An ambitious six-month plan to help Calderdale’s residents, businesses and environment to bounce back and thrive will be discussed at the first Cabinet meeting since the local election, on Monday 7 June.
The Council’s newly elected administration has set out its priorities for the next six months, following the major challenges of flooding in February 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and some of the biggest financial pressures in history.
Resilience, kindness, talent and enterprise have helped people through the tough times and have made Calderdale a strong and distinctive place where people are full of hope.
This hope, combined with partnership working and true Calderdale determination, has led to incredible achievements over the last 18 months, including recovering from devastating floods, providing unprecedented levels of support to help control COVID-19, balancing the Council budget, keeping vital services going and protecting the borough’s most vulnerable people.
Cllr Tim Swift, Leader of Calderdale Council, said:
“Now is the time to learn from the immense challenges we have all faced, build on our joint achievements and create a strong future for everyone who lives, works and does business in Calderdale.
“Our Vision2024 for Calderdale, where people can reach their potential and thrive, has remained strong throughout the pandemic. We are ambitious for our borough as we start to move towards a fair and inclusive recovery.
“There are still difficulties ahead, but our six-month plan will help businesses and towns to bounce back; reignite our visitor and cultural economy; support children and young people to achieve their best; and tackle loneliness amongst older and more vulnerable people.
“The actions in our plan will contribute towards our priorities of reducing inequalities, addressing the climate emergency and creating sustainable towns to support the local economy.”
Actions in the Council’s six-week plan include:
- Ongoing partnership work to keep COVID-19 infection rates as low as possible, and growing the successful local contact tracing service.
- Helping the local economy to get back on its feet through a ‘welcome back’ campaign to support businesses and tourism.
- Continuing to ensure fair opportunities for all by prioritising inclusion, equality and diversity.
- Building on the strong partnership work to reduce the risk of future flooding across the Calder Valley.
- Continuing the fight against climate change and reducing carbon emissions through initiatives such as tree planting, LED street lights, energy efficiency improvements in Council buildings and insulation for low-income households.
- Tackling fly-tipping and litter across the borough, including regular clean-ups in partnership with local groups.
- New services to help give local children and young people the best possible start in life, including equal access to digital technology, healthy food and high-quality activities.
- Ensuring continued and increased access to high-quality extra care and supported living accommodation.
- Creating opportunities for people with learning disabilities to be more connected to their communities and to get jobs and training.
- Improving physical activity across all communities and making Calderdale a cycle-friendly borough.
- Pressing ahead with major projects to boost transport and business opportunities.
- Making the most of Calderdale’s rich cultural heritage, including planning festivals and activities for a Year of Culture in 2024, and maximising the benefits of the upcoming second series of the Anne Lister TV drama, Gentleman Jack.
- Harnessing digital technology developments to improve services for residents, be more efficient and save money.
The year 2024 marks Calderdale’s 50th birthday. Where do we want to be by 2024? Get involved on Twitter with #VisionCdale2024 and find out more at www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision
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