Contents
For 2005
For further
information on any of the press releases featured contact:
W.M.D.C. Press & Communications
tel. (01924) 305295 · fax. (01924) 305144 · e-mail: pressoffice@wakefield.gov.uk
Schools
across the Wakefield District will be taking part in an anti-bullying
campaign next week. Assemblies, special lessons,
a poetry competition and a stand in The Ridings shopping centre are among
the activities designed to get the anti-bullying message across.
And
on Friday next week many pupils will be dressing in blue for the day as
they take part in the Anti-Bullying Alliance’s Blue Friday event. BLUE
stands for Be Lovely and Understanding to Everyone and Befriend, Learn,
Understand and Empathise.
Jim
Winter, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Inclusion and Lifelong
Learning) for Wakefield Council, said: “Many schools are showing a
commitment to anti-bullying by dressing in blue or wearing something blue.
We have had a fantastic response from the schools. As
an authority we could not have organised all of these events if we had not
had the response and motivation of the schools. The work that the children
and staff have put into Anti-Bullying Week has been absolutely
brilliant.”
National
Anti-Bullying Week runs from November 21 to 25 and this year’s theme is
children and young people participating in tackling anti-bullying. A
stand, manned by youngsters as well as LEA representatives, will be on the
second floor of The Ridings, outside of TK Maxx, from Monday to Friday.
Pupils from Methodist Junior and Infant at Wakefield, Ledger Lane Junior
and Infant at Outwood, Halfpenny Lane Junior and Infant, Pontefract, St
Giles Junior and Infant at Pontefract and Castleford High School will be
presenting their own poetry, drama, rap and singing during the course of
the week.
Councillor
Wayne Jenkins, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “The
anti-bullying message is a very important one that we want to get across
to pupils and parents across the District. We have been very pleased with
the response so far and hope that the events being held during the course
of the week will help reinforce the message that bullying in any form is
unacceptable in our schools.”
Contents
Build
New Schools Challenge to Pupils
18 November 2005
Wakefield
Council’s leader this week challenged pupils in the District to raise
enough money to build new schools in earthquake-stricken Pakistan. After
returning from a fact-finding trip to the Pakistan-governed Kashmir
region, where many Wakefield families have relatives, Councillor Peter Box
called on youngsters to raise enough funds to pay for up to ten new
schools.
He
said: “It doesn’t cost that much to build a new school in Pakistan. I
think that a target of £100,000 is one that schools in Wakefield can
reach if they put in the effort. If each child
in a Wakefield District school raised just £2 we would reach the target
and we could rebuild up to ten schools.”
Letters
are going out to schools next week urging them to join in the fund-raising
effort.
Councillor
Box, who visited Pakistan at the invitation of Wakefield community members
who have family in the earthquake-hit region, said his visit had brought
home to him how much help was needed immediately and in the future.
“People
are still desperately in need of tents - in two weeks time there will be
five feet of snow. It’s important I use this experience to help people
see the long-term issues. Wakefield should try to create links with
Pakistan, particularly through education and play a real role in the long
term in helping to rebuild schools,” he said.
Councillor
Box travelled with Wakefield resident Anwar Shah and visited the
devastated areas around Balakot, and Muzaffarabad.
The
Council has donated £10,000 to the Red Cross Earthquake Appeal.
The South Asian community in Wakefield aims to raise £100,000
to fund specific projects when the reconstruction begins and has already
raised a significant amount.
Donations
can still be made to either WMDC South Asia Earthquake Appeal at the
Co-operative Bank, Sort Code 089020 AC No 61513390 or WAWA (Wakefield
Asian Welfare Association) T/A Pakistan Earthquake Appeal, Royal Bank of
Scotland, Sort Code 16-33-27, Account No 10150667 Charity No. 4499060.
Contents
Parents
Warned Over Mini-Motorbikes
18 November 2005
Parents
have been urged not to buy mini-motorbikes for their children this
Christmas. Hundreds of complaints are made every
week across the Wakefield District about the nuisance caused by mini, quad
and off-road bikes and the newly established Vehicle Nuisance Team, a
partnership between Wakefield Council and West Yorkshire Police, is
seizing and crushing five or six bikes every week.
Inspector
Steve Lavelle, Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector, said:
“Mini-motorbikes are a big problem for us. Kids and adults causing a
nuisance on them genuinely plague people across the District. Any
vehicle that is used in a manner that causes nuisance, harassment, alarm
or distress is liable to be seized and crushed.”
Inspector
Lavelle also pointed out that the mini-motorbikes - which he has seen
being ridden by youngsters as young as eight - can be dangerous and when
ridden on the road, cannot always be seen by motorists.
“In
my view, they are a death trap,” he said.
The
Team has stopped around 500 children and adults on mini-motorbikes and
off-road bikes since May, all of who received an official warning and many
of whom had their bikes confiscated and crushed.
Councillor
Peter Loosemore, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Neighbourhoods,
also urged parents not to buy the bikes as Christmas gifts.
“The
bikes can be dangerous and children who ride them could be at risk. The
vehicles cause a nuisance across the District and I would urge people to
understand the nature of the problem caused by them. If they do pose a
nuisance, the bikes will be confiscated and crushed. We
want people to behave in a reasonable manner and be aware that if they buy
these gifts they could be just wasting their money,” he said.
Contents
Safe
Anchor Trust Ltd - Music Extravaganza
9 September 2005
The rafters
of Wakefield Cathedral will be ringing soon when West Yorkshire's canal
based charity, The Safe Anchor Trust Ltd, hits the high notes on Saturday
October 15th with an evening of music and song. The fund-raising concert,
part of the Trust's tenth anniversary celebrations, starts at 7pm
and will feature the West Yorkshire Police
Band and the Harrogate Ladies College Choir.
The Safe Anchor Trust Ltd, which has provided trips for 35,000 members of
the community since it formed in 1995, is a registered charity founded to
give free access to the waterways on their narrowboats for all age groups
with special needs.
