I have had a very rewarding and enjoyable second year as a
councillor for the Dewsbury West Ward.
The knowledge and experience I gained in my first year has enabled me to
deal with a far greater range of issues to help individuals and community
groups in my ward.
I have supported many community groups in the past year
including attending all the Tenants and Residents Associations as well as other
groups such as Ravensthorpe Residents Action Group, Friends of Westtown, Friends
of Crow Nest Park and Dewsbury Moor Big Local Lottery Group.
I am the chair of the Dewsbury West Neighbourhood Management
Group and also of Dewsbury West Children’s Centre Advisory Board. The Neighbourhood Management Group is a
multi-agency group involving Police, Fire Service, Young People’s Services,
Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing and Environment Services, and is designed to
share information to ensure we are taking a joined up approach to tackling all
the major issues in the ward. The
Children’s Centre offers
a wide variety of services for young people and families in Dewsbury West from
nursery and day care services to parental skills training.
I also spend a large amount of time out in the ward carrying
out street surgeries and speaking to residents to ensure that I am always aware
of all the big issues affecting the lives of my constituents. We hold a monthly surgery at St Paulinus Parochial
Hall on the last Thursday of every month and I am always contactable by phone
or text on 07778 927660 or email at Karen.Rowling@Kirklees.gov.uk.
Participation at
Council Meetings:
I have attended every full council meeting since my election
and in addition to this I sit on the following bodies:
Heavy Woollen Planning Committee
Dewsbury Area Committee
Scrutiny Committee – Development and Environment
Dewsbury Regeneration Board
I am also a Director of Kirklees Schools Services Ltd
alongside Cllr Viv Kendrick
Training and
Development:
I regularly attend Labour Group meetings to keep up to date
on ever changing policy and procedures and I have also attended the following
training sessions:
Planning Committee update
Safeguarding Children and Young Adults
The Future:
The council faces a difficult future due to very significant
budget cuts and I am committed to working alongside my colleagues as we look at
the implementation of these cuts and how best to protect the most vulnerable within
Kirklees, and to continue to provide the first class service that the council
has become recognised for.
I have been appointed as Chair of the Wellbeing &
Communities Scrutiny Panel for the year 2014 / 2015 and I am looking forward to
taking up this role and dealing with the challenges and rewards it will bring.
