Free WIFI scheme for Morley Town Centre a step nearer

The free WIFI programme for Morley Town Centre took a further step forward following a meeting between Councillors and Leeds City Council Street Lighting staff. The scheme – to be financed by Morley Town Council – has the support of local Councillors and Morley MP Andrea Jenkyns and aims to be operational early in the New Year.

Cllr Robert Finnigan, Chairman of Morley Town Centre Management Board said “We have brokered an agreement with Leeds City Councils Street lighting Team to attach the hardware needed to bring the scheme to Morley Town Centre on the lamp standards on Queen Street. This should provide what is needed for free WIFI to be offered to anyone visiting Morley Town Centre.”

 The free WIFI scheme will be used to promote Morley Town Centre, providing news on events and offers from local traders to increase footfall as well  as developing a digital platform for the future aiming to include click and collect options from Morley Town Centre businesses.

 Cllr Finnigan said “We have had excellent support from our MP, Town and City Councillors and Leeds and Morley Councils. We hope to have the full scheme operational early in the New Year.”

 

MBIs to debate Housing Target and Universal Credit

Laneside Farm lost to Developers

Morley Borough Independent Councillors will take part in two controversial debates to take place at Leeds City Councils Full Council Meeting this Wednesday.

The first relates to a reduction of the Leeds City Councils Planning Housing Target which will also lead to a vote on a proposed no confidence motion in the Labour Administration by Tory Councillors. This follows Labour Councillors setting of the Core Strategy Housing Target of 70,000 new homes and then agreeing to an early review to reduce the number.

Morley Councillors have campaigned since 2007 to reduce the housing target which covers the City up to 2028. They believed the target was too high and would lead to the loss of many Greenfield sites in Morley and across Leeds.

Cllr Tom Leadley – who has battled to reduce the housing target for over a decade said “The 70,000 plus target was never realistic or achievable but gave developers an option to build on Greenfield sites and ignore previous developed brownfield ones. This has led to the loss of many Greenfield sites in Morley including Owlers Farm, Low Moor Farm and Laneside Farm – all important Morley Greenfield sites. The decision to revise the housing target to reduce it downward will not help Morley as these sites have already been granted planning permission.”

Over 2,000 new homes have been granted planning permission across Morley over the last 5 years but no new schools or other infrastructure proposals have been agreed to cope with the increased demand on local services.

A second debate will be held on the Governments Welfare Reform Flagship – Universal Credit.

Cllr Robert Finnigan, a former welfare rights worker for over 30 years said “The principle of Universal Credit is a sound one with the rights and responsibilities of claimants clearly laid down. The Labour Administration in Leeds wants a pause in its introduction but we are backing Labour MP Frank Fields proposals to make Universal Credit work better.”

Morley Councillors are backing Frank Fields proposals to make Universal Credit payable on a fortnightly basis – rather than after 6 weeks and are also backing the removal of rent payments from Universal Credit with payments being returned directly to Landlords.

Cllr Finnigan said “The Labour Administration seems to have no proposals as to how to make Universal Credit work better. We back Frank Fields proposals which make work pay, keep roofs over claimant’s heads and make it more manageable for those on low incomes to cope.”

 

Dartmouth Park Plan Welcomed

Plans for a new play area and multi-use gym area for young people were unveiled to a meeting of the Friends of Dartmouth Park Group this week. The plans – funded by Housing Developer contributions – will see a new children’s play area introduced along with a teen zone for young people on the space of a disused tennis court.

Cllr Judith Elliott said “This regeneration plan has been a long time coming but we are delighted it is now to be implemented. We have campaigned for many years – along with the Friends of Dartmouth Park Group – for these improvements to be introduced and the plan will be implemented over the autumn and winter months."

Over £200,000 has been found to support the regeneration project with footpaths also to be improved.

Cllr Wyn Kidger, who attended the meeting said “Dartmouth Park is one of the jewels in Morley’s Parks crown and this improvement plan will be welcomed by young and old alike. The Friends Group deserve a lot of credit for battling with us to bring these improvements and I am pleased we are going to finally get the work undertaken.”

