Council committee and cabinet meetings

Whilst acknowledging C.M.B.C.¿s environmental objective of not managing the verges of highways for which it has responsibility, has it assessed, risk or otherwise, the unforeseen consequences of this activity on the proliferation of Ragwort that is now evident in the rural landscape. I draw your attention to the Weeds Act 1989 (as amended), the Ragwort Control Act 2003 and Code-of-Practice-on-how-to-prevent-the-spread-of-ragwort.pdf April 2018 and ask.

What is C.M.B.C.¿s Policy, Strategy and Action plan(s) in order to address this potential danger to the people and to livestock, especially the equine interests?

Where are the above published on its website?

Does it recognise the possibility of insurance claims for lack of action of its responsibility.

What direction has it given to Suez and its staff on their varying disposal actions of this weed?

May I remind you that each Ragwort plant produces between 70,000 and 120,000 seeds with a 70% fertility rate and ¿one year¿s seeding is seven year¿s weeding¿.

I look forward to a transparent, honest and numerically evidenced response.

The Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Climate Action and Housing Councillor Patient replied to Ed Greenwood [PDF file 81KB]|

Does the Council have any specific plans to tackle the growing ragwort problem in the more rural areas of the borough as it is becoming very invasive and is classed as a noxious weed with hazard to both human and animal health?

The Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Climate Action and Housing Councillor Patient replied to Alex Greenwood [PDF file 77KB]|

I have a question about the motion adopted by Full Council recently concerning the Care Leaver¿s Covenant. On the second page of the motion that was adopted it stated, it is recognised that the council¿8 bullet points down¿has passed a decision at Cabinet to treat care experience as a protected characteristic. My understanding is that a protected characteristic is legalese pertaining to the Equality Act 2010, and there are specific mandated protected characteristics under statute. Namely, of course, Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage and Civil Partnership, Pregnancy and Maternity, Race, Religion, Sex and Sexual Orientation. Which one would care experience fall under, and if it doesn't, how can the council produce its own protected characteristic outside of equality law and how (if it is indeed legally possible) will a newly introduced protected characteristic based on care leaving work? Will it work the same way as a protected characteristic under statute and what inferred rights will be bestowed on the care leavers and by whom?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Children and Young Peoples Services Councillor Wilkinson replied to Councillor Hunt [PDF file 163KB]|

There is no time to lose in opposing the incinerator planned for Sowerby Bridge. The situation is intolerable for local residents and communities. At the recent full Council meeting, we passed a motion requesting that the Leader and Chief Executive write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ask for a nationwide pause on all incinerator applications. Please confirm if this letter has been sent and provide a copy.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Services and Communities Councillor Durrans replied to Councillor Leigh MBE [PDF file 28KB]|

There is no time to lose in opposing the incinerator planned for Sowerby Bridge. The situation is intolerable for local residents and communities. At the recent full Council meeting, we passed a motion requesting that the Leader and Chief Executive write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ask for a nationwide pause on all incinerator applications. Please confirm if this letter has been sent and provide a copy.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Services and Communities Councillor Durrans replied to Councillor Leigh MBE [PDF file 154KB]|

Regarding green belt developments, the new government has set out ¿golden rules.¿ These rules stipulate that half of the homes built on green belt land must be affordable.

However, Calderdale Council in its Local Plan aims to provide 238 additional affordable homes per year by 2032/33 but this only accounts for approximately 24% of homes to be built. Given the housing problems in Calderdale, wouldn¿t it be prudent for the Cabinet to reassess its plans in light of these new policies?

After all, addressing housing shortages starts with building more affordable homes. If the developments on green belt are bound to go ahead, then we must ensure that the right homes are built, and where possible, these homes should be built in the areas of the Borough that need them most.

The Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Climate Action and Housing Councillor Patient replied to Councillor Dickenson [PDF file 109KB]|

The Local Plan currently permits the construction of just 114 accessible homes annually. With the UK¿s population rapidly aging¿a quarter of us expected to be 65 or older within two decades¿a substantial increase in accessible housing is urgently needed. This is vital to improve the quality of life for older residents and alleviate the pressure on family housing. What specific actions is the Council taking to address this critical shortage?

The Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Climate Action and Housing Councillor Patient replied to Councillor Carter [PDF file 121KB]|

We have now received the costings for festive lighting and trees in our ward, which, if we opt for the full service as previously supplied by Calderdale MBC, would cost a total of £4,532. If our local community groups decide to fund their own trees only, Calderdale MBC would charge £850 per tree to erect, decorate, connect to power and then remove after the festive period.

The full service figure includes a costing of £1500 for supplying and installation of one Christmas Tree. If you extract £850 from this figure for erection, decoration, connection to power and removal, this leaves a base cost for the tree itself of £650. I have sourced quotations from two separate companies for the supply of an 18 foot Christmas Tree and these are £230 from a Halifax supplier who can deliver to site, and £200 from a Kirklees supplier if the tree is collected. As Councillors, it is incumbent upon ourselves to provide best value for money for our local community groups and businesses who are being asked to fund this and £650 for one tree is not representative of good value for money.

Therefore in order to decide the best way forward of funding our festive lighting and trees, we have asked if a detailed breakdown of the figure of £850 could be provided, but have been told that this is not available.

Due to the fast approaching time limit of 13th August, we would ask that the requested information is made available as soon as possible so that we can move forward with our preparations for Christmas in the Greetland and Stainland ward.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Regeneration and Transport Councillor Courtney replied to Councillor Prashad [PDF file 39KB]|