Letter: Why is Elland is the poor relation in Calderdale?

It appears the money is always spent elsewhere; Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd and Sowerby Bridge all getting town centre improvements and roads resurfaced.

Millions, although the real total kept quiet, spent on the Piece Hall in Halifax, but that isn’t enough! Now about 30 Calderdale employees from the Elland Highways Depot, complete with their spending power, are being moved from Elland to Halifax.

It’s not as if the business they generate is particularly needed in Halifax, but it will be missed in Elland where they spend in local shops in a town centre that is already on the brink.

It may seem a mercenary view, but those Calderdale employees are a source of income for Elland and Elland wants to keep them. Centralisation of staff benefits Halifax town centre but enough is being spent there; the council needs to remember that there is more to Calderdale than Halifax and Hebden Bridge.

The council should support satellite towns by basing staff in them, not moving them away! So, please will you back Elland by helping us to retain these council employees in our town.