Decision Maker: Council

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 11, 2026

Purpose:

Content: (A) Local Housing Lettings Policy and Local Plan Review   It was moved by Councillor Dacre, Seconded by Councillor Durrans   After being put to the vote, the Amended Motion was carried. This Council notes that: 1.     Housing affordability and availability for local residents remains a pressing concern across Calderdale, with many local people struggling to secure suitable accommodation within their own communities.   2.     The Council does not own social housing.   3.     Together Housing is the largest Registered Provider of Social Housing in our Borough.   4.     Together Housing have a partnership arrangement with relevant Local Authorities and Housing Providers to operate a choice based lettings system called B-with-us. This was last revised in September 2025.   5.     B-with-us is compliant with Statutory requirements, Government Guidance and case law. It will be revised at least very five years or when necessary to comply with changes in the legal framework.   6.     B-with-us has a clear Local Connection requirement:   “3.3 Applicants will only be eligible for properties located in the area(s) to which they have a local connection”.   7.     There are exceptions to this Policy to comply with the legal framework for social housing providers.   8.     A legally compliant Local Plan is crucial for the Council to maximise its ability to influence the number, range and quality of new homes in the Borough.   9.     A Local Plan review is scheduled for 2027, providing an opportunity to reassess our strategic approach to housing and development based on current evidence.   10.Cross Party working can offer valuable and robust assistance to Officers which reflects Members’ knowledge of their communities This Council believes that: 1.     A lettings policy that recognises local connection criteria is already in place.   2.     Local people with strong connections to Calderdale have fair priority in accessing social and affordable housing within their communities.    3.     The population projections underpinning the current Local Plan require careful scrutiny and may need revision in light of more recent demographic data. This Council therefore resolves to: 1.     Request that, after the May Elections and well in advance of the start of the Local Plan Review, the new administration decide whether a Cross Party Working Group should be formed, what form it should take, its term of reference and the information to be provided by Officers.   (B) Improving Road Safety in Calderdale   The Leader 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.    It was moved by Councillor Courtney, Seconded by Councillor Swift MBE   RESOLVED that:   This Council notes:   That road safety remains a major concern for communities across Calderdale, with 478 people injured on Calderdale roads in 2024, including 149 killed or seriously injured. Casualty numbers remain higher than previous years and above the national average.   Dangerous driving and speeding remains a top community safety concern for Calderdale residents, as highlighted via surveys and community consultation.   The West Yorkshire Vision Zero Strategy, supported by Calderdale Council, aims to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries by 2040, with a target to reduce casualties by 50% by 2030, based on the Safe System approach: safe roads, safe speeds, safe vehicles, safe behaviours, and strong post‑collision response.   That Calderdale already plays a leading role in road safety through the multi‑agency Road Safety Partnership, involving the Council, West Yorkshire Police, Fire & Rescue, NHS, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, voluntary groups and community partners.   This Council welcomes:   •            The Government’s new Road Safety Strategy, setting a clear ambition that everyone should be able to travel safely, whatever mode they use, with targets to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 65% by 2035 (70% for children under 16). •            The Road Safety Strategy will introduce:           Measures taking action on drink and drug driving, safer vehicle standards, advanced safety technology, and improved data‑driven learning from road collisions, including amending the international vehicle safety regulations to ensure crash testing uses more representative methods, such as dummies and simulations that account for sex, age, and body type, so all occupants receive equal protection.           Guidelines to create a Life Long learning approach to road safety, with minimum learning periods for learner drivers, additional training for motorcyclists, and mandatory testing for older drivers.           Major investment in safer roads, walking and cycling infrastructure, and updated guidance that prioritises people, low speeds and safe street design by investing £24 billion between 2026 and 2030 to improve motorways and local roads, plus £616 million for walking and cycling infrastructure.           Stronger enforcement, including measures to tackle uninsured driving, dangerous speeding, seatbelt offences and ‘ghost’ number plates.           New support for local authorities to implement Safe System policies, including safer speeds, safer junctions and powers to tackle pavement parking.   