Once again thank you for re-electing me and I continue to
work throughout the Dalton ward. The role of councillors is becoming even more
challenging as we see the impact of the Tory Austerity cuts via the council
budget on our communities. I try to attend as many local community groups as
possible so that I know what is happening in our ward/communities.
Huddersfield District Committee
The committee has supported various groups and projects from the Huddersfield area to obtain funding for various projects and used the funds to buy equipment for sports, raise dementia awareness, environmental projects and community events.
In 2016 I was privileged to acquire a position in the cabinet
as a portfolio holder for Housing & Enforcement Management:
- Environmental
Health
- Refuse collection/Waste Disposal
- Housing Delivery
- Housing Client and KNH/Building Services
- Enforcement Management
Modernisation of the Council waste policy framework, including the management of household waste sites and the introduction of some new charges for services. In the first 6 months this has seen a:
- 15% reduction in tonnages into our HWRC sites
- 30% reduction in bulky waste
- Adding up to a 2.5% reduction in the council’s overall waste tonnages over the same period.
- A complete reversal of the 2% waste growth we had been seeing year on year.
Housing Delivery
Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing is continuing to deal with the impact of a reduction in
grants, welfare reform, 1% rent reduction over the next 3 years and Brexit etc.
KNH has successfully merged with building services. Other
examples of work has included: buying back former right to buy properties;
Council owned land for New Homes; empty cluster homes within the town centre in
Dewsbury & Huddersfield; including, council owned small sites offered to
smaller businesses to build houses. The highlight for me was the opening of an
affordable housing scheme in Upperthong, a successful partnership which
delivered 15, 2/3 bedroom homes to rent to buy. The scheme targeted people with
a joint household income of £30,000 and enables ownership within 5 years.
Overall, our aim is to maintain confidence in the service
and manage resident expectations. Recognising budgetary constraints will
continue for the foreseeable future and will Impact on investment levels,
business and growth and hence on our communities, families and individuals – especially
the welfare reform.
In addition to attending all the Full Council meetings I
attend
- Cabinet
meetings
- Cabinet
Local Issues
- Housing
Delivery Board
- KNH
Meetings
- Labour
Group Meetings.
Huddersfield District Committee
The committee has supported various groups and projects from the Huddersfield area to obtain funding for various projects and used the funds to buy equipment for sports, raise dementia awareness, environmental projects and community events.
Yorkshire Purchasing
Organisation (YPO)
YPO is owned by
13 local authorities including, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire (except
Leeds and Sheffield), North Yorkshire and York, and Bolton, Wigan, Knowsley, St
Helens.
I have found my role extremely interesting and networking
useful. The role enables me to be exercise strategic decision making regarding
existing business and exploring new markets and products.
Dalton Ward Management
Group
All three ward councillors are involved in this multi-agency
approach to working in the ward. It involves the Police, Young People's
Services, Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, Highways and Environmental Services. We focus on tackling crime, anti-social
behaviour, the environment and building community capacity and securing funding.
Ward Work
I enjoy the challenge working with ward members, resolving
their issues and supporting them in further securing services in their area. I
attend Tenants and Residents meetings throughout the ward. The work has been
varied as always, from housing needs to potholes.
Member Surgeries
My colleagues and I don’t hold surgeries but continue to
door knock all year round on Saturday mornings. This we believe is the most
effective way to be seen and known by your residents. It offers them the
opportunity to get to know us in person and raise their concerns. And it allows
us to gauge the feelings of the community we serve towards the Council and
their elected representatives.
Training and Development
In addition to receiving regular policy updates at Labour
Group meetings, I have undertaken the following training and development - Child
Protection including CSE & Safeguarding of Adults
- Housing
Delivery& Impact
- Housing
Seminar/Conferences on: Welfare Reform, Housing Services Conference and
Homelessness
- Planning
Update
- Cabinet
Development Sessions
