The History of Denby Dale Parish Council goes back to 1972
The Local Government Act of 1972 brought about the most fundamental change in local government during the 20th century.
As far as the local district was concerned, 11 former constituent authorities (including Denby Dale Urban District Council) became Kirklees Metropolitan District Council (later incorporated a Borough) on 1 April 1974.
During 1973 Shadow Councils were set up to oversee the transition. Kirklees was at that time known as Area 6 d (‘six’ because West Yorkshire was the 6th Metropolitan County in alphabetical order and ‘d’ because we were the 4th district). The name ‘Kirklees’ (meaning ‘Church Meadow’) is taken from the ruined Kirklees Priory, north of Huddersfield where Robin Hood is reputed to be buried. The name aroused some controversy as it was also the name of Sir John Armytage’s home Kirklees Hall in the Brighouse area (now part of Calderdale). Alternative names suggested included Pennine Valley, Penval and Huddersbury!
Concurrent with the setting up of the new County/District councils, constituent councils with a population of below 20,000 were eligible for successor Parish/Town Council status. Thus Denby Dale U.D.C. (pop circa 9,000), Holmfirth (pop circa 18,000), Kirkburton (pop circa 18,000) and Meltham (pop circa 5,000) were all granted successor status, whereas Colne Valley with a population in excess of 20,000 was not. Denby Dale successor (Parish) Council was set up on 17th December 1973 when Urban District Councillors also became successor (Parish) Councillors.
- Standing Orders made in May 1974. These are rules under which Council business is conducted.
- Transfer of property on 1 April 1974. Kirklees Council considered some form of local letting or joint management of the district community centre and swimming baths at Scissett and local playing fields, but would not agree that these be transferred to the Parish Council.
- Standing Committees. The Council established two standing committees:- Plans Scrutiny (In accordance with Section 20, Schedule 16 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council informed the Local Planning Authority that it wished to be notified of planning applications concerning land in its area) – to consider planning applications and other matters affecting future developments of the parish. Finance and General Purposes – to consider financial matters, grants, staff matters and business of a routine nature.
- Over the years, the Council have held regular meetings with representatives of Kirklees Council, the former West Yorkshire Metropolitan County Council, Police and latterly the Fire Service and M.P.
- Representatives have been appointed to a number of bodies, including Environment Trust Committee, Denby Dale Community Association, Road Safety Committee, Home and Leisure Safety Committee, Yorkshire Local Councils’ Association, Rural Transport Partnership, Historic Buildings Trust, School Governing Bodies, etc.
- Chairs held Civic Services until recent years. Chairs attend many functions on behalf of the Council, including presentations in all first schools.
- The Annual Assembly of the Denby Dale Parish Meeting. This meeting is for all local government electors in the area. It receives reports from the Parish Council Chair – the Annual Report of the Council. District Councillors, school governors, and the Home and Leisure/Road Safety Committees also submit reports.
- Open Cast Clay Workings. The Council has continues the liaison and site meetings, which were commenced by the Urban District Council with Hepworth Building Products Ltd. in respect quarrying at Bromley, Henperch and Ponker Quarries.
- One of the Council’s most innovative successes has been the Denby Dale Countryside Project. This was set up jointly in 1993 with Kirklees Council and Countryside Commission. It put into practice many of the recommendations put forward in Denby Dale Parish Council’s report on the environment; ’Stepping Stones to Action’. It is a partnership between all those wanting to make their local countryside a better place to live and work.
