For years, I’ve been concerned about developers trying to build on every bit of open land in Hebden Bridge. Whilst using previously developed “brownfield” sites to build the shops and employment space that we need, the Council (in giving planning permission) and developers do need to think about the impact on surrounding buildings and facilities.

A small plot of land, partly over the river, at the top end of Valley Road at the back of Hebden Bridge is a prime example of this. There was part of an old mill there but it’s now between a quiet cul-de-sac of houses, a children’s playground, and a new block of sheltered housing for older people. Not the place to build. That’s what we argued in the Planning Committee. The residents of the houses spoke out about the impact on them – the access will be through part of their road. I urged the developers to meet with them to work out the best deal both for the building period and so that the eventual occupiers become good neighbours.

And in Planning Committee, I expressed my concerns about the impact on the playground. Not a problem, said the developer. And then the next thing that I heard was from Council Officers asking for endorsement of plans they were agreeing with the developers to fence off part of the playground, remove equipment and pay what seemed to be a derisory sum of money in compensation – so the building work could begin. “It’s for Health and Safety” say the developer. Not good enough ! this shouldn’t be happening. The Little Park playground is a valued local service – parents, children and the Councils put a lot of time, thought, effort and money into renovating this important local service which is the only play area for most of the children in that part of Hebden Bridge, populated by terraced housing, much of which doesn’t even have a back yard ! The developers shouldn’t be doing this at all.

Really interesting workshop yesterday. One of those sessions that makes you go away thinking about it – a “wicked” problem requiring a “messy” solution but 8,595 children in Calderdale are not realising their potential. Various things are happening – notably we’ve had over £10m Pupil Premium since 2010 (and I’m proud to say that this is an achievement of Liberal Democrats in government) into Calderdale schools and we’re learning what has most impact on helping children’s attainment. Jim Davis from the Children’s Society told us that children are worried about “fitting in”, feeling that they belong just like any other child. So what can we do about it ?

just a few of the things that I’ve been doing so far this week …..

Markets Working Group: Whilst we had a productive meeting last week to finetune (I hope) the plans to move the market in Hebden Bridge, we had a meeting of the Calderdale Council markets group this week. What’s most important is getting the vision and the strategy in place to shape and guide what we want to do. Calderdale is a place of market towns (from Todmorden to Brighouse). While we’ve got to repair and update the market in Todmorden, we’ve also got to do some serious work to Borough market in Halifax which is a beautiful building whose potential is not realised to the full.

BEST group links local businesses with the Council: The new Principal of Calderdale College talked us through their emerging plans to develop the College in its important role of developing the skills primarily of our young people. There’s a seminar planned with UKTI, the government body that supports businesses wanting to export but an exciting piece of information was that 31 companies have benefitted so far from the Export support fund that we, the Liberal Democrats on Calderdale Council, set up through the Council’s budget.

Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel: It’s pleasing to hear that our children’s social care services are now improving to the point where it’s very likely that the Improvement Notice (issued by the government) will be lifted. That’s taken over 6 years of hard work (since the Conservatives ran the Council with Craig Whitaker as Lead Member for Children’s Services).

Well-attended and good to see so many local business/shop- people in Todmorden Town Hall early on a Wednesday morning. The big topic was a presentation by Calderdale Council’s tourism officer about the idea of a another/larger hotel in Todmorden. Establishing the need for this is critical to encourage interest from hotel companies. There’s about 100 bedspaces of various types (current small hotel, Band Bs, hostel and campsites etc) but without a sizeable hotel, we’re unlikely to get visitors, conferences etc on any scale. Undoubtedly there are potential sites around the town centre !

At the recent Town Parish Council Conference, there was an interesting presentation by Calderdale Council’s Highways office about their work. So I asked the question about gritting – essential to make sure that we can get about in the winter months (however long that lasts). The answer was that this year’s service will be as before but the standard (and cost) is higher here than in many places – approx 2/3rds of the road are gritted here – so the Council is planning on reviewing it.

So I went to the Economy and Environment Scrutiny Panel last night to speak out for us – a review is planned (last done in 2008/9) but it’s essential that our needs are taken into account. So watch this space and be ready to respond.

I also asked about the salt barn (a large barn to contain and protect the Council’s pile of salt and grit). Not much from the sound of it – caught up in the Council’s Review of depots. Watch this space, too.

In this morning’s Working Group meeting, we had a draft plan of proposal to move the market into Lees Yard which we worked on. A further (final ?) version will be brought back to us shortly. We’ll need to check the costs and urge Calderdale Council to fund it. It does look promising but it needs to be good enough to consult with market traders, local shops and local people. A big step forward, nonetheless !

This promises to be another interesting evening. Vegetable casserole and puddings £10. Bring your own drink. Any profits to the campaign fund

Friday 9 October: 7.30pm at Luddenden Civic Institute

contact: janetbattye@cix.co.uk

Two good things that came out of last night’s meeting:

1. Support for refugees, and

2. Decision to begin the process of getting Rose Street registered as a “community asset”

Tonight’s Town Council meeting lasted just over 30minutes. I’d expected that 3 items would stimulate some debate involving the whole Council. I managed to get to speak on and second the motion supporting refugees, but the Mayor didn’t allow any discussion of a short report back on a recent Town and Parish Council Liaison meeting nor something on a Calderdale Council Scrutiny Panel (relating to Flooding, I think) citing the decision taken by Labour Councillors (in the majority) at the last Council meeting rejecting our proposition that there should be a regular “Councillors reporting back” item on the agenda of each full Council meeting.

A member of the public, interestingly, asked why Committee meetings finish at 9pm. Why, indeed ? The recent General Purposes Committee started 10 minutes late and the Chair insisted on closing it at 9pm with a long list of business outstanding. I’m used to meetings doing whatever business is necessary. The Mayor’s response was something about letting staff go home …..

Some more good news this week ….Calderdale Council has just announced that it will take part in the government scheme to care for refugees from Syria and a Press Release has just been issued to that effect. It seems likely that they’ll start to arrive shortly and, because they’re in the scheme, will get support in housing, schools etc etc and be able to live here for 5 years in the first place.

I met the Manager of St Augustine’s Centre in Halifax today (and I’ll visit it again soon): it’s really impressive what they do – they see about 800 people/month and, besides running a Nursery, they have 4 staff but 70 volunteers. They can see and try and help anyone who comes to them regardless of their immigration status.

Local people are still contacting me offering to help – which is brilliant – and I’ll keep pressing the Council yo direct them to services who can make best use of them.