Cllr Burke and Huddersfield Town Captain Peter Clarke

Around 15,000 Huddersfield Town fans descended on the town hall last night as supporters, staff and players alike celebrated the Club’s promotion to the Championship, it was great to be there to celebrate the success and congratulate all involved.

An open top bus parade set off from the Stadium at 5.15pm and the streets were lined with Town fans all the way to the town hall, where Town Chairman Dean Hoyle addressed the masses along with manager Simon Grayson, skipper Peter Clarke and the rest of the successful squad.

Cllr Burke at Wembley for Huddersfield Town play-off final

I was delighted to be at Wembley on Saturday 26th May with over 20,000 Huddersfield Town fans to see our team promoted to the Championship after a dramatic play off final victory over Sheffield United.

I will be at Huddersfield town hall to celebrate our promotion with a reception on Monday 28 May.

The Mayor, Cllr David Ridgway, will host the club following a short open top bus trip from the stadium.

Players, the manager Simon Grayson and chairman Dean Hoyle will then be interviewed on the balcony at around 5.45pm to relive the excitement of the day.

Following interviews on the balcony, the event will finish around 6.30pm.

The team’s bus will leave the stadium at 5.15, along Stadium Way and then through St Andrews car park. It will then travel along Gasworks Street, Lower Fitzwilliam Street and the top side of the ring road, before turning down High Street (by the bus station) and into Ramsden Street and then Corporation Street.

Come and celebrate our clubs promotion to the championship!

For everything to do with Huddersfield Town go to: www.htafc.com

Tory and Labour Groups on Kirklees Council cut a “cosy deal”

Lib Dem Councillors have accused Tory and Labour Groups on Kirklees Council of cutting a “cosy deal” over positions on Kirklees Council’s leading Scrutiny Committee ahead of last weeks Annual Full Council meeting.

At the Council’s Annual Meeting, Tory Cllr Nigel Patrick proposed that the seats on Kirklees Scrutiny Management Committee should be allocated proportionally across the Groups based on the total number of members in each Group. His argument was that “proportionally” should be applied to this committee as with others with Labour taking an additional seat. Labour supported this move and the change was carried. The next day, Group Business Managers for all political Groups were advised that Labour, having supported the bid for proportionality, had decided to give this additional seat to Conservatives as part of what is being described as a pre-arranged under the table cross party political deal, which gives the Tory Group three places on the Management Committee when they – by their own argument – should only receive two!

The Council’s Scrutiny Management Committee is the body responsible for coordinating and overseeing the Scrutiny of decisions made by Kirklees’s Labour Cabinet. It now consists of 2 Labour, 3 Conservatives, 1 Lib Dem, 1 Green Member.

Cllr Cahal Burke (Lib Dem, Lindley Ward)

“I think Scrutiny should be non-party political, transparent and fair. Its role is to hold the Labour Cabinet to account and scrutinise the key decisions they make but this cosy deal the Tories have struck to obtain a further place undermines the whole function and spirit of what Scrutiny is supposed to be about. I am speaking to the Chief Exec and the Council’s Senior Legal Officers questioning whether this is acceptable and allowed under the council’s rules. I hope that commonsense can prevail.’

Cllr Burke takes action on School Parking

Lindley Lib Dem Councillor Cahal Burke is pleased that his request for parking restrictions in a busy area of Lindley where there has been safety concerns and is a trouble spot for local residents has been fulfilled.

There has been the introduction of no waiting/no loading Monday to Friday between 8am – 9.30am and 2.30pm and 4.00pm to remove obstructive parking connected with local school traffic and allow enforcement in conjunction with School Keep Clear markings on George Street.

Cllr Burke said:

‘I am encouraged that these measures have been taken to help ease the traffic situation outside the Lindley schools for those residents on Whitteron Close who struggle with access in and out of that area due to parents parking there and dropping off children at school beginning and ending times.

The Lindley school community has come together to try and encourage parents to park further away and walk to school but sadly there are still a minority of parents who continue to get as close to the school as they possibly can even though this has caused accidents in the past and puts children and parents at risk.

