Latest news with #Kirklees
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Kirklees foodbank faces 'crisis-level' demand as school holidays begin
Though the school holidays are only just beginning, a Kirklees food bank is facing 'crisis-level' demand. As the school year comes to a close and children look forward to six weeks of fun, it is clear that many families in the area are struggling to put food on the table. One local organisation which helps those in need has declared it their 'busiest' summer for years. Tanisha Bramwell, a Kirklees councillor and founder of Bramwell's Hope - a charity running several community programmes and a food bank - has spoken of the gravity of the situation foodbanks are experiencing. She said: 'This summer has been the busiest we've experienced in years and quite frankly, it's frightening. READ MORE: Dewsbury murder investigation: Asda 'armed robbery' leads police to woman's body amid 'come to harm' fears READ MORE: 'Gridlock' fears as major Huddersfield route shut from Monday 'Typically, our highest demand comes between September and January, when colder weather, rising energyrt of the summer holidays. 'We've already begun preparing for winter, because we know what's coming and yet we're overwhelmed now, with months still to go. The reality is, food banks like ours are operating hand to mouth. We're not stockpiling, we're surviving week by week, just like the people we support. 'We're seeing a sharp increase in working families needing help, people in employment, doing their best, who simply can't afford food after covering rent, bills, and childcare over the school holidays. 'We've had parents breaking down in our reception area, unable to cope, unsure how to get through the next week. This isn't about poor budgeting. This is about a cost of living crisis that continues to hit the most vulnerable hardest, while support services are shrinking. 'Food banks were never meant to be a long-term solution, and yet we've become the last line of defence for thousands of people and that line is under serious pressure. Unless we see urgent action locally and nationally to tackle poverty, improve access to support, and fund services properly, we are going to face an incredibly difficult winter.' Another organisation working to make food more accessible to those in Kirklees is The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT). TBBT redistributes surplus food from supermarkets, factories and farms, with members able to purchase shopping bags filled with a minimum of £35-worth of quality nutritious food for just £7.50. Kirklees has several TBBT hubs including at Cowlersley, Crosland Moor, Berry Brow, Dalton, Sheepridge, Thornhill Lees, Chickenley, Heckmondwike, Howden Clough and Liversedge. To find out more information click here. Aside from the work of foodbanks and charitable organisations, Kirklees Council has a number of initiatives designed to help those struggling with the cost of living. These include help with food and energy costs through the Household Support Fund, free school meals for eligible pupils and short-term help with rent for those experiencing severe financial hardship. More information about the support available through the council click here. Get all the latest and breaking Huddersfield news straight to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
New school for autistic children near Huddersfield gets go-ahead
Plans have been approved for a new purpose-built school for up to 180 autistic School and College, which is currently based at Dog Kennel Bank in Huddersfield, will relocate to a site in Fernside Avenue, facility would offer an improved environment designed to better support pupils aged five to 19 and enable access to specialist education locally, Kirklees Council Jane Rylah, cabinet member for education, said: "The new school will provide a tailored environment where pupils can thrive and reach their full potential." Work began in May to clear the site, with construction preparations now under said securing planning permission for the project had been "a significant milestone"."Woodley School delivers excellent education and support, and this new purpose-built facility will allow us to extend that offer to even more children and young people," she said."I'm looking forward to seeing the build progress and the positive impact this investment will bring to families across Kirklees."The investment is part of Kirklees Council's wider commitment to transforming support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Alongside Woodley, work is under way to rebuild and relocate Joseph Norton Academy, which supports pupils with social, emotional and mental health SEND places are being created across other schools in the district. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
22-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Nab Lane waste tip reopening ruled out by Kirklees council leader
