Mayor wants to hear your ideas for celebration

The Mayor of Kirklees Paul Kane, who took over from Coun Ken Smith in May, is keen host an event during his time in the role and after he noticed the town had not got much out of the mayoralty in previous years.

Coun Kane (Lab, Dewsbury East) said: “Looking at the forward calendar, there isn’t a civic event. I spoke to the members of the Batley Business Association and said, if there’s something that needs celebrating in Batley over the coming months, then I’m quite willing to get the office to sort it.

“It would be something that the mayor and Kirklees could celebrate Batley for. I do feel as though Batley has not had a lot out of the mayoralty. It’s got events and plenty to do, but nothing that’s a celebration and I would like to do that.”

A modest amount of funding could be put forward by the mayor.

Civic events can take many forms, but must involve the council. Coun Kane’s chosen charity for his time as mayor is Diabetes UK, and the event could be a fundraiser – but he is calling for your ideas.

Chairman of Batley History Group, Malcolm Haigh, has already thought of two reasons a celebration could go ahead in 2015.

He said:“It is the 110th anniversary of the opening of the new Batley Town Hall and it’s also the 110th anniversary of the laying of the founding stone of Batley Library. If they were thinking of celebrating Batley I can’t think of anything better than the library and town hall.

“It would be lovely to have something like that. It would be nice to bring a bit of civic pride back.”

If you have any ideas, contact Coun Paul Kane or the civic office with your ideas.

He can be reached at [email protected]