Cash is vital for groups that are struggling

Scores of projects, including the latest speed indicator devices, have benefited from the Mirfield, Denby Dale and Kirkburton area committee cash.

Committee member and Mayor of Mirfield Coun Vivien Lees-Hamilton said: “I’m absolutely appalled. It gives ward members the opportunity to help out struggling community groups and do good works within the ward.”

She cited the funding recently provided by the committee for six speed indicator devices around the town.

“These can be moved about the area and benefit all of Mirfield. We wouldn’t be able to get money from the Highways budget for them.”

Speed bumps in Water Royd Lane, Battyeford Boys Sporting Club, Upper Hopton Cricket Club and an outreach worker for the Mirfield Churches Together Matrix project have also benefited from area committee cash.

The value of the area committee had been lessened for Mirfield since it merged with Denby Dale and Kirkburton in 2010, but it still plays a vital, role said Coun Lees-Hamilton.

“We often split bigger projects with Mirfield Town Council, so they shared the brunt,” she added.

A project close to Coun Lees-Hamilton’s heart, Mirfield skate park, also received area committee funds.

She said: “We saved up money for four years. It gave me an opportunity to engage with teenagers. It was a brilliant project and we are not going to be able to do things like that (without area committee money).”

Any cash Kirklees Council does have left for communities would be directed to the most deprived areas of the district, Coun Lees-Hamilton said.

“As Mirfielders, we are stuffed.”