Decision

(A)   Supporting a Wealth Tax to fund Public
Services   The
Mayor advised that a Motion had been received from the Green Group
regarding Supporting a Wealth Tax to fund Public
Services.  The Mayor further advised
that amendments had been received from the Liberal Democrat Group
and Labour Group which had been circulated to the full membership
of the Council prior to the meeting. On receipt of the amendments
the Green Group, after due consideration, amended their original
Motion to incorporate Liberal Democrat and Labour
Amendments.   The
Mayor asked Councillor M Hey if both himself and Councillor Wood
were happy to propose and second the incorporation of the Liberal
Democrat and Labour Amendments into the Green Motion.  After being put to the vote the incorporation of
the amendments into the original motion was carried.   It was moved by Councillor M
Hey, Seconded by Councillor Wood,
and   RESOLVED that:   This
Council notes:   The
financial crisis in local government is becoming critical - and
Calderdale is far from immune from the storm about to hit. Local
Government spending power has fallen by 45% in real terms since
2010 and our Borough may suffer further cuts following the
Chancellor’s Spring Statement. We’re at the stage where
without additional investment this council risks not being able to
deliver the crucial services that so many in Calderdale depend
on.   Our
Council is central to the provision of Adult Care and Children
Services in the Borough. Over time, the percentage of council spend
that is attributable to these activities has risen, reflecting both
our statutory duties and our determination to help those most in
need. We're at the point now where further funding cuts will
jeopardise our ability to fulfil these obligations - or
alternatively they may simply push the council into a financially
unsustainable position.   There’s also been reductions in frontline services relied
upon by all residents over the last 15 years, which has led to a
growing disconnect between the council and its residents. Many
people ask where their council tax is going, given the limited
services they see on a day-to-day basis. Without the support of its
residents, our legitimacy will be questioned, again an existential
threat to our organisation.   Our
situation in local government is mirrored by cuts in other
unprotected areas of national government, with areas such as
Justice and Housing particularly hard hit. Enforcement of
environmental standards and health and safety directives has been
progressively weakened and feed powerfully into a narrative that
things in Britain are unfair and the rules are set up to benefit
the wealthy.   Indeed, we note that extreme levels of wealth inequality exist
in Great Britain, with the wealthiest 10% estimated to hold around
half of all wealth.  In 2020, the net
wealth of the richest 10% of the population in Great Britain was
over £1.5 million per household, with the bottom 40% of
households having little or no net wealth. Almost all gains in
financial wealth over the last 20 years have come from changes in
asset prices rather than additional saving, which naturally means
that any additional wealth accrues to those who are already
wealthy.  Returns for the top 10% of
households can be anything up to 10 times higher than those
experienced at the bottom of the wealth distribution.   This
Council believes:   ·            That the consequences of the ongoing multi-year
austerity programme are clear,
with:   ·        the number of people in receipt of health-related
benefits having risen by 45% since 2020: ·        2.8 million people now having long term illnesses
and disabilities that prevent them from working ·        and one in eight young people not in education, work
or training.   ·           We believe these dismal statistics demand urgent
solutions and we recognise that
increasing reliance on disability benefits, including Personal
Independence Payments, is symptomatic of failures to adequately
fund the NHS, Social Care, Social Housing, along with inflation and
static real-terms wages. Addressing these root causes is
key.   ·           Everyone deserves to live a good
life.  Further
cuts are not the way to reverse the trend of falling living
standards. The call to end austerity is now coming from all
quarters - last month a group of leading economists wrote to the
Financial Times warning it would be a profound mistake for
ministers to cut spending and investment - stressing that the UK
cannot cut its way to growth.   ·           Wealth Taxes would be the most equitable way to
reduce national, regional and local inequality – it
won’t be easy, but is necessary to end poverty, improve
healthcare, education, housing and social care. We estimate that by
the end of the next Parliament the introduction of a Wealth Tax,
along with equalising taxes on investment and labour, could raise
additional revenue of between £50 and £70bn per year in
2024 prices.   This
Council Resolves:   ·           To ask the Chief Executive to write to the Prime
Minister and the Chancellor asking them to consider the
introduction of a National Wealth Tax on the richest
1%as part of a full review during this
Parliament of other possible wealth and property taxes such as a
Land Tax and including the existing Capital Gains and Inheritance
Taxes. This Review should include options for reform of Council
Tax, an unfair and regressive property tax which is not tied to
ownership - to bring the era of austerity to a close in the UK,
thus ensuring the financial wellbeing of everyone in
Calderdale. ·           To increase funding to and instruct HMRC and the
Office of National Statistics (ONS) to collect better data on high
wealth individuals to help inform policymaking, with a particular
focus on how the wealth taxes could alleviate poverty fairly across
the UK. ·           Asks the
Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council to write to
Calderdale’s two Members of Parliament seeking their support
for the actions outlined in this motion.   (B)   Support
Local Businesses   It was moved by Councillor
Courtney, Seconded by Councillor
Veitch,   After being put to the vote,
