Kirklees Council

Get ready for the new Waterfront

KIRKLEES Council is poised to take major strides forward in the exciting Waterfront Quarter redevelopment for Huddersfield.

Heavy machinery and cranes will soon appear on the horizon when work gets under way on Kirklees College's new home in early April.

A £950,000 package of highways works, based in Manchester Road, is also due to start in the next few months.

Homes, offices and a wide range of leisure facilities are all part of the Waterfront plans – forming a £150million regeneration project and setting a new standard for the region.

The centrepiece will be a new Kirklees College campus, made possible by joint working and funding between the college, the Council which has also given an innovative loan scheme, and the Learning and Skills Council.

The highways works will help to pave the way for the development, which is set to create hundreds of jobs in Huddersfield.

Scheduled to begin in June, they include new traffic lights to cut congestion; CCTV to increase security and monitor traffic; a 600 metre bus and cycle lane; ‘Real Time’ information in bus shelters so people know when the next bus is coming; and £250,000 of road resurfacing.

Cllr Peter McBride, Cabinet member for Regeneration, said: “This is a whole package of improvements and a significant boost to regeneration with education and the future of Kirklees at its heart.

“We are helping to improve public transport, but the highways measures are also about long-term planning and are strongly linked to the

huge, flagship redevelopment of the Waterfront Quarter.

“The Waterfront development is on a site between Manchester Road, Chapel Hill and the River Colne, so we need to have access in place and be prepared for the extra traffic this important scheme will generate.

“By acting early to provide the right infrastructure, we are being forward-thinking and responsible and we are making sure a problem doesn’t develop further down the line.

“The Waterfront development is a £150million scheme and the single biggest regeneration project currently ongoing in Kirklees.

“The site will include a superb new building for Kirklees College, 300 new homes, 190,000 sq ft of offices, plus cafes, bars and leisure facilities. It will provide hundreds of local jobs and create a brilliant community for people from far and wide.

“We are aiming to make sure the Waterfront regeneration runs as smoothly as possible from the earliest stage.

“The highways scheme means there will be shorter-term benefits for road users in a place that has suffered congestion for years, but we are also looking at the bigger picture - and the need to show potential investors in Huddersfield that we really mean business.”

Rosie Winterton, Minister for Yorkshire, recently announced an additional £6million of government funding to support the Waterfront plans.

She said: “This major scheme will ensure over 1,200 jobs are created or safeguarded in the area,

contributing to its long-term prosperity. The creation of the Waterfront Quarter will be a significant economic boost to the town centre and surrounding area.”

The Manchester Road highways programme

has been developed in partnership with Metro (the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority) and local bus operator First. It applies to the section of Manchester Road between Huddersfield Ring Road and Longroyd Bridge.

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Top marks for boosting local economy THE University of Huddersfield's stunning new ÂŁ16.3 million Business School is bang on schedule and will be completed by the end of June.

It is a symbol of the difference partnership working between the University and Council is making to the whole district.

Not only will the new facilities help to ensure that the University continues to attract increasing numbers of students to the area - boosting the town's economy - but a policy of using local contractors and suppliers helps to bolster the district's industry in difficult times. The University's vice-chancellor, Prof Bob Cryan, personally drew up a ten-point plan to help the local economy cope with the effects of recession.

Even without this extra commitment, the University contributes an estimated ÂŁ300 million annually to the local economy.

It has record student numbers of around 24,000 and a staff of 1,600, making it one of the district's major employers.

By recruiting almost 1,000 overseas students, the University is also putting Huddersfield on the world map. Many of those students, by singing the praises of the Huddersfield experience, are acting as unofficial ambassadors for the University and the district, with its vibrant multi-cultural community.

The University has deep roots that stretch back to 1825, when a Scientific and Mechanical Institute was established in the town.

The University therefore has a 185-year history of helping local people fulfil their potential.

And another result of this long history is that the campus, in addition to being well-integrated, well-equipped and close to the town centre, is a remarkable medley of architectural styles, from the Victorian Gothic of the recently restored Ramsden Building to the dramatic elegance of the recently completed Creative Arts Building.

Pictured are the Creative Arts Building and the new Business School Building under construction.

Supporting local business KIRKLEES Council is funding a number of new initiatives to support local businesses.

