees, I was very concerned at a free for all on product placement, which could have permitted placement of sugary and fatty foods in programmes watched by children. There is already a major concern about obesity in this district. Though placement is already banned in children’s programmes, I felt I had to write to the government arguing that many youngsters were also exposed to more adult shows.
We have been among the national leaders in lobbying the government and we were the only West Yorkshire council to actively campaign. We were part of a powerful national campaign and this led to the government staging a consultation and the outcome is pleasing – there is no doubt that the wrong kind of product placement would have promoted an unhealthy lifestyle. It has been confirmed there will be no product placement of alcohol, gambling services, smoking accessories or foods that are high in fat, sugar or salt. There will also be controls on which TV shows can use product placement.
£66 Million bid for street light funding
The condition of streetlights is a community concern, many of our streetlight columns have the older yellow light (sodium filament) and don’t give out enough light to help people feel safe and secure. Also the energy consumption is very high too, we spend millions of pounds on ever increasing energy bills for streetlights.
I am very pleased that Kirklees is only one of 6 local authorities that have been invited by the government to submit a business case for its street lighting PFI scheme. This is the early stage of a formal process but if successful we could receive almost £66M to invest in street lighting which would see over 50,000 old fashioned sodium lights replaced with modern technology.
As of the biggest concerns residents raise with me is the quality of our outdated street lights I welcome the government’s invitation to work with them to tackle the concerns of local people.
Funding would enable us to improve the quality of life of our residents by making our communities feel safer whilst also significantly reducing the carbon impact of the Council. We estimate that the saving would be in the region of 100,000 tonnes of CO2 over the life of the contract.
Over the next few months we will be working with trade unions partners and staff to strengthen our bid to ensure we have a proposal that is right for our residents and achieves real value for money.
Planning for the future
Artists impression of the Waterfront
There has been a lot of heat and very little solid information about the improved traffic management scheme for Manchester Road, unfortunately some people have been led to believe that the council is going to spend hundreds of thousands on a bus lane. Your Council is planning for the future and poised to take a major step forward in the exciting Waterfront Quarter redevelopment for Huddersfield.
A £950,000 package of highways works is due to begin in June of this year. The scheme will help to prepare the infrastructure for the Waterfront development, which is set to provide a new base for Kirklees College and create hundreds of jobs in Huddersfield.
Included in the works are new traffic lights to reduce congestion; CCTV to increase security and monitor traffic; a 600 metre bus and cycle lane; ‘Real Time’ information in bus shelters so people know when the next bus is coming; and £250,000 of road resurfacing throughout the length of the scheme.
This project is about far more than creating a bus lane. It’s a whole package of improvements in an area which experiences delays and heavy traffic, and it also helps with regeneration. We are helping to improve public transport, but the measures are also about long-term planning and are strongly linked to the huge, flagship redevelopment of the Waterfront Quarter.
Artists impression of the Waterfront atrium
The Waterfront development is on a site between Manchester Road, Chapel Hill and the River Colne, so we need to have access in place and be prepared for the extra traffic this important scheme will generate. By acting early to provide the right infrastructure, we are being forward-thinking and responsible and we are making sure a problem doesn’t develop further down the line.
It is common sense to prepare in advance because the Waterfront development is a £175million scheme and the single biggest regeneration project currently ongoing in Kirklees. The site will include a superb new building for Kirklees College, 300 new homes, 190,000 sq ft of offices, plus cafes, bars and leisure facilities. It will provide hundreds of local jobs and create a brilliant community for people from far and wide.
The Highways works are part of the council ensuring that the Waterfront regeneration can run as smoothly as possible. Of course there will be shorter-term benefits for road users in a place that has suffered congestion for years, but I hope people also bear in mind the bigger picture – and the need to show potential investors in Huddersfield that we really mean business.
The Manchester Road scheme has been developed in partnership with Metro (the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority) and local bus operator First. It applies to the section of Manchester Road between Huddersfield Ring Road and Longroyd Bridge.
Some people have suggested that the money could be used to repair roads but this is not possible because the money is from a central government fund for traffic management improvements.
I hope this explanation is useful, there will always be different views and I would like to hear yours.
St John’s Church memorial to honour Birkby fire victims
A special memorial to the victims of an horrific mass murder in Huddersfield was dedicated on Saturday 6th February.
