AN angry councillor will today demand action from her colleagues over the state of Huddersfield town centre.

Clr Christine Stanfield, who chairs the Huddersfield Area Committee for Kirklees Council, is furious at petty disputes which have hampered funding plans.

And she insisted all councillors must unite and work together to help improve the town centre.

Clr Stanfield spoke out on the eve of a committee meeting when an update about the town centre will be given.

Her comments follow an Examiner campaign about the Town Centre in Crisis.

Clr Stanfield, a Lindley Liberal democrat, said she fully supports the recent comments in the Examiner about the urgent need for the councillors to act.

But she fears some are insisting on funding projects in their own wards, rather than the town centre.

“All Huddersfield councillors belong to the Huddersfield Area Committee. Its role is for councillors to work together to improve our town.

“The committee is allocated substantial funding from the council and in 2011-12 this amounted to £351, 280.

“I want the majority of this funding to be dedicated to funding improvements to our town centre. All our residents will use the shops and facilities in town, so any action we can take will benefit all local people.

“Unfortunately, I was not able to get all councillors to agree to pool the resources in this way. Other area committees do this, so it is nothing unusual.”

She urged members of the public to turn up for tonight’s meeting at Huddersfield Town Hall (7pm) to convince councillors of the need to spend money.

“I want this committee to stand up for Huddersfield and show its support by coming forward with ideas and schemes that will make a difference.

“The whole point of making a ‘Huddersfield Area Committee’ was to focus on the town centre as well as the seven wards which comprise the area.

“Residents have the right to expect all councillors to take responsibility for the town centre. The tragedy is that there is a way, but there is no will!

“Until all councillors face up to their responsibility and start working together to agree a programme, the town centre will continue to deteriorate.

“This is the real challenge for 2012 and I am sure residents will welcome a change from apathy and disinterest.

“I look forward to businesses and concerned residents coming to the committee to make their views plain.”