Council committee and cabinet meetings

I am curious Chair.

Recently I came across a recent article written by the Secretary of State for Health, the Rt. Hon. Wes Streeting.

¿I love the NHS: it saved my life, but the operation to rescue it must be led by the people and its staff.¿ and

¿..we are launching the biggest national conversation about the NHS since its birth. We will be holding events across the country, including citizens¿ assemblies, asking the public what needs to change¿.

| was therefore minded to remember that C.M.B.C. called an extraordinary meeting on the 16th April 2014 to address the furore created by the impending Strategic Outline case, by creating a `People¿s Commission¿ to `evidence, lead consultation and produce proposals¿ regarding future provision of Integrated Health and Social Care.

The report was titled ¿Improving Health TOGETHER¿.

This Commission was chaired by Professor Andrew Kerslake and consisted of six Council Members; Labour Deputy Leader, Barry Collins, Cabinet Member for Adult Health and Social Care, Bob Metcalfe, Cllrs. Janet Battye, Marilyn Greenwood, Geraldine Carter, John Hardy. The resultant report (January 2015) proposed fifteen (15) recommendations to C.M.B.C.

My question is; what were the outcomes of these recommendations, especially recommendations 13, 14 and 15?

I look forward to a transparent, honest and evidenced response within the agreed seven days.

May I bring to your attention that this Commission won the U.K. National Award for Local Authority Innovation, presented to C.M.B.C. in a gathering of all Local Authorities who submitted their proposals for improvement. Unfortunately, this prestigious award, of which C.M.B.C should be proud, has gone missing, last known to be in the Mayor¿s parlour.

Thank you Chair.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Adult Services and Wellbeing Councillor Tremayne replied to Ed Greenwood [PDF file 205KB]|

I'm concerned that whilst making cuts in the budget the council continues to pay nearly £3000 to stonewall. Other councils, such as Nottinghamshire and Sheffield and government departments including the Equality and Human Rights Commission have pulled out of Stonewall, after complaints about their inaccurate advice about the law and failing to give value for money.

Historically Stonewall had a positive impact for the the LGB community, however it is now seen as rigid, self serving and ineffective.

With this in mind I think the £3000 could be better spent on youth services and library staff to benefit everyone in Calderdale.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources Councillor Dacre replied to Stella Bird [PDF file 29KB]|

Why is the Council giving £2500 every year to the discredited organisation Stonewall? When our council is struggling to provide basic services such as road gritting, this surely makes no sense. I am a Calderdale resident and I would appreciate an answer to this question.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources Councillor Dacre replied to Pam Finch [PDF file 28KB]|

I have a question regarding the budget priorities. As someone who, yesterday, had to travel via Ripponden from Manchester to get home because of snow and then flooding, I am concerned about the reductions in gritting for winter. Icy roads and pavements are very dangerous for older people and people with mobility issues. I am therefore a little bemused that the Council still funds Stonewall for nearly £3000 a year for what when there are more local pressing local issues with a very tight budget.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources Councillor Dacre replied to Val Stevens [PDF file 29KB]|

It has come to light that the number of roads to be gritted after December 1st is to be halved, in order to save money. This is shocking news to the residents of Calderdale. You are compromising the safety of young and old alike, for what reason?

One immediate saving that could be made is the £3,000 or so paid to the largely discredited Stonewall. And it isn't just the annual amount: staff have to leave their posts to attend training sessions etc. I understand that a decision was made last year to cancel renewal fees,a decision later reversed by councillors.

If cuts have to be made, please cut dubious ideology rather than the safety of residents.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources Councillor Dacre replied to Vivienne Boardman [PDF file 29KB]|

Why are Calderdale Council paying £3,000 to the discredited charity Stonewall whilst making £40,000 worth of cuts across a wide range of other services to include road gritting? As a resident, this and many other areas of spending are of far more importance to me than whatever this very questionable charity - beset by seemingly endless scandals - does for the council. Why is Calderdale Council not following in the footsteps of numerous other councils such as Derbyshire, Swansea, Nottinghamshire, Sheffield, Northampton and Hampshire (to name but a few) by cutting the rope to this dubious charity? These councils are clearly listening to the will of its residents and I would like it if Calderdale started to hear its people too.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources Councillor Dacre replied to Debbie Hilley [PDF file 29KB]|

Labour councils: Blackpool, Cheshire East, Hounslow, Islington, Merton, Redbridge, Southend and Warrington have withdrawn from the Stonewall Diversity Programme along with the Scottish Parliament, BBC, EHRC, CPS, Government Equalities office and Sports England.

