Funding shortfall means the Parents Advice Centre Keighley (PACK) could be axed

9:26am Thursday 22nd November 2012 in News By David Knights

Immigration minister Damian Green, second right, joins MP Kris Hopkins, second left, at the opening of the Parents Advice Centre Keighley last year with chairman Naz Mohammed and John Toothill, right Immigration minister Damian Green, second right, joins MP Kris Hopkins, second left, at the opening of the Parents Advice Centre Keighley last year with chairman Naz Mohammed and John Toothill, right

A Keighley community centre launched last year and praised by a government minister is facing closure.

Bosses at Parents Advice Centre Keighley (PACK) say major funding is essential for the vital service to survive.

Operations director, John Toothill, said the shortfall was already having a serious impact, forcing the centre to cut back on a planned increase in courses.

He added: “This could lead to potential closure unless some essential funding can be obtained.

“We will continue to try to operate the centre with increased voluntary help and fight to secure further funding.

“We would welcome any offers of help, support or donations from individuals, businesses or other organisations.”

Mr Toothill revealed Bradford Council could not maintain its current funding due to reductions in its own budget.

PACK was officially opened in September last year by immigration minister Damian Green during a ceremony attended by Keighley MP Kris Hopkins and leading local councillors.

Mr Green said such volunteer centres were hugely important, and a perfect example of what Prime Minister David Cameron called the Big Society.

Since then, PACK has run a variety of courses, including parenting, literacy and numeracy, health and IT, as well as hosting job clubs, a music group, advice and counselling services.

Mr Toothill said the Russell Street centre dealt with about 85 personal callers a week, as well as running a busy helpline. And Bradford Council bosses had been impressed during a recent visit.

He said: “They told us it is especially vital at a time when parents are facing increased problems due to the recession, family breakdowns, unemployment and a lower-than-average level of educational achievement.

“The centre frequently receives telephone calls from council departments, other professional organisations and schools requesting us to offer our services to their clients.”

Mr Toothill said PACK had start-up funding of £36,000 a year for three years from various Bradford Council pots, but the money is unlikely to last until March.

Councillor Ralph Berry, the local authority’s member with responsibility for children and young people’s services, visited PACK recently and agreed the centre was providing helpful services.

But the council is having to cope with multi-million-pound cuts in Government funding, particularly for its own services to support parents and children.

He added: “I’m trying to protect our child protection and Sure Start services in Keighley. I can’t go round the district with a cheque-book.”

Mr Hopkins said: “PACK is widely acknowledged to have had a very positive impact in the community.

“I appreciate we are in a period where finances are limited and Bradford Council, like other public bodies, has difficult choices to make. However, organisations that help to improve educational attainment should be prioritised when decisions on funding are made.

“A lot of people will feel very let down if the council cannot find a way to maintain its excellent work in the community.”

Comments(45)

richyorks30 says...
10:54am Thu 22 Nov 12

Perhapse close the vanity project (and money sink) that is the Civic Center instead, or stop wasting money on railings to stop people accessing the war memorial at lunchtimes etc(you know the one about people who died to preserve civil libities and freedoms for)

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jimmy k says...
8:08pm Thu 22 Nov 12

richyorks30 wrote:
Perhapse close the vanity project (and money sink) that is the Civic Center instead, or stop wasting money on railings to stop people accessing the war memorial at lunchtimes etc(you know the one about people who died to preserve civil libities and freedoms for)
erm aren't they things done by keighley council when this article is about bradford council,if we're using that argument how about bradford councillors stop taking obscene amount of"expenses" that were reported a couple of weeks ago.

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samuels david says...
11:36pm Thu 22 Nov 12

Jimmy k, as reported last week, Bradford has cut Councillors expenses, Keighley Civic Centre is running, it seems, at a fantastic lost, which KTC refuses to tell its constituents without legal challenge.

The ‘Omerta’ policy of KTC is being unpick.

David Samuels

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jimmy k says...
10:24am Fri 23 Nov 12

but david the whole point of this article is BRADFORD council is cutting this service so as usual people are using an unrelated story for their own agenda,why not blame the fire service cuts on ktc as well.

