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Press Release Archive
March - May 2004

From the WMDC Press and Communications Office



Major Award Retained by Coroner's Service
20 May 2004

West Yorkshire Coroner's Service (Eastern District), who are based in Wakefield, have retained their 'Investors in People'  Standard, making them still the only Coroner's Service in the country to get the prestigious award.

The service has dealt with some of the most prominent and high profile cases in the region including the Selby rail crash, and more recently, the death of Harold Shipman.

Investors in People is a national quality standard which sets a level of good practice for improving an organisation's performance through its people.

The respected status was first awarded to the Coroner's Service in February 2001.The Investors in People re-assess organisations after three years and recently the team were told they had maintained the high standards required to retain the award.

Representatives from the West Yorkshire Coroner's Service were presented with their Investors In People certificate at a meeting of the full council by Councillor Graham Stokes and Wakefield Council, Chief Executive John Foster.

The staff  - who say they have benefited over the last three years by working to the Investors in People standards, which in their view has improved their organisation - were congratulated on their success and praised for their hard work by the Council.

The West Yorkshire Coroner's Office is a relatively unique organisation to be assessed by the Investors in People because of the mix of employers involved in the team.  The Coroner is an independent judicial officer, whose administration staff are employed by Wakefield Council and the officers are West Yorkshire Police employees.

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Activate Discounts in Barnsley & Doncaster
20 May 2004

Adult holders of a Wakefield Council Activate leisure card will soon be able to get discounts at a number of Sports and Leisure facilities in neighbouring Barnsley and Doncaster, following an agreement which has been reached with the two councils.

From 1st June students in full-time education, people on benefits, and over 60's will now be able to visit the venues and qualify for between 20 and 25% discounts on a range of sporting activities, including swimming, squash, and golf.

The venues are:-
Doncaster: Adwick Leisure Centre 01302 721447
Armthorpe Sports Centre 01302 834268
Askern & Campsall S.C. 01302 701595
Dearne Valley Leisure Centre 01709 589761
Edlington Sports Centre 01709 862625
Elmfield Park & Cantley Park 01302 321918
Hatfield Water Park 01302 841572
Rossington Sports Centre 01302 868500
St James Pool & Health Club 01302 323000
Thorne Sports Centre 01405 812898
Crookhill Park Golf Course 01709 862979

Barnsley:-
Dearnside Leisure Centre 01709 880040
Hillies Golf Course Wombwell 01226 754433
Hoyland Leisure Centre 01226 744063
Wombwell Swimming Pool 01226 753896

For more information about the Activate Leisure Scheme telephone 01924 302378 or visit the Council website at www.wakefield.gov.uk.

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On Your Bikes for Active Week
19 May 2004

Wakefield Council and the Wakefield Cycle User Forum have teamed up have organised a number of events to mark National Bike Week from 12 - 20 June.

The week aims to promote cycling for people of all ages and abilities, and will include a Bike To Work day for council employees on Wednesday 16 June.

A public bike ride will leave Wakefield Town Hall at 5.30pm on the same day for adults and families and consist of a 15 mile circular route bike ride.

Other events include both on and off road bike rides starting at various locations within the district, family cycle training sessions, family mountain bike pleasure ride and quiz and a 20 mile sponsored bike raising money for your own charity or for National Bike Week's partnership charity, Leukaemia Research.

All participants in the cycling events will receive a Bike Week or Bike2Work certificate and are invited to enter a free prize draw to win an Exodus adventure holiday for two people worth £2,000, a pair of Brompton folding bikes, a limited edition new Raleigh Chopper or one of 50 pairs of tickets to the Cycle Show.

More information on cycling activities being held in Wakefield District or for a cycle map please contact Clare Bishop, Cycling Officer, on 306060.

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Postal Ballot Papers Arriving Soon
17 May 2004

Citizens across the Wakefield Metropolitan District will be receiving their ballot papers at the end of May to enable them to vote by post in both the local and European Parliamentary elections, as part of the Yorkshire and Humber pilot scheme.

Everyone eligible to vote should  complete and return their votes as soon as possible  to the Council's Elections Office, or hand deliver them to the Assistance and Delivery Point in County Hall, Wakefield from 1-10th June.  Voting closes on June 10th.

The ballot packs will also contain a single declaration of identity which covers both elections, and which needs to be completed and witnessed to make the votes valid.  

This year all 63 Wakefield Council seats are up for election, instead of the usual 21, because ward boundaries have changed.

The postal ballot is being widely publicised through the Council's newspaper, The Citizen, at cinemas in Wakefield and Castleford and at the District's libraries and Council information points.

Anyone wanting more information about voting can contact postalvotes@wakefield.gov.uk or ring the helpline on 0845 8 506 506.

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New Team Delivers Real Benefits
17 May 2004

A recent survey has revealed that 96 per cent of people who took part were happy with the results of a new review into the environment and care received by their elderly relatives in residential or nursing homes funded by Wakefield Council.

Over 300 families took part in the survey that was produced by the local authority's newly established Review Team.

The team of two were formed in February last year to carry out reviews of every older person, funded by the council, in residential or nursing homes. As part of this process they carried out 1078 face-to -face interviews and surveyed over 740 families.

The reviews examined individual Care Plans looking at areas like physical and mental health as well as environment, lifestyle and financial issues.

Elaine McHale, Director of Social Services and Health said:

"The Review Team worked very hard to ensure we achieved our 100 per cent review target for 2003/4. As well as assessing the care and situations of all the people in our care we have been able to make real positive changes to some peoples lives.  On one occasion the team identified a situation where a person was due £30,000 of unclaimed pension benefits. The lady and her family did not know that she was entitled to these benefits and had returned her pension book to the Department of Health. As soon as we established the situation we immediately made them aware of this and helped the family take action to rectify it."

The team have also made important differences to people's lives in smaller ways. One review revealed that a resident who wasn't eating merely wanted more spicy and tasty meals, and so the team were able to make the necessary arrangements.

Elaine McHale added:

"The work done by the review team has been an essential and valuable step in improving the care and environment of all older people in local authority funded facilities.  We are constantly striving to improve our service and this has enabled us to take on board new recommendations and we are in the process of addressing all the issues that have been raised. It is a real and positive move forward in providing care for older people in the region."

