Mortgages And Loans – Help And Advice - NHS Kirklees

Together
January - February 2011
What’s on!
Mortgages and loans
- help and advice
Have your say on
jobs and homes
www.kirklees.gov.uk Together • 1

Welcome
This is a time where we need to look forward and focus on
creating the conditions for business and enterprise to thrive in
Kirklees.
Your council is working hard to support businesses in this recession
for the sake of jobs and the local economy. For example, we
safeguarded nearly 500 jobs by supporting local manufacturers
over the past 15 months. And over 100 jobs have been created by
businesses in the council’s enterprise centres over the past year.
We are working together with 100 of the major employers in
Kirklees, supporting them to survive and grow. One success story
is leading local company, Birkby’s Plastics. Working in partnership
with Yorkshire Forward, we were able to help them to increase their
sales and get back on-track after being hit by the recession. See
their story on page 19.
We brought almost 200 long- term unemployed people back
into work through the Future Jobs Fund and we are committed
to helping them further by developing apprenticeship schemes
with local employers. Find out how some of these apprentices are
progressing on page 4.
The ‘build’ scheme – which is part of the council - provides
training courses in the construction industry for local unemployed
people aged 17 and upwards. Trainees gain industry recognised
qualifications and skills to help them get jobs. Some of the trainees
tell their success stories on page 6.
And your council is working with Breathing Space to help people
who are struggling to pay their mortgage in these hard times. See
page 3 to find out how we helped Simon when he was threatened
with homelessness because of a shortfall of £1,100 in his mortgage
payments.
Looking ahead to the school half-term holiday next month, there
are lots of events taking place for children and families throughout
Kirklees. Don’t miss the ‘What’s on’ pages in the
middle of your magazine.
In your ‘Together’
Help with mortgages ................................3
A brighter future for young people ..........4
Could you be a foster carer? ....................5
Trainees’ success stories .........................6
Help to manage your money ....................7
Help for older people ................................8
What’s on ..............................................9-13
Winter health hints............................14-15
You said, we did ...................................... 16
A rural walk ............................................ 17
Census 2011 ........................................... 18
Helping businesses ................................ 19
Youth councillors .................................... 20
Have your say on jobs and homes ....21-23
Your magazine is printed on
100% recycled paper.
Editor: Janet Parkin
together@kirklees.gov.uk
01484 221000
www.kirklees.gov.uk
Find us on Facebook and
follow us on Twitter.
Cllr Mehboob Khan
The Leader of Kirklees Council
See Health Talk on pages 14 and 15

Helping you keep your home
Simon’s story
Simon had owned his own home since March
2005. He lived with his long-term partner who
helped meet the bills. But their relationship
ended and she left. And then, Simon lost his job.
Simon had never been in mortgage arrears
before and he began struggling to meet his
repayments.
The Department of Work and Pensions gave him
mortgage interest relief and his mum helped him
meet the rest of the monthly mortgage payments.
However, Simon still owed £1,100 and his lender
applied to court for a Possession Order.
Simon asked the council for help. He didn’t qualify
for the government’s Mortgage Rescue Scheme.
However, he did meet the criteria for Breathing
Space, which is available across Yorkshire and
Humberside.
If you are in danger of losing your home or being evicted,
Kirklees Council might be able to help you.
One of the options – if you meet the criteria - is Breathing
Space, an interest free, secured, fixed-term loan to help
you to pay your mortgage.
Breathing Space helped Simon to avoid repossession.
Breathing Space is an interest free, secured loan for
a fixed period of three years after which it must be
repaid in full. You are expected to be able to pay your
mortgage in the future or to sell your property during
the three year period.
Simon didn’t want his house to be repossessed - he
wanted to be able to sell it himself. Breathing Space
gave him time to do that.
The loan cleared his arrears, paid 11 instalments on his
mortgage account and helped to avoid repossession.
i Civic Centre 3, High Street, Huddersfield 01484 221350
Dewsbury Town Hall, Town Hall Way, Dewsbury 01924 324310
Picture posed by model
www.kirklees.gov.uk Together • 3

Dan at work
A total of 433 jobs have been created in Kirklees so far –
thanks to the Future Jobs Fund. Nearly half of those who
completed the programme have got a job or gone forward into
training or education.
Among those who employed Future Jobs Fund trainees were:
Kirklees Council, the Forget Me Not Trust, Groundwork and Kirklees Active
Leisure.
A brighter
future for
young
people
Andy was so good at selling items
on eBay from the Forget Me Not
Trust’s charity shops that the Trust
created a new, temporary job for him.
And, if he can make enough money
for the Trust, they will make the job
permanent.
Sarah Herrett, the Trust’s Head of
Fundraising, said: “If someone shows
potential then you’ve got to give them
a chance.”
The Forget Me Not Trust provides
care and support for children with
life-limiting conditions.
Ishmael was employed for over
five months as a landscape worker
with the Groundwork environmental
charity. He was part of a team which
provided environmental improvements
on British Waterways sites.
Supervisor Paul Craddock said:
“Ishmael developed his skill range
and levels of confidence whilst
producing industry standard
landscaping.”
As a result of this experience,
Ishmael found a career path
and started to apply for similar
landscaping roles.
Dan is a marketing assistant with
Kirklees Active Leisure, a charitable
trust which manages Kirklees
Council’s sports centres and
swimming pools.
Dan graduated in marketing in 2009
but he couldn’t find a job in the
economic downturn. He got his job
when he found out about the Future
Jobs Fund after being unemployed for
six months.
Dan said: “This job has given me
skills to put on my CV to complement
my degree. Everyone at Kirklees
Active Leisure has been a pleasure
to work with and to talk to. I am
extremely thankful that I was given
this opportunity.”
Together • 4
www.kirklees.gov.uk