Former Hollywood and Star Trek actor, Patrick Stewart, who was born
locally in Mirfield, is the president of the Trust.
"We have been holding a series of events throughout the year to mark
our tenth anniversary celebrations," said Safe Anchor Chairman Jane
Gummer MBE JP DL.
"This is an important year for us. We have a fantastic band of
volunteers who help out on a regular basis and we have all been busy
fundraising to purchase a new broad beamed boat with wheelchair access,
disabled facilities and also suitable classroom and conference
capabilities. The new boat will allow us to improve and expand our
services to a wide range of users, particularly physically disabled
groups. At the end of the day we want to give as many people as possible
an opportunity to enjoy our local
waterways".
"We are proud of our relationship with West Yorkshire Police, British
Waterways and the Probation Service who are our partners. We are also
proud of our connection with the Harrogate Ladies College Choir, who
freely give their time to our Trust."
The concert
is supported by West Yorkshire Police, who have worked alongside the Trust
on many occasions looking at issues of concern involving young people such
as water safety, anti-social behaviour, damage, graffiti and volunteering.
PC John Simpson of the Force's HQ Community Safety Department said, "
The Safe Anchor Trust Ltd allows police officers to work with young people
in a more informal way, allowing barriers to be broken down. This creates
a better environment for the officers to get to know them whilst they are
taking part in team building exercises. With volunteers on board who are
used to dealing with young people as well, this creates a unique
opportunity for the youngsters to get hand's on experience of activities
they would otherwise miss out on."
"British Waterways have worked with the Safe Anchor Trust Ltd on
Yorkshire's canals and navigations for the last ten years," said
Marie Millward, British Waterways Economic and Social Development Officer,
Yorkshire. "Over this time the Trust has established itself as a
leading community boat organisation and has introduced thousands of people
to boating who would normally not get the chance to take a trip on the
waterways. I hope that the cathedral concert will be well supported to
help the Trust continue the excellent voluntary work that they do with
local people from all walks of life."
Tickets for the evening cost £5 (no concessions) and are available from
the Customer Service Centre in The Ridings Shopping Centre, Wakefield,
Wakefield Cathedral Shop or by post from The Safe Anchor Trust Ltd, 18
Roberttown Lane, Liversedge, WF15 7LX. Alternatively, guests can pay on
the door, when they arrive for the performance.
For further
information and interviews please contact the Mrs Jane Gummer on 01924
408972.
Contents
Wakefield
Precinct will undergo a huge transformation on Wednesday 3rd August, as it
becomes a massive playspace to celebrate National Playday. The
biggest annual play celebration in the country, Playday each year involves
thousands of children who take part in play celebrations across the UK
with a common theme, and this years theme is are you 'Fit for Play?'.
This National event is co-ordinated by the Children's Play Council and The
Children's Society. The day is being organised locally by Wakefield
Early Education and Childcare Service in partnership with local
organisations
From 11am until 4pm, the Precinct will come alive to the sounds of play as
Wakefield will be celebrating Play Day with their biggest ever play event.
With a multitude of free events including surf simulator, giant games,
bouncy castle, dancing, circus workshops, arts and crafts, sports
activities and lots more, there will be literally something for children
and parents and carers of all ages.
A new and exciting attraction at this years event will be a free BMX trail
circuit, which will be erected a run by ORB-Training from Netherton.
Children over 11 years will be allowed a free go on this circuit as long
as they bring their BMX bike with them to the event.
Councillor Wayne Jenkins, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Children
and Young People said,
"Playday
not only enables children and families to have a great day out, but also
aims to get across some serious messages about children's need for play.
This will be an enjoyable day with lots of activities for all ages,
promoting high quality play, and giving children and young people the
freedom to play and have fun."
Wakefield's Playday is open to all children and families. Further
information about the event is available from 01924 302274
Contents
Bronze
Award For Birds Eye View Display
21 July 2005
Wakefield
Council's Park & Public Realm and Neighbourhood Environment Team have
won a bronze medal for the second year running for their flower bed
display at Tatton Park entitled Bird's Eye View.
The display was based upon the district's links with philanthropist
Charles Waterton,
and the Council's gardening team worked with former miner and artist,
Harry Malkin from Yorkshire Art Circus on the exhibition. The
display featured a figure of Charles Waterton with his feet in a pool of
water (blue bedding plants), a bird hide and two herons, made from woven
willow.
Cllr Graham Isherwood, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member, said: "The
team produced a very commendable effort and competition at the Show is
very intense.
"This is only our second year so we are hoping to build on our
experience and try again next year for a medal. It was certainly a
great team effort by all concerned and gave two horticultural apprentices
the chance to be involved in promoting Wakefield at a event of national
significance."
Last year the team won bronze for their first entry of a display entitled
'Fever Pitch' which drew its inspiration from the district's links with
rugby league.
The Flower Show takes place at Tatton Park from 20-24th July and
more information is available from Lisa Ferguson, Marketing Officer in
Parks and Public Realm on 01924 307831 or email: lferguson@wakefield.gov.uk
Contents
Wakefield
Council's Sports Development Team are offering children aged 5-15
the chance to get involved in healthy physical activity at a variety
of sports camps being organised throughout the district during the summer
break.
The team have organised the low cost, one week camps in cricket,
football, fun athletics and multi-sports for children of all abilities as
follows:-
Monday, 1st to Friday 5th August
Cricket Coaching Course 10.30am to 12.30pm, St. Michael's Cricket Club
and 1.30 to 3.30pm, Altofts Cricket Club
Monday 8th to
Friday 12th August
Cricket Coaching Course, 10.30am to 12.30pm, Ackworth Cricket Club and
1.30 to 3.30pm, Sandal Cricket Club
Multi-Sports Camp, 10.30am-3.30pm, Hemsworth Arts and Community college
Monday, 15th
to Friday 19th August
Norwich Union Star Track Fun Athletics, 10.30am-3.00pm, Castleford High
School
Monday 22nd
to Friday 26th August
Football Coaching Course, 10.30am to 12.30pm, Pontefract Sports and Social
Football Club and 1.30-3.30pm, Crofton Community Centre
Tuesday, 30th
August to Friday 2nd September
Multi-Sports Camp, 10.30am to 3.00pm, The Kings High School, Pontefract.
