Proposals announced in January 2016 by Huddersfield & Calderdale NHS Trust will:
• Demolish Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and build a SMALLER hospital.
• A&E WILL be closed and moved to Calderdale.

Huddersfield and the Valleys MUST have its OWN first rate A&E.
We are appalled at the decision to move ANOTHER service to Calderdale. We demand that this decision is changed.

Liberal Democrats in Kirklees have been campaigning for many years to keep all our vital services at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and will continue to do so.

Please sign the petition here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/118690

At the recent Kirklees Council meeting councillors united in a fight to oppose plans that would leave our area without any local Accident and Emergency service.

The four group leaders signed a motion against the consultation plans outlined in the plans released by the Greater Huddersfield and Calderdale clinical commissioning groups.

The agreed composite Motion:

This Council recognises;

(1) That the recently published proposal of the Calderdale and Huddersfield Acute Hospital Trust could result in the closure of full Accident and Emergency Services in Huddersfield and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary being replaced by a smaller, albeit new, hospital.

(2) That, in particular, the combined proposals of the Calderdale and Huddersfield Acute Hospital Trust and Mid Yorkshire Hospital Trust mean that Kirklees will not have a full Accident and Emergency Service in either Huddersfield or Dewsbury.

(3) That, due to decisions being taken in isolation about services offered at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and at Dewsbury District Hospital, services could be affected and that some specialities may not be available in any part of Kirklees.

This Council resolves to:-

(1) Oppose any proposals which leave Kirklees without a full Accident and Emergency provision

(2) Request Clinical Commissioning Groups ensure that consultation on the changes that are proposed for hospital services in Kirklees are given maximum publicity and that consultation encompasses the widest possible range of residents.

(3) Agree to the holding of an Extraordinary meeting of the Council to discuss changes to NHS Services in Kirklees as the single item for consideration at the meeting, to take place at the earliest opportunity.

(4) Request that all Party Groups work together to establish a joint resolution on changes to NHS Services in Kirklees to be presented to the Extraordinary Meeting.

(5) That an All Party delegation from the Council meet the Secretary of State to express the views of the residents of Kirklees.

The draft Local Plan (previously known as the Local Development Framework) is the new development plan being produced for Kirklees. This involves working out how many new homes and jobs are needed in the future for the district and allocating land to meet these needs.

The draft Local Plan will also set out the areas of Kirklees that need protection, including valuable open spaces, areas with high environmental quality and historic value. It will set out the infrastructure needed to make sure that any new developments are sustainable. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) explains what sustainable development means in relation to planning.

GRIMESCAR VALLEY
The draft Local Plan proposes greenbelt designation for the Grimescar Valley, which is really positive. I would urge you to support this element of the plan that protects the Grimescar Valley and submit your comments during the consultation period.

The public consultation date on the draft Local Plan and supporting documents including the Kirklees draft Local Plan Sustainability Appraisal and the Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule started on the 9 November 2015 and will end on 1 February 2016.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS – LINDLEY LIBRARY
I have made maps and supporting documents available for residents to view at Lindley Library.

Computers are also available in Huddersfield Customer Service Centre to view plans and research planning information: opening times 9-5 Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 10-5 on Thursdays.

• Huddersfield Customer Service Centre
• Civic Centre 3, Market Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2YZ
• 01484 414746
• local.development@kirklees.gov.uk

Please get in contact if you would like further information and I will do my best to help in any way I can.

Lindley is set to offer a huge slice of festive fun as a traditional crowd-puller gets back into its stride.

The village is hosting its popular late night shopping event next week.

A full line-up of attractions and activities has been put together by hard-working organisers including Lindley Communinty Group. The list includes shops open until 8pm, seasonal performances, Santa arriving by sleigh and a special appearance by characters from Disney’s Frozen.

Lindley councillor Cahal Burke said: “There was a gap of a few years when we didn’t stage the late night. But local businesses were keen to bring it back so we took a softly, softly approach last year in re-starting the event. It was successful and now we are going a stage further and have more activities, more performances and more going on.

“We are hoping for a bumper attendance. The response from local traders has been fantastic. We have a great group of businesses, all keen to promote the area and it is a great opportunity for them to showcase their own wares.

“The aim is to get the event back on an annual footing. If we are successful and people come out and support us then we will carry on. It is all really exciting.”

And it is all in aid of the Lindley-based Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust charity.

Lindley Infants School choir will be singing both out in the open and in St Stephen’s Church and there will also be a performance from the KT dance studio. It is hoped Lindley Brass Band will also be taking part.