Chronological History Of Denby Dale
| 1974 |
The U.D.C. Chairman’s Chain of Office passed to the Parish Council |
| 1975 | Councillor W Gregory elected Mayor of Kirklees. Mrs Gillian Wood appointed Clerk on the 16th May. Kirklees MC to administer allotments. Office at the Council Offices provided for the Clerk. Consultation agreed on alteration to public footpaths Membership of W & S Y Playing Fields Association Membership of Yorkshire Parish council’s Association Wakefield Branch Youth Club Facilities in Skelmanthorpe discussed |
| 1976 | Chairman’s year of office recognised by presentation. Cllr J Kenyon retired after 41 years’ service. Meeting with Social Services regarding erection of standpipes and the plight of the elderly during drought. Meetings with Passenger Transport Executive (Bus Shelters) and Civic Society (relationships) were held. Representative on Pie Hall Committee |
| 1977 | Double yellow lines suggested outside the Council Offices and agreed to by Kirklees M.C. Area Care pilot scheme set up – to create closer liaison between the public and Local Authority. Meeting held with police. Queens’s Silver Jubilee discussed. Meeting with NCB on various matters. Proposed opencast mining at Clayton West. Meeting with representative of Community Health Council. One way system – New Lane, Skelmanthorpe supported. Boundary review – suggested inclusion of Shelley rather than Flockton and Whiteley Wards. |
| 1978 | Area Health Authority representative addressed the Council on the National Health Service. Council agreed to publicise the Huddersfield/Clayton West/Sheffield Railway line. Twinning considered. Clerk authorised to attend meetings with Kirklees on planning applications. Arranged public meeting on revision of definitive public path map and statement. Footpaths Advisory Committee – Council representative to meet with Kirklees M.C. and the Yorkshire Water Authority. Official guide agreed. Denby Dale Council Lottery held. |
| 1979 | Public meeting re sewerage held – Skelmanthorpe. Kirklees asked to take over responsibility for the five War Memorials in the area, and Skelmanthorpe Cemetery. Structure plans replaced by District Plans and Local (Village) Plans. Representative appointed to Kirkburton and Denby Dale Youth Council. Retirement of Caretaker at the Council Offices. |
| 1980 | Meeting with Kirklees Planners re Local Plan for Denby Dale village. Meeting with Methodist Church Council re use of War Memorial forecourt for car park at Denby Dale . Council agreed to precept on the rates due to withdrawals of budgetary provision by Kirklees. (Parish Council office moved within Council Offices) Representatives appointed to attend Yorkshire and Cleveland Local Councils’ Association meetings. Kirklees agreed to send comments on planning decisions to the Parish Council. (Chief Executive visited Denby Dale area). |
| 1981 | County Council reported to Council on structure and policies of WY Fire Service. Police Superintendent reported to Council. Emley Parish Pump location discussed. Facilities for the disabled in Denby Dale area considered. Grants made to local organisations. Opposed possible closure of Denby CE School. Attendance at meeting re revision of bus services. Parish review carried out by Kirklees – no change. |
| 1982 | District Plan considered. Supported proposed pelican crossing at Scissett. Consulted on review of parliamentary constituencies. Views requested on inclusion of Shelley Ward within parish boundaries in parish review. Discussions held with Kirklees M.C. regarding relocating the library in Council Offices, and moving Civic Chamber/Clerk’s Office upstairs. |
| 1983 | Movement of coal lorries – Clayton West and Skelmanthorpe. Skelmanthorpe Village plan considered. Agreed Chairman-Elect appointed at November meeting. |
| 1984 | Representative appointed to Kirklees Historic Buildings Trust. Parish Precept. Strongly opposed proposed abolition of Metropolitan County Council. Denby Dale Village plan considered. Bar – Denby Dale Parish Council added to Chain of Office Councillor appointed to police forum. Discussions regarding the provision of Youth Club in Clayton West took place. |