Keith Twiss,
Wakefield Council's Sport & Recreation Project Officer, said:
"The
courses are designed to develop a range of skills, but mostly they are
designed to be simply fun, enjoyable and exciting. With the Ashes
tournament taking place during the summer the cricket camps provide the
perfect opportunity for boys and girls to take a first step into the
sport, learn about batting, bowling and fielding and copy their cricketing
heros such as Kevin Pietersen, 'Freddie' Flintoff or even Shane
Warne. For the masses of children to whom the beautiful game is their
religion, the football camps will give coaching in basic skills of the
sport while they enjoy themselves in a relaxed friendly atmosphere. We
have also teamed up with both UK Athletics and Norwich Union to provide
our Star Track Fun Athletics camp, where children will learn new skills
including sprints, hurdles and long jump. Also the throwing events of
javelin, shot putt, discus and hammer will be taught using modern child
friendly foam throwing equipment. Children additionally will take part in
a whole variety of activities including fun relays, athletic orienteering
games, and an athletics grand prix. In the multi-sport camps children will
take part in a large variety of sports, including football, rugby
& cricket along with rounders, softball, uni-hockey & other
popular summer activities. Parachute games, fun competitions, sports
quizzes and just plain silly "slapstick" games will also be
organised."
The camps will be led by Community Sports Coaches, Matt Rayner and
Danny Milnes and other qualified coaches.
For further information and to book a place, contact the Sports
Development Team on 01924 307466 or e-mail: mattrayner@wakefield.gov.uk
Contents
I
have been asked to inform the councillors of wards on the M62 corridor of
three more closures of the M62. The
closure will be between Junction 32 (Glasshoughton) and Junction 33 (Ferrybridge
Services). The details and
dates of the closure are:
These
closures will take place on a Saturday evening between 20.00hrs untill
08.00hrs on the following Sunday morning.
The
majority of the traffic using the M62 will be diverted from junction 29
outside the
Wakefield
boundary to the
A1. However eastbound traffic
from Junction 30 and 31 will be diverted through Pontefract to the A1 at
Ferrybridge.
Thank
you for your time and should you have any more inquiries on these works
please feel free to contact me on the details below.
Mark Cooper
Traffic Technician
, 01924
306329
mcooper@wakefield.gov.uk
Contents
Older
People Get Their Say
2 June 2005
Wakefield
Council is organizing five open meetings for older people across the
district in partnership with voluntary organizations to raise their
awareness of the services on offer and to enable them to voice their
opinions.
The forums,
which are being organized during June and July, already exist in many
parts of the country. They will have information about services and
activities available for older people, and will provide opportunities to:
-
discuss
ideas and concerns
-
be
consulted and feed back on plans, initiatives and ideas from statutory
services, to get people together socially
Councillor
Graham Stokes, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Resources,
said:
"Forums
are also a way for older people to have a collective voice and to ensure
they have a role in planning the provision of public and voluntary
services. They can bring older people together, and provide a way in which
we and other organizations can consult with a large number of older people
in one place."
The meetings
will run from 10.30 – 1.00pm, at the following venues and dates, with
refreshments provided:-
Monday, 27th
June at the Spring Life Centre, Southmoor Road, Hemsworth
Thursday 30th June at the Alice Bacon Centre, Market Street, Normanton
Friday 1st July at the Town Hall, Market Place, Ossett
Monday 4 July at Treacy Hall, Cathedral Precinct, Wakefield
Wednesday 6th July at the Salvation Army Citadel, Booth Street, Castleford
For further
information about the forums, please contact Rachel Pilling at Wakefield
Council, tel: 01924 305174, email: rpilling@wakefield.gov.uk
Contents
Children
Encouraged to Stop-Think-Wash During National Food Safety Week
2 June 2005
A glitter bug
potion and a pantomime will be used to highlight the importance of hand
washing by Wakefield Council's Food Safety Team when they visit schools
across the district in support of National Food Safety Week (Monday
13-Friday 17 June).
The
demonstrations, which are being carried out in conjunction with Primary
Care Trusts, include a pantomime performance called "Nasty Germ"
to convey some serious health messages about how hands can spread
infection to tie in with this year's theme - Stop-Think-Wash.
Children and
caterers in restaurants and take-aways will be asked to take part in a
practical session where they will be asked to wash their hands with a
glitter bug potion and look at the germs on their hands under a special UV
light.
Councillor
Graham Isherwood, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Environment,
said:
"A large
number of food poisoning cases are linked to people not washing their
hands thoroughly. By making sure people follow good hand washing practices
at home and work, the number of people becoming ill would be greatly
reduced. Food Safety week gives us the opportunity of highlighting the
importance of hand washing to both caterers and the general public."
Anyone
wanting further information can contact the Food Safety Team on 01924
305993
This is the
thirteenth year of National Food Safety Week. More information about the
activities taking place are on the national website at www.foodlink.org.uk
Contents
Children aged
between 8-13 are being invited to take part in half-term gymnastic and
athletic camps at Thornes Park Stadium, Lightwaves Leisure Centre and
Knottingley Sports Centre.
The sports camps, which are being organized by the Sports Development
team, will be running over the two week holiday period with
community coaches Zoe Styles (gymnastics) and Danny Milnes (athletics).
The cost of the courses is £3.50 per session at the following venues and
dates:-
Gymnastics:
Lightwaves, Thursday Tuesday, 2nd June; Thornes Park, Wednesday, 3rd June;
Knottingley, Monday, 6th and Friday, 10th June.
Athletics:
Thornes Park, Thursday and Friday both weeks, 2nd and 3rd June, and 9th
and 10th June.
