NOVEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER

 COUNCILLOR WALLIS

REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2024


  • First, sadly, Councillor Graham Isherwood has passed away. He was a charismatic character who worked hard for his beliefs and was vocal in his support not just for the people of Featherstone but for the district as a whole. His presence, in memory, will still be there with us. One of his campaigns was to get the train companies to allow mobility scooters on board. These are classed as motorised vehicles not mobility aids, but to accomplish this will improve the lives of several passengers with poor mobility.


  • As reported, my colleagues and I have decided to freeze our allowance this year to show our recognition of the hardship many of our residents are facing after years of Tory austerity. The Labour government cannot turn this around quickly and the council faces very tough spending decisions. This decision will not prevent us from championing decent pay rises for workers, honouring any independent recommendation for them and campaigning for decent increases in welfare payments.


  • The public consultation for next year’s council budget is now live. It finishes on 24 November 2024. With a budget gap forecast of over £88 million pounds, it is important that residents have their say. The five minute survey can be found at https://bit.ly/4hzNi7a 


  • A planning application has been received to extend the opening hours of Rockello on Rock Hill to 10pm Sundays.


  • The planning application to demolish buildings on the south riverside from Castleford Footbridge up to (but not including) the Ship Inn has been submitted. It also covers the creation of public realm with improved walk and cycle ways on the site as well as improvements to the flood defences. 


  • I reported last month on the applications to demolish the Crimea and the canopy on Carlton Street at the end of Welbeck Street. The Crimea application has been approved. The canopy should be demolished by mid-December. This will enhance the pedestrian route from the train station direct to Carlton Street. Unfortunately, the Vodafone shop there has now closed. Yet, another example where Castleford  residents have to travel to Pontefract to visit the nearest store.


  • The Friends of Castleford Library (FOCAL) organised a pinhole camera photography project that resulted in a well attended display in the library. Attendees were fascinated by the project and asked very interesting Questions. The photographs of buildings with the town centre, including the library itself, are on temporary display in the library and hopefully will be moved to Queen’s Mill. The phots of the Mechanics’ Institute building are labelled as such showing its official name and relevance as a historic building of the town.


  • The Licensing Committee met to review the Cumulative Impact Assessment of Westgate, Wakefield. We decided to send this out for consultation. Westgate is the only part of the district where it’s decided there should be strong monitoring of the sale of alcohol.


  • Finally, Castleford colleagues and myself will be attending the Remembrance Sunday service at the war memorial. It increases in popularity year by year. It is testament to the town that weldon’t forget those who have fallen in service for their country.


  • Tony. tonywallis@blueyonder.co.uk. Tel 01977 731651. https://www.facebook.com/anthony.wallis

Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for your comment. Your feedback is appreciated.

Popular posts from this blog

January 2025 Newsletter

Image
 COUNCILLOR TONY WALLIS - JANUARY 2025 NEWSLETTER     HAPPY NEW YEAR I trust you had a good start to the New Year (freezing stormy weather apart.) TRAIN AND TRACK I reported a couple of months ago the the canopy on Carlton Street was to be taken down. It has now happened. This is financed by the Transpenine Route Upgrade “first and last mile” fund. This will also fund improvements to Station Road, Tickle Cock Bridge and the Beancroft Road subway including CCTV and enhanced lighting. TransPenine Express has increased the frequency of its train journeys between Manchester and York via Castleford and Wakefield to one an hour, seven days a week.  I have expressed our gratitude for this to the train company while pointing out aspiration for some services to go to Scarborough. TOWN CENTRE The M&S building is being taken over by Heron Foods, and White Rose opticians are moving into the old Santander building. These moves to larger premises are good as smaller vacant uni...
Read more

COUNCILLOR TONY WALLIS JUNE 2025 NEWSLETTER

Image
. COUNCILLOR TONY WALLIS -  CASTLEFORD NEWSLETTER JUNE 2025 Castleford has packed a lot into May, blending heritage with forward-looking improvements. Residents turned out in force to mark the 80th VE Day anniversary, while families enjoyed a record-setting Roman Day. Plenty of good news: a fresh look for our buses, more police on our streets, awards for our children’s homes, and appealing public art.    80th ANNIVERSARY VE DAY On Thursday 8th May, I stood at Castleford War Memorial as wreaths were laid in memory of the fallen. Moments like these remind us of the great sacrifices made and the importance of not forgetting them. After the ceremony, I visited the market hall to view the display organised by the Friends of Castleford Library about the town during the war and the celebrations on VE Day.   On Saturday 10th I took the family to join in the Crusaders’ celebration at Queen’s Park. With gorgeous weather, the event was well attend. I chatted with the Crus...
Read more

CASTLEFORD DAILY BRIEFING 21/04/2025

Image
Castleford Daily Briefing by Tony Wallis of MyCastleford.com Monday, 21 April 2025 LOCAL NEWS Castleford’s Regeneration Schemes Delayed. Acquisition of acquiring buildings is taking longer than expected so the government’s deadline has been extended to the end of March 2027, subject to projects being able to demonstrate contractual commitment by March 2026. Community leaders remain optimistic, assuring residents that the lengthened timeline will result in an improved Community leaders remain optimistic, assuring residents that the extended timeline will result in a better outcome for the town.outcome. The report to scrutiny updating the Castleford and Wakefield regeneration schemes can be found here:  https://mg.wakefield.gov.uk/documents/s133142/OSC Regeneration Projects 16th April 2025.pdf Castleford Tigers and Featherstone Rovers linked with swap deal Total Rugby League report by Callum Walker available at https://www.totalrl.com/castleford-tigers-and-featherstone-ro...
Read more