TROUBLED families in Kirklees Council’s Ashbrow ward could be eligible for extra help if plans are approved tomorrow.

The Kirklees Cabinet will decide whether to take part in the programme which could see £5m for Kirklees to combat long-term unemployment, truancy and anti-social behaviour.

If approved, areas of Brackenhall, Sheepridge, Fartown and Deighton could be in line for funding as they are in the 10% most deprived in the country.

Across the ward, the percentage claiming job seekers allowance in January 2011 was 7.2% in comparison to 4.4% in Kirklees on average and 3.7% nationally.

Nationally, Prime Minister David Cameron pledged an extra £448m last December to help 120,000 troubled families across the country.

The investment is designed to ensure that a single official deals with each family, rather than up to 20 agencies.

Cabinet member for young people, Clr Cath Harris, who is a ward councilor for Ashbrow, described the families as ‘complex’ rather than troublesome.

The cash could be spent tackling long-term unemployment or issues around school attendance.

NHS Kirklees has also identified Bradley as an area where health provision is lacking, but at present, no funding has been allocated for a new GP practice.