Latest news with #WakefieldCouncil
BBC News
19 hours ago
- BBC News
Gang members served order to protect Wakefield children
Three gang members have been served with an injunction order to prevent them from recruiting, intimidating or harming children in Rasool, 32, currently in custody in HMP Armley, Thomas Bickersteth, 19, of Pinderfields Road, Wakefield and Isaac Bickersteth,19, of Pinderfields Road, Wakefield were part of an organised crime group. They subjected 17 children, aged between 12 and 17, to violence and harassment, forcing them into criminal activity. The order, which is the first of its kind in West Yorkshire, will prevent the men from entering certain areas of the city and contacting anyone under 18. Joint action was taken by Wakefield Council and West Yorkshire Police to serve the order, which was handed to the men on 23 July at Bradford County Margaret Isherwood, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "These men have subjected children to serious violence and forced them into criminal activity. We will not tolerate this."Everyone should feel safe in their local community, especially our children and young people. "This council and our partners will use every power available to disrupt the exploitation of any child or young person in our district."The children who are known to have been affected are being supported by the council and other relevant agencies. 'Safeguard children' Under the order, Rasool, Thomas Bickersteth and Isaac Bickersteth cannot enter Darnley, Flanshaw or Wakefield city centre unless they are receiving medical treatment at Pinderfields cannot use violence, intimidate or harass any person and must not wear face coverings in a public place. The men also cannot contact any person under 18, including the use of social media or through a third party, or possess any drugs unless they are orders will remain in force until 23 August 2026 and a breach could result in a prison Paul Fraser said: "These injunctions will safeguard children from being drawn into criminality through exploitation by organised crime groups. "They ensure we can effectively disrupt those responsible for the exploitation of vulnerable children, and violent crime across our district." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
22-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Wakefield Council's bill for stray dogs rises by £10,000
The annual cost of dealing with stray dogs in Wakefield has risen by more than £10,000, in part due to the cost of living crisis, a meeting Council spent £56,388 in 2024-25, up from £44,654 in the previous financial Wilton, cabinet member for communities, said the increase was partly down to the council entering into a new kennelling contract and requirements to comply with legislation on XL he said: "We need to take into account external factors such as the cost of living crisis and the fact that a lot of people are not taking ownership of dogs due to cost of living pressures and austerity." The meeting was told 194 animals were collected by the council's dog wardens in 2024/ those, 76 were reunited with their owners, 61 went to rehoming centres and 44 were to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, there had also been an increase in the number of dogs being put down after being taken taken to the council's dog meeting heard nine out the 44 dogs euthanised in 2024/25 were XL laws banning the breed in England and Wales took effect in February said: "We have also seen an increase in dog owners who haven't been able to pay for the release of the dogs from the kennels, or have been too ill for them to recover the dog."Unfortunately, they have had to be euthanised."This may have also contributed to the escalating costs to the council as we will have paid for the kennelling until the dogs were euthanised."Witton said the council employed "a small team" of three dog wardens, who were "working very hard to reunite dogs with their owners before taking them to the kennels".Pete Girt, independent councillor for Knottingley, told the meeting: "A good part of the reason why dogs aren't reclaimed is because when people move they don't update the chip, so then the owner can't be traced." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Solar farm near Yorkshire Sculpture Park in Wakefield approved
A solar farm will be built close to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park after councillors approved the will be installed across 55 hectares of countryside, including some around 500m from the outdoor tourist attraction near West Bretton, than 170 people objected to the proposal, with many citing the potential impact on the appearance of the Wakefield Council's planning and highways committee voted in favour of the application, submitted by Boom Power, by a majority of six to one. Under the plans, the solar panels would be split across two is close to a conservation area near the village of Woolley, while the other is off Haigh Lane, which is close to the M1 motorway and the sculpture concerns included the potential loss of wildlife habitats, loss of agricultural land and a flood risk being created, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. Ian White, of Woolley Parish Council, said the proposals would have a "significant impact" on said: "This is one of the last scenic and undeveloped areas in the Wakefield district."It's home to Yorkshire Sculpture Park , one of Wakefield's