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Green Space and Woodland Documents go to Public
17 May 2004

Documents looking at provision of green space and trees and woodland have been put out to public consultation to allow people to have their say.

The Draft Green Space Strategy and the Draft Tree and Woodland Strategy both aim to develop policies on increasing landscape value and recreational areas in the District, while creating well designed and safe community woodlands with easy access and promoting healthy living.

The strategies also fit in with the Community Strategy aims of improved green space provision, strengthening communities, enhancing the environment and promoting regeneration and renewal.

Cabinet members said the documents would play a major part in deciding how Wakefield will look in the next decades.

Head of Neighbourhood Services Jerry Spencer said:

"The public consultation phase is an important aspect of developing the overall policies for these two important areas.  We aim to include opinions from as wide an area as possible, from individual members of the public and all interested groups. The strategy will inform the management of our assets leading to protection and improvement of the local environment."

The public consultation will last from May to August before the revised documents are returned to Cabinet to approve the strategies.

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Continental Style Street Cafe Consultation Opens
17 May 2004

Members of the public are invited to comment on whether they would like to see continental style street cafes in the District.

The Council Cabinet agreed to put the proposals to consultation to come up with suitable regulations.  Over the past two years there has been a significant increase in the number of cafes, restaurants and bars operating pavement seating, but the facilities need approval to operate legally.  The Council has already consulted West Yorkshire Police and other local authorities in Leeds, Scarborough, Darlington and Derby where the matter has already been considered.

The applicant is likely to have to pay a fee to cover administration costs when they apply for permission to put tables and chairs outside.  The public consultation phase is likely to last around six weeks.

Head of Enforcement Sam Warmington said: 

"This public consultation is an important phase in drawing up the final policy covering eating and drinking outside. There is a balance to be struck to enhance the environment so that people are able to sit outside, but having chairs and tables there does not prevent, for example, emergency vehicle access or cause difficulties for people in wheelchairs or pushing prams.  We aim to make the consultation as wide as possible before we take the report back to the Cabinet for final approval."

Further information on this will be available in libraries and Council offices.

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Coach Education Programmes Starting Soon
12 May 2004

Local people wanting to become involved in sport and recreation activities either as a coach, leader, volunteer or administrator are being invited to enrol on a low-cost programme of nationally recognised sports qualifications and courses.

The courses have been organised by Wakefield Council's Sports Development Team in partnership with a host of local organisations, run from now until September this year. 

A wide variety of courses are available to encourage people with little or no experience to take the first steps to helping develop sport and recreation in their own community.  Courses covered include: swimming, football, sports leadership awards, Sportscoach UK educational courses and even courses offering guidance on the organisation and running of local community sports clubs.  

Several courses are also on offer which are designed for teachers and adult helpers to assist them to develop and improve the PE and sports curriculum and to organise after school sports clubs.

Jayne Dowding Coach Education Officer said: 

"The programme is designed to take these opportunities into the heart of the district's communities and neighbourhoods rather than expect people from those areas to travel great distances to take part in courses as in the past.  The programme offers a tremendous chance for local people to learn new skills and knowledge and to discover talents they didn't know they had.  We have organised the courses with various partners, including Sport England, Sports Coach UK, and The Department of Education and Skills and kept the cost to an absolute minimum,  so that as many people as possible will be encouraged to take part."

A brochure is being circulated across the District containing details of all the courses available at elementary and higher levels with the message that enthusiasm is more important than experience or talent.

Anyone wanting to find out more can pick up a brochure from all sports and recreation facilities and civic buildings.  The brochure is also available in large print.  Details can also be found on the Council's website at www.wakefield.gov.uk or from Jayne Dowding, at the Town Hall, High Street, Normanton on 01924 302481, email: jdowding@wakefield.gov.uk

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Wakefield Launches Area's First Online Funding Support
10 May 2004

A funding support website, which is unique to this area, has been launched this week by Wakefield Council.

The website, which can be found on the funding pages at www.wakefield.gov.uk is designed to provide comprehensive community funding support for groups and individuals in the Wakefield area.

Kathy Allen, Community Engagement Manager for Wakefield Council said: 

"The website is a real breakthrough in funding support for the area. People are often put off applying for funding because it can appear to be bogged down with baffling application processes and relevant information can be difficult to find.  This website is a one stop shop for funding information, help and advice which we hope will enable many more groups and individuals in the Wakefield area to access the valuable funding resources that are out there."

The new website sheds light on 'Trust Funding'  providing help on how to explore funding from thousands of charitable trusts. It includes top tips on how to apply, advice on writing applications, and on developing a fundraising strategy as well as providing a jargon busting section to help understand funding terminology.

It also enables users to access information on local schemes, and discover all government, Lottery and trust funding relevant to their own unique organisation.

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Council Congratulated on Remarkable Progress
7 May 2004

Wakefield Council is celebrating the freedom to continue its own improvement following recognition of its 'remarkable progress'  by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

This means Wakefield is the first council in the country to be released from Government engagement.

The Council was rated at the top of 'fair' in the Audit Commission's Corporate Performance Assessment last month - two categories higher than its first 'poor' rating in the 2002 council assessments.

The 'poor'  rating meant that the authority's recovery and improvement plans were subject to supervision and monitoring by the ODPM.  

But today a letter from ODPM Local Government Minister Phil Hope to Council Leader Cllr Peter Box, says: 

"I write to congratulate both the leadership and the staff of Wakefield Council on the significant and rapid progress you have made over the last 18 months.  I am very impressed with the remarkable progress your council has made towards recovery and I encourage you to continue working together to drive through further improvements in the future."

The letter says that, given the Council's progress and commitment to sustained improvement, the authority is now free from any statutory involvement and stated that formal engagement with the ODPM should cease.

Leader Councillor Peter Box said: 

"This is excellent news for the Council.  We have appreciated the support of the ODPM and this letter is recognition of how far we have come in a short time.  We are now one of the fastest improving councils in the country and intend to demonstrate further improvement when we are assessed again next year."

