2018/19 has been my third year representing the Ashbrow Ward
as Councillor. I have continued to advocate for my Ward and been working
closely with community groups, the police and other local organisations.
My main areas of focus have been;
Tackling violent
crime – In recent years we have seen a number of incidents relating to
violent crime which have generally been linked to gangs and organised crime.
Whilst these incidents have been targeted it understandably causes a lot of
confirm amongst residents. Along with my colleagues I have ensured that we have
reacted to these events by providing as much information as we can to the
community and undertaking regular door knocking session to provide assurance
and support to the community. Additionally I have continued to work closely with
the Police and the Council to ensure that all possible activity is being
undertaken to tackle this issue. In response to these issues my ward Colleagues
set up a Community Concerns Group at the end of 2018, the idea being to bring
together all the key organisations in the area including, Schools, youth
groups, social housing providers, council officers and other local
organisations. These have proved a successful way of bringing people together
to collaborate on community actions that can be taken. Over the next 12 months
we plan to continue with this approach.
Case Work – A significant
proportion of my time is spent on dealing with individual pieces of casework
raised to me by residents. The areas these have covered over the last 12 months
include; Fly-tipping, bin collection, road safety, parking, pot-holes, housing,
planning applications and overgrown vegetation. I have completed case work
activity as quickly as possible and strive to get solutions to resident issues
wherever possible.
Community Development
– I have supported local groups and organisations in order to develop the
services and opportunities in the ward. Our Councillor Ward budget has been
used to support community initiatives, such as the opening of a new community building
in Bradley. I’ve continued to work closely with organisations such as Local
Services to You and Ashbrow Partnering Together to support the provision of new
and continuation of existing services that have been placed at risk by
government cuts. All activity is supporting with our attempts to create a local
wealth building model in the Ashbrow Ward.
My other work in this
area has included the following;
·
Along with colleagues I have supported a range local
groups and initiatives with use of our Ward budget.
·
Along with colleagues I have organised community
clean ups with local residents. This has included on the greenway and at
Station Road church in Bradley.
·
I have supported and attend local events such as
Deighton Carnival and Christmas parties.
Council meetings /
Committees
Full Council – I
have attended all full council meetings over the year. I have made speeches on
a number of motions and key discussion items, representing the interests of my
ward and the wider population of Kirklees.
Planning Committee
– I have spent a third year as a member of the Huddersfield Planning Committee,
I have participated in making planning decisions using the knowledge gained
during planning training to make decisions.
Licencing Committee
– I have sat on the licensing committee, the main business relating to taxi
licensing. I have also taken part in licencing panels to support the
determination of premise licences.
Corporate Scrutiny Panel
– I been a member of this panel scrutinising decisions made by the corporate
divisions of the Council. This has included items in relating to; financial
planning, My Kirklees Accounts, Procurement and transformation projects.
Standards Committee
– I have been a member of the standards committee and looked at items including
the Councils members’ complaints procedure and behaviour policy.
Local Groups
Bradley Forum – I
have attended the Bradley Forum on a monthly basis, sharing the responsibility
to chair the forum with my fellow councillors. We have had a wide ranging
discussion on local issues including; new road development schemes in the area,
housing applications, fly tipping, anti-social behaviour (especially nuisance
bikes) and Crime. Any issues raised I have taken away as casework to complete
and engaged with partner organisations where required.
Ashbrow Ward Forum
- I have attended Ashbrow Forum on a bi-monthly basis, sharing the
responsibility to chair the forum with my fellow councillors. We have had a
wide ranging discussion on local issues including; new road development schemes
in the area, housing applications, fly tipping, anti-social behaviour
(especially nuisance bikes) and Crime. Any issues raised I have taken away as
casework to complete and engaged with partner organisations where required.
Training Completed
·
Planning
·
Licencing
·
Safeguarding
·
Seminar on CSE with Dr Mark Peel
