Decision

(A)          Keeping Calderdale Moving   It was
moved by Councillor Kimber, Seconded
by Councillor Veitch, and   RESOLVED that:   This Council notes that:   ·         It has been over a year since Calderdale Council has
passed a resolution supporting electrification of the Calder Valley
Rail line. ·         The line serves over 10.8 million passengers a year
with residents and visitors using it to commute for work, education
and leisure, and with the forthcoming building of Elland Station
passenger numbers will increase. ·         There is cross party support in this Council for a
move to electrification and a recognition of its contribution to
the health and future of this borough. ·         For many years this Council has seen efforts to
achieve the goal of electrification locally rise up the transport
planning agenda only to be disappointed when once more the Calder
Valley line disappears from view (for example the Northern Sparks
report of 2015 which strongly supported the move to electrification
as part of the levers for growth and prosperity in the   North of England), only for that to come to
naught. Northern Sparks gave the full Calder Valley line top
ranking among schemes across the North, proposing electrification
from Leeds via Halifax and Brighouse through upper Calderdale to
Manchester and also via Blackburn to
Preston. ·         It is important to recognise, ideally, the need for
full (not partial) electrification, avoiding the long-term need for
battery operation, since pure electric trains are cheaper to build
and maintain, carry more passengers, and are significantly more
energy-efficient compared with other low-carbon modes such as
battery trains. ·         Recent plans appear to focus on other areas, taking
the spotlight off the main Calder Valley line, and indeed, the
equally important route through Elland and Brighouse. The
Integrated Rail Plan proposes electrification of part of the line
from Leeds to Bradford and also plans at
some point the electrification of the line from Manchester Victoria
to Rochdale via Mills Hill. These proposals to the east and west
leave Calderdale out when it would make sense to have the whole
route from Leeds to Manchester electrified through our
borough. ·         Transport planning horizons are particularly
lengthy, as with all major infrastructure in this country, and it
is essential that pressure is kept up to ensure that we do not lose
sight of the ambition to ensure that Calderdale, and its
neighbours, have the energy efficient, clean, reliable rail
services they really deserve and get left behind. ·         More recently the political landscape has changed
with the newly elected Labour government, and it is also the case
that the transport landscape has changed substantially. A scan of
the current situation would reveal, for example, that the plans for
the northern leg of HS2 have now been cancelled, the new government
has announced its intention to establish Great British Railways, a
new integrated ticketing offer is proposed, the Transpennine Upgrade is well underway,  electrification from Leeds to Bradford, a new
station in Bradford is now the subject of a funded study, the West
Yorkshire Combined Authority has committed to a mass transit scheme
as well as bus franchising, with the recent government White Paper
on English Devolution also introducing the prospect of elected
Mayors being given a statutory role in governing, managing,
planning and developing the rail network and the right to request
greater devolution of rail infrastructure and station
control. ·        The West Yorkshire Combined Authority in its 2024
Rail Strategy states a commitment to “electrification of our
railway lines with the Calder Valley line identified as a
priority”.   This Council believes that:   ·        We must make renewed efforts to ensure that the
electrification of the full Calder Valley line, with all the
extraordinary benefits that this would bring to the borough, does
not fall off the agenda, but is very firmly on the agenda of the
new government. ·        Benefits of electrification can include improved
services with capacity for increased frequency, a boost to economic
growth, reduced travel times, and this would help the Council, and
the Region, meet its climate goals with cleaner air.   This Council therefore proposes:   ·        That Calderdale Council should support a campaign
with all local and regional stakeholders in
order to make the case for electrification. ·        That our large local employers, our small and medium
sized businesses, our business organisations such as the
mid-Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small
Businesses, Calderdale College, our public sector partners such as
the Calderdale and Kirklees Hospitals Trust and others should be
invited to sign up to the campaign and build substantial support in
addition to the Council’s efforts. ·        That the Chief Executive write to our two new MPs
asking them to sign up to the campaign for electrification and to
lobby on our behalf. ·        That the Council Leader write to the new Secretary
of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander MP, and invite her to visit
and hear the strong business case for electrification of the Calder
Valley line.   (B)          We Must Stop the National Insurance
Increases   It was
moved by Councillor Leigh MBE, Seconded
by Councillor Blagbrough   Amended
Motion:Fix the financial foundations
for National and Local Government: the background to National
Insurance increases   It was
moved by Councillor Wilkinson, Seconded
by Councillor Thompson   After
being put to the vote, the Amended Motion was
carried.   RESOLVED that:   This Council acknowledges the significant economic
challenges inherited from the previous Conservative government,
including years of underinvestment, low growth and stagnant wages,
with inflation peaking at over 11%. The situation was worsened by
Liz Truss’s ill-fated mini-budget.