Councillor
Denise, Jeffery, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and
Tourism, said:
"The
sports camps will increase children's gymnastic and athletic skills. With
childhood obesity rising every year, we want to increase the number of
children taking part in physical activity. It has been proved that
learning new skills in gymnastics and athletics improves mental aptitude,
co-ordination and physical strength."
Certificates will be awarded to the children who take part in the
Athletics course BAGA (British Amateur Gymnastics Award) and award badges
will be awarded to children completing the course.
For further information on the sports camps contact 01924 304058.
Contents
Manygates
Adult Education Centre, which is in the country's top 10% for adult
learning providers, is inviting people to get an insight into the courses
on offer during Adult Learners' Week . From 1pm - 8.30pm Tuesday, 24th to
Thursday, 26th May, the Centre will have information and displays in the
Hall on the various courses available from stained glass and woodturning,
to languages and creative writing for anyone who wants to take up another
hobby or look at a new career. Classes will also be running during the
week, and visitors will be taken on a guided tour around the building to
see learners in a classroom environments and work produced by current
students.
Displays of work will include, stained glass, woodturning, languages,
pottery, art, decoupage, sculpture, creative writing, parchment craft,
dressmaking, knitting, furniture restoration and flowers. The Adult and
Community Education Service -Wakefield ACES - was awarded a grade two
"good" in five areas of learning by the Government's Adult
Learning Inspectorate earlier this year.
ACES notched up the 'good' grades in ICT, Health, Social Care and Public
Service, visual arts and for its foundation programmes and family learning
The Adult Learning Inspectorate also awarded a double "good"
grade for its approach to leadership and management and quality assurance.
John McLeod,
Wakefield Council's Corporate Director for Education, said:
"Our
Adult Education Service provides a first-class service with over 100
different part-time programmes, in 1,000 classes across the district, from
Accounts to Yoga. 'Adult Learners' Week is a great opportunity to
try something different either for skills training to help people get jobs
and or for personal learning and development."
Anyone wanting copies of the Access to Adult Education guide can contact
the Centre on 01924 303302.
Contents
Wakefield
Council is celebrating the fact that it is ranked in the top 100
organisations in Yorkshire and the Humber in limiting its impact on the
environment. The announcement is part of a voluntary scheme - The Business
in the Community Environmental Index 2005 - organised by Business in The
Community and announced today, 17th May at West Yorkshire Playhouse,
Leeds.
The scheme,
which is independently audited and highly regarded, is used to benchmark
organisations in the region as regards climate change, waste and resource
management and protecting and promoting wildlife. The scheme contrasts the
relative merits of both public and private sector organisations, based on
information provided to Business in the Community. The index ranks them
according to the strength of their procedures to control environmental
risks, and their performance against a number of environmental indicators.
Councillor
Graham Ishwerwood, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Environment,
said: "This is very welcome news, particularly as this is the first
time we have entered the Index. Our staff, especially frontline employees,
need to be praised for contributing to improving the local environment,
and improving the quality of life for local residents. We have already
been recognised for our success in recycling which has exceeded Government
targets. We are extremely pleased with this encouraging result but will
not be resting on our laurels and are continually working on ways to
improve our efficiency."
Further
information on the BiTC Environmental Index is available from
www.bitc.org.uk.
Background
Information:
This is the
7th year the Index has been run. Sectors included are construction,
engineering, financial, food and drink, general manufacturing, general
services, IT, electronics and communications, local authorities, NHS
trusts, oil, gas, chemicals and minerals, retail, universities and
utilities.
Issued By:
Lesley Grogan, Press and PR Officer, Tel: 01924 305294, Fax: 01924 305144,
Email : lgrogan@wakefield.gov.uk
Contents
Local rugby
clubs aiming for Sport England's new Clubmark status are being offered a
helping hand by Wakefield Council's Sport & Recreation staff.
Clubmark is used by national governing bodies of sports (NGBs) as part of
their club accreditation programmes for sports clubs with junior sections
in recognition of a quality club. To achieve Clubmark status, clubs need
to ensure they have minimum standards in their management, sports equity
and ethics, coaching and child protection policies.
Jayne Dowding, Wakefield Council''s Coach Education and Active Sport
Development Officer is offering help and advice with applications
including the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks which need to be
completed for all coaches and volunteers who come into contact with young
players. Jayne said:
"Sport
England are wanting to raise standards generally in the way clubs are run
and Clubmark status means they have had their policies approved. The
British Amateur Rugby League Association is currently offering to finance
the CRB checks which normally cost £39.00 as an incentive to clubs, and
we can give guidance to clubs wanting to apply for Clubmark status. Clubs
which have achieved Clubmark status will be listed on the national
database and in other sporting directories which will help attract new
members."
Anyone
wanting more information or help can contact Jayne Dowding, on 01924
302481, or email jdowding@wakefield.gov.uk.
More information on Clubmark is available from www.sportengland.org/clubmark.
Contents
Online library
facilities are arriving in the Wakefield district, enabling people to
reserve and order books, music and films over the internet.
The online
service - part of the council's web services - gives access to details of
all the stock from the district's 28 libraries and 2 mobile vehicles.
Anyone can check what books, CDs, CD-ROMs, DVDs and videos are available
at any time of the day or night. Library members can reserve what they
want and collect the order from their local library.
Councillor Wayne
Jenkins, Cabinet Member for Education and Culture, said:
"This is
the latest development in our library service which has seen significant
investment in the last few years. We have increased our stocks
substantially and the online facility means that more people can access
the service. It is part of our drive to get more council services
online and I am delighted to see technology being used to boost use of
libraries."
To renew items
or to make reservations and suggestions for new stock customers will need
a library card and an individual PIN number which is instantly available
at local libraries for both current and future library members with proof
of identity.
