Annual Report 2016-2017: Cllr Masood Ahmed

I have been a councillor for the past 11 years and it continues to be a privilege and an honour to serve the people of Dewsbury South Ward throughout the year I have worked with my other two colleagues, Cllr Dad and Cllr Asif to get improvements in our area by getting a better and fair deal for the local residents. I am delighted to present my annual report for the last 12 months. Once again it has been an immense pleasure to serve the constituents of Dewsbury South and the wider borough of Kirklees.

This year saw the snap general election called with around 12 weeks’ notice– the Labour Party did extremely well nationally, gaining seats in our traditional Labour supported areas and wining the hearts and minds of more young people across the country. In doing so, we in Dewsbury gained 28,814 votes, with 51% of the overall vote with a Net percentage gain +9.2 from 2015 and an overall majority of 3,321 votes to get our Parliamentary Candidate Paula Sherriff Re-elected.

In 2016 I got selected on to the Cabinet, with portfolio responsibility of 'Community Cohesion / Safety & Schools’.

The aim of my cabinet role was to maintain service provision and confidence, while at the same time managing people’s expectations for an overall budget deficit for the council due to national, regional and local funding cuts.

The purpose and function of my role in cabinet of is to:

·         Deliver the statutory requirements of the Kirklees Council’s Community Cohesion /

·         Safety & Schools.

·         Children have the best start in life

·         People in Kirklees have aspiration and achieve their ambition through education, training, employment and lifelong learning.

·         Agree priorities and actions for children’s services across Kirklees ensuring safeguarding underpins all activity and to provide a framework for the effective operation of local arrangements.

·         Develop communication plan to embed

·         Safer Kirklees brand to showcase partnership success through messages to communities both through traditional / social media and by word of mouth

·         Area based work to provide individually tailored interventions based on levels crime / ASB and perceptions for each area.

·         Development of a community safety calendar relating to risks and opportunities at key times of the year

·         Set the strategic direction for the development of integrated commissioning of services for children and young people in the Children & Young People Plan.

·         Monitor and evaluate performance against the agreed priorities and to ensure that actions are taken where outcomes are not improving.

·         Build and sustain effective partnerships with and between all sectors providing services to children and young people in order to focus resources jointly on improving outcomes for them.

·         Strong focus on crime prevention through tactics including increase awareness, target hardening and secured by design approaches. 

 

 

·         Increased deterrent presence in emerging hot spots through deployment of partnership staff and community resources including neighbourhood watch.

·         Offender focus through the delivery of the reducing reoffending strategy, the integrated offender management model and addressing risk factors including drugs and alcohol.

·         Community Engagement to ensure ASB is not tolerated and is tackled through active citizenship

·         Improve strategic co-ordination between boards and strategies

·         Effective operational links between partners to ensure there is effective case management in place both to ensure offenders are held to account for their actions and victims are

 

Participation to outside bodies included

·         Walker and Greenwood Educational Charity

·         West Yorkshire Adoption Joint Committee - One Adoption appropriately safeguarded.

·         Dewsbury Endowed Schools Foundation Trust Advisory Committee

·         Kirklees Schools Services Ltd

·         Thornhill Poors Estate Charity

 

Participation to Kirklees Council meeting include

·         Kirklees Community Safety Partnership Executive (Safer, Stronger Communities)

·         Education & Learning partnership Board

·         School Organisation Advisory Group

·         Full council

·         CSE and Safeguarding Member Panel

·         Kirklees cabinet meetings

·         Extraordinary Council

·         Kirklees Children & Young People's Partnership Board

 

  Ward Work

 

The many Dewsbury South residents, that have had direct or indirect contact with me, would have probably been through my day to day ward related activity. My ward work has not only increased but diversified due to the ever changing parameters the council operates in. This is something I enjoy and carry out regularly through door step surgeries, canvasing, case work, events and local meetings. I’ve built a good professional relationship with Dewsbury south constituents and the various organisations in the area and this has been highlighted through the numerous support offered for the respective projects and people. This includes “you and your community” funding day at Thornhill Lees Community Centre, the Police Crime commissioner offering his funding offer day at Thornhill High School, supported Tenants and Residents Associations, Sports Clubs and community ventures. As ever I’ve been inundated with individual household case work this includes planning issues, schools placement and appeals, housing related casework, fly tipping, community safety and ASB. Some of the success include traffic calming measures on Hostingley Lane, the new Sidings Health Centre being opened in the ward, Study Support for various schools and generally families being more informed to the direction the council is heading.