Chief Executive John Foster said: 

"This letter frees us from the formal arrangements put in place when Wakefield was rated as a poor council.  We have indeed made great progress in the last 18 months and I am very pleased that the commitment of both the leadership and our employees and partners in achieving this has been recognised by the Minister.  We now look forward to continuing with our improvement planning, delivering high quality services to the citizens of the district and moving forward with confidence."

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Balloon Launch Marks Start of Foster Care Fortnight
7 May 2004

Foster carers from across the Wakefield Region are to release 100 balloons on Monday to mark the launch of Foster Care Fortnight.

During the next two weeks, Monday 10 May to Friday 21 May, Wakefield Council will be holding events throughout the five towns to help the public find out more about fostering and becoming a foster carer.

There are 359 Wakefield children living with foster families and these children need to be able to live with carers carefully chosen to meet their individual needs.

Cabinet Member for Social Services Councillor Peter Loosemore said: 

"Foster carers have a vital role to play in helping children to thrive, by giving them the best possible start in life.  In Wakefield we need more new foster carers to meet the needs of children of all ages, including teenagers. Anyone can apply to become a foster carer, and there are many different ways to get involved - it is even possible to foster on a part-time basis.  We urge people to come forward and find out more" .

More information on fostering is available by contacting 01924 302160 or by logging on to www.wakefield.gov.uk

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District Set For Dance Attack Competition
4 May 2004

A freestyle dance competition will be held for teams as far afield as Scarborough, Hornsea, Manchester and Sheffield in Knottingley this weekend.

The event has been organised by Sandra Beaumont, who runs the Dance Attack Dance School based at Pontefract Squash Club.  The competition is open to all dance schools with age categories ranging from under eights, under 12s, under 14s, under 16s and up to 18-year-olds.

It takes place from 10am to 7.30pm at the Knottingley Sports centre on Sunday 9 May.

The dance competition is open to boys and girls and in each group there are different levels at which the competitors have earned the right to dance from beginners through to champions in Rock & Roll, Doubles Freestyle, Solo's Freestyle, Slow (Solo) and Team.

Tickets are available from Sandra Beaumont on 01977 792742.

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Council Aims to Shop Local
28 April 2004

Wakefield Council is aiming to put millions of pounds into the local economy by buying good and services from local and regional businesses.

The Council's Cabinet has agreed a programme of activity to promote the local economy by increasing the Council's level of spend with local and regional companies and by making it easier for those companies to do business with the authority.

The programme includes producing a guide to doing business with the council, working with business support and advice agencies and continuing its successful programme of seminars and events to build effective working arrangements with local and regional companies.

Councillor Graham Stokes, Cabinet Member for Resources, said the authority is the district's biggest buyer of goods and services and was committed to boosting the local economy by increasing the amount spent in the region by £14 million over the next two years. This will be achieved by a range of activities including approved lists of suppliers and improving the information available about council tenders.

"The procurement programme is about a more modern and competitive way of working which boosts the local economy while maintaining value for money.  In 2003/4 we spent around £135m on goods and services, but only 16% of that went to companies within the district, while a further 24.4% went to West Yorkshire companies," said Cllr Stokes.

"We need to put more effort into making sure a significant amount of our spending on goods and services goes into the local economy and benefits our communities.  We are  setting ourselves a challenging target of  increasing the level of spend within the region by some £14 million. By promoting a dynamic local economy and playing our part in making that happen, I am confident that target can be achieved."

The Council is also playing an important role in the West Yorkshire Procurement Partnership, which is bringing together the buying power and expertise of the West Yorkshire councils, promoting online procurement and actively engaging with local and regional companies. 

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Tap Into Disability Rights Network
21 April 2004

Wakefield Disability Rights Network is holding a major event in Wakefield Town Hall to help people to tap into services and information to improve the quality of their lives.

The Awareness Day on Friday, April 23, has morning workshop sessions, which are already booked up. It opens its doors to the public at 1pm for stalls and an information and advice session.

Councillor Peter Loosemore, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Services and Health and chair of the District’s Health and Wellbeing Partnership, is opening the Awareness Day to which local groups and organisations have been invited.

He said: "This is an important event to help people tap into information and services. It is about improving access and about meeting specific and different needs. We can all learn from each other and our services will improve and grow the more we talk to each other."

Among the 12 stalls displaying information for people who are involved with or have in interest in disability are Social Services for Disabled Children, West Yorkshire Attention Deficiency Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Support Group, Down’s Syndrome Group and Wakefield Parent Partnership.

Wakefield Disability Rights Network is a consultative body of professionals, local groups and individuals with an interest in disability. Its main focus is sharing information and informing and addressing concerns among local organisations.

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Council Promotes Fairtrade
21 April 2004

Wakefield Council is unanimously supporting Fairtrade and urging other organisations and groups in the district to follow its example.

Councillor Bob Mitchell (Lab, Wakefield East) moved a motion at today’s Council meeting calling for the Council to use its partnerships to effectively support Fairtrade and to use its administration and organisational resources, public buildings and publications to publicise that support. The Council will also open discussions with the Fairtrade Foundation on recognition as a Fairtrade City.

Fairtrade is an international organisation, started ten years ago, which does what it says - it guarantees a better deal to producers in the developing world. This means a stable price which covers their production costs, along with a premium that their organisation will be able to reinvest either in the business or social and environmental schemes among the wider community.

Councillor Mitchell said: 

"As a Council we are already committed to the general principal of fair trade. The issue now is to find ways and means of giving practical effect to the determination we have already made.  Producers in developing countries are not asking for hand outs. They are universally hardworking and resourceful people who, but for Fairtrade, would be frustrated in finding a livelihood by the working of world markets.  All they ask is a livelihood with enough left over to ensure their enterprise is substainable with a little for community development. Clean water, public health and education go hand in hand with Fairtrade."

Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor Graham Stokes, said: 

"Fair Trade is a recognised way of guaranteeing that food producers in poor countries receive a fair price for their goods or their work on plantations. It also means they are paid a price which reflects the true cost of production and allows for investment in their communities or businesses. We are proud as an authority to support Fairtrade. We are already using Fairtrade tea and coffee in the Town Hall and County Hall and we will be looking at ways of publicising that we are a Fairtrade Council to our staff, citizens and local businesses."