Foster
Career
Have you ever thought about fostering?
Helen and her husband have a teenage son.
They were thinking about fostering when they
saw our adverts and asked for more information.
They decided to go ahead so our fostering worker visited
regularly to get to know them and make sure it was
right for them. They also attended a foster skills training
course. The whole process took around six months.
Helen and her husband both worked full time so Helen
reduced her hours to make more time for fostering. They’ve
now been foster carers for Kirklees Council for nearly four
years. They foster three children aged eight to 16.
Helen said: “It makes us feel so proud. They all achieve
different things such as learning to read, taking part in
school activities, doing well in lessons and even taking
on a part-time job. They are part of our family while
they’re with us. We set boundaries and they earn our
trust. We are very strict with manners.
“We really enjoy looking after older children because
they’re that little bit more independent. The oldest
cooks a family meal once a week and helps with the
washing. And we talk to the young people about the
importance of managing their money wisely.
“We have an active outdoor life which they thoroughly
enjoy. We go on holidays and regularly have weekend
and day trips away in this country.”
“Looking after teenagers can be hard work but the good
times far outweigh the bad. All the children take away
something they have learnt which makes us very proud.”
Over 230 Kirklees children are in care.
Many of them have to go to foster homes
outside the area because we’re short of
local carers.
Picture posed by models
i
If you would like to find out more about becoming
a foster carer, please call 0800 389 0086 or see
www.kirklees.gov.uk/fostering
www.kirklees.gov.uk Together • 5

Andy, Dale and Ishmael
joined ‘build’ when they were
unemployed to gain a qualification
in painting and decorating to help
them to get a job.
All three are now doing their City & Guilds
diploma level three in painting and decorating.
Each one has a different story to tell.
Andy is an experienced painter and decorator.
He was on sickness benefit and wanted a
qualification to further his career. When he
started his diploma with ‘build’, he discovered a
new career opportunity and intends to train to be
a teacher.
Andy said: “It was ‘build’ that gave me the
motivation to aim higher and want more.”
Dale is a family man. He lost his confidence when
he was unemployed and was referred to ‘build’ by
Jobcentre Plus.
Dale said: “Joining ‘build’ was the best decision
I could have made. My confidence improved, I
gained new trade skills, learned how to set goals
and received guidance on being self-employed.
I’ve decided to start my own business to provide
for my family in the future.”
Ishmael, aged 19, wanted to learn a trade and
establish a career.
He said: “When I started my diploma, there
were days when I didn’t feel like getting out of
bed but now I’m looking forward to carving out
a new future.”
‘build’ - which is part of
Kirklees Council – provides
training courses in the
construction industry for
local unemployed people
aged 17 upwards. Trainees
gain industry recognised
qualifications and skills
to help them get jobs.
They also gain health
and safety, first aid,
and manual handling,
certificates.
Andy
‘build’
trainees
set for
success
i 01484 223699
build@kirklees.gov.uk
Dale
Together • 6
Ishmael
www.kirklees.gov.uk

Help to manage
your money
More than 3,000 people have joined Castle & Minster
Credit Union since September 2008.
Castle & Minster is a not-for-profit organisation offering current accounts
to people who live in Kirklees. It is regulated by the Financial Services
Authority. You don’t need to have a job or to pay a large deposit to join.
Keeley got a new washing machine
Keeley needed a loan to replace her washing machine. She was going to
see a doorstep lender but she took a friend’s advice and joined Castle &
Minster instead.
She borrowed £300 and repaid it over 20 weeks, at £16 a week, including
the £16 interest charge. Last time she borrowed £300, a doorstep lender
charged her £195 interest!
i
Keeley got a current account with Castle & Minister which she
couldn’t get with a bank because she didn’t have a driving licence or
passport to prove her identity. She now gets her benefit cheques paid
into her account and has stopped using an expensive cheque cashing
shop. She also pays her electricity bills by direct debit.
Aiden turned his life around
Aiden is dyslexic and struggled with school work. When
he was 14, he joined the credit union and saved some
of his spending money. Two years later, when he got
a Saturday job at a local garage, he saved most of his
earnings. By the time he was 18, he had saved £1,000.
Aiden wanted to spend a year abroad as a volunteer teacher.
Unfortunately, his parents couldn’t help with the cost because his
father was unemployed due to ill health. Aiden got a small grant with the
support of college and used his credit union savings for the rest.
Aiden returned home with new skills and more self-confidence.
He gained a university degree.
When he was a student, he continued to save £2 a week with the credit
union and saved enough money for a deposit on a rented flat.
He now has a full-time job and his future looks settled – all with the help
of his Castle & Minster savings.
Can Castle & Minster help you?
Huddersfield: 01484 226666
Dewsbury: 01924 465821
Batley: 01924 475680
Please quote KTDEC10 when you speak to an adviser.
www.kirklees.gov.uk Together • 7