outstanding cultural and recreational tourist attractions of national repute."This is the first step in the destruction of one of Wakefield's most attractive areas."But Boom Power said the project would produce enough renewable energy to power 11,700 family homes a Spurway, representing the applicant, said: "Impacts both positive and negative have been taken into consideration."The positives of the scheme have been shown to outweigh the negatives."The way we generate our electricity in this country is changing. The use of fossil fuels is being phased out."The Yorkshire Sculpture Park opened in 1977 at a 500-acre plot surrounding Bretton Hall, which was a teacher training college at the time before closing in the year it was revealed the world-famous Groucho Club - a private members' club famed for hosting A-list celebrities - would move into the vacant property in 2026. It will be its first premises outside London. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Castleford developer sought to accelerate regeneration
A West Yorkshire council is set to appoint a developer to help speed up some of its planned housing and regeneration Council said the move would accelerate long-term projects planned for Castleford and help it to "evolve into a distinctive riverside market town".Senior councillors are expected to approve plans to launch a procurement process to secure a strategic regeneration partner. Major redevelopment projects are already underway in Castleford, including a revamp of the town centre, after the council secured £23m of government Town Deal funding in 2019. A new public park is also being built next to the River has also been designated as a housing zone with a focus on residential development at key sites close to the river.A report to cabinet members said Castleford had "significant opportunities for economic growth and regeneration" and should take advantage of its "ideally placed" road, rail and bus connections to Leeds, Manchester, York and added: "Castleford has the capacity to accommodate a significant student and office worker population, along with a substantial number of new homes."This growth will significantly boost footfall and create new opportunities for the town centre."With the right level of investment, the town can fulfil its potential and evolve into a vibrant, sustainable, and distinctive riverside market town, playing a key role in the economic future of both the district and the wider West Yorkshire region." Earlier this year, the council launched a similar scheme in Wakefield by appointing Muse to help bring forward a range of regeneration scheme planned for the to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), council leader Denise Jeffery said: "Castleford has a strong identity, and its residents are incredibly proud of where they come from."Town centres have changed massively in recent years, and I'm determined to ensure we have a thriving and distinctive town centre residents deserve."Jack Hemingway, deputy leader of the council and portfolio holder for regeneration and economic growth, added: "Our strategic regeneration partner will enable us to realise the potential there is for sustained economic growth in Castleford."We want to get the right mix of retail, commercial, residential and leisure to get the town moving forwards and to give our residents what they need and want."Cabinet members will consider the report at a meeting on 22 July. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Wakefield Pride festival cancelled amid funding shortfall
Wakefield's Pride event has been cancelled after organisers said they suffered a "catastrophic" loss of grants and Pride and the Good Times Festival, due to take place at Thornes Park on 2 and 3 August, have both been postponed until 2026. Both days were expected feature a different line-up of artists including Blazin' Squad and Toploader, according to Wakefield holders are being offered refunds or the chance to keep their ticket for next year's event, Wakefield Pride said. Organisers said in a statement they had had to take the "difficult decision" to postpone until next year, after funding they were relying on was pulled."Despite frantic and extensive efforts by the team we have been unable to secure additional financial backing to keep the event afloat," they added.A licensing application submitted to Wakefield Council last month said Wakefield Pride had partnered with the Good Times Festival this year, which was intended as a new event designed to act as a fundraiser to keep Sunday's Pride free to application also requested a change of venue for the event, which has been held in the city centre in previous years with a stage in Trinity Walk. Wakefield Pride said it had been working for over a year to deliver the weekend "with costings totalling over £265,000"."This has been entirely funded by our committee and partners."A catastrophic loss of grants and sponsorships in the 11th hour that were promised this year meant the support we have had in previous years has melted away and we cannot proceed."It added: "We thank you for your support and friendship, and we'd love your continued support in our future plans."The Wakefield Pride team has organised the event since 2005, having gained charitable status in spring charity aims to promote equality and diversity for the public benefit, in particular the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
