Michelle Collins

Order to clear ‘stinking’ waste site after operator loses appeal

Stan Bates, councillor for South Elmsall and South Kirkby, paid tribute to the carers who looked after his wife Maureen for two years before her death in July 2025.

Travel expenses review: Councillor’s tribute to staff who cared for his wife

Councillors in Wakefield are to debate a motion calling on Vico Homes to halt plans to end its Care Link Service.

Call to halt plan to end home care service for vulnerable residents

Community ‘consistently ignored’ over foul smell from waste site

County Hall, Wakefield.

Wakefield housing provider’s plan to end home care service for 15,000 residents

Barbers and vape shops ‘driving out’ high street retailers, claims

Dovecote Lodge care home, in Horbury, Wakefield.

Wakefield care home reopens after safety upgrade

Wakefield Council’s adult social care services have been given a requires improvement rating.

Wakefield Council's adult services given 'requires improvement' rating by CQC

Michelle Collins, Wakefield Council's cabinet member for adults and health, with resident John Evans, centre, and his son Dave, at Hazel Garth care home, Knottingley.

‘A new chapter’: Re-opened Hazel Garth care home aiming to be heart of community

Village Club and Institute, Doncaster Road, South Elmsall. Google image

Residents and councillors object to village club opening until 1am

Shared Lives is a care and support service for people aged 17 and over, including individuals living with a learning disability or physical impairment.

Wakefield Council spotlights local carers for Shared Lives Week 2025

Daniel Wilton has been appointed as the new cabinet member for communities on Wakefield Council.

Youngest councillor appointed to cabinet 12 months after being elected

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

Dovecote Lodge could be shut for up to 20 weeks while asbestos is removed from the building and a new fire alarm system is fitted.

Temporary closure of Wakefield care home approved to allow essential works

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

Residents living near to the facility in South Elmsall also raised concerns over dust, pollution, risks to public health and the environment.

More than 400 residents object to "putrid smell" from waste site
Hundreds of people have complained about a “putrid smell” coming from a waste recycling site.
Tony Gardner

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

Hazel Garth care home set to reopen in April

Hazel Garth care home, Knottingley

Wakefield Council gives ‘cast iron’ commitment to re-open Knottingley care home

Wakefield Exchange

Microbrewery to be installed at former market hall

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

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

College Grove, Wakefield.

Council agrees HMO clampdown on ‘rogue landlords’

Pete Girt and Rachel Speak, Lib Dem councillors for Knottingley ward on Wakefield Council

Councillors call for senior politicians to resign over care home ‘debacle’

Wakefield Council leader Denise Jeffery and chief executive Tony Reeves.

Council plans 'culture change' following damning report into care home closure

The Hatchling - a guide to Wakefield Council spectacular event

The Hatchling: Everything you need to know about the spectacular event

This family friendly and free event comes from award-winning artists and producers Trigger, The Hatchling’s visit is a much-anticipated element of Wakefield Council’s 366-day programme of cultural and creative activity, Our Year – Wakefield District 2024.

Don’t miss the epic dragon flight coming to Wakefield this August bank holiday

Wakefield Council leader Denise Jeffery

Council leader changes cabinet team following outcry over care home closure

Coun Michelle Collins with staff and volunteers from Pontefract Castle.

Pontefract Castle wins prestigious Green Heritage Site Accreditation
Pontefract Castle has won both a prestigious Green Heritage Site Accreditation and Green Flag for the first time.
Leanne Clarke

Michelle Collins, councillor for South Elmsall and South Kirkby, called for road safety issues to be addressed before 112 homes are built next to South Elmsall railway station.

Safety warning as housing development next to railway station approved

Pontefract Liquorice Festival 2024. (Images HARIBO/JMA Photography)

17 photos from a packed Pontefract as it celebrates HARIBO Liquorice Festival

Mohammad was inspired through speaking with NHS staff at the hospital

Artist unveils new mural at Pinderfields Hospital to celebrate anniversary of th...

