Council committee and cabinet meetings

In light of the on-going judicial review of the Metropolitan police, and the concerns of a number of charities and NGOs concerned about the use of AI in policing, how is AI and facial recognition technology and other AI policing tools used in Calderdale and how is the impact on ethnic minorities monitored and reported back to WYCA? What do we know about the impact on ethnic minority communities about the use of policing AI and its effect on the Peel principles of policing by consent.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Services and Communities Councillor Durrans replied to Councillor Timbers [PDF file 51KB]|

One only has to look out of the windows in the Town Hall to see a road currently being dug up. I welcome our ambition for the borough, and the tens of millions of pounds of investment being brought into Halifax Town Centre. However, during the disruption, we also have a duty to our small businesses, who are the lifeblood of our towns. My question is, therefore, what support is the Council offering to businesses affected by highways schemes and capital projects, particu-larly in Halifax Town Centre?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Regeneration and Transport Councillor Courtney replied to Councillor Thompson [PDF file 72KB]|

Following the recent announcement by the government of a national inquiry into child sexual exploitation and grooming gangs and the subsequent statement from the Leader of the Council, would the Cabinet member tell the Council:

What work is taking place to identify any grooming gangs active or based in Calderdale, and have any yet been identified?

What work is being undertaken with schools to identify signs of young girls being targeted when leaving school, a tactic known to be used by grooming gangs?

What are the current figures for Calderdale regarding reports of child grooming/sexual exploita-tion?

If any gangs have been identified, what are the arrest figures within Calderdale for recent years?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Children and Young Peoples Services Councillor Wilkinson replied to Councillor Bellenger [PDF file 148KB]|

Given the recent announcement of a hosepipe ban by Yorkshire Water, what steps is the Coun-cil taking to hold water companies to account for their role in both drought resilience and flood risk management? Can the Council clarify how it is working with Yorkshire Water and regulators to ensure investment in infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and climate adaptation keeps pace with the increasing challenges of both water scarcity and flooding?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Climate Action and Housing Councillor Patient replied to Councillor Kimber [PDF file 89KB]|

Bearing in mind that major announcements regarding SEND are expected from the government later this year, would the Cabinet member outline the issues of concern that have been raised by members or officers of this Council to ministers or officials in the Department for Education?

Specifically, has adequate guidance been received from the government to enable this Council to press ahead with the construction of its own SEND school at the Threeways site? Has the issue of independent providers of SEND education being able to set their own fees been raised with government?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Children and Young Peoples Services Councillor Wilkinson replied to Councillor Prashad [PDF file 143KB]|

What are the business survival rates in Calderdale? How does it compare to national levels? Also, I would like you to be a bit more granular as regards Elland. What are the business sur-vival rates in Elland? How can we compare Elland to the rest of Calderdale in this measure?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Regeneration and Transport Councillor Courtney replied to Councillor Veitch [PDF file 101KB]|

Extracts from the Piece Hall Accounts for the period to 29th September 2024 are as follows:

The unrestricted funds being carried forward are in deficit of £2,868,617 as at 30 September 2024.

CMBC has confirmed its ongoing financial support to TPHT through a new funding investment, to reflect more realistic operating requirements which are necessary for the business to contin-ue.

The Trustees have therefore concluded that it is appropriate to continue to use the going con-cern basis in the preparation of these financial statements.

Questions:

1. Have the Cabinet committed to any payments to The Piece Hall Trust beyond March 2026?

2. Have TPHT presented a business case to request an extension of the Council¿s invest-ment beyond March 2026?

3. Has the Council in any way agreed to stand behind the full Piece Hall deficit of nearly £3m?

4. Does the Council expect to be repaid the £2.9m loan still outstanding with The Piece Hall?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources Councillor Dacre replied to Councillor M Hey [PDF file 63KB]|

The current works on Burdock Way are necessary due to the aging overpass. However, given that this critical infrastructure is likely to reach the end of its lifespan in the next 20 to 30 years, and considering the slow pace of infrastructure development, please can the Cabinet outline what long-term planning is being undertaken to prepare for its eventual replacement or major refurbishment?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Regeneration and Transport Councillor Courtney replied to Councillor Dickenson [PDF file 19KB]|

I understand the proposed Calderdale Wind Farm project is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, meaning the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero will ultimately determine its outcome. However, please can the Cabinet clarify the specific role and responsi-bilities which the Council holds in this process? It is vital that both residents and Councillors clearly understand the Council¿s involvement in the process, so they can effectively oppose the development. I want to add that the Conservative Group will oppose the development because we should be protecting our peatland. Construction on peatland can release vast amounts of carbon and cause long-term environmental damage, habitat loss, and disruption to the water table.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Climate Action and Housing Councillor Patient replied to Councillor Blagbrough [PDF file 76KB]|

The Council currently uses the APPG definition of Islamophobia, which the govern-ment has not adopted. This definition labels terms like ¿Asian grooming gangs¿ as Is-lamophobic and racist. In light of the Dame Casey report and your support on 17 June for a future public inquiry, how can this position be justified? Will the Council now stop using the APPG definition, acknowledge it was wrong to adopt it, and issue a formal apology in the interests of transparency and public confidence?

The Leader Councillor Scullion replied to Andrew Tagg [PDF file 56KB]|

Would the council be able to give an update on the status of the Calderdale shared transport hubs project (not the separate active travel? I am a Director of POD car share and obviously we have a keen interest in the schemes. Last we heard was that a Business Case was going to be submitted early in 2025 followed by construction, if successful in Winter 2025-26. Thank you!