Further information: WMDC Press & Communications tel (01924) 305295; fax (01924) 305144; e-mail: pressoffice@wakefield.gov.uk

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Join in a Glimpse of the Past at Clarke Hall
21 April 2004

Families across the district are being invited to revisit the 17th Century for a historical re-enactment event on Sunday 9th May at Clarke Hall in Wakefield.

Visitors will have the chance to wander around the house and grounds to watch and listen as the Clarke family, the original owners of the house, go about their daily business but with a twist to the tale when one of the household falls ill.

As well as showing seventeenth century daily life in a gentlemen’s house, including a fully working and busy kitchen, the re-enactment will also show how families coped with sickness when modern medicines and methods were not available.

The event takes place between 10am-3pm with admission at £3.50 for adults, concessions £2.00 and children £1.00 with free car parking, café and shop. There is no need to pre-book and anyone wanting further information can contact the Hall on 01924 302700, by email at info@clarke-hall.co.uk or by visiting the website at www.clarke-hall.co.uk

Background Information:

Clarke Hall is owned and administered by Wakefield Council's Education and Cultural Services. Over the last 28 years, children from all over the region have been using Clarke Hall for educational visits to experience life in the seventeenth century at first hand. The Hall is furnished just as it would have been in the 1680s when Benjamin and Priscilla Clarke lived there.

Further information: WMDC Press & Communications tel (01924) 305295; fax (01924) 305144; e-mail: pressoffice@wakefield.gov.uk

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Council to Launch Pitch Online Booking System
19 April 2004

Football managers throughout the District will soon be able to use a new online system to make booking Council pitches and facilities much simpler.

Bookapitch, a system made by Corporate Computer Consultants (CCCL) is being piloted over the summer to speed up booking for residents trying to organise both indoor and outdoor football games.

Bob Foster, Wakefield Council's Sport and Recreation manager, said: 

"The system will make the administration of football facilities much easier and straightforward both for the local community managers and our own staff as well as being in keeping with e-government initiatives.  The system will be available on the internet, which can be accessed at home or free of charge through the district's libraries. Managers can also register their players so that they can easily notify them in the event of cancellation, instead of having to ring round individually.  'Bookapitch' is already being successfully used by a number of local authorities across the country as well as being endorsed by a number of national amateur football associations and we are confident that it will be a welcome development."

Once the software is installed, residents will be able to access the new system through the Council's website at www.wakefield.gov.uk

Further information: 
WMDC Press & Communications tel (01924) 305295; fax (01924) 305144; 
e-mail: pressoffice@wakefield.gov.uk

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Wakefield Council Launch Food Hygiene Promotion At Home
15 April 2004

Wakefield Council's Health Development Unit is to use a cash grant of £10,000 from the Food Standards Agency to raise the importance of food hygiene awareness at home.

The Food Standards Agency recently invited applications for grant aid to support local food hygiene initiatives as part of its national food hygiene campaign and Wakefield was 1 of only 15 across the country.

Starting when? , the aim of the Wakefield project is to raise the level of food hygiene awareness in the home by focusing on the 4 c`s -

  • cooking,

  • cooling,

  • cleaning and

  • cross contamination.

The first areas to be targeted will be Airedale, Ferry Fryston, South Elmsall, South Kirkby, Hemsworth and Wakefield East.

The food hygiene campaign will work with existing community, schools and voluntary groups and other health professionals to provide training and increase food hygiene awareness of members of the public.  Publicity in the form of a display and leaflets will be provided at various venues, including Surestart and Healthy Living Centres, in the designated areas.

Further information about the project is available from contacting Barbara Sands, Senior Health Development Officer, on tel. 01924 305974 or email; bsands@wakefield.gov.uk.

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Community Cohesion Commitment from Council
15 April 2004

All party leaders and councillors in Wakefield could be asked to sign a commitment to making community cohesion a top priority.

Members of the Cabinet have been asked to agree to the community cohesion protocol to demonstrate the desire to promote good relations between people of different racial groups. The protocol also seeks an agreement that any literature produced will not aim to create or emphasise divisions in communities.

The existing Corporate Equality Plan commits the Council to promoting equality while working with partners to promote positive relations between different groups.  It is hoped that party leaders and councillors will take this one step further by signing the protocol and demonstrate their commitment in writing to equality, diversity and community cohesion.

Council Leader Peter Box, who will sign the protocol, said: 

"This is an important step as it demonstrates our commitment to a community based on the principles of inclusion and equality of treatment.  As councillors we are elected to serve all people in our wards and we all have a shared interest in making our community a safe, strong and harmonious place to live.  Importantly, we are also declaring a will to challenge behaviour which could create division, while campaigning proactively for better community relations and to keep racism and other forms of prejudice out of elections."

The protocol will be discussed at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 13 April.

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Innovative Scheme for Home Improvement
15 April 2004

A new interest free loan scheme has been developed with the White Rose Credit Union (WRCU) to help householders improve their homes.

House Proud is a partnership between Wakefield Housing Services and the local credit union based at Cheapside, Wakefield to offer loans to vulnerable householders to improve and repair their homes.

Grants from the Council for home improvements are only available for low income applicants living in Council Tax Band 'A'  homes. Demand for the grants always exceeds the money that is available.  As a result there are many households who cannot access a grant or afford the works or are unable to access loans from reputable lenders.

To address this, the House Proud initiative will make funds available for vulnerable households for improvements and repairs which will help them to maintain an independent life-style in their own homes.

Cabinet Member for Regeneration Councillor Denise Jeffery said: 

"Everyone can benefit from the House Proud scheme. People who might not have been able to improve their homes can borrow the money to do so. Better homes improve the neighbourhood and, under the new scheme, the Council can enable more homes to be improved for the same amount of money as before."

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Wakefield Council Tax Ranking
7 April 2004

In the Metropolitan ranking for Council Tax 2004/05, Wakefield Council have regained their place as the second lowest Metropolitan District, after losing it to Leeds in 2003/2004

View The Council Tax Rankings Table

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Face to Face with Local Councillors
7 April 2004

Wakefield Council is coming Face to Face with its citizens this month with a programme of events around the district to test public perception on improvements to environmental services.

Councillors and officers will be out in markets and shopping precincts with short questionnaires on the effectiveness of Neighbourhood Action and other environmental issues, giving people the opportunity to meet them Face to Face and give their feedback.

