David Woodhead

new computer

davidwoodhead — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:37:51 +0000

After a long gap I am back with a new computer - Vista and all. Setting up all my bookmarks again has been a bit of a problem but mycouncillor is now in place.

On the council the Lib Dems continue to push the agenda forward - all sorts of intiatives are coming to fruition. The big issue in the autumn is likely to be BSF - but only at the moment in the north of the borough. The next wave of post office closures have just been announced - none in my ward however.

On a personal level I went to my first board meeting this week of Kirklees Active Leisure - the management trust for our sports facilities.This promises to be a demanding but interesting experience.

back again

davidwoodhead — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:50:20 +0000

Now that the dust from the local elections has cleared I can return to finding time to write a post. The election in Holme Valley North saw the defeat of the sitting Independent councillor - unforunately by a Tory and not the Lib Dem candidate. The ‘blue wave’ was seen in Kirklees as in most of the country. As well as HVN they also picked up Denby Dale from Labour - but failed in their assault on us in Lindley. Overall we were up one to 19, the Tories up 2 to 22, Labour down one to 21, the BNP down one to 2 and the Independents down one to 1. So the Tories are now the largest party but otherwise there is little strategic change. The AGM is next week and we shall have to wait to see exactly what the dispositions are.

Cold front at Easter

davidwoodhead — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:38:33 +0000

Snow on the ground and a chill in the political air. That was Easter in Holme Valley North this year. My election last year took place in wonderful weather - this year the prospects are not as good in the climatogical sense. And on the political front there has been a major row beteen the Conservative and Independent councillors in the ward which has spilled onto the pages of the local paper. As the Independent is up this year he can expect more criticism on his record - and we are only too happy to join in. But at the same time we have a good record to talk about and excellent plans for the future. So back to the delivery and the envelope writing.

First budget meeting

davidwoodhead — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:40:23 +0000

Wednesday saw my first budget meeting on Kirklees Council. It began at 2.00 pm and finished at 9.00pm - not too bad compared to some there have been in the past. As is now the pattern the proposed budgets from all the groups were voted down. But prior negotiations between the Conservatives, the Lib Dems and the Greens had led to a consolidated budget which was then put to the vote and accepted. The Labour group naturally claimed a foul - but they had the opportunity to join in the negotiations at an early stage but chose to play silly games instead. The Lib Dems got all their proposals into the budget except one. I spoke in the debate on our scheme to put an extra £600,000 into mental health services for veterans and was delighted to see it passed. I also managed to secure £30,000 for maintenance of war memorials. A good day’s work.

A very good week

davidwoodhead — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 13:25:45 +0000

It’s been a very good week. On Thursday I went to help in the Kirkheaton by election of Kirkburton Parish Council. The by election was caused by the resignation of a Conservative elected last May but who had attended only one meeting. A Lib Dem, Alison Munro, stood for the first time and stormed to victory with 70% of the vote in a 3 cornered contest. This bodes well for our chances in Dalton ward in May - Kirkheaton makes up a large chunk of the ward.

To complete the week I had coverage in the Huddersfield Examiner on 3 successive days, 2 with pictures. Can’t complain about press bias now!

Back to basics

davidwoodhead — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:06:03 +0000

Just got back from the local branch coffee morning - I reminder that local politics still requires local activity. Despite the snow overnight there was a good turnout and so the local party coffers will be refilled. It seems a world away from the national scandals of dodgy donors and family patronage - a world 0f 10ps rather than offshore tax havens.

Scrutiny news

davidwoodhead — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:23:12 +0000

Apart from the Planning Sub - Committee, the scrutiny role takes up most of my ‘official’ meeting time. I serve on the Safer, Stronger Communities panel and we have just produced our first report this year on ward-based highways budgets. Kirklees allocates an identical sum to all wards for spending on pavements, lighting, and other issues. This has created problems because it takes little account of need. The report will suggest a more needs-based approach but it will be up to Council to respond ( I foresee some passionate arguments!)

New Year Resolution

davidwoodhead — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 12:01:33 +0000

With a new leader in Nick Clegg who represents a Yorkshire seat ( has there been another?) the Lib Dems are characteristically optimistic about 2008. In Kirklees we should hold all our seats in May and may pick up one or two. But the big year will be 2010 when there should be some major gains - if the work is done. Could we also see the return of another Lib Dem MP in West Yorkshire?

My resolution is to do all I can to bring more success for the party.

Merry Christmas

davidwoodhead — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:28:34 +0000

I have started the round of Christmas ‘do’s’ but the politics continues. The debate about health and social care for ex-servicemen rumbles on with stories in the Examiner and correspondence from leading Tories who seem unnerved by it. Could be an interesting budget issue!

Merry Christmas and a peaceful new year to all.

Petition delivered

davidwoodhead — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 12:47:27 +0000

I presented a petition to council calling for action on the traffic problems in the Hollow, Meltham. The Huddersfield Examiner ran a small story suggesting that residents wanted the road closed - we shall see about that.