These include SELL 2 KIRKLEES, which is designed to make it easier for local businesses to supply to the council and its public sector partners, and Kirklees Business Rate Initiative which has been brought in to help support businesses during the recession.

The council is also working closely with Business Link to provide face to face support to local businesses to help them grow and prosper.

A recent event, Winning Ways, was an opportunity for local businesses to meet the key agencies and experts that could answer their questions and offer solutions.

Over 50 businesses attended the free event which featured more than 20 exhibitors including Trading Standards, Kirklees Business Rates team, HM Revenues and Customs, Jobcentre Plus, and Calderdale and Kirklees Careers Service.

Delegates took part in a variety of workshops offering up-to-date information and advice on how to access finance, expanding your business, taking on new employees, doing business with Kirklees Council and understanding VAT.

Take a walk on the not-so-wild side

A typical view over the Holme Valley

WALKERS of all abilities will be able to appreciate the beauty of the Holme Valley with three new guides to walks in the area.

Produced as part of the 'Walks in Pennine Yorkshire' series, the guides detail walks through some of the picturesque villages in the Holme Valley and range from a fairly easy 1.9 miles to a 10.5 mile circular walk. All start and finish at Holmfirth Information Centre.

The shortest walk, 'Sampling the Hills', takes walkers through Upperthong. There are a couple of steep sections but those are compensated by impressive views of the Holme Valley as well as Castle Hill and Victoria Tower.

The middle range walk, 'Viking Villages and Summer Wine Country', takes its theme from the Viking history of the area and takes walkers

through Netherthong.

The five mile walk is for more experienced walkers as it has steep steps, sections of road without pavement and a stream to cross.

For the most adventurous, the longest walk, 'Hill and Hamlets', continues the Viking theme by taking walkers through Upperthong and Netherthong as well as Wooldale - villages still connected in places by old packhorse trails.

The guides are available free from Holmfirth Tourist Information Centre, Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth, or by contacting John Gleadow, Kirklees Countryside Access Officer, telephone: 01484 234077 or email: john.gleadow@kirklees.gov.uk The guides have been produced by Kirklees Countryside Unit in partnership with Kirklees Tourism.

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Transforming adult social care ADULTS who use social care are feeling the benefits of a new system being introduced in Kirklees.

'Putting People First' aims to improve the outcomes for people who use adult social care services and their carers, by giving them a chance to take control of their support.

The government has asked all local authorities to transform the way they deliver adult social care by personalising services – this ensures everyone is given even more choice, dignity and independence in the way they lead their lives.

‘Putting People First’ applies to all those who use Adult Services, from those simply seeking advice and information to people who access specific services.

The system means everyone eligible for adult social care will have a personal budget and will know how much money is available to them.

They can make their own decisions about what they need, ensuring they get the right support, at the right time, in the right place.

Kirklees Council has been working to introduce the new person-led assessment process for new people coming forward for services since mid-January.

People who were already receiving services will have the chance to take up a personal budget as part of their planned annual review later this year.

Sarah’s story

John and Marlene

Sarah is one of the many people who have benefited from the new style of care.

Sarah is 28 and has a physical disability. After graduating from Huddersfield University she did voluntary work while looking for employment.

At first Sarah managed without any support from Kirklees Council Adult Services, but she was finding it a struggle.

Then she got in touch with the council and discussed the kinds of flexible support that could fit around her work and social life.

And, with help from Adult Services, it was decided that a direct payment was the answer.

Sarah started to receive these payments and was able to employ a personal assistant, who gave her the support she needed to live independently and do the things that were important to her.

It made a real difference to Sarah’s life and she recently enjoyed a short break in London with her assistant.

Sarah used her Supporting People entitlement to complete a cooking course and her assistant helps her to prepare healthy, fresh meals.

Sarah is now in full-time employment and living life to the full.

John has dementia and his wife, Marlene, provides all his care despite suffering from painful arthritis. They have used some of John’s direct payment to buy a laptop and a webcam to enable them to keep in contact with family abroad.

John has a daughter in Australia and he will use Skype to talk to her. Marlene is going to use some of her carers’ personal budget to pay for a course in basic computing so she can help.

John said: “I love my wife and would like to continue living in my own home for as long as I can. Being happy with my wife and seeing my family daily on Skype helps me keep my independence.”

