Review of the year: April

l A schoolgirl who had to fight cancer and a brain tumour celebrated a major milestone in her journey.

Bailey Coppack, now 14, had to have 30 days of radiotherapy after the tumour spread to her spine.

But with the treatment complete, her family was hopeful that she would soon be able to have a normal life.

Bailey, who goes to Castle Hall Academy, was found to have a benign brain tumour when she suddenly collapsed.

Last year, her family raised thousands of pounds so she could have specialist treatment in America.

Shortly after she returned, Bailey was diagnosed with leukaemia, which is in remission after chemotherapy.

But she was dealt another blow when doctors found that her tumour had spread to her spine.

In July Bailey took part a four-day yacht adventure with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

She joined 20 other young people in recovery from cancer for an inspirational sailing trip around the Solent last week.

l Councillors talked about how a £1bn funding pot could help to tackle a congestion hotspot.

Coun Peter McBride, Cabinet member for investment and housing, said improvements to the Cooper Bridge junction in Mirfield and a relief road for Ravensthorpe would be a major boost to the area’s economic regeneration.

Coun McBride, who has the regeneration of Dewsbury as part of his portfolio, said: “Currently it’s destroying Ravensthorpe. What you’ve got at the moment is a main road going through what ought to be the main shopping centre.

“And the volume of traffic makes it more difficult to get into Dewsbury. If it is easier to get there, the whole dynamic could change.

The money would come from a pooled £1bn transport fund controlled by the proposed West Yorkshire Combined authority.

A Government consultation on the creation of the combined authority closes on January 2.

l Dewsbury Rams’ future moved one step closer to being secured after councillors reluctantly backed planning proposals for a major development near its stadium.

A masterplan was submitted to Kirklees Council’s Cabinet by leaseholders Stirling Investment Properties LLP and Scotfield Limited to build more than 200 homes on council-owned land next the Rams’ Tetley’s Stadium in Owl Lane, Shaw Cross.

After a tense meeting, cabinet members agreed to back the proposals, but admitted their hands were tied due to a previous council agreement.

It gave the developers permission to submit a full planning application for the scheme, which would include a new training pitch and car park for the club – and a cash sum from developers for the Ras.

A renegotiated plan including two multi-use games areas, an all-weather practice pitch, a park and a 334 space car park was approved by Cabinet members earlier this month.

A planning application is expected to be submitted early in the New Year.