Calls for more investment for Hemsworth after '40 years of neglect'

Ian Womersley, who was elected as an independent for the town last year, made the calls during a meeting about Wakefield Council's new Budget on Wednesday.

Coun Womersley voted in favour of the controlling Labour group's proposals, which were passed at the meeting, citing the need to fund social care as his reasoning.

But he said he was disappointed that the south-east of the Wakefield district had, in his view, been neglected.

Coun Womersley, who stood unsuccessfully against Hemsworth's Labour MP Jon Trickett at the General Election in December, said: "I'm going to support this Budget, because I appreciate that the safeguarding of our children and the safeguarding of our elderly is very, very important.

"Any elderly person should have free social care at the point of use.

"But the things I'm not happy about, is the things I have been having dialogue with (council leader) Denise Jeffery about over the last 12 months.

"Looking at the forward plan and list of big projects coming up, there's no mention of whatsoever of the south-east.

"In the run-up to the election, Jon Trickett himself said the south-east has been neglected for the last 40 years financially and we need to work together to get some investment and services in south-east."

Coun Womersley suggested Hemsworth had had fewer pothole repairs than other parts of the district over the last year and addressing Coun Jeffery directly, added: "I hope you'll be calling me soon and saying what you're going to be doing, so I can take something back to my constituents."

In response, Coun Jeffery promised that she would be talking to him.

Labour's budget proposals were passed at the meeting.

Local Democracy