Kirklees Council provides
many services to help older
people and people with
disabilities to continue to live
in their own home. These
include home care, and
Carephone equipment and
technology, so that they can
call for help at any time in an
emergency.
Helping older people stay safe
in their own homes
Picture posed by model
Mary is 99-years-old and
determined to stay in her own home
in Huddersfield.
Her grandson, Andrew, said:
“Grandad passed away in 1970 and
the family were builders. They said:
‘Let’s move Grandma out. We’ll build
her a bungalow.’ They went ahead
and built it but Grandma said: ‘No, I
want to stay here.”
Carephone equipment
and technology
Together • 8
Mary’s family spend a lot of
time caring for her and she also
receives four home care visits
a day. Andrew said: “We stay
involved and we know her care
workers by name.”
Mary had to go to hospital after a
fall and her family were concerned
about her falling again. To help keep
Mary safe, your council provided her
with sensors - one in her chair and
another in her bed.
If she is not in either place after a
certain length of time, the sensors
automatically contact our specially
trained staff in the 24-hour control
centre. Our staff will then contact
Mary, her son, or another family
member to check that she is safe.
Home safety
Over 6,000 people in Kirklees keep
their independence and continue to
live in their own homes because of
Carephone equipment and technology.
It includes an alarm button to carry
with you to press to call for help in an
emergency. It also includes monitored
smoke and carbon monoxide
detectors; and other equipment to suit
each individual, for example Mary’s
chair and bed sensors.
When someone has the technology
installed in their home, they choose
which relatives, friends or carers
they would like to be contacted in an
emergency.
i
If you think Carephone equipment
and technology could help you –
or someone you know – please
contact Gateway to care:
01484 414933
gatewaytocare@kirklees.gov.uk
or see
www.kirklees.gov.uk/carephones
www.kirklees.gov.uk

see what’s on
www.kirklees.gov.uk/events
For a full list of events, please call
01484 234000 and ask for a copy of
‘Kirklees What’s on’ or see
www.kirklees.gov.uk/events
Lots of different events are held in Kirklees all the
year round – and many of them are free. If there is
anything here that you would like to attend, please
check in case changes have been made since your
magazine was printed. A phone number, website or www.kirklees.gov.uk/events
email address is listed for each one.
Celebrate together
Here are some of the festivals taking place in the
next few weeks:
St Valentine’s Day
Monday, February 14
There are at least three different saints named Valentine.
Milad un Nabi
Tuesday, February 15
This is the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Mahashivratri
Thursday, March 3
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the deities of the
Hindu Trinity.
Pancake Day
Tuesday, March 8
Also called Shrove Tuesday and
Mardi Gras!
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, March 9
The first day of Lent for Western Christian
churches. Lent is the season marking
the time Jesus spent in
the wilderness. Will you
give up anything for Lent?
Chocolate?
i Local faiths forum 01924 324836
www.kirkleesfaithsforum.org.uk
Statue of Lord Shiva
www.kirklees.gov.uk Together • 9

see what’s on
www.kirklees.gov.uk/events
National Storytelling Week
Saturday, January 29 to Saturday, February 5
Check out your local library and information centre to
find out what’s on in your area.
www.kirklees.gov.uk/events
Organ Concerts
Peter King on Monday, January 24, 1pm
Thomas Trotter on Monday, February 14, 1pm
Dr Gordon Stewart on Monday, March 7, 1pm
Huddersfield Town Hall
Tickets £4 (£3 concessions) from Huddersfield Town
Hall Box Office on 01484 223200
The Toys’ Stories
Sunday, January 30, 1 - 4pm
Dewsbury Museum, Crow Nest Park, Heckmondwike
Road, Dewsbury
Part of National Storytelling Week.
50p per child (5-16 years),Kirklees Passport holders free.
01924 325100
Wood burning stoves – free breakfast seminar
Wednesday, February 2, 8.30am with food
available from 8am
Free
The Textile Centre, off Leeds Road,
Huddersfield
For all stove manufacturers, retailers, installers, architects
and solid fuel merchants, this event is organised by
Kirklees and Calderdale Councils, in conjunction with West
Yorkshire Trading Standards and White Rose Forest. It
aims to help them to ‘stay green and legal’.
To book a place on the seminar, contact Claire Hoyles
on 07528 252404, claire.hoyles@kirklees.gov.uk
13 Moons
Until Wednesday, February 2
Batley Art Gallery, Market Place, Batley
An exhibition by the Yorkshire Sculptors Group.
01924 326021 for opening hours
Dr Gordon Stewart
Red House Craft Bee
Saturday, January 29 and Saturday, February 26, 1-4pm
Red House Museum, Oxford Road, Gomersal,
Cleckheaton, BD19 4JP
A new monthly craft group. Access by stairs only.
01274 872224
Free
Art in the Barn
Saturday, January 29, to Saturday, February 12,
12noon - 5pm
The Visitor Centre Barn, Oakwell Hall Country Park,
Nutter Lane, Birstall
Original work from local artists, annual exhibition and sale.
01924 326240
Free
Walk on Imbolc Day
Tuesday, February 1, 12 noon - 3pm
Castle Hill, Hillside, off Lumb Lane, Almondbury
One of the main celebrations in the ancient calendar, see
the first signs of spring on this six mile walk.
Booking essential 07968 426312
Free
Together • 10
www.kirklees.gov.uk