From 5.30 to 8pm on Tuesday December 1, there will be stalls all along Lidget Street, alongside the area’s many independent shops.

With shopkeepers and staff dressed in Dickensian-style clothes, there will also be Santa’s grotto in the library, a nativity trail and hot food and mulled drinks.

On Saturday 12th September 2015 the Huddersfield First Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worked on two projects as part of their “Helping Hands” programme. ‘Ward’ is the name for an area similar to a parish. The Huddersfield First Ward (congregation) is based on Halifax Road, Birchencliffe. Over 30 adults and children came along to give their time, despite the rain.

The “Helping Hands” programme brings together members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with their neighbours to undertake community work. The “Helping Hands” programme reflects the desire of Mormons to follow the example of Jesus Christ by serving others and is intended to help improve people’s understanding and awareness of the church. Helping Hands is a worldwide programme, with volunteers donating millions of hours of service to their communities.

Arranged between Neville Oldham and Cllr Cahal Burke, The 30 strong group cleared the path leading to the Memorial Garden in Lindley, behind the library, of weeds, moss and rubbish.
Also on Saturday the group washed the fascia board around the front of the community centre building on New Hey Road and collected enough rubbish to fill several bags from the Reinwood Recreation ground area next to the building.

Cllr Burke said:
“It was really good of the church members to volunteer to help clear the path as part of their Helping Hands Day. The area around the entrance to Zion Graveyard has been improved immensely which I and local residents are extremely thankful for. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contributes a great deal to the community through the successful Helping Hands Day initiative and this is another example of a very successful local project.”

I along with many local residents attended the public consultation event to learn more about the proposed development of a new manufacturing facility at Ainley Top.

The proposed facility would be developed on behalf of Cummins Turbo Technologies, a global engineering leader in turbocharger technology. The company has a strong 65 year heritage in Huddersfield, employing over 1,000 people at its St Andrew’s Road site.

Mixed response from residents I spoke to, many see the benefit and others concerned about the loss of green space along with Highways issues. (The application will be decided by Calderdale Council.)

If you were unable to attend the public consultation event and would like further information about the proposals, please contact Thornhill Estates and Cummins Turbo Technologies community relations team on 0800 840 2044 or email thornhillestates@communitycomms.co.uk

Four Lindley based groups have been chosen to receive a share of £2000 by local people.

80 residents visiting Lindley Library recently and backed their preferred options based on which they felt would be of most benefit to the local area and community.

– Friends of Lindley Library will receive £500 to improve the library’s outdoor space including the purchase of planters, seeds, plants, benches and a canopy to provide shelter and shade.

– Fern Lea Tenants and Residents Association will receive £500 to help fund a day trip for all residents. The TRA hopes that the trip will help tenants and residents to get to know one another better and will contribute £40 per person from its own finances.

– Lindley Business Association (Love Lindley) working with the Laura Crane Trust will receive £500 to help it revive its Christmas Village Event and raise money for the cancer charity.

– Shape Lindley Homework Club will receive £500 to allow them to thank and recruit volunteers as well as purchase needed resources.

Cllr Cahal Burke (Lib Dem, Lindley) said:

“Lindley Ward has lots of community groups and community spirited residents who give hundreds of hours of free time every year making really good things happen locally. Sometimes these groups and people need just a little bit of money to get things going or to deliver something worth much, much more. There were lots of really good ideas put forward. I am really pleased that the Friends of the Library received some money because they are going to pay a big part in keeping our library open. I am also pleased that the local businesses will get some help bringing back the village’s Christmas celebration event. I worked with some of the businesses last December to run the first Christmas event in a couple of years but want to see it become an annual feature of the winter calendar again and this small pot of money should help achieve that.”

The Strategic Planning Committee will consider the following application during part one of the meeting that will commence at 10.00am Thursday 30th July (Council Chamber – Town Hall, Huddersfield)

Applicant: Thornhill Estates Limited &, Emma Jane Carter, George
Robert Carter

(1) Application 2014/93039 – Ainley Top, Yew Tree Road and Burn Road, Huddersfield.

Cllr. Cahal Burke, Richard Eastwood and Kirklees Liberal Democrats have and continue to lead the campaign against this unnecessary development proposal.

