Politics

Wakefield One, Wakefield Council's headquarters building.

Wakefield Council leaders call for government help as job cuts plan approved

Scarlet, Jade Botterill, Evie and Andrea.

Towngate pupil wins MP Jade Botterill’s Christmas card design competition

The move comes as figures show 10,800 domestic incidents were recorded over the past 12 months within the local authority area, 8,336 of which were recorded as crime.

Domestic abuse services expanded to tackle high offence rates

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Decided planning applications

Margaret Isherwood, Wakefield Council's cabinet member for children and young people.

New children’s care homes will address ‘massive challenges’, meeting told

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Latest submitted planning applications

The council has received reports of bogus callers contacting residents offering £40 food payments if they provide bank details.

Wakefield council issues scam warning over £40 food payments

This Labour government has already set about restoring our confidence in the police and taking back our high streets. Photo: Scott Merrylees

Simon Lightwood MP: Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities

Wakefield Council plans to open two new children’s homes amid a ‘national crisis’ of care placements for young people.

Two new children’s homes set to open in the district amid ‘national crisis’

Wakefield Town HallUnison said key Wakefield Council services were “bound to suffer” if proposals to cut its workforce due to financial pressures go ahead.

Council job losses could be “catastrophic” for staff and residents, union warns

Wakefield One, Wakefield Council's headquarters building.

Wakefield Council set to axe more than 200 jobs to save cash

The council is asking Wakefield residents for their views on upcoming Council Tax Support scheme changes.

Wakefield Council asks for feedback on upcoming Council Tax Support scheme

15 November 2024. Dignity in Dying event at Healds Hall Hotel, Liversedge, hosted by Kim Leadbeater.

How your MP voted on the assisted dying bill

A set of sculptures installed outside Wakefield Council's headquarters as part of a £1m art trail have been stolen.

Bronze bird song sculptures part of £1m art trail stolen

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Decided planning applications

A licensing review hearing over Cheers pub, Newton Lane, Outwood, is due to be held on December 9.

Pub’s new tenants could lose licence over claims of illegal events
The new tenants of a Wakefield pub face losing their licence over claims that “illegal events” have been held at the venue.
Tony Gardner

A motion by Conservative councillors in Wakefield to call on the government to reverse plans to increase employer National Insurance contributions has been defeated.

Councillor says politics is “completely and utterly toxic” as NI motion defeated

Kim Leadbeater speaking 15 November 2024. Dignity in Dying at Healds Hall Hotel, Liversedge.

Most MPs have not yet declared voting intention on assisted dying bill

Councillors of all political parties in Wakefield have unanimously voted in favour of a freeze and on their allowances.

Councillor allowances freeze unanimously approved

Knottingley councillors were furious after being shown a mockup of the mural intended for the gable end of a chippy in Ferrybridge.

Fish shop mural design scrapped over Nazi SS symbol row

15 November 2024. Dignity in Dying at Healds Hall Hotel, Liversedge.

Parliament will hold vote on legalised assisted dying

A task force has been set up to tackle the spiralling costs of providing temporary accommodation for homeless people in Wakefield.

Task force making ‘huge strides’ on reducing homeless costs

The closure of Rathbones would not only have a terrible impact on the workers and their families, but it will also damage wider supply chains and our local economy. Photo: John Clifton

Jon Trickett MP: Rathbones bakery – 400 jobs at risk

Wakefield Council has withdrawn one of its expert witness from giving evidence at a public inquiry into the future of the city’s rubbish dump.

Welbeck Landfill: Council withdraws key expert witness as public inquiry ends

The trees will allow individuals to make a positive contribution to nature recovery and tackling climate change

Here's how you can get a FREE tree from Wakefield Council

Members of the Labour-run authority will vote on two proposals put forward by Conservative councillors at a meeting on November 27.

Call for Budget U-turn and scrapping of £3 bus fares

A petition calling a general election has been signed by over 1 million people. Pictured: Keir Starmer. Photo: STEFAN ROUSSEAU/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

How online petitions work and what happens at a million signatures
Even millions of signatures doesn’t guarantee success 😬
Matthew Mohan-Hickson

From left, Brunswick PACT chairman Brian Roberts, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and policing minister Dame Diana Johnson at the Home Office discussing the NationalWorld campaign Silent Crime on November 21, 2024

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper pledges action on Silent Crime

Wakefield Council has refused a retrospective planning application for a extension built next to the Sleep Factory bed firm in Ossett

Luxury bed firm refused permission for extension to its factory in Ossett

The tip has been open since 1998

Closing landfill site could lead to ‘long-term pollution risk’, expert warns

John Prescott visiting Allerton Bywater Welfare Hall in 2005.

Yvette Cooper MP: John Prescott – he told it like it was

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Decided planning applications

Coun Michelle Collins, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health at Wakefield Council.

Wakefield's assessment of Adults Social Care gets underway with CQC

Plans unveiled to improve Park Road in Pontefract

The Labour-run authority, like many council across the country, is also facing mounting financial pressures.

Councillors set to vote for allowances freeze

Paul Kempe, owner and co-founder of Tileyard North with Coun Denise Jeffery, Leader of Wakefield Council, at the opening of Gradient Mill.

Tileyard North’s Gradient Mill now complete

Five candidates standing for election at the Featherstone by-election have been named.

Featherstone by-election: Five candidates standing on December 12

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Submitted planning applications

Councillors Matthew Morley and Armaan Khan with The Grit Team.

Gritters out on the district's streets amid weather warning

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Decided planning applications

Wakefield Council is reminding residents in Featherstone to make sure they are registered to vote ahead of the by-election on Thursday, December 12.

Residents in Featherstone reminded to register to vote for December by-election

The shop on Market Street. Picture by Google

Disappointment as plans to convert fireplace shop into restaurant are cancelled

Antisocial behaviour leaves lasting damage on the community, leaving some, especially our elderly, afraid to leave the house. Photo: AdobeStock

Jade Botterill MP: Tackling anti-social behaviour and crime head on

31 Hill Top, Knottingley. Picture by Google

Plans for ‘unsympathetic’ HMO withdrawn following objections

The property at 16 Wood Street. Picture by Google

Takeaway plan on historic street refused planning over smell concerns

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Latest submitted planning applications

Wakefield MP Simon Lightwood and Wes Streeting, then shadow secretary of state for health and social care, pictured in May 2022, at the launch of a campaign to save King Street NHS Walk-in Centre

Plans for apartments above NHS walk-in centre approved despite concerns

The predicted figure has risen by £1.4m, from £9.9m forecast by the local authority’s finance officers in September.

Wakefield Council budget overspend expected to rise to £11.3m

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves poses with the red Budget Box as she leaves 11 Downing Street on October 30 to present the government's annual autumn budget to Parliament. Photo: Getty Images

This Budget delivers the change people in Wakefield and Rothwell voted for

Supermarket vouchers will be given automatically to all households in receipt of Council Tax Support

Supermarket vouchers: Help given to Wakefield households in need this winter

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Latest decided planning applications

Wakefield Council has announced the date of a by-election following the death of Featherstone councillor Graham Isherwood.

Featherstone by-election date announced

Victim Support marked their 50th anniversary at Junction 32 with Mayor, Tracy Brabin and Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper.

Home Secretary helps celebrate major milestone for Victim Support in Castleford

Old Golf House, Heath Common

Health centre scheme and traveller site extension to be axed from spending plan

Former Wild Lux, Wakefield. Picture by Google

Plan to convert former city centre shop is refused