Council committee and cabinet meetings

The A629 Calder and Hebble Junction (Phase 1b) Project cost circa £40m, the construction and installation of the new link bridge over the canal being a major part of this development.

The new bridge opened about a year ago. However, one lane has never been opened. Is the bridge not fit for purpose?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Regeneration and Transport Councillor Courtney replied to Jeanette Hunton [PDF file 104KB]|

Sowerby Bridge has higher levels of respiratory conditions such as Asthma and COPD and Sowerby Bridge was declared an Air Quality Management Area in 2006 since when NO2 levels have never been compliant with Air Quality Objectives.

The CMBC Air quality Annual Status Report 2024 only has data up to and including the end of 2023. As the public should be able to access, to be aware of current levels of PM10¿s, PM 2.5¿s and NO2, how can members of the public find out what the air pollution levels are in Sowerby Bridge.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Services and Communities Councillor Durrans replied to Jane Pugh [PDF file 83KB]|

Thank you for the more detailed response I received at the last Cabinet Meeting on 17th March.

However I'm afraid the answer given was again not accurate.

For example, regarding materials to be burned at the Mearclough site - you stated it was for wood waste - but in fact, upon checking, the application was for wood and RDF.

Regarding NOx levels you stated that this was primarily caused by road traffic contributions, which is true, but an incinerator will only add to it. When Mearclough was refused by the council it was stated that there was no safe level of NOx.

Regarding the issues with the sites having 2 regulators, it is strange that the council thought that it was an issue for Mearclough, but it isn't at Belmont.

I'm assuming that when cabinet members give answers at cabinet meetings that they are being briefed by council officers. Given the number of times that I and other neighbours of Sowerby Bridge have had inadequate answers to questions regarding the proposed incinerator at Belmont, I think it is now time for relevant cabinet members to meet with a small group of local residents to hear from them why council officers have got this so wrong and why the council should not be fighting a judicial review against one of their own residents.

At the February cabinet meeting that I attended, the Leader of the Council, in a response to George Pickles, said it was important for the council to get this right.

Will Councillor Durrans and Councillor Patient agree to meet with us to discuss this further, so that we do get it right?

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

A member of the public seeks permission to apply for judicial review concerning the grant of an environmental permit by CMBC for a waste incineration plant in Sowerby Bridge.

The grounds for the Judicial Review are that the decision was unlawful:

(i) The Council failed to give adequate and intelligible reasons for its decision.

(ii)The Council failed to reach a conclusion on many of the issues raised.

Who will decide to pay out yet more of taxpayers money to defend the case in the high court if the council have a case to answer? Will it be the cabinet or an officer? What is the estimated cost?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources Councillor Dacre replied to Dave Pugh [PDF file 18KB]|

Cabinet will be aware that there is well informed and growing UK opposition to waste incineration.

The EA is currently consulting on reforms to the permitting regimes

Over two thousand residents of Sowerby Bridge and area have signed a petition against Calderdale Council¿s support for the incinerator in the valley bottom adjacent to the Town.

This Council support is contrary to the judgement of an experienced and appropriately qualified Government appointed Planning Inspector.

If the Court agrees that the Judicial Review can proceed to a Full Hearing, which officer or Council committee will make the decision whether to proceed against the wishes of a substantial element of the electorate, many councillors, local and otherwise, and both local MPs?

What budget has been approved by Calderdale Council and who will pay it?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources Councillor Dacre replied to George Pickles [PDF file 65KB]|

While I understand the reasoning behind the introduction of the Disabled Adaptations Policy, I believe that it will have a disproportionate impact on families of children and young people, compared to that of older applicants. This is because the needs and circumstances of children and young people are much more likely to change over a 10-year period, as they are still developing, and will transition from childhood or adolescence to adulthood. A 12-year-old¿s needs will be very different to that of a 20 year old. I believe this places a disproportionate burden and restriction on the families of children and young people, who are much more likely to want to move due to reduced or changing needs, and so more likely to be liable to pay the charge. Can I ask that this this is taken into consideration, rather than having a blanket policy for all.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Adult Services and Wellbeing Councillor Tremayne replied to Councillor Thornham [PDF file 64KB]|