The decision to shut a West Yorkshire waste tip will not be reversed, a council has said, despite claims fly-tipping has increased as a Council shut Nab Lane Household Waste Recycling Centre in Birstall last November in a move it said was needed to save money. But several councillors have continued to call for the site to be revived, with the impact on neighbouring waste tips also cited as a problem. Speaking at the full council meeting however, Kirklees Council Leader Carole Pattinson said changes to recycling processes meant "less waste will be created in the first place". At the same time as the closure of the Nab Lane site last year, the council, which is run by a Labour as a minority administration, also cut the operating hours of two other waste sites. Bromley Farm in Upper Cumberworth is now closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays, while Meltham's Bent Ley Road site is shut on Mondays and Tuesdays, the Local Democracy Reporting Service Alliance councillor Paul Moore said there had been longer queues and waiting times at Dewsbury's Weaving Lane tip and the impact had pushed staff to "breaking point".Conservative councillor Josh Sheard called for a cost-sharing model between the local authority, Leeds City Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) to reopen the site. He said: "The more that we delay, the more environmental harm comes, the more fly-tipping, the more service inequality we allow to grow. Regional problems require regional thinking but it has to start somewhere."However, Pattinson said the chances of a regional agreement to reopen the site were "absolutely zilch", stating one reason was that different local authorities have different waste also said that new recycling processes would be in place within the area next year. She added: "The use of waste disposal sites should go down because simpler recycling will mean that, certainly in Kirklees, there'll be more waste removed at the kerb side."There are other things coming on board that will mean less waste will be created in the first place." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
21-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Legal action to fight Kirklees Council care home privatisation
Campaigners have started legal action to stop two council-run dementia care homes being transferred to the private Council confirmed earlier this year that Claremont House in Heckmondwike and Castle Grange in Newsome would be switched to private providers despite opposition from families and councillors. Law firm Irwin Mitchell, which is representing the families of care home residents, has applied to the High Court for a judicial review to be held examining the legality of the council's Council said the transfer had been "through a long process of evaluation, engagement and public scrutiny" and it could not comment further until after legal proceedings. Campaigners have argued that while the decision was stated to have been made on a financial basis, there remained a lack of evidence to support Chapman, the specialist public law and human rights lawyer representing the campaigners, said: "Local authority-run care homes provide vital care and support to a number of people, particularly those living with dementia."Many of those affected by the planned business transfer of Claremont House and Castle Grange have voiced their anger and disappointment at how they feel the council has acted throughout the process."We've heard first-hand accounts from families who say the decision will have a significant impact on their loved ones." 'Upset and distressed' Ms Chapman said lawyers had previously written to the authority outlining their points but it had still decided to go ahead with added: "We've therefore now applied for a judicial review."Adrian Pygott said he was worried the disruption caused by privatisation would have "grave consequences" for his mother, 90-year-old Brenda Hughes, who has been cared for at Castle Grange for seven said: "My mother has high emotional needs and can become upset and distressed at the slightest change in her routine. She also has a range of complex physical needs."The care provided by the staff at Castle Grange is exemplary and I'm greatly concerned at the thought of this being taken away from her or, even worse, her having to move homes."The latest development comes after campaigners previously fought off a plan in 2024 to close the homes as part of efforts to make almost £47m in budget that, councillors made the decision to transfer them to private providers but this was called in for review by eight opposition at a meeting in February, the council re-affirmed the decision to response to the legal action, the council said throughout the process it had "prioritised the quality of care for residents".It added: "The decision is now subject to legal proceedings and it would be inappropriate to comment further, or explore alternative options, until we know the outcome of that process." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
The Sun
14-07-2025
- The Sun
Nine arrested after ‘good lad' stabbed to death in popular park as tributes paid to ‘very popular guy'
NINE men have been arrested following the murder of a man in West Yorkshire. The arrests were made as part of a "large scale investigation" by West Yorkshire Police after a 36-year-old man was stabbed in a park in Dewsbury. 2 2 Emergency services were called to the scene at 8.17pm on Saturday following an incident of disorder involving a group of men. Paramedics and air ambulance attended but confirmed that the man had died shortly after. Three men were arrested on suspicion of murder following the incident. A further six men were arrested today bringing the total in custody to nine, with an age range between 18 and 44. The arrests were made both in Kirklees and outside West Yorkshire. All nine men were arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody. Locals described the 36-year-old as "a very popular guy". Mohammed Sadiq told the BBC: "He was a good lad, it's unfortunate what's happened. He added: "I hope his family find peace and they can find a way to get through this. It's going to be very hard for them."