How can Calderdale council justify expenditure of £2,000 on rejoining the Stonewall programme which is supplementary to their internal EDI training, when they are stopping vital services such as grifting roads which will significantly prevent inclusion of elderly and disabled residents in the community during severe winter weather?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources Councillor Dacre replied to Brenda Whisker [PDF file 29KB]|

How on earth are you setting your spending priorities?

After a dangerous weekend for drivers and pedestrians because of the snow and ice, why are you stopping the gritting of various roads? Not everyone can stay at home when weather conditions are atrocious - people have work commitments, critical health appointments, care responsibilities, and various other obligations that they are bound by, whatever the weather. Yesterday, I learnt that you are continuing the funding of organisations like the discredited Stonewall. As a lesbian, I am not against my council tax being used to support organisations that promote equal rights, but when the council is making £40 million cuts to essential services, it is a disgrace that you are spending money on the discredited Stonewall.'

Listen to the people! It is the tin headed Democrats who got Trump elected and it is tin headed Labour that will gift the next election to our very own home-grown rightwing extremists.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources Councillor Dacre replied to Ellen Reynolds [PDF file 30KB]|

Condition 1.9 of the Draft Environmental Permit in respect of CVSH¿s incinerator application says the operator will notify the Council at least 3 weeks prior to validation testing.

and

Condition 2.0 states validation testing will include operating the incinerator under most un-favourable operating conditions.

In accordance with these conditions the Council will be aware of these tests at least 3 weeks in advance so will the Council notify all local residents of validation testing dates ahead of the tests taking place and provide safety advice, thereby allowing residents (especially those who are health vulnerable) to take evasive action if they wish?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Services and Communities Councillor Durrans replied to Jeanette Hunton [PDF file 77KB]|

The draft permit published for Calder Valley Ship Hire defines `Permissible periods of abnormal operation¿ where discharges into air of the regulated substances may exceed the normal emission limit values.

During such periods will a warning system be provided to allow all who wish to take preventative action to protect themselves from increased pollution in the air to do so. Such a system as the flood warning system or the warning at Wyke Chemical Works where a high intensity siren will sound to alert the local community when necessary.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Services and Communities Councillor Durrans replied to Andrew Dobson [PDF file 48KB]|

Could a clear code of practice be drawn up to enable members of the public to report issues to a named person in Env Health, Planning, and the Environment Agency, with a response time and relevant action to be shown?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources Councillor Dacre replied to George Pickles [PDF file 56KB]|

The Quarter 2 Revenue & Capital Monitor report highlights the Council's dire financial situation. Despite my repeated warnings, the severity of the Council's ever-increasing cost pressures and its overspending cannot be ignored any longer. Neither can it be overlooked that we have effectively exhausted our true `Reserves¿. It is alarming that, despite the Conservative Group's concerns about borrowing, the Council still plans to borrow £51 million over the next three years. The Cabinet member has previously stated that the Council's borrowing ratio to total income is low compared to similar authorities. However, this does not alter the fact that this additional borrowing will incur costs that the Council cannot afford. Could you please confirm how much this extra borrowing will cost the Council?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources Councillor Dacre replied to Councillor Leigh MBE [PDF file 121KB]|

Following the recent Call-In to Place Scrutiny regarding Parking Charges, the result was a disappointment for residents across Calderdale and is likely to erode local democracy and scrutiny. This question seeks clarity about this process of delegated authority. Does this mean that in the future Officers can change the charges at any time in towns with Parking Area Plans, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet members? Furthermore, I request the Cabinet to produce a comprehensive list of all powers that have been delegated and publish a list of all decisions taken under delegated authority each month. This transparency is essential to maintaining trust in Calderdale Council.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources Councillor Dacre replied to Councillor Blagbrough [PDF file 10KB]|

