The relationship between Calderdale faith organisations and the Council could soon be formalised as Calderdale Council’s Cabinet discuss the idea of adopting a Faith Covenant.
This year, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society established a set of principles to assist partnership working between local authorities and faith groups, known as a Faith Covenant. Members will now discuss the possibility of Calderdale becoming one of the first local authorities in the country to adopt this Covenant following a request from Calderdale’s Interfaith Council.
Calderdale has a proud record of interfaith working, and faith groups have worked closely with the Council on a number of issues, including helping maintain strong community relations. Adopting a Faith Covenant would strengthen this relationship, and would demonstrate the Council’s commitment to faith communities in the borough.
If Members agree to adopt a Faith Covenant in Calderdale, it would mean that faith groups and their members would be more involved and consulted in the shaping of local services, and there would be more opportunity to share training and learning opportunities.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Steve Sweeney, said:
“Faith groups have an important role to play in their communities, and our close working relationship has been mutually beneficial. By adopting a Faith Covenant, it will formalise and build upon the partnership working arrangements already in place between the Council and local faith groups.”
Members will discuss the adoption of a Faith Covenant at the meeting of Calderdale Council’s Cabinet on Monday 14 September at Halifax Town Hall, starting at 6pm.