I have recently joined and become Vice Chair of Kirklees Employment and Skills Board in dizzying succession. It’s less impressive than (I hope) it sounds. In fact, I think I just wasn’t listening when someone lined us up and said take a step back if you don’t want to be Vice Chair.

Anyway, here I am. Incidentally, what does a Vice Chair do? Answers on a postcard please.

Today, I have a short, but important message for all businesses in Kirklees. Between now and next Friday (27 September) you have the opportunity to influence how the Council’s cash will be spent following the cuts we all know are coming.

In my humble opinion, our local businesses are our future. If you do well it means more growth, more opportunities for young people, more employment, more taxes paid, and more services funded. Bish bash bosh; which is not a slogan the Council has adopted.

So, how would you prioritise the Council’s reduced budget across the services the Council would like to provide to our community? Tell them by taking the budget challenge at www.kirkleestalk.org

You will be asked how you would divide 14 “Council pounds” and seven volunteer hours across 21 services. You can spend more than one pound or one hour on a service if you feel it is particularly important and you can choose not to spend any pounds or hours on a service that you believe could be less of a priority than others. There is a video to explain some of the services.

If you have a little time to spare over the next week, let the Council know what you would like their priorities to be.

Best wishes
Kate
Posted Friday 20th of September 2013