Councillor James Baker

[jamesdbaker1]

Conservative lies over gritting cuts

Calderdale Conservatives are claiming Liberal Democrat councillors voted earlier this year to cut the Council’s gritting budget. My problem with this is that it is simply not true.

Firstly, the cut that I assume is being referred to by the Conservatives has no effect in the current year. Secondly, and more importantly, it does not concern the gritting budget. There is, then, no possibility that this has any bearing on the current, and real, problems with the gritting service. All of this is made clear in the background paper that was published earlier this year.

I understand that we live in an age where facts do not matter to some people but some of us regret this shift. Clearly the current leadership of the Calderdale Conservative group – from whom this made-up story seems to originate – do not. Buoyed up by their support for both the tactics and policies of President Trump they play fast and loose with ‘facts’ in pursuit of electoral gain. Whether this will materialise remains to be seen as the voters of Calderdale may see through this ruse. In the meantime, perhaps the more sensible members of the Conservative group should point out to their leaders that basing their actions on invented stories means that those actions will have no effect on the very real problems being faced by the people of Calderdale. Whatever some might think, facts do matter.

For the record we are in fact pledging to increase the Gritting budget in the budget we will be proposing to Council in February.

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Gritting Services

I have received several emails about recent cuts to the gritting services across Calderdale. In Warley Ward there are several roads around Trimmingham, and also around Warley Town that have been taken off the gritting routes.

I share these concerns, and when this gritting policy went before Council I questioned the impact these cuts would have on service delivery. I have repeatedly called for the Council to get on with the job of building a Salt Barn. This would improve the efficiency of our gritting service to save money. Although Government cuts have put pressure on public services if we aren’t delivering them efficiently as a Council then the administration has to take some responsibility for the declining levels of service.

Following a large amount of pressure, the Labour cabinet on Calderdale appears to have done a partial u-turn:

Councillor Barry Collin’s has said in a press release that

We are proposing some immediate changes to the pilot policy to restore secondary roads on the network to the list of roads to be gritted.

However, it is unclear exactly which of the routes that had their gritting removed fall into this category of secondary roads. I have asked for clarification on this as people urgently need to know which roads are safe to travel on.

Because this issue is of such public concerns Calderdale Liberal Democrats have also launched an online petition and campaign to improve our gritting services. We believe more people need to be pressuring the Council into getting on with the job of building a Salt Barn. This is part of the long-term solution to ensuring an efficient and affordable gritting service.

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Fine dining over a motorway. Every modernists dream. http://ift.tt/2neyWSm

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Devolution Deal Getting More Urgent by the Day

Labour and Conservative council leaders need to stop squabbling and start working together to thrash out a devolution deal with the government.

At the meeting of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Scrutiny Committee on November 15th  I heard that funding streams worth millions of pounds are shortly to come to an end unless replacements are found.

Devolution in Yorkshire is just a mess. The agreed deal for South Yorkshire is being unpicked and the alternative ‘One Yorkshire’ deal hasn’t had support from the government and is unravelling.

Labour and Conservative leaders across the region need to sort this out – now. The people and the economy of Yorkshire deserve a deal that will deliver significant long-term investment. Instead, we appear to have rival Labour and Conservative proposals that are more concerned with delivering an elected Mayor for their party.

Many other areas across the country are benefitting from the devolution deals that have been agreed over the last few years. In Yorkshire, we seem no closer to agreement than we were months – even years – ago. It is incredible that Labour councillors, in particular, complain about cuts in government funding but are prepared to send vast amounts of money back to London.

Clearly no one is going to get the precise deal they want so some compromise is needed. We are in grave danger of sending a message to the government that we don’t want the extra money and powers that are on offer.

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Council Overspend Means More Cuts to Come

  concept photo of wasted money pouring down the drain

News that Calderdale Council is projected to overspend its agreed budget by £5.3million means even more cuts in spending may be needed next year says Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Cllr James Baker (Warley).

“As if the state of local government finance wasn’t bad enough, this just makes things much worse” said Cllr Baker. “Even before taking this overspend into account, the Council was looking at having to cut its spending by £3million in the next financial year and £6million in the years after that. And that’s after increasing the Council Tax by nearly 2%, plus 3% for social care. These are the maximum increases allowed by the government, so spending is going to have to come down”.

“Every pound overspent this year means a further pound is going to have to be cut from next year’s budget in order to balance the books. That means a possible cut in council spending of £8million next year.”

“This is on top of the millions of pounds already cut from Council spending over recent years.”