Northern Sinfonia -
‘A little night music’
Thursday, February 3, 7.30pm
Dewsbury Town Hall, Wakefield Old Road, Dewsbury
Part of the ‘Recommended by Classic FM’ series with
music by Mozart, Grieg and Tchaikovsky.
www.kirklees.gov.uk/townhalls
01484 223200
Learn how to prune apple trees
Saturday, February 5, 10am – 2pm
Lane Top Allotments, Lane Top, Hoyle Ings, Linthwaite
Booking essential 01484 234083
Dewsbury Arts Group Spring Exhibition
Saturday, February 5 until Saturday, March 19
Batley Art Gallery, Market Place, Batley
01924 326021 for opening times
Oranges and Lemons
Saturday, February 5, and Sunday,
February 6, 2-5pm
Colne Valley Museum, Cliffe Ash,
Golcar, Huddersfield
Join Mrs Pearson in her Victorian kitchen
to make marmalade in the traditional way.
01484 659762
Free
Free
Marsden Imbolc Fire Festival
Saturday, February 5, 7pm
Ancient Celtic festival, marking the first signs of
spring. It features storytelling evenings, lantern
making workshops, and a procession culminating in a
spectacular performance where - with fire, music and
giant puppets - Winter and Spring enact the eternal
battle for life.
01484 845595
jellabg@hotmail.com
Huddersfield Music Society Concerts
Monday, February 7, and Monday, March 21, 7.30pm
St Paul’s Hall, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate,
Huddersfield
Chamber music recitals.
Tickets £16, students £3
David Allsopp 01484 688105
Robin Hill - Lunchtime Chamber Concert
Wednesday, February 9, 12.30pm
Dewsbury Town Hall, Wakefield Old Road, Dewsbury
Guitar music.
Dewsbury Town Hall Box Office
01924 324501
Oakwell Nature Club -
Bird Boxes and Feeders
Saturday, February 12, 10am - 12noon
Oakwell Hall Country Park, Nutter Lane,
Birstall
Discover our wildlife rich country park - for
children 12 years and under.
Booking essential, £1 per child, 01924 326240
Winter Tree Walk
Sunday, February 13, 1 - 3pm
Oakwell Hall Country Park, Nutter Lane, Birstall
Guided walk to help you identify different common trees.
Booking essential 01924 326240
Free
Chop, Cut and Slay - again!
Wednesday, February 16, 9.30am - 3.30pm
Castle Hill, Hillside, off Lumb Lane, Almondbury
Help tackle the scrub and trees which are encroaching
on Castle Hill.
Booking essential 01484 234073
Free
Mrs Sunderland Music Competition
Friday, February 18, to Saturday, February 26
Huddersfield Town Hall
Join the audience at Huddersfield’s annual
celebration of music, speech and drama.
www.mrs-sunderlandmusic.org.uk
01484 666205
www.kirklees.gov.uk Together • 11

see what’s on
www.kirklees.gov.uk/events
Half-term activities
Check out your local library, museum or sports centre
for loads of exciting activities during this school holiday.
Bring a Grandparent to the Museum Day
Dewsbury Museum, Crow Nest Park,
Heckmondwike Road, Dewsbury
Sunday, February 20, 11 - 1pm and 2 - 4pm
Bring a grandparent or an older person in
your family to the museum. Can they bring
a special object to share and a story that
goes with it?
01924 325100
Free
Holiday History
Thursday, February 24, 11am - 1pm or 2 - 4pm
Tolson Museum, Ravensknowle Park, Wakefield Road,
Huddersfield
Looking at local surroundings with fun crafts,
photographs, maps and puzzles.
50p entry fee per child (5-16 yrs),
Kirklees Passport holders free
Art Attack II
Thursday, February 24, 11am - 1pm or 2 - 4pm
Bagshaw Museum, Wilton Park, Batley
Create your own masterpiece - for 7 - 15 year olds.
50p entry, Kirklees Passport holders free
01924 326155
Period Activities Week
Monday, February 21 - Friday, February 25, 11am - 4pm
Red House Museum, Oxford Road, Gomersal,
Cleckheaton
Free
Family fun with crafts and games
01274 335100
Recycled into life
Tuesday, February 22, 11am - 1pm and 2 - 4pm
Bagshaw Museum, Wilton Park, Batley
Celebrate the town’s pioneering heritage by recycling old
pots into works of art.
50p entry fee per child (5-16 yrs),
Kirklees Passport holders free
01924 326155
It is Rocket Science!
Wednesday, February 23, 10am- 12noon or 1- 3pm
Oakwell Hall Country Park, Nutter Lane, Birstall
Learn how to build and fly your own rocket using simple
technology.
Booking essential 01924 326240
50p entry fee per child (5-16 yrs),
Kirklees Passport holders free
Victorian Crime and Punishment
Friday, February 25, 10.30am - 12.30pm and 2 - 4pm
Dewsbury Museum, Crow Nest Park,
Heckmondwike Road, Dewsbury
Themed crafts and activities for all the family.
50p per child (5-16 years),
Kirklees Passport holders free
01924 325100
Spirit
Friday, February 25, 7pm,
Dewsbury town centre
Spirit is Dewsbury’s annual street theatre show,
put on by Kirklees Council and performed to
thousands in the town centre. This year’s show,
Herbert’s Dream, has been performed in over 100
different countries and begins with a procession
around the town, led by mysterious stilted figures.
Audiences will be amazed as the figures grow and
transform throughout the procession, ending with
a fantastic finale in front of the Town Hall. The
show was created by Compagnie
des Quidams & Inko’Nito and the
performance is free.
www.kirklees.gov.uk/spirit
Free
Together • 12
www.kirklees.gov.uk