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samuels david says...
3:45pm Fri 23 Nov 12

To 'jimmy k'

Jimmy k, richyorks30 wrote
richyorks30 wrote the
following last night.

‘Perhaps close the vanity project (and money sink) that is the Civic Center instead, or stop wasting money on railings to stop people accessing the war memorial at lunchtimes etc(you know the one about people who died to preserve civil liberties and freedoms for)’

You then replied, jimmy k

‘erm aren't they things done by keighley council when this article is about bradford council, if we're using that argument how about bradford councillors stop taking obscene amount of "expenses" that were reported a couple of weeks ago.’

My own reply to you and to richyorks30, was as follows

‘k, as reported last week, Bradford has cut Councillors expenses,’ I then agreed with richyorks30, with the following, ‘Keighley Civic Centre is running, it seems, at a fantastic lost, which KTC refuses to tell its constituents about without legal challenge.

The ‘Omerta’ policy of KTC is being unpicked.


I sincerely would hope that I have made my points clear.

David Samuels

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jimmy k says...
5:03pm Fri 23 Nov 12

sigh.

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samuels david says...
6:22pm Fri 23 Nov 12

By the way jimmy k, the cost of the railings to stop people accessing the war memorial cost nearly £20,000 I’m informed, which of course includes professional and legal fees, plus the cost of Alan Parry's time and KTC management time etc etc.
My own feelings, because of the damage to the stone work etc being down by 'yobos' is a public debate should have taken place, and I would have backed the idea, with certain caveats’, but KTC do not do 'public debates, jimmy k as you're aware.

David Samuels.
By the way jimmy k, the cost of the railings to stop people accessing the war memorial cost nearly £20,000 I’m informed, which of course includes professional and legal fees, plus the cost of Alan Parry's time and KTC management time etc etc.

My own feelings, because of the damage to the stone work etc being down by 'yobos' is a public debate should have taken place, and I would have backed the idea, with certain caveats’, but KTC do not do 'public debates, jimmy k as you're aware.

David Samuels

Ps jimmy k, I also sigh at what is going on within KTC, as I once had great expectations for the Council before it was hijacked and in my view, destroyed by ....................
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Stevo54 says...
10:16pm Fri 23 Nov 12

Jimmy K, I get the point you were trying to bring up about this being a Bradford council action but also sighed out loud when your comment was "hijacked" by the worlds leading authority on everything KTC related.
Totally unrelated but it's the day after Thanksgiving here in the States and off work for a couple of days. It's a dummy run for Christmas for the family as they traditionally have turkey for Thanksgiving lunch/dinner, the trimmings or "fixins" as they call them here are a little different as they favour butternut squash and green bean casserole as veggies.

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samuels david says...
8:43am Sat 24 Nov 12

I would like to assume Stevo 54 that your comment regarding being the world’s leading authority on KTC refers to me. If so then I am proud that somebody in this small area of thirty seven thousand people is concerned with free speech and the right to protest. One more thing, if you were to read the words of richyorks30 then you would realise that this blogger has the right, without the sneering so prevalent on this site, to express a personal and possibly genuine concern at the waste of constituents money, without the right of debate, and like you, I still have a right of comment, but may I add, without what I see as rancour. Sincerely Stevo 54, have a lovely Christmas and watch your weight.

David Samuels

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jimmy k says...
6:56pm Sat 24 Nov 12

stevo i must admit i've always liked the idea of thanksgiving like Christmas just without the presents and religion just being round friends and family,don't think i like the idea of not having sprouts and"pigs in blankets"though please tell me they have stuffing though.

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samuels david says...
8:21pm Sat 24 Nov 12

jimmy k

This blog started out with a serious concern from richyorks30 on Thu 22 Nov 12 regarding the perceived view of the grotesque waste of public money on ‘vanity’ projects in Keighley and richyorks30 comments regarding people who died to preserve civil liberties and freedoms.

Obviously it is your right to post anything you wish on this site, if it civilised and has full legal validation, but it does seem to me, (my own opinion!) that your thought of discussing ‘Christmas just without the presents and religion just being round friends and family, don't think i like the idea of not having sprouts and "pigs in blankets" though please tell me they have stuffing though’ may not be welcomed by those who are experiencing unemployment and a lack of a proper diet.

