Decision Maker: Council

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 12, 2025

Purpose:

Content: (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.