I would like to thank the Dewsbury East residents for all your continued
support throughout the year and once again re-electing me to be your ward
councillor. My appreciation and thanks also go to my fellow ward councillors
Eric Firth and Paul Kane for their continued support.
It’s been an interesting and challenging year, where I continued part of
the year as Chair of Kirklees Licensing Committee I was then appointed to
Cabinet Leading on Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, Specialist Housing &
supported Living, and leading Kirklees Democracy.
My role as councillor
is even more demanding as the effects of some of the cuts from the council
budget are having an impact on residents. The impact it is having within our
communities, people need more support & help with Universal Credit,
Universal Job Search, the PIP Assessment Child Tax Credits. The lack of social
housing and affordable housing has also added to local people’s frustration.
Currently at the moment we have over 12,000 housing applications with less than
200 hundred houses available.
I continually give
the best advice and assistance to residents in Dewsbury East or signpost them
to the relevant agencies. I attend as many local community group meetings as
possible so I have a greater understanding of what is happening in the
community. I’m also keen to support them in projects
As ever there have been many contentious issues throughout the ward from
Planning to Licensing to bin collections. Budget cuts have affected households
across Kirklees and will continue to do so as we are implementing cuts of £1
million pounds per week. The harsh reality is that the Council can no longer
operate the way it did before and will be focussing on its statutory
responsibilities.
Participation at Council Meeting
Committees
In addition to attending all the Full Council meetings I attend
Chair Licensing & Safety Committee
Taxi & Trade Association Meetings
Licensing chair meetings
Planning Heavy Woollen Committee
Planning Committee Huddersfield
Regulatory Panel
Strategic Planning
Corporate Governance & Audit Committee
KFTRA Meetings
Anti-Poverty 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 District 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, Women’s Health groups, and community events. Linked with this I currently attend the town centre meetings as we continue to work on Dewsbury town centre.
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.
Democracy Commission
I’m currently Commissioner for the above Panel. This group is a cross party group. Kirklees Democracy Commission is finding out what we need to know to design democracy for the next generation in Kirklees.
We have gathered research locally and nationally. Residents have taken part in our local democracy road show events across Kirklees, shared their views on an e-panel survey, taken part in group discussions and joined the debate online. There have been opportunities for online participation alongside every event, and the public inquiries were webcast live wherever possible.
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.
Democracy Commission
I’m currently Commissioner for the above Panel. This group is a cross party group. Kirklees Democracy Commission is finding out what we need to know to design democracy for the next generation in Kirklees.
We have gathered research locally and nationally. Residents have taken part in our local democracy road show events across Kirklees, shared their views on an e-panel survey, taken part in group discussions and joined the debate online. There have been opportunities for online participation alongside every event, and the public inquiries were webcast live wherever possible.
Growing a stronger local democracy, from the
ground up
Licensing Committee
The main responsibility of the Licensing Panel is to consider and decide upon licensing applications, if objections have been raised. This relates to premises selling alcohol for consumption either on or off the premises. The licence may also cover music, dancing or other forms of entertainment. The Panel would also consider some other types of licence application where there are objections or where Officers recommend refusal of the application.
The Panel consists of three Councillors who are drawn from the membership of the Licensing Committee.
The main responsibility of the Licensing Panel is to consider and decide upon licensing applications, if objections have been raised. This relates to premises selling alcohol for consumption either on or off the premises. The licence may also cover music, dancing or other forms of entertainment. The Panel would also consider some other types of licence application where there are objections or where Officers recommend refusal of the application.
The Panel consists of three Councillors who are drawn from the membership of the Licensing Committee.
Ward Work
This work 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.
Members 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 try and accommodate you as best I can.
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
Licensing Training
Safe Guarding Protocol Training
Dementia Training
Counselling skills
Mental Health First Aid for Adults
Mental Health First Aid for young people
This work 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.
Members 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 try and accommodate you as best I can.
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
Licensing Training
Safe Guarding Protocol Training
Dementia Training
Counselling skills
Mental Health First Aid for Adults
Mental Health First Aid for young people
