Cut taxes for Halifax residents
Thousands of people in Halifax will be taken out of income tax altogether by new tax proposals launched by the Liberal Democrats. And thousands more will see their income tax bill slashed by £700 a year.
The plans were launched by Party Leader Nick Clegg on 20th April who said that they would boost family budgets battered by rising food, power and transport prices. The plans call for the personal tax allowance to be raised to £10,000
Parliamentary Candidate for Halifax Councillor Diane Park said, “Thousands of families on low income in Halifax will benefit from this tax cut. They will be lifted out of income tax altogether.
“People earning over £10,000 will pay £700 less income tax a year, paid for by ending the loopholes and tax avoidance schemes used by the wealthy and big corporations.
“Ordinary people are struggling because of the recession. Now is the time to make a far reaching and permanent change to the tax system that benefits those on low and middle incomes. Liberal Democrats want to see more money left in the pockets of ordinary people rather than taken away by the Government.
“Here in Halifax Liberal Democrats will be going into the general election committed to a lasting income tax cut.”
When out walking my dog Zac, I always take a bag to pick up the rubbish. Each day I am out I fill that bag. The rubbish is mainly empty drinks bottles, both plastic and glass. Fast food packaging that has been tossed from car windows and sweet wrappers. It seems that this fast, don’t care society just think out of sight is out of mind. If we did not pick up other peoples rubbish would we be up to our ears in packaging by now? It made me wonder if we could have people who look after their streets and watch out for litter droppers…Street Stewards. A bit like the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, but on the look out for litter and people who do not pick up after their dogs. More eyes to try to encourage people to look after their environment when they are away from home as I am sure they would not drop litter in their own area. If we all took care of our own patch would this encourage others?
The world just seems to get more scary. Businesses disappearing, going into liquidation. We are told there is nothing to fear but fear itself….not sure that this is true, makes you wonder how this will all end. At home we are pulling in the belt….looking for a job and hoping to be successful soon. The Treasury Select Meeting on Monday evening was not attended by any of the executive from Calderdale Council and I wonder how seriously they are taking the HBOS crisis? High job loses in Halifax would be a disaster for the town and it is time that Calderdale showed us they care.
Visited the Sowerby Bridge Copley Valley transformational project, for a day of creativity. All the ideas collected will contribute towards a “design ideas book” for the development of the former Standard Wire Works site that stretches between Sowerby Bridge and Copley.
The key issues for me are – Vision, flood risk, traffic impact and the wildlife/ecology impact. The objective of the scheme is to create employment opportunities in Calderdale, regenerate Sowerby Bridge, improve pedestrian links between the town and the railway station. The scheme on the face of it looks like a great idea, however the flood issues and increased traffic seem to be very contentious. I will be keeping a close eye on developments with this scheme.
Went down to Riverside Park, Elland to help with some planting ending up clearing a corner of the site which was a victim of flytipping. We found some interesting stuff….lots of plugs, transformers and computer equipment with the leads all cut off….yep wire stripping. There were yards and yards of the plastic wrapping without the copper wire in the middle. Most likely stolen equipment stripped and dumped. Shocking!!
The planting went well and the area under the trees began to look like a place you might want to go for a walk. Lots more to do and thanks to Elland volunteers and help from Calderdale parks department we are making progress
Held at Berties No 1 Brooke Street, Elland. A great evening of fellowship with the president of Halifax Calder Rotary Club Terry Ward.
As my role of President for Elland Rotary Club I attended the Rotary Club of Halifax 87th Charter at Berties Banqueting Rooms, Elland with distinguished guests, District Governer John Philip and his wife. Our host was the President of the Halifax Club Godfrey Platt. The speaker was Mr Geoff Cope – Yorkshire C.C.C and England. He spoke about life and cricket and gave us all food for thought as well as a really good laugh. Food, fellowship and fun, an excellent evening.
Had a very interesting and informative afternoon at the ambulance center in Wakefield. This is where the 999 calls are taken for the whole of Yorkshire. The atmosphere was one of calm, the teams work as a well oiled efficient machine. They strive for excellence and have recently gone through many changes for the better to get a performance improvement. The total demand has decreased across Calderdale and Kirklees in category A which is the 8 minute response 999 call. Whilst I was there the calls were very few, there are peak times mainly as people travel to and from work and in the evenings. The figures for the last year will be available soon and these should show an improvement in the performance to target.
Too early for my meeting I called in at Borders Book Shop, Birstall to peruse the books, bought a Henning Mankell novel, great crime writer. Then time for a quick coffee in Starbucks upstairs. Great idea they give away their old coffee grounds for your garden. Stops the slugs and snails munching on your plants!! Well worth a visit.
Over 80 people crambed into a small room in the White Swan Hotel, Halifax to ask questions of the Treasury Select Committee. As part of the ongoing inquiry into the Banking Crisis the select committee were in Halifax to find out from the public what they thought of the crisis, how it had effected them and what should be done. Feelings ran high and many suggestions were made. It was interesting thet the select committee were not aware that weeks before the failed merger with Lloyds/TSB that Andy Hornby was encouraging staff to buy shares through the share saver and share kicker schemes. Committee member Nick Ainger said “That’s tantamount to fraud” . There was a call for the unions to get in touch with the committee with evidence that this had happened.
