Approval for controversial crossroads scheme funding to go before full council

At an extraordinary meeting of the economy and environment scrutiny panel last night (Thursday) when the new proposals for the crossroads were called in by the Conservative group, councillors hoped the scheme would be put under greater scrutiny.

Discussions took place as the panel questioned the bid process of £2.362m from the Department of Transport which will be used on the crossroads scheme.

However, it was argued that it could not be discussed as full council has to give a resolution on whether the receipt of a capital grant of £2.362m from the DfT Local Pinch Point Fund should be accepted.

But Councillor James Baker, who attended the meeting, said on his blog: “Now whilst Part 4 Section 20 (j) (iv) ’Call-in Exceptions’ of the council’s constitution states the call-in procedure shall not apply to decisions which require the approval of full council it does not state the panel is unable to question any backgrounds documents, or any other function of the executive.

“The constitution means scrutiny panels can’t call-in something that is being recommended to council. It doesn’t mean (as Labour claimed) that a background document relating to that decision is beyond questioning.”

The decision on whether full council should accept the receipt of the grant will be decided at Halifax Town Hall on Wednesday at 6pm.