WITH regard to the 2,000 street lights going out to save money please note that I as ward member for Kirkburton was asked to put forward a list of lights which could be switched off on February 25 within the Kirkburton ward.

I refused to do this and informed officers that if any lights were to be switched off then it was up to the Cabinet member for Streetscene to deal with.

The Kirkburton area is very rural and all streets lights are important for both pedestrians and drivers. The council has said that busy roads will remain illuminated.

I’m sure they are not aware of the busiest roads in Kirkburton and surrounding areas. This is the thin edge of the wedge.

To see if your road will lose light visit www.kirklees.gov.uk/partnight – click on the online fault reporting page and put your postcode in.

If it shows a blue circle your street lights will be switched off as part of the trial.

I believe there are many other ways in which savings could be made within the council and that turning off street lights is a most dangerous road to go down in which to save money.

I would urge any resident who feels strongly about this to write to the Cabinet member for Streetscene or the leader of the council and make their views known.

If any accidents occur because of the switching off of some street lights then the responsibility for that lies squarely with Kirklees Council and not myself as one of the ward members.

Clr Christine Smith

Kirkburton Ward

Fewer councillors?

IF the street light switch off comes to fruition then maybe the council should be thinking about refunding some Council Tax to everyone.

Or, on the other hand, to save more money why don’t we halve the councillors that are supposed to be there to represent the people.

Some do, some don’t. There is over £1m paid out to the councillors per year. Some earn it, some don’t so why not save money from that direction instead of taking the much needed night light.

There are people who work nights and use the roads to get there. It’s hazardous without lighting.

Every day the Examiner publishes Mailbag for the public to comment on current affairs/issues.

When the public opinion is given, does the council really give a damn. They still do what they want.

Maureen Jackson (MBE)

Dalton

Energy price hike

ANOTHER crazy idea put forward by Kirklees Council.

In effect, a curfew for all women and the elderly between the hours of midnight and 5am and a carte blanche for burglars, car thieves and muggers.

The proposal will, of course, eventually cost us all higher energy bills!

The energy companies will still have to run their power stations and, as we have all found out to our cost, when the energy companies put up their prices we reduce our usage of energy which, in turn, reduces the energy companies’ profitability and they then increase their prices to try and offset their losses and keep their shareholders happy. We pay!

It is not about the best deal for us as customers, it is about profit and shareholder dividends.

Thank you in advance Kirklees Council for making the situation regarding our security and financial viability much worse than it already is.

I note that the phased trial is to start on February 11and it is particularly noted that the last part of the trial is in the Greenhead area two months later.

Might I dare to suggest that the trial be changed and the street lighting be turned off in every street occupied by a councillor or a Kirklees Executive? This, I am sure, would achieve much more positive results!

David Townend

Linthwaite

Richard at rest

NOW that the skeleton discovered beneath a Leicester car park has been identified as that of Richard 111, I earnestly hope he will he formally reburied in York Minster.

I wrote to the Dean and Chapter about this when the bones were uncovered and I will be writing again pressing for his interment in York, which is where I believe he should be buried.

He was the last Yorkist king and I think it is only right that he should be interred in the city.

As a keen member of the Richard III Society I have a particular interest in this subject. His memory has been maligned for far too long and he should be laid to rest in peace in York.

Godfrey Bloom MEP

UKIP MEP for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire

Bankers and bullets

CONGRATULATIONS Cameron on your third war! Your dictatorship await you. Bankers and bullets rule ok!

JOHN R CARTER

Birkby

An empty Commons

LOCATION, chamber of the House of Commons. Time 15.40pm. Date January 31 (Thursday). Number of MPs in the chamber 10, yes 10.

Where were the other 640? Are MPs just working a two-day week now and taking their constituents for a ride?

If the two local MPs read this, I wonder if they would care to comment on this disgusting state of affairs?

JACK ARMITAGE

Crosland Moor

Tackling diabetes

MANY of your readers will have diabetes and eating healthy along with exercise is particularly important for them, whether they have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

They have to manage their medications, diet and exercise all the time in order to stay well and we know this can be difficult.

As a charity for people with diabetes we have put together some helpful information leaflets, including our leaflets ‘Weight and Diet’, ‘Exercise and Your Heart’ and booklet ‘Diabetes – Everyday Eating’ which provides inexpensive menus for breakfast, lunch and evening meal for 28 days to help people to know what they can eat, rather than what they can’t!

We hope this information will be useful to your readers and will make getting back on track a little easier for them.

We are happy to send your readers these publications free of charge. We are always here with a listening ear to offer support and understanding.

Readers just need to contact us on 01604 622837, e-mail enquiries@iddtinternation.org or write to IDDT, PO Box 294, Northampton NN1 4XS.

JENNY HIRST

Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust (IDDT)