Morley Mayors Charity Channel Challenge

Morley Mayor Cllr Robert Finnigan has been delighted at the response from local groups following his call to take on the Mayor Charity Channel Challenge. The challenge – to be held at Morley Sports Centre on Saturday 21^st October at 2pm at Morley Sports Centre, will involve teams rowing the equivalent distance of crossing the Channel - 33,300 metres - on rowing machines as they compete against each other to be the first “boat” to make the crossing. The event is raising funds to support West Yorkshires two Children’s Hospices, Martin House in Leeds and the Forget Me Not Fund based in Huddersfield who deal with children from across the region suffering from life shortening conditions.

 Cllr Finnigan said “The response from groups taking up the challenge has been fabulous. We have a team from the Leeds Rhinos Foundation taking part along with teams from Morley Sports Centre, Morley Firefighters, the Different Gravy Wine Bar, the Yorkshire Teachers Rugby League team and of course the Mayors own team. It’s a long and sweaty physical challenge which will take around 3 hours but the support with sponsorship has been brilliant.”

 The event at Morley Sports Centre will also include a bun sale with bottled water for the competitors being provided free by Morley Morrison’s.

 Cllr Finnigan said “Both hospices do an excellent job with supporting families who are facing exceptionally challenging circumstances. We are hoping to raise over £1000 to support the work they do and I would encourage Morley Folk to attend, support the rowers and give generously to both these excellent charities.”

Visit to the Army Cadets

I joined Army Cadets from across North and West Yorkshire at an awards and information day at Strensall near York last Sunday.

The day, organised by Yorkshire based groups of Army Cadets, was attended by Mayors from Towns and Cities across Yorkshire including Morley, Bradford, Wakefield, Wetherby and Richmond.

It was a fabulous day where we all gained a valuable insight into the work the Army Cadets undertake and the opportunities they offer for young people.

Councillors were shown the different skills cadets were developing include First Aid, wall climbing, communication skills and camouflage techniques. Cadets were also given certificates for their achievements over the last year.

The Army Cadets offer many opportunities for local young people, both girls and boys. They develop skills such as resilience and self-motivation along with teamwork and practical skills that they can use later in life. It was a pleasure and a delight to attend and to meet so many well motivated youngsters. We are exploring what options are available to bring an Army Cadet Corp to the Morley area.

CCTV schemes to be expanded

CCTV scheme expanded in Churwell Park

Morley Borough Independent Town Councillors have backed proposals to improve CCTV schemes at both Morley Sports Centre and Churwell Park. The finance, from the Community Infrastructure Levy - often called CIL - that developers of new housing developments around Morley have to pay, will contribute towards expanding the CCTV schemes at both locations.

Cllr Robert Finnigan said “We were happy to support the proposals at Morley Sports Centre and Churwell Park. Morley Sports Centre is presently suffering from increased vandalism and this means money that could be used to increased opportunities for Morley residents is being used to repair the damage to the Sports Centre. The new CCTV stay will help reduce this burden and offer more opportunities for everyone.”

The Morley Sports Centre expanded system will overlook the outside of the Kirkness Room which is popular with Sports Centre users but has been subjected to increased vandalism. The Churwell Park CCTV system will overlook the newly refurbished Children’s Play area and has shown to reduce vandalism previously.

Cllr Judith Elliott, who sat on the committee that agreed the funding said “The Town Council has a fund which can be used to support local projects and to improve the quality of life of local residents. We believe this is what we have achieved by supporting both applications.”

 

Morley gets two defibrillators for Town Centre

Morley Town Centre now has two defibrillator following work by Morley Town Centre Management Board and money raised by the former Mayor of Morley Cllr Simon Kimberley.

 The two defibrillators – based in former BT phone boxes – were delivered after Cllr Kimberley raised funds during his year as Mayor to cover the costs. The new units were also sponsored by local Estate Agents – Onwards and Upwards – and were fitted free of charge by Morley Town Council Andy Hutchison.

 Cllr Robert Finnigan – Chairman of Morley Town Centre Management Board said “I would like to pass on my thanks to Onwards and Upwards and pay tribute to my colleagues Cllr Kimberley and Cllr Hutchison who have made this project a reality. It has made excellent use of former phone boxes and will make Morley Town Centre safer by offering lifesaving equipment on those hopefully rare occasions they are needed.”