This Council acknowledges:   •            Calderdale’s adoption of Vision Zero and the establishment of a local Vision Zero Strategic Group. •            The borough‑wide 20mph programme, helping reduce casualties and improve safety in residential areas. •            Significant investment in roads and highways maintenance, with over £15 million supporting safer routes and improved connectivity across the borough. •            Ongoing enforcement, education and behaviour‑change work, including campaigns on dangerous driving, school‑travel safety and protecting people walking and cycling. •            Targeted initiatives such as Pavements Are for People, School Streets, and promoting the safe passing distance when overtaking cyclists, improving safety for children, older residents, people with mobility needs and vulnerable road users. •            Adoption of Moving Traffic Enforcement powers, where fines will be used to improve local road infrastructure. •            The recent Review of Safe, Active and Sustainable Travel to School which aims to improve safety around school journeys and active travel options. •            The rising use of e-bikes and e-scooters is becoming a problematic issue for many neighbourhoods and poses a safety concern when used in an anti-social manner on our highways.   This Council resolves to:   •            Reaffirm its commitment to Vision Zero and embed Safe System principles in all transport and highways decisions. •            Work closely with the Labour Government, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and enforcement partners to maximise national funding, powers and reforms for Calderdale. •            Accelerate delivery of proven road‑safety measures, including safer junctions, crossings, traffic‑calming and school‑streets schemes. •            Expand education and engagement, especially for young drivers, vulnerable road users and high‑risk areas. •            Encourage councillors to champion road safety and Vision Zero within their wards. •            Explore the appropriate use of new powers to tackle pavement parking where it improves safety and accessibility. •            Explore alternative methods of reporting the anti-social use of e-bikes and e-scooters, possibly through the acceptance of dash cam footage. Working closer with communities through our wardens and NPT to identify those responsible and to increase our PSPO fines to £200 from the current £100.   (C) Supporting Democratic Participation in Calderdale Schools   It was moved by Councillor White, Seconded by Councillor Bellenger   RESOLVED that:   This Council notes that:   •            Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) establishes the rights of children and young people to express their views on matters affecting them, and for those views to be taken seriously. •            The Department for Education supports pupil voice, citizenship education, and political impartiality in schools, enabling children to learn about democracy without exposure to party political messaging. •            Calderdale has an active Youth Council, which plays an important role in representing young people’s views; however, participation is typically taken up by those who already feel confident and able to engage, meaning it can be self-selecting. •            Many young people have limited opportunities to understand how local democracy works in practice, including the role of councillors and local decision-making. •            Some local authorities, including Kirklees Council, have developed apolitical initiatives such as Democracy Friendly Schools to support democratic understanding within schools.   This Council believes that:   •            Helping young people understand local democracy strengthens civic confidence, inclusion, and engagement. •            Student parliaments and similar structures provide safe, age-appropriate ways for pupils to experience democratic processes and develop their voice. •            To broaden participation, democratic engagement should be brought to where children already are, in schools, rather than relying solely on young people to seek out council-led structures. •            School-based engagement should complement, not replace, existing youth participation mechanisms, including the Youth Council, by widening access and building confidence at an earlier stage. •            Councillors can play a constructive, non-partisan role in supporting democratic understanding among young people.   This Council therefore resolves to:   •            Ask officers to explore opportunities for Calderdale Council to work with local schools to support the development of student parliaments or equivalent democratic structures, focused on understanding local democracy rather than party politics. •            Encourage councillors, on a voluntary and cross-party basis, to support democratic engagement in schools through activities such as: -      Welcoming school visits to the Town Hall. -      Explaining the role of councillors and how local decisions are made. -      Providing opportunities for impartial discussions and Q&A sessions on local democracy. •            Request that officers review the Democracy Friendly Schools approach used by Kirklees Council and report back on whether elements of this model could be adapted for Calderdale, within existing resources. •            Reaffirm that all engagement with schools must remain politically impartial and educational in nature, with no promotion of party-political views.   (D) Ensuring Disabled Facilities Grant Support for People with Progressive or Terminal Conditions   Councillor Blagbrough advised that the Conservative Group would be withdrawing their Motion.