Work across Calderdale to build strong communities for everyone, where people get along well, is being discussed by the Council’s Cabinet.
Strong, connected communities are at the heart of the Vision 2034(external link) for the borough. When people feel they belong, when diversity is valued, and when neighbours trust one another, our towns become safer, happier, and more resilient – especially during difficult times.
The Building Stronger Communities Strategic Framework 2025-2030 was approved by the Council in 2025 after extensive development with the input of local communities. It sets out a commitment to deliver services for local people to enable people to live a larger life, with a particular focus on social cohesion and reducing inequalities.
The framework outlines five themes that guide how the Council aims to build stronger, safer, and more connected communities:
- Appreciating the benefits of diversity – recognising the strengths and richness that different backgrounds bring.
- Creating a sense of belonging for all residents – ensuring everyone feels welcomed and included.
- Ensuring people feel safe – making neighbourhoods secure and supportive.
- Encouraging volunteering, civic participation and democratic engagement – supporting volunteering, community action, and active participation in local democracy.
- Supporting aspirations so residents can live a larger life – helping residents achieve their goals and live fuller lives.
These themes guide work across the Council and support close work with partners to make sure these values are shared and embedded right across the borough.
At the meeting of the Council’s Cabinet on Monday 16 March, members will consider the annual progress made to deliver actions across these themes. Members are also asked to endorse the approach to monitoring and managing community tensions arising in the borough.
The annual report summarises a small selection of work and activity that has taken place in Calderdale over last 12 months.
Highlights include:
- School linking – 38 classes at Calderdale schools have taken part in the successful school linking programme. Schools are paired with those in a different part of the borough, with pupils from different backgrounds finding out about each other and meeting at a trip to a Calderdale museum. Feedback from those taking part shows how the experience is valued, with the connections and friendships they had made being the main themes.
- Collaboration with major projects – As part of the design and delivery of major projects in Calderdale, the Council works with Visits Unlimited to ensure that accessibility is considered from the earliest stages of project, meeting the needs of disabled people, older residents, and families and aligning with Calderdale’s ambition to create welcoming, inclusive environments.
- Beechwood social action project – In response to concerns about anti-social behaviour, the Beechwood Social Action project sought to build understanding and connection between different groups within the community. Delivered during the summer of 2025 it strengthened relationships between different age groups, developed a sense of ownership of the park and had positive impacts on anti-social behaviour in the area.
Whilst just a small snapshot of the activity across communities, the examples highlight the breadth of work to promote positive relations across different communities.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, Cllr Danielle Durrans, said:
“We want Calderdale to be a place where everyone feels valued, supported and connected. Residents have told us that they feel the borough is a place where people from different backgrounds get on well together, but we are also aware of challenges, including national and international events stimulating action locally.
“The Building Stronger Communities Framework not only supports our legal duty to protect people from discrimination, but also actively promotes good relationships between different groups. This includes tackling prejudice and encouraging understanding across people of different backgrounds, ages and abilities.
“Calderdale is a special place with a proud tradition of diversity, inclusion and togetherness. We regularly see Calderdale’s kindness in action, with high levels of volunteering and powerful examples of resilience. We’ve seen some really positive work across the last 12 months, with projects across the Council and with our partners, making a real difference in local communities.”
The Building Stronger Communities Strategic Framework Annual Report will be discussed at the meeting of Calderdale Council’s Cabinet on Monday 16 March at Halifax Town Hall from 4pm. The meeting will also be live streamed online at https://calderdale.public-i.tv/core/portal/home(external link)
The Vision 34(external link) for Calderdale is that in 2034, Calderdale will be an enterprising place, full of opportunity, where we can all live a larger life. We will always be kind and welcoming. Everyone will have reason to be full of hope and this will enable us to thrive and get us through testing times. We will be celebrated for our distinctive heritage, nature and creativity that everyone can enjoy.