This a positive step but I will continue to work with highways, schools, parents and residents to make sure that drivers are adhering to the restrictions and ongoing work is carried out to maintain and improve road safety in and around the vicinity of the Lindley schools, I will be requesting that enforcement takes place in this area’.

A further meeting is being held on Thursday 26th April 6pm at Lindley Junior School for parents and residents.

Cllr Burke welcomes further restrictions to allow enforcement in conjunction with School Keep Clear markings on George Street.

Cllr Burke dissapointed with housing decision

I feel this is the final nail in the coffin for Lindley Moor and this will come as a real disappointment to the residents that fought long and hard against this development particularly the Lindley Moor Action Group who will be most disheartened to here this news. Until the 106 agreement was signed I had the hope that something may happen and it wouldn’t actually go ahead, but sadly this is not to be. It shows how decisions made by local councils can have far reaching consequences for its residents that will really impact on their lives.

As I have said before this will have a serious impact on local schools, highways and air quality issues which the council ignored at the time and are now having to answer difficult questions about. Labour put Lindley Moor into the Unitary Development Plan supported the development and voted for it so we have them to thank! I understand that this planning decision has been referred to the Ombudsman and while the decision cannot be overturned I have no doubt that it will be recognised that there were procedural issues with how the planning committee came to its decision and this will provide learning for the future and highlight the failings in this unfair decision (Regretfully too late for Lindley Moor). Hopefully the future will bring more local decision making where residents can have a real voice and influence on what happens in their local area…

It is vitally important that the 106 agreement money is retained in the ward where the development is taking place, also that the council receives all of the money agreed, which has not happened in the past.

Highway Improvements, Holly Bank Rd, Lindley

Highways will be resurfacing the the full length of Holly Bank Road, Lindley between 26th March 2012 and 30th March 2012 (weather dependant). Work will be starting with the junction at Halifax Road and working up Holly Bank Road to the junction with Lidget street. To allow highways to carry this out safely, Holly Bank Road will be closed whilst the road is being resurfaced. The road will be closed between 9.30am till 3pm.

When the road is closed there will be access for residents and employees up to the working areas, but through traffic will not be allowed. It is adviseable that during the closure you park beyond the working area. Please be patient when you use the road during the closure as you may need to wait a short time if we are working directly outside your residence. Could you also make sure that during this periond that you and your visitors park away from the road to leave it clear for resurfacing.

If you have comments or questions please phone Katherine Hunt: 01484 416449 or E-Mail: Katherine.Hunt@kirklees.gov.uk

Cllr Cahal Burke with supporters of the multi agency contact point, Salendine Nook

Local Councillor, Cahal Burke (Lindley Ward) is delighted to confirm that a two-year contract for the hire of a room has now been signed.

Funding totalling £2,000 has been agreed by the Huddersfield Area Committee to pay for a Multi Agency Contact Point within Salendine Nook Shopping Centre. The project has been supported by the Neighbourhood Policing Team and Lindley Ward Councillor, Cahal Burke.

Cllr Cahal Burke says:

“The Multi Agency Contact Point Room will provide a much needed facility for members of the public who are visiting the shopping complex, to report crime in person. Or, indeed, to call in for general advice from the Police Community Support Officers who will be working from the shopping complex.

The project will provide an increased police presence with the Shopping Centre, which will in turn, act as a deterrent and hopefully prevent problems such as anti social behaviour.

The use of the room will not be limited to use by the Police. The facility will be available for use by other agencies including Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, Ward Councillors, Probation Services and Lindley Community Group. This will be an ideal location with no additional costs for room hire.”

Sgt Simon Short of the Huddersfield North NPT added:

“Contact points such as these are the ideal way for us to set the policing agenda in the area and to get a feel for the work that local people want to see us doing for them. Having a presence in the Shopping Centre means we are available and accessible to a wide range of people in the community, in a place that suits them, so we are confident that this project will be a success. I would urge any members of the public who are interested in hearing about the work of the police and our partners in the area, or have something to tell us, to drop in for a chat.

Road safety outside Lindley Junior and Lindley CE Infant School has been of ongoing concern for parents for many years. In December 2011 the issue came to a head when parents protested outside the Schools blocking vehicles from entering George Street. This resulted in the police having to patrol the highway at the start and end of the School day for a number of months. This has now been discontinued with officers being required elsewhere.

