Annual Report 2018-19 Cllr Gulfam Asif, Dewsbury South

Annual Report 2018-19 Cllr Gulfam Asif, Dewsbury South

 It’s an honour and a privilege to represent Dewsbury South which is culturally and linguistically one of the most diverse Communities in Kirklees

2018/19 has been a busy year for implementing projects which we have committed over the last year 2017/19

Ward Work

Riverside Development

Working closely with officers to shape the future of how this development will look. Making sure the environment as well as the traffic impact is taken into consideration. This development is about 4000 homes over the next 25 years which starts in 2020. 

Environment project.

This project was councillor lead project that successfully secured over £20,000 to carry out a locally based environment Scheme for the Dewsbury South Ward. We have had number of clean up sessions across the ward, from litter picking to removing bulky items and dealing with fly tipping. 

 Dentaid

The project has been generously funded by local councillors, which awarded Dentaid a £7060 grant. I had various constituents that approached me in Dewsbury South and they had developed dental problems while they were on a dentist's waiting list and others were vulnerable people who found it hard to access regular dental treatment. Dentaid hopes that by bringing the mobile dental unit to schools and community centres in Dewsbury, the team will be able to provide dental care in an environment where people feel safe and comfortable. I am delighted that this project has bene to my ward particularly at Pentland Infants School and Thornhill Lees Community Centre. As a ward councillor I recognise that good dental health is essential to the wellbeing of our local people. I know that not everyone is registered with a dentist and that some people find it difficult to pay for dental care. By supporting this project, I can ensure that the most vulnerable people in our communities can access support to relieve pain and prevent future problems occurring. We hope to continue funding this projects for the coming year.

 It’s up to You Funding

 This is looking at individuals and community groups to apply for small pots of funding to make a lasting change, and these very people making decision on whether or not the applications should be successful. Number of groups and individuals have applied for these grants across the ward making a huge difference to the lives of the residents.

 This year I’ve been heavily involved in helping a number of community centres across the area, making sure they are fully sustainable and delivering great projects.

  

Anti-Social behaviour/Violent Crime

 Dealing with anti-social behaviour and violent crime in the area has been our top priority. We have liaised with the police as well as our community safety officers and making sure the right resources are put in place to deal with these issues. We have also implemented ways of reducing these incidents and targeting hotspots, improving the quality of life and making Dewsbury South a safer. This is one of our main priorities looking ahead.

Council Meeting/Outside bodies

 I have taken part in full council and Overview and Scrutiny Management. I have also chaired the Scrutiny Corporate Panel meetings. Also taken part in large number of meetings across the Council departments, not only dealing with local and constituents issues but looking at ways of improving services for the area.

 Outside bodies include the Trans Pennine Trial Members Steering Group, Yorkshire Purchasing organisation and the Walker and walker Greenwood Education Charity.

 I have also taken part in several training within the council as well external organisations to improve my skills to be more effective councillor.

Annual Report 2017-18 Cllr Gulfam Asif, Greenhead

Annual Report 2017-18 Cllr Gulfam Asif, Dewsbury South

 It’s an honour and a privilege to represent Dewsbury South which is culturally and linguistically one of the most diverse Communities in Kirklees

 One off the most interesting part as a councillor is dealing with the constituents. Be it simply giving advice or resolving issues. This year I’ve been involved in implementing Green projects and finding ways of dealing with the litter problems we all face across the council. We have had several clean up campaigns across the ward. My ward colleagues and I along with residents have been litter picking and removing bulky items.

I have been liaising with the police on anti-social and crime, as well as our community safety officers within the council. We have managed to implement and address key hotspots which now have regular police presence.

Dentaid. This is funded through our ward budget which was needed for residents who can’t afford to pay or have a dentist. By supporting this project, I can ensure that the most vulnerable people in our communities can access support to relieve pain and prevent future problems occurring. We hope to continue funding this projects for the coming year.

 Number of public meetings around Riverside Development have taken place. These concerns have been raised along with finding solutions to improving the area in the coming years.

 We are hoping to implement some interesting projects in the coming year around environmental and health & Wellbeing.

Council Committees & Outside Bodies: 

·         Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

·         Lead Member for Corporate Scrutiny

·         Full Council

·                 Walker & Greenwood Educational Charity

·                 Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation

Ward Cases dealt with:

·         Anti-Social Behaviour  

·         Traffic

·         Fly Tipping street cleansing

·         Planning issues

·         Licensing

·         Housing related issues including KNH

 When dealing with constituents, the issues are extensive which practically covers every department within the council, including issues outside the scope of the council which we are expected to deal with or give advice. It’s rewarding knowing that I have helped improve the lives off our residents.

Training and Development:

·         Early Intervention and prevention

·         Mental Health

·         Budget Finance

Annual Report 2018-19 Cllr Masood Ahmed, Dewsbury South

Annual Report 2016-2017: Cllr Gulfam Asif

It’s been a privilege and an honour to have been elected in May 2016 to represent the residents of Dewsbury South, covering Savile Town, Thornhill Lees, Thornhill, Briestfield and Whitley.

