Visitor centres and and car boot sales face the axe in next round Calderdale Council cuts

The council is looking to save an estimated £15 million from its budget in 2021-22, with the ongoing effect of the COVID-19 pandemic hitting finances hard.

Controversial changes to the council’s waste services, among £2 million worth of annual savings already in the process, will now be considered as part of the annual budget process which finishes in late February when the council has to set its budget.

Recently Cabinet member for Regeneration and Strategy, Coun Jane Scullion (Lab, Luddenden Foot) warned scrutiny councillors to brace themselves for more cuts, even though the council was making them reuctantly, savings having to come from the around 30 per cent of the council’s budget which relates to services it does not legally have to provide.

Members will consider the second phase of The Future Council delivery plan when they meet virtually from 6pm on Monday, November 9, with the meeting screened via the council’s YouTube channel.

Recommendations they are asked to approve includes the closure of Mixenden Activity Centre and the council’s visitor centres at Hebden Bridge and, after notice period ends, Halifax.

Although market provision is to be reviewed with them generally performing well during the pandemic, car boot sales will not be reintroduced, if councillors agree.

Following September’s Cabinet decision, libraries at Greetland, Hipperholme, Mytholmroyd, Ripponden, Shelf, Skircoat and Stainland will remain closed unless community interest in running them is shown, if councillors agree – but interest and solutions indicated to the council will be explored first.

Cabinet members are recommended to agree that Hebden Bridge Vistor Centre remains closed and that Halifax Visitor Centre, which is at Halifax’s Piece Hall, re-opens with the intention of giving notice in September 2021 in line with the tenancy agreement, for closure on January 10, 2022.

But in lieu of the visitor centres, £40,000 will be invested to enhance the Visit Calderdale digital offer.

Councillors are asked to recommend closing Mixenden Activity Centre and examining an alternative use for the site.

In these cases Cabinet as asked to approve the relevant consultation period with affected staff and union representatives.

Cabinet is asked to agree recommendations that current core provision of public toilets is maintained, other organisations or groups such as parish councils may be asked to take over the management of core provision.

They will also consider the future of ISCAL – the council service which delivers training and skills in a supported environment for local people with health, disabilities and barriers to employment, with the recommendation options ranging from remaining open to closing are appraised.

Other buildings and services included in the report to consider different ways of running them but with no further decision needed at this stage are the Victoria Theatre, Halifax, the work of the enforcement team, which has taken on increasing workloads during the pandemic, and the Gathering Place homeless shelter project.