Councillor Graham Stokes Cabinet Member for Corporate Services

APRIL 2004

At the end of February I booked a couple of days away to celebrate my wife Linda’s birthday.  I looked on the internet and booked two cheap flights to Copenhagen.  It was a lovely city and we had a wonderful time (as you would in wonderful, wonderful, Copenhagen). Everything was very expensive though, beer was over £4 per pint, (I always judge expense using beer prices), but we saw the changing of the guard, all the lovely churches, cathedrals, parks, and shops.

Then trouble started on the train journey back to the airport. Due to bad weather the points were frozen, and a 12 minute journey took over 1 hour. When we arrived at the airport we were told our 8.20pm flight was delayed until after 11pm, so we hung around for a couple of hours and then found out that due to snow in Newcastle our flight was cancelled.

We were told that they would fly us to Stansted and then provide a coach to Newcastle, where my car was parked.  We boarded the Stansted flight approached the runway and the planes computer failed, so we had to return to the airport for repairs. When we eventually arrived at Stansted we were put on a coach for Newcastle. The coach drove all night to Newcastle, the driver was very tired and kept running off the edge of the road, so after numerous coffee stops we arrived at Newcastle, drove home and arrived at least 9 hours late at 9am in the morning, quite an eventful journey. At least Castleford won a game whilst I was away!.

HOUSE IMPROVEMENTS
A large number of properties within the district have or are due to be improved in the 2003/2004 capital works programme. These include:

• 64 properties in the Knottingley area - new windows doors and external render.
• 150 properties in the Knottingley and Pontefract areas have had door entry systems installed.

DEMOLITION UPDATE
Ennerdale Drive – I am pleased to report that all 10 houses are now empty. Subject to the disconnection of services we are hoping to commence demolition.

Wentcliffe Road (nos. 37-59) – There is now only one house still occupied and we are hoping to be in a position to make a suitable offer of alternative accommodation in the next two or three weeks. Subject to re-housing the remaining tenant we are hoping to commence demolition at the end of March.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES
A number of environmental schemes have been implemented over the current financial year in all areas of the District. Some of this work has already been completed and the remainder of it should be completed by the end of the financial year in March. Knottingley schemes include:

• Clearance of land off Spawd Bone Lane
• Resurfacing works to Car Parking Areas at Simpson’s Lane
• Fencing scheme to Clayfield Bungalows
• Resurfacing work at Tenters Close

WAKEFIELD MUSIC SERVICE
Presented a two evening performance at the Wakefield Theatre Royal and Opera House on Friday 19 & Saturday 20 March.  These performances were a celebration of musical achievement by children who represent the six LEA music centres and the various premier Metropolitan groups. Amongst the groups that performed was Knottingley Steel Band.  To them I say well done and congratulations.

FERRYBRIDGE POST OFFICE
Despite all our objections and valid arguments the Post Office still decided to close Ferrybridge Post Office from the 27th March, in fact they decided to close every post office within the district that they had identified for closure. What was the point of them going through a consultation process when they had every intention of closing the Post office no matter what other options and observations were put forward. They agreed closure after acknowledging the journey to Knottingley would be difficult and bus services were poor, they say they have no control over this and perhaps we should take it up with the transport group. The suggestion that the business could be relocated in a nearby business was rejected as they say it would not improve viability. I think this is a pretty unfeeling response by the Post Office to their customers the general public.

We discussed the response at the Wakefield Council Meeting held on 17th March and resolved that "Council notes with dismay the intention of the Post Office to press ahead with branch closures in the Wakefield District. It further notes that the objections put forward by Members during the consultation process have not been answered satisfactorily: they have been simply over-ridden. Concerns regarding the consequences of these proposals remain unaltered.

Council welcomes key aspects of Government policy aimed at reducing social inclusion and increasing social cohesion, but considers that neglect of the Post Office's public service role militates against such objectives. Ill-considered closure proposals discriminate most against those already disadvantaged, particularly the poor, the incapacitated and the elderly. It therefore asks Government urgently to review the way in which marketing such key public services is undermining broader policy objectives and the maintenance of a vital and inclusive public domain."

The motion was passed overwhelmingly and officers have been asked to take legal advice on the lack of public consultation by the Post Office and on the basis of the advice received, to consider whether to institute proceedings against the Post Office in the shape of a Judicial review.

KNOTTINGLEY AND FERRYBRIDGE AREA PANEL
The panel discussed local transport problems at their last meeting held in Ferrybridge, raising questions with Arriva and Metro representatives about the lack of an evening bus service on Warwick Estate, the poor level of service from Broomhill to Pontefract and Rail services to Wakefield.

We agreed to write to the Strategic Rail Authority expressing our concern about the reduced quality of rail services to Wakefield as we have been informed that from May 2004, it has been decided that the train coming into Wakefield will no longer stop at the main Westgate station, but will instead terminate at Wakefield Kirkgate; these changes which were not open to consultation are deemed necessary to accommodate timetable changes at Westgate and are not negotiable. Members of the Panel expressed extreme concern about the following issues with regard to the relocation plans.

• Kirkgate station is approx half a mile from the main town centre. There are no bus links into either the main rail station, bus station or shopping centre. The walk, across busy main roads, will be particularly difficult for those who are elderly, disabled, travelling with children or who are transporting heavy or bulky items such as suitcases.

• Unlike Westgate, Kirkgate station has no facilities such as drinks. Parking is inadequate.
• Kirkgate station is unmanned, poorly lit and located in a quiet area of the town; potential safety issues have been raised.

It was noted from the Strategic Plan that visions for Britain’s railway include that:

"the whole journey experience is vastly improved so that, from departure door to destination door, the passengers are treated like the valuable customers they are"

"the stations are safe and welcoming, with adequate parking and integration with other modes"

The current journey from Pontefract to Wakefield encompasses both the above visions; the revised plans do not. In the move towards Community Rail Development and increased public transport sustainability, it is important that ‘reasonable’ services are not allowed to be eroded, potentially reducing the number of future passengers and putting the service at risk.

URBAN RENAISSANCE
A drop in event was held in March at Knottingley Town Hall for local people to call in and express their views on how they would like to see Knottingley and Ferrybridge develop over the next 25 years, a lot of ideas and food for thought showed that it was a worthwhile event, suggestions came forward on issues such as a new town centre along the canal bank from Ferrybridge to Knottingley, re-routing HGVs away from the A645 through Knottingley, developing industrial areas away from the residential area.

These ideas will be brought together in a plan for the future of the Town and hopefully will be taken on board by developers and the different agencies that are working on regenerating our area.

I would like to thank all those that attended and put forward their ideas and knowledge. I will keep you informed about further meetings that are planned.

MAKING IT EASIER TO PAY YOUR COUNCIL BILLS
Work is due to start on Friday 19.3.04 in preparation for the installation of an automated payment kiosk at The Close. Arrangements have been made for access to the building for Saturday and possibly Sunday this week. The kiosk is due to be installed week commencing 22.3.04. The kiosk is designed to accept cash payments and gives appropriate change and a receipt to the customer.

If things go according to plan the machine will be operational at some time next week and will replace the current cash office facilities at The Close. In the initial few weeks a member of staff will be available to show customers how to use the new machine although the procedure for payment is quite straightforward. A machine is already in operation at Civic Centre and is working well and therefore I am not envisaging any major difficulties.

KNOTTINGLEY TOWN HALL
On 8th March Glenn Burton and myself spent a rewarding day at Knottingley town Hall along with Edwin Beckett and a few other volunteers we spent the day replacing two of the windows in the main room with modern UPVC double glazed windows.

Whilst it was hard work, it was also fun, and seeing the finished improvements made it all worthwhile, the Town Hall is looking better than ever, but it does need to be maintained and Edwin Beckett does a marvelous job, he could do with more people to support him. We are planning on replacing the two remaining windows in the near future, have you got a day spare to help?

COUNCIL TAX
Wakefield has announced next years council tax increase of 2.9%, this is one of the lowest in the country, and despite the low council tax increase we will still be improving services. Amongst other things, new childcare places will be created in Knottingley. Two more mobile police stations will be deployed, and the successful Neighbourhood Action programme will be expanded.

Graham Stokes
Cabinet Member for Corporate Services

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