Libraries online
information is accessible via www.wakefield.gov.uk/librariesonline
by calling 01924 302210 or by emailing lib.admin@wakefield.gov.uk
Contents
Wakefield
Council is supporting International Women's Day on 8th March by co-ordinating
a wide variety of week-long programmes from 7th-13th March and Wakefield
District's Mayor, Councillor Janet Holmes will be sampling some of the
activities on offer. The activities, which have been organised between the
Council's Community Cohesion unit, Sport and Recreation, DIVA, The Well
Women Centre and the Flying Ducks, range from walking, library events,
creative and leisure pursuits, to complementary medicine taster sessions -
most of which are free or at a reduced cost to encourage as many women to
come along as possible.
International Women's Day marks a celebration of the economic, social,,
cultural and political achievements for women and the idea first arose at
the turn of the century. Libraries across the district will be
featuring displays from the end of February until mid-March around the
achievements of women, including excellence in sport, entertainment,
leadership or writing.
Sports Centres across the district are organising a comprehensive list of
women only sessions including aqua fit, yoga, cardio workouts, and
swimming.
The Walking
Women's Network will be holding a special series of opportunities to join
in local walks and the Well Women Centre will be holding free 15 minute
complementary medicine taster sessions at Cheapside, Wakefield and their
Eastmoor Centre. (Tel: 01924 211114)
The Mayor said:
"We certainly have a good choice of events for women to get involved
in this year and I am looking forward to seeing, and trying out,
some of the activities on offer."
Leaflets giving
full details of the event timetable are available and downloadable from
the Council's website at www.wakefield.gov.uk.
For further information about International Women's Day in Wakefield,
contact the Council's Community Cohesion Unit on 01924 305174 or email
rpilling @Wakefield.gov.uk. The national official website is www.internationalwomensday.com.
Contents
Wakefield
Council is reminding residents to check they are on the electoral
register, especially if they have moved house recently.
The register is updated every autumn but residents can now register to
vote as soon as they move house as rolling registration takes place every
month, so there is no need to wait for the annual canvas for details to be
updated.
Christine Mason, Wakefield Council's Electoral Services Manager, said:
"This year it is especially important to be registered, as it is
anticipated that there will be a General Election in the Spring and if you
are not registered you will not be able to vote. Announcement of the
official election date is still awaited but if the election is held on the
5th May this year, then the deadline for registering will be 5pm on
Friday, 11th March 2005."
Anyone who has
changed their address, or their details in any other way, is advised to
complete a new registration form which is available from the Electoral
Services Office on 01924 305023 or e-mail your details to elections@wakefield.gov.uk.
The Electoral Services team are happy to check if residents' details are
correctly recorded on the register.
Contents
£500 Reward
for Anti-Graffiti Information
10 February 2005
The war
against graffiti is stepping up this week with a poster and radio campaign
aimed at naming and shaming those responsible by Wakefield Council and
West Yorkshire Police. The campaign - 'Name That Tag' - is asking people
to identify the culprits very much like the successful Dob in a Dealer
scheme which led to a number of arrests.
Anyone giving information leading to arrest and charge of the person
responsible for the tag (or style) of the graffiti will qualify for £500
provided they telephone by 15th March and they can remain anonymous by
using a code number.
Cllr Graham Isherwood, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Environment,
said:
"At the
end of the day, graffiti makes our surroundings look unsightly and scruffy
and can be extremely threatening. They spoil the environment in much the
same way as litter and dog fouling and we are taking a very hard line on
this. It also eats up resources in getting surfaces clean again. We
hope that this campaign and the reward will encourage people to come
forward and give us information to help us find the culprits."
Anyone who has information they feel would be useful in identifying
graffiti culprits can contact the freephone hotline number 0800 555 111.
Contents
Wakefield
Council today backed a campaign proposed by Councillor Hazel Chowcat to
highlight the dangers of accepting lifts from unlicensed taxis or private
hire vehicles (mini-cabs). The motion was prompted by the death of a young
Wakefield woman and more recently that of a woman in Cambridge who had
accepted lifts from unlicensed mini-cab drivers. Councillor Chowcat
was also concerned that many people do not realise that only licensed
hackney carriages (commonly known as taxis) can be hailed in the street,
whereas mini-cabs cannot. It has also become apparent that people
need to know the difference between hackney carriage taxis, licensed
private hire vehicles and vehicles not licensed to carry fare paying
passengers at all.
Councillor Chowcat said: "Generally speaking people are not aware of
any differences in cars offering taxi services and this leaves people very
vulnerable. There are two types of licences which we issue.
Operators of private hire licensed vehicles and hackney carriages pay for
their licence and carry a licence plate which shows they have been vetted
by the authority, whereas unlicensed vehicles have not been inspected for
safety or suitability, do not have the necessary insurances in place to
carry passengers, and the drivers have not been checked for suitability
against information held by the Criminal Records bureau (CRB). Anyone
getting into an unlicensed vehicle is putting themselves at unnecessary
risk."
As part of
the campaign, Wakefield Council will be mounting an advice campaign
designed to get people home safely, with various do's and don'ts on taking
a taxi including:-
-
Do check
for a licence plate on the rear of the vehicle
-
Do check
that the driver is displaying a valid ID badge with a photo
-
Don't get
into an unmarked saloon car or MPV
-
Don't
flag down a vehicle without an illuminated 'taxi' sign on its roof
-
Hackney
carriages can be hailed on street or at an on-street rank, while
licensed private hire vehicles must be pre-booked through an office
-
If you
have any doubts about the vehicle or the driver, don't get in.
Anyone
wanting more information about taxi licences can contact the Council's
licensing section on 01924 302921 or email licensingoffice@wakefield.gov.uk.
Contents
New
Arts Directory for the Wakefield District
8 February 2005
Professional
and voluntary artists or arts organisations living or working in the
District are being invited to promote their services free through a
dedicated Arts Directory - but they need to get in touch by 21st February
to make sure they are included.
Now in its 5th edition, the Arts Directory, organised by Wakefield
Council's Arts Development and DIVA (Development Initiatives for Voluntary
Arts), is a unique reference guide bringing together all professional and
voluntary arts groups and freelance artists in the Wakefield District, as
well as listing useful information on venues, courses and training.
