Overview of thr Year Cllr Holroyd, Chairman 2007-08
The elections of May 2007 resulted in a massive change to
the Council, with 15 new members joining us out of a total
of 25. I am very pleased to see what a positive contribution
many of these new Councillors have made in their first year,
both in their commitment to their communities and in accepting
the need to learn about the Council’s overall responsibilities
and legal requirements.
One of the first issues the Council had to deal with was
the concern over rural public transport expressed by members
of the public at the open Question Time, which takes place
at the beginning of each Council meeting. In response to
the strong dissatisfaction expressed, the Council arranged
a well-attended public meeting in Kirkburton, at which people
were able to put their points of view directly to representatives
of Metro and Stagecoach. Changes to the timetable were promised
and the Council has continued to monitor the situation and
make representation to Metro. We will continue our vigilance
once the routes currently operated by Stagecoach are taken
over.
I am pleased that the Council has continued its support
of non profit-making organisations throughout our area through
the small grants system. These organisations include sporting
activities for young people, scouts, guides and rainbows,
playgroups and community-centred activities for adult and
older residents, and play a great part in keeping our villages
active and centred. We are all indebted to the volunteers
who are prepared to give so generously of their time and
effort to keep these organisations going, and the Council
is glad to be able to assist their work. Grants for the
maintenance of public clocks have been increased by £100
per clock to allow for the fact that the cost of servicing
has increased since the 1980’s when the grant level was
last fixed.
Through its larger community projects grants, the Council
has helped groups throughout our area, sometimes as part
of an on-going programme, but often in response to a specific
emergency, such as when storm damage revealed serious structural
flaws in the Kirkheaton Scouts and Guides headquarters,
and when flooding ruined the Lepton Highlanders Junior Football
sports ground. I have been very heartened by the readiness
of the Council to respond quickly and supportively in such
situations.Improvements have also been carried out at Shepley
and Grange Moor allotments, for which the Council is responsible
and, in response to requests from the public, we are negotiating
with Kirklees to try to provide allotments in Kirkburton.
Obviously, there will be full public consultation concerning
the site before any decisions are taken.
The programme of bulb planting and the provision of hanging
baskets and Christmas trees has been expanded. It has been
very pleasing when members of the public have expressed
their appreciation of the efforts made to enhance the attractiveness
of our villages. The Shelley “Eco Park”, to which the Council
has contributed for several years, was assisted again this
year with a grant towards the completion of walks and signs,
and is a credit to our area.
Improvements have been made at Shelley Village Hall, of
which the Council is the landlord, and planning permission
has been obtained for the provision of new ramps for disabled
access. The work is scheduled for this summer.
The Council is responsible for the upkeep of the closed
churchyard at Kirkheaton. We have worked in conjunction
with Kirkheaton Parish Church and its dedicated team of
volunteers to improve the condition of the churchyard, and
are now being assisted in this by the Unpaid Work Unit from
Huddersfield, for whose efforts both the Church and the
Council are very grateful.
In February this year the Council entered the Big Green
challenge, a project developed by the National Endowment
for Science, Technology and the Arts (Nesta). The challenge
is designed to encourage and reward new approaches that
will lead to a significant reduction of carbon emissions
within each competing community. I am delighted to say that
the Council has reached Round 2, and so is one of the last
hundred organisations competing throughout the country for
the £1,000,000 prize.
Other new initiatives undertaken this year include the provision
of solar voltaic panels for the roof of Burton Village Hall
(pictured right). This is being carried out in conjunction
with Highburton & Kirkburton Community Association,
who will take over the maintenance of the system. It is
designed to provide the electricity needed by the hall itself,
with any surplus being transferred to the National Grid.
A scheme to encourage the use of water butts is being trialled
as part of the Council’s commitment to environmental issues.
We are providing new noticeboards in Farnley Tyas, Flockton,
Highburton, Kirkheaton, Lascelles Hall and Lepton. I hope
that this, together with the quarterly newsletter “One Voice”
will help to keep our residents in touch with the Council’s
activities. The Council’s website (www.kbpc.co.uk) has become
a much-used information source, and we are grateful to the
Clerk for her work in developing and updating the website.
As well as special projects such as those outlined above,
the Council continues to monitor all planning applications
within our boundaries, and is very aware of problems caused
by pressure for housing within our communities. Using the
specific knowledge our Councillors can provide, we have
pressed Kirklees to respect the integrity of our area with
appropriate development, maintenance of the Green Belt and
attention to roads and traffic flow.
While it has been necessary to increase the precept this
year, following a cut of 19.2% in the previous year, the
cost to a Band D property in our area is now £14.39 per
year. Out of the five Parish/Town Councils in Kirklees,
only Mirfield has a lower charge.
One tragic event occurred this year with the accidental
death of Cllr Howard Seymour, who was elected Vice Chairman
in May 2007. In the short time I worked with Cllr Seymour
I came to appreciate his ready understanding of issues and
his commitment. His death robbed the Council of a very able
member and we extend our sympathy to his family.
Having chaired the Council through the first year of its
current four years of office, I have seen a period of considerable
change. I look forward to spending the next three years
working with my colleagues to consolidate what has been
achieved so far and to develop further programmes for the
benefit of the area we serve.
Cllr Lin Holroyd
Chairman 2007-08