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Regeneration and Transport Councillor Courtney replied to Jamie Furlong [PDF file 10KB]|

Roadworks across Halifax have spiralled out of control, causing major disruption, grid-lock, and serious damage to local trade. The owner of one of Halifax¿s most iconic stores has publicly raised alarm, others are reporting lost business. Businesses are struggling, and residents are losing patience¿more closures and traffic controls keep being added. This reflects a failure of project management and planning. Who is tak-ing political responsibility for this chaos, and what is the Council doing to hold contrac-tors properly to account for keeping to timescales and doing the job right first time? Our town, residents and local economy are struggling.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Regeneration and Transport Councillor Courtney replied to Penny Hutchinson [PDF file 70KB]|

I spent a lot of time at Square Chapel, at the Film Society, the Philharmonic Club and the Arts Society. I enjoyed general film showings, meeting friends for coffee or lunch-es, even singing there in a small choir to a packed house. I was among the many vol-unteers, offering free accommodation to visiting artists, helping the venue to keep costs down. I¿ve long lamented the loss of the wonderful opportunities the centre of-fered to performers and visitors. What opportunities will the general public have to examine the various proposals for Square Chapel and to make our views known?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Services and Communities Councillor Durrans replied to Sandra Shearn [PDF file 52KB]|

Only weeks after completion of the road surfacing on the new A629 corridor a utility company has been allowed to dig up the road over a considerable length. This has a left very long patch that will shorten the life of the new road surface.

Therefore, I would like to ask the question - if the utility company gave reasonable advanced notice then why wasn¿t the resurfacing delayed to enable the work to be carried out? Alternatively if not, will the council resurface the section and recover all costs from the company?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Regeneration and Transport Councillor Courtney replied to James Cook [PDF file 55KB]|

The rebuild of North Bridge Leisure Centre has been rumbling on since 2018. We were told construction would begin in the first half of this year, yet even the demoli-tion¿promised in the 30 May update¿has not started. After seven years of delays and shifting timelines, when will a clear, time-bound construction programme be pub-lished and shared with the public? And what consequences, if any, will follow if Tilbury Douglas or the Council fails to meet the next promised deadlines, given the repeated erosion of public confidence in the delivery of this long-overdue project?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Regeneration and Transport Councillor Courtney replied to Tikara Coveyduck [PDF file 57KB]|

I spent many happy times at Square Chapel when I first arrived in Halifax 6 years ago.

I attended many talks, concerts, and several film showings along with coffee and lunch meetings with friends.

I was sad to see it closed and have many concerns for both the future of the centre and the beautiful and historic architecture of the Square Chapel building.

What are the proposals for the centre in future and what opportunities will the general public have to examine these proposals and voice their opinions?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Services and Communities Councillor Durrans replied to Janet Mace [PDF file 11KB]|

I live on a busy road where there is frequent speeding and with a two year old daugh-ter leaves me very anxious. There are two schools and a nursery very close to me and I know other parents in the area worry about their kids walking to school, despite wanting to encourage this. What is being done by the Council to make roads safer around schools and what can be done to make roads safer without having to first wait for an accident to happen?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Regeneration and Transport Councillor Courtney replied to Dave Mendes da Costa [PDF file 23KB]|

Calderdale has so much to offer including its heritage and stunning natural beauty but families are struggling to stay in the area. How are we addressing the growing costs of rents and housing shortages, while making sure we are building sustainable, livea-ble places, not just housing, for the next generation.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Climate Action and Housing Councillor Patient replied to Holly Morse [PDF file 55KB]|

The Save the Square Chapel for the People campaign were disappointed nobody from Calderdale Council addressed our recent public meeting despite our invitation.

Will the Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities agree to meet repre-sentatives of the campaign and work with us to re establish the Square Chapel as an Arts Centre with a varied programme and good community links and outreach.

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

Prior to Arts Council England and Calderdale Council agreeing to Square Chapel CIC letting the centre as Piece Hall concert green rooms, there seems to have been an expectation that the CIC would vacate the building and hand over the keys to ACE. If Square Chapel CIC does not do so once this letting has ended, does ACE have the power to repossess the building? If so, would the Council urge ACE to exercise this power?

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

On 30 January 2025, Place Scrutiny unanimously recommended changes to allow permitting decisions¿such as those affecting the Sowerby Bridge incinerator¿to be debated and voted on by elected members in public meetings. Cabinet has not public-ly considered this recommendation, despite cross-party support and growing public concern. Given the passage of six months, can the Cabinet confirm whether this rec-ommendation will appear on the formal agenda of the next Cabinet meeting, and if not, explain why a constitutional reform backed by scrutiny and supported in principle by Cabinet has still not reached formal discussion?

The Leader Councillor Scullion replied to Nigel Marklew [PDF file 56KB]|

The Elland Rail Station project was initially projected to open in 2024. Then it was 2025, then 2026, and now services are only ¿envisaged¿ to begin in 2028.

After years of promises, missed milestones and shifting dates, can the cabinet clarify what specific role Calderdale Council is playing to hold the Combined Authority to ac-count on this delivery timeline?

Will the council commit to publishing a transport local progress tracker, with clear milestones so residents can see what is actually happening, rather than being left to decipher a trail of historic press statements and hopeful projections?

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Regeneration and Transport Councillor Courtney replied to Mark Ashton [PDF file 57KB]|