Her policies, which included unfunded tax cuts for the wealthy and
businesses, resulted in:   ·         A dramatic loss of confidence in the UK economy,
with the pound plunging in value and government borrowing costs
soaring. ·         An increase in financial instability, pushing up
mortgage rates and putting huge additional strain on households and
businesses already grappling with rising costs. ·         A sharp erosion of investor confidence, leading to
market turmoil and a downgrade of the UK's credit rating, which
severely impacted the nation's long-term economic
prospects. ·         A weakening of key public services, which were
already underfunded, and contributed to growing inequality across
the country.In light of these failings, and the
£22 billion black hole left in the government’s
finances by the Conservatives, we recognise the difficult but
necessary measures taken by the new Labour government to turn our
economy around, including the increase in National Insurance
contributions for some employers.   We understand that the decision to increase National
Insurance for larger businesses was needed to:   ·         Secure vital funding for the National Health Service
(NHS), social care, and other public services that had been left
severely underfunded for years due to the financial mismanagement
and cruel austerity policies of the previous government. ·         Ensure a fair contribution to the public purse from
those who can afford it, while protecting the most vulnerable
members of society. ·         Prevent further austerity measures, which would have
disproportionately harmed low-income families and deepened the
financial crisis.   Additionally, we acknowledge the new Labour
government's proactive approach to supporting businesses and
boosting the economy, which includes:   ·         Introducing a comprehensive package of support for
small businesses, including tax breaks, grants, and investments in
innovation and green technologies, aimed at ensuring long-term
growth and competitiveness. ·         Raising the threshold at which small businesses
start paying employer national insurance from £5,000 to
£10,500, meaning 865,000 employers will pay nothing in
national insurance contributions next year. ·         Reforming business rates – so that 250,000
small businesses get up to 40% off their rates. ·         Tackling retail crime with new funding for
prevention and police training, as well as ending the Tory policy
that meant stolen goods worth under £200 weren’t
investigated. ·         Taking action to stamp out the late payments that
harm small businesses – and freezing fuel duty to bring down
costs. ·         Providing £1 billion for the British Business
Bank to enhance access to finance for smaller businesses through
Start Up Loans, the ENABLE Build, the Growth Guarantee Scheme and
the Life Sciences Investment Programme.?? ·         Introducing a new Business Growth Service, making it
easier and quicker for SMEs to find government advice and
support. ·         Expanding workforce training and upskilling programs
to equip workers with the skills required in an ever-changing
economy, ensuring that businesses have access to the talent they
need. ·         Establishing a strategic vision for post-Brexit
economic growth, focusing on increasing exports, fostering
international partnerships, and creating jobs in emerging
industries. ·         Supporting the transition to a greener, sustainable
economy through the creation of green jobs and the promotion of
clean energy industries, which will provide a boost to the economy
while addressing climate change.   Furthermore, we welcome the positive steps taken by
this Council to support businesses locally which has
meant:   ·         Calderdale has the highest business start up rate and the fastest business growth in
West Yorkshire, at more than double the national
average. ·         44% of businesses in Calderdale survive for five
years - higher than West Yorkshire (43%) and England averages
(39%). ·         The tourism economy has grown 14% year on year,
supporting £296m of spending in local businesses, and
attracting 8.2m visitors per annum - a 26% increase year on
year. ·         Investment in cultural and creative industries
through Culturedale, with the sector worth £88 million GVA
and employing more than 7000 people.   This Council resolves to support the crucial steps
taken by the government in rebuilding a fairer, stronger economy
and to continue advocating for policies that will assist
businesses, reduce inequality, and ensure economic prosperity for
all.