Council

Simon Lightwood MP has welcomed new powers to force water bosses to clear up our rivers, lakes and seas.

Water Act: Polluting water bosses in Wakefield face up to two years in prison

A design for a mural planned for Ossett town centre has been withdrawn by Wakefield Council. Image: Wakefield Council

Back to drawing board for town’s mural after more than 150 object to design

Work is due to start next month to prepare the site of the former Kellingley Club for a major regeneration project in Knottingley.

Work to start on Kellingley Club demolition as part of major redevelopment plan

In May 1945, World War II came to an end. Millions of people took to the streets to celebrate, with flags, bunting and street parties galore. | Getty

Wakefield to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day

Coun Michael Graham.

'The town centre has drastically improved': Businesses praise grant schemes

Mayor of Wakefield Darren Byford

Mayor of Wakefield 'attacked' with mace by eight-year-old girl

The river Aire in Castleford

Castleford’s £24m regeneration schemes delayed as deadline extended

Sarah Colley (UNICEF co-ordinator at FAB), Rachel Wilson (Manager at FAB), Coun Margaret Isherwood, Sharon Hughes (Business Manager at FAB) with John Rose, Vicky Sutton, Sophie Hayward and Lynne Harrington from the Family Hub.

Wakefield Council recognised by UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative

Wakefield Council has appointed Rachel Bowes as its new corporate director for adults and health.

Wakefield Council appoints new corporate director for adults and health

The city’s main cemetery at Sugar Lane, which dates back to 1859, is expected to become full within seven years, according to a recent council report.

Deputy leader gives ‘unequivocal commitment’ over city burial plots

Wakefield Council rejected a retrospective application for the illuminated black and orange advertising at Tanvis Indian Cuisine, on Northgate.

Permission refused for ‘garish’ signs outside Indian restaurant

Wakefield Council has been recognised for the success of Our Year 2024.

Wakefield Council shortlisted for prestigious national award

A public inquiry has taken place over plans to build a solar farm on greenbelt land in Sitlington, Wakefield.

Public inquiry concludes over Sitlington solar farm

County Hall, Wakefield.

Councillors to debate whether to take action over plans to cut benefits

Wakefield has received £5.5m in Government funding to support residents between April 2025 and March 2026

Supermarket vouchers and other financial help available for Wakefield households

Wakefield Council currently operates a voluntary registration scheme across the local authority area.

Call for housing registration scheme to crackdown on rogue landlords
Wakefield Council is being asked to introduce a compulsory landlord registration scheme to help improve housing conditions for thousands of residents.
Tony Gardner

Wakefield Council has said it plans to take enforcement action after a public passageway next to Trinity Lounge, on Brook Street, has been "completely blocked". LDRS image

Enforcement action planned over “completely blocked” alley next to restaurant

Sugar Lane Cemetery, which dates back to 1859, is expected to become full within seven years, according to a recent council report.

Wakefield Council urged to ‘prioritise’ search for new city burial ground

The authority’s controlling group said it was calling for a “rethink” of proposed welfare reforms.

Wakefield's Labour councillors oppose government cuts to benefit system

Councillor Graham Isherwood

Nomination approved for councillor's posthumous Honorary Alderman title

More than 400 residents have objected to an application to extend the life of a waste recycling facility at Hacking Lane, South Elmsall, by ten years.

Backlash from campaigners and council over 'nature reserve' claims

Wakefield Council's Lib Dem group members Rachel Speak (left), group leader Pete Girt (centre) and Adele Hayes (right)

Lib Dem leader quits over by-election campaign before councillor’s funeral

Plans to convert former offices next to the Black Swan pub, in Normanton, into a HMO have been refused. Google image

Plan to build HMO next to pub rejected after more than 1,000 objections

Westmead,in Castleford, was put into special measures following an inadequate inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

Call for answers over ‘inadequate’ rating of ‘maggot infested’ care home

More than 400 residents have objected to an application to extend the life of a waste recycling facility at Hacking Lane, South Elmsall, by ten years.

Environment Agency urges council to take action at “stinking” waste site

The film, by documentary maker Rhys Durkin, is due to be screened at Reel Cinema, in the Ridings Centre.

Wakefield Council to classify Ukraine mercy mission film ahead of city screening

The decision to shut Hazel Garth, in Knottingley, at 24 hours’ notice sparked outrage in May last year and led to Wakefield Council issuing a public apology.

Council to pay compensation for distress over Hazel Garth care home closure
A council has confirmed it has agreed to pay compensation for the distress caused by the sudden closure of a care home for residents with dementia.
Tony Gardner

Featherstone councillor Graham Isherwood.