It may be of interest to you, or not, jimmy k, that unemployment is set to rise to unprecedented levels in this area.

Food banks and free meals are being provided in Keighley to those unable to feed themselves, or their families and to provide homes at below cost.

With many others in the area, I try as much as I can to deal with such problems, whilst KTC and Bradford squander millions of pounds of ratepayers monies without any explanation or conscience.

Enjoy the festive season jimmy k as will some KTC members, with enhanced expenses, who will able to eat at the Civic Centre with a ratepayers subsidised Christmas meal.

David Samuels

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jimmy k says...
8:34pm Sat 24 Nov 12

what about roast potatoes? steveo tell me they have them(but not parsnips they are the work of the devil.)

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Stevo54 says...
9:36pm Sat 24 Nov 12

Hey Jimmy K, now that we have special dispensation from the self styled chosen one to discuss whatever we see fit I have to confess that our friends at this side of the pond do have stuffing however it's pretty awful mostly bread so thankfully my dear lady was back home a couple of months ago and had the good sense to pick up a couple of packets of paxo to go with her own special recipe so we were covered in that area.
Pigs in blankets we can live without but and this is huge they don't go big on roast potatoes, now again we are lucky here as I make a mean one and are spoiled for choice in the type of spud to use.
Back home I would always try and get Vivaldis however over here they have what they have what they call Russets which are a more than adequate substitute.
Now I don't know if this is a sin but between three of us a ten pound bird even after two good dinners etc leaves a fair bit so tonight I'm in the process of turning whats left into a turkey madras. I'll let you know how it goes if our posts are not deemed too trivial and shut down.

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SCinNY says...
9:44pm Sat 24 Nov 12

They do not know what a Christmas pudding is over here either. So had to have a M&S one brought back by a friend. I did see one in the store here but did not recognise the brand and did not care for the price. I am not NYC any longer so a little more difficult to get some of the British standbys.

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samuels david says...
10:08am Sun 25 Nov 12

Have a nice Christmas folks, but please don't forget those who will not.

David Samuels

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cronk stanley says...
12:25pm Sun 25 Nov 12

DAVID SAMUELS ! !

YOUR CIVIC CENTRE NEEDS YOU !

I noticed in passing last week that you can book a Christmas meal there.

Now why not treat your old adversary Green Man to a meal, you could pull a cracker together and who knows, the Mayor may be serving you.

They badly need your money you know, so come forth, show them some pity and good will.

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Little Green Man says...
1:58pm Sun 25 Nov 12

I do miss the Thanksgiving holiday, up early, turkey in the oven then a walk on the beach with family and friends before the dinner. I might bring the thanksgiving tradition to the UK next year - sounds like a good excuse for getting family and friends together!

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SCinNY says...
2:55pm Sun 25 Nov 12

Previous poster. I do not need to be reminded about people who may struggle not just at Christmas but each and every day.

Giving thanks for what we have today and supporting the less fortunate plays a big part in our lives.

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Stevo54 says...
3:50pm Sun 25 Nov 12

SCinNY, I think you and the Little Green Man must have been posting at the same time and he hit the submit button first.
I'm thinking the post you refer to is the condescending one a couple of posts back.
LGM the weather on the East coast certainy added to the holiday enjoyment, really cold but sunny with it. Thanksgiving day involved early morning run then went to see a football (the American one) game at the local high school which daughter attends before the traditional lunch.

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jimmy k says...
8:20pm Sun 25 Nov 12

what is the desert of choice then if they don't have christmas puddings,also what about mince pies?

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Stevo54 says...
8:27pm Sun 25 Nov 12

The main Thanksgiving desert is pumpkin pie with pecan pie and fruit pie such as apple as back up. I have never seen anything resembling a mince pie over here.

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jimmy k says...
9:06pm Sun 25 Nov 12

well although i'm extremly jealous of you both forging a better life for you and your families at least i can comfort myself with a nice mince pie.

