Havercroft with Cold Hiendley Parish Council

The Parish Council continually strives to make improvements to the village and to ensure that the local amenities’ are retained and this year has been no exception.

The Parish Council working with Wakefield Council has seen traffic calming on Cow Lane improved and two new pedestrian crossings introduced, one outside the Post Office the other outside Havercroft Academy.  Improvements to Hatfield Play area were completed with safety in mind.

The Parish Council’s finance is in a good position even though we are still having to be prudent, the Parish Council continues to support Rycroft Leisure, Library and the Community Learning Centre.

The Adult Education Services has ceased funding for the Community Learning Centre resulting in staff having their hours reduced, the centre is now being run on a tight budget and is operating on grants from the Parish Council and other funders.  It is important that the centre is maintained in order to provide some facilities for the residents of Havercroft.  The Library is well supported with over 540 members, the luncheon club is still held weekly and the Parent Forum meets in the Centre.

Improvements to the Centre have been completed following the grant from Wakefield Council.

Havercroft Pond has recently been cleaned out with over 100 tons of silt removed, the Parish Council had to undertake this work in accordance with the guidelines imposed on the Contractor by the Wakefield Biodiversity Group resulting in the pond having to be cleaned out in two halves one in November and the second half in March.

The Pond is now filling up and the banking is regenerating and by the summer it will be back to normal.

Some tree felling and pruning adjacent to the Millennium Garden together with the removal of small bushes, brambles and rubbish followed by the levelling and grassing of the area. This work was undertaken to improve the area.

Removal of dead and dangerous trees on Havercroft Common was also undertaken.

The two allotment sites are well used and in good condition with a waiting list for both sites.

The Parish Council funded a Christmas tree on Havercroft Green and features throughout the village.

Sadly the Parish Council lost a well thought of member with the death of Dennis Williamson in January of this year, Dennis will be missed for the work he undertook on behalf of the Parish Council.

Finally, I would like to thank members of the Council and the Clerk for their support given to me in my year of office.

Albert Manifield

Chairman of Havercroft-with-Cold Hiendley Parish Council.