Calderdale councillors backed plans for:
1) Environmental Health staff to be deployed to work in neighbouring councils at times of emergency.
They could be deployed elsewhere at times of major incidents that will put pressure on staff. A reciprocal arrangement means other council employees could work in Calderdale.
2) Changes to the Discretionary Rates Relief for charities, meaning those with its head office outside of Calderdale will now have to pay business rates. Locally-based charities will be unaffected but will need to re-apply every two years. It will come into force in April 2015.
Clr Geraldine Carter, Ryburn Conservative, urged Cabinet to maintain business rate relief support for the Forget Me Not Children's Hospice, based in Brackenhall, Huddersfield. She said that its foundations were in Calderdale and it should continue to get support from the authority. Clr Tim Swift, council leader, said he would assess the wording of the scheme and report back.
3) £500,000 capital funding for the asset management for essential works to the council’s property portfolio, excluding schools. The estimated cost for maintenance costs for all council premises is £43m – £19.44m has been allocated already.
