Decision

(A) Local Housing
Lettings Policy and Local Plan Review   It was moved by Councillor
Dacre, Seconded by Councillor
Durrans   After being put to the vote,
the Amended Motion was carried. This Council
notes that: 1.     Housing affordability and
availability for local residents remains a pressing concern across
Calderdale, with many local people struggling to secure suitable
accommodation within their own communities.   2.     The Council does not own social
housing.   3.     Together Housing is the largest
Registered Provider of Social Housing in our Borough.   4.     Together Housing have a partnership
arrangement with relevant Local Authorities and Housing Providers
to operate a choice based lettings system called B-with-us. This
was last revised in September 2025.   5.     B-with-us is compliant with
Statutory requirements, Government Guidance and case law. It will
be revised at least very five years or when necessary to comply
with changes in the legal framework.   6.     B-with-us has a clear Local
Connection requirement:   “3.3 Applicants will only be
eligible for properties located in the area(s) to which they have a
local connection”.   7.     There are exceptions to this Policy
to comply with the legal framework for social housing
providers.   8.     A legally compliant Local Plan is
crucial for the Council to maximise its ability to influence the
number, range and quality of new homes in the Borough.   9.     A Local Plan review is scheduled
for 2027, providing an opportunity to reassess our strategic
approach to housing and development based on current
evidence.   10.Cross Party working can offer valuable and
robust assistance to Officers which reflects Members’
knowledge of their communities This Council
believes that: 1.     A lettings policy that
recognises local connection criteria is already in
place.   2.     Local people with strong
connections to Calderdale have fair priority in accessing social
and affordable housing within their communities.    3.     The population projections
underpinning the current Local Plan require careful scrutiny and
may need revision in light of more recent demographic
data. This Council
therefore resolves to: 1.     Request that, after the May
Elections and well in advance of the start of
the Local Plan Review, the new administration decide whether a
Cross Party Working Group should be formed, what form it should
take, its term of reference and the information to be provided by
Officers.   (B) Improving Road
Safety in Calderdale   The Leader advised that an
amendment had been received from the Liberal Democrat group which
had been circulated to the full membership of the Council prior to
the meeting. On receipt of the amendment the Labour Group, after
due consideration, amended their original Motion to incorporate
Liberal Democrat amendment.    It was moved by Councillor
Courtney, Seconded by Councillor Swift
MBE   RESOLVED that:   This Council
notes:   That road safety remains a major
concern for communities across Calderdale, with 478 people injured
on Calderdale roads in 2024, including 149 killed or seriously
injured. Casualty numbers remain higher than previous years and
above the national average.   Dangerous driving and speeding
remains a top community safety concern for Calderdale residents, as
highlighted via surveys and community consultation.   The West Yorkshire Vision Zero
Strategy, supported by Calderdale Council, aims to eliminate all
road deaths and serious injuries by 2040, with a target to reduce
casualties by 50% by 2030, based on the Safe System approach: safe
roads, safe speeds, safe vehicles, safe behaviours, and strong
post‑collision response.   That Calderdale already plays a
leading role in road safety through the multi‑agency Road Safety Partnership, involving the
Council, West Yorkshire Police, Fire & Rescue, NHS, Yorkshire
Ambulance Service, voluntary groups and community
partners.   This Council
welcomes:   •            The Government’s new Road
Safety Strategy, setting a clear ambition that everyone should be
able to travel safely, whatever mode they use, with targets to
reduce deaths and serious injuries by 65% by 2035 (70% for children
under 16). •            The Road Safety Strategy will
introduce:           Measures taking action on drink and
drug driving, safer vehicle standards, advanced safety technology,
and improved data‑driven learning from road collisions, including
amending the international vehicle safety regulations to ensure
crash testing uses more representative methods, such as dummies and
simulations that account for sex, age, and body type, so all
occupants receive equal protection.           Guidelines to create a Life Long
learning approach to road safety, with minimum learning periods for
learner drivers, additional training for motorcyclists, and
mandatory testing for older drivers.           Major investment in safer roads,
walking and cycling infrastructure, and updated guidance that
prioritises people, low speeds and safe street design by investing
£24 billion between 2026 and 2030 to improve motorways and
local roads, plus £616 million for walking and cycling
infrastructure.           Stronger enforcement, including
measures to tackle uninsured driving, dangerous speeding, seatbelt
offences and ‘ghost’ number plates.           New support for local authorities
to implement Safe System policies, including safer speeds, safer
junctions and powers to tackle pavement parking.   This Council
acknowledges:   •            Calderdale’s adoption of
Vision Zero and the establishment of a local Vision Zero Strategic