With over 200 entries, and available in libraries, public buildings and
many other locations across the Wakefield District, the Directory is a
great place to start for anyone looking to join a group, commission an
artist or find a venue to put on an event.
Adele Poppleton, Wakefield Council's Senior Development Officer for
Cultural Services, said: " Wakefield is a vibrant, creative place.
The Directory helps people to discover how they can get involved in the
arts in the District and explore their own creativity. This is a
great opportunity for voluntary arts groups such as music, drama, craft or
writing, to promote their services free of charge. The Directory is also a
good source of reference for anyone looking for venues suitable for
holding an event or arts activity. Professional artists and arts
organisations can also promote themselves through the arts pages of the
Council's website www.wakefield.gov.uk
which has successfully led to work in the past."
Anyone not currently featured should telephone Cultural Services on 01924
305787, email: apoppleton@wakefield.gov.uk
or write for an entry form to Cultural Services, Wakefield Council, PO Box
262, Wakefield before the deadline of 21st February.
Contents
Voluntary
Groups Celebrate Grant Success
8 February 2005
Twelve local
groups will be celebrating a year of success, thanks to grants they
received as part of £100,000 share out from the Fairplay Partnership in
conjunction with Wakefield Council's Community Cohesion Unit.
The Global Grants celebration will take the form of an exhibition at the
newly-built Chesney's Community Centre at Featherstone on 16th February,
with Wakefield-born TV presenter, Ian Clayton opening the event.
The aim behind the grants which were up to £10,000, was to provide
start-up funding, develop skills and enable people from relatively new and
smaller voluntary groups across the District to get into the labour
market. 70% of the funding was from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund
and 30% from the European Social Fund.
The groups ranged from Parents United (Horbury) which provided speakers to
give parents and carers confidence to re-enter the labour market; DIAL
Wakefield, which recruited and trained a group of volunteers to give
advise and help to disabled people and their carers; to Next Generation
which ran three projects including team building, sports activities and
support for people trying to find employment.
Representatives from the Big Lottery, Charities Information Bureau and
Business Link will be on hand to give information to the groups on how
they can continue, while efforts are being made to source funding for
another year. The groups will be bringing evidence along of the work they
have done during the year and feedback from the communities they have
helped.
Ayub from Next Generation said: "Global Grants have given hope with
minimal risk to community organisations."
Gordon Woollard from Pontefract Sports and Social Club said:
"Global Grants has greatly widened the opportunities, opened many
doors for young people in the community through coaching in the Pontefract
area."
Cllr Phil Dobson, Wakefield Council's Deputy Leader, said: "It is
really wonderful to see all the good work which has been achieved with
this grant over just one year. The Global Grant scheme has achieved what
it set out to do in encouraging these groups not only to gain experience
themselves but to spread their influence and skills to other parts of the
community. I really hope that we can get a further year's funding to
support their ongoing work now that they have proved themselves."
Contents
A
Birds-Eye View Display for Tatton Park
4 February 2005
Wakefield
Council is to be represented once again at the RHS Flower Show at
Tatton Park, 20-24th July, having had their innovative flowerbed design
accepted by the organisers.
This year's design - 'A Bird's Eye View' - draws on the district's
links with the 19th Century naturalist, explorer and philanthropist,
Charles Waterton who created the world's first nature reserve and who
inspired the successful Waterton Discovery Centre at Anglers Country Park.
The Council's Park & Public Realm and Neighbourhood Environment Team
last year won a bronze medal for their first entry into the show entitled
'Fever Pitch' based on the colours of the district's three rugby league
teams.
The Council's gardening team will be working with former miner and artist,
Harry Malkin from Yorkshire Art Circus on the exhibition. The
display will feature a figure of Charles Waterton with his feet in a pool
of water (blue bedding plants), a bird hide and two herons, made from
woven willow.
Cllr Graham Isherwood, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member, said:
"This is
a great opportunity to promote Wakefield District at a prestigious
national event, and we hope that we can build on last year's success and
go for gold this time. Charles Waterton is an important naturalist and the
Waterton Discovery Centre and the Heronry attract a lot of visitors here.
His work inspired Darwin and the American President Theodore Roosevelt,
who developed some of the great national parks in America.
"The subject matter gives plenty of scope which our skilled gardening
teams can work on so I am very much looking forward to seeing the end
result."
Yorkshire Art Circus Director, Phil Simmons, said:
"We're
delighted to be involved. Our organisation has been helping make the arts
more accessible for over 25 years now, and this is a wonderful
opportunity to work in a truly popular, environmentally friendly medium.
Harry Malkin is a very talented artist who's done great things with us.
I'm sure he'll do us, and Wakefield, proud."
The Flower Show takes place at Tatton Park from 20-24th July and
more information is available from Lisa Ferguson, Marketing Officer in
Parks and Public Realm on 01924 30831 or email lferguson@wakefield.gov.uk
For media information about the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park, please
contact Mandy Sharpe at Fido on 0161 274 3311 or via email mandy@trustfido.co.uk.
Ticket hotline: 0870 906 3811.
Contents
Service
On Course For Another Charter Mark
27 January 2005
Figures from
people using the Council's Bereavement service in the last year showed
that 98% found it either excellent or satisfactory. The survey covered
questionnaires from members of the public who used the cremation and
burial service, and comments from books and cards providing feedback from
645 people in total. Only 2% thought the service
unsatisfactory.
The service, which has already achieved the coveted Government Charter
mark award for excellence twice, hopes that this latest satisfaction
survey will put it well on target to get a third Charter mark later this
year when it comes up for review.
During the year, works have been carried out both at Wakefield and more
recently, Pontefract Crematorium to make them more accessible to disabled
people.
Works at Pontefract Crematorium included improvements such as tactile
paving, new hand rails, pond railings, improved lighting and dropped kerbs
for wheelchair access. At Wakefield work included dropped
kerbs for wheelchair access, a ramped area to the front of the building,
again for wheelchair access, new internal doors. Fully refurbished
disabled toilets have been introduced at both crematoriums.
