MP appalled at racist attack on nurse in Halifax park
Plus, council approve controversial public open space school extension plans
Hello and welcome to The Calderdale Lead!
I hope you’re having a good week so far - I’m still trying to get my head around it being September!
In today’s edition we’ve got a striking message from Halifax MP Kate Dearden in light of a recent racist attack in a park in the borough.
Kate is absolutely spot on when she says this kind of attack is not who we are - a few people at the minute would do well to remember that!
Plus, following on from our lead story in Sunday’s edition, we’ve got the council decision over what it plans to do with public open land at Spring Hall in Halifax. My LDR colleague John Greenwood has the full story below.
So, on with the news…
‘Sickening’ racist attack is park is ‘not who we are’ says Halifax MP
By Andrew Greaves
Halifax MP Kate Dearden has hit out at people exploiting concerns over immigration to ‘whip up’ racial hatred.
Ms Dearden’s comments come after a man and woman were bailed following what people have described as a ‘racial assault’ on a Filipino nurse in a Halifax park.
The couple hurled verbal abuse at the nurse as she was out walking with her mother in Manor Heath Park, Halifax, last Thursday.
A video of the incident, which also shows the man throwing water over the nurse and the woman grabbing at her hair, was posted on Facebook.
And Ms Dearden said: “I am appalled by the disgraceful racist incident in Manor Heath Park last week. No one should ever have to face abuse or intimidation because of who they are.
“This summer I have spoken with many residents who are deeply concerned about illegal immigration. This is a concern I understand and share.
“However, it is also clear there are people who don’t care about our town or our country, and who are determined to exploit legitimate concerns to whip up racial hatred for their own financial and political gain. That is sickening.”
This summer has seen hundreds of protests over the use of hotels for housing asylum seekers across the country, many of which have turned into civil disturbances and have lead to a number of arrests.
Whipped up by a rhetoric coming from the Far Right, the protests have also seen those in the hotels verbally abused and, in some cases, protesters trying to storm buildings.
Ms Dearden said: “This is not who we are. We are a country and community of tolerance, fair play, and hard work. A country where we welcome those who come here to contribute to our society, raise a family, and help run our NHS.
“The abuse in that video was some of the most profoundly un-British language I have ever heard. Sadly, it is becoming more common, and now is the time for us to stand against it.
“I will always call out racism. And I know Halifax is a community that will do the same. Together we can make clear that hatred has no place in Halifax.”
West Yorkshire Police have confirmed a man and a woman, who are both in their 60s, have been bailed.
Council approve internal land transfer to allow expansion of special school
By John Greenwood
An extension to a Calderdale special school will be able to go-ahead, after senior councillors agreed to transfer two key pieces of land from one of its departments to another.
Transferring the land at Spring Hall, Huddersfield Road, Halifax, from Calderdale Council’s public services department to its children and young people’s services directorate has not been without controversy.
Cabinet member for Children and Young People’s Services, Coun Adam Wilkinson, said he recognised concerns raised over a number of years over use of the land.
But Cabinet members had to weigh that against Ravenscliffe School being able to expand and offer more places for children with special educational needs and disabilities, which were much needed – the school already has the relevant planning permissions, he said.
One parcel of land will be used for the extension while another, following Cabinet’s approval, will house a temporary building to house pupils while the extension work is completed, and will then revert back to the council for open space.
Coun Wilkinson said: “I want to make it clear this is not a sale or disposal of land – it is land that is council-owned and it’s just an internal transfer so it reflects the function of its educational use.
“The need for special school places is increasing year on year and without this expansion we will be at risk of being unable to meet our statutory duty to provide sufficient places.
“The alternative would be to send more children out of area at considerable cost to families and the council – in some cases over £100,000 per place, per year,” he said.
Coun Wilkinson, who said he used sports provision at the site growing up in the area, appreciated concerns.
“People really appreciate using it as an open space.
“But ultimately as a Cabinet we are being asked to balance the impact of a small loss of public open space against the very significant benefit of providing high-quality local education for some of Calderdale’s most vulnerable children and young people,” he said.
Legal objections about what the land can be used for – including relating to a 1948 Deed of Gift by which the former Borough of Halifax acquired it – had been raised, said Coun Wilkinson.
But, he said of the legal issues: “This has been very carefully considered and our legal team have confirmed that statutory procedures have been followed.”
Leader of the Council, Coun Jane Scullion said: “If I was a parent with a special educational needs child, I would not want to see them sent away, I would want to see them educated locally and be part of the family and the life of the borough.
“And that is a very compelling argument for me.”
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Until Sunday, have a great week!
Andrew