“Of course, we don’t know what will be included in the Chancellor’s budget later this month. Things could improve, or they could get worse. With a weak government in place that is preoccupied with other matters, I’m not convinced that the financial position of local government is high on their agenda. It should be, though, because of the vital services it provides in every community.”

“Labour councillors wanted to lead Calderdale Council, so they are going to have to show some leadership and get this overspend down as well as making significant reductions in spending over the coming years” said Cllr Baker.

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Remembrance Sunday Services Across Calderdale

  REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY SERVICES Remembrance Sunday Services accross Calderdale

Bailiff Bridge                        10.45 am        Assemble at the Memorial Garden, Bailiff Bridge

11.00 am        Service and wreath laying.  Councillor D Kirton

  Brighouse                            3.00 pm          Service of Remembrance in St Martin’s Parish

Church, Brighouse followed by wreath laying service in Ryding Park. Councillor H Blagbrough

  Elland                                    9.25 am          Assemble at John Street, Elland

9.35 am          Procession leaves for Hullen Edge War

Memorial.  After the service at the War Memorial the procession reforms in Hullen Edge Road where the salute will be taken before proceeding to Bethesda Methodist Church, Elland for the Remembrance Service. Councillor P Allen

  Greetland                              12.30 pm        Service of Remembrance at the Greetland War Memorial, Clay House, West Vale. Councillor C Pearson

  Halifax                                   10.05 am        Assemble at the Town Hall, Halifax.

10.20 am        The Parade leaves the Town Hall.

10.45 am        Cenotaph Service and Act of Remembrance.

11.15 am        Remembrance Day Service, Halifax Minster.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Calderdale

  Hebden Bridge                   9.45 am          Assemble in St George’s Square, Hebden Bridge.

10.00 am        Process to the Memorial Gardens, New Road

10.45 am        St James’ Church for Service of Remembrance

Deputy Mayor of Calderdale, Councillor J Scullion

  Illingworth & Bradshaw    9.45 am          Service in St John’s Church, Bradshaw

11.00 am        Wreath laying ceremony.

Councillor L Lambert

Luddenden Foot                1.45 pm          Meet at the Civic Centre

2.00 pm          Act of Remembrance in Holmes Park

Deputy Mayor of Calderdale, Councillor J Scullion

  Mytholmroyd                       2.00 pm          Assemble at Elphaborough Close, Cragg Road.

2.15 pm          Process to the Memorial Gardens

2.45 pm          Service in St Michael’s Church, Mytholmroyd

Mayor of Calderdale, Councillor Ferman Ali

  Northowram                                    10.30 am        Service in St Matthew’s Church, Northowram.

11.00 am        Wreath laying ceremony within the church.

Councillor S Baines

  Ovenden & District            9.45 am          Meet at St George’s Church, Lee Mount

10.00 am        Service and wreath laying ceremony in St George’s                                                                            Church. Councillor B Smith

  Rastrick                                9.50 am          Assemble at St Matthew’s Church, Rastrick

10.00 am        Service in St Matthew’s Church, Rastrick.

Followed by wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph

Councillor C Pillai

  Rishworth, Ripponden     9.00 am          Assemble at Rishworth War Memorial for

and Barkisland                                           service at 9.15 am. Process to Ripponden for

10.10 am        Service of Remembrance at the War Memorial.

Process to St Bartholomew’s Church for

10.30 am        Service of Remembrance.

12 noon         Assemble outside the church gates at

Christ Church, Barkisland.  Process to the

War Memorial at Saddleworth Road.

12.15 pm        Service of Remembrance at Barkisland War Memorial. Councillor G Carter

  Shelf                                      10.30 am        Assemble at Witts car park

Parade to Memorial Gardens.

10.45 am        Short service with wreath laying then proceed

to Bethel Chapel, Shelf for service.

Parade back to car park for dismissal.

Councillor P Caffrey

  Siddal                                    10.30 am        Meet at St Mark’s Church.

10.45 am        Service of Remembrance at St Mark’s Church,

Siddal to include wreath laying ceremony at the                                                                                               war memorial. Councillor M Swift

  Southowram                        10.50 am        Meet at the War Memorial at Pinnar Lane,                                                                                              Southowram for service and wreath laying at

11.00 am. Councillor R Metcalfe

  Sowerby Bridge                 10.30 am        Assemble at Bairstow Mount, Sowerby Bridge.

10.40 am        Parade leaves for service at the War Memorial

Crow Wood Park.

