Newsroom Archive

​Mackie Hill Junior and Infant School has been awarded a ‘good’ rating by Ofsted.

Scaffolding is being removed from the landmark building.

This year there's a whole week of rhubarb-inspired fun planned for half-term week.

​Work is expected to start on site this month on the historical Rutland Mills.

The Government has recognised the continued and sustainable progress being made.

A new £4.4m project could revitalise an historic part of Wakefield and boost investment in the local economy.

​A major investment of over £4.8million is being planned for the district’s markets.

Wakefield's unpaid carers save the local economy £700m annually.

There are just 17 days left for residents to have their say on the 2020/21 budget.

There are lots of fun, free family activities available between Christmas and New Year.

Cllr Jack Hemingway will become the new Deputy Leader of Wakefield Council.

Take action and plan ahead to stay safe and healthy during colder weather.

Information about Council services' opening times over the festive season.

A Climate Emergency Summit is to be held to help accelerate action to reduce CO2.

Results for the three constituencies counted by Wakefield Council.

Parking is free from 3 pm on each Thursday in December before Christmas in Wakefield, Castleford and Pontefract.

As the flu virus spreads across the north health official urge parents to get their children vaccinated.

Residents are being encouraged to move more and give the high street a Christmas boost.

We are supporting a tree-planting project by Wakefield Tree Wards and the Woodlands Trust.

A fun-filled 'elf-hunting' activity opens to children across Wakefield.

A Wakefield has been fined, given a community order and had his driver's licence suspended for fly-tipping.

​Thornes Park Athletics Stadium will be temporarily closed between 11-13 December.

Down-filled outdoor jackets donated to support homeless people.

'Keep it Sweet' campaign highlights help and support available.

Proposed South Featherstone Link Road to go to the next stage of development.

Wakefield Council is urging residents to return their postal votes as soon as possible.

Certificates were given out to all in attendance in recognition of their accomplishments.

Cllr Peter Box steps down on 30 November as councillor for Altofts and Whitwood.

Residents urged to recycle rather than bin as they throw out the old and bring in the new.

​Over 300 students from 10 secondary schools attended the event.

If severe weather hits the district, the Council's priority is to keep the main roads moving.

​The stadium will be closed on Wednesday 11, Thursday 12 and Friday 13 December.

Check out each company first to find out if they are a legitimate business.

Over £7,000 of arts funding will bring the work of travel artist Charles Pears to Pontefract.

Registered voters are being encouraged to check where they need to vote in advance.

Online survey open for residents to identify areas of key concern to them to help inform next year's budget.

​A Wakefield Council short break and respite service has been hailed as ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Wakefield Council is working with young people to highlight the impact of bullying and how it can be tackled.

​Residents in the Wakefield district are being urged to register to vote.

​Brand new Christmas lights will be transforming Wakefield city centre into a winter wonderland.

The club and surrounding area will transform into a community facility for all.

Programme to support more people into jobs, cut household costs and more.

​The first of 13 rapid electric vehicle chargepoints will be available this month.

Further improvements in co-ordination and integration of health and social care services.

The website and app list local services such as a place to sleep or where to get food.

Wakefield Council is backing a bid to improve disabled access to Pontefract Monkhill Station.

​Up to 40 young people had fun and learned new skills during Care Leavers Week.

The third monitoring visit reveals that children services are on the correct road to recovery.

​Last year, less than half the number of preschool children in Wakefield had a flu vaccine.

The castle-themed play area features a battering ram swing, drawbridge and cargo nets.

The district's Christmas light switch-ons and special festive markets have been announced.

The 4-week scheme is designed to boost confidence and independence.

Residents are encouraged to observe a two-minute silence on Monday 11 November.

The firework display will take place in Thornes Park on Saturday 2 November.

Residents will be able to view plans for the club's refurbishment.

The companies were recognised at Insider magazine's Growth 100 Awards.

Owners are being asked to act now to avoid the risk of avian flu infecting their birds over the winter.

A musket ball and grapeshot as well as many clay pipes have been found so far.

​A free community day packed with activities is taking place at The Hut Airedale on 30 October from 11am – 3pm.

Pontefract Castle has now been removed from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register.

The event takes place at Wakefield One on 30 October from 10am to 4pm.

Businesses in Knottingley and Ferrybridge will recieve help in using digital technology.

Cllr Denise Jeffery will be the new Leader of Wakefield Council, from 1 December 2019.

Wakefield Council has been awarded a £205,000 Government grant to introduce a new foster carers’ support scheme to the district.

A project to modernise the Horsefair area of Pontefract town centre has been opened for public comment and ideas.

Wakefield's Civic Quarter was showcased to property developers as the next major investment opportunity in the district.

Wakefield Council is asking residents and businesses to share their views on how it can achieve its ambition of becoming a carbon neutral organisation.

Following his appointment as Chairman of Welcome to Yorkshire., Cllr Peter Box has decided to stand down.

Wakefield Council is looking for ‘empty-nesters’ who can provide a loving home for older children and teenagers.

Essential maintenance and repair work starts on the 21 October in Horbury Bridge and Pontefract.

A Wakefield Council youth project has been awarded £538,244 in Government funding to expand the help it gives to vulnerable young people.

Local businesses say the continuing indecision over Brexit is having a negative impact on them.

​Wakefield Council is to show support for Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 Oct).

Two new schemes are launched to help residents stay warm and save money this winter.

Wakefield district Local Plan is being finalised for publication in early 2020.

Changes would see calculations based on a simpler income banded scheme.

Funds raised through the Community Infrastructure Levy invested into communities.

Cabinet are being asked to extend the offer of a book gifting scheme for babies.

Work is moving apace on the district’s new flagship leisure centre being built in Pontefract Park.

A £40,000 refurbishment leads to installation of new equipment, signs and fencing.

More than 150 people attended the launch of the new Learning Academy for Children's Services.

Sign up to receive the very first digital edition of The Citizen.

Council has been allocated a minimum of £1.1million to revive historic buildings.

Wakefield residents urged to take recycling into their own hands this Recycling Week.

A chronic beggar has been jailed for eight weeks and slapped with three-year ban.

The next elections are scheduled for Thursday, 7 May 2020 so make sure you can vote.

Young visitors will soon be able to have even more fun when a new £70,000 play area opens.

​Wakefield Council have been invited to secure a proportion of a £3.6billion funding pot.

​Unemployed residents will now have greater opportunity to move towards employment.

Children in Gawthorpe are enjoying new outdoor adventures thanks to a £50,000 investment.

Festival of the Moon has been one of the city's most popular events, with over 31,000 visitors.

​A new family friendly exhibition is coming to Pontefract Library on Tuesday 17 September.

​Cllr Peter Box says the plans fall significantly short of what is needed.

Suicide is the biggest killer of people under 35 and the biggest killer of men under 50.

Residents are being invited to attend and take part in Wakefield Council’s next Cabinet on Tour event.

​Wakefield's Festival of the Moon has now welcomed more than 25,000 visitors.

Senior councillors are to discuss a plan to raise payments to foster carers in recognition of the highly skilled care they give to children and young people in the district.

A £1m scheme to improve Pontefract town centre to benefit residents, businesses and visitors is to be considered by councillors.

Plans to invest £850,000 to upgrade Featherstone Sports Centre are to be discussed by senior Wakefield councillors next week.

Wakefield Council wants to support employers to create more apprenticeships.

The new Housing Plan aims to improve local housing over the next three years.

Around 770,000 people in West Yorkshire are already on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

The former Market Hall has been transformed for two-weeks of celebrations.

Around 3,500 young people across the Wakefield district sat GCSE exams earlier this year.

Residents in the Wakefield district will soon be receiving letters to make sure that they are registered to vote.

Residents invited to meeting and to put their questions about local issues to senior counciillors.

Residents and businesses are being asked for their views on the district's high streets.

Yorkshire appears as never seen before in dramatic, newly revealed photography.

​Young people across the district are receiving their A Level results today (15 August).

More children than ever before have taken part in this year's Summer Reading Challenge.

Bin lorries are fitted with CCTV from today to safeguard the public and staff from cars overtaking on pavements.

The results of the survey will go towards preparing a management plan for the park.

​A move to replace outdated and expensive coal and electric heating is being considered.

Visitors to Pontefract Castle can enjoy new and improved café facilities from next week.

Programme for young people considered for a national award.

Wakefield Council will fly the rainbow flag at the Town Hall on Wakefield Pride Day 2019.

Today - Yorkshire Day - Historic England announces that Pontefract Castle is being removed from the risk register.

​Wakefield Council has launched a fun-packed summer planner full of activities for all the family.

It will be closed from 6pm Thursday 1 August 2019 to 6am Friday 2 August 2019. An alternative exit will be available.

Experiences have been shared with Knaresborough castle officials who are starting their restoration journey.

Get those buckets and spades at the ready - the seaside is coming to Wakefield and Castleford this summer.

Wakefield Council is inviting residents and businesses to join a litter pick with a difference.

A planning application has been submitted for the building of 161 residential units in Altofts.

As many as 275million children worldwide are exposed to domestic abuse in the home.

More artists sign-up for Wakefield's Festival of the Moon two weeks of celebrations.

Early Help will provide families across the district with an easier way to acces support.

Peter Dwyer CBE stated that progress is 'at least in line and potentially in advance of others'.

The cinema will be opening in The Ridings Centre on Friday 16 August.

Campaign to raise awareness of training, skills and other support to help residents.

If approved, the new pedestrian zone from Drury Lane to Wood Street will be open by year-end.

An initiative that helps migrants to settle into Wakefield and become part of the local community has supported more than 1,000 people in its first year.

Visitors to Anglers Country Park can enjoy new and improved café facilities from Tuesday

One of the most significant successes was the £20million Leisure and Wellbeing Hub.

Wakefield Council is participating in a pilot scheme to help recover unpaid Council Tax.

Members of the public can sign-up to be part of an upcoming archaeological excavation at Pontefract Castle.

Step-Up will be held at Kellingley Social Club, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

The multi-million-pound work to transform the visitor experience at the castle comes to an end.

“One giant leap for Wakefield” as 2 weeks of lunar-inspired events are announced, including space-themed guests.

Council campaign to help protect district's children from the effects of smoking.

A man has been jailed for 21 days for breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order (CB0) at a Wakefield hospital.

Young people and parents warned of risks of swimming in deep water.

Special masonry work continues to prevent climbing and damage to the monument.

An exhibition exploring death in Ancient Egypt has officially opened in Wakefield.

The company is hiring more staff to fulfil increased exports demand.

The companies reported a combined gross turnover of £3.9 billion in the last financial year.

A free event on how to make money go further during the summer is being held on 25 July.

Service which provides support to adults with additional needs is praised as 'outstanding'.

Cabinet endorses the first annual review of the Wakefield District Economic Strategy.

Community groups are to be routinely consulted for local policies.

Council moves a step closer to recieving a proportion of a £675million government fund.

Council sixth best for helping children with physical and mental health needs.

Plans to spend an additional £3.3million on local transport schemes to be considered.

​Senior councillors are to discuss a £6 million plan in and around Newton Bar.

A proposal to fine homeowners up to £400 is to be discussed by Cabinet.

More foster carers to being urged to come forward to help change a young child’s future.

If approved by Cabinet, a 160-space car park is to be built for the Outwood Rail Station.

Residents can sign the campaign petition which is located at the Council in Wakefield.

The group discussed what's next for Wakefield and the need to be proactive in changing times.

Cllr Peter Box says that climate change is upon us and requires immediate action.

Key Stage 4 Pupil Referral Unit students now have improved access to qualifications.

Thornes Park tennis courts will re-open on Saturday after a £160,000 refurbishment.

​Armed Forces Day celebrations are shaping up to be bigger and better than ever before.

Wakefield Council has served a Breach of Condition Notice on Redrow Homes Limited.

180 businesses receive £1.4million start-up capital from a government-backed scheme.

Product Safety 2019 award goes to the Council and Morrisons supermarket

The People's Panel will help the Council to shape services and develop ideas.

Cllr Lynn Masterman is named as part of the UK-wide Historic England's network.

A new one-stop service linking residents to local jobs and training is being launched.

Council reports good success in the first year and sets out activities for the coming year.

The state-of-the-art Leisure and Wellbeing Hub is expected to open in autumn next year.

​A campaign has been launched to encourage people to help reduce food waste.

Attendees heard first-hand accounts of youth homelessness from two young people.

​Safeguarding really is 'Everyone's Business' - that's the message of this year's event.

Cast in bronze, 'Receiver' 2019 will be on display in front of County Hall until 29 September 2019.

A High Street Task Force made up of key local stakeholders will meet for the first time.

Wakefield Council is supporting Clean Air Day through an event in the library at Wakefield One.

Pontefract has been crowned Best Dressed Town during the 2019 Tour de Yorkshire.

The new warehouse is expected to create another 130 new jobs iin the district.

The event, which celebrates the sweet treat, is now in its 24th year and is fun for all the family.

Tips and advice to help students who are finding exams prep tough are just a click away.

Support services are being highlighted during National Carers Week (10 - 16 June).

Residents have been given the chance to gain formal qualifications.

It features cutting edge developments to help local business grow.

​Wakefield Council celebrated volunteers who have delivered Health Walks in the last 20 years.

Senior councillors are being asked to approve a package of measures to support the final stage of the Wakefield Waterfront Project.

Wakefield Council has begun activities to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

Funding is being offered to artists and creatives to produce original works for a major exhibition in the summer.

Two companies record strong performance in attracting foreign direct investment in 2018.

Projected images of flowers and space ships suppport interaction between people with dementia and their carers.

A three-year plan to deliver high quality housing for residents and new standards is to be discussed.

Yorkshire-based artist Dawn Woolley has designed the new wrap for the watermill next to the river Calder.

Tell us your views on the condition of roads, foot and cycle paths among other things.

An entire week of pyjama parties for children aged five and under is being held at Council libraries.

Improvements planned for town centre and for cyclists and pedestrians.

Civil War inspired activities at Pontefract Castle on Saturday June 1 and Sunday June 2.

Ahead of his time: Charles Waterton's issued 160-year-old environmental warnings.

The app is free and fun. Take the '500 miles challenge'. Track your steps against others.

Cllr Charles Keith has been appointed as the Mayor of Wakefield.

Wakefield Council has pledged to become a Carbon Neutral organisation by 2030.

Wakefield Council is supporting this year's Foster Care Fortnight (13-26 May).

​Wakefield Council has recently implemented a £57,000 project to improve part of the precinct.

Over 120 young people took part in an event in Wakefield to talk about issues facing them.

The Council is calling on the public for information about those responsible for the damage.

People are being urged to share their positive experiences of mental health - on a postcard.

For details of closing and opening times, and parking please read on.

Wakefield Council's controlling Labour Group has again elected Cllr Peter Box CBE as Leader.

​A programme of fun activities is planned to celebrate Love Your Local Market fortnight.

The agreement aims to boost economic, educational and cultural ties between the two.

As many as 463 volunteers collected over four tonnes of rubbish in just 19 days.

Castleford's Roman heritage is being celebrated on Saturday 1 June.

The event is happening on Saturday 11 May from 10.30am to 3pm at Unity Hall.

​Wakefield Council remains in overall Labour control following the 2019 local council elections.

Young people are to share issues of concern to them to inform Wakefield Council's Children & Young People's Plan.

Spectators along the TdY Pontefract route on Friday will have a special treat in store.

Wakefield Council is thanking hundreds of residents for supporting a 'clean up'.

The exhibition unveils the extraordinary story behind one of man's greatest achievements.

Thornes Park Athletics Stadium will host the count for the local Council elections.

Leaders pledge to ensure that every child has a happy and fulfilled childhood.

Wakefield Council is getting ready to welcome the Tour de Yorkshire back to the district next week.

​An exhibition exploring eighteenth century satire will open at Pontefract Museum on Saturday 11 May.

Visitors can now go on a time-travelling journey to explore parts of the site last seen 370 years ago.

Almost 4,000 children will be starting Primary School this September and all of them have been allocated a place.

A man who advertised an illegal waste disposal service on Facebook has been ordered to pay £1,547 in total.

Four local companies with turnovers from £146m to £328m among Yorkshire’s top 50 manufacturers in 2019.

The first stage of the renovation project has upgraded the bridges, walkways, steps to the Keep and Keep platform.

​Wakefield Council is all set to welcome the Tour de Yorkshire back to the district - as timings have now been revealed.

Wakefield Council is inviting residents to help clean up the district, during the ‘Great British Spring Clean’.

The owner of a smallholding on Green Belt land at Kirkgate Lane, Felkirk has been ordered to pay £588 in total.

Wakefield residents have responded generously to a new baby and toddler clothing scheme to help other families in the district.

Knottingley residents can get advice and information on topics such as employment, skills, benefits and budgeting.

Bill Grimsey will speak with councillors and local businesses about how to recreate the high street for the 21st-century.

​Children's homes, managed by Wakefield Council, have been awarded the top rating of 'outstanding' by Ofsted.

Councillors are to be asked to approve a new Technology Strategy to improve services for residents and businesses.

At a meeting of Cabinet next week councillors will be asked to approve the setting up of a drug and alcohol prevention service.

The price freeze includes all Aspire Health memberships, all pay and play activity, clubs, and swimming lessons.

Wakefield Council would like to invite residents to come and view the plans for the revitalisation of the town.

An exhibition to celebrate more than 120 years of rugby league is coming to Castleford Museum.

Polling cards have started to be delivered to households this week in preparation for the local elections in May.

Wakefield Council expresses deepest sympathy to the families and friends of those killed in the today's attacks.

The Council has been working with the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce to support businesses for life after the EU.

Road users and pedestrians across the district will have access to improved roads and footpaths.

The £3.15million loan is to enable the club to buy the freehold of the stadium at Belle Vue and surrounding areas.

Wakefield Museum will host the Gateway to Eternity exhibition where visitors will be able to discover Egyptian death rituals.

The £6million link road will help to improve commuting times and create new houses, jobs and business opportunities.

Wakefield Council has launched its new campaign to tackle the costly problem of litter across the District.

The local community are invited to have their say about what activities they would like to see available at The Hut.

Following unannounced visits by Care and Quality Commission inspectors two care homes, managed by Wakefield Council, have been awarded a rating of ‘good’.

Work has begun to build the largest leisure hub of its kind in the Wakefield district.

We are urging members of the LGBT+ community, who can provide a child with a loving home, to apply to foster.

Conservation specialist Stone Edge North East Ltd will carry out the second phase of conservation at Sandal Castle.

Tennis lovers will be playing on newly refurbished courts in Thornes Park in just a matter of weeks.

Cllr Peter Box is calling on councils to consider alternatives so as not to miss out on a devolution deal.

Sixty delegates from more than 30 organisations have come together to share their ideas on how to revive and improve Wakefield’s high streets.

Wakefield Council is making residents aware of the deadlines to apply to register to vote in the May elections.

The artist will work alongside local community groups and schools from the area to create an original piece of land art.

Work will start this week to support residents living in former mining communities to find work and improve their health and wellbeing.

With an increase of nearly 300 requests, almost 92 per cent of students were successful in securing their first choice.

The aim is to help make the habit less visible as children are heavily influenced by the adults around them.

A people-inspired vision and action plan aims to get hundreds of people into work and provide thousands of new homes.

More than 98% of people on Universal Credit will either see no change or be better off under the new support scheme.

Wakefield Council is asking for residents' views on proposals for a new surface car park at Outwood Rail Station.

​Funds raised from new developments in wards with no town or parish council could be pumped back into local communities.

Tens of thousands of visitors enjoyed the thirteenth annual Festival of Food, Drink and Rhubarb at the weekend.

Wakefield Council has announced that Cllr Tracey Austin has been nominated for the role of deputy Mayor.

Businesses which supply goods and services to Wakefield Council are set to receive a boost to their cash flow.

The three-day festival returns to the city centre on Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 February.

Arriva and NOVA are among the local businesses and voluntary organisations to sign up to attend the event.

Chantry House and the derelict Snooty Fox buildings are to be demolished to make room for up to 80 new homes.

Work will start next month on the £20.8million Five Towns Leisure and Wellbeing Hub in Pontefract Park.

An avenue of trees has been planted on the Kirkgate roundabout, to complete the landscaping of the scheme.

Wakefield Council is reminding residents how quick and easy it is to register to vote, ahead of the local elections.

Wakefield councillors are to consider introducing a refreshed package of measures to enhance the support the Council gives to children and young people in care and to those young people who are leaving the care system.

More than 250 community projects benefit from local capital grants investment in the last three years.

​A Youth Conference held by Wakefield Council in support of Young Carers Awareness Day (31 January) was a huge success, being viewed almost 800 times online.

Wakefield Council's senior Councillors will decide next week on whether to introduce changes to the council tax to bring empty homes back into use.

​Wakefield's very own star of the 'Great British Bake Off', Karen Wright, will be joining the line-up at this year's Festival of Food, Drink and Rhubarb (22-24 February).

Wakefield Council has won the Heritage Award for the new visitor centre at Pontefract Castle at the Pontefract Civic Society Design Awards.

The Leader of Wakefield Council has responded to the findings of a new report - which highlights the impact of sustained government spending cuts on the Wakefield district and other northern cities.

​Wakefield Council has a number of schemes to help residents stay warm this winter, and save money.

​According to the Carers Trust, the average young carer misses or cuts short 48 schools days because of their caring role. And 39% of young carers they spoke to said that nobody in their school was aware of their caring role.

In the first scheme of its kind in the Wakefield district, local pharmacies will be offering a service to tackle excessive drinking and offer early intervention to people at risk of alcohol-related illnesses.

Wakefield Council is delighted to have raised £1,824.34 following the 16 days of action campaign to help end domestic violence and abuse.

​The model of a revolutionary boiler which brought King George V to Wakefield is set to go on display at Wakefield Museum.

Wakefield has beaten off stiff competition from across the country to get a £4.4million boost to support the growth of its cultural and creative industries and the creation of a home-grown highly skilled creative workforce.

​Wakefield Council is developing a three-year Housing Plan which will set out to improve the housing offer for residents within the district from 2019 to 2022.

Parking charges will be introduced at Anglers Country Park from Monday 11 February, following a public consultation carried out last year.

Wakefield Council is looking to recruit Passenger Assistants to help ensure children and young people with additional needs make it to and from schools and colleges across the district.

Wakefield Council has been awarded an £18m contract to extend an award-winning service to the whole of West Yorkshire.

More good quality, local residential accommodation to support children in care looks set to be agreed by senior councillors, as Wakefield Council continues on the journey to transform its children’s services.

A public consultation inviting local people to help shape the future of the district will start this week – on Thursday 10 January.

Wakefield's Food, Drink and Rhubarb Festival will for the first time ever play host to its very own comedy club.

Wakefield Council is seeking approval from senior councillors to change the way its cultural funding is distributed to ensure it has a wider impact across the district, to positively benefit more residents and communities.

Wakefield Council's senior councillors will be considering a report which recommends that a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), to address aggressive begging in Wakefield city centre and Castleford and Pontefract town centres, is not the most effective way to tackle the issue.

​Wakefield Council's Cabinet is to discuss introducing new business rate relief to support retail businesses across the district.