The council has changed considerably, especially the Government cuts which Kirklees is facing, bringing new challenges as to how we deliver services.

The most interesting part of being a councillor and one which I enjoy the most is helping the constituents. It’s been enjoyable talking and listening to the residents across the area. I’ve also been promoting Dewsbury South’s diverse community across the council.

I have taken part in engaging with groups and community events across the area, promoting and uniting people. Giving the residents a stronger voice.

Took part in climbing Mount Snowdon for a Dewsbury South based charity. Collectively raising over £20,000.

Council committees and outside bodies: 

·         QED (KMC) Limited, Special schools

·         Planning Committee as a Substitute

·         Overview and Scrutiny Management committee

·         Full Council

·         Locala Community Partnership Members Council

·         Dewsbury Area Committee

·         Walker & Greenwood Educational Charity 

Ward case Issues I’ve dealt with:

·         Housing

·         Street cleansing

·         Fly Tipping

·         Noise and Anti-Social behaviour

·         Planning issues

·         Licensing

·         Pot Holes and road repair 

Training and Development:

·         Early Intervention and prevention

·         Planning Committee

·         Mental Health

·         NAC Certificate for elected members

·         Budget Finance

I want to take this opportunity to thank the previous councillor Abdul Patel who stepped down in 2016. Abdul has done an amazing job representing the people of Dewsbury South and Kirklees. My sincere thanks to him

It’s been a privilege to work with my two friends Cllr Masood Ahmed and Cllr Nosheen Dad, who have been doing some amazing work in this area. I wish to continue and build on the success in this area.

There are some interesting challenges and projects to come in this area and it’s a great privilege to work alongside these amazing councillors.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Report 2015-2016: Cllr Nosheen Dad

It was an absolute privilege to have been elected to serve a community where I have lived, worked and played at the 2015 elections. I have had a very rewarding and enjoyable first year as a councillor for the Dewsbury South Ward and have put together a brief report of what my year has entailed thus far.

After being elected the first quarter of my year was spent attending welcome events and training sessions to ease me in to the role, make contacts and get set up.

Since getting settled in I have attended every Full Council Meeting since my election and have spoken in debates around the NHS and the cuts to mental health services. In addition to this I also sit on the following bodies:

• Heavy Woollen Planning Committee
• Dewsbury Area Committee 

I also ensure that I attend as many Labour Group meetings and branch meetings to keep myself and others up to date with changing policies and developments both locally and nationally.

A great deal of my time has been spent dealing with individual ward work and I have made myself available for as many ward surgeries as possible. These have been held at the Taleem Centre and Thornhill Lees Community Centre

With cuts to the council budget it is important that I listen to my constituents and help them protect the services they need and value.  

I am hoping to engage further with the community and will always make myself available to residents. I attend as many events as possible and hope that people will approach me with their views. I am always contactable via phone on 07540422755 and email on nosheen.dad@kirklees.gov.uk.

The knowledge and experience I have gained in my first year will enabled me to deal with a far greater range of issues to help individuals and community groups in my ward going forward.

I am particularly looking forward to my new role as Chair of the Dewsbury and Mirfield District Committee. 

Annual Report 2016-2017: Cllr Nosheen Dad

My second year as a Councillor for the Dewsbury South Ward has been a lot busier than anticipated, but extremely rewarding and enjoyable at the same time.

My case work has seen an increase in issues ranging from, housing, anti-social behaviour, immigration, road safety, planning and licensing. 

As Chair for the Dewsbury and Mirfield District Committee I have enjoyed working alongside councillors and residents from across the district taking a lead on policy issues and the regeneration and future of our town centre. 

The mental health first aid training funded for by the Dewsbury and Mirfield District Committee has been a hit with community groups and individuals and has ensured we have trained mental health first aiders in our community to help signpost those in need appropriately.

Apart from this I have continued to attend Full Council, Labour Group meetings and remain on the Heavy Woollen Planning Committee and have contributed towards debates and discussion regularly. 

The Dewsbury South Ward has benefitted from partnership working alongside the community and the Council has managed to carry out extensive positive work including road repairs and resurfacing. We also supported local individuals and groups through, ‘You and Your Community’ funding which secured the existence of many groups with small amounts of money. 

This year we returned another full time Labour Councillor to the ward after Cllr Abdul Patel stepped down. I have enjoyed working with both Cllr Masood Ahmed and Cllr Gulfam Asif over the year ensuring the community’s needs are heard and met and look forward to continue working as a team. 

As your councillor, I have worked towards promoting social justice and equality, improving community cohesion. I will continue to undertake training opportunities to further develop my skills and expertise in order to represent the people of Dewsbury South to the best of my ability.

Going forward I will be chairing the Appeals Panel and look forward to getting started in my new role over the summer.

RIP Fred Pickles

This is just one of the many times Fred won for the Labour Party. Sadly Fred passed away last week.

