What have I achieved this year, on behalf of the Ward and communities I represent?
My first year as a councillor has been a great privileged in being able to represent my local community. This is something I have wanted to do for many years.
I have spent a good deal of time in listening to local
people and professionals who are campaigning to protect our NHS services. This
has led to involvement in working with campaign groups focusing on threats to
HRI, local surgeries and the West Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
I have been involved in a lot of work planning related work
regarding residents who are concerned by two major building projects in Linthwaite
where I live. Both have involved a
massive amount of earthworks which has caused a great deal of concern to people
in the area. Living right next to one of
these sites has been instructive!
I have worked with Marsden Community Trust and Slaithwaite
Civic Trust to support community asset transfer. I am very interested in their future roles as
community assets.
I have supported Friends of Marsden Park and Friends of
Slaithwaite Spa. Currently I am working to set up a Friends Of group for a
large Linthwaite recreation space. I am
also involved in getting local groups such as Colne valley Tree Society and the
Scouts involved in tree planting projects linked to landscaping around the new
housing projects. On a larger scale I
have become Chair of the new Upper Colne and Holme valley Natural Flood
Management Group. This will hopefully
manage a major project in the area starting later this year.
I have long been concerned by disability access issues. I have been pleased to be able to support
local disabled people in setting up a new group that managed to secure funding
for significant pavement improvements in Marsden. I have also started work on supporting
disabled housing and countryside access initiatives.
I have met all school heads and become part of the Colne
Valley Schools HUB group.
I have become Chair of the local rail users group, SMART,
and helped them link with WYCA.
What will be the challenges be for me and the communities I
represent this year?
Protecting and protesting on behalf of the many people
whose living standards have been hit by the £12 Billion in cuts to the benefits
of the less affluent members of our society.
Working for decent jobs and worker’s rights at a time when money wages
not just real wages have fallen in the constituency. Growing inequality is ever more apparent and
damaging.
Continuing to support NHS related campaigns as further cuts
and lack of investment starts to destroy services. I am heartened by the local campaigns in
which I feel residents in my ward have played a leading role. Linked to this is the equally important
crisis in social care.
Building closer campaigning links with community groups and
trade unions.
Helping to re-launch the Colne Valley Business Network. Help
to show labour is strongly pro-business when this benefits the wider community
Securing the funding and agreement at regional level for the
NFM project which will potentially bring in a massive investment in the future
of our local environment and help protect communities over a wide area in
Yorkshire.
Helping to build sustainable groups in the community where I
can become less critical.
Continue to support campaigns for better public transport.
Continue to support council policies and local groups
concerned with climate change and air pollution issues. This is closely linked to transport issues.
Help protect and improve education in my ward and beyond at
a time of cuts and ill thought through national policy changes.
Do a good job as Chair of Economy and Neighbourhoods
scrutiny panel.
Working with local community groups and organisations
- Slaithwaite SOS Campaign
- Slaithwaite Civic Trust
- Marsden Community Trust and Community Association
- Friends on Marsden and Slaithwaite Spa Parks.
- Ale Trail Group
- SMART –Rail Users Group
- Marsden and Slaithwaite Christmas Lights Groups
- Environment Kirklees Council
- Radical Valleys – radical local history group
Attendance at Council Meetings and Committees
- Full Council and Kirklees Rural District Committee
- Chair Policy Committee
- Huddersfield Planning Committee
- Tackling Poverty Group
- Asset Management Transfer Group
- Kirklees and West Yorkshire level NFM meetings.
- Colne Valley Schools’ HUBS Group
Attendance on outside bodies
- YPO
- C&K Careers
- Kirklees Historic Buildings
- Royds Hall School Governor
Training or learning I have undertaken
- Induction training
- Planning Training
- Labour Group training
- Coaching Course
- Various LGA sessions
- Labour national and regional conferences
- Various school governor courses/conferences
- Various transport and economic development conferences
- Visits to most mosques in the constituency
- Meeting community leaders