The Council launched Neighbourhood Action - its biggest-ever clean-up and community safety programme - in July last year.   As the project approaches its first anniversary, it is being developed through the appointment of neighbourhood patrollers, the introduction of fixed penalties for litter-dropping and pilot schemes in specific areas involving cleansing services and ground maintenance staff working more closely with Neighbourhood Action to form new Neighbourhood Environment Teams.

Council Leader Councillor Peter Box said: 

"In the past we have held Listening Days around the district.  These new Face to Face sessions are continuing and developing that idea.  We are engaging with the people we represent, finding out what they think and using that information to continuously improve our services.  People tell us that Face to Face contact is what they want and we are responding with this programme of events, getting out to meet people, rather than expecting them to come to us."  

The programme will see councillors in Pontefract Market on April 14, Ossett  Market (April 16), Normanton Market (April 20), Featherstone Market (April 22), Wakefield Precinct (April 23), Castleford Carlton Lanes (April 26) and South Elmsall and Hemsworth markets (both April 30).  

All sessions run from 10am, apart from Hemsworth, which starts at 12 noon.

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New Youth Parliament Members Elected
6 April 2004

Wakefield's two new members of the UK Youth Parliament were unveiled at the weekend after the first ever 100 per cent internet election in the District.

Horbury School pupil Ian Asquith and Cathedral High School pupil Stewart Torrance won most votes in the biggest ever poll of its kind in Wakefield.  They will now represent the District on the national Youth Parliament for 12 months, and take a lead role in the local Involving Young People group.

The third and fourth placed candidates, Ossett School pupils Victoria Railton and Joe White, will act as deputies.

Leader of Wakefield Council Peter Box, who opened the results evening on Friday, said:

"Young people are a vital group and it is important we listen to their views. All the record number of 25 candidates did superbly well to reach the election stage and demonstrated a commitment they should be proud of.  I hope Ian and Stewart will now be able to carry forward the views of their peers to the Youth Parliament and also take part in the progress we are making here in Wakefield through the Community Strategy."

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Wakefield Council Welcomes Postal Vote Go-Ahead
2 April 2004

Wakefield Council today welcomed the decision to trial all-postal voting in Yorkshire and the Humber for the June 10 local council and European elections after a prolonged political debate.

Corporate Director for Resources John Pitt said: 

"I am glad the uncertainty is over. We will now concentrate on organising a well-run election. There will be significant information and publicity issued to ensure the voters are informed about, and engaged with, the election process.  We hope the elections on June 10 will now see a significant increase in turn-out."

The Council newspaper, the Citizen, will carry a 'Post It'  election pull-out, which includes information on both council and European elections and a map of the new ward boundaries being introduced in this year's elections.

All 63 seats in Wakefield are up for election this year due to the ward boundary changes introduced by the Boundary Commission for England to make sure that where possible each councillor is representing a similar number of electors. The results of the council elections will be announced on June 11 and the results of the European Parliamentary elections are expected to be announced on Sunday, June 13.

Further information: WMDC Press & Communications tel (01924) 305295; fax (01924) 305144; e-mail: pressoffice@wakefield.gov.uk

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Entries Needed for Care for Your Town / Village Competition
31 March 2004

Wakefield Council is once again supporting the annual Care for your Town/Village Competition and Environmental Competition for Youth being organised by Wakefield District Environmental Action Forum (WDEAF).

The competitions, now in their 31st year, aim to encourage local communities, as well as local schools and other youth groups  to take a pride in the area in which they live from shopping areas to quiet lanes across the District.  Projects need to be based on environmental improvements with a greater emphasis this year on litter removal and reduction as well as general cleanliness of the area entered.

Competition entry forms with details are being sent out in the next few weeks to community groups and schools or can be obtained by e-mail .  The closing date is at the end of May.   Prizes in the main competition range from the First prize of £250. to £25.00, and the Youth Competition, first prize is £150 and £50 for third place.

Cllr Betty Rhodes, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Environment said: 

"We are pleased to support this initiative which has produced some excellent results in the past few years, and raised awareness of the need for local communities to take responsibility for cleanliness in their area.  I particularly welcome the fact that WDEAF organise a separate competition for young people to generate a respect for the environment and show them that they can have an effect by taking action themselves.  Last year we had  entries, and we hope that this year we will get an even greater response from residents in joining with us on trying to make the District an excellent place to live."

Anyone wanting to find out more about the competitions can contact Ben Greenwood on 01977 722090 or email him on bgreenwood@wakefield.gov.uk

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Webcast For Biggest Ever E-Vote Results
31 March 2004

Results of the Wakefield election for the UK Youth Parliament will be webcast this year for the first time.

The announcement of the two successful candidates in the first 100 per cent internet vote will be made on Friday evening and will be available to view on the www.wakefield.gov.uk website from Monday morning.

More than 25,300 11 to 18-year-olds are eligible to vote in the election, the biggest of its kind to be held in the District.  A record 25 candidates are contesting the two places on the UK Youth Parliament.

John Tollick, of the Council's Young People's Service, said: 

"This has been an exciting election and the first time we have ever tried internet only voting.  We have tried to make the whole process as inclusive as possible and have attracted a record number of candidates from all parts of the District. And while only two people can be successful, we hope all the others will continue to play a role through the Involving Young People group to make sure their voices are heard."

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13th April Deadline for Electoral Registration
30 March 2004

People who have moved into the area, or moved house recently, are being asked to check that they are registered on Wakefield's electoral register.  Completed registration forms must be received by 13 April to be valid for the elections on 10 June.  If this deadline is missed residents may not be able to vote.

Christine Mason, Wakefield Council's Electoral Services Manager, said: 

"All 63 District Council seats are up for election this year on 10 June.  In addition to this the European Parliamentary elections will be held on the same day.  Residents need to ensure their details are correct on the register.  It is very easy to overlook changing electoral details when moving house and, although we have rolling registration throughout the year, the deadline for qualifying to vote this year is only just over a week away."

