Cllr Cathy Scott: Annual Report 2015-2016

I continue working throughout the Dewsbury East community with those who need it most. The role of the councillor is becoming even more intense as we start to see the effect of some of the cuts from the council budget and the impact it is having within our communities. With the depleting resources I try to give the best advice and assistance to young & elderly or signposting them to the relevant agencies. I try to attend as many local community groups as possible so I have a greater understanding of what is happening in the communities.

• In 2015 I retained my position in cabinet and continue to a share a portfolio “Housing, Streetscene & Tackling Poverty”
• Streetscene and other front line services contribute to the overall vision of the council. Cabinet has a clear vision to focus on working with communities & partners to create towns and neighbourhoods that are successful and vibrant.
• The aim is to maintain service and confidence at same time managing people’s expectations. Recognising Budget constraints will continue to be relentless and significant for the foreseeable future. The difficult economic situation is having impact in relation to investment levels, business and growth, how our towns and neighbourhoods feel and function.
• There are consequences also for communities, families and individuals – motivation, aspiration, household incomes all having an effect in particular the welfare reforms.

 
In addition to attending all the Full Council meetings I attend

• Cabinet meetings
• Cabinet Local Issues
• Asset Board Meeting
• Housing Delivery Board
• KFTRA Meetings
• KNH Meetings
• Anti-Poverty meetings  www.kirklees.gov.uk/tacklingpoverty
• Neighbourhood Management Meetings
• Labour Group of councillors.

I have outlined below some of the other meetings below to give you an insight of what I do.

 

Dewsbury Area Committee

Through this role we have supported various groups and projects from the Dewsbury area to obtain vital funding for different things some examples are equipment for sport, local history groups, and community events. I currently attend the town centre meetings as we continue to strive for better services for Dewsbury.

 

Heavy Woollen Planning

I continue to enjoy my role on the Planning Committee. This is a very exciting role and allows me to be involved in decisions for new development, and regeneration of existing sites. We also look at physical and social impact on applications.

 

Dewsbury East Neighbourhood Management Group

I’m currently still involved in the NMG for the Dewsbury. This group a multi-agency approach for the wards. It involves the Police, Young People's Services, Fire Service, Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, and Environmental Services. The key issues that we look at tackling crime, anti-social behaviour and environmental issues. 

 

Housing Delivery Board

This board was set up as a result of a motion I brought & had approved by council in November 2014. It is to address the growing housing crisis in Kirklees. The board has ongoing list of programmes it contributes to the aims of delivering the motion and also reports all progress. Through this board working with Kirklees Neighbourhood housing & KCA we have made great achievements this year. Some examples are buying back former right to buy properties. We have brought forward Council owned land for New Homes. We have achieved the empty cluster target these are homes within the town centre in Dewsbury & Huddersfield. We have also brought forward council owned small sites to give the opportunity to smaller businesses to build houses.

 

Ward Work

This has been quite varied from housing needs to highway problems. This year has seen the rise in residents needing support in Bedroom Tax & sign posting them to food bank. This is the reality of the coalition government through the cuts and sanctions on welfare claimants.  I enjoy the challenge working with ward members resolving their issues and supporting them in lobbying for services in their area. I attend Tenants and Residents meetings throughout the ward.

 

Member Surgeries

My colleagues and I still hold regular surgeries at Dewsbury Town Hall. This gives residents the opportunity to get to know us in person and to raise their concerns and issues. We get a good gauge of the feelings of the community we serve towards the Council and their elected representatives.

 

1st Wednesday of the month

Dewsbury Town Hall 6.00 - 7.00 pm

 

In the event you cannot attend you can make an appointment, and I will be glad to call and see you.

  

Training and Development

In addition to receiving regular policy updates at Labour Group meetings, I have undertaken the following training and development

 

• Planning Training (UPDATE)
• Child Protection
• CSE Training
• Safe Guarding Protocol Training
• Housing Delivery& Impact
• Housing Seminar Welfare Reform: The Implications for Housing and Local Government