Marlene said: “My sleep is often disturbed as my husband will wake during the night. I have arranged for a Carephone and a door alarm to be fitted in case I do not wake and my husband attempts to leave the house. I may in the future have to consider a night-sitter so that I can get enough sleep to be able to continue my informal caring role.

“It has helped that my husband will receive a personal budget. I’m feeling positive about getting out and about in the knowledge my husband is safe and cared for in his own home where he is familiar with his surroundings.”

John and Marlene Riley using their web cam (pictured above) and (below) Sarah and Jill Walker from the Independent Living Team

Free carbon monoxide detectors save lives As well as providing FREE home insulation, the Kirklees Council Warm Zone offers households a free carbon monoxide (CO) detector.

The scheme is ending on June 30 this year so residents have only limited time to take advantage of the offer.

So far, over 100,000 detectors have been given to residents through the scheme. Carbon Monoxide is poisonous, and can cause serious illness or death, even in small amounts. In the UK, more than 50 people die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning every year, and 200 people are seriously injured.

When Marsh resident Sophia Crawshaw got her free detector, it immediately showed carbon monoxide in her home. Sophia’s husband had recently been taken ill and was spending a lot of time at home.

Sophia said: “Tony had not been well and had been feeling really sleepy and overtired. I put it down to him trying to recover.

“I also was experiencing lots of headaches. As soon as I put the batteries in, the detector went berserk!’’

Since her traumatic experience Sophia now takes safety in the home very seriously.

“Warm Zone has changed the way I think about things. I have rung all my friends and relatives and told them to get a CO detector.”

She hopes other Kirklees residents will take advantage of the project. “It’s a really good scheme! It’s helping people and it’s free for everybody. It’s not often you get something for nothing.”

Cllr Mehboob Khan, Leader of Kirklees Council, said: “This deadly killer was highlighted in our area after the tragic death of Dominic Rogers and I have been a strong supporter of the campaign to install a carbon monoxide detector in every home.

“This is not an isolated incident, since Warm Zone started there have been several similar incidences where deaths have been prevented.

“This highlights how carbon monoxide detectors can help people stay safe and well in their home. We urge residents not to miss out on the offer of a free detector.’’

For more information about the Warm Zone scheme ring 0800 052 0071 or take a look at the website at www.kirklees.gov.uk/warmzone.

Sophia pictured with her family, with Jacob (14) ; Heather, nine,and husband Tony.

New green takes crown at sports complex THE new all weather crown green bowling facility at Leeds Road Sports Complex in Huddersfield is set to be completed in early spring.

The "air-dome" structure with its internal flood-lighting will enable crown green bowlers to pursue their sport all year round, whatever the weather.

The new facility is built on the abandoned crown green bowling site at the sports complex. It is of a very high standard and can be used for competitions and matches but also for training and development opportunities of the sport.

The new artificial surface requires minimum maintenance but has a playing surface much like a traditional grass green.

It will share ancillary facilities with the sportsbarn, athletics and other sports pitch facilities on the complex.

The 10.5 metre high ‘air dome’ has a tough double-skin UPVC coated fabric which is inflated with a mechanical unit.

Entrance is through a revolving air-tight entrance and the air inside the dome is changed up to three times an hour.

Light is not required during the day as natural light is allowed through the skin of the structure.

Cllr John Smithson, who originally suggested the scheme, said: “Bowling is a very popular sport in Kirklees and there are many outdoor bowling pitches across the district.

“The development of an all-weather facility will enable local people to play crown green bowls throughout the year.

“This facility is the only one of its kind in the North of England and we hope that many people will enjoy the benefits of this exciting development.”

Anyone using the Leeds Road sports complex will also benefit from a resurfaced car park, completed as part of this project.

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Exciting ski plan gives lift to HD One WITH planning permission now granted for a 54-acre development beside the Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield is set to get its very own ski slope!

This brand new leisure development, will be a complementary extension to the existing facilities close to the stadium, which include the Odeon cinema complex and attached restaurants, the fitness suite and the Stadium itself, and The Zone – the extremely popular indoor sports hall which features the area’s largest children’s play gym.

The new development links activities and sites on both sides of the river, creating an open aspect from shops and restaurants out across the water, making it an attractive place to spend an afternoon or longer.