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Little Green Man says...
6:43am Mon 26 Nov 12

We had mince pies, had to smuggle in a couple of jars of filling though!

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samuels david says...
10:59am Mon 26 Nov 12

cronk stanley, as always it’s a pleasure to note that you are still available to give sound advice to us all.

You must realise however that some of the seeds of peace and tranquillity which you wish me to sow may die before they can reach maturity because they might land on a rocky soil which has no nutriments for the sustainability of a healthy growth.

I wouldn’t be prepared to offer financial salvation to Keighley Town Council, via its money swamp the ‘Civic Centre’ because in my view, and so far the Council can’t gag my thoughts, the KTC is so incompetent that money they receive may as well be thrown away.

Now a donation to the Salvation Army in Keighley, not a group I attend for my spiritual needs as these are catered for elsewhere, but for a meal for all those bloggers who have a hatred for my views that KTC hierarchy needs to resign I would willingly give.

Season’s greetings, cronk stanley, and those who drink CALVADOS and genuinely to all, friend and sadly the foes.


David samuel

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Little Green Man says...
12:32pm Mon 26 Nov 12

Does anyone know if the Civic Centre are doing mince pies?

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jimmy k says...
4:52pm Mon 26 Nov 12

does anybody know what davids on about?even for him his last post was nonsensical.

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cronk stanley says...
9:11pm Mon 26 Nov 12

Green Man, I did hear the the Town Clerks Dept are already busy baking the mince pies, so you may be lucky. enjoy !

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samuels david says...
4:55pm Tue 27 Nov 12

David Samuels, cronk stanley, in Keighley today I was asked to reply to you with the following comment.

The old adage that the indefensible can never be defended, seems to have attracted the friends of KTC who try to blanket truth with the highly subsidised mince pies from the Civic Centre.

I do like mince pies, but not at the prices that has to be paid for by the Keighley electors.

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Little Green Man says...
7:31am Wed 28 Nov 12

One of our friends doesn't like mince pies so I always ended up having to make little apple pies too with a pastry 'A' on top to identify them! Do you think they sell them at the civic center too?

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Little Green Man says...
7:31am Wed 28 Nov 12

One of our friends doesn't like mince pies so I always ended up having to make little apple pies too with a pastry 'A' on top to identify them! Do you think they sell them at the civic center too?

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cronk stanley says...
10:56am Wed 28 Nov 12

Nice to have a light hearted blog, keep it going.

Actually, I'm not over enthusiastic about highly subsidised mince pies, much rather have them infused with good brandy.

Green man, apple pies are nice with a little cinnamon added.

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Little Green Man says...
11:46am Wed 28 Nov 12

For those of us who are living or have lived stateside, cinnamon in apple pies is a given - I think most americans would be horrified at the thought of apple pie without it! I always have mine with cream or ice cream sprinkled with freshly grated nutmeg.

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billys says...
11:53am Wed 28 Nov 12

Wishing you all a lovely Christmas whether you like mince pies or not, but will just say I am waiting with baited breath to see if my council rate bill and precept payment will be increased. I sincerely hope my precept payment will not be increased to maybe pay for the civic centre. K.T.C may be better getting a few tips from wetherspoons managers as they seem to have got it right, they are opening new premises and restoring old buildings and keeping prices down and all the staff seem very happy. K.T.C. please take note, it may be time to change your management and business plan as it does not appear to be working very well. Oh well, as the old saying goes, time will tell.
A very merry Christmas to every one

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Stevo54 says...
1:23pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Oh boy LGM now your talking.
We also managed to find a cheese shop where we can get Wensleydale, we are living in New England but I didn't expect to find Wensleydale.

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samuels david says...
5:15pm Wed 28 Nov 12

billys, unfortunately your precept bill will rise, in my opinion, due to the stupidity, unbelievable arrogance and lack of financial foresight of the hierarchy, who unlike the management at Wetherspoons do not have any in-depth business trailing or skills.

They may have managed the purchase of Ball point pens, stationary, etc

Indeed the purchase of grit bins, a Bradford City obligation, who I’m told laughed all the way to the bank when KTC paid out top rate hard earned precept cash to Bradford.