People of all backgrounds and all faiths attended the ceremony at St John’s Church, in Birkby, honour the victims of the Osborne Road arson attack.
The fire in the early hours of May 12, 2002, was to claim eight lives – from three generations of a family.
The memorial displays the names of the 8 victims
Now their memories have been revived in an inspiring stone memorial, created by Huddersfield artist Mike Disley. The sculptor has carved a large tree shape, with eight gold branches representing the victims marked out in gold on the front. It is made of local products, with Appleton stone for the base and Mosledon stone for the tree itself and is a soft colour that will mellow with age.
A plinth below the stone pays tribute to the victims, who ranged from a grandmother to a baby.
The memorial has been commissioned by the Birkby Fire Appeal Fund and the Vicar of St John’s, the Rev Sue Clarke, led the short dedication service on Saturday.
It is time that we have a fitting memorial to the victims and it is appropriate it is placed at St John’s Church, just 100 yards from their former home and a place where people of all faiths can pay their own tributes.
Click here to view the story that appeared on the BBC News website.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bradford/8501922.stm
£3 million help for the young and the old
It’s that time of the year again, yesterday the public part of the budget process commenced. The Cabinet announced a below inflation council tax rise of 2%, this will bring in £3m that will be spent on the most vulnerable people in the district.
The extra money is absolutely needed to keep up with demand for services for the elderly and the young. This additional £3million will ensure that Kirklees meets the increasing challenge of child protection and looking after vulnerable adults.
Despite the current economic climate we are committed to improving vital services for those who need it most. We can invest properly in services which matter most to people – safeguarding children, looking after those with dementia and helping people continue to live in their own homes.
I know – and independent observers agree – that our safeguarding service is strong, but this new investment will ensure that it continues to improve, allow us to recruit more social workers, and put the strongest possible safeguarding systems in place.
As with any household budget, there is of course much more to do, and we are now making more savings than previous years to pay for additional costs such as the recent bad winter weather and potholes in the roads.
We will also continue to transform our towns, and we have major schemes underway in Huddersfield with the £175 million regeneration of the Waterfront area, and Dewsbury with the Renaissance programme.
Kirklees is a hung council so the final budget and council tax rise will have to be an agreement between at least two of the larger political groups. I am keen to work with the Tories, Lib Dems and Greens to reach an all party budget deal. Next week the others shall reveal their plans and the final decision will be made at the budget council meeting on 25 Feb.
Warm Zone scheme ending June 2010!!
I thought it would be useful to let you know that the Kirklees Council’s fantastic Warm Zone home insulation scheme is ending soon, and so constituents only have a few months left to claim their free loft and cavity wall insulation. Local residents are being encouraged to sign up before the scheme ends on 30th June.
The Kirklees Warm Zone is the only scheme in the country to offer free cavity wall and loft insulation to every suitable home in Kirklees (subject to survey), a home energy report and a free carbon monoxide detector.
The £20 million project was half funded by the government programme and the other chunk came from the council. I am told that the average saving for households is £200 off their bills.
Local services working with the project can offer people free benefit and debt advice, fire safety checks, water conservation advice and support for carers. Residents also get the opportunity to win a prize worth £300 when they sign up to the scheme.
By the end of June Warm Zone assessors will have re-visited every area of Kirklees offering ONE LAST CHANCE to sign up to Warm Zone. So if you know anyone who would benefit then please drop an e-mail to me at the.leader@kirklees.gov.uk with their name, address and telephone number.
124,000 homes in Kirklees have signed up to the scheme, saving an estimated total of £8.5 million on their fuel bills.
Paying our bills
Congratulations to council staff for making Kirklees Council the best authority in the region for paying recession-hit businesses quickly. Kirklees easily emerged as the top council in the entire Yorkshire and Humberside region for processing payments to its suppliers and contractors within 10 days.
Kirklees is also one of the best-performing councils in the entire UK, according to figures uncovered by the national small business lobby group the Forum of Private Business (FPB). Kirklees pays more than 80% of its invoices within 10 days – making a crucial difference to the cash flow of local businesses during the recession. The figure is almost double the UK average of 42%, is well clear of the next-best in the region (65%).
Supporting local business is very important to us. It is very much a council priority and we are delighted that the FPB has recognised our work. Paying suppliers quickly can make a massive difference to their cash flow and we have been focusing our attention on this for quite some time because we understand its importance, especially in a time of recession.
