Spiralling costs hit council savings plan plus latest acts for The Piece Hall
And Halifax MP reveals why she supported assisted-dying bill...
Hello and welcome to issue five of The Calderdale Lead and we’ve got a bumper news round-up this week for you.
The LDRS’ John Greenwood reports on how Calderdale’s senior councillors will next week discuss their second quarterly financial forecast for the year, which shows the deficit on day-to-day spending increasing.
Plus Halifax MP Kate Dearden explains her support for the assisted-dying bill and The Piece Hall announces its latest headliners for 2025.
And, if that’s not all, we’ve got our usual midweek Culture Guide.
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Council chiefs to discuss widening spending deficit
By John Greenwood, LDRS
Even though savings are being made, spiralling care costs are widening a council’s in-year day-to-day spending deficit as it battles to balance its books.
When they meet next Monday (December 9), Calderdale Council Cabinet members will get their second quarterly financial forecast for the year, which shows the deficit on day-to-day spending increasing.
This means that by the end of the year the council is facing an in-year deficit of £10.8 million, up from the £8.4 million estimated after the first quarter.
The senior councillors are told costs in key areas are rising, even where extra cash was included in the budget to cover estimated rises.
The big overspends are in the adults and well-being, children and young people’s services and public services directorates.
According to the latest projections, the adults and well-being service is set to overspend by around £2.7 million, with all-age disability and mental health packages overspending by around £3.1 million, although savings are being made elsewhere in the directorate.
A large part of the £4.4 million estimated overspend in children’s services is the cost of packages and placements – currently £4.3 million over budget – with a reason being the high cost, faced by councils around the country, of very expensive specialist placements required to meet some children’s needs.
This year, councillors have been told that this has included some secure provisions to meet complex needs.
A portion of the £3.5 million estimated overspend in public services is a requirement for the council to meet special educational needs and disabilities transport costs to some of the placements, some requiring taxis.
Councils have a statutory duty to provide care packages, councillors have previously heard.
Other public services items busting budget are waste and recycling costs, partly due to changes in legislation, and highways spending because deteriorating road surfaces requiring repair, say briefing papers to councillors.
Good progress is being made on savings needed in this year’s budget, with, as of September 30 – the end date of the second financial period of the year – around 83 per cent of the £3.13m savings required 2024-25 being achieved and the remaining 17 per cent actioned and expected to be achieved, say the papers.
That leaves the question of how to mitigate particularly increasing demand for the various types of care.
Councillors are told council officers both continue to tighten spending and work to transform the way the council works – a smaller council but one able to adapt to challenges by being flexible in the way it works, say officers.
A worst-case scenario is the council having to plug the gap by using some of its corporate reserves, but councillors are frequently warned these can only be spent once and relying on them is not sustainable long term.
The Piece Hall reveals latest headliners for 2025
The line-up for next summer’s TK Maxx Presents… Live at the Piece Hall is taking shape with a raft of announcements this week.
Pop-punk band Busted, The Who’s legendary lead singer Roger Daltrey, opera megastars Il Divo and synth-pop pioneers The Human League have all joined the bill alongside Australian blues rockers The Teskey Brothers.
Next summer looks to be shaping up to be the best yet at the fabulous venue with the likes of Paul Heaton, The Libertines, Supergrass, UB40, Weezer and James already revealed.
Tickets for the latest gigs announced go on sale on Friday at 9am. More information can be found on The Piece Hall’s Instagram page here.
Halifax MP reveals reason for backing assisted-dying bill
Halifax MP Kate Dearden says that she believes people going ‘incredible suffering, with no hope of recovery, should be able to exercise their free will and choose how their life should end’.
In a lengthy letter posted on her social media accounts, Ms Dearden said Friday had been an ‘incredibly difficult day’ in Parliament and she had made her decision to vote for Kim Leadbetter’s private members bill after listening to arguments in the chamber and reading correspondence from constituents.
She said: “Too many people suffer needlessly for too long, I believe this bill will give those people the dignity and autonomy that so many fear to lose.
“I understand and share many of the concerns of those who are worried about the safeguards in this Bill.
“It is critical that there are extremely strong protections for disabled and vulnerable people, including guarantees against the possibility of coercion.
“The next step is the committee stage, where the details of the legislation will be scrutinised and debated, so that the next time we vote we know exactly what shape this change in law would take.
“I will closely scrutinise this process, so that I am confident these safeguards are in place when it comes time to decide whether or not to make this proposal a reality.”
As reported in Saturday’s edition, fellow Calderdale MP Josh Fenton-Glynn opted to abstain on the vote - which passed by a margin of 330 to 275.
Currently, legislation in the UK prevents people from asking for medical help to die.
Ms Dearden added: “As I have stated in correspondence with constituents, I will continue to advocate for better palliative care and will work closely with the Government to achieve this.
“I will be writing directly to every constituent who has already contacted me about the issue.
“However please do know this is not the end of the process. The Bill will now proceed through parliament where there will be many more opportunities for scrutiny.”
Now, here’s this week’s Culture Guide…
Until December 24 - Mr. Darcy’s ‘Wet Shirt’ Exhibition - Bankfield Museum, Halifax
Have you ever wanted to see the iconic wet shirt worn by Colin Firth in the BBC’s 1990s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice?
Well is the answer is yes - and why wouldn’t it be? - you’ve not got long to do so.
The classic 1995 television scene saw Mr. Darcy dive into a lake and emerge with his shirt wet and clinging to him, only to be unexpectedly confronted by the presence of Miss Elizabeth Bennet; the lady who had rejected his marriage proposal.
The scene was a masterpiece of awkwardness and has been voted by many to be their favourite and most memorable television moment.
Calderdale Museums acquired the shirt along with several other TV and film costumes in March 2024 at an auction by Cosprop to raise money for the Bright Foundation.
The shirt is on display until December 24 and entry is free. For more information click here.
December 6 - Doogle and WonkyPuss - The Puzzle Hall, Sowerby Bridge
The Puzzle Hall in Sowerby Bridge is an absolute gem of a venue and their music and cultural programme provides something for everyone.
This weekend they’re hosting a gig two acts with very interesting names - Doogle and WonkyPuss.
Doogle is the alias of teeenage busker Joe Robinson who has only been playing for a couple of years… to great success.
Joe bought an old acoustic guitar from a friend for £20 which only had five strings to start his busking career … and his first session brought in £30.
Meanwhile, WonkyPuss describe themselves as a ‘tragi-comic duo from Lancashire, UK. Jangly songs with woefully inadequate lyrics, bad metaphors, the occasional swear and questionable vocals’.
The show starts at 8pm and you can find more information here.
December 6 - Elland Christmas Lights Switch-on - Southgate, Elland
It’s Elland’s turn to have the Christmas lights switch-on treatment this week with a full day of activities planned.
There’s over 30 stalls, music, gifts, food and a FREE Santa’s Grotto!
The artisan market will run from 1pm to 7pm and they’ll be school carols from 10am to 4pm and an adult choir from 4.30pm, following the big switch-on!
All the action takes place in Southgate.
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That’s it for this week - enjoy the rest of the week and we’ll be back in your inbox on Saturday!
Andrew