Calderdale parents facing fines if they take children out of school before Christmas break

Councillors were asking questions about how the post COVID-19 lockdown world might unfold – including proposals for limited numbers of family being allowed to gather at Christmas – at the full meeting of the authority.

Coun Paul Bellenger (Lib Dem, Greetland and Stainland) said the Government had announced that three households would be allowed to meet at Christmas.

But between children leaving school for the holiday break and Christmas itself, it did not give time for the COVID-19 incubation period and he was concerned about the risk that youngsters might infect grandparents when families got together in their Christmas bubble.

“Can you give an assurance as an authority that if parents want to take their children out of school six days earlier that we won’t be seeking to fine the parents?” he said.

Cabinet member for Children and Young People’s Services, Coun Adam Wilkinson said he would not be suggesting schoolchildren should be taking an extra week or two off because of Christmas arrangements, as COVID-19 had already had a big impact on their learning this year.

“My personal view is that children have already fallen further back on their education,” he said.

Coun Wilkinson (Lab, Sowerby Bridge) said he knew the issue had been talked about.

Coun Bellenger said: “It is only eight days not one to two weeks and I am asking we are supportive of parents who wish to do that.”

Coun Wilkinson said in school terms eight days was one to two weeks.

“What do you think will happen if we say it is OK for children to have eight days off school – are they going to sit tight in the house waiting to see grandparents in six days’ time?” he said.

Coun Marilyn Greenwood (Lib Dem, Greetland and Stainland) asked about a rollout of a vaccination programme and what it might require people to do in the early stages.

“Will we be issued with a vaccination certificate of proof? It might be required for hospital admission, travel, leaving the country and so on,” she said.

Leader of the Council, Coun Tim Swift (Lab, Town) said it was a good question he could not yet answer but would check.

“We will be providing a lot of support – it is going to be a huge operation to get those vaccinations in the timescale talked about. I realise councillors will want reassurance about how it will work,” he said.