A main feature of the development is the provision of quality office accommodation, attracting new businesses to the area, which will in turn create jobs. There’s also permission for a brand new hotel on the site – just in case there’s too much for visitors to try and get through all in one day!

Local people will no doubt be excited to hear about plans for the dry ski-slope, and the body flight facility, the only one of its kind in Yorkshire, which uses huge fans to simulate the feeling of sky-diving, but without the terror of having to

jump out of a plane!

And as well as a wide selection of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants to browse, there’s plenty of entertainment to keep all the family happy, with a ten-pin bowling alley, snooker and pool, clubs, casino and bingo, a music venue and even an indoor golf unit.

Developers of the site predict that this unique mix of leisure, retail and entertainment attractions is likely to attract over 4 million visitors a year to Huddersfield, including new visitors to our town as well as local residents, all supporting the local economy and helping to create and protect jobs.

“As well as a wide selection of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants to browse, there’s plenty of entertainment to keep all the family happy. with a ten-pin bowling alley, snooker and pool, clubs, casino and bingo, a music venue and even an indoor golf unit’’

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State of the art plan for sport in Huddersfield KIRKLEES Council has announced plans to build a state of the art sports centre with swimming and leisure pools in the town.

Officers have now submitted a planning application for the centre on the site of Spring Grove car park, Springwood, which would provide a vast range of facilities for all the family.

The council is looking to replace the existing sports centre in Southgate, which is now outdated and would need massive investment to be brought up to modern standards.

The proposed new facility includes a superb leisure water feature – one of the finest in the country, including a beach, flume and sidewinder (the nearest other being in Blackpool) - a 25-metre swimming pool; a teaching pool; two large sports halls; climbing, squash and martial arts facilities; a large fitness suite; and a café and children’s area.

Estimated cost of the centre would be £36million, but a substantial amount of funding would come from the council selling land to Tesco for a new store at Southgate.

The scheme would have major regeneration benefits for key sites near the Huddersfield ring road, as well as promoting

health and well being among local communities.

Cllr Mehboob Khan, Leader of Kirklees Council, said: “These new facilities would be a huge boost for Huddersfield, attracting visitors into the town centre from far and wide.

“There is a very clear need to replace the existing sports centre, which is coming to the end of its natural life – it has a high risk of pool tank failure in the long run, is an increasing liability for local taxpayers and our consultation shows that many people are put off by the dated facilities.

“We now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity. We can provide Huddersfield with a wonderful base for people to enjoy themselves and get active as part of a healthy lifestyle.

“Extensive research tells us a new sports centre would lead to a big increase in visitors. These are exciting proposals, though the decision of the planning committee is by no means a foregone conclusion.

“Upgrading the current centre would be costly and time consuming. The building would have to be closed for up to two years, but in that same period a bespoke, value-for-money replacement could be built with a complete leisure offer.’’

He added: “We explored various locations and Spring

Grove is the only viable option. Before submitting our planning application we also held meetings with local residents, organisations such as the Huddersfield Town Centre Partnership and worked positively with pressure groups such as Town First so that all their views were taken into account.

This process will continue.

"The sports centre scheme is a major opportunity which also ties in with the chance to regenerate the current Tesco site on Viaduct Street, potentially creating hundreds of jobs.

“It would make a lasting difference to Kirklees at a time when, nationally, the economic climate has caused so many regeneration projects to stall.”

Kirklees Planning Committee will consider factors including impact on the town centre, parking provision and highways issues.

The sports centre application is expected to be considered in late spring and the statutory consultation period is due to begin soon.

Anyone who wishes to view the application and express views can go to www.kirklees.gov.uk/hsc

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Improve your shop front

Release from the chains of smoking KIRKLEES Stop Smoking Service will support you if you want to stop smoking; whether that’s using willpower alone, using medication to help ease the cravings or quitting alongside other people in the same position.

Kirklees Stop Smoking Service has supportive advisors that will work with you to reach your goal.

Many smokers feel trapped by their smoking and feel that they are controlled by the addiction.

Ex-smokers often say that the feeling of freedom is one of the best benefits of quitting smoking.

Why not make 2010 the year when you break free from the control of cigarettes?

