Latest news with #JackHemingway
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Security beefed up at Kellingley Clubafter vandalism
Security measure have been beefed at a former social club after vandals damaged the site during ongoing redevelopment roof and children's changing facilities were damaged at the Kellingley Club in Knottingley, Wakefield Council said. The local authority condemned the incident and said police would be giving "extra attention to the site", while additional security cameras have been installed.A private security firm has also been hired to conduct patrols of the site, which is in the process of being redeveloped. New changing rooms, a bar, improved parking and better spectator seating are being created at the site as part of a £6.3m improvement scheme. The council's deputy leader Jack Hemingway, said: "It is a real shame that the actions of a few are impacting on the delivery of projects designed to benefit the whole community. "Knottingley is a wonderful community, and these senseless acts of vandalism are not representative of the people who live there. "These new security measures will help us get work back on track, to provide residents with the new, improved community facilities they asked for."I would ask those responsible for the damage to consider the wider implications of their actions. The Council doesn't have unlimited funds. Every time we spend money repairing or replacing something deliberately damaged or vandalised, it means less money for the vital services that people depend on." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
16-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
More burial plots for Wakefield will be created, pledges council
More burial plots will be provided in Wakefield, after concerns about limited space in the city's main cemetery. Wakefield Cemetery, on Sugar Lane, dates back to 1859 and is set to become full within seven years, according to a council report. Opposition leader Nadeem Ahmed, from the Conservative and Independent Group, called for the allotments next to the site to be given priority when negotiating more space for Wakefield Council has instead pledged to consider a range of suitable sites in the city, so options are not limited. Labour deputy leader Jack Hemingway told the council debate that securing burial provision that met the needs of all communities was being taken seriously."There is currently sufficient burial space at Sugar Lane and the council is pro-actively using the time we have to seek expanded burial provision when that space runs out," he councillor added the process to create burial land was not straightforward, with high environmental requirements now in place. A finance report, published last month, estimated the cost of the work at a potential new site to be around £100,000, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Unequivocal commitment The council has extended cemeteries or explored other potential sites across the district in recent January 2023, work began to create 1,000 plots by extending Hemsworth the same year, surveys and drilling were carried out at Barracks Field, in Pontefract, to test if it was suitable to be turned into a said surveys had also been carried out at a number of potential burial sites in Wakefield."We want to ensure that families can choose to bury their loved ones in the towns in which they lived," he added."We aim to meet the needs of all faiths, and those of no faith."We have already made a commitment to ensure sufficient burial space for Wakefield. I am happy to unequivocally repeat that today."The deputy leader said the council did not want to preclude other sites that might be more suitable at this stage. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
05-02-2025
- BBC News
Wakefield traffic wardens among council staff given body-worn cameras
Traffic wardens and environmental health officers are among council workers in West Yorkshire who are to start wearing body-worn cameras. Wakefield Council said it was giving the cameras to staff working across several services to deter abusive behaviour from the public. The footage will also be used as evidence to investigate complaints and support prosecutions, the local authority said. People working in parking, enforcement services and environmental health will wear the cameras, including officers who deal with noise complaints, licensing enforcement and building security. The council said members of the public would be aware of recording, with cameras only switched on when necessary. Councillor Jack Hemingway, the council's deputy leader, said: "All of our staff deserve to feel safe when doing their job, but it's a sad fact that incidents of abusive behaviour do sometimes occur."We take this issue very seriously and the main aim of the body-worn cameras is that it will deter assault or abuse of our staff. "People would be given a clear verbal warning about a camera being turning on when practical, Wakefield Council said. Councillor Matthew Morley, cabinet member for planning and highways, said: "Although we do operate a CCTV system across the district, it cannot see all areas and does not cover the inside of premises where our enforcement teams work. "We hope this will make our staff feel even more protected and able to carry out their jobs safely and effectively."Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
