Scott Patient.

Facts are important.

Under Labour in Calderdale, internal and external audits as well as peer reviews showed we are a financially prudent, well run council. This is evidenced in public record - see here (all the amber recommendations were acted on within 6 months and their subsequent visit prosecuted a glowing response
https://calderdale.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s11085/Item%205%20-%20Corporate%20Peer%20Challenge%20Action%20Plan%20and%20Refreshing%20the%20Vision%20Update.pdf

Reform are attempting to subvert that reality, the main reason councils have been struggling is 14 years of Tory austerity, ironic that that reform benches locally and nationally are full of failed conservatives.

Resist their attempts to delver austerity V3.0 - the unitparty of former Tories and a former Labour leader are not your friends.

Calderdale is a kind and welcoming place, we want our local representation focused on reality, not playing party politics informed by their billionaire donors.

REFORM CAN’T KEEP BLAMING LABOUR FOR THE JOB THEY ASKED FOR

Reform in Calderdale are now talking about an “£8 million black hole” in the Council’s finances.

The reality is very different.

Reform are now discovering the reality of running a council. And instead of dealing with those challenges, they’re reaching for excuses and trying to blame Labour.

Labour administrations have faced savings targets of this scale year after year because of rising demand for services, soaring inflation and more than a decade of Tory cuts to local government funding.

Despite those challenges, Labour balanced the books every single year - as all councils are legally required to do. Difficult decisions were taken, budgets were set, and essential services were protected in the face of unprecedented financial pressures. And we still brought investment into the borough.

Inexplicably, they are considering commitments on The Shay that could cost taxpayers at least £500,000 extra every year, while making council tax promises that will mean more cuts to council services.

Reform fought the election claiming they had all the answers. Just weeks into power, they’re already blaming everyone else for problems that every council in the country faces.

The people of Calderdale deserve honesty. There is no mystery “black hole” - there are the same financial pressures that councils across the country have been dealing with for years.

It’s time Reform stopped the finger-pointing, took responsibility, and explained how they plan to pay for their own unrealistic and uncosted election promises.

Leadership means making difficult decisions - not looking for someone else to blame when reality catches up with you.

Refugee Week is coming soon - it's on 15th to 21st June.

Refugee week is a community-powered festival that has been running for 28 years.

The model is decentralised which means everyone is invited to take part and help make Refugee Week happen in big and small ways.

Each year, tens of thousands of people and thousands of organisations come together to create events in their own communities. Using shared, open-source resources, people self-organise events that reflect the spirit and values of Refugee Week.

This results in thousands of events across the UK and over 20 countries globally; from shared meals and film screenings to workshops, performances, sport events, conversations and so much more.

Here's what's going on across Calderdale - please support - all events are free!

Thanks to Sarah Courtney for the share