Anyone wanting to check their details with the Electoral Services Team can telephone them on 01924 305023 or email elections@wakefield.gov.uk

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Prevention Better Than Cure for Tackling Youth Crime in Wakefield
29 March 2004

Wakefield's Youth Crime Prevention Service, an innovative scheme funded by Wakefield Children's Fund designed to step in and prevent 8-13 year olds at high risk of committing crime was launched last Friday, 26th March, in Wakefield by Bob Ashford, Head of Prevention for the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales.

Eighty delegates at the launch event heard about the introduction of  Youth Inclusion and Support Panels (YISPs),which will operate under the guidance of the Youth Crime Prevention Service.   YISPs will be made up of a range of experts including representatives from Social Services, Wakefield's Children's Fund, Youth Offending Team, Education, Health, Police, Housing and voluntary groups. 

The Panels will identify and target young people aged 8-13 years considered to be at high risk of committing crime or anti-social and nuisance behaviour by ensuring they receive appropriate services at the earliest possible opportunity.  They will focus on putting in place the positive influences in young people's lives to help them stay out of trouble for example, education, leisure activities, drugs advice and support for parents.

Bob Ashford said: 

"This is an exciting project for Wakefield District's children.  Youth Crime Prevention Services that are established in other areas of the country are proving to be hugely successful in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and changing the nature of local communities' involvement in addressing victims' needs.  The key to the success of the scheme is the partnership working between the Council's statutory agencies such as Social Services, Education and Housing,  and the voluntary sector providers such as Barnardos-run Wakefield Children's Fund, NCH as well as many other smaller voluntary organisations across the District." 

Lisa Hewitt-Craft, Youth Crime Prevention Team Manager, said: 

"Nominations to the YISP are voluntary in that we need the consent and the co-operation of both the child and their parents.  We work closely with parents and carers to ensure the best possible results for children on the scheme.  We know from research that there are obvious risk factors in a young person's life which can help to predict the likelihood of their becoming involved in crime including poor school attendance, associating with known offenders and misusing drugs.  The Panels will intervene at an early stage so that as they grow up these young people are no longer labelled by their community or the agencies as 'problem children'.   In my experience many families would welcome support with their children at an earlier stage before problems escalate, if only it was available and this scheme provides that service. The YISP will take nominations from statutory and voluntary agencies and directly from parents or carers who are concerned about their child's behaviour."

Kitty Ferris, Wakefield Council's Head of Children's Services, said: 

"Intervention at the moment starts when young people are already involved in crime or anti-social behaviour whereas this system is intended to be along the lines of 'prevention is better than cure'.  The multi-agency approach will also help by identifying risk at an early stage and working together to have an influence on the young person's behaviour.  The work of the Panels will support the District's Crime Prevention and Fast Forward Community Strategies, as a concrete example of investing in our children and their futures, tackling youth crime at an early stage, and enabling citizens to both be, and feel, safer in their community.  By targeting young people who show signs of being at risk, The Youth Crime Prevention Team is undertaking a valuable piece of  work which we hope will have a positive effect on the numbers becoming involved in crime or anti-social behaviour."

Parents and carers who want to find out more can contact the Youth Crime Prevention Team at  Ground Floor, Fell House, Wakefield WF1 lDF, Tel: 01924 304300, or email Wakefield-YOT@wakefield.gov.uk 

Background Information:   

The Youth Inclusion and Support Panels are funded by Wakefield Children's Fund which sets aside 25% of the fund for preventing offending by children in the Wakefield District.  Wakefield Children's fund is led by Barnardo's, the UK's largest children's charity, who have played a key role in the planning of Youth Crime Prevention Services in Wakefield in partnership with Wakefield Council.

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You're One of the Lucky Winners of the Spanish Lottery
29 March 2004

West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service is warning consumers of a Spanish lottery scam.

Consumers around the country have been receiving letters stating that they have won a substantial amount of money, which has been deposited in their name with a security company.

Consumers are asked to keep their win a secret until the claim has been processed, which involves disclosing their bank details. They are also encouraged to participate in the end-of-year High Stakes International Lottery with part of their winnings.

Trading Standards are reminding consumers that UK consumer protection legislation does not extend to overseas traders, and therefore it is difficult to obtain redress if consumers are misled or sold goods and services they do not really want.

Martin Wood, West Yorkshire’s Chief Trading Standards Officer, says: 

"This is the first lottery scam that we have come across from Spain. Experience shows however, that once one such scheme develops, others originating from the same country are likely to follow".

Councillor Graham Clarke, Chairman of the West Yorkshire Trading Standards Committee said: 

"Consumers should ignore such schemes and not disclose their bank details, or any other details. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is, although such schemes should not be confused with official state lotteries. If you have any queries regarding such schemes please contact our Helpline on 0113 3848 848 between 8.30am-6.30pm Monday to Friday, and Saturdays 9.00am-1.00pm".

For further information please contact:

Helen Andrews-General Media Contact-0113 3836 433
John Field-Consumer Helpline Manager-0113 2898 238

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Illegal Colour in Food - New Warning
26 March 2004

Following earlier Food Hazard Warnings issued over the last few months concerning contaminated chilli powder containing an illegal dye, Sudan 1, a potentially cancer causing chemical, West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service and local Environmental Health Departments are issuing warnings to retailers and consumers about further products, which the Food Standards Agency has identified as containing Sudan 1.

The affected products originate from:

Green Cuisine Food Products Ltd of Watton, Norfolk.

The company has now undertaken a trade recall. However the distribution of the products is known to be varied and dependent upon brand. The brands concerned are:

‘Green Cuisine’: sold nationally in Weigh and Save shops, cash and carrys, independent grocers and health food outlets; ‘Healthy Weigh Brand’: sold in Weigh and Save shops in the North East; ‘Creative Cuisine’: sold nationally in independent grocers; ‘Heath and Heather’: sold nationally in health food shops; ‘Suma’: (Suma Wholefoods is an Elland based wholesaler) sold in health food shops in the North of England. ‘Green City’: sold in Scottish health food shops and ‘Farmhouse’: sold nationally through garden centres.

Suma have liaised closely with both the West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service and the Food Standards Agency to complete an effective trade recall.

TRS Wholesale Company Ltd Cash and Carry.

Again the company is carrying out a trade withdrawal of certain TRS branded Tandoori Masala products. However extensive distribution has occurred throughout the UK to retailers, cash and carries, other distributors, caterers and manufacturers.

