Calderdale political leaders react to second lockdown decision

Conservative group leader Coun Steven Leigh (Ryburn) said in compliance with Government guidelines, the group is represented on the Calderdale Covid Political Leaders Group and continued to work constructively with the Chief Executive, Robin Tuddenham, and the Director of Public Health, Debs Harkins, together with the other party leaders and local MPs, Calder Valley’s Craig Whittaker (Conservative) and Halifax’s Holly Lynch (Labour).

He said: “This group meets weekly and operates on a consensus basis in reaching conclusions and making recommendations about Covid developments in Calderdale, which are then fed back to Government to help inform the national situation.

“As we now enter a further lockdown period which will last throughout November, our priority is to safeguard and protect the people of Calderdale whilst doing everything we can to maintain and protect jobs, and to support businesses, in order to bolster the local economy.”

Liberal Democrat group leader Coun James Baker (Warley) said the lockdown had come late and would present key budget challenges as a result.

“Weeks ago Sir Ed Davey joined Sir Keir Starmer in calls for a circuit breaker,” he said.

“The Government ignored the advice of scientists and opposition parties.

“Their delay in action means we now require a longer lockdown to bring the virus back under control.

“Locally this is a huge challenge. We are now facing extra cuts as the Government has failed to provide a long term sustainable funding package for local councils.”

Coun Leigh pointed out that Covid-19 is a fast-moving, unpredictable and deadly virus and the main decisions are taken by central Government based on the best-available scientific and medical advice.

“Although the big decisions are being made by the Government, there is nevertheless a huge and important workload which falls on the council to perform,” he said.

“Tremendous efforts are being made by council staff, schools, and associated organisations to help and support all residents of Calderdale, with particular emphasis on taking good care of the old and the vulnerable, the underprivileged and the disadvantaged.”