Improving our local Economy
No left behind communities
Currently, the Government's levelling up agenda only focuses on some areas of the Borough. Likewise the Labour administraiton is only focusing in North Halifax on Illingworth and Mixenden and Ovenden. We would ensure that every area rated as being in need got a fair share of levelling up funding an investment. This means areas like Pellon, Highroad Well, Booth Town, Kings Cross, and Queens Rd in Park Ward would not be excluded and left behind.
Boosting Tourism
Calderdale has a fantastic cultural heritage and a stunning natural environment to offer for tourism. We believe it is short-sighted of the current administration to close tourist information centres.
We would work in partnership with the private sector to develop new tourists’ attractions in the Borough. This would bring more wealth and visitors into our area and local economy. From Shibden Hall to the Industrial Museum there are many underutilized assets
A 21st Century Manufacturing Centre
Calderdale has a rich industrial history. We ought to be driving the next industrial revolution that will involve high-tech manufacturing, automation of production and sustainable energy production and storage. A Liberal Democrat run Council would strive to support modern industries.
Technical Skills
We would support the creation of more apprenticeships in technical skills. Currently, the workforce in West Yorkshire is under-skilled. To attract the best businesses and increase the life chances of people we need to create more opportunities to learn technical skills to complete in a modern workplace.
Growing exports, and international relations
We would work to support local businesses to access new markets and export more. We would also promote our existing cultural links and put more of a focus on Town Twinning. We exist in a global market and need to think globally.
Start-up zones and markets
The best way out of poverty is to give people the tools to build, trade, develop and start up their own enterprises. However, the start-up costs can be so high that often only those with existing capital can undertake new enterprises. We would seek to set up enterprise spaces for new start-ups. We would also invest in our local markets and develop them into leisure destinations with live music and food stalls.
Local business networks and mentoring
We would develop more local business networks and mentoring schemes across Calderdale. We think a community- based scheme for local businesses that are supported by the Council would help to foster a business spirit across Calderdale.
Highway improvements
A lot of money is spent patching our roads. We believe it would be more cost effective for there to be a major capital investment to save initiative for our Highways to bring them up to standard.
Pothole Machine
JCB has produced a brand-new pothole busting machine. We would invest in the latest pothole busting technology to help fix our streets.
Quality Repairs that last
Too often Highways in Calderdale are fixed by throwing down some cold tarmac. We would ensure proper repairs are carried out with roads being sealed and higher quality use of services. This might cost more in the short-term but would save money in the long run. Buying cheap isn’t economical.
Investing in housing
Calderdale Council ranks in the lowest 15 authorities in the country for new homes being built. This has resulted in large waiting lists for social housing. It has also meant we have missed out in Millions of pounds of ‘New Homes Bonus’ funding.
In parts of the Borough much of the existing social housing stock is in a poor state of repair with too many people living in damp properties. We would take a robust approach to challenging social housing providers over the state of repair of their properties.
We believe in fighting poverty. There is no greater poverty than the poverty caused by not having a home. That is why we would use the new Calderdale Housing Company to build more independent living and affordable housing. We would also develop and support Community Land Trusts to help bring forward more housing projects.
Supporting a South Pennines Regional Park
The South Pennines is the only area upland area of England without any designated protection framework. A Liberal Democrat Council would help lead a campaign to get our unique Pennine landscape into a new National Park. This would be a major boost to environmental protection and tourism within our region.
Transforming our Town Centres
There are dozens of empty units on some of our highstreets. Sadly, Calderdale as a local authority has sought to further expand the retails space in Halifax Town Centre causing an oversupply. At a time when the model of highstreets as retail spaces is in decline. We would support the transition of our town centres into parks, leisure and residential spaces.
Bring empty homes back into use
There are too many empty homes in Calderdale. We would apply the maximum Council Tax premiums available on these empty homes to encourage landlords to bring them back into use.
Building on Brownfield Sites
There are many former industrial sites in Calderdale. This requires investment to get them into a suitable state for the sites to become profitable for developers. We would work via the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to unlock more of these sites and therefore reduce the amount of development required on the Greenbelt.
Transform Manor Heath Jungle Experience
We would strive to turn the Manor Heath Jungle Experience into a new 'Blue and Green Planet' tourist attraction. With the aim of providing a new attraction for visitors and all Calderdale residents to enjoy.