Regarding the Incinerator. It is disappointing that the Cabinet has chosen to delegate the decision on the Environmental Permit to a Senior Officer. This delegation was a deliberate choice by the Cabinet, and it is concerning because Councillors are elected to make decisions, no matter how challenging they may be. This is a dereliction of duty. Whilst as stated by the Council, the Environmental Permit was granted in accordance with the relevant regulations, I would like to know if the Council has sought any external legal advice regarding the possibility of not granting the permit. Additionally, the Council Leader mentioned in a press release the implementation of a monitoring and compliance plan. Please could you clarify how quickly the Council will respond if air quality monitoring indicates levels that could harm human health?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Services and Communities Councillor Durrans replied to Councillor Issott [PDF file 10KB]|

At the last Full Council meeting, I raised concerns about the closure of Elland Tip and was informed that a final decision had not yet been made. It was also noted that my estimates regarding the closure of each tip one day a week did not account for factors such as staff considerations. I acknowledge this point and therefore urge the Cabinet to instruct officers to include an analysis of my proposed alternative when the final report is presented in January. Residents in Elland and the local area deserve the same level of services as the rest of Calderdale. They need to see that the Council is committed to doing everything in its power to achieve this. Thank you.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Services and Communities Councillor Durrans replied to Councillor Hunt [PDF file 29KB]|

The report on the Community Infrastructure Levy confirms the Council has employed consultants to assistant with the development of the policy. Please confirm how much the Council paid for these Consultants, and also the costs of Environmental Permit Consultants who acted for the Council in the Incinerator decision-making process.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Climate Action and Housing Councillor Patient replied to Councillor Dickenson [PDF file 52KB]|

In light of the projected Council overspend of £10.8m for this financial year, and that the devil is so often in the detail, when would the Cabinet believe it appropriate to commission an investigative audit of individual departments' expenditure?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources Councillor Dacre replied to Alex Greenwood [PDF file 51KB]|

As at September 2024, there were 2544 empty residential properties in Calderdale. It seems almost criminal that there are so many people in Calderdale needing accommodation when these properties are sitting empty. The presumption is that some of these properties require updating. What are Calderdale doing to try to engage with property owners to persuade them to bring properties back into use, and could they be pressurised to do so with the threat of an Empty Dwelling Management Order.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Climate Action and Housing Councillor Patient replied to Councillor Prashad [PDF file 84KB]|

Will Cabinet investigate why officers approved an incinerator in Sowerby Bridge that will be harmful to human health and the environment?

In their decision notice, officers say there are no technical reasons why it shouldn't be passed, but in objector¿s comments there are a multitude of technical issues identified including those from a retired incinerator engineer. Additionally, officers have accepted weather data from Bingley and Leeds-Bradford Airport as representative of the incinerator site, when the meteorological office has said that the site is unusual, impossible to model and prone to inversions.

Also do Cabinet now agree that they should have taken this decision to protect the inhabitants of Sowerby Bridge.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources Councillor Dacre replied to Clive Wilkinson [PDF file 53KB]|

Will Cabinet investigate why officers approved an incinerator in Sowerby Bridge that will be harmful to human health and the environment?

In their decision notice, officers say there are no technical reasons why it shouldn't be passed, but in objector's comments there are a multitude of technical issues identified including those from a retired incinerator engineer. Additionally, officers have accepted weather data from Bingley and Leeds-Bradford Airport as representative of the incinerator site, when the meteorological office has said that the site is unusual, impossible to model and prone to inversions.

Also do Cabinet now agree that they should have taken this decision to protect the inhabitants of Sowerby Bridge.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Services and Communities Councillor Durrans replied to Jane Pugh [PDF file 53KB]|

Concerning the Environmental Permit to burn up to 1 Tonne of RDF Skip Waste.

Can you answer the following question as this is not covered in the decision published online.

Where is the technical specification from the manufacturer, Inciner8, showing the Incinerator can burn 1 Tonne of RDF Skip Waste an hour?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Services and Communities Councillor Durrans replied to Dave Pugh [PDF file 49KB]|