Janet Battye: '˜I'm proud of my time as a Calderdale councillor'

Long-serving Liberal Democract councillor Janet Battye says it has been a 'privilege' to serve and represent the Calder ward.
Local Elections. Janet Battyte and Josh Fenton-Glynn.Local Elections. Janet Battyte and Josh Fenton-Glynn.
Local Elections. Janet Battyte and Josh Fenton-Glynn.

She spoke after losing her seat in last week’s local council elections to Labour’s Josh Fenton-Glynn, who careered to victory with 2,310 votes.

Coun Battye, still sits on Todmorden Town Council and says she will continue to work hard for the community she represents in that role.

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“Although I’m disappointed to have lost my seat on Calderdale Council in last week’s elections, I’d like to thank local people for their support for the last 12 years and for the privilege of serving them as one of their councillors for Calder ward over that time,” she said.

“I have tried to keep in touch with local people across the ward primarily through the Parish Councils but also by providing what I hope has been a useful service to people to resolve individual problems, promote the needs of local people and help them develop the services they require.

“I am particularly proud of the amount of “assets” transferred from Calderdale Council to local people – including Hebden Bridge Town Hall, the Picture House, allotments and Great Rock at Blackshawhead. I hope that plans to move the market in Hebden Bridge into Lees Yard will come to fruition to act as a focal point for local shops.

“There are three current issues that I want to make sure are worked through - recovery and future resilience from the Boxing Day floods, Neighbourhood and Local Plans, especially making sure that our beautiful countryside is protected and houses built where we want them, and the development of Care Closer to Home in our local Health Centres.”

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“During my time on Calderdale Council, I’ve been privileged to be the Leader of the Council and Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board I’ve seen economic development gather pace with building work around Halifax Town Centre and the promise of more integrated transport as we’ve retained out local buses and improving our train services.

“I hope that the drive to reduce carbon emissions and improve the use of renewable energy will continue through Calder Energy Future, as well as the remarkable achievements in waste collection and recycling.”

Coun Battye also said she was pleased that services to Calderdale’s most vulnerable children no longer require improvement and said credit must be given to council staff for their hard work, and the support of partner agencies.

She added: “It has always been important to me to be a Liberal Democrat - trying to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, balancing the needs of individuals with communities.

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“I have been Leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Calderdale Council as well as putting these values into practice locally which I will continue to do both within the local community as well as in my continuing role as town councillor for Stoodley ward on Todmorden Town Council.

“There’s still a lot to do to make life in the Upper Calder Valley even better than it is. This is a good place to live.”