| 1985 | Meeting re Skelmanthorpe Cemetery/Chapel/Stained glass window. Nominee attended hearing on proposed withdrawal of passenger train service on Huddersfield – Sheffield line. Opposition to Public Transport Bill. Footway – Shelly Woodhouse Lane. Survey carried out re bus stops – Denby Dale. Passenger Shelters in area – representative at site visit. Councillor attended drugs awareness seminar. Considered village plans for Clayton West/Scissett/Emley/Upper and Lower Cumberworth and Upper Denby. |
| 1986 | Smoking ban extended to Committee Meetings. Council agreed purchase and erection of bus shelters. Anti-litter campaign conducted – including poster competition and sponsoring of litter bins. Representative appointed to crime prevention panel. Petition received re Youth Club in Clayton West. Sub-Committee re buses formed after de-regulation. |
| 1987 | Death of Mr James Arthur Lawton - former County Councillor, Chairman of Denby Dale UDC and Successor Council in 1973. Anti-litter poster competition held. Representative nominated to Passenger Consultation Committee. Representatives appointed to various charities. Invitation to anniversary of Skelmanthorpe Luncheon club. Involvement with review of Metropolitan areas. Purchase of wreath for Remembrance Day Service and attendance thereat. Meeting with Pie 88 Chairman. Site meeting re accidents – junction of Huddersfield Road/Commercial Road, Skelmanthorpe. |
| 1988 | Representative of Holme Valley PC attended meeting re links between Parish Councils. Decision made to provide tubs of floral decorations throughout the area. Yorkshire Rural Community Council attended meeting. Exploration of need for a Community Centre at Clayton West. Councillor Colin Watson elected Mayor of Kirklees. |
| 1989 | Competition held ‘Keeping our River Clean’. Representatives met from K.M.C. and Yorkshire Water re River Dearne. Chief Constable asked to re-instate Community Constables. Attendance at Yorkshire Local Councils Association (South Pennine Branch) Meeting re Youth Leisure facilities in Clayton West. Kirklees Environmental Improvements Officer attended meeting. |
| 1990 | ‘The Care of Pets’ competition approved for schools. Contribution agreed for car park scheme at Scisset (£30K). Attendance at Parish Government Course. Countryside Management Scheme – working party set up. Kirklees Dearne Environmental Advisory Committee formed. |
| 1991 | Schools project ‘Your Local Village, Past, Present and Future’. Two voluntary Tree Wardens appointed – two-year term. Stand taken at Emley Show Agreed re-print of ‘History of Denby Dale’. |
| 1992 | Joined Council for the protection of Rural England. Representative of Kirklees Housing attended meeting re rural housing schemes. Environment committee awarded delegated fund of £2,000. Cliffe Woods Park formally vested with Kirklees. |
| 1993 | Schools project – ‘Looking After Ourselves’. Opposed partial closure of District Office successfully. Meeting re. siting of Christmas tree at Clayton West. Mr Auterson attended re. new Unitary Development Plan. Agreed closure of St Augustine’s Churchyard. Area Housing Manager attended meeting. Clerk’s office relocated Support for purchase of Wither Wood, Denby Dale, (£1K) Member authorised to attend Yorkshire Local Councils’ Association A.G.M. David Parker appointed Project Manager of the Denby Dale Parish Countryside Management Project. Wreaths provided for five war memorials Assessment of need for after school care clubs. |
| 1994 | Council asked to take over Scissett Community Centre. Stand at Emley Show (Environment/Road Safety Committees) Death of former Chairman, Harold Sykes Gerald Pogson co-opted as member for Clayton West. Denby again successful in ‘Britain in Bloom’ competition Twinning with Bonen in Kreis Unna considered. |
| 1995 | Unitary Development Plan considered. Schools project – ‘Growth and Water’ Rural Housing Trust attended – re Emley Site Working party set up to consider Wentworth Avenue development in Emley Involvement in RECHAR funding programme Mabel Hinchliffe Charity wound up Representatives appointed to Scissett Community Centre Management Committee Future funding of Countryside Project agreed Chief Traffic Engineer attended to discussTraffic Calming measures Re-issue of history books launched Various conservation groups established Further meetings in Wentworth Avenue Development Purchase of Christmas trees considered Kirklees Community Development Service representatives attended re Youth Clubs Code of Practice in handling Complaints adopted Countryside Project Christmas Cards obtained for sale. Millennium Greens Project set up – Billham Park, Clayton West Objection to proposed abattoir – Clayton West Rights of Way Officer attended Council. Objection to partial closure of District Office Council agreed to support the Road Safety Committee financially and administratively |