The Kirklees Stop Smoking service offers a variety of one-to-one appointments and drop-in sessions across the district.

For more information or to book an appointment telephone 01924 351498 (Dewsbury/Batley/Spen) or 01484 344285 (Huddersfield).

A full list of venues and clinic times is also available by visiting the website at www.kirklees.nhs.uk and click on the your health and stop smoking link.

Last year No Smoking Day saw one in ten smokers kick the habit; an impressive 900,000 people. We're hoping even more will take part this year.

Credit where credit’s due CASTLE & Minster Credit Union is helping residents manage their money better during the recession with some new loan deals that can help ease the financial burden.

Loans are available currently up to a maximum of £15,000. Anyone wanting to take advantage of one of the new loan deals will be required to pledge continuous repayments, and must be a minimum of 18 years, in receipt of regular income or benefits, and be up to date on all existing commitments.

There are various types of loans including a small Handi-loan for existing borrowers, where a decision can be made at the time of application.

Stuart Bethel, Chair of Castle & Minster Credit Union said: “As a responsible and ethical financial cooperative we need to be sure that our members do not over extend themselves with credit, we are particularly keen to offer an attractive deal to existing and new members. Anyone who lives or works in Kirklees is welcome to become a member.”

If you meet this minimum criteria, please visit www.castleandminster.co.uk and download a loan application, email info@castleandminster.co.uk or visit one of the branches.

If you’d like further information about the loans, please contact our Head Office at Upperhead Row on 01484 226666.

TOWN and village centres in Kirklees are being improved through the Small Centre Shopfront Improvement Grants scheme which offers grants to retail and commercial properties for shopfront improvement projects.

One of the recent successes is the Holmfirth Shop Front improvement grants scheme. The scheme has already helped 26 Holmfirth businesses, but it is so popular with traders that the council has extended the deadline until June this year. Photographs (right) show before and after shots of Caboodle in Holmfirth centre.

The grants are for improvements to the frontages and prominent gables of commercial and retail businesses and only works to the exterior of shops are eligible for grant. Types of eligible work include: • repair to, or new guttering and down-pipes • repair or restoration of shop fronts (or new shop fronts as appropriate) • replacement shop signage • pointing • re-painting • repair to or new windows and doors • stonework repairs The grant covers up to 50% of the cost of eligible works, or £5,000 (whichever is the lower.)

Other eligible areas include Denby Dale, Golcar, Lockwood, Skelmanthorpe and Thornton Lodge.

Fo r m o r e i n fo r m a t i o n v i s i t w w w . k i r k l e e s . g o v . u k / c o mmunity/money/communityfunding/smallcentreshops.asp or telephone 01484 221625 or contact by e-mail at debbie.bates@kirklees.gov.uk

Spring clean on the way THE council’s annual spring clean to tackle litter hotspots and fly tipping problems across the whole district is fast approaching.

Local ward councillors will be invited to nominate areas needing attention and additional resources will be targeted if required. The cleaning work will take place in May and June.

Substantial improvements continue to be made to the quality of the shopping and visitor experience in town centres across Kirklees with better streetscapes at Huddersfield’s Byram Street, Market Place and St. George’s Square, as well as in Heckmondwike, Batley, Birstall, Cleckheaton and Scholes.

New paving, planting, lighting and seats enhance the busy centres and are part of an ongoing streetscape programme with more to come in Heckmondwike, Dewsbury and other smaller centres.

With better materials in use for paving and street furniture, the council is investing in a new mechanical street washer which will remove dirt, stains, and substances such as chewing gum from stone and other surfaces.

This equipment will be used to keep the town centres looking good as new and maintain their attractiveness to residents and visitors alike.

The area is also currently benefiting from the newly-pledged £3.5m to repair local roads which have suffered significant damage during the winter.

Getting to know your local team. Birkby schoolchildren learn about keeping their local area clean

£66 million scheme to let there be light KIRKLEES Council is one of just six local authorities that have been invited by the government to submit business cases for its street lighting PFI scheme.

This is the early stage of a formal process that if successful will see Kirklees Council receive almost £66M to invest in street lighting.

Kirklees has over 50,000 street lights of which the majority are old-fashioned orange sodium lights.

