Last week, Conservative Councillors attended the first full Council meeting since the Local Elections. The meeting’s agenda was short by previous standards, but the meeting offered much, with both the Conservative and Labour Groups submitting motions. Throughout, Conservative Councillors concentrated their demands for action over the recent horrific speeding incidents; and the lack of transparency by Labour; and questioned whether there would be another Appeal by the Council for an incinerator to be built near Sowerby Bridge.
CABINET DECISIONS
Review of Fixed Penalty Notice Charges – This item is related to the charges that the Council can apply to individuals for fly-tipping, graffiti, and other anti-social behaviour. Conservative Councillors voted for the item and accepted the amendment made by Labour that would allow higher charges due to recent changes in Government legislation.
Housing Enforcement Policy – This Policy is a response to the tragic death of a young boy in private accommodation in Rochdale. Overall the Policy will provide stronger powers to Council Enforcement Officers to penalise housing associations and private landlords that provide unsafe and inadequate housing.
Public Participation at Scrutiny Board meetings – This item sets new guidance for public participation at Scrutiny Boards. The majority of Scrutiny Boards are chaired by Conservative Councillors, and they welcomed the changes that will make it easier for public participation.
QUESTIONS TO CABINET
Cllr Issott demanded action on the recent horrific speeding incidents in her Ward and across the Borough. She stated that staffing within the Council's Highways Department is a crucial factor in why improvements have not been made. For example, in Ryburn Ward road safety improvements were given the green light several years ago, but still await implementation.
Cllr Leigh supported Cllr Issott’s words and questioned the criteria used by the Council for determining road safety improvements. The current system requires serious incidents to occur before public money is spent on road safety improvements.
Cllr Dickenson asked for an update on the implementation of greener buses and how these tie into the Council’s Climate Action Plan. He argued that it is ineffective to encourage less travel by cars and more use of public transport when bus services are being cut, especially in the more rural parts of the Borough.
Cllr Issott also questioned the Labour Leader about the proposed incinerator near Sowerby Bridge. Recently, residents and Conservative Councillors won the appeal, meaning the incinerator will not be built. Therefore Cllr Issott, questioned if the Labour-run Council would pursue a new Appeal and pleaded for an apology to residents for proposing a project that the Inspector concluded would have an “adverse risk to human health.” Unsurprising Labour swiftly moved on to the next item and would not comment on the issue.
MOTIONS
Conservative: The Council’s Communications Policy Creates Information Inequalities
Labour was highly critical of the Conservative motion and wrongly argued that information inequalities are not a priority for residents. However, there are numerous examples of poor communication by the Council that has left residents worse off.
In the case of the incinerator, the council delayed its notification of the Appeal to residents, which provided more time for the Council to hone its arguments in support of the incinerator. So since when is the lack of information about an adverse human health risk not a priority for residents?
Another example is when the Council received a letter from the Government threatening Special Measures due to poor performance by the Planning Department. They did not publish the letter for 4 weeks, until after the Local Elections. This ultimately created a false impression of effective Council services.
Lib Dem Councillors accepted that communication was poor and lacking by the Council but said they could not vote for the motion because it is critical of the Council. Calderdale Lib Dems have evidently forgotten they are an opposition group.
Labour: Local Authority of Sanctuary & Migration Pledge
Labour’s motion on immigration showed what is expected of a Labour Government – open borders and more immigration.
They were critical of Government actions and called the rhetoric by the Government "divisive". But Labour fails to understand the problem immigration brings with the additional pressures on public services. Figures for immigration sit at 700,000 over the past year and currently costs the taxpayer £1.5 billion a year. Therefore, controlling immigration must be a priority.
However, Calderdale Conservatives strongly support Government actions to welcome refugees from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Hong Kong.
PETITIONS
Cllr Kirton (Hipperholme & Lightcliffe) presented a petition on behalf of the residents in Bailiff Bridge, who are requesting new play equipment in the local park. He stated much of the equipment is from the 1970s, and the swings were added approximately 15 years ago. This is unacceptable with the number of new developments over the past several decades.
Cllr Blagbrough (Brighouse) advised the petition against the increases to Parking Charges will be presented at the next Council meeting in September. This will provide ample time to gather as much support as possible because many residents in Brighouse and the surrounding Wards want their voices heard.