Our commitment was highlighted earlier this year when Kirklees became only the second council in the country to sign up to the Prompt Payment Code. We were already paying 80% of suppliers and sub-contractors within 10 days, but joining the code showed our determination to keep up the good work and perform to an even higher level.
The fact that we are well above the rest of Yorkshire, not to mention most councils nationwide, shows that we are setting the example. We have supported individuals and businesses, protected hundreds of jobs, invested heavily and helped people gain new skills.
FPB spokesman Phil McCabe said: “Many people don’t realise, but having to wait for invoices to be settled can be hugely damaging for a small business. If all town halls process invoices as quickly as Kirklees Council, we can boost the fortunes of many small firms without costing the taxpayer a penny extra”.
Since the FPB conducted their research to cover a 12-month spell, Kirklees has actually improved its performance even further and hit 83%. When it comes to paying within the longer period of 30 days, Kirklees again tops the regional chart at 98%.
Business Rate Relief Saves Over 80 Jobs
Financial pressures on manufacturing businesses in Kirklees have lessened thanks to a council scheme introduced to reduce their business rates. Kirklees Business Rate Relief was launched in September as part of the Real Help Now programme which helps local people and businesses through the recession.
The Rate Relief project was aimed specifically at manufacturing businesses. The sector currently employs around 20% of the workforce in Kirklees and many have been hit hard by the effects of the recession. A total of six local firms have been awarded the rate relief which amounts to a total investment of £284,391 by Kirklees Council and national government. This investment has safeguarded 87 local jobs which were previously at risk.
Over these past few weeks and months I’ve been going out and about meeting local firms and getting a sense of the impact the recession is having on their business. I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to offer the Rate Relief and help local firms who are struggling during the recession – the number of jobs safeguarded is a fantastic achievement and one that I want us to build on with other business initiatives.
The following are pictures of my visit to the Bretton Enterprise Centre earlier this year.
Mike Wood of The Good Soup Company
Helen White of Stopdrop Tooling Ltd
Ekbal Patel of Mass Spectrometry International LtdReducing Inequalities Challenge
The Labour and Lib Dem Partnership cabinet began the work to reduce inequalities on these 9 priority themes:
- Education attainment at foundation stage
- Education attainment at Key Stage 4 (GCSE)
- Not in Education and Employment or Training (NEET)
- Teenage pregnancy
- Community Cohesion
- Gross household income
- Smoking
- Focus on young women and manual workers
- Alcohol
- Childhood obesity
I have been the Chair of the Kirklees Partnership Reducing Inequalities group which is providing intensive focus on narrowing gaps within Kirklees. The group established pyramid model of universal services and targeted interventions helped in identifying actions. The group met on the 24th November to test out the lead officer recommendations about which gaps we should focus on as indicators to measure progress for the themes, the actions currently taken to narrow these gaps and how actions can be connected across the themes. The officers who attended the session were from the Council, PCT and Kirklees Connexions.
Prior to the Reducing Inequalities Star Chamber a lot of preparation was done by myself, Philip Hume, Adrian Lythgo and Jane Scullion. The meeting ran very smoothly and there were very strong connections across most of the priority themes. It became quite apparent that there was a great deal of overlap between the themes and we were targeting very similar or identical communities. Therefore one of the urgent pieces of follow up action is to have a cross partnership integrated model of commissioning services that reduce inequalities on these themes and importantly place the citizen or neighbourhood or community at the centre of commissioning services and to wrap around these services as opposed to interventions being made. I hope this makes sense if not get in touch but I will make a presentation on this issue at our end of January Labour Group Meeting.
Night Noise Visit
A few weeks ago, I was out with the council’s night time noise service which is celebrating its fifth anniversary this month.
The team provide a fast response to Kirklees residents who are troubled by noise at night and they have dealt with more than 8,400 requests for help since being formed. Over the years there has been a 60% increase in the number of noise complaints and a typical weekend will see the service responding to around 40 calls.
Me and the night time noise officersMost of the complaints dealt with are about noisy neighbours playing loud music or having noisy parties. Complaints are also made about entertainment premises such as pubs and night clubs and the service also deals with a wide range of other issues such as barking dogs, burglar alarms, noise in streets, fireworks and illegal burning.
