Fury over advice given to Calderdale's school not to reopen

The decision by Calderdale Council’s ruling Labour group, made in conjunction with advice from senior officers, to advise local schools not to reopen to some age groups on June 1, Government’s target date, made regional and national news on Wednesday with Leader of the Council, Coun Tim Swift (Lab, Town) appearing on BBC news flagship programme Newsnight, and has come under fire from Conservatives and Liberal Democrats today (Wednesday).

Leader of the Conservative Group, Coun Steven Leigh (Ryburn) said the council was going against expert advice issued by the Government.

Coun Leigh said it was the latest in a series of decisions made by the council about service delivery that had gone against Government guidance and it had been made “behind closed doors” without consulting other groups.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Coun James Baker (Warley) said his party had not been consulted about the decision, nor had the reasons behind it been shared with or explained to them.

Coun Leigh accused Labour of playing politics and said: “That the council would, in the middle of a pandemic, offer conflicting advice to that given by the most informed within the scientific community is bad enough, but that they would use this as a political opportunity is completely unacceptable.

“This decision has been made behind closed doors without any consultation with the Conservative or Liberal Democrat Groups,” he said.

Coun Baker said: “We were not consulted on this decision, and the advice from our local public health officials has not been shared with us.

“We are asked to trust the advice but when we have had not sight of it, and there seems there is no scientific consensus, it’s hard to know who to believe.

“It’s important that decisions like this should be made within council meetings so opposition councillors are able to ask questions.

“The future of our children should not be decided behind closed doors with no democratic scrutiny.”

Coun Leigh said the decision had repercussions for education and the economy.

“Going against advice based on sound scientific analysis is not only potentially very harmful to the local economy, but it could have a devastating effect on the education of local children, and is already creating dangerous and conflicting messages.

“What provision has the council made for those children reliant on free school meals?

“What thought has been given to those parents who need to go back to work but are struggling with childcare commitments?

“This council decision is doubtless being guided by Labours Union paymasters rather than sound judgement and the necessary objective knowledge combined with hard facts,” he said.

Coun Leigh said despite a number of areas within the legitimate responsibilities of the council that “desperately needed attention” such as the council volunteer relief effort, the Labour-controlled council chose to “focus its attention on passing comment on something that is the responsibility of headteachers and the governing boards of schools.”

It followed a series of service delivery decisions made by the council, including those made on the delivery of funeral services and the application process for flood relief grants, said Coun Leigh.

Coun Baker said that as a parent he would like his children to return to education as soon as it was reasonably safe to do so but assessing this must be a collaborative effort.

“I worry about the risk of spreading the disease further, and also worry that children are missing out on so much education.

“I believe the Government, Trade Unions and Local Authorities should start working together constructively to achieve this goal.

“The impact on being away from school will be greatest on the most disadvantaged children.

“Some of these children will not be experiencing meaningful home schooling at the moment.

“Sadly this will be increasing the attainment gap between the richest and poorest children in Calderdale.

“We need to start a debate around how schools, and indeed other empty public buildings such as youth centres and libraries could be planning throughout the summer and beyond if need be, to support disadvantaged children until normal schooling recommences,” he said.

Councillor Leigh said: “I am calling on Council Leader Coun Swift and his Labour Cabinet to desist from devoting precious resources to playing politics with matters outside the responsibility of the council and to instead focus on working alongside the other groups and central Government to the benefit of Calderdale’s residents.”

OUNCIL: Opposition groups furious at Labour’s advice to schools