All this equipment will be improved and fitted with modern technology to ensure significant carbon reductions and energy savings are

achieved in the first five years of the contract.

Cllr Mehboob Khan, Leader of Kirklees Council, said: “This funding would enable us to improve the quality of life of our residents by making our communities feel safer whilst also significantly reducing the carbon impact of the council.’’

Cllr Peter McBride added: “We estimate that the saving would be in the region of 100,000 tonnes of CO2 over the life of the contract. We have learned from the experiences of Leeds and Wakefield councils who have recently undertaken a similar initiative and the evidence has

shown that residents feel much safer due to brighter, more energy efficient white street lighting.

“Over the next few months we will be working with trade union partners and staff to strengthen our bid to ensure we have a proposal that is right for our residents and achieves real value for money. One of the biggest concerns residents raise with me is the quality of our outdated street lights and I welcome the government’s invitation to work with them to tackle the concerns of local people.”

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Manga management BROWSE around any bookshop or library these days and you're bound to find a Manga collection.

Originating in Japan, Manga's popularity has taken off in the UK, not least in Huddersfield.

Manga Management, a group of young people (pictured right) who meet regularly at Huddersfield Library to share their passion for all things Manga, are preparing to hold their second annual Manga Conference: MANGA-CON 2010 as part of this year's Huddersfield Literature Festival.

Their impressive range of Manga artwork has to be seen to be believed.

Tasneem Kausar, 21, President of Manga Management said: "The art form of Manga is a pleasure to draw yet it requires hard work, passion and practice to perfect. It has been providing a seemingly endless source of entertainment for fans in the West for many years. What I love most about Manga is that it caters to all age groups and you’ll never get bored as it embraces more and more genres.

“Our main goal as Manga Management is to make Manga more widely enjoyed and known in the West Yorkshire area."

On Saturday March 13 Manga fans are invited to share this fascinating world. For those who want to find out what everyone's talking about this is the ideal opportunity to join in.

The day will kick off with a Manga Masterclass at Huddersfield Library from 10.30am until

MANGA-CON 2010 is to feature at this year's Huddersfield Literature Festival 11.30am. This will be a class for beginners offering guidance on the art of Manga drawing.

Pre-booking is required as places are limited.

Tickets are priced at just £1.

Following the huge success of their first annual convention last year, their second convention will take place in the afternoon from 12noon to 5pm in association with Huddersfield Literature Festival at Huddersfield University in the Central Services Building on Quayside.

The event will include a Manga Art Contest

with three prizes up for grabs in the three age categories: 13 years and under, 14+ and 18+.

There will also be a Cosplay Contest, a colourful and imaginative spectacle where Manga fans dress up as their favourite anime characters. Not to mention a Manga Quiz with prizes, stalls from Manga related companies and a gaming section from Team console.

So it's worthwhile brushing up on all things Manga and pulling out your best cosplay outfit!

Manga Masterclass: Saturday March 13, 10.30am - 11.30am, Huddersfield Library Manga Convention: Saturday March 13, 12noon - 5pm, Huddersfield University, Central Services Building, Quayside Tickets available from Waterstones (New Street store), Huddersfield Library or on the day at the venue Tickets for the convention are priced at £2 and children under 10 go free with a paying adult.

Successful Fairtrade Fortnight in Kirklees FAIRTRADE Fortnight received a helping hand from Kirklees Council as councillors and staff got behind the Big Swap.

The Big Swap was a national campaign asking everyone to swap their usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff – their usual bananas for Fairtrade bananas, their usual cuppa for a Fairtrade cuppa and their usual cotton socks for Fairtrade cotton socks.

The council has already given its official support to Fairtrade and shown a commitment to improving trading conditions for food and crop producers in the developing world.

Mirfield, Holme Valley and the Batley and Spen parliamentary constituency are Fairtrade towns, while the aim is for all of Kirklees to achieve Fairtrade status.

A motion was recently passed which pledges to • Support the principles of Fairtrade • Work in partnership with local and regional groups and organisations supporting Fairtrade • Incorporate Fairtrade principles into the council’s purchase of catering and other products and serve Fairtrade products at council meetings and in council offices wherever possible.

The Mayor of Kirklees, Cllr Julie Stewart-Turner (pictured right) is jointly spearheading the initiative with the Leader of the Council, Cllr Mehboob Khan.