 

Training and Development:

As a ward councillor and cabinet member, training and development is a continuing process. I have met officers who spent time discussing and enabling me to have the accurate information relating to the tasks required for the above meetings. I will continue to seek out training courses and seminars which I feel is relevant and beneficial to my role.

 

Acknowledgements:

In writing this report I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincerest appreciation for the support received in these past and previous years. I have already mentioned the fantastic working relationship developed with my fellow ward Councillor colleagues Cllr Nosheen Dad and Cllr Gulfam Asif. I wish to extend my thanks and appreciation to Cllr David Sheard (Leader) Cllr Shabir Pandor (Deputy Leader), the wider Labour Group and our MP Paula Sherriff, for all their continuous support and encouragement. I would also mention the various council officers who have worked tirelessly in such difficult times and who continue to offer Councillor Support.

Finally, I would also like to thank all the Dewsbury South Residents, who continue to share their concerns with me. I look forward to serving you over the coming years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cllr Masood Ahmed: Annual Report 2014-2015

This year has probably been one of my busiest year in representing my constituents and residents of the Dewsbury South Ward,

My work load has got larger and larger and at the same time I have become more busier and busier. I must be doing something right for my constituents to come to me.

I have met and come across so many wonderful & lovely people in my ward. Who I have either become friends with or just kept in touch with. There have been many new groups and organisations that I have helped and supported through the challenging and difficult times that we are currently facing and will be facing this year too. Through the cuts that are being forced upon us through by central government.

I would not have been able to deal and address all these challenges without the support of the Labour Group Office and Kirklees Council Officers in dealing with my constituents and residents issues and enquiries in my ward.

COUNCIL MEETINGS ATTENDED:

• Meetings of Dewsbury Area Committee & Sub Committee
• Meetings of Children’s Advisory Board
• Meeting of Full Council

PARTICIPATION OF OUTSIDE BODIES:

• West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel
• Thornhill Poors Estate Charity
• Dewsbury Endowed Schools Foundation Trust Advisory Committee
• Walker and Greenwood Educational Charity

WARD WORK:

Anti Social Behaviour – Liaised closely with Police and other agencies to look at and address ASB & Alcohol & Drug related issues across the ward.

 

Housing – I have supported many residents with Council Tenancies, advocated on their behalf & liaised with relevant agencies to resolve their problems & issues.

 

Community Groups, Organisations & Clubs – Supported & worked with Thornhill Trojans, SavileTown FC, Overthorpe Sports Club, Thornhill Cricket & Bowling Club, Thornhill & Thornhill Lees TRA’s

 

Planning – I have written letters of support & represented constituents at Planning Committees.

Road Safety – Supported & campaigned for traffic claming measures across the ward.

                                        
WARD SURGERIES:

I have held street surgeries across the area

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT:

Training & Development is ongoing. I attend necessary training courses, seminars & away days to improve and develop my knowledge & skills.

 

Kirklees Council Leadership and Cabinet

At the Full Council meeting of 29 June 2016, Cllr David Sheard was elected Leader of Kirklees Council, and appointed Cllr Shabir Pandor as Deputy Leader.

Together they will take up the challenge of leading the Council through the tough times it faces, and along with their Cabinet, drive forward the corporate plan to get the best out of services with the resources available.

The severe cuts that have been imposed on the Council budgets by Government, means this will be no easy task. The Leadership and Cabinet will together oversee a vast range of work, but work which invites input not just from other Labour councillors, but from leaders and members across all political groups.

These are unprecedented times for Kirklees, times in which we can only achieve positive outcomes by building positive relationships, politically and with our richly diverse communities.

The Cabinet portfolios will be lead by the following councillors:

Cllr David Sheard (Leader) and Cllr Shabir Pandor (Deputy Leader): Strategy and Strategic Resources, New Council and Regional issues.

Cllr Masood Ahmed: Community Cohesion and Schools

Cllr Erin Hill: Family Support & Child Protection
(Statutory Responsibility for Children)

Cllr Viv Kendrick: Adults, Health & Activity to Improve Health
(Statutory Responsibility of Adults & Public Health)

Cllr Musarrat Khan: Highways and Neighbourhoods

Cllr Naheed Mather: Housing and Enforcement Management

Cllr Peter McBride: Economy, Skills, Transportation and Planning

Cllr Graham Turner: Asset Strategy, Resources & Creative Kirklees (Arts)



 

Annual Report 2013-2014: Cllr Masood Ahmed

Since being elected as councillor in 2006 this year has probably been one of my busiest years, representing my constituents and residents of the Dewsbury South Ward, which covers the areas of; Whitley, Briestfield, Thornhill, Thornhill Lees & Savile Town.