Cllr Graham
Isherwood, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, said:
"Over £54,000
has been invested in making improvements to make the facilities more
accessible to people and we made sure that most of the work was carried
out at weekends to ensure that visitors were not inconvenienced. The team
pride themselves on providing a first-class service in this very sensitive
area and it is good to know that their efforts are appreciated. I am
sure they stand a very good chance of achieving Charter mark for a third
year running."
A new facility launched last November makes burial and cremation
information on local residents over the past 20 years available online, is
proving popular with family historians with enquiries being fielded as far
away as Australia and America. The project has been so successful
that it is being extended with a pilot scheme to scan the actual burial
register records in Castleford to view online, with a plan to eventually
roll this out across the district's 19 cemeteries.
For more information about the Council's Bereavement Services call 01977
727076 or visit the council website on www.wakefield.gov.uk
Contents
Be
Totally Cool at Half-Term Sports Camps
26 January 2005
Parents
looking for activities to occupy their children during the February
half-term break can take advantage of two sports camps running from Monday
7th to Friday 11th February, organised by Wakefield's Sports Development
Team at Castleford High School.
The multi-sports camp will include traditional sports such as football,
rugby, cricket, rounders, softball, uni-hockey; as well as fun activities
including parachute games, competitions, sports quizzes and some
'slapstick' activities. Sessions are from 10.30am-12.30pm for 5-7
year olds, and from 10.30am-3.00pm for 8-12 year olds.
For children aged between 5 and 7 the cost is £1.75 per session/£7.50
per week and £3.50 per session, or £15.00 per week for 8-12 year
olds.
The children will be led by full-time Community Sports Coaches, Matt
Rayner and Danny Milnes, with other qualified coaches from the team.
A new
Gymnastics Community Sports Coach, Zoe Styles, will be leading an
introductory course in gymnastics for boys and girls of all abilities aged
between 5 and 11 who want to learn new skills in a fun environment.
The camp will run between 3-4pm and will cost 80p per day or £3.50 for
the week.
Spaces are limited so for further information, or to reserve a place,
contact the Sports Development Unit on 01924 307810 or email mrayner@wakefield.gov.uk,
or zstyles@wakefield.gov.uk.
Contents
Offenders
Payback Scheme Scoring Success
18 January 2005
A scheme
which brings victims and young offenders together to repair the harm done
when a crime is committed is proving successful in Wakefield district.
'Restorative justice' is a relatively new concept in the UK where victims
are invited to meet those who have offended and take part in the
punishment process, which as much as possible is related to the
offence committed. Over the last eighteen months the scheme has
resulted in reduced repeat offending, more court orders being
completed and victims reporting feeling more satisfied with the results.
Martin Morrey, Wakefield Youth Offending Team's Restorative Justice and
Reparation Officer joined Wakefield Council last May and has been working
with Lara King, Victim Liaison Officer on the new system. He
said:
"I have
seen many young people go through this process and making amends for their
crimes through restorative justice and it seems to be bringing some
positive results. The way it works is that we contact the victims of crime
and ask if they want to take part in the decision making process
concerning the crime committed against them. Reparation means
trying to put right the harm done through some form of compensation, for
example work for the victim or organisation. It's not the same
as community service as the work is usually related to the offence, based
on the wishes of the victim or on the skills of the offender.
It could involve cleaning off some graffiti, mending a damaged fence, or
clearing an overgrown pathway. If the victim doesn't want to take part
then the reparation will be paid back indirectly to the community by for
instance working for a charity or other scheme that we have set up.
Reparation is just one form of paying back the offender's debt to the
community but it does seem to have been particularly successful."
Cllr Peter Loosemore, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Social
Services & Health, said:
"Restorative
Justice encourages those who have caused harm to acknowledge the impact
they have had and gives them a chance to put things right. From the
victim's point of view, it offers a chance to have their harm or loss
recognised and for amends to be made. In the traditional justice
process, victims have very limited opportunity to say how they have been
affected and the offender is not encouraged to accept responsibility.
Restorative justice is based on a Maori principle and has been used for
centuries in New Zealand, Australia and the USA but only relatively
recently in the UK. It brings together the views of victims and
offenders and looks at the problem from all points of view to find a way
of putting it right."
Contents
Wakefield
Council's Early Education and Childcare Service is looking to recruit more
people to take up a career in childcare within the district to cope with
the increase in places as part of a national growth trend.
There are now more opportunities in childcare than ever before with the
creation of over 1.8 million childcare places since 1997. Within the
Wakefield District there are over 7,500 part-time places for 3 and 4 year
old children.
Councillor Wayne Jenkins, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Education
and Culture, said:
"We now
need more staff to train in childcare to meet the Government's ambitious
pledge to provide places to benefit an additional 1.6 million children by
2006. Jobs in childcare are hot news as more and more people with
enthusiasm and energy take up the challenge of a rewarding career close to
home. The right people with the right skills are needed at all levels of
childcare, both working from home and in one of the many nurseries which
are now operating across the district to allow working parents to afford
good quality childcare."
Anita Farrell, Head of Service for Wakefield Early Education and Childcare
Service said, "There are a wide variety of careers in childcare from
childminding to playworker, all of which are highly rewarding."
Anyone wanting to find out more about a career in childcare in Wakefield
can contact the Recruitment Officer at Wakefield Early Education and
Childcare Service on 01924 306 379. or for a national information pack
contact 0800 99 66 00, or visit www.childcarecareers.gov.uk.
Local Jobcentre Plus centres also have details of childcare vacancies.
Contents
Wakefield LEA
is recruiting for a third batch of 30 graduate teacher trainees for its
September 2005 intake in the New Year. Since it began in 2002, the
programme has been very successful in training 31 graduates with 80%
choosing to stay and teach in the district.
