MP fights to secure £15m for bridges in Kirklees
03 October 2007
This comes after a week when the Dewsbury and Mirfield MP met with Kirklees executives to discuss future regeneration plans for Dewsbury give his personal commitment to do all he could to support the Council and others the regenerate Dewsbury.
The meeting with council leader Robert Light and director of regeneration Ken Gillespie took place following recent calls from Mr Malik for more investment in Dewsbury and focussed on the need for a more coherent strategy for the town.
Following the meeting Mr Malik said it was both positive and productive and that he looked forward to continuing in the dialogue.
Shahid said: "I stressed the importance of the council working hand in hand with local stakeholders and taking on board their concerns and aspirations for Dewsbury. Inward investment needs to be properly co-ordinated and progressed in a manner which has a real impact on the needs and concerns of local people."
Mr Malik also used the meeting to announce that he was in talks with the Transport Minister to maximise money for bridges in Dewsbury and Kirklees.
The MP also underlined the importance of listening to and prioritising the desires of local people: "I want people in Dewsbury to have a say on the future of the town and it's vital that Kirklees listens to them. I'm inviting people to come forward and tell me about their ideas, tell me what they think would breathe new life into the town centre. Neither I as the local MP or Council officers and other politicians have a monopoly on ideas - it is local people who are crucial to this process and they must be heard."
Mr Malik said people could get in touch with me by email at maliks@parliament.uk, or write to him at 60 Daisy Hill, Dewsbury WF13 1LJ.
Cllr Robert Light,Leader of Kirklees Council said: "The meeting was extremely useful. It has created a sound basis for all parties to work at building on Dewsbury's many strengths.
The Council is committed to working with all of those organisations and people who want to make the most of the initiatives that are starting to happen and also to plan effectively with local people how that energy might best be shaped.
"In consultation with other key stakeholders we must now create a framework involving our partners and residents to create a vision and action plan for establishing Dewsbury as a great place to live, work and do business."
Mr Malik also said that Dewsbury Forward, an interim regeneration body involving figures from the local community, will work alongside the council and the regional development agency to help attract investment and coordinate development.
Mr Malik said: "I'd like to thank Rosie Winterton the Transport Minister for taking the time to meet with me and for making available this extra money to enable the much needed bridge strengthening programme to be carried out. I want the best for Dewsbury and Mirfield and I'll work to make sure that local and national government listen to our needs and respond."