CROSSLEY'S DRIVEWAY

After year's of pot holes, Crossley's driveway has been re-surfaced, which make's it a much more welcoming entrance for home and away team's alike.

ABBEY PARK PLAYGROUND

A major refurbishment of Abbey park playground has now been completed, it has taken almost seven year's to spend the section 106 monies that were promised to the area from Magellan homes. The site is well worth a visit and looks really good. Bollard's have been erected at the bottom aswell, which make's it much safer.

NEWS FLASH, EDL TO MARCH IN HALIFAX

“The English Defence League (EDL) has announced an intention to hold a demonstration in Halifax on Saturday July 9th. They are currently in negotiation with West Yorkshire Police regarding the event which, on our early assessment it is likely to involve around 500 people. There will be counter demonstrations by other groups, numbering, again on current estimates, about 150 people. West Yorkshire Police and Calderdale Council are working with other agencies, communities and protest groups to plan for the event with the key focus being the safety of local residents and minimum disruption to visitors, businesses and other events in the town. The right to peacefully protest is a democratic right which we (Calderdale Council and West Yorkshire Police) have a legal duty to facilitate, even though the views of protest groups may be something which some people strongly disagree. The police have no powers to ban a peaceful protest but may, if absolutely necessary, impose conditions to safeguard the public. Any criminal offences will be robustly dealt with. West Yorkshire Police and Calderdale Council have a great deal of experience in managing large scale public events and we expect this to be a relatively low key event. As such, we are planning for an increased, visible police presence on the day, with the emphasis on a reassuring, neighbourhood policing presence. We ask anyone planning to take part, to behave responsibly, respect other people's views and cause as little disruption to the local community as possible. This is an important family day for Halifax, with the start of the Halifax Festival and West Yorkshire Police and Calderdale Council want to ensure that anyone attending the Festival can have an enjoyable day out.”

BEECHWOOD PARK

The new mini skate zone and trimtrail (outdoor gym) have now been completed and are already being used by many local folk. Money for this has come from, Healthy Towns and Section 106 monies. Congratulation's must also go to Calderdale's Safer Cleaner Greener dept and the Green Action Project, who have done a massive amount of work over the previous month's. As your local Councillor, i have been involved in this since the beginning, and i am so proud that our local park is now up there with the best. Come along and try these new addition's out.

RESPONSE FROM TRINITY ACADEMY

Mr Bates,


I e-mailed Trinity Academy to see if they would employ a security guard on the site of the new build, after vandalism and break ins at properties to the rear of Heathy Lane, this is their response.

 Dear Councillor,
I'm sorry to hear that there have been  several 'break in's' on Heathy Lane. At present the Academy is in discussion with Carillion to install bollard lighting to the pathway to ensure the PRoW  is adequately illuminated. There is also a programme of woodland planting due to start in season (November), which will further shield the gardens facing the PRoW.

The hiring of a security guard is something we could not consider as the security of a private residence and gardens is the property owners responsibility and not the responsibility of the Academy or agents we might employ. We of course, as I have stated above will do all we can to ensure the PRoW is safe, and I'm happy to meet with the local Police to ensure that local residents and students are safe and secure.

Regards

Steve Evans
Senior Vice Principal

Trinity Academy HalifaxHoldsworth Road, Holmfield, Halifax, HX2 9TD
Tel:  01422 244890
Fax:  01422 240033
Email: info@trinityacademyhalifax.orgWeb:  http://www.trinityacademyhalifax.org/

TUESDAY'S COURIER STORY

School struggling on in old buildings

Published on Tuesday 31 May 2011 10:30

A SCHOOL governor claims Ovenden pupils are being neglected at the expense of others in Halifax where the birth rate is higher.

Moorside Community Primary School, Keighley Road, operates from a Victorian building which needs replacing.
It was created in September 2004 from two former schools on the site – Moorside Infant and Nursery and Moorside Junior –when Calderdale Council said the school was a priority for a new build.
Two sets of building plans have since been drawn up but show no signs of getting off the drawing board. Councillor Tom Bates criticised the delays following a survey which highlighted difficulties in the management of the premises.
School business manager Sue Davison outlined concerns in a recent letter. “The survey is particularly worrying. The school’s two main boilers exceed 40 years of age and replacement costs are estimated between £150,000 to £180,000.
“As the school is an amalgamation of two school buildings, heating and hot water systems are not coherent and in many cases not fit for purpose.”
Councillor Bates (BNP Illingworth/Mixenden) said it was a ridiculous situation.
“I have been a parent-governor for six years and the council have always promised our school would be next for a new school,” he said.
“But, because birth rates are higher elsewhere, others will get schools built before ours.”
He contacted David Whalley, head of learning in Calderdale, asking for an update on the Moorside situation.
Mr Whalley wrote back saying future development would depend on available capital funding and priorities would change in light of funding and need.
“There are a number of pressures regarding the provision of school places in parts of the borough where unexpectedly the birth rates are increasing and therefore a capital programme will need to take account of these particular issues,” he said.
“We are reviewing the capital programme and when we have available capital the Moorside project will be further developed.”