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Schools
Local schools have received my support in securing major Government investment. It represents great progress on reversing the effects of decades of underfunding. But there is still a great deal to do.
Our local achievements include: 
NHS
Yeadon is to get a new health centre, thanks to Government funding I helped to secure for the Leeds LIFT project.
Crime
For too long police numbers went down – but the levels in West Yorkshire have now reached record heights. Our local police are getting more resources and crime rates are falling.
But all too often local people in Guiseley, Rawdon and Yeadon have to complain that their reports of crimes are not acted on, or of delays in dealing with chronic pockets of anti social behaviour. I will continue to pursue the police on behalf of constituents and communities.
For too long police numbers went down – but in West Yorkshire they are
now at record levels. Our local police are getting more resources and
crime rates are falling.
Over the last 2 year, our local Police Division has recruited 90 extra constables and 50 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).
But we should recognise some real success. In our local Division over the last six months (figures up to December) burglary is down by almost 29%, robbery by 38% and theft of, and from, motor vehicles by over 20%. Violent crime had shown a welcome 6% fall.
But any crime is one too many. And if the police response to your own experience is unsatisfactory, then all the figures in the world are meaningless.
(More on local Crime Fighting)
Isobel's Law
Ministers have consulted on Isobel's Law – the ban on doorstep cold calling offering property services.
The campaign - which I am leading in Parliament - is named after 82-year-old Isobel Gray, who was brutally murdered by intruders believed to be linked to the bogus builders who had targeted her several times.
Retired Chief Inspector Mick Grubb QPM, Chair of Horsforth Town Council, has also given his support. Many Aireborough residents signed the petition calling for the ban that I recently presented to the Commons.
(More on Isobel's Law)
Fireworks
I have campaigned with local people against the nuisance from fireworks.
I presented a petition to Parliament signed by thousands of
constituents, including many from Horsforth. I also worked closely with Bill Tynan MP on his Fireworks Bill.
It was extremely disappointing that senior Conservative MPs thwarted attempts to reduce noise levels by threatening to talk the Bill out.
We have already seen curfews on use, extension of bans on air bombs, and age restrictions on possessing fireworks. There were fewer problems in some areas as a result - but I support continued calls for tighter restrictions on use and noise levels.
Transport Since privatisation we've all missed the bus and train and train. Poor services also mean more car use. That causes problems with congestion, road safety, rat running and pollution.
Bus services are unreliable, and are chopped and changed purely in the pursuit of profit. I have joined with MP colleagues to press for Passenger Transport Executives – like Metro locally – to be able to draw up "quality contracts" with bus companies. These contracts balance community needs with bus company profits. These already work very successfully in London. Local bus operators, however, are totally opposed to them.
Massive investment is also going into rail. But much of it is being absorbed by safety and maintenance highlighted by the Hatfield Disaster.
I helped to secure a £6 million grant for the new 333 class trains. Guiseley Station has also been upgraded.
But it is still crucial that we get resources locally to increase reliability and reduce overcrowding.
Planning Issues I have worked with local people to resist the constant stream of overintensive schemes that developers want to impose on the area.
Local campaigns have been sucessful in reducing the scale of developments such as Greenwoods and Silver Cross.
Some sites have changed from industrial use to housing, and there are others in the pipeline, such as the remainder of the Silver Cross site and Brook Crompton in Guiseley.
I backed local people's objections to the over intensive High Royds planning application. I will continue to monitor this development – especially the
funding commitments we have obtained from the developers. These include junction improvements (such as at Park Road/Bradford Road/Hawksworth Lane).
I also supported residents of Rawdon Littlemoor to resist and overbearing development of flats on the former petrol station site at Rawdon Hill (near Rawdon Lights). A Planning Inspector rejected an appeal by the developers against refusal of the plan (March 2005).
Mobile Phone Masts In recent years, Pudsey has seen a number of controversial mobile phone mast applications. Besides supporting constituents in objecting to inappropriate mast sites, I have also pursued these concerns at parliamentary level. As secretary of the All-Party Group on Mobile Telecommunications, I
helped produce a 19-point report to the Government calling for improvements to the planning process. I also secured an Adjournment Debate to pursue the report with Ministers. To Read My Speech on Mobile Phone Masts (Click Here)
Yeadon Banks Planning Inspectors appointed by the then Conservative Government took part of Yeadon Banks out of the green belt in 1995, and we have been campaigning to reverse this ever since.
I helped local residents to set up the Keep Yeadon Banks Green Group (KEYBAG). We have now submitted a detailed application for the Banks to
become a "town green."
Planning guidance from the present Government has also given the Council a case for putting the land back in the greenbelt, and it has done so. We now have to wait for the outcome of a public inquiry that was prompted by those who want to develop the Banks.
Yeadon Tarn I am delighted that Yeadon Tarn, which I helped to secure resources
for in the past, has now secured a £800,000 lottery grant for refurbishing the activity centre. The Tarn is already the venue for some excellent work that is run on a shoestring. This massive injection of cash will allow the Tarn's potential to be fulfilled. I will continue pressing for improvements to the facilities and paths at the Tarn.
Yeadon Town Hall A few years ago Yeadon Town Hall was forced to close because of dangerous electrical wiring. I supported the campaign to have it fully refurbished.
AVSED While I was on the Social Services Committee I pressed for the Council to provide funding to voluntary sector community care scheme. One of those to benefit from this funding was AVSED (Aireborough Voluntary Services for Elderly and Disabled People). I have continued to support AVSED.
Road Safety I supported local schools and campaigners to secure the crossings
on Bradford Road, Guiseley and Layton Lane, Rawdon.
My campaign with local residents to obtain a crossing at the Ings
Lane/Back Lane/A65 junction has also been successful. It will be
constructed this year.
After years of lobbying, a crossing has been provided on Green Lane and
one is planned for Harrogate Road.
I am also supporting local people in their campaign for safety measures on Rawdon Town Street.
I worked closely with residents of Rawdon Littlemoor to secure funding
for their Home Zone bid, which has now being
implemented.
Young People Guiseley Youth Project has now moved into its new premises at Aireborough Leisure Centre. Over the last nine years I have helped obtain Council funding for staffing and running costs, as well as for the new premises.
After years of lobbying by local people, Councillors and myself, Nethermoor Park is to get a major facelift. Proposals should be out for consultation in the near future.
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