The Council still has funding within its General Grants budget, so we are inviting community groups within the Parish Council area to apply for a grant.  It can be for any one of a variety of purposes, such as to purchase equipment, subsidise summer or Christmas trips, make improvements / repairs to community buildings, or any number of environmental projects.  The list is almost endless, as we can legally fund most things groups would need.  There are, however, some restrictions.  If you need any advice on a potential application, please contact the Clerk, who will be pleased to help.

The forms and rules can be found in the Grants Scheme section.  The deadline for returning completed forms with the required documentation is Friday 25 January 2019.

The decision has now been taken to re-locate the post office to the Examiner, 2 Town Road, Kirkheaton.  Although the availability of parking spaces and road traffic conditions are outside the control of the Post Office, they have reviewed these aspects, and state that roadside parking is available nearby and on the other side of the road.  Additionally, the new operator will contact the local authority to review pedestrian access and explore the possibility of a dedicated disabled parking bay and a safe pedestrian crossing point.

With regards to access to the store, a portable ramp and a grab rail will be available along with a bell and signage to enable customers with mobility problems to summon assistance.

Final arrangements for the move are currently being made.  Dates for the move will be published in branch when they have been confirmed.

Carol Stump, Kirklees' Chief Librarian, attended the Library Committee meeting last night to give everyone an update on the current situation following the public consultation. She reported that there had been a good response to the consultation and people wanted to use the library for lots of community purposes as well as borrowing books and using the computers. There is a high level of volunteering and 'Friends of' groups at most libraries across the District.

Kirklees Cabinet has said that it wants to keep all 24 libraries open, so Carol and her colleagues are looking at different ways of operating to enable this to happen.  There will need to be savings made, and more volunteers are needed to work alongside paid staff.  Carol and her team will be visiting all of the libraries and meeting with community groups to find out what is best in each individual case, as one size does not fit all.

Carol urged people to get involved with the libraries if they possibly could, even if it is only for a couple of hours a month, as it does make such a difference to the future of the library.

As everyone is aware, the regulations covering data protection have been radically changed and updated.  Under the new General Data Protection Regulations, the Council must receive explicit permission before sending out information and retaining personal contact details.  We do have an emailing circulation list for meeting agendas and minutes, and have taken off the names of those people, who have not responded to our email asking for permission to continue to send the documents to your Inbox.

If you are one of these people and would still like to receive agendas and minutes, just send us an email and we will be happy to reinstate you.