Our objections focus on the following:
– Grimescar Valley is one of the few remaining green spaces within the area.
– Loss of an area of high quality landscape and natural beauty that is used for recreation and public amenity
– Loss of valuable ecology and wildlife habitat
– Not a need for new housing within the area given the amount of new housing development and residential property on the market for sale
– Development would be contrary to Policy D5, (Provisional Open Land) of the Councils UDP. The land should be safeguarded as open land given its value
– Previously developed brownfield land should be developed before undeveloped greenfield sites
– Capacity of the area to accommodate and sustain further housing development
– Capacity of local schools, doctors and dentist surgeries to
accommodate demand from the development
– Impact of development upon drainage and flood risk within the wider area
– Impact of development upon air quality
– Capacity of the local highway network to accommodate traffic
generated by the development. In particular the cumulative impacts of development.
– Capacity of Burn Road to accommodate development and the junction of Burn Road with Halifax Road. Views expressed that Burn Road should be made one way only.

Please note that any members of the public who wish to speak at the meeting to Save Grimescar Valley must register to speak by 5.00pm (for phone requests) or 11:59pm (for email requests) by no later than Monday 27 July 2015. To pre-register, please contact richard.dunne@kirklees.gov.uk or phone Richard Dunne on 01484 221000 (ask for extension – 74995).

Today Cllr Cahal Burke urged the people of Kirklees to back a Liberal Democrat campaign to save the Human Rights Act.

So far more than 25,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Conservatives to scrap plans to abandon our commitment to human rights.

It comes as David Cameron included proposals in the Queen’s Speech to untie British law the European Convention on Human Rights.

Now Cllr Cahal Burke has urged local residents to speak up for legislation that has:

• Stopped the state spying on us, supported peaceful protest and protected soldiers.
• Helped rape victims, defended domestic violence victims and guarded against slavery.
• Supported those in care, shielded press freedom and provided answers for grieving families.
• Preserved our right to a fair trial, prevented indiscriminate stop-and-search and protected minorities.

Cllr Cahal Burke said:

“Our human rights laws have already achieved so much and we must not let the Tories trample all over them.

“The Liberal Democrats blocked David Cameron from scrapping the Human Rights Act in Government and we must stop him again now.

“That is why we need everyone everyone to get behind our campaign to stop the Conservatives riding roughshod over our hard-won rights.”

Cllr Cahal Burke added:

“By drawing up plans to scrap the Human Rights Act and laying the groundwork to pull out of the European Convention on Human Rights – the Tories are revealing their true colours.

“These are fundamental rights we all have and they define how we treat our citizens and offer our citizens protection from the state.

“They are the legacy of Winston Churchill and seeing the Tories trashing his legacy, I am in no doubt that today he would once again be a Liberal.

“We blocked them before and we must do all we can to block them again.”

http://change.libdems.org.uk/human-rights-act

Lindley is preparing itself for a weekend of fun as the annual Summer Carnival and 10K Charity running event and fun run return to the village on Saturday and Sunday.

Lindley Carnival, now in its 8th year since its return in 2008, will take place on the Fernlea Recreation Grounds between 1pm and 4pm on Saturday. As in previous years, there will be games, rides, food stalls and much more with local schools churches and many local businesses taking part. This year’s theme is local musical talent with two Lindley Junior School choirs performing as well as the famous The West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service Band (Yorkshire’s premier “Military Style” Concert band and Marching band). Taking place on the same day as National Armed Forces Day the carnival will also celebrate the work of the UK armed forces. Huddersfield Weatherman Paul Stevens will open the event this year.

Then on Sunday runners will be under starting orders for Lindley 10K 2015. On the day there will be two runs. At 9am there will be a fun run for children between 4 and 15 years of age. Then at 9.30am runners in the official 10k event will set off. After the 10K, Lindley Infant School will be hosting a family fun day between 11am and 3pm for the first time adding a new dimension to the festivities. Locally based Pure Fitness is the events main sponsor for the third time while Huddersfield Down Syndrome Support Group, voluntary organisation run by parents, has been chosen as the event main principle charity.

Cllr Cahal Burke (Chair of Lindley Community Group) said:
“We have a fantastic weekend of community events and activities set to take place over the course of the weekend and encourage as many people as possible to come out and enjoy themselves with their family and friends. Thanks to all the volunteers, businesses, community groups, schools, the council and everyone else who has worked so hard and will work so hard over the course of the weekend to make it all come together.”

Our Fightback started in Lindley with our fantastic local candidate Richard Eastwood, friends, supporters and new members!

Our family keeps on growing. Thousands of people are coming together (Over 15,000 have joined since polling day) because they believe that more than ever we need a strong, liberal voice to stand up for those who need help.

If you believe that the politics of hope can be stronger than the politics of fear, join the #LibDemFightback now.

http://www.libdems.org.uk/join