| 1996 | Proposed Community Facilities in Emley. Future of Bromley Farm landfill site. Rural White Paper European Unit (KMC) representatives – Rechar II Yorkshire Water representatives attended meeting Leisure Services representatives re Christmas trees RECHAR Partnership Group set up. Clerk appointed Responsible Financial Officer. Monies to be given to First Schools for use on extra curricular activities e.g. Drama, Art, Music, Sport. Vice Chair authorised to wear Chain of Office Chief Dog Warden attended meeting re Dogs Fouling on Land Act Steve Dodson appointed as Project Manager for the Parish Partnership - (Group administers budget of approx £2,000,000) Youth provision in the area – representatives attended. |
| 1997 | Environmental Trust formed Millennium Project Sub-Committee formed David Hinchliffe MP attended the Council meeting Brian Jenner and Nic Kyle succeeded Steve Dodson on short term contract. School Crossing Patrol. Clayton West – proposed dis-establishment – site meeting held David Parker appointed Lead Officer in Working in Communities Initiative. |
| 1998 | April meeting re Bus Services 235/236 changes. Approx 3,000 Parish History books presented to schoolchildren in the area. Provision of Pharmaceutical services in Emley discussed. Nominating rights to School Governing Bodies. Plan to opencast at Litherop Lane, Clayton West. Ownership of Emley Cross and Public Convenience site Skelmanthorpe. Modernising Local Government – consultation. ‘Friend to Friend’ organisers attended. Bio-Diversity Audit (nature conservation study) Community Matters Media Archive Project instituted. Recycling Issues – Janet Westmoreland attended. New policy on Christmas Trees established/£50 donation. Millennium Greens – Clayton West and Emley. |
| 1999 | Local Fire Service Commander attended. Scissett proposed development – meetings attended by Save Our Scissett representatives Rural Bus Challenge Competition success. Planning officials attended meeting. Transport meeting held with representatives of Metro David Parker left Council’s employ. Partnership Regeneration Initiative incorporating matchfunding with Kirklees M.C. instituted. Community Health Council/Area Health Authority representatives attended – proposals and changes to hospital services in Calderdale and Kirklees. |
| 2000 | Andrew Wickham appointed Countryside Officer. Council Offices refurbishment. Education Officer attended re Shelley Pyramid and class sizes Metro representatives re Village Link Bus service. Sarah Covell, Denby Dale Community Association Development Worker; Jane Gillespie, access to Finance Officer; Rachel North, Local Transport Co-ordinator appointed as part of the regeneration initiative (all based at Council Offices). Skelmanthorpe Direction Signing resolved Visit from KMC officials re devolution of power through Area Committees |
| 2001 | Library and Council Chamber – discussions held re possible change of accommodation within the Council Offices Metro representatives re revision of bus services 934 and 935. Parish Newsletter discussed. Primary Care Group representatives attended and discussed possible Trust status. Discussions held on formation of Area Committees Matchfunding agreed towards cost of replica ‘Drug Kit’ for use by Community Constables who are to visit schools raising awareness of Drug abuse. David Hinchliffe M.P. attended Multi-Agency Initiative set up to address the problem of vandalism |
| 2002 | Deputy Chief Executive attended to discuss Kirklees Community Strategy Public Meeting arranged to discuss roadworks in Skelmanthorpe Police attended Council agree to purchase Golden Jubilee Medallions to distribute to primary school children in the parish area. Code of Conduct adopted Freedom of Information Publication Scheme adopted Race Relations Act adopted. Primary Care Trust representatives attended re survey on health and wellbeing in Denby Dale Representatives appointed to newly formed Denby Dale Area Committee (meetings held with representatives from Kirkburton Parish Council) David Hinchliffe M.P. attended Allotment site at Cumberworth Road – issues discussed. |