On 13th October, MPs voted by a big margin (274 for, 12 against) for a motion plus an amendment that:
“This House believes that the Government should recognise the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel ‘as a contribution to securing a negotiated two state solution.’”
(Re-posted from 2012)
There are some exciting green buildings in West Yorkshire, such as Sandal Magna Primary School in Wakefield. Completed in 2010, the primary school’s built of very thermally efficient timber and locally-sourced brick, and is heated by a ground-source heat pump that’s powered by 100m2 photovoltaic panels. Continue reading
On 14th October LocalGiving.com started doubling up donations to local community groups, including Blackshaw Environmental Action Team (BEAT).
They have £500,000 to give away and on top of your doubled up donation you
can Gift Aid your donation if you are a tax payer, which will add an extra 25% to your
donation. Continue reading
Calderdale Council has introduced a local hardship fund for people who receive Council
Tax reduction.
If you qualify for the fund (see info below) and need to claim assistance, you can phone the Council’s advisers on 01422 288003. Continue reading
The entrances to Calderdale Royal Hospital were picketed by striking NHS staff this morning between 7-11am, with many passing cars honking their horns in support.
Members of Unison, Unite, GMB and the Royal College of Midwives stood in the rain handing out leaflets, to explain that years of frozen pay and deteriorating working conditions are making it impossible to retain staff and to care properly for patients. Continue reading
On Saturday October 11th, scores of local people staffed information stalls in Halifax Town Centre and Hebden Bridge, to alert the public to the corporate power grab disguised as a transatlantic trade and investment treaty, that is currently being negotiated between the European Union and the USA. Continue reading
Switching from fossil fuel-generated energy to electricity, heat and gas that are generated from renewable sources will reduce the carbon emissions from the energy used to run your home or other building
The House of Commons Select Committee on Energy & Climate Change recently reported that the Green Deal has so far been a disappointing failure and its effects on reducing carbon emissions has been negligible.
The Green Deal, which got off to a slow start early in 2013 , expects householders to pay for reducing greenhouse gas pollution that comes from generating energy from fossil fuels. Continue reading
Huddersfield Keep Our NHS Public and Save Calderdale Royal Hospital campaigners want NHS chiefs and Calderdale Councillors to come clean about the damage that funding cuts and privatisation are inflicting on our NHS.
Paul Cooney, a member of Huddersfield KONP, said,
“The Trust’s September newsletter really obscures the truth about the Trust’s worsening financial situation. I have previously called for candour and transparency in their public statements. It is time for the Trust bosses to stop pretending everything’s going to be ok and admit that things can’t go on as they are.”
Calderdale Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service has suffered funding cuts at a time of increased referrals due to rising rates of mental illness and self harm among young people in Calderdale.
In 2013, one in five of Years 7/10 had self harmed, with rates highest among year 10 girls (one in three of whom had self harmed). In 2012/13, Calderdale hospital admissions for self-harm among young people between the ages of 10 and 24 were worse than the England average. [info source: CMBC Plan for Commissioning Services for Children and Young People in Calderdale 2014-16]
A recent report from West and South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Commissioning Support Unit (CSU) states that there is a high risk that the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Teams, run by the mental health Trust in Calderdale clinics since April 2013, may not be able to adequately meet patients’ needs. Continue reading