Holme Valley Parish Council is the first tier of local government covering the administrative area of the Holme Valley. It serves a population of nearly 30,000 in the towns and villages of Holmfirth, Honley, Brockholes, Cinderhills, Hade Edge, Hepworth, Hinchliffe Mill, Holmbridge, Holme, Jackson Bridge, Netherthong, New Mill, Scholes, Thongsbridge, Upperthong and Wooldale.
As Holme Valley Parish Council covers quite a large civil parish, it is divided into parish wards, with separate elections for each ward. Councillors are elected representatives, often living in the village or locality they represent.
The Council’s main aim is to improve the quality of life of the residents of the Holme Valley. It works in partnership with many organisations to promote the Valley to make it a thriving place to live, work and play in, as well as an attractive area to visit.
But what exactly does it do?
Grants: One of the council’s key roles is awarding grants to community projects. The council has grant funds for up to £1,500 per grant for community events and up to £5,000 for capital projects. These grants support local festivals, sporting clubs, and community-led initiatives. For the 2023-2024 period, £121,417 was awarded to local organisations through the grants programme.
Funding for Local Services: Holme Valley the Parish Council provides funding for local services including a Youth Worker dedicated to the Holme Valley, an annual contribution to the operating costs of the HV bus services, operation of the public toilets in Holmfirth, contributions to road safety schemes such as the purchase of mobile speed devices and school parking bollards, dog waste disposal bags, and a contribution towards the operating costs of Honley Library.
Assets and Properties: The council manages a range of assets, including Holmfirth Public Toilets, stone bus shelters, war memorials, adopted phone boxes, allotments, garages and over 150 benches. It ensures these assets are maintained and used effectively to benefit the community. The council also owns Holmfirth Civic Hall and Honley Library buildings, which are managed by community trusts.
Planning and Development: The Planning Committee plays an important role in reviewing local planning applications submitted to Kirklees Council and the Peak District National Park Authority. The committee addresses resident concerns, responds to application documents, and emphasises sustainability in its actions. The Holme Valley Neighbourhood Development Plan, which was formally adopted in 2021, gives a local voice in shaping how developments should take place.
Events and Festivals: The council organises and supports various events throughout the year, including village Christmas trees and light switch-on celebrations and community festivals. These events bring the community together and enhance the local area’s appeal as a tourist destination.
Climate Action: In 2019, the council declared a climate emergency and has since been committed to addressing environmental issues. This commitment is reflected in all activities and decision making, particularly the grant-making process and planning observations, which prioritise sustainability and climate-conscious projects.
How is the work of Holme Valley Parish Funded?
The majority of the annual income for the parish council comes from the parish council precept. A parish council precept is a tax that parish councils charge their local electors to meet the budget requirements for their services. It is added to the Kirklees Council tax bill and is shown alongside other additions such as police, fire and social care. Parish Councils do not receive any direct funding from central government and rely on their precept plus any other income they generate from services or facilities they provide. The precept is based on the number of properties in a parish that are liable to pay council tax, and the amount varies depending on the services delivered by each parish council.
Holme Valley Parish Council Strategic Priorities 2023-2027
At Full Council in December 2023, Holme Valley Parish Council agreed to adopt five strategic priorities which will guide all activities undertaken by the Parish Council in this council term. These were all put in place to help the Council support our local community, economy and environment to the best of its ability.