Your
Guide to Spen Valley Civic Society
How we are organised and how you can join in
Where does the money come from?
What do I have to do to become a member?
Your guide to Spen Valley Civic Society
Modern, energetic,
influential – words used by others
to describe Spen Valley Civic Society. We actively work to protect, improve and
promote all that’s good about the environment of Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike and
the surrounding villages.
Who we are and what we do
The Society is an
independent group of local people affiliated to no-one except the Civic Trust.
Anyone can join us. We are all volunteers.
We focus our attention at
making and keeping Spen Valley an attractive place to live, work and play.
Our main fields of endeavour are:
Urban Quality
Unlawful signs, unsuitable
construction materials, poor quality building work and designs taken from
albums blight many localities.
- We constantly press in a variety of ways for
higher standards to be applied.
Planning
Development, from new
housing and retailing to the spread of steel fences and advert hoardings (for
example), is changing many areas.
We aim to:
- Support or oppose planning applications,
depending on their effect
- Ensure land is correctly allocated in the
development plan in the first place
- Draw planning offences to the attention of the
council
Regeneration
The Savoy Square in
Cleckheaton was transformed by us from a town centre eyesore.
- We work closely with the council on various
measures to regenerate our town centres.
Footpaths
Spen Valley is
criss-crossed with over 130 miles of paths.
- We work to keep these paths open and in use
and help residents obtain official protection for these links
- We have designed and published a footpath map
and guide called “Out and About in Spen Valley” Price £2
How we are organised and how you can join in
Anyone can become a member of the Society. We are
not an elitist organisation. Nor are we a talking shop. The main meetings are
held every two months at Healds
Hall Hotel. Any member can attend. We share news and views and take
decisions on the big issues of the day.
The Society has an
executive committee which tackles issues that require decisive action. It
oversees the work of project teams. Detailed work takes place behind the scenes
in these teams working on specific topics. Anyone who thinks they can
contribute can join in.
New blood is constantly
sought so that fresh views, knowledge and expertise keep our activities live
and relevant.
Where does the money come from?
Membership subscriptions
pay the normal running expenses. But to fund the bigger projects we obtain
grants from different sources such as the lottery. The Society is good at
raising money. We also receive donations from individuals and from local
businesses keen to support our work.
Annual membership fees:
Individual £5
Concessions £4
Family (max. 2 adult votes) £12
What’s in it for me?
- be part of an effective organisation
- keep well informed
- influence decisions
- meet like minded people
- help get things done
- help the Society grow
- feel good that YOU can make a difference
We are an influential,
effective and successful group working to improve the environment of Spen
Valley. The Civic Trust describes us as “..a small society that punches well
above its weight.”
Remember. A high quality environment in the Spen Valley doesn’t happen by accident – it requires effort.
What do I have to do to
become a member?
Simply e-mail your name,
address and contact phone number to info@spenvalleycivicsociety.org.uk
and we’ll be in touch.