Group. •            The borough‑wide 20mph programme, helping reduce casualties
and improve safety in residential areas. •            Significant investment in roads and
highways maintenance, with over £15 million supporting safer
routes and improved connectivity across the borough. •            Ongoing enforcement, education and
behaviour‑change work, including campaigns on dangerous
driving, school‑travel safety and protecting people walking and
cycling. •            Targeted initiatives such as
Pavements Are for People, School Streets, and promoting the safe
passing distance when overtaking cyclists, improving safety for
children, older residents, people with mobility needs and
vulnerable road users. •            Adoption of
Moving Traffic Enforcement powers, where fines will be used to
improve local road infrastructure. •            The recent Review of Safe, Active
and Sustainable Travel to School which aims to improve safety
around school journeys and active travel options. •            The rising use of e-bikes and
e-scooters is becoming a problematic issue for many neighbourhoods
and poses a safety concern when used in an anti-social manner on
our highways.   This Council
resolves to:   •            Reaffirm its commitment to Vision
Zero and embed Safe System principles in all transport and highways
decisions. •            Work closely with the Labour
Government, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and enforcement
partners to maximise national funding, powers and reforms for
Calderdale. •            Accelerate delivery of proven
road‑safety measures, including safer junctions,
crossings, traffic‑calming and school‑streets schemes. •            Expand education and engagement,
especially for young drivers, vulnerable road users and
high‑risk areas. •            Encourage councillors to champion
road safety and Vision Zero within their wards. •            Explore the appropriate use of new
powers to tackle pavement parking where it improves safety and
accessibility. •            Explore alternative methods of
reporting the anti-social use of e-bikes and e-scooters, possibly through
the acceptance of dash cam footage. Working closer with communities
through our wardens and NPT to identify those responsible and to
increase our PSPO fines to £200 from the current
£100.   (C) Supporting
Democratic Participation in Calderdale Schools   It was moved by Councillor
White, Seconded by Councillor
Bellenger   RESOLVED that:   This Council
notes that:   •            Article 12 of the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) establishes the
rights of children and young people to express their views on
matters affecting them, and for those views to be taken
seriously. •            The Department for Education
supports pupil voice, citizenship education, and political
impartiality in schools, enabling children to learn about democracy
without exposure to party political messaging. •            Calderdale has an active Youth
Council, which plays an important role in representing young
people’s views; however, participation is typically taken up
by those who already feel confident and able to engage, meaning it
can be self-selecting. •            Many young people have limited
opportunities to understand how local democracy works in practice,
including the role of councillors and local
decision-making. •            Some local authorities, including
Kirklees Council, have developed apolitical initiatives such as
Democracy Friendly Schools to support democratic understanding
within schools.   This Council
believes that:   •            Helping young people understand
local democracy strengthens civic confidence, inclusion, and
engagement. •            Student parliaments and similar
structures provide safe, age-appropriate ways for pupils to
experience democratic processes and develop their voice. •            To broaden participation,
democratic engagement should be brought to where children already
are, in schools, rather than relying solely on young people to seek
out council-led structures. •            School-based engagement should
complement, not replace, existing youth participation mechanisms,
including the Youth Council, by widening access and building
confidence at an earlier stage. •            Councillors can play a
constructive, non-partisan role in supporting democratic
understanding among young people.   This Council
therefore resolves to:   •            Ask officers to explore
opportunities for Calderdale Council to work with local schools to
support the development of student parliaments or equivalent
democratic structures, focused on understanding local democracy
rather than party politics. •            Encourage councillors, on a
voluntary and cross-party basis, to support democratic engagement
in schools through activities such as: -      Welcoming school visits to the Town
Hall. -      Explaining the role of councillors
and how local decisions are made. -      Providing opportunities for
impartial discussions and Q&A sessions on local
democracy. •            Request that officers review the
Democracy Friendly Schools approach used by Kirklees Council and
report back on whether elements of this model could be adapted for
Calderdale, within existing resources. •            Reaffirm that all engagement with
schools must remain politically impartial and educational in
nature, with no promotion of party-political views.   (D) Ensuring Disabled
Facilities Grant Support for People with Progressive or Terminal
Conditions   Councillor Blagbrough advised that
the Conservative Group would be withdrawing their
Motion.