Since the events of December, a public meeting has taken place involving all concerned parties including the police, School staff, parents, residents and local councillors resulting in a working group being formed which has now produced several options for further exploration.

A survey of the area has also been undertaken by the council’s Highway’s Department showing that between the hours of 8 and 9am and 5 and 6pm 615 and 437 unaccompanied children crossed George Street respectively.

While Lindley Councillor Cahal Burke is pleased that action is being taken he is concerned that the process involved in introducing the changes will take too long and that – ultimately – funding may not be available. The Councillor believes a crossing Patrol on George Street should be introduced immediately to help ensure child safety while the options are explored and consulted on and the availability of funding established.

Cllr Burke said:

“While I am pleased that officers are taking the concerns of parents, residents and councillors seriously, I am very concerned that an accident is going to happen before anything is actually done. Around 1000 unaccompanied children cross George Street each day and the situation could be immediately improved by the introduction of a crossing patrol and this is what should happen while work on the various options is undertaken. To not do this wilfully places the safety of local children at risk. We want to create an environment which gives parents the confidence to allow their children to use alternatives to the car for their journey to and from school and bringing in a crossing patrol would help to achieve this.”

“My understanding is that George Street does not meet the criteria for a crossing patrol. I have a number of objections on this front. Firstly, the decision has been made on evidence gathered on just one day. Secondly, the efforts Police, the Schools, parents and councillors have made to reduce the number of vehicles travelling along George Street should be taken in account when considering the results of the survey produced by officers. At present, they seem to be saying that we can’t have a crossing patrol because we have helped ourselves. This strict attitude to policy seems to run in the face of common sense, actively discouraging people from trying to tackle issues themselves. It is also likely that in September when the new intake of children come the issue will flare up again so whatever improvement there has been it may not be permanent. I have written to the Director responsible for the service explaining this and asking for them to be flexible over the criteria on this occasion and that they introduce a crossing patrol as an interim measure until a longer term solution can be found and implemented.”

People can sign Cllr Burke’s petition to get a crossing patrol instated on George Street Lindley by visiting: www.signme.org.uk/692

Sgt Simon Short of Lindley Neighbourhood Policing Team said

“It is disappointing that we have not been able to secure the services of a crossing patrol. We will continue to work with all interested parties to further improve road safety around George Street”

LABOUR RUN COUNCIL is starting a scheme to turn off 2000 street lights in Kirklees.

Do we really live in a country where we can’t afford to provide street lighting to our citizens? The environmental argument doesn’t wash; this is purely about cost cutting. Good street lighting reduces crime, it makes the public feel safe and it reduces the risk of road traffic accidents.

Residents have expressed to me concerns that it will encourage vandalism and burglary. For many people, particularly those who live on their own, it will be very intimidating. Kirklees should be looking at more environmentally friendly lighting technology.

Motoring organisations have also warned that the changes could increase the number of road accidents.

The AA, said: “There is concern that some local authorities appear to be doing this to save money, rather than to save the environment.”

“In terms of road accidents, we have to be sure that this won’t lead to more deaths and injuries on the roads, particularly for cyclists and pedestrians who are difficult to see at the best of times.”

“The statistical evidence shows that there are more fatal and serious accidents when roads are unlit.”

Metro is proposing to remove Weatherhill Road Bus Shelter.

I would like to inform you that Metro is proposing to remove the bus shelter (450 22782) on Weatherhill Road, near Weatherhill Crescent.

Metro has undertaken a passenger usage survey on 20/09/2011 and found that there was 1 passenger usage of the bus shelter. This site no longer satisfies the Integrated Transport Authority’s criteria of a minimum 50 passengers per day using the bus shelter.

To keep a bus shelter on a street which has a low/zero passenger usage, results in maintenance costs in cleaning and damage repair for low use facility. Metro intends to remove this bus shelter permanently from this site.

If you have any comments on this issue please contact Mr. Neil Stewart (Highways Liaison Coordinator) on 0113 2517289 or by e-mail neil.stewart@wypte.gov.uk before 3rd February.