Who keeps the community’s doors open? Plus: the Harveys interview, news from across Calderdale and What’s On.

Hello!

Another busy week at Calderdale Inside Out towers (well - cupboard). Our podcast featuring Tracy Harvey (4th generation boss of family-run Harveys of Halifax) certainly struck a chord, generating a huge response on social media. We've linked the article and podcast below. But it's fair to say the so-called Halifax Town Centre Improvement works could be in breach of the trades description act. It's not just Harvey's who have fallen victim to the "catastrophic" road works, seeing a dramatic drop in footfall. Other business improvement district shop owners have been contacting us - so expect a follow up piece very soon.

Do check out our think piece on the state of Calderdale churches. In the past week alone two churches have been placed under threat of closure - which could shut out many community groups.

We hit some milestones this week: 10,000 unique users visited our website in the past month; we passed the 800 subscriber mark; and our Facebook posts were seen over 100,000 times. So from us - THANK YOU! We have big plans for Calderdale Inside Out - but we can't do it without you. Please share our content with your friends and family, because local journalism is back, and here to stay in Calderdale.

Have a great week!

Nick

COMMENT: Churches are closing. Who keeps the doors open?

Calderdale inherited churches built on industrial wealth, faith and community fund-raising. Keeping them open may now require a different kind of congregation.

Read the article

“Catastrophic” – Harvey’s CEO describes business impact of Halifax Town Centre roadworks

Latest town centre footfall data shows Halifax business district footfall is down following £64m improvement plan.

AROUND CALDERDALE

Former Calderdale Labour Cabinet Member guilty of fraud; Youth service requires improvement; Brighouse traffic on the move

Halifax: Former Labour councillor convicted over bogus Covid testing business

Former Calderdale Labour councillor Faisal Shoukat has been convicted of fraudulent trading, money laundering and causing a public nuisance over his running of Halifax-based RT Diagnostics. The verdicts were delivered at Bradford Crown Court on 8 October.

Shoukat represented Park ward for around 12 years, from his election in May 2011 until stepping down in 2023. He previously served as Cabinet Member for Public Health and Cohesion, with responsibilities including community integration and voluntary and community services. He told the court he left the council because of the legal proceedings.

He is due to be sentenced on 4 December. His four co-defendants, including former Labour minister Shahid Malik, were acquitted of all charges.

Sources: BBC News · Council Cabinet responsibilities · 2011 election result

Borough-wide: Youth justice service requires improvement

Calderdale’s Youth Justice Service has been rated “Requires improvement” following an inspection published on 6 October. Inspectors found inconsistent assessment and planning, with more work needed to identify risks and keep children and communities safe. They also praised education, training and employment support, and work with victims. Six recommendations were made. The council says improvement work is already under way, and Cabinet has endorsed its updated youth justice plan.

Sources: Inspectorate findings · Council response

Elland: £17,000 school improvements ease journeys for disabled pupils

Highbury School’s car park has been resurfaced and reorganised in a project worth almost £17,000. Around 90 pupils arrive daily by specialist minibus, many remaining in their wheelchairs during the journey. The school says potholes and uneven surfaces had made access uncomfortable and difficult. Esh Construction completed the work through the YOR4Good Fund, linked to the Elland Access Package. Headteacher Debbie Sweet said funding pressures had previously prevented the school from prioritising the improvements.

Source: Calderdale Next Chapter / Esh Construction

Brighouse: Commercial Street reopens to through traffic

Through traffic can again use Commercial Street following the latest stage of Brighouse’s town-centre works. An update on 1 October confirmed that the street and the new Western Loop were open. Parking spaces, loading bays and disabled bays are available, but drivers should check the signs: the town centre is now a restricted parking zone, with parking and loading permitted only in signed bays. A 7.5-tonne weight restriction is also in force.

Source: Brighouse Town Deal construction updates

Todmorden: Appeal to restore Centre Vale Park’s wetland

The Friends of Centre Vale Park have launched a £2,500 appeal to help restore a neglected wetland area. Announced in September, the scheme would create interconnected permanent ponds and features designed to retain floodwater, support wildlife and reduce overflow onto paths. The group says public donations are needed to unlock match-funding. Calderdale Council’s countryside team has offered labour for the first stage, while fundraising would cover a digger and protective fencing.

Source: Friends of Centre Vale Park appeal, reported by HebWeb

Todmorden: Bus station works scheduled to finish on Friday

Passengers using Todmorden bus station are being advised to allow extra time while improvement works continue. Services 590, 591 and 592 are all departing from Stand A during resurfacing, drainage replacement and road-marking work. First Bus lists Friday 16 October as the expected completion date, although that could change. The operator warns that concentrating services on one stand may cause congestion and minor delays, and says its online notice will be updated if work is extended.

Source: First Bus service update

Sowerby Bridge: Police release e-fit following exposure report

Police have released an e-fit of a man they want to identify following a reported indecent exposure on Tuel Lane. The incident was reported to have happened at about 6pm on 4 August; the appeal was issued on 8 October. The man is described as being in his late twenties, around 5ft 10in tall, with a medium build and short light-brown or blond hair. Anyone recognising him should contact police, quoting reference 13260444035.

Source: West Yorkshire Police appeal and e-fit

Halifax: Witness appeal after man suffers serious head injuries

Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a 34-year-old man suffered a fractured eye socket and bleeding on the brain following an assault on Lower Clay Pits. Police say the incident happened at around 8pm on Friday 2 October, when a verbal altercation was reportedly followed by a punch to the face. Officers want to hear from anyone who saw or heard what happened. Information can be given through police Live Chat or by calling 101, quoting 13260563372.

Source: West Yorkshire Police

Lightcliffe: Syke Lane closure scheduled until early November

A section of Syke Lane is subject to a temporary road closure for work by M Group Water. The council’s notice covers approximately 34 metres between Syke Wells and 9 Syke Lane, with work scheduled from 5 October to 6 November. The diversion uses the unaffected part of Syke Lane, Northedge Lane, Denholme Gate Road and Bramley Lane. Pedestrian access must remain available, with emergency vehicles able to reach the closure point.

Source: Calderdale Council public notice, dated 1 October

Rishworth: Five-day closure planned for Pike End Road

Drivers are being warned of a planned closure on Pike End Road from 19 to 23 October for work by Spectrum Comms Solutions. The council’s notice covers a roughly 50-metre section from Kilt Hill Cottage to a point approximately 180 metres north of Pike Farm. The restriction is scheduled to operate around the clock. A diversion will use the unaffected section of Pike End Road, Long Gate, Rishworth New Road and Oldham Road; pedestrian access will be maintained.

Source: Calderdale Council public notice, dated 1 October

COMING SOON

• Is something rotten in the state of Calderdale?
• Who do you call when roadworks go wrong?

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