Free
Slaithwaite Moonraking Festival
Saturday, February 26, 6.30pm, Slaithwaite
The villagers of Slaithwaite celebrate ‘moonraking’ with
lanterns, storytelling, bands, music, dancing and rakes.
The festival dates back to a dark and cloudy evening in
1802 when villagers using long rakes were collecting
contraband rum secreted in the reeds lining the canal.
When the clouds parted and the moon shone bright, they
were spotted by customs men who asked what they were
doing. A quick thinker replied: “Can’t you see - the moon
has fallen into the canal. We’re raking her out before she
drowns!” The customs men laughed - and left them to it.
www.slaithwaitemoonraking.org
Celebrating the Centenary of International
Women’s Day
Red House Museum, Oxford Rd, Gomersal,
Cleckheaton
Access by stairs only.
Mary Taylor: Strong-Minded Woman
Tuesday, March 1, to Thursday, March 31,
Free
Find out about 19th century feminist Mary Taylor,
of Red House, a friend of Charlotte Brontë.
Florence Nightingale: Respectable Rebel
Sunday, March 6, 2pm
Explore the life and times of this extraordinary pioneer.
Booking essential Tickets £6.50
(Kirklees Passport £5.50)
01274 335100
Stainer - Crucifixion
Saturday, March 5, 7.30pm
Workshop 4pm-6pm
Huddersfield Town Hall, Ramsden Street, Huddersfield
Huddersfield Choral Society Concert conducted by
Joseph Cullen with organist Darius Battiwalla.
www.huddersfieldchoral.com
Stones in His Pockets
Tuesday, March 8, to Saturday, March 12,
7.45pm, Saturday matinee 2pm
Syngenta Cellar, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
Huddersfield Thespians present this drama about a rural
town in Ireland that is overrun by a Hollywood film crew.
Tickets £8 plus concessions. Box Office 01484 430528
Amanda Babington and friends -
Lunchtime Chamber Concert
Wednesday, March 9, 12.30pm
Dewsbury Town Hall, Wakefield Old Road, Dewsbury
Dewsbury Town Hall Box Office 01924 324501
Bjorn Again Spring Break 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 7.30pm
Huddersfield Town Hall, Ramsden Street, Huddersfield
Tickets £18.50 plus concessions
Kirklees Booking Offices
Booking a town hall event?
Contact Kirklees Booking Offices
01484 223200
01924 324501
01484 222444
Book your seats online at
www.kirklees.gov.uk/townhalls
The Magic of Motown
Thursday, March 3, 7.30pm
Huddersfield Town Hall, Ramsden Street,
Huddersfield
Smash hit concert show from the States,
fresh from sell-out shows in London.
Tickets all £19.50
from Kirklees Booking Offices
www.kirklees.gov.uk Together • 13

...with Dr Judith Hooper...
Director of Public Health, NHS Kirklees and Kirklees Council
Beginning a new year always has us reflecting on the healthy improvements we want
to make for ourselves in the coming year. You don’t need a wellness retreat in the
mountains or a spa holiday in the tropics to get started – simply follow these January
health hints, make sure you keep warm and well, access our self care portal and, if you
smoke, why not plan your quit attempt for No Smoking Day on Wednesday, March 9?
If you do become unwell or are injured, make
sure you choose the right NHS service to get the
right treatment for you. For information
on making the right choice about your
care, including a useful information
leaflet, please go to www.kirklees.nhs.
uk/your-health/choose-well
Helping yourself to better
health…
Want to improve your health and well being? You can do
this through our new self care portal. It also provides
information about how to live with a long term condition
through helping you to:
• access skills courses
• access equipment to make your life
easier
• find other people with a similar
condition to talk to
•
plan your care
Go to
www.kirklees.nhs.uk/selfcare
and feel the benefits!
For our delicious winter beef and
vegetable casserole recipe, see
www.kirklees.nhs.uk/news/
kirklees-together-magazine and
select the ‘January’ issue.
Together • 14
www.kirklees.nhs.uk

Time to quit
No Smoking Day on Wednesday,
March 9, is a good time to stop
smoking along with millions of other
people. Make an appointment to
start planning to quit at your local
stop smoking service in Kirklees:
Dewsbury/Batley/Spenborough:
01924 351498
Huddersfield:
01484 344285
You are four times more
likely to succeed in stopping
smoking if you take advantage
of this local support. Even
if you’ve tried to quit many
times in the past it doesn’t
matter – in fact, that just
means you have a great deal
of experience in quitting
smoking that can help in
your planning!
Take advantage of the
online support forum
www.wequit.co.uk where
you can share your stop smoking experiences
with friends and other quitters.
Keep warm,
keep well
In this cold winter weather, the risks of
catching a cold or flu are much greater
so it’s essential to keep warm.
These simple steps should help you:
During the day:
•
wrap up when you go outside
•
set your thermostat to 21° centigrade
and heat all of the rooms that you use
throughout the day
• heat your bedroom before going to bed.
At night:
• keep the temperature above 18°
centigrade in your bedroom overnight
•
wear plenty of thin layers, rather than
thick ones
•
wrap up when you go outside and
wear clothes made of wool, cotton or
fleecy synthetic fibres
•
stay warm in bed with bed socks
and thermal underwear.
www.kirklees.nhs.uk Together • 15