Haribo will sponsor Pontefract Liquorice Festival

Haribo set to sponsor Pontefract Liquorice Festival

A varied and thrilling programme of events coming to Pontefract Castle this summer

Sensational summer of events at Pontefract Castle

The story of Double Two (also known as The Wakefield Shirt Company) is the story of post-war Britain. Join us on a journey of changing fashions, fabrics, mills and models.

New exhibition tells the story of pioneering company, Double Two shirts

The latest recipients of culture grants, from Wakefield Council, include numerous projects that celebrate Wakefield's coal mining heritage.

Projects celebrating coal mining heritage receive council culture grants

Coun Michelle Collins launches Beat the Street with children from Purston Infant School.

Giant interactive playground, for adults and children, arrives in Featherstone

The Roman Festival returns to Castleford on June 1.

Castleford to be transformed back in time to celebrate Roman Festival 2024

The exhibition, entitled Born and Bred in Wakefield, introduces four young families who live in the district and features photographs, objects, and histories from the families as well as a film that documents their experiences of raising a family in the district in 2024.

From IVF to single parenting: Wakefield exhibition celebrates raising a family

Last seen leading the celebrations at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant, The Hatchling dragon is the world’s first and largest human-operated puppet to fly. (Photo courtesy of Trigger (c) Dom_Moore)

Watch: Breathtaking giant dragon puppet heading to Wakefield this summer

Children sitting on the railway gate at Fryston Colliery, 1940-1955

Facinating photography collection records mining community in the mid-1900s

The popular entertainer Ruby Rhubarb will be back this weekend!

Wakefield Rhubarb Festival: All you need to know about this year's event

Great British Bake Off star Karen Wright will be at this year's Rhubarb Festival

Great British Bake Off star and more at Wakefield's Rhubarb Festival

Tony Wade ‘Watermarks’ project with the Well Women Centre. The partnership with artist Tony Wade will see six silk painting workshops with the centre's service users, with a showcase of the final artwork at Wakefield Cathedral later in the year

Our Year: Wakefield Council announces first 2024 culture grant recipients

Our Year – Wakefield District 2024 started with a bang with a hugely successful 24 in 24 event on Saturday. (Andrew Benge)

Wakefield's Our Year starts with a bang with hugely successful 24 in 24 event

Work continues on Wakefield Exchange. January 2024

Former market hall set to reopen as venue in late 2024

Wakefield Council has been awarded an £88,000 grant for its libraries to create opportunities to volunteer and help tackle loneliness. (Pictured - Wakefield Library)

Wakefield Council receives grant to help combat loneliness across the area

The local authority said the number of complaints about chimney smoke has risen due to the growing trend for people having solid fuel appliances fitted in homes.

Residents can face £300 log burner fines under new council powers

Council Leader Denise Jeffery made the comments as senior councillors approved budget saving proposals of more than £16m.

Council three years away from financial difficulty unless funding improves

Coun Michelle Collins and Coun Maureen Cummings at Wakefield Library's Welcome Space.

Free, warm, safe places across Wakefield to enjoy a cuppa and company

The day will feature 24 free events spanning walks, exhibitions, and interactive workshops, with a special headline event taking place at Wakefield Cathedral.

Wakefield Council announces 24 hours of celebrations to kick off "Our Year 2024"

Coun Michelle Collins reading an original copy of Mathew Tomlinson's journal.

19th century manuscripts and diaries hidden from public to be digitised

Laura Hakier has been reading to her daughter, Mila, on the neonatal unit at Pinderfields Hospital.

Pinderfields launches new neonatal library on World Prematurity Day

Pontefract Castle Light Up event is set to happen on November 24 and 25 - followed by the traditional Pontefract light switch on November 26

Pontefract Castle to be filled with festive spirit as it hosts Light Up event

The trail includes LEAP, by imitating the dog, taking place on all three evenings 5pm-8pm. LEAP is a projection mapping piece which combines heartfelt storytelling, stunning animations and a live singer.

Light Up Wakefield returns with a spectacular light trail

Coun Michelle Collins at Normanton Leisure.

Welcome reopening of Normanton Leisure Centre after refurbishment

The event has always proved popular in the past.

Thornes Park to take centre stage for free firework display for Bonfire Night

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