the Amended Motion was carried.   RESOLVED that:   This
Council notes that:   ·        Local businesses are at the backbone of our
communities, providing jobs, services, and contributing to the
local economy. ·        Encouraging local residents and the Council to spend
locally would help to support businesses, boost economic growth,
and retain wealth within Calderdale. ·        Calderdale Council has a responsibility to ensure
that its spending benefits local businesses where
possible. ·        Last year, the Council spent over £100,000 at
online retailers through the use of Council credit cards - this
money could be better spent in the local economy. ·        40% of Purchase Card spend in 2024/5 was with
businesses in Calderdale. YPO have confirmed that in 2023/4
Calderdale Council spent £2.3M directly with Calderdale
businesses.   This
Council thanks:   ·        Council Officers, local Business Improvement
Districts, the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of
Small Businesses, and other pro-Business Groups, who work
incredibly hard to support and promote local businesses. ·        Council Officers who have successfully secured
funding from Central Government and the West Yorkshire Combined
Authority to improve our highstreets and support local
businesses.   This
Council believes that:   ·        Local residents should be encouraged to shop locally
through awareness campaigns that highlight the benefits of
supporting local businesses. ·        Calderdale has amazing and distinctive local
businesses, and local residents should help to support them during
this challenging period. ·        Local businesses and organisations should be
encouraged to think about local and social value of their
spend. ·        If every adult in Calderdale spent just £5 a
week in our local businesses instead of online, it would be worth
over £40 million per year for our local economy. ·        Calderdale Council should continue to look for
opportunities to prioritise local spend and social value where
feasible and within legal constraints.   This
Council resolves to:   ·        Encourage local businesses and organisations to
develop local spend campaigns such as “Totally Local”
and “Magic Tenner”. ·        Support Calderdale Council procurement policies
which encourage local supply chains, SMEs and social
enterprises.   (C)   Solidarity with Ukraine   The Mayor advised that a
Motion had been received from the Labour Group regarding Solidarity
with Ukraine.  The Mayor further 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.   The Mayor asked Councillor
Timbers if both himself and Councillor Hutchinson were happy to
propose and second the incorporation of the Liberal Democrat
amendment into the Labour Motion.  After
being put to the vote the incorporation of the amendments into the
original motion was carried.   It was
moved by Councillor Timbers, Seconded by
Councillor Hutchinson, and   RESOLVED that:   This
Council notes:   ·         Calderdale Council is one of the sponsors of
Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary, with a mission to create a culture
of welcome for refugees and people seeking asylum, making
Calderdale a safe and inclusive place for all. ·         According to 2021 ONS census, 50 Calderdale
residents were born in Ukraine (LGA Residents born in Ukraine,
Russia and other Eastern European countries). ·         Calderdale continues to be a place of sanctuary for
Ukrainians living in the UK, after fleeing the war in their
country. Around 200 Ukrainian refugees now call the borough home
(Calderdale Council (2024) Supporting Ukrainian communities in
Calderdale). ·         Calderdale has a long history of Ukrainian
settlement and culture – with the former Ukrainian club
located in Todmorden and The Ukrainians folk punk band formed in
Hebden Bridge in 1991, reflecting on the experience of the
Ukrainian diaspora in Calderdale and other parts of the
UK.   This
Council therefore believes that:   ·        Calderdale’s ties with Ukraine and its people
are wide and deep within the Borough. ·        Calderdale residents with ties to Ukraine are going
through a time of stress and anxiety and deserve the support and
solidarity of the council.   This
Council acknowledges:   The
UN General Assembly, in its resolution of 2 March 2022, immediately
qualified the Russian war against Ukraine as an act of aggression
in violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, and, in its
resolution of 14 November 2022, recognised the need to hold the
Russian Federation accountable for its war of
aggression.   This
Council asserts:   ·        That the war against Ukraine was started by the
Russian Federation and its leadership in particular Vladimir Putin
in contravention of international law. ·        That Ukraine is fighting for its liberty as a
sovereign nation. ·        That Ukrainian culture and history is distinct from
Russia’s (in its language, literature, music and, for
example, as part of the former Polish Lithuanian
commonwealth). ·        That Russia wishes to subjugate the Ukrainian nation
and suppress its culture and identity, as shown by its treatment of
children captured during its invasion of Ukraine   This
Council welcomes:   ·        The UK’s staunch support for Ukraine under
successive Prime Ministers.  ·        The current Prime Minister’s unwavering
support for Ukraine during the Trump presidency and his
international diplomacy in gathering support behind Ukraine and
building bridges with the USA.   This
Council resolves:   ·        To remain a place of sanctuary for all those fleeing
invasion, war and oppression. ·        To celebrate Ukrainian culture through Culturedale
and our library and museum services. ·        To use its communications where relevant and
appropriate to express its support for Ukraine and solidarity with
Calderdale residents affected by the invasion of
Ukraine. ·        Calderdale Council promises to be fair in its
approach to people fleeing persecution. ·        Calderdale Council extends its open arms and will
give support and sanctuary to anyone who is legitimately fleeing
persecution, no matter which country they are from.