Calderdale Reform want to scrap climate emergency declaration that their leader Daniel Sutherland pushed for

The party has announced it is submitting a motion to this month’s full council meeting to rescind the climate emergency declaration made by Calderdale Council in 2019.

Other Reform-led councils elsewhere in the country have done the same.

Calderdale Reform’s leader, Coun Daniel Sutherland – who was a Labour councillor for 15 years before defecting to Reform last year - was a keen supporter of the declaration when it was put forward, and urged fellow members to back it.

Speaking in 2019, he said: "The time we have to act is rapidly running out.

"This truly is an emergency and will require significant action at local, national and international levels if we are to limit the damage being caused to our environment and provide a secure future for the next generation.

"The effects of extreme weather events have had a major impact on us locally and we are calling for the whole borough to get behind us in responding to this challenge.”

The declaration recognises the threat and challenge that climate change is to Calderdale.

Calderdale Reform has posted that “this is not about saying environmental issues do not matter. They do”.

"It is about whether, seven years on, continuing to operate under an ‘emergency’ declaration is still the best way to deliver practical environmental improvements while making the best use of limited council resources.”

The party claims residents have “repeatedly raised concerns” with its councillors about the impact and cost of some policies associated with the wider net-zero agenda.

"There is also a wider issue that cannot be ignored: the rising cost of energy and the importance of energy security,” Calderdale Reform has posted.

"Councils do not set household energy prices, but national energy policy has very real consequences for the people and businesses we represent.

"Many households already find energy unaffordable, so policies pursued in the name of net zero must be practical, proportionate and mindful of their wider economic impact.

"We believe it is right to review the budgets, projects and officer resources linked to the declaration, assess what is actually working and, where appropriate, redirect discretionary resources to where they can make a greater difference.”

The party says this summer – when Calderdale saw multiple heatwaves – reminded everyone of the importance of protecting the environment and preparing sensibly for changing conditions.

"That is why the motion does not propose walking away from environmental protection. It specifically reaffirms our commitment to practical, evidence-based environmental measures and supports the work of the Local Environment Partnership,” it added.

The Courier reported earlier this year how Calderdale Reform had axed the council’s Climate Action post – a role responsible for overseeing the borough’s efforts to tackle climate change which had been filled since 2019.

Submitted by Hipperholme and Lightcliffe ward councillor Connor Dent, the Reform motion asks the council to rescind the climate emergency declaration and remove references to a “climate emergency” from all council strategies, policies and communications.

It also asks for a review of all budgets, reserves, project allocations and officer resources directly linked to the climate emergency declaration, and to prioritise the redirection of any identified discretionary funding towards projects within deprived communities and “the services

and improvements residents tell us matter most”.