Calderdale’s relationship with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority is being discussed by the Council’s Cabinet.
The Council’s Strategy and Performance Scrutiny Board has recently reviewed the Council’s partnership with the Combined Authority and members of Cabinet will discuss their findings and recommendations.
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has become a major source of investment and capital funding for West Yorkshire Authorities, including Calderdale.
Over £30 million of investment is planned in Calderdale by 2021, with further substantial spend planned after this time. Key projects include the A629 improvements currently on site, a contribution to the Northgate House project and improvements in infrastructure around Brighouse. Significant investment is also planned in infrastructure in the Upper Valley and the flood works at Mytholmroyd have been supported.
In addition to this, at the meeting of the Combined Authority’s Investment Committee earlier this month, it was recommended that Calderdale should receive funding towards a package of support for the vast array of highways and station investment in the borough.
Calderdale also benefits from projects across West Yorkshire and the Investment Committee put forward plans for a Warm Homes scheme and proposals to extend the reach of Superfast Broadband across the region – both of which will significantly benefit Calderdale communities.
Benefits such as these were noted and welcomed by the Scrutiny Board, but they also looked at ways in which the decision process could be improved – one of their recommendations being that the process is clearer and more transparent.
The Board also recommended that the Combined Authority should more regularly hold its meetings in towns and cities outside of Leeds – a recommendation that is already due to be implemented.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, Cllr Barry Collins, said:
“Calderdale regularly punches above its weight at a regional level and we have been, and continue to be, successful in attracting a significant amount of investment and support from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
“As such, our relationship with the Authority is increasingly important and the work of the Scrutiny Board has been helpful and timely to ensure we continue to make the most of our position within the Combined Authority.”
The Board’s recommendations will be discussed at the meeting of Calderdale Council’s Cabinet on Monday 1 October at Halifax Town Hall, starting at 6pm.