Tackling crime
A safer place to live
i
Look out for your local PACT meeting
Find out what the police and council are doing to tackle crime and
anti-social behaviour in your area at your local PACT meeting.
Use your postcode to read local news from your Neighbourhood
Policing Team. Find out about PACT meetings and sign up for free
email updates on
http://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/npt
People living in Chickenley,
Dewsbury, told a PACT (Partners
and Communities Together) meeting
of their concerns about anti-social
behaviour in their area.
As a result, Dewsbury and Mirfield
Neighbourhood Policing Team
organised a two-week campaign.
This led to seven arrests and
cannabis worth £15,000 being seized
in a cannabis factory in the basement
of a Chickenley home. Two 23-yearold
men were arrested.
Inspector Jenny Thompson, of the
Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:
“Neighbourhood policing teams
regularly patrol all our wards and
clampdown on anti-social behaviour
on estates throughout the year.
“Overall, crimes such as burglary
and damage have fallen when
compared to last year, and we
were also able to seize a significant
amount of cannabis and prevent that
from finding its way to the streets.”
The success of this campaign led to a
similar one taking place in Mirfield.
Bogus officials
Officers from Dewsbury and Mirfield
Neighbourhood Policing Team gave
crime prevention advice to vulnerable
residents after an increase in
burglaries by bogus officials
throughout West Yorkshire.
Burglars posing as workers from
utility companies con money from
victims on the doorstep and steal
property while pretending to carry out
work in their home.
Inspector Thompson advised
everyone throughout Kirklees to
always check the credentials of
workers calling at their homes
before letting them in.
The Dewsbury and Mirfield
Neighbourhood Policing Team
Police Community Support
Officer Heather Chester in
Chickenley giving updates
on Twitter.
Together • 16
www.kirklees.gov.uk

Let’s go!
A rural walk in Thornhill
Happy walking
This walk is part of the Pathways to Health series and takes about an hour.
Starting at Overthorpe Junior and
Infant School, with the school
behind you,turn right onto Edge
Top Road.
When you reach the Black
Horse pub, cross the road and,
continuing in the same direction,
go left down Briestfield Road. Take
the second left onto Low Road
and continue, as it turns into Edge
Junction, and then Albion Road.
Continue uphill. Walk around the
bend by Flat Top pub carrying on
up the hill. On the left hand side of
the road, opposite the post office, go
along the footpath and then take the
first left hand turn. This will bring you
out onto Edge View.
Walk along Edge View and along the
flagged path to Denby View, taking
time to sit on one of the benches and
enjoy the view. Then take the flagged
path to Grange View and walk along to
the end.
Take a right turn onto the footpath between 12
and 14 Grange View. This path zigzags up to
Overthorpe Avenue and comes out next to the
local shop. Turn left onto Overthorpe Avenue
then turn right onto Edge Top Road. Continue
back to the school.
Briestfield Road
Overthorpe
Junior and
Infant School
Low Farm
Mountain
Top
Cricket
Ground
Thorne
Low Road
Edge Top Road
Avenue
Overthorpe Avenue
Thorne Road
Bowling
Green
Cross Road
High Street
Overthorpe
Castle Crescent
Grange View
Thornhill Edge
Beck d wro
Howroyd Beck
r y
oy
Chapel Lane
Thornhill
Overthorpe
Park
Turnip Lane
Castle Mount
Castle
Mount
Denby View
School
Edge Ave n u e
Edge Junction Albion Rd.
For more walks of all types, see:
www.kirklees.gov.uk/healthwalks
or call 01484 234097.
www.kirklees.gov.uk Together • 17

Welcome to the Greenwood Centre
A brand new Library, Information and Children’s Centre –
the Greenwood Centre – has opened in Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury.
The Library and Information Centre offers council and community information, help
with completing council forms, free access to the internet and an excellent choice of
books.
The Sure Start Children’s Centre provides services and information for children and
their families. It includes a consultation room and also a kitchen, which can be used for
healthy eating promotions and cookery training.
Artists Lesley Fallais and Jane Revitt were commissioned
by arts agency Loca to involve local residents in developing
ideas for artworks and design features.
i Library and Information Centre: 01924 325040
greenwoodcentre.lic@kirklees.gov.uk
Sure Start Children’s Centre: 01924 456808
i
i
The Greenwood Centre is one of many Library and
Information Centres across Kirklees. To find your
nearest centre, see www.kirklees.gov.uk/libraries
For more information:
www.census.gov.uk
Helpline: 0300 0201 101
The 2011 Census is coming!
A census questionnaire will be delivered to
your home in March.
The census takes place every ten years to help the
government to work out the funding for schools, hospitals
and emergency services. Everyone needs to be counted to
make sure their community is properly represented in the
decision-making process.
For the first time, you can fill in your form online.
Alternatively, you can return your completed form free of
charge by post – no stamp is needed.
The form will be available online from
Friday, March 4, at www.census.gov.uk
It is a legal requirement to
complete and return your
form. Otherwise, you could
get a criminal record or
be fined up to £1,000.
Together • 18
www.kirklees.gov.uk

Helping businesses
With help from Kirklees Council and Yorkshire
Forward, a local company has seen its
business grow after being hit by the recession.
Birkby’s Plastics Ltd, based in Liversedge, is
celebrating a boost after winning new contracts and
expanding their expertise - only a year after being
severely hit by the recession.
Birkby’s design, manufacture and assemble components
for the car industry and supply global customers
including Honda, Toyota and BMW. From a peak of
450 employees before the recession, their fortunes
plummeted in 2009 leading to pay cuts, reduced shifts,
days of non-production and ultimately a reduction of over
200 staff due to the downturn.
Kirklees Council and Yorkshire Forward
helped them to identify new funding streams
to develop new products and supported them
during this difficult period. The company is now
back on-track having increased their sales and
re-employed over 100 of their staff.
The Chief Executive of Kirklees Council, Adrian Lythgo,
and the Leader of the Council, Cllr Mehboob Khan, visited
the company.
At work at Birkby’s Plastics
Cllr Khan said: “Kirklees has a reputation for excellence
in manufacturing, design and innovation and I am really
pleased that Birkby’s is showing resilience and building
its business. Kirklees Council helps hundreds of local
businesses each year and we have worked with many of
them to overcome the difficulties of the recession.”
Birkby’s Managing Director, Ian Parker, said:
“The past few years have been challenging for the
business but we’ve had a great deal of support from the
council and other agencies and thankfully been able to
pull through. We look forward to expanding our expertise
in the future.”
i
Kirklees Council offers advice and information
for businesses about:
• starting up or expanding your business,
• available sources of funding, and
• ways to develop your business.
business@kirklees.gov.uk
01484 221417
www.kirklees.gov.uk/business
i
www.birkbys.co.uk
www.kirklees.gov.uk Together • 19

