Annual Report 2013-2014: Cllr Viv Kendrick

As usual this has been a very busy year with a wide range of different challenges and experiences, added to the lead up to the local government elections.

During the year I have been involved in the refurbishment meetings at Brighton Street, which has resulted with the bungalows being completely finished – new pitched roofs, proper insulation, re sited electricity fuse boxes, new boilers etc.

A case referred to me, resulted in us identifying that the Armed Forces Community Covenant, which the Council had signed up to, did not fully encompass all aspects of resettlement in the Kirklees area.  The outcome of the case not only enabled me to assist a family and the educational needs of their children, but also ensured that we could amend the covenant to cover these aspects.

I had great pleasure in being invited to Leeside School, to present the prize for the best illustration on a mug as part of the anti-loan shark campaign, which the children had been working on.

I was invited to Norristhorpe School on several occasions, particularly in relation to the cycling, scooter and walking initiatives they have been involved in.  The work that Street Bikes and Sustrans have done with the children is impressive, as is the commitment of staff at Norristhorpe in developing and adopting these initiatives.  A high point of this work was presenting the Sustrans award to Norristhorpe School, the first school in Kirklees to achieve this.

Other key celebrations in the ward were the special open day at Strawberry Square to meet with residents and to view the improvements made, which was a result of consultations between residents and KNH; and the official opening of Meadow Green on Dale Lane, which is an extra care housing project.

We have had an all-party group of councillors from all three wards in the Spen Valley, meeting to work on ideas and plans to ensure that Spen Swimming Pool is replaced, as the current building comes to the end of its’ life as a suitable and safe environment.  The plan is also to develop the site to provide a larger sports centre facility.

I have dealt with a wide range of casework, including school appeals, benefit issues, housing problems, anti-social behaviour etc. and continued my work as chair of the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Panel and chair of the Children’s Centre Advisory Board for Heckmondwike and Cleckheaton.

 
I have been delighted this year to see the finalisation of plans for the Bus Hub in Heckmondwike and look forward to the improved flow of traffic through the centre.

The coming year and following years present tough challenges across Kirklees including Heckmondwike, as the Council faces huge government cuts to funding.  With a cut of 40% of its income, the Council cannot possibly provide everything that it has in the past. 

Local Community Group and Organisations

I have attended a wide range of groups in the community, including Tenants & Residents Associations in Heckmondwike, Batley & Spen Tenants & Residents Committees, Pensioners Luncheon Clubs, Neighbourhood Management Group and Heckmondwike Ward Meetings.

Council Meetings and Committees

I have attended Council Meetings, Chaired the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Panel meetings, attended the Spen Valley Area Committee Meetings, Fostering Panel, chaired the Children’s Centre Advisory Board Meetings, School Transport Appeals, Overview & Scrutiny Management Meetings, Safer Places Meetings, TB Task Group.

I have attended meetings with outside bodies as follows: Sustrans Meetings, HealthWatch, meetings with the Hospital trusts, the Clinical Commissioning Groups, Kirklees Schools Services Board meetings as a Director, Fusion Housing, West Yorkshire Scrutiny events, meetings with Locala, SWYFT, Yorkshire Ambulance Service Board Meeting, Dept. of Health Gateway Review.

Training or learning I have undertaken

Training and learning I have undertaken include: Health Scrutiny Training, Financial Fitness, Y & H Local Government Day, Safeguarding Conference, Foster Panel Appraisal and Foster Panel training, Legal Matters Training and Equality Training.