Talking Politics column with Kim Leadbeater MP: 'We're back and need to get on with the job'

It has been a pleasure to welcome Andy Burnham to Spen Valley several times, both before becoming an MP and since; we have a lot of shared values and priorities, and he has my full support.

Locally, the changes at Kirklees Council mean there are new opportunities to raise issues that I know are important to people in Spen Valley. I have already written to the new leadership about several important issues that I have been fighting for over a number of years.

During my five years as an MP I have always committed to working cross-party with local councillors. Whatever political party we are in we have all been elected to represent local residents in our different roles, and we need to get on with the job. My role is to make sure that people in Spen Valley are represented in Parliament but also that their voices are heard locally, including by the relevant authorities such as the council and the police.

One of those issues is Cleckheaton Town Hall which I have been campaigning to reopen since 2023; I know how much the town hall means to people and I have raised the issue consistently with council leaders and officers. I have also supported volunteers from the Cleckheaton & Spenborough Town Hall Group who have worked incredibly hard to build the business case for the future of the Town Hall. I recently asked the new leadership at Kirklees Council to look urgently at what they can do to help.

Another issue I have asked the new administration to look at is Nab Lane Tip in Birstall. Families in Spen Valley, including my own, had used the tip for decades; I opposed the closure and have raised residents’ concerns about fly-tipping and the significant inconvenience caused since the closure. I have written to the leadership to argue for the decision to be revisited.

Although I don’t have the power to tell the council or the police what to do, I take my role of making sure residents’ voices are heard very seriously, and getting organisations and people together to listen and take action is something I do on a regular basis.

I recently convened a multi-agency, cross party meeting at my office with representatives from the police, local councillors, council officers and the venue owner to discuss complaints received from constituents relating to at The Monal Wedding Venue in Cleckheaton.

Despite agreeing a number of actions to address dangerous driving, noise and the use of flares and fireworks, the situation did not improve, so I have pressed the council and the police to use all the powers they have to take action to ensure the safety of residents.

While I am keen to support local businesses, anti-social behaviour which disrupts the lives of local people cannot be tolerated.

The government is also taking action with a national consultation on fireworks. I know how distressing fireworks can be to people and animals in Spen Valley and would encourage you to respond to my online survey and the government consultation.

Wishing you the very best for the coming season,