Meet the youth councillors
Adam and Diza (pictured) represent Batley.
They organise a club for young people once
a fortnight. Dewsbury is represented by
Chantelle and Jenni.
Jess, Hannah, Aleena and Karandeep (pictured)
represent Huddersfield along with Tee Jay
and Chloe. They say: “We want to get better
transport around Huddersfield – cheaper fares
and more reliable services.”
Jade and Chloe (pictured)
represent colleges and sixth
forms along with Dan. They are
campaigning for more efficient
public transport.
Students at schools, colleges and pupil
referral units throughout Kirklees elect youth
councillors to represent them.
There are youth councillors for each locality and others for
colleges and sixth forms, young people with disabilities, and
young people living in their own tenancies.
Some of them are featured on this page with some of the things
they would like to do to help young people in their area.
Cameron and Matthew
(pictured) – together
with Kyle - represent
young people with
disabilities. They
want to stop people
smoking in children’s
playgrounds.
i
James, Brittney and Alex, of Spen Valley, say:
“We want to help to improve the environment by
tackling litter and graffiti.”
To find out about your local youth councillors, or to
discuss young people’s concerns in Kirklees, please
email youth.council@kirklees.gov.uk
Laura (left) and Chris (centre) represent Denby
Dale and Kirkburton along with Harry. Elle
(pictured right) represents Mirfield. Together,
they are gathering the views of young people for a
manifesto and meeting with local councillors.
Together • 20
Daisy and Laura (pictured) represent
the Holme and Colne Valleys together
with Tim. They are working to improve
skate parks and increase local activities
for young people.
www.kirklees.gov.uk

A plan for jobs and homes
You have until 6 February to tell us your views
about jobs and homes in Kirklees.
Local development
planning for
Jobs and homes
The government has asked each local authority to
produce a comprehensive plan called the Local
Development Framework, which sets out how much
development there should be over the next 18 years, and
where it should go.
Our plan aims to create the jobs and homes which will
secure our residents’ long term prosperity, but is
balanced by our desire to protect and improve open
spaces and the character of our countryside.
Why do we need a plan?
If we don’t plan how many homes and jobs we need,
and where we should make land available, we face
the risk of uncontrolled development happening
throughout the district. And, if we don’t have a plan
which shows where we will allow development in the
future, when people apply for planning permission in
areas we want to protect, the council will find it very
difficult to turn down these applications.
Over the next few pages, you can
read about our proposals, then get
in touch to tell us your views.
Find out more
Look out for our leaflet
‘Jobs and Homes’.
Copies are available from council offices and
libraries, or you can now read it on-line and
comment at kirklees.gov.uk/jobsandhomes
1
tell us your views about future
development in Kirklees
You have until 6 February to let us know what you think.
Special meetings are also being held in your
local area to discuss the proposal:
Batley Birstall & Birkenshaw
7.30pm, 27 January at Batley Town Hall
Huddersfield
7.00pm, 26 January at Huddersfield Town Hall
Dewsbury
5.00pm, 25 January, venue to be confirmed on website
Mirfield Denby Dale and Kirkburton
7.30pm, 2 February at Skelmanthorpe Derby and
Joan Club
Spen Valley
7.00pm, 1 February at Cleckheaton Town Hall
The Valleys
See website for meeting details
Check kirklees.gov.uk/jobsandhomes
for the latest meeting information.
www.kirklees.gov.uk/jobsandhomes Together • 21