Wakefield is known as a DRB - a designated recommended body which runs the
programmes in conjunction with Leeds University. The courses
work more or less like an apprenticeship in teaching - with a hands-on
rather than the study-based approach of the PGCE. Students work in a
specified school with a teacher as a mentor, and do their teaching
practice under a watchful eye, and then have a one day placement at
college.
Bhavna Karan is just one of 30 graduate trainees on the Wakefield
programme - she is now three months into a Graduate Teaching
programme and enjoying every minute. Little did she think that
working as a voluntary helper in her children's school would lead her one
day to study for a teaching profession.
Bhavna is doing her placement at St. Michael's Primary in Wakefield and to
ensure a broad experience, and complete coverage of the Key Stage I and II
syllabus, she is also doing a cross-placement with another school for a
six week period.
She said: "I have always had an interest in schools - and helped at
mothers and toddlers groups when my children were young. When the
opportunity came up to be a teaching assistant, I thought why not?
So I went for it and succeeded. Studying to be a primary school teacher is
really enjoyable. I observe and shadow teachers, find out how
they make lesson plans and what progression stages there are in the key
stages, and then this is topped up with a day at Bradford College."
Cllr Wayne Jenkins, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Education and
Culture, said: "The programme has been tremendously successful and it
is a great way for people to gain Qualified teacher Status by training
directly in a school. The programme is going a long way to address the
teacher shortage in Wakefield, especially in the secondary shortage
subjects of maths, English, science, design and technology, ICT and modern
foreign languages. I am sure Bhavna will achieve her Qualified Teacher
Status in the summer and the authority look forward to her choosing
Wakefield to start her career."
The majority of places available are for secondary places for
Maths,English, Science, Design & Technology, ICT, and Modern Foreign
Languages, and for men in primary, minority ethnic and disabled categories
which are currently under-represented. Trainees must have a degree
and Maths and English GCSE or equivalent and for graduates applying for
primary school places born after 1st September 1979, must also have
Science GCSE. Anyone interested in finding out more about the Graduate
Teaching programme can contact Danielle Martin on 01924 305570 or email
her on dmartin@wakefield.gov.uk.
Contents
Have
Your Say on the District's Future Local Development Framework
6 January 2005
Residents and
organisations across the District are being invited to have their say on
Wakefield Council's Local Development Framework (ldf), which will
eventually replace the current Unitary Development Plan (UDP) in 2007.
The ldf will show where new development will take place over the
next ten years or so.
Recently the Council has written to over 270 national, regional and
local bodies and individuals asking for their initial views about the
types of issue the ldf should address. The ldf is made up of a number of
documents and the Council has published a timetable to explaining the
purpose of each document and the different stages at which people can get
involved.
Councillor Denise Jeffery, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for
Development and Partnerships said: "Everyone has a part to play in
preparing the ldf and there will be a number of opportunities and ways to
get involved. We are asking for the views of all sections of the
community, businesses and organisations at each stage and we need feedback
on the first formal stage before the end of February 2005."
The first formal stage - Issues and Options - is made up of two
documents Issues and Options Report and an Interim Sustainability
Appraisal. The Issues and Options Report identifies the issues and
questions the Council thinks are important for the ldf to address
and The Interim Sustainability Appraisal looks at the various options put
forward in the Report against a range of criteria to assess whether they
are sustainable.
Anyone wanting to comment on any of the questions and issues raised in the
documents or wanting to suggest other issues which need to be looked
at in the ldf can either fill in the Comments Form provided and return it
to the address below, e-mail comments to stratpoludp@wakefield.gov.uk:
or use the Comments Form on the Council's website at www.wakefield.gov.uk/ldf.
All comments should reach the Council by 28th February 2005.
More information about the ldf can be found on the Council's
web-site at www.wakefield.gov.uk/ldf.
Copies of the Issues and Options Report and Comments Form and the Interim
Sustainability Appraisal are also available from the above address or can
be downloaded from the Council's web-site at www.wakefield.gov.uk/ldf.
Comments should be sent to Wakefield Council's Spatial Policy Group,
Regeneration & Housing Services, PO. Box 92, Newton Bar, Wakefield WF1
lXS, Fax 01924 306660.
Contents
RSPB
Teams up with Libraries on Early Birds Project
6 January 2005
Young
children across the district will soon be learning about their feathered
friends from a new project being piloted across the District by the Royal
Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in partnership with Wakefield
Libraries and Museums.
The Early Birds Project, starting in January, involves storytelling
sessions to introduce 3-5 year olds to wildlife in their own gardens, and
at the same time encouraging them to start reading and using their local
libraries.
Early Years classes will be invited to visit a local venue, for activities
organised by the Libraries and Museums Children's Team. RSPB is providing
resources for the scheme including storybooks, finger puppets, a set of
singing cuddly birds, CDs and games. Each class will also receive an
activity pack to enable teaching staff to continue the initiative back in
the classroom.
The project will run initially from January to March tying in with RSPB's
Big Garden Birdwatch at the end of January and Storytelling Week in
February 2005. If it proves successful, RSPB will decide to roll the
project out nationwide.
Councillor
Wayne Jenkins, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Education and
Culture, said:
"This is
a brilliant idea and works to the benefit of both the libraries in
introducing young children to libraries at an early age and encouraging
literacy, and also for the RSPB, in making children and families more
environmentally aware."
Hayley Smith from RSPB, said:
"The
RSPB is excited to be working with Wakefield Libraries' Children's Team on
this important project. Introducing young children to birds and
wildlife using interactive story telling is a new approach for the RSPB.
By providing quality follow-up resources, we hope to encourage nursery
aged children to go outside, and explore wildlife for themselves."
Dates and venues for the storytelling sessions will be published shortly.
For further information contact Caroline Osborne, RSPB Media Officer, on
01767 681577, or Hayley Smith RSPB Early Years Development Officer on
01767 680551.
For more information on Big Garden Birdwatch visit the RSPB's website - www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
or call the hotline for a pack - 08701 222791.
Contents