It has been busy for a number of reasons, firstly it was my third term to get re-elected as a councillor in which I was successful. I would like to thank all my constituents who supported and got me back in to represent them in Kirklees Council as their ward councillor. Secondly, my work load has become quite large and I have also become more busy. This gives me great confidence as my constituents keep coming back to me regarding their issues and concerns.

Once again I have come across so many wonderful and interesting people in my ward, some who have either become friends with or just kept in touch with. Through the cuts that are being forced upon us through central government, I have still managed to help new groups and organisations with support, advice and funding.

I would not have been able to deal with and address all these challenges without the support of the Labour Group colleagues and advice of Kirklees Council Officers in helping me deal with my constituents and residents issues and enquiries in my ward. 

COUNCIL MEETINGS ATTENDED:
During the past year I have attended:

Meetings of Full Council
Meetings of Licensing & Safety Panel
Meetings of Regulatory Panel
Meetings of Dewsbury Area Committee & Sub Committee
Meetings of Children’s Advisory Board
Meetings of Neighbourhood Management Group 

PARTICIPATION OF OUTSIDE BODIES:
I am member of the following:

Walker & Greenwood Educational Charity
Thornhill Poors Estate Charity
Dewsbury Endowed Schools Foundation Trust Advisory Committee

WARD WORK:

Community Groups, Organisations & Clubs – Supported & worked with Thornhill Trojans, SavileTown FC, Overthorpe Sports Club, Thornhill Cricket & Bowling Club, Foxroyd, Overthorpe, Thornhill Lees, Lees Moor TRA’s

Anti Social Behaviour – Liaised closely with Police and other agencies to look at and address ASB & Alcohol & Drug related issues across the ward.

Housing – I have supported many residents with Council Tenancies, advocated on their behalf & liaised with relevant agencies to resolve their problems & issues.

Adaptations & Grants – Dealt with and supported families with disability related problems.

Education – Supported many families with their Educational Appeals & written letters of support.

Planning – I have written letters of support & represented constituents at Planning Committees.

Road Safety – Supported & campaigned for traffic calming measures across the ward.

Health – I have supported, demonstrated, attended rallies and marches to keep services at Dewsbury District Hospital and have also been part of the Save the Dewsbury campaign team. 

ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE YEAR:
Better Bowling Facilities at Overthorpe Sports & Social Club
I helped kick-start a rise in the number of junior bowlers at the Overthorpe Sports & Social Club. I also helped them secure funding from the Dewsbury Area Committee, to purchase more bowls, which has resulted in an increase of new bowlers at the club.

New Savile Town Sports Track – Savile Town
I was successful in securing funding for the new sports track in Savile Town Playing Fields. To help tackle the problems of diabetes, obesity, asthma and coronary heart disease across the whole of Dewsbury South Ward. The new facility will encourage people to be more active, keep fit and be healthy.

Excellent New Homes in The Combs – Thornhill

I am pleased that the new council homes have now been built in the Combs. As part of the £92.5 million Kirklees Councils ‘Excellent Homes for Life Project’ 8x1 bedroom and 10x2 bedroom houses. This will help some of those families that are desperately in need of a home to live in.

Road Improvements in Overthorpe – Thornhill

I have requested for better footpaths and road improvements throughout the Dewsbury South Ward and I am proud of the number of successes, one being Overthorpe Avenue in Thornhill. Where the elderly residents were having difficulty using their mobility scooters and wheelchairs, despite the pressure of budget cuts.  

New Dad Group in Dewsbury South Ward

I have supported the development of a new dad’s group in the Dewsbury South Ward. The group was successful in securing funding to encourage fathers to engage with their children’s learning and development. The group provides a place for the dads to get together, discuss issues such as healthy eating, mental health and good parenting.

Better Sports Facilities in Dewsbury South Ward

I was instrumental in securing funding for sports facilities in the Dewsbury South Ward. The funding will provide taster sessions at clubs, train people to become Sports Activators, encourage people to take up a new sport.

New Cycle Track – Dewsbury

A new cycle and walking track has been developed to give local people a new perspective and a healthy lifestyle in the ward.

SURGERIES:
I have held street surgeries across the area. My constituent and residents can call me or email regarding issues.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT:
I continue to try and take advantage of the Training & Development that is offered by Kirklees Council. I also attend necessary training courses, Labour Group seminars and refresher sessions to improve and develop my knowledge & skills.

CHALLENGES FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

Lack of suitable and affordable housing provision 
School admissions over subscribed 
Lack of leisure activities for young people 
Health & wellbeing – high levels of diabetes, heart disease and obesity in the ward.