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Two wards will be electing two councillors, Greetland and Stainland following the sad passing of Liberal Democrat Coun Marilyn Greenwood, and Brighouse where former Conservative group leader Scott Benton, who is now MP for Blