Annual Report 2014-2015: Cllr Viv Kendrick

I didn’t think my year could be any busier than the last but since taking on the Cabinet portfolio for Adult Social Care & Public Health, and Chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board, I have been proved wrong.  However, I continued to deal with more casework both from residents in the ward but also across Kirklees, in cases relating to social care.  Much more of the enquiries and issues that I receive are coming by email (viv.kendrick@kirklees.gov.uk ) but I still get some via telephone (07747791686) – please leave a message and I will get back to you.

I have dealt with cases for families in crisis, such as issues around domestic violence, families suddenly  losing income through illness/disability, unemployment, bereavement etc. as well as less urgent but just as important issues such as problems with anti-social behaviour, planning complaints, school transport and school admissions appeals etc. 

I was proud and impressed to see the Kirklees Campaign against domestic violence – “It’s Never OK”

http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/community/yourneighbourhood/crimeSafety/domesticViolence/abuseTypes.aspx

You can view the short video clips about this via the link above.

I was particularly pleased to be asked to attend and speak at a White Ribbon event at Carlton School in Dewsbury.  The White Ribbon campaign highlights the need to stand against violence to women.

I have enjoyed attending a number of local events and meetings and was particularly pleased to be involved in the setting up of a Tenants & Residents Association(TRA) at Meadow Green, extra care housing and try to attend TRA meetings there and at Brighton St TRA & New North TRA, as much as I can.  I have also attended Batley & Spen Tenant & Residents Committees.

I have attended several estate inspections although when the dates and times clash with other meetings, I have had to send my apologies.  Throughout the year there have been a range of events and celebrations in across the ward which I have really enjoyed attending and meeting local people, such as TRA summer fairs and Christmas celebrations, The Petanque Club events, Pensioner Group celebrations, McMillan Coffee mornings, Women’s Dinner event at the Al-Hikmah Centre etc.

I welcomed the opening of the Heckmondwike Bus Hub, which has been long awaited and although there have been some teething problems, I think there has been a great benefit to travellers on both public transport and in cars, as well as improving the site.

Yet again the Crown of Lights Festival in Heckmondwike was a great success and all three of us as ward councillors were happy to support the funding proposal for this, which came to District Committee.

I hope the noticeboard, that we have had put up in the memorial park will continue to provide information on local events.

I have been happy to support the establishment of Batley Food Bank, which serves the wider area in North Kirklees.   However, I was deeply saddened that in the 7^th wealthiest country we have needed to provide food parcels for our local people.

I attended a range of local events, such as: The opening of the Mencap Drop-in Centre in Dewsbury, Kirklees Primary School’s Music Festival, PALS 20^th Anniversary celebrations at Spen, Colne Valley and Colne Valley Sports Centres, KFTRA Better Places to Live Event, The Assistive Technology Showcase, The opening of Sandy Mount Extra Care Housing, Kirklees Older People’s Network, Kirklees Autism event, the launch of the new Safer Places project to include people with dementia, and the launch of Kirklees Restorative Community Safety Partnership by HRH the Princess Royal.

I had a number of meetings with various organisations such as HealthWatch, North Kirklees and Greater Huddersfield Clinical Commissioning Groups, NHS England, Locala, community and voluntary groups.

What will be the challenges be for me and the communities I represent this year?

The challenges we face for the coming year will how we protect the most vulnerable in our communities, particularly the elderly , sick and disabled, carers and young people whilst at the same time meeting the demands to reduce the Council budget.

Local Community Group and Organisations

• Brighton Street TRA
• New North Road TRA
• Meadow Green TRA
• Estate inspections
• Heckmondwike/Cleckheaton Children’s Centre Advisory Board
• Neighbourhood Management Group
• Ward Meetings
• KNH Annual Fun Day
• Stronger Families Partnership Board

Council Meetings and Committees

• Full Council Meetings
• Cabinet Meetings
• Batley & Spen Valley District Committee
• Health & Wellbeing Board
• Fostering Panel
• Community Safety Partnership
• Health Protection Board
• Cabinet Away Days
• Stronger Families Partnership Board

Outside Bodies

• Fusion Housing AGM & ‘Through the Cupboard Project’
• Huddersfield Mission ‘Ethics of the Food Parcel’ & launch of Food Poverty DVD
• Castle & Minster Board Meeting
• Kirklees Schools Services Ltd
• Labour Group Housing Seminar

Training or learning I have undertaken

• Training for Councillors on legal matters, conduct and standards
• Healthy People, healthy economy consultation/engagement event at the Hudawi Centre
• Decision Making, delivered by Leeds University Business School
• Health & Wellbeing Resilience Workshop
• Health & Wellbeing Board development sessions
• West Yorkshire Adult Social Care portfolio holders meetings
• National Children & Adults Social Care Conference
• Yorkshire & Humber Peer Review Training
• West Yorkshire Air Quality & Health Strategy Project
• Visit to the police and drug and alcohol services
• Drugs Training workshop
• Training on human trafficking issues
• Councillor development training on safeguarding
• Public Health Peer Review Assessment Day