Councillor D Foster

  Stainland                              2.50 pm          Meet at the War Memorial for Service of

Remembrance. Councillor M Greenwood

  Warley                   10.45am                          Outdoor Remembrance Service led by Rev. Neal of St. John’s Church –  Councillor J Baker

  Todmorden                          9.30 am          Church Service in St Mary’s Church, Todmorden

10.30 am        Assemble in Stansfield Road, Todmorden.

10.40 am        Parade to the Remembrance Gardens for wreath

laying and service at 11.00 am

Councillor S Press

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[jamesdbaker1]

Piece Hall looking fab tonight http://ift.tt/2gWfuaZ

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Calderdale Bonfire Night Events 2017

  Saturday 4th November

Mount Tabor, New Inn

Bonfire lit at 6pm, firework display at 7pm. Entry free (donations towards Mount Tabor Community Caring Association). Food and refreshments available.

Elland Round Table, Hullenedge Park, Elland

2 Firework Displays, HUGE Elland Bonfire Fire, Dance Display Team, Food Stalls, Hot Drinks, Cakes Novelties & Sweets, Fairground Rides, Games, Stalls, Washroom Facilities, Music & PA

Times 5.30pm – Gates Open! 6.00pm – Children’s Firework Display 6.10pm – Hellfyre Magpies – Dance Display Team 6.30pm – Lighting of the Bonfire 7.15pm – Main Firework Display

£5 Adults, £2.50 (under 12s) pay on entry, cash only.

Northowram Sports & Activity Club Bonfire

THIS YEAR IT’S TICKETS ONLY – reducing the crowds and providing a better experience. Tickets are available 2 weeks prior to the event from:-

the NSAC Clubhouse Fridays from 6pm onward or Saturdays from 4pm

Towngate Stores, Northowram.

Ticket Prices (NO TICKET NO ENTRY.)

Adult £5

Family Ticket £10 incl. up to 3 children (under 16’s free only when accompanied by a paying adult)

PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR OWN FIREWORKS. WALK DON’T DRIVE. SPARKLERS ARE PERMITTED (but only in designated areas).

Doors will open at 5pm followed by the bonfire being lit at 6pm. The firework display will start at 7pm. There will be a live band ‘The Surge’ between 7.30pm and 9.30pm.

There will be a large gazebo and various small ones housing BBQ, beers, different gins and vodka’s, hot food and drinks and stalls with sweets, cakes and toys. This will be a great family event with a spectacular firework display. For further information email [email protected]

Sunday 5th November

Bonfire Night at the Hinchliffe Arms

Church Bank Lane, Cragg Vale, HX7 5TA

Fun & games from 3pm onwards (including hook a duck, coconut shy, skittles), bonfire, firework display, vintage DJ, local ales, BBQ, hog roast, veggie street food, toffee apples, stalls, kid’s pumpking carving competition (brng your carved pumpkin to be judge at 6pm). Everybody welcome!

The Malthouse, Rishworth

Oldham Road, Rishowrth, HX6 4QB

6pm Bonfire 7.30pm fireworks, with Food, bar & Music. Adults £3 advanced tickets or £5 on the night. Kids under 10 FREE entry.

from Cllr James Baker http://ift.tt/2lrqrTo v

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Calderdale Flood Exercise

from Cllr James Baker http://ift.tt/2ywPY2O v

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Open letter to Craig Whittaker MP on local plan

Dear Craig Whittaker MP,

In recent meetings between party political leaders on Calderdale Council the Deputy Leader of the Conservative group Councillor Baines stated to me that the Conservative group is opposed to the local plan currently out for consultation, and that they would prefer it if the Government stepped in to do the local plan for us.

The Government has also restated its intention to step in and produce plans for Councils that do not produce one in its recent housing white paper. In addition the Secretary of State for Local Government Sajid Javid MP addressed the Local Government Association conference recently, criticising Council’s that had not agreed local plans.

Calderdale Council is in no overall control and the Conservative group’s stated opposition to the local plan decreases the likelihood of us agreeing a local plan at full Council in December. If the Council doesn’t agree a local plan, then at some stage the Government would step in and produce one for us.

I’m aware you have recently arranged a series of public meetings across the Borough where your opposition to building on Greenbelt land has been stated. With that in mind can I ask: ‘Have you been able to get an assurance from the Secretary of State that if the Government were to produce our plan, it would contain no house building on land currently classified as Greenbelt? Can I also enquire, if the Government were to produce a plan for us, how many houses would they make provision for in the local plan’?

Yours Sincerely,

Councillor James Baker

Leader of the Liberal Decorator group on Calderdale Council.

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How to comment on Calderdale Council’s local plan

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