Eric Middleton - The Labour Candidate for Ravensthorpe in 1951

ERIC MIDDLETON 1951

Thornhill Mirror Mention

THORNHILL ACADEMY ON MIRROR  WEB SITE

Not the notoriety any school would wish on itself but Thornhill Academy was used by the Mirror to illustrate Tory School Cuts

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.

 

Annual Report 2014-2015: Cllr Abdul Patel

This year has probably been one of my busiest years since I was first elected as a councillor back in 2012. To represent my constituents and residents of the Dewsbury South Ward, which covers the areas of; Whitley, Briestfield, Thornhill, Thornhill Lees, & Savile Town.

 

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 the government.

 

I would not have been able to deal and address these challenges without the support of the Labour Group Office and Kirklees Council Officers.

 

I would also once again like to thank my colleague Councillor Masood Ahmed for his continued support, advice and guidance in these difficult times.

 

COUNCIL MEETINGS ATTENDED:

During the past year I have attended:

• District Committee – Dewsbury & Mirfield
• Licensing & Safety Panel
• Licensing Regulatory Panel
• Full Council
• Annual Council
• Labour Group 

PARTICIPATION OF OUTSIDE BODIES:

I am member of the following:

• Walker and Greenwood Educational Charity

WARD WORK:

• Licensing – I have been dealing with Licensing issues 
• Road Safety – Supporting & campaigning for traffic calming measures across the ward 
• Education – Supporting many families with Educational Appeals & written letters of support. 
• TRA’s - Attending Tenants & Resident Association meetings 
• Casework – dealing with a wide range of issues from planning, litter, anti social behaviour etc. 

ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE YEAR:

• Being an effective Councillor 
• Attending as many community group, TRA’s Voluntary organisation meetings as possible. 

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT:

I have attended planning, licensing and various other training courses provided by the council in my personal development as a councillor.

KNH Toy Store

The annual KNH toy store - helping families have a brighter Christmas

List of Planning Applications Decided, by Planning Sub-Committee (Heavy Woolen Area) Compiled on 18 December

List of Planning Applications Decided, by Planning Sub-Committee (Heavy Woolen Area) Compiled on 18 December 2014

Land off, Meadowbank, Dewsbury Moor,Dewsbury, WF13 3SJ

Erection of 20 dwellings, formation of

access and private pumping station

CONDITIONAL FULL APPROVAL 

on 18 December

 

19, Heather Court, Birstall, Batley, WF17 9BD

Erection of 2 detached dwellings and 1

detached double garage

DEFERRED on 18 December 2014

Heaton Avenue First And Nursery School,Westcliffe Road, Cleckheaton, BD19 3EP

Outline application for demolition of existing

school building and erection of residential

development

 GRANTED 18 December 2014

Dewsbury Arts Centre Site, Upper Road,Batley, WF17 7LT
 

Outline application for demolition of existing

derelict arts centre building and erection of

residential development and car parking

GRANTED18 December 201

 

2, Thornton Road, Thornhill Lees,Dewsbury, WF12 9HR

Alterations to convert first floor to nonresidential

institution mosque and

madrassa (D1) and external alterations

DEFERRED on 18 December 2014
 

 

1, Carr Street, Liversedge, WF15 6EE

 

Change of use from tile and bathroom shop to hairdresses and beauty salon

CONDITIONAL FULL PERMISSION on 18 December 14

 

Shannon Mathews - BBC have put an hold on their intended Shannon Mathews fiction

 

Due to the iminant negotiations over licence fees the BBC have put a "tempary" stop on the productuction of a fictitional version of the Shannon Mathews story as they think it's bad taste might upset their negotiations. Given that the events were inspired by a story line in the program "Shameless" the proposed program asks all sorts of questions, as to the level of taste at the BBC.

Another issue is their casting department, they do list the program as fiction yet the person chose to play Shannon's mother (above) does show how far they intend to move away from reality. 

 

 

Annual Report 2013-2014: Cllr Abdul Patel

It has been another hectic year serving the communities of Whitley, Briestfield, Thornhill, Thornhill Lees & Savile Town. The work seems to get busier and busier.

I would like to thank all those residents, who continue to share their concerns with me. I look forward to serving you over the coming years.

It has been a pleasure to work with Kirklees Council staff from a wide range of services, in particular those who have supported and contributed information to me in dealing with ward issues. I would also like to thank my colleague Councillor Masood Ahmed for his continued support, advice and guidance.

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

Meetings of Dewsbury Area Committee & Sub Committee
Labour Group Meetings
Full Council Meetings
Heavy Woollen Planning Meetings

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

Walker and Greenwood Educational Charity

WARD WORK:

New Sports Track – Savile Town
New Homes built in Thornhill 
Lighting improvements across the ward 
Working closely with Streetscene in addressing issues around flytipping, litter, overgrown trees and vegetation. 
Resurfacing and road improvements in the Dewsbury South Ward. 

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT:

I have attended planning, licensing and various other training courses provided by the council in my personal development as a councillor.