Asian Standard Newspaper - Kirklees

20/06/2025

🗣️ DEBATE: Should assisted dying be legal in the UK?
Parliament has just passed a landmark vote on the Assisted Dying Bill but many Yorkshire MPs voted against it.

Full story here: https://www.asianstandard.co.uk/divided-on-dignity-commons-passes-assisted-dying-bill-despite-strong-yorkshire-resistance/

Supporters say it's about dignity and choice at the end of life. Opponents fear it could put vulnerable people at risk.

👂We want to hear from you.
Do you think assisted dying should be legalised or are there too many risks?

👇 Share your thoughts in the comments — let’s talk, respectfully.

The House of Commons today voted to pass the controversial Terminally Ill End of Life bill, a motion which will allow the terminally ill to choose medical assistance to end their lives. The vote passed by a majority of just 23, after lengthy debate throughout the morning. The bill, which was put for...

18/06/2025

Back in 2021, plans were approved to build a block of 10, one-bed apartments on a plot of land to the rear of 315a Old Wakefield Road, Moldgreen, despite several strong objections from locals. ❌

With work failing to begin within three years of planning permission being granted, this has expired. 🗓️

However, residents told the LDRS that on 12 June, contractors began work on the site, clearing the lawn, and two days later advised they would be tearing down fences, cutting down trees and preparing to build eight flats. 🏢

📎 Read the full story here: https://www.asianstandard.co.uk/fears-and-tremendous-suffering-after-work-started-despite-planning-permission-expiring/

This has left those living in the vicinity hugely concerned, not least due to the nesting birds in the willow trees on the site.

18/06/2025

Permission has now been granted to allow Kirklees Council’s updates to Dewsbury Market, along with the creation of a brand new town park. 🏞️

The two projects are a key part of the overarching Dewsbury Blueprint and will sit side by side in the centre of the town, once completed. ✅

The recently approved plans include lots of open green spaces, seating and a substantial, partially enclosed play area.

📎 Read the full story here: https://www.asianstandard.co.uk/a-huge-milestone-as-dewsbury-town-market-and-park-get-go-ahead/

The local authority says it made sure that these designs took into consideration the public consultation and all the feedback given by traders and locals.

18/06/2025

The project has already seen several delays, with the upgraded station originally expected to be up and running by the end of this year, following the submission of a planning application in the summer of 2023.🗓️

However, this never came to fruition, with planning permission finally granted in February 2025. ✅

Now, further plans to change some elements of the scheme have been submitted. 📑

📎 Read the full story here: https://www.asianstandard.co.uk/huddersfield-game-changing-bus-station-revamp-cut-back-as-plans-await-decision/

Planning permission was finally granted in February 2025. Now, further plans to change some elements of the scheme have been submitted.

15/06/2025

“When was the last time you told your dad you loved him?”

In South Asian families, love from fathers often comes quietly — through sacrifice, advice, and silent strength.

This Father’s Day, we went out into Bradford to ask: Are South Asian dads being seen, heard, and celebrated the way they deserve?

💬

📖 Read the full feature here: https://www.asianstandard.co.uk/disciplinarian-provider-protector-who-is-the-south-asian-father-today/

12/06/2025

Dewsbury Sports Centre first closed its doors in 2023 after potentially dangerous Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was found in the building. ⚠️

The site remained shut and was earmarked for permanent closure, with the final decision to do so made by Cabinet in November. 🗓️

When closure was agreed, the council pledged to look at future sports and fitness provision in Dewsbury, and now, an online survey has been launched to help the local authority gain knowledge about the opportunities and barriers to exercise and fitness for people in the area. 🏃

📎 Read the full story here: https://www.asianstandard.co.uk/council-want-voices-of-residents-for-future-of-dewsburys-leisure-provision/

Dewsbury Sports Centre first closed its doors in 2023 after potentially dangerous Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was found in the building.

12/06/2025

On 10 June, Kirklees Council’s Cabinet agreed a £5.4m investment across local schools, with the majority of this cash to be spent on urgent repairs. 🛠️

Some of the biggest proposals include rewiring works at Birkby Infant and Nursery School (£264,000) and roof works at Norristhorpe Junior and Infant School (£190,000).

The schools in-line for the funds have been selected based on urgency, ranking the highest in terms of need in the council’s scoring system. 📑

📎 Read the full story here: https://www.asianstandard.co.uk/kirklees-schools-to-receive-investment-to-undo-years-of-dangerous-neglect/

The schools in-line for the funds have been selected based on urgency, ranking the highest in terms of need in the council’s scoring system.

11/06/2025

🕯️ Heartbreak in Heckmondwike

A father and daughter tragically lost their lives in a house fire during Eid. As the community mourns, local leaders are urging families to take simple but vital fire safety steps. 💔

Read the full story and advice from West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service 👇
https://www.asianstandard.co.uk/community-in-mourning-after-father-and-daughter-die-in-heckmondwike-fire/

10/06/2025

Yesterday (9 June), we reported that the council had launched a consultation on its plans to undertake a ‘moving traffic enforcement’ trial. 🚦

This would allow the local authority to assist the police in minimising breaches of existing traffic restrictions.

A survey is running until Sunday, 7 July, so the public can have its say on the proposals. Kirklees Council will then consider the results, alongside street audits for each site, to determine whether to apply to the Department for Transport (DfT) for these new powers of enforcement. 🗳️

📎 Read the full story here: https://www.asianstandard.co.uk/kirklees-take-action-on-hgvs-that-flout-weight-limits/

Among the benefits are: reduced congestion, improved journey times, road safety and air quality, according to the council.

10/06/2025

Dewsbury is undergoing a major transformation, with the town’s ‘blueprint’ project taking shape, and a £20m government investment confirmed to improve ‘vital’ community services. 💷

Steering the investment is the Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board – a new-look version of the Dewsbury Town Board.

Recruitment is currently underway, the closing date is 18 June at 11.55pm. 🗓️ 🕧

📎 Read the full story here: https://www.asianstandard.co.uk/dewsbury-council-needs-a-prominent-and-respected-chair-ahead-of-investment/

The position is voluntary, running for three years, with the potential for a one year extension. A commitment of 15 to 20 days per year is expected.

09/06/2025

On Thursday, 5 June, the government announced an expansion of the eligibility for Free School Meals, with every pupil whose household is on Universal Credit to be eligible from the start of the 2026 school year. ⬆️ 🗓️

The expansion will put £500 back into parents’ pockets, according to the Department for Education. 💷

🔊 Cllr Rylah added: “This is exactly the sort of Labour policy we should be doing whilst in government."

📎 Read the full story here: https://www.asianstandard.co.uk/more-kirklees-children-to-benefit-from-free-school-meals/

The Food Foundation and Child Poverty Action Group found in 2024 that there were 17,987 children registered for means-tested Free School Meals in Kirklees.

09/06/2025

The council is proposing to undertake a trial of “Moving Traffic Enforcement” which would allow the local authority to assist the police in minimising breaches of existing traffic restrictions. 🚗 ⚠️

A survey is running until Sunday, 7 July, so the public can have its say on the proposals. ⬇️

A link to the consultation is as follows: www.kirklees.gov.uk/moving-traffic. Paper copies of the survey are also available in libraries across Kirklees.

📎 Read the full story here: https://www.asianstandard.co.uk/kirklees-council-ask-public-for-their-say-on-traffic-offences-crack-down/

A survey is running until Sunday, 7 July, so the public can have its say on the proposals.