Details of all affected products are detailed below:

Brand / Product

Pack size

Best Before End

TRS Tandoori Masala Barbecue Ground Spice

100g, 400g and 1kg packs

All up to and including July 2005 regardless of batch code.

TRS Tandoori Masala Ground Spice

100g, 400g and 1kg packs

All up to and including July 2005 regardless of batch code.

Product / Brand

Pack size

Best Before End

TRS Tandoori Masala Natural Clear Powder

100g, 400g and 1kg packs

All up to and including July 2005 regardless of batch code

Green Cuisine Ground Chillies

50g boxes

15/03/05, 17/04/05 to 26/04/05 inclusive, 30/5/05 to 3/06/05 inclusive, 17/6/05 to2/7/05 inclusive and 23/12/05.

Green Cuisine Cayenne pepper

50g boxes

15/3/05, 3/6/05, and 17/6/05 to 2/7/05 inclusive and 23/12/05

Green Cuisine Hot Curry Powder

50g boxes

25/4/05 to 17/6/05 inclusive and 23/12/05.

Green Cuisine Chilli Powder

60g jars

23/12/05 and 24/12/05

Green Cuisine Cayenne Pepper

60g jars

12/6/05

Healthy Weigh Ground Chillies

25g bags

15/3/05, 18/4/05, 7/6/05, 5/7/05, 11/7/05, 19/7/05 and 22/12/05

Healthy Weigh Cayenne

25g bags

15/3/05, 18/04/05 and 22/12/05

Healthy Weigh Curry Powder Hot

25g bags

25/4/05 and 23/12/05

Creative Cuisine Ground Chillies

25g bags

5/6/05 and 28/6/05

Creative Cuisine Cayenne

25g bags

28/6/05

Heath and Heather Ground Chillies

25g bags

5/7/05, 16/7/05 and 18/12/05

Suma Ground Chillies

50g boxes

24/6/05 and 23/12/05

Suma Cayenne Pepper

50g boxes

24/6/05 and 23/12/05

Brand / Product

Pack size

Best Before End

Suma Hot Curry Powder

50g boxes

24/6/05 and 23/12/05

Green City Ground Chillies

25g bags

24/6/05

Green City Cayenne

25g bags

23/12/05

Farmhouse Products Ground Chillies

2.5g boxes

12/7/05

Farmhouse Products Cayenne Pepper

50g boxes

12/7/05

Photographs of the affected product can be found on the FSA website at www.food.gov.uk. Officers will be visiting food premises within the county to ensure these products are removed from sale.

Sudan 1 is not a permitted food colour and is believed to be a genotoxic carcinogen and its presence, at any level, is not permitted in any foodstuffs. These products present a health risk if consumed in sufficient quantity, and do not comply with the food safety requirements specified in the Food Safety Act 1990 due to the contamination.

Martin Wood, Chief Trading Standards Officer of West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service said: 

"Although there is no immediate threat of illness, those most at risk would be people eating contaminated products regularly over a long time, anyone who has these products at home should throw them away. Retailers, distributors and caterers should not sell or use them. The products should be destroyed or returned."

Councillor Graham Clarke, Chairman of the West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service added: 

"Despite the warnings and action taken so far, there is still more to do to ensure that consumers are not adversely affected. I would like to appeal, via the media, to retailers, distributors and caterers to check their stock and remove all contaminated products and to consumers to check their food cupboards. Anyone with any concerns or who sees any of these product on sale should contact the West Yorkshire Consumer Helpline on 0113 3 848 848".

For further information contact:

Carol Hallett General Media Contact 0113 383 6407
Graham Hebblethwaite Divisional Manager 0113 289 8218
Andrew Bibby Principal Officer 0113 289 8237

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Council's Boost Their Spending Power
25 March 2004

A series of seminars have been held across West Yorkshire hosted by the five local authorities working together to boost their buying power- and at the same time to support small and medium size local businesses.  West Yorkshire local authorities have an active procurement network and have already made good progress in developing e-tendering and online ordering of services and goods.

Joint contracts for the supply of library books and audio visual equipment for libraries are proving successful and Wakefield is currently leading on a number of tenders on behalf of other local authorities.  The seminars aim to "demystify" working for local authorities in West Yorkshire and give suppliers the opportunity to talk to representatives of the five councils and to register for the electronic tendering system.

Councillor Graham Stokes, Wakefield's Cabinet Member for Resources, said: 

"We are very pleased at success of these seminars which have been very well attended. We recognise the importance of small and medium sized businesses to the local economy and we are working closely with other authorities and agencies in the region to engage with local companies.  The Council is keen to improve its relationship with local suppliers and to increase opportunities for local companies to do business with the Council."

The seminars, which started in January and finish next month, are supported by West Yorkshire Business Link and have all been well attended. They provide opportunities for local small businesses to work with councils, show how online tendering can benefit businesses, help to remove trade barriers and look at how councils and small businesses can help each other.

Wakefield's Head of Partnering and Procurement Alan Kirkham said: 

"The seminars are part of the West Yorkshire Procurement Partnership which is focusing on sharing common systems, developing e-tendering and online ordering and supporting small and medium size businesses.  These seminars are way of bringing all the interested parties together so that we can explore business opportunities support small and medium enterprises and at the same time ensure that the Council gets value for money. We look forward to developing the network even further to achieve benefits for all concerned."

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Longer Opening Times for District's Libraries
25 March 2004

Many libraries across the District will open longer on Saturdays from 1st April in to offer improved access for the public.

Colin MacDonald, the Council's Head of Cultural Services, said: 

"We have recently invested a lot of money in new facilities in the libraries, particularly in computer technology which provides free Internet access.  This has proved to be a big success with people of all ages. We hope that opening longer on Saturdays will be more convenient and that it will provide a greater opportunity for people to visit libraries and make use of the services they have on offer."

Details of the new opening hours and the facilities available at each library can be obtained from the Culture and Leisure section of the Council's website on www.wakefield.gov.uk, from leaflets on display in all libraries or by telephoning library headquarters at Balne Lane, Wakefield, on 01924 302210.