The secret society, KTC, needs, one day an outside top forensic accountancy company inspection, which will explain why our precept will rise next year over 12%, minimum and will rise each year for the foreseeable future.

The Civic Centre can’t even afford to pay the monthly hire purchase charges for its catering equipment without your extra precept, and that, ‘billys’, is only the start of the utter foolishness of this mad episode.

More revelations of the ineptitude of KTC are to be revealed later on.

Such is the intelligence of the KTC with its despotic orders of silence from the top that they truly believe this policy of silence will protect them from the truth.

David Samuels

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samuels david says...
5:15pm Wed 28 Nov 12

billys, unfortunately your precept bill will rise, in my opinion, due to the stupidity, unbelievable arrogance and lack of financial foresight of the hierarchy, who unlike the management at Wetherspoons do not have any in-depth business trailing or skills.

They may have managed the purchase of Ball point pens, stationary, etc

Indeed the purchase of grit bins, a Bradford City obligation, who I’m told laughed all the way to the bank when KTC paid out top rate hard earned precept cash to Bradford.

The secret society, KTC, needs, one day an outside top forensic accountancy company inspection, which will explain why our precept will rise next year over 12%, minimum and will rise each year for the foreseeable future.

The Civic Centre can’t even afford to pay the monthly hire purchase charges for its catering equipment without your extra precept, and that, ‘billys’, is only the start of the utter foolishness of this mad episode.

More revelations of the ineptitude of KTC are to be revealed later on.

Such is the intelligence of the KTC with its despotic orders of silence from the top that they truly believe this policy of silence will protect them from the truth.

David Samuels

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samuels david says...
5:50pm Wed 28 Nov 12

PS.
Remember, the only people who have made money from the Police Station are the Police Authority embarrassing fiasco are solicitors and legal agents, Insurance and professional services, builders and architects, suppliers and contractors and the general hangers on.

Keighley Town Council and its long suffering constituents need to get a grip on the situation, as KTC is revealed to have been kicked above its weight by people with intelligence, and sadly we are all feeling the financial pain.

David Samuels

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billys says...
8:20pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Mr Samuels I do hope you are wrong and the precept doesn't rise because it may be seen to be subsidising the Civic Centre and the ratepayer will probably have plenty to say about that. Everyone is having to tighten ones belt so I am sure KTC will show they can do the same, when all said and done they do not run services (apart from grit bins). They have already taken note when I stated they did not need to take on the public toilets, as it would be at a loss and we already have some lovely toilets in Wetherspoons. So a word of advice do not increase the precept and tighten your belts, you can do without the snacks at the council meeting, when all you seem to do is sit around arguing by the reports in the KN. Oh and we do not need a glossy mag just a couple of thin paper pages like Bradford and straightforward facts, not promoting yourselves like the best thing since sliced bread. I am sure you can save a lot of money there. The list is endless I am sure KTC is up to it.

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jimmy k says...
8:36pm Wed 28 Nov 12

yawn.

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billys says...
9:13pm Wed 28 Nov 12

nice one Jimmy, had a little giggle at that, but seriously, apathy is that which causes situations to escalate

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samuels david says...
11:55pm Wed 28 Nov 12

billy: I am not a member of KTC


David Samuels

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Little Green Man says...
12:49am Thu 29 Nov 12

Really Dave? I didn't know that...

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Little Green Man says...
12:56am Thu 29 Nov 12

Stevo - cheese! I'd forgotten about that, not only do Americans not know how to make decent cheese, they serve their sad excuse for cheese with everything! I was in NY (upstate), Vermont and Maine mainly, where are you?

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Stevo54 says...
3:30pm Thu 29 Nov 12

LGM, after two and a half years in NYC we moved to Massachusetts and are just outside Boston a year ago.
I know what you mean about cheese with everything, try and order say a ham sandwhich and they ask what kind of cheese do you want on it? you answer no cheese thanks and it's as if you suggested something illegal.

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SCinNY says...
11:12pm Thu 29 Nov 12

I wanted a roast beef sandwich and was asked which cheese would i like with it, the guy could not believe it when I declined.

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