Land for jobs and business
To make sure that we continue to grow and remain
competitive, we need to do more to encourage
successful employers to stay here and also attract new
businesses and jobs to the area. Some businesses have
told us already that they would have liked to move here, but
they didn’t because they couldn’t find a suitable site.
Employers tell us they need large flat sites, which can be
flexible for a number of uses, located close to transport
networks and which are easy to get to.
35,000 jobs by 2028
By 2028, we will need 35,000 new
jobs in Kirklees.
To create all those jobs, we know
that we are going to have to
make more land available for
businesses. There are already
130 hectares of suitable land
earmarked for businesses to
use, but we will need to identify
another 140 hectares to create
all the jobs we need.
Huddersfield
New jobs New land for
businesses
12,500
The Valleys
New jobs New land for
businesses
1,000
Spen Valley
New jobs New land for
businesses
4,000
5 hectares
15 hectares
60 hectares
J23
Elland
M62
J24
Where do we make land available?
We need to identify another 140 hectares of land which
can be made available in places which are or could be
easy to get to, and would be attractive to businesses.
We will make larger sites available closer to our larger
towns and settlements. And while we have tried to avoid
using green belt sites, it is not possible to find all the
land we need in the right locations without using green
belt land.
A629
A641
Birkenshaw
M606
M62 J27
Birstall
J26 Gomersal
Scholes
Cleckheaton
A62 Batley
Heckmondwike
A62
J25
Huddersfield
Bradford
Mirfield
A644
A638
A652
Dewsbury
M621
LEEDS
A653
J28
Batley, Birstall & Birkenshaw
New jobs New land for
businesses
J40
2,000
J29/42
Dewsbury
J41 New jobs New land for
businesses
4,000
Wakefield
10 hectares
35 hectares
M1
Mirfield, Denby Dale & Kirkburton
New jobs New land for
businesses
The map shows land
which has already been
identified for businesses
to use, and where we
propose to make more
land available.
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved
100019241 (2010)
Golcar Milnsbridge
Slaithwaite
Linthwaite
A616
A62
B6108
Meltham Honley
Marsden
A629
Brockholes
Holmfirth
A635
Highburton
Kirkburton
Skelmanthorpe
Clayton West
Scissett
Denby Dale
1,500
15 hectares
Land already identified
for business
Site: 30 hectares
or more
Site:
5 - 30 hectares
New land for business
Site:
5 - 30 hectares
New green belt land for business
Site: 30 hectares
or more
Site:
5 - 30 hectares
Understanding the map
Town and Valley Summaries
These summaries show the total number of
jobs and homes in each of the council’s six
Town and Valley Committee areas.
Homes
This shows the total number of homes we are
planning for this area by 2028. It also tells you
how many of these homes we need to find new
land for, and how many are already planned,
either because they were in our previous plan
or already have planning permission.
New jobs
This is the number of new jobs
which we hope will be created
as a result of making more
land available to businesses.
Batley , Birstall & Birkenshaw
Homes
New Jobs
New 200
Already planned 400
Total 600 100
Green belt land for new
homes
These symbols show you
whereabouts and how many
homes we propose to build in
the green belt. These aren’t
additional homes - they have
already been included in the
summary for each area.
0-200 homes
Homes in towns and villages
This shows you the total number of
homes we are planning by 2028 in a
particular town or settlement.
800
total number of new homes
200-500 homes
Up to 2,300 homes
Together • 22
800
800
www.kirklees.gov.uk/jobsandhomes

Land for homes and communities
We have worked out that we will need 26,200 more
homes across the district by 2028. Over the 18 years
of this plan, this means that the number of homes in
Kirklees grows each year by less than 1%.
But because 13,350 of these homes have already
been identified in our previous plan, or have planning
permission, only 12,850 are actually new to us.
To arrive at this figure we looked back at the number of
homes which have been built in Kirklees over previous
years and took into account how our population might
grow over the next 18 years.
Although we estimate that we need 26,200 homes by
2028, we have earmarked enough land for 27,900 homes.
This gives us some spare land in case some sites are too
difficult to develop.
The map shows where land has been
identified for homes across Kirklees.
Spen Valley
Homes
New Jobs
New 650
Already planned 1,550
Total 2,200 4,000
Huddersfield
Homes
New Jobs
New 6,050
Already planned 3,550
Total 9,600 12,500
Slaithwaite
350
A62
Marsden
300
The Valleys
Homes
New 1,900
Already planned 2,250
Total 4,150
New Jobs
1,000
J23
J24
Linthwaite
400
Elland
M62
Golcar Milnsbridge
400
750
A629
B6108
Meltham Honley
550 350
A616
A641
Birstall
J26
270
Gomersal
Scholes
150
150
Cleckheaton
1,100
A62
Plus other homes Heckmondwike
in small villages 750
50
A62
J25
Huddersfield
9,600
A629
Brockholes
Holmfirth
850
Plus other homes
in small villages
200
Bradford
M606
A635
Where should homes be built?
Following the comments you made in the 2009
consultation, our plan recommends that most of the
houses we need should be near to existing towns
and villages. This means that new homes will be
close to existing schools, shops and facilities, and
along established transport routes. We will encourage
developers to build on brownfield sites before any
greenfield sites are used within or close to our towns
and villages.
A more even spread of new homes across
Kirklees means that the
number of new homes in
an area is in proportion
to its existing size, so
larger towns will have
more new homes than
smaller villages.
Birkenshaw
200
Mirfield
Dewsbury
1,050 6,400
A644
Highburton
400
A638
J27
Batley
1,830
A652
Plus other homes
in small villages
350
Kirkburton
250
Skelmanthorpe
500
Denby Dale
250
M621
Clayton West
200
Scissett
250
LEEDS
A653
J28
Brownfield is land which has been
used before and is being
re-developed
Greenfield is land which has not
been developed before
Green belt is open land which
separates one town or settlement
from the next.
J40
Batley , Birstall & Birkenshaw
Homes
New Jobs
New 300
Already planned 2,000
Total 2,300 2,000
M62
J41
J29/42
Wakefield
M1
Dewsbury
Homes
New 4,300
Already planned 2,100
Total 6,400
New Jobs
4,000
Mirfield, Denby Dale & Kirkburton
Homes
New Jobs
New 1,350
Already planned 1,900
Total 3,250 1,500
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved 100019241 (2010)
www.kirklees.gov.uk/jobsandhomes Together • 23

Do it online!
Find out what’s on, report a faulty street light, renew a library book,
check your bin collection day...and much more.
Our website is available 24/7 to fit in with you.
www.kirklees.gov.uk
NEW!
It’s now even easier to report
faulty street lights:
www.kirklees.gov.uk/streetlights