Cllr Cahal Burke and Richard Eastwood

Thank you to everyone who voted Lib Dem in the Local and General elections and thank you to all our supporters and volunteers.

It was not the result we were looking for and was a difficult election both locally and nationally. We will continue to work extremely hard for local residents.

I would like to thank dedicated Lindley candidate Richard Eastwood who worked exceptionally hard in the Lindley ward with a positive campaign putting people first.

If you would like to help or support our campaigns please get in touch here:

http://cahalburke.mycouncillor.org.uk/get-involved/?purpose=volunteer

Parliamentary Candidate Cahal Burke, Richard Eastwood Lindley ward candidate and the Liberal Democrats are working to build a stronger economy in a fairer society, enabling everyone to get on in life.

In the Colne Valley constituency thanks to the Liberal Democrats we have achieved:

• 4,200 Free School Meals for children in the Colne Valley constituency
• 3,300 receiving Free childcare (3,4,some 2 year olds)
• 240 Businesses in the Colne Valley constituency receiving £1500 apprenticeship grant
• 4710 apprenticeships have started in the Colne Valley constituency since 2010
• £800 Tax Cut for 45,400 in the Colne Valley constituency
• 6,500 in the Colne Valley constituency Taken Out of Tax

Cahal Burke, Parliamentary Candidate said:

“I believe people should be able to take charge of their lives and fulfil their potential in a free, fair and open society.
But to achieve this we need to create both sustainable growth and equality of opportunity.”

“That’s why in Government we have created 1 million jobs, helped 1.8 million apprentices, and given 24 million people a £700 tax cut, which is increasing to £825 this year.”

“Let’s never go back to the way things were, because Labour can’t be trusted with your money and the Tories can’t be trusted to treat people fairly.”

“Only the Liberal Democrats in government can be trusted to build a stronger economy and a fairer society, enabling every person to get on in life.”

– Creating prosperity for all by balancing the budget and invest in building a high skill low carbon economy.

– Fairer taxes – creating a fairer economy by cutting income tax by a further £400 by raising the personal tax threshold to £12,500.

– Quality healthcare for all, investing £8bn a year in real terms in the NHS by 2020 and putting mental health on equal footing with physical health.

– Creating opportunity for every child by protecting the education budget from cradle to college.

– Protecting our environment and tackling climate change with five green laws.

Liberal Democrats have helped 2.1 million apprentices start training since 2010. That’s the biggest expansion in apprentices since the 1950s.

Parliamentary Candidate Cahal Burke said: “All young people should have the opportunity to get on in life, and apprenticeships are a great way to achieve that.”

The Conservatives’ apprentice plans shows they are reverting to type by giving with one hand and taking away with the other.

Their plans include cutting housing benefit for out of work young people, a move which would hit 24,000 families with children.

In government Vince Cable and the Liberal Democrats have helped businesses create more than two million apprenticeships 2010.

We want to go further in the next Parliament but will do so in a way that is fair.

Left to their own devices the Conservatives will slash support for young families.

Only the Liberal Democrats will deliver a stronger economy and a fairer society, creating opportunity for everyone.

Our NHS is the envy of the world, and we will fund it properly, deliver equal care for mental health and join up health and care services.

One in four of us will experience mental health problems, but for decades mental health has been the last in the queue for funding and attention. In 2012, we called a halt to this and wrote equality for mental health into law. Liberal Democrats have invested more than £500 million in talking therapies and help for people with eating disorders and introduced the first ever waiting time standards in mental health. We will increase mental health spending by £500m a year by 2016/17 – half of which we delivered in this year’s Budget.

We will build integrated care services that fit around people’s lives, with more personal budgets so people can design services for their own individual needs. We believe this should happen from the bottom up, suiting the needs of local communities.

The Liberal Democrats will put an extra £8 billion a year into the NHS by 2020. We will raise NHS spending by £1 billion a year above inflation until we’ve balanced the books in 2018, funded by scrapping the Tory ‘shares for rights’ scheme, increasing dividend tax on the highest earners and tightening the cap on pension tax relief. Once we’ve eliminated the deficit, we’ll raise the NHS budget in line with economic growth, so that it will be getting at least an extra £8 billion a year by 2020.

To ensure the NHS is safeguarded for the long term, we will commission a non-partisan Fundamental Review of NHS and social care funding.

National Minimum Wage Increase Welcomed by Cahal Burke (Parliamentary Candidate for Colne Valley).
The Coalition Government has agreed to increases in the National Minimum Wage which are substantially above inflation and are the biggest rises since 2008.

– The adult rate has risen 20p to £6.70 an hour.
– The young persons rate has risen 17p to £5.30 an hour.
– The apprentice rate has risen 57p to £3.30 an hour.

The rises have been welcomed by Cahal Burke, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Colne Valley who said, “The National Minimum Wage is on course to go over £8 during the next Parliament. The latest rise show that more people are enjoying the benefits of the economic recovery.

“I am especially pleased that the amount apprentices receive is to rise by 57p to £3.30. In Government, Liberal Democrats have doubled to 2 million the number of young people who have taken on an apprenticeship. By raising the pay they get, we are making apprenticeships even more attractive.

“As the economy recovers from the chaos and mess left by Labour, we will need more trained people in the economy. Increasing the number of apprenticeships will help us address skill shortages”.

“If we are in Government in the next Parliament, Liberal Democrats will double yet again the number of apprenticeships to 4 million.”

Liberal Democrats select Cahal Burke as Parliamentary candidate for Colne Valley

Cllr Cahal Burke of Lindley Ward has been selected by Colne Valley Liberal Democrats to fight the Constituency seat in the upcoming General Election.

A former teacher, Cahal was elected to Kirklees Council for the first time in May 2010, being returned for a second time in last May Local Elections with a 1144 vote majority.

Chair of Lindley Community Group, a volunteer organisation responsible for Lindley Carnival and Lindley 10K, Cahal is well respected in the constituency for his hard work as a local councillor and he hopes this will translate to support at this year’s General Election.

As well as running for parliament, Cllr Burke will be supporting Lib Dem colleague Richard Eastwood in his campaign to be elected at a Lindley Councillor for the first time.

Cllr Burke said:

“I am delighted to have been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Colne Valley and I look forward to fighting a positive campaign based on my track record and the positive things Liberal Democrats have achieved in Government.

It is quite clear that the majority of the fair, constructive and progressive Government policy that has emerged over the last five years has come from the Liberal Democrats. Our income tax policy, for example, has given 26 million people a £800 a year tax cut. Our focus on apprenticeships has given 1.8 million people the opportunity to learn a trade or skill and build a better life for themselves. Our introduction of free school meals and the Pupil Premium has helped create an even playing field for millions of disadvantaged youngsters. And our prioritisation of funding for mental health services has ensured people get the help they need, when they need it. All of these policies are fair, empowering and progressive and would not have happened without Liberal Democrats in Government. There is a great deal we can be proud of and deserve credit for including stepping forward to give the UK a stable Government following the financial crisis; delivering the country back to growth and holding back the worst excesses of the Tories. Looking to the future, I want to see a UK Government that enables people to take charge of their lives and fulfill their potential in a free, fair and open society.

My priorities include:

– Making certain NHS funding is increased by £8bn in real terms by 2020 which the Liberal Democrats are the only party committed to making happen

– Reducing the cost of living via the introduction and/or expansion of further socially progressive policies such as income tax cuts for low and medium earners, affordable and free child care and free school meals.

– Creating a better controlled immigration system with exit checks. The coalition has already helped cut immigration by a third and ensured that skilled migrants are able to live and work in the UK easily but more needs to be done

– Ensuring young children have the support they need to succeed in later life by introducing and expanding socially progressive policies like the pupil premium and free & affordable child care.”

Find out more about Cahal Burke: http://cahalburke.mycouncillor.org.uk/about/

Cllr Cahal Burke campaigning to protect Lindley Library.

Residents interested in getting involved in the running of Lindley Library are being asked to attend one of two public meetings taking place at the end of January.

At the meeting residents will discuss and agree plans for the future of the village Library as well as having the opportunity to put their names down as a Library Volunteer.

Arranged by Cllr Cahal Burke (Lib Dem, Lindley) and Library staff, the meetings are being held at the Library on Lidget Street as follows:

– Monday 26 January (14.00-15.00)
– Thursday 29 January (19.45-20.45)

The meetings will be attended the Library’s local Area Manager Kathryn Harrison and Cllr Cahal Burke.

Attendees will also have the chance to ask questions about the twelve week library consultation that Kirklees launched on the 19th January.

The future of all Libraries across Kirklees is currently uncertain as the Council is yet to decide how it will cope with budget reductions. The Council is considering three options for the future of local libraries including: Town Libraries, Community Supported and Community Run, with the possibility of book-drops in some locations.

The Council began a twelve week public consultation concerning the proposals on the 19th January 2015. More details about the proposed models are available on the library website and can be accessed via http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/leisure/libraries.

Cllr Cahal Burke (Lib Dem, Lindley) said:

“Lindley Library plays a really important role within the village and the ward and residents are 100% behind it being retained. We had a great turn out in September when we held the first meeting and it is vital that everyone interested makes time to attend again. We have made certain to hold both a daytime and an evening meeting so that everyone has a chance to come along and get involved. Lindley Library is among the best used libraries in the whole of Kirklees and must remain open. It is not only a place to borrow books, it provides access to IT facilities; the internet; council services; advice, information and support as well as being the base for many community activities. It also provides people who are socially isolated with a place to go and meet with others. People of all ages use the library and its loss would be felt by all residents. As a community we need to be creative and flexible in our planning for the future and the more people we have involved in that process the better. I know that the people of Lindley have the skills, experience and energy we need to make certain Lindley Library remains at the heart of our community for many years to come and as such I am confident both of an excellent turn out and a committed and determined response from local people.”

Residents can also drop in and see the Libraries Manager to discuss the Libraries Consultation at Lindley Library on Thursday 5th February between 14.00-16.00pm.

Organisers of Lindley 10k 2015 have announced that Huddersfield Down Syndrome Support Group (HDSSG) will be the charity running event’s principle beneficiary in its third year.

Whilst runners are completely free to select their own charity, the event organisers will be encouraging people to raise money for the Huddersfield based support group both at the 10K and at Lindley Carnival which takes place the day before.

HDSSG was founded over 20 years ago and arranges social, sporting and educational events and activities for children with Down Syndrome and their families. It is run on a voluntary basis by parents of children with Down syndrome. The Group currently has over 50 members and is continually trying to expand the range of activities, experiences and support it can provide.

Previous beneficiaries of Lindley 10K include the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice and Whizz-kidz.

Leanne Davies from Huddersfield Down Syndrome Support Group said:
“We are delighted that Lindley Community Group has selected HDSSG to be the beneficiary of the upcoming events. We are currently fundraising to continue our programme of activities which include monthly speech therapy and hydrotherapy sessions. We are also hoping to launch a new publication to help siblings of children with Down Syndrome which will be included in our ‘new family’ packs in 2015. We are very grateful for the opportunity to raise the profile of our group and to hopefully break some common misconceptions surrounding people with Down Syndrome. With the right support, our children are achieving more than ever before and coupled with the continuing commitment of HDSSG members and families we are ensuring our children are fully included in our wonderfully diverse society!”

Lindley 10K was founded by Lindley Community Group in 2013 and continues to be organised by the Community Group Volunteers working in partnership with local schools, other community groups, local running clubs and Kirklees Integrated Youth Support.

This year the event will take place on June 28th, the day after Lindley’s annual summer Carnival. 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 the 10k will begin.

Full details of the running route and how people can get involved as a runner or helper will be made available on the 10K website http://www.lindley10k.org.uk People can also contact Cllr Cahal Burke, Chair of Lindley Community Group.

Cllr Cahal Burke – one of the founding members of Lindley Community Group – said:

“We are delighted to announce Huddersfield Down Syndrome Support Group as the main beneficiary of Lindley 10K in 2015. It’s a fantastic group run entirely by parent volunteers and they are hugely deserving of our support. Hopefully we raise a lot of money for them on the day.

Despite entering our third year, Lindley 10K still relies on the hard work and commitment of many volunteers and the backing of local businesses. Without them it simply would not happen and I ask that anyone interested in getting involved has a look at the website or gets in touch with me to find out more.

It really is wonderful event that engages the whole community in something positive whilst promoting sports and healthy living and I encourage as people, groups and businesses to get involved and help us to make this year’s 10K an even bigger success.”

Richard Eastwood presented a petition to full Council at Huddersfield Town Hall signed by nearly 1,000 residents opposing the Grimescar Valley and Lindley Moor planning applications.

You can still sign the petitions online below. Remember 100 of the same comments to planning only count as one planning reason for refusal, a petition shows the number of people in the area that oppose the applications.

It is time to Save Grimescar Valley and Lindley Moor.

http://signme.org.uk/683

http://signme.org.uk/929