There is a small amount of budget left for General Grants.  If you're a community group based in our area and are looking for some help either to top-up the funding needed for a large project, or have a smaller project but no cash, why not submit a general grant application.  Grants up to £750 do not need match-funding.  Full details and forms are on the webpage - hover your mouse over the Grants tab above and then choose General Grants.

We also have funding available via the Village Improvement Fund.  This is a scheme which provides funds via your local Councillor for extra facilities, or to refurbish facilities already in-situ.  Get in touch with your local Parish Councillor to find out more.

The closing date for applications to both schemes is FRIDAY 12 FEBRUARY.

It is with regret that the Council has cancelled the Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop planned for 23 January.  The decision had to be taken as this could not be held under the current Lockdown restrictions.  When the situation improves we are hoping to re-schedule it.

Everyone who has expressed an interest will be informed about the new event and given priority.  Although by its nature places are restricted, so we can't guarantee that everyone who has asked will be given a place on the first workshop, but we are hoping to hold more events, so hopefully everyone will get an opportunity at some point.  We are hoping that those that do take part will also train other volunteers, so we can spread the expertise across the area.

Apologies for the disappointment and any inconvenience caused.

The Council has decided to award a total of £15,582 as small annual grants and clock grants to 55 organisations right across the Parish.  To find out the outcome for your application please see the minutes of the Grants & Community Projects Committee meeting held on 12 November.  These can be found by hovering your mouse over the Reports tab above, and then choosing the Minutes option.

The funding will be paid out in April, at the start of the Council's next financial year.

Council also awarded the following General Grants totalling £7,820. 

Highburton Playgroup: £5,000 towards resurfacing the outdoor play area.

Kirkburton History Group: £720 for new plaques marking sites of historical interest.

Kirkburton Senior Citizens: £300 towards the Annual Tea.

Kirkheaton Youth Football: £1,000 towards a new club pavilion, subject to receipt of documentation for a previously awarded grant.

Lepton Rainbows: £50 to purchase craft materials.

Shelley Brownies: £750 to cover insurance and other overheads when subs cannot be collected due to Covid.

The groups should receive their cheques shortly.

We're pleased to see the Christmas trees arriving in the villages throughout the Parish.  We have organised 10 trees to be installed in Farnley Tyas, Flockton, Grange Moor, Highburton, Kirkheaton, Lascelles Hall, Shelley, Shepley, Stocksmoor and Thurstonland.  They are all paid for by the Parish Council, except for one which is funded by Kirklees Council.

We're also grateful to the staff of Kirklees Council, who have checked every site before installing all of the trees and put the lights on them.  We hope that everyone will enjoy the festive lights, especially this year, when we all need some cheering up.

The Council is pleased to announce that it has donated £1,000 each to Kirkwood Hospice, the Forget Me Not Children's Hospice, the Denby Dale Centre and Yorkshire Air Ambulance, to help them to continue to provide important services and care to people in this area during the pandemic.  They have seen a dramatic decrease in their resources due to the restrictions on fundraising opportunities, but at the same time there has been an increase in the demand for their services. 

The Council would like to acknowledge the significant contribution the organisations are making and to thank all the staff and volunteers for their efforts.