Budget plan to 'invest in future' with £4m loans

MONEY for much-needed road repairs, tackling increasing children's social care costs, helping people live independently and economic development are included in Calderdale Council Budget proposals for the years ahead.

- By JOHN GREENWOOD

Included in the council Cabinet's budget proposals those of the ruling Labour group - for 2026-27 and the following two years are plans to borrow £4 million a year in each of those three years for highways.

Leader of the Council, Coun Jane Scullion, introducing the budget proposals, said this formed part of a budget which "is not short term, but investing in our future."

"Our Highways proposal to borrow £4 million a year for the next three years to move from pothole filling to longer-term tarmacking and road renewal," she said.

Against a backdrop that remains financially tough, the council will also need to make savings.

This will include the fees for some council services being increased exactly which ones will be clearer by the time Cabinet makes its final budget recommendations early next year.

Senior councillors say fees must at least cover the cost of the service provided and rates should be "fit for purpose", and the council has to decide if it is prepared to make any subsidies.

A rise of around at least three per cent in fees and charges is likely.