I have continued to support Hands of HRI and health 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 also spent a good deal of time working with Colne valley group practice
who are looking to relocate their Slaithwaite surgery to the Globe mill
complex.
A lot of time has been spent working with residents planning
who are concerned by the two major building projects in Linthwaite. Both have involved a massive amount of
earthworks which has caused a great deal of disruption and worry to people in
the area. Typical concerns have been traffic/access issues, dust and noise,
drainage issues and problems with completed houses on the Blackrock site. I even had a meeting in a resident’s garden
attended by over 40 people. On the
Crosland park site I have ended up trying to mediate between our planning
officers and the developers to try and resolve issues related to the 1974
plans.
The community work has developed into more detailed
engagement with the Pride in Linthwaite community group to consider the option
of either a neighbourhood plan or alternative approach to influencing local
development. This is vital with 800 + houses due to be built and a
further 1,300 right on the ward boundary in Crosland Moor.
I have continued to work with Marsden Community Trust and
Slaithwaite Civic Trust to support community asset transfer. In Marsden this has involved branching out
into a wider range of activities in the community such as supporting Social
Prescription. I have engaged through practical work with Friends of
Marsden Park, Friends of Slaithwaite Spa, Slaithwaite Christmas lights,
Positively Marsden, Linthwaite Christmas Lights and Linthwaite Leadboilers Festival.
I have continued my work as Chair of the new Upper Colne and
Holme Valley Natural Flood Management Operations Group. This project has
secured over £1 Million from WYCA and The Woodland Trust for work in the
Wesenden Valley. This project has
brought together Kirklees with a number of major partners such as Yorkshire
Water, National Trust, Environment agency, Moors for the Future, English Nature,
Woodland Trust, White rose forest and local environmental groups. One practical outcome has been much closer
working between Kirklees and the National Trust
I have long been concerned by disability access issues. I led the initiative to to secure £8,472 funding
for significant pavement improvements in Marsden. A similar project is now underway in
Slaithwaite. In addition improved disabled access has been provided at 3 bust
stops. I have continued to 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 was invited
to speak to the Kirklees HUB on the potential for working with councillors
I have continued to work as Chair of the local rail users
group, SMART. I have organised and
chaired several public meetings with up to 120 people in attendance involving
WYCA, TPE, Northern and NR. I have had two 800 word articles published in the
Yorkshire Post.
I have chaired the Colne Valley Greenway project group that
has now secured the funding to carry out a detailed feasibility study.
I have spent a lot of time trying to tackle the problem of
very poor digital connectivity for parts of the ward. This has involved working closely with
community groups and officers. I hpe the
city fibre project will solve some of the worst problems.
Challenges for the year ahead:
The continuing challenges presented by the massive negative
impact of austerity on all public services.
Continuing to support NHS related campaigns as further cuts
and lack of investment starts to destroy services. Supporting moves to establish a social care
co-op.
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 a
further extension of 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 develop the White rose forest at the
heart of the Northern Forest.
Helping to build sustainable community groups.
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.
Continue to do a good job as Chair of Economy and
Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Panel. I am particularly keen that the economic
strategy is based on deeper collaboration with the community.
Meetings attendance:
Local Community Groups and Organisations -
- Slaithwaite SOS Camapign
- Slaithwaite Civic Trust
- Marsden Community Trust and Community Association
- Friends of Marsden and Slaithwaite Spa Parks.
- Pride in Linthwaite
- Friends of Marsden library
- Ale Trail Group
- SMART –Rail Users Group
- Marsden and Slaithwaite Christmas Lights Groups
- Environment Kirklees
- Positively Marsden
Council Meetings and Committees -
- Full Council
- Ward meetings
- OSMC Committee
- Chair Economy and neighbourhoods committe
- Huddersfield Planning Committee
- Tackling Poverty Group
- Asset Management Transfer Group
- Kirklees and West Yorkshire level NFM meetings.
- Colne Valley Schools’ Community HUBS Group
Membership of Outside Bodies:
- Special Schools PFI board
- C&K Careers
- Kirklees Historic Buildings
- Royds Hall School Governor
Training and learning I have undertaken:
- Planning Training
- Labour Group training
- Various LGA sessions
- Labour national and regional conferences
- Supported Labour Shadow Treasury Team at Community Wealth
building events in other constituencies
- Various school governor courses/conferences
- Various transport and economic development conferences
- Young People’s mental health
- Corporate parenting