Cllr Stewart-Turner said: “Fairtrade is about bringing the farmer and the shopper closer together.

“It is about putting people at the heart of trade and it naturally complements the ongoing local food campaign I’ve adopted for my time in office.

“Most Fairtrade products aren’t easily grown in this country, but our farmers’ markets already include Fairtrade stalls.

Youth club on the move

“I believe there is a growing desire in our communities to ensure people all over the world are treated fairly.”

Cllr Khan said: “This is an important campaign as it shows our commitment to helping producers in the developing world and making sure they receive the support they deserve.

“Fairtrade creates long-term sustainability and helps to prevent people being underpaid or exploited. It is based on equity and respect.

“Our aim is to expand the ongoing Fairtrade commitment in Kirklees and raise awareness that everybody can play their part.

“The local Co-operative movement is very active on this initiative and the council has a long-term strategy of adopting the Fairtrade practices throughout Kirklees.”

THE Kirklees mobile youth service is currently reaching out to young people across the area to find out what they would want from the service.

The bus can accommodate around 20 young people on board and more in the area outside and visits villages and estates across Kirklees.

The stops the bus will make are decided as the staff get to know the area and its community, talk to local residents and young people themselves.

This guarantees that the community will see the service as something they want, and the young people will see as belonging to them. Future projects will be developed with and for the young people that want and need them.

The mobile service is particularly useful in being able to provide services to young people across large rural areas as the club can simply be driven to other places.

Facilities available on and through the youth bus include internet access, games console, arts and crafts, sports, circus skills and Dj-ing.

There are also plans to add resources to enable modern music and film editing projects.

It includes a lot of information on activities available for young people across Kirklees, including advice and guidance on educational opportunities plus life skills information on sexual health, drugs and alcohol, and crime and health.

The service is proving popular in places where it has already become a regular feature and it has allowed groups of youngsters from different areas to come together in shared activities.

Cllr Cath Harris, Cabinet member for Children and Young People, said: “Instead of youngsters going to the club, the club can come to them!

“The mobile service should prove to be a huge boost and provide modern facilities for young people.’’

Photograph above shows: youngsters doing t-shirt design at the London Park estate.

Making a difference KIRKLEES Business Rate Relief was launched in September as part of the Real Help Now programme, which helps local people and businesses through the recession.

The Rate Relief project is aimed specifically at manufacturing businesses. The sector currently employs around 64% of the workforce in Kirklees

and many have been hit hard by the impact of the recession.

A total of six local firms were awarded the rate relief from the first round of funding which amounted to a total investment of £284,391 by Kirklees Council and national government. This investment has safeguarded 1,500 local jobs.

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Future park life taking shape THE major restoration of popular Greenhead Park in Huddersfield is gathering momentum with work well underway to recreate the large ornamental lake.

The lake, which is in the centre of the park, has now been excavated and the soil re-used elsewhere in the grounds.

The work will move on to installing a liner and constructing edging.

The lakeside arbour is also being restored and the ugly concrete façade has already been removed to expose the more pleasant original stone structure.

Work to restore the bandstand is also progressing with the lower fretwork of timber now complete.

Work has started on replacing the roof after repairs were made to the timber supports.

The new play area is at the design stage and consultation is currently being carried out.

A temporary play area has been open since November.

The new play area is located next to the refreshment rooms which have been closed since October to allow the

Hillside School saving the planet HILLSIDE Primary school has won the award for Best School Installation at the 2010 Yorkshire and Humber Microgeneration Awards sponsored by the Energy Saving Trust.

T he awa rd wa s p resen ted to headteacher Dawn Horton, architect Geoff Fox; and Mark Chitty, site manager for Morgan Ashurst.

The school, at Headfield Road, Huddersfield, gets 55% of its energy from on-site renewable energy equipment and care for the environment is an integral part of its activities. Each class has targets to see how little energy can be consumed and has an ‘eco councillor’ responsible for ensuring lights and equipment not in use are turned off each day. The school has raised beds for growing food, a rainwater recovery system, composting facilities and recycling linked with waste segregation. It also has an external games store with a 'green' (sedum) roof.

