This
report aims to provide an overview of my work and achievements from May 2013 to
May 2014.
This
is my seventh year as an Elected Member of Kirklees Council and more than ever
I consider it a great honour and privilege to serve, represent and advocate on
behalf of my constituents in the Batley West ward; this is my over-riding
objective. Helping constituents to achieve successful outcomes is what makes my
role worthwhile. It is always both rewarding and humbling to receive good
feedback from those whom I am privileged to serve. I have received much of this from my
constituents but it was particularly pleasing to receive this message from my
director:
Following the recent
changes to Cabinet Portfolio Holder responsibilities I was asked by Trade Union
colleagues at a subsequent Directorate Negotiating Forum to pass on their
thanks to you for your past contribution to the Children’s Service as their Portfolio
Holder.
I would also like to add
my personal thanks for your support. You have always approached the role in a
considered & conscientious manner, which I appreciate greatly.
This
is my third year as Joint Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and as well as
working to support the council’s priorities, I supported the priorities in the
Children & Young People’s Plan:
- Mental, emotional
health and well-being
- Looked after
children and care leavers – improving life chances
- Young people –
improving life chances by being ready for and have opportunities for
work
- Disabled children –
improving life chances
- Child Sexual
Exploitation – improving life chances of those at risk
I
am now Cabinet Lead for Communities and Leisure and, along with my colleagues,
face the challenge of dealing with government cuts of £152m from 2010 to 2017,
while constructing a medium term financial plan for the council, which balances
the books but also gives as much support as is possible, to the most vulnerable
members of society in Kirklees. As the “new council” evolves we will have to
re-define the role of councillor to focus on community leadership and advocacy
and championing the interests of the most deprived constituents.
Council Meetings Attended:
I
have attended and participated in all meetings of:
- Kirklees Full Council,
- Kirklees Cabinet (except when on
leave),
- Batley, Birstall, Birkenshaw &
East Bierley Area Committee (except one when I had another engagement.)
- Also the various other committee
meetings.
Participation on Outside
Bodies:
- Kirklees Children's Trust and Trust
Executive
- Kirklees Learning Board
- Schools' Forum (as observer)
- X-Phase Head Teachers' Group (as
observer)
- Local Authority School Governors
Briefings (Joint-Chair)
- Schools' Organisation and Advisory
Group (Chair)
- Children in Care Council
- Yorkshire and Humber Children's
Services Lead Members' Network
- Stronger Families Partnership Board
(Chair)
- Batley Children Centres’ Early
Intervention Advisory Board (EIAB) (Chair)
- Kirklees Fairtrade Forum
Ward Work and
Achievements:
I
receive casework from surgeries, but the great majority is by personal contact:
- Residents’ issues vary and include:
issues regarding housing, benefits, health, school admissions, road
safety, parking, highways and the environment. I, along with my
colleagues, have achieved successful outcomes for many issues.
- We have supported community groups
including Staincliffe “Plant it, Grow it Eat it” project become
established and develop into Manor Gardens growing initiative. Also Batley
Cricket Club which as well as developing cricket, acts as a community hub
which provides various opportunities for children in Batley.
- I also supported Wilton Girl Guides to
start a project to extend their activities to include the Asian community
and this is progressing well. They received a grant from the EIAB, along
with other community groups who work to support children and families
I
had several opportunities to celebrate with them, the achievements of young
people, including Duke of Edinburgh Awards celebration at St James’ Palace,
where I had the privilege to meet the Duke of Edinburgh.
National
Citizen Service celebration and Educational Achievements of looked after
children.
Supported
Kirklees Youth Council and attended several of their events:
- I attended the Yorkshire Education
Conference.
- Attended National Children’s and Adults
Services Conference.
- Beyond the sound-bite discussions on “the
ethics of the food parcel”.
- I am Chair of the Stronger Families
Strategic Partnership Board whose aim is to reduce the cost on the public
purse by giving support to 1115 families across Kirklees, to take control
of their lives, become self-reliant, take up employment opportunities and
have a fulfilling role in society. We have now identified the required
number of families and are progressing well towards the conclusion of
phase 1 of the programme. The legacy of the programme hopefully, will be a
new, collaborative, highly effective way of working, which removes
duplication and achieves positive results for the whole family. This would
provide a model of effective working, which can be embedded across the
council.
- Attended several It’s Time to Talk
sessions which were useful for engaging with citizens to better understand
their needs.
- Holocaust Memorial Day
- Batley Torchlight Procession, an
important event for the Catholic community in Batley
- YOT Summer Arts College Awards
Presentation and Celebration Event
- The World Book Day Quiz, which I
opened.
- Battle of Britain Memorial Service and
Remembrance Day service.
- Royal Voluntary Society Open Day
- Milen Care AGM
- Support for Foster Carers
- Attended PKWA Health Initiatives
Launch and fully support the project.
- Kirklees School Governor Conference
- My proudest achievement this year was the carrying of my council motion in January, which highlighted destitution amongst refused asylum seekers and called on the government to stop the use of destitution as a policy tool with which to force refused asylum seekers to leave the UK. It was the most passionate council debate I have seen!
- Following up, I participated in
Regional Asylum Activism Project’s training event, Local Advocacy Against
Destitution, for British Red Cross. I continue to support destitute asylum
seekers as much as I can.
Training Attended:
National
Children & Adult Services Conference 2013
The
Role of Councillors in Safeguarding
Cost
of Living Seminar
Local
Government Day
Several
Labour Group and Cabinet seminars in order to develop policy ideas
Syria
Conference( to highlight safe and secure fundraising activities and risks
linked to humanitarian convoys).