Kirklees Council’s pollution and noise control team recently scooped a national honour in the John Connell Awards – also known as the Noise Oscars. These recognise local authorities, manufacturers, organisations and individuals who have made outstanding efforts to reduce the impact of noise nuisance and who pioneer practical and innovative solutions to noise pollution.
The Kirklees night time noise service operates between 9pm and 7am on Friday and Saturday nights and on Bank Holiday weekend Sunday nights.
Reducing Inequalities Grants
A personal ambition is to reduce inequalities in our communities to give everyone the opportunity to maximise their potential to achieve and enjoy a good quality of life.
To support this aim the new “Reducing Inequalities (RI) Grants Scheme” is being launched this week as part of the council’s commitment to reducing inequalities and creating an atmosphere of fairness and opportunity for all. It aims to encourage voluntary and community organisations to develop and enhance their role within the community by developing new groups and allowing existing groups to do more.
Funding will be given to projects that help to reduce inequalities in any of the following eight areas:
- Education attainment at foundation stage
- Education attainment at Key Stage 4 (GCSE)
- Not in Education and Employment or Training (NEET)
- Teenage pregnancy
- Gross household income
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Childhood obesity.
£100,000 is available for grants across Kirklees, click here for additional information.
When Santa Claus came to Town…
A slightly suspect Santa made a very special appearance on Thursday 11th December at the Queensgate Market, Princess Alexandra Walk and even opened the evening skating session at the ice rink on the Piazza.While the real Father Christmas was busy preparing for the big night at the Santa Claus Head Office located on the Arctic Circle, impostors were sighted all over the world, pretending to be Santa Claus. Do you recognise this one….?!
Santa also showed up at the Chief Executive and Leaders bash and handed out to presents to all those who came – he was slightly embarased but it was all in good fun!
Carbon budget
Kirklees is the first council in the country to develop a carbon budget for all its services with targets to reduce their carbon emissions by 3% each year, which could save around £500,000 per year through reduced fuel and energy costs.
The council has also recently committed to the national 10:10 campaign to reduce its carbon emissions by 10% in 2010 and this could bring savings of approximately £1.5 million. Some examples of savings to date include a ‘Smarter Printing’ project to replace old printers and copiers with new multifunction machines. This is expected to cut council carbon emissions by 73 tonnes per year, reduce the amount of paper used and reduce printing costs by 37%.
Council fleet vehicle drivers are being supported to reduce their mileage and attend an environmental driver training scheme which will show them how to drive in a safer, more fuel efficient way. Once all drivers have been trained this could save the council around £212,500 on its annual fuel budget.
Improved planning of work and travel, the introduction of pool cars, incentives to use public transport and other sustainable transport initiatives have resulted in a 5.8% reduction in carbon emissions (a saving of 104 tonnes CO2) and reduced employee vehicle mileage by an estimated 300,000 miles between 2008 and 2009. This resulted in cash savings of approximately £180,000.
The council has saved over £800,000 on energy and water costs and reduced CO2 emissions by over 9,500 tonnes through an Energy and Water Conservation Fund set up in 1998. As an example, Kirklees Active Leisure applied for £3,738 to insulate pipes for the heating system at Dewsbury Sports Centre. At least £4,565 and 25 tonnes of CO2 per year are being saved thanks to this work.
Local residents and businesses are also being supported to save money and reduce their carbon emissions and the Kirklees Warm Zone project is a key part of this. The Green Business Network also offers businesses in Kirklees a free environmental audit and energy saving advice.
In the current economic climate it makes business sense to use resources efficiently to save money. Making cash savings on fuel and energy costs means we will reduce running costs and make better use of tax payers’ money to spend on essential services for local residents. With the added benefit of reducing carbon to meet our 10:10 commitment it’s a win-win situation.
Predicted future rises in energy costs is a major concern. The actions we are taking now are part of a concerted effort to future proof the council against spiralling energy prices and when we also predict that budgets will be under severe pressure.
The Perfect Storm
There was a brief discussion at the last Labour Group meeting regarding the challenges facing local government finance and I thought it would be useful to share with you a copy of the document which has been produced by Price Waterhouse Coopers in relation to the budget shortfall challenges facing local government. Click here to view the document. I hope you find this useful and if you have any comments please get in touch.
Stonewall award?
We are working hard to promote equality and diversity for ALL local people and out staff. Working closely with the LGBT Networks we submitted an application to become a Stonewall top 100 public sector organisation for LGBT equalities. We’ve been invited to a Stonewall event on 13th January in central London. I will already be in London so will attend this event, fingers crossed, hopefully we’ll be a winner!
Local Election Candidate Survey
The 2009 Survey of Local Election Candidates’ was conducted by the University of Plymouth’s Elections Centre. It continues to provide valuable information about the types of people that compete for office and something of the flavour of their campaign experience. It covers many aspects of the electoral experience including:
- the moment a person decides to contest a council seat
- the support network that sustains them through the campaign
- the time for reflection after votes have been counted.
The issue of social diversity on council benches continues to be a challenge for local government generally. These include encouraging more women, people from black, Asian and other minority ethnic (BAME) groups and younger people to stand for election.
In this year’s report we are able to compare the types of people that contest elections across the range of local authorities. This should tell us whether the problem of under-representation affects all types of local authority or is restricted to some but not others.
Click here for full details.
Tackling unemployment hot spots
Nearly 140 jobs have been created across Kirklees thanks to the Future Jobs programme. Kirklees was the 1st council in West Yorkshire to make a succesfull bid to run this employment scheme.
Sixty percent of the new roles are going to young people in the District who are aged between 18 and 24 and who have been unemployed for a long period of time. These people are in particular need for work in the District, following alarming results from Kirklees Council’s Employer Survey which showed that 6 out of every 10 companies fails to employ anyone under the age of 25.
In addition, Future Jobs also targets people over the age of 24 who live in ‘unemployment hotspots’ of the District, which have been identified as the (old) Wards of Batley West; Birkby, Crosland Moor, Dalton, Deighton, Dewsbury East, Dewsbury West, Newsome, Paddock.
The 138 new positions have been created by 14 different organisations, including the University of Huddersfield, Fresh Horizons, Lifeline and Kirklees Active Leisure; roles include clerical, childcare, construction and horticultural work. Kirklees Council has led by example and recruited eight people to various positions across the authority, most of whom started their jobs in early December. Another requirement of the programme is that the new jobs must benefit the wider community.
The Future Jobs programme is giving local people the chance to gain valuable experience in a real work setting – all positions are for at least 25 hours a week, pay the National Minimum Wage or more, and are real jobs rather than training courses or placements. All those successful have been out of work for a considerable length of time so this opportunity is as much about giving back self-respect and confidence as it is about boosting CVs.
I am really pleased that Kirklees was successful in securing funding for this programme, it’s already making a real difference to so many lives and I’m looking forward to meeting with some of the successful candidates and hearing firsthand about what it means to them to be a part of this.
By the end of March 2010, all 138 positions will have been filled. The Future Jobs Fund presents a really good opportunity for long term unemployed people and organisations to make a real change in people’s lives – but the scheme is governed by strict eligibility conditions. Jobcentre Plus Advisers are contacting eligible customers to advise them of forthcoming opportunities.
We hope to receive an extension of the contract for Future Jobs Fund until March 2011, which will enable us to work with more partners and create further jobs that would bring the total number of posts to 350 over the course of the whole programme and result in a total investment locally of £2,275,000 based on a maximum grant of £6,500 per job created.
Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd
I am very pleased that the long running dispute at the stadium is now over. The council has recently received notification from Ken Davy that the long running disagreement between him and Dean Hoyle, owner of Huddersfield Town AFC has been resolved and the cabinet have been asked to agree for the transfer of 40% KSDL shares currently held by Ken Davy’s company, Huddersfield Sporting Pride Ltd. The next stage is for a cabinet report to be prepared to seek permission for the transfer of these shares.
The reason why a cabinet report is required is that every shareholder has to agree the transfer of any shares.
Festival of Light
Last week we held Huddersfield’s Festival of Light in the newly revamped St George’s Square. it was a fantastic spectacle and thousands of people turned up to see the remarkable performances by the French company “Transe Express”. How those guys can play instruments suspended so high in the air amazes me. I was proud to be able to close the evening by thanking all the artists and performers for a great evening. Have a look at the Examiner photos and also have a look at this video taken by local video photographer, John Popham. There are more on his website.
Huddersfield Festival of Light 2009 – Part 11 from John Popham on Vimeo.