Headteacher Dawn Horton, said: "We are delighted to have won this award which recognises the vision, planning and work of all concerned with Hillside Primary School. The building and its associated curriculum and ethos are a result of the teamwork between the school, the local authority and Morgan Ashurst. We will continue to develop our provision to ensure that the children and the wider community are committed to sustainability’’.

building to be gutted and the roof removed.

Extensive renovations are being carried out and these will enable the café to be reopened in summer to allow visitors to enjoy refreshments in a beautifully restored setting.

Work on the Grade II listed conservatory is continuing and the timber structure has been fully restored and painted.

Glass for the building has been generously donated by local company Novaglaze and work to install it will begin shortly.

The steel shell of the new restaurant behind the conservatory is now complete.

A mile of new railings are being set into the park boundary wall and new entrances will be provided at strategic points.

Towards the end of the restoration replicas of the original park gates will be installed at the two main entrances.

The Greenhead Restoration Scheme is funded by Kirklees Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Work under way on the Greenhead Park bandstand

Information campaign takes to the road ALL roads lead to The Information Station, as the team behind this new campaign launch their message on the buses travelling around Kirklees.

Library and Information Centres across Kirklees offer a range of services which might be news to some residents in the area. In order to raise awareness of these services ‘THE INFORMATION STATION’ campaign will see buses emblazoned with advertising, as well as posters displayed around the community.

Councillor Mary Harkin, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, said: "Many people may not realise the range of services they can access. This campaign highlights what is available at your local Library and Information Centre.’’

For instance did you know you: *access benefits advice *pay council bills *apply for a Kirklees Passport *access careers advice *access the internet free of charge

*get help filling in forms *find out what’s happening in your community *access other Kirklees services As the slogan for the campaign says, your Library and Information Centre offers you much more than you might realise!

For more information visit your local Library and Infor mation Centre or visit www.kirklees.gov.uk/libraries or call 01484 226300.

Town Hall gets £500,000 upgrade OVER half a million pounds has been invested in Huddersfield town hall, on repairs and refurbishment of public areas and meeting rooms.

The newly decorated rooms now offer superb comfort, style and technology in distinctive Heritage surroundings.

Following on from excellent feedback from customers, further improvements are now planned for this summer.

The main Reception Room on the second floor is

to be refurbished along with other areas which will be used by the Registrars when they move into the building at the end of the year. This fabulous town centre venue will then be able to offer a range of beautifully renovated rooms for weddings and ceremonies from October 2010 onwards.

The imminent introduction of video conferencing into one of the meeting rooms, will also make the venue more attractive for local business and conferencing use.

The Town Hall is a grade 2 listed building built in 2 stages between 1875 and 1881 by John H Abbey, and as such it incorporates 2 separate buildings; the Municipal Offices and the Concert Hall.

The Town Hall currently plays host to hundreds of concerts, events, celebrations and meetings every year.

It also provides a central town centre venue for a diverse range of local community groups and organisations to use.

Council swoops on benefit cheats A CRACKDOWN on fraudsters by Kirklees Council is set to recover more than £150,000.

Housing benefit and council tax benefit claims have been investigated and action is being taken against 13 people who have claimed illegal payments.

As well as facing possible prison sentences, these fraudsters are expected to repay a total of £115,000 they conned from the council – and six further cases are being planned.

The swoop has also found illegal pension payments and 75 blue disabled parking badges in circulation after the actual holder had died.

These are valued by the Audit Commission at a

total of £37,000. Work on the National Fraud Initiative saw Kirklees Council’s benefit investigation and internal audit teams join up with the Department for Work and Pensions and Audit Commission.

The partnership used state-of-the-art data matching techniques to trap people attempting to deceive local authorities, the NHS and other organisations.

Cllr Shabir Pandor, Cabinet member for Revenues and Benefits, said: “Those who try to cheat the system are effectively stealing from every member of the community, putting those in genuine need most

at risk. “By working with our partner organisations we are providing an effective and efficient public service.

“By comparing our records, in accordance with government legislation, we are making life increasingly difficult for those trying to con benefit systems.”

The Audit Commission commended the joint working approach adopted by Kirklees Council to investigate National Fraud Initiative matches.

To report someone suspected of claiming housing or council tax benefit to which they are not entitled, please call the council’s hotline on 0800 731 1705.

Calls are in strictest confidence.