Councillor Graham Isherwood set to receive posthumous Honorary Alderman title

The owner of a dog grooming business has challenged a council enforcement notice banning the exercising of animals at a former farm in Wragby, Wakefield.

Doggy daycare business to challenge exercise ban over barking claims

More than 400 residents have objected to an application to extend the life of a waste recycling facility at Hacking Lane, South Elmsall, by ten years.

South Elmsall waste site ‘biggest environmental problem in Yorkshire’

The old Wilko store and four other commercial properties on Kirkgate look set to be knocked down as part of a Wakefield city centre redevelopment scheme. LDRS image

Former Wilko store among city centre shops set for demolition

The city’s main burial ground, which dates back to 1859, is expected to become full within seven years, Wakefield Council has said.

City’s historic burial ground set to become full within seven years

A total of 1,194 complaints were made to the authority during the 2023/24 financial year, up 14% on the previous 12-month period.

Council complaints up 14% as bin collections, education and highways top list

Earlier this year it was revealed that Wakefield Council had been exposed to a £370m financial risk due to some of its properties being uninsured for almost three years.

'Significant' insurance premiums rise for council buildings

Labour councillors Jakob Williamson (Hemsworth) and Stan Bates (South Elmsall and South Kirkby) voted against their party's budget proposals at a meeting on March 3.

Labour Party confirms councillor suspensions over budget dissent

Wakefield Council is facing “additional costs” of more than a half a million pounds to deal with public inquiries.

Wakefield public inquiries costing council more than £500,000

Wakefield MP Simon Lightwood

‘No more hiding’: MPs welcome train station performance figures

Labour councillors Jakob Williamson (Hemsworth) and Stan Bates (South Elmsall and South Kirkby) voted against their party's budget proposals at a meeting on March 3.

Second Labour councillor disciplined over Wakefield budget row

Plans to graze horses on land previously used to treat sewage have been rejected over concerns for animal safety.

Horse grazing scheme at former sewage works rejected over animal welfare fears

Horbury's former healthcare centre site is back up for sale. LDRS image

‘Eyesore’ former medical centre back up for sale after flats plan rejected

Funding is expected to deliver projects over the next 10 years

Go ahead given for £20m investment for Castleford

Labour councillor Jakob Williamson. Pictured outside County Hall, Wakefield, after voting against his party's budget proposal. The Hemsworth councillor faces an indefinate suspension from the party over his comments.

Labour councillor facing suspension over fierce attack on his party’s budget

Wakefield Council voted in favour of the council tax rise as part of efforts to plug a £39.9m budget gap.

Councillor accuses own party of being “dishonest” as tax hike approved

Wakefield District to hold its first “Festival of Learning”

Wakefield to hold its first Festival of Learning with employment opportunities

An appeal has been made to the Planning Inspectorate after plans to turn the garden of a house on Womersley Road, Knottingley, into a caravan park were twice rejected by Wakefield Council.

Rejected plans for caravan park at Knottingley pig farm appealed

Councillor Maureen Cumming opened up about her experiences after being appointed Wakefield Council’s violence against women and girls (VAWG) champion.

Domestic abuse champion opens up on crusade to make women and girls safer

Wakefield Council is re-launching Culture Grants for 2025, supporting and celebrating the rich arts, culture, and heritage of the Wakefield district.

Culture Grants of up to £10K available to support arts, culture and heritage

A mural planned for Ossett town centre features its historic links to the textile industry and images of its annual coal carrying championships, Maypole celebrations and Beercart procession. Image: Wakefield Council

Mural to celebrate coal race, festivals and town's links to textile industry

Wakefield Council is still waiting for a new transport depot to be completed more than five years after plans were put in place to create the Phoenix 66 warehouse in Featherstone

‘Frustration’ over five-year transport depot delay and extra £1.9m cost of move

Sun Lane Leisure Centre, Wakefield

Go-ahead for £5m scheme to decarbonise leisure centre and primary school

Wakefield Council looks set to spend almost £6m on urgent repair works to the city's 'deteriorating' historic County Hall building

County Hall ‘a little leaky’ but ‘not falling to bits’, council meeting told

Jack Hemingway, deputy leader of Wakefield Council and cabinet member for environment and climate change, pictured overlooking Welbeck landfill site

Council reaffirms country park pledge after losing legal fight over rubbish dump

The former Debenhams store at Trinity Walk Shopping Centre

Plans to transform Wakefield’s former Debenhams store into a bowling alley

Visual of the proposed 'everything is going to be alright' art installation planned by Wakefield old Crown Court building. Image: Harris Partnership

Artwork by Turner Prize winner to be installed at old Crown Court building

Welbeck Landfill Site

Council loses legal battle over tipping at city’s rubbish dump