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Background
Environment Concern for Batley was established in 1986 as a voluntary organisation, registered as a company limited by guarantee in 1997 and granted registered charitable status in 1998. The primary aims of Environment Concern are to raise peoples awareness of their responsibility for their environment; to empower individuals and community groups to form community action teams and to provide training facilities and educational materials.
Environment Concern has a proud history and great potential for the future. The organisation has joined together with a wide range of partners to produce a Community Economic Development Strategy for North Kirklees. The Strategy sets out a shared vision for the future of the area to maximise the creation of new jobs, skills training and economic activity. This will be achieved through a range of action programmes interpreted through economic development, training, education, employment, leisure and recreations, environmental, social, cultural and community safety policies.
The organisation has representation on the Boards of VONEF, The Community Alliance, Backing Batley Group, Town Centre Management Steering Group and is a member of the North Kirklees Partnership, Heavy Woolen Industry Group, Cemetery Support Group and the Environment Forum.
The organisation has a well founded track record in developing community led initiatives and has been rewarded for its endeavours by the British Urban Regeneration Association (BURA) for Best Practice in Community Regeneration and received Regional and National recognition for environmental improvements by the Tidy Britain Group and the Queen Mother's Birthday Awards.
Cemetery Lodge
The Cemetery Lodge was a run down and derelict building owned by the local authority, who wanted to sell it to the private sector. The Cemetery Support Group, a local voluntary organisation, asked Environment Concern to save the property for the community. By securing £40,000 from the City Challenge Programme the property was purchased and a further £100,000 from English Partnership's Community Investment Fund financed the renovation of The Lodge. The renovation of the Lodge is part of a wider scheme aimed at rejuvenating a busy, but run-down cemetery, ensuring its long-term future as an important religious, cultural and historic site.
The Cemetery Lodge Resource and Training Centre was officially opened on the 23rd September 1999 by the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Sir John and became operational in October 1999, thanks to Biffaward donating £98,000 from the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme to match fund monies received from the European Union.
Community participation is an integral ingredient to the success of the project. Regeneration concepts, environmental improvements and areas of neglect are identified by community groups and individuals, who are then involved in the planning, development and execution off the projects. Additional support is given with help in writing business plans, filling in applications for funding and in developing group sustainability.
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