New Towns' Manager for Batley & Dewsbury

We would like to announce the appointment of Andrew Sloman, new Towns' Manager for Batley & Dewsbury.

For the last six years Andrew has worked over the border in Calderdale in crime reduction and regeneration roles, building up close working relationships with the voluntary, public and business sectors.

Having cut his teeth as a consultant researcher in North Merseyside, he developed a community based drugs and sexual health education project that also helped organise positive activities for young people. This included a ‘battle of the bands' competition - he could genuinely tell people that my job description included sex, drugs and rock and roll!

As Nightlife Coordinator for Calderdale he developed the Nightlife Initiative bringing together a host of agencies and businesses to reduce crime and support the licensed trade over a time of huge change.

He was instrumental in developing the first Nightlife Marshals project in Yorkshire and supported the ground breaking Halifax Street Angels. These projects make a significant impact in alcohol related violent crime in Calderdale, which last year fell by over 40%.

As a member of Halifax Businesses Against Crime and an Executive Director of Halifax Town Centre Forum he gained great insight into the challenges of town centre management.

His first task over the next few months will be to meet as many town centre business and community representatives as possible, to discuss the issues that impact on the towns and outline to them the ambitious plans Kirklees Council and its partners have for the continued regeneration of the town centres.

Andrew said "It's a great privilege to be given this opportunity to carry the torch for Batley and Dewsbury Town Centres, carrying on the good work to make sure they remain the beating heart of the communities they serve."