Under threat Calderdale Council buildings could be leased to groups rather than being sold

Calderdale Council’s budget process for 2021-22 is being examined by the authority’s scrutiny boards as well as being out for general consultation, with councillors set to formalise decisions at Budget Council on February 22.

Place Scrutiny Board councillors were considering a 1,100 strong petition urging the council to save Clay House at West Vale, which is threatened with closure following a Cabinet decision made as part of the Future Council proposals to address savings and cuts which are likely to have to be made if the council is to balance its books next, and the coming, years.

As it stands interest is being sought for community groups to take over Clay House and other buildings and run them – Cabinet member for Public Services and Communities, Coun Jenny Lynn (Lab, Park) said this was happening with some other properties earmarked for closure, including Heptonstall Museum – or the buildings may be disposed of.

Presenting the petition, Coun Paul Bellenger (Lib Dem, Greetland and Stainland) said the Grade II* listed Clay House was a wedding venue, used for meetings and houses a war memorial and he believed the council could develop use of it so it could pay its way.

“I would like to see 12 months at least given to myself and the council’s commercialisation team to look at putting a business plan together to capitalise on this property we have and bring it back into use and generate income for this authority, which is what we need,” he said.

Coun Sue Holdsworth (Lib Dem, Greetland and Stainland) said ideas which could be explored might range from it being furnished with items stored at Bankfield Museum, Halifax, and using volunteers to staff it, to promoting it to Screen Yorkshire as a possible filming location.

But Cabinet member for Resources, Coun Silvia Dacre (Lab, Todmorden) said commercialisation had been considered as part of the Future Council process – at the moment it was simply not making enough money to cover its running costs, she added.

Expressions of interest do not need to be in until the end of March, said Coun Dacre.

Coun Regan Dickenson (Con, Rastrick) suggested that if a community asset transfer was not going to be successful, would the council consider looking for someone to lease the building, rather than selling it?

Coun Lynn said the suggestion was certainly something worth considering.

But she added: “If Coun Bellenger and others are really keen on this there is no reason they can’t get down to that as those in other areas are doing, and they will get support.”

Coun Roger Taylor (Ind, Northowram and Shelf) said a similarly supported petition had been presented regarding Shelf Village Hall, but had been rejected because of residential anomalies.

This is believed to be because some signatories gave Bradford addresses – Shelf is in Calderdale but immediately neighbours Bradford.

Regardless, organiser of the petition, Labour local election candidate Stuart Cairney, is calling for residents to come forward and support a potential community asset transfer.