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Wakefield Council to Hold Freedom of Information Seminar
23 March 2004

Wakefield Council is leading the way on implementing  the Freedom of Information Act  by holding a regional Seminar next month for the public sector at the National Coal Mining Museum for England, just outside Wakefield.  Speakers include Phil Boyd, Assistant Information Commissioner, Jon Hoare, Policy Adviser, Department for Constitutional Affairs, and Maurice Frankel, Director of the Campaign for Freedom of Information, Stuart Abraham from the National Archives, Ibrahim Hasan, ActNow, and Mike Walsh from BT Open Access are scheduled to attend.

Invitations have been issued to local authorities in the Yorkshire & Humber region via the Regional Assembly to discuss the implications of the Act, which is due to come fully into force in January 2005.

The Act, which was given Royal Assent in November 2000, places a duty on public authorities to adopt and maintain publication schemes which must be approved by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).   A survey carried out by the ICO on 52 local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland last September found that many councils needed to step up their action in order to be ready to respond when the Act is fully implemented next year.

Under the new legislation, citizens will have the right to be told if certain information exists and then to have access to that information within 20 working days.  This will include e-mails, electronic and hard copy files, plans,  and photographs.  The FoI also covers information which may have been archived as well as information held before the Act comes fully into force.

Councillor Graham Stokes, Cabinet Member for Resources and Wakefield's FoI Champion, said: 

"The FoI Act will have a significant impact on all public bodies.  We will use it in Wakefield  Council to show our openness and accountability in our work.  The Seminar is an ideal opportunity for the Region's local authorities and our public sector partners to find out what they need to do to be ready to comply with the Freedom of Information Act requirements.  The speakers we have invited will cover every aspect of the challenges and opportunities of the FoI Act, and we hope therefore that authorities in the Yorkshire and Humber region will respond positively.  Places are limited, so we would urge any potential delegates to contact us as soon as possible."

Anyone wanting to attend the seminar can contact Jill Farringdon at Wakefield Council's Reosurces Services, on 01924 305047 or email jfarringdon@wakefield.gov.uk

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Doorstep Crime Tops the Agenda
22 March 2004

West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service will be unveiling their Community Safety Strategy on Friday 26th March 2004 at a major summit to be held Wakefield Town Hall. Keynote speakers will include Pudsey MP Mr Paul Truswell, Councillor David Bond and Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn, all of whom have a vested interested in doorstep crime initiatives. This will be the second event to be held in a West Yorkshire authority, more summits will be held in Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale in the coming weeks.

The first summit held at Leeds Civic Hall last week was hailed a great success, and those attending were inspired by the range of initiatives that the Service is in the progress of undertaking. Many contacts were made on the day and this will further enhance the drive to ensure that West Yorkshire residents are educated and protected against Doorstep Crime.

The whole concept of community safety is an issue that the Service believes to be vital in protecting the citizens of West Yorkshire. The strategy covers key areas; these are doorstep crime, distraction burglary, anti-social behaviour, underage sales, consumer product safety and safer roads.

The Wakefield Summit will highlight how the Service works in partnership with private, local and voluntary organisations to ensure that West Yorkshire is a safer place to live. The event is all about alerting and engaging those organisations in Wakefield who are able to support and disseminate information about this initiative. It is also to raise awareness about the way partner organisations, along with the media, can become involved and make a difference.

At the top of the agenda will be the issue of Doorstep Crime, which is of national and local concern. Unfortunately the instances of doorstep crime are on the increase and it is a sad fact that the majority of victims are the most vulnerable members of the community.

Rogue traders and distraction burglars use many guises and excuses to gain entry or obtain work. The introduction of initiatives by the Service and its partner organisations will help to educate the general public on how to protect themselves against becoming a victim. One of the fundamental aims of the summits is to encourage more organisations to become involved, thus enabling the wider community to benefit.

The success of the Summit is pivotal in promoting and encouraging strong partnership links and the Service would like to extend an open invitation to anyone wishing to attend, who believes that the strategy may be of benefit to them or their organisation.

Registration will begin at 9.30am and the event will be opened by the Councillor Graham Clarke, Chairman of West Yorkshire Joint Services. The summit is scheduled to end at approximately 1.00pm. Anyone wishing to attend can register their interest by contacting Angela France on 0113 289 8284 or e-mail afrance@wyjs.org.uk

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Working in Wakefield
22 March 2004

A new exhibition, all about the world of work, opens at Wakefield Museum on Saturday, 3 April.

Working in Wakefield looks at how employment has changed in the city over the last 200 years.

"In the 1820s Wakefield people worked for local firms and local families" said Senior Keeper, Christine Johnstone.  "Today most work for the Council or for multinational firms, or commute to jobs in Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester."

The exhibition covers a wide variety of jobs, past and present.

The work of a shop assistant has changed dramatically.  Victorian shop assistants had to weigh and measure almost everything, package it, calculate the price, and work out the change.  Most shops today sell pre-packed goods and have electronic tills to work out the change.

More and more people work in more and more offices.  100 years ago the typewriter took over from handwriting, but in the last ten years the computer has replaced the typewriter.  E-mail is common, but the paper-less office looks as far away as ever.

"We look at who wears work uniform and why"  continued Christine Johnstone.  "Is it for trust and recognition, like firefighters and nurses, or for company identity like coach drivers and Coca Cola employees?"

The exhibition includes many interesting facts.  Did you know that:

  • Victorian employers thought that women made better 'typewriters'  than men, because playing the piano was supposed to give women nimble fingers.

  • Until 1944, most children left school and started full time work at the age of 14.

  • Until 1874, children could start full time work aged 8.

  • A  whitesmith makes things from tin, a blacksmith makes things from iron.

  • A slaymaker made wooden pegs for the textile mills, a staymaker made corsets.

  • Walton's Charles Waterton made legal history when he won one of the first court cases against a polluting industry.  He forced Hodgson's soap works to move away from his pioneering nature reserve at Walton Hall.

The museum will ask visitors to describe their best job and their most boring job, and all replies will be included in the exhibition.

Working in Wakefield opens on Saturday, 3 April at Wakefield Museum, and runs till 18 July.  Wakefield Museum is open 10.30 - 4.30 Monday - Saturday and 2.00 - 4.30 Sundays.  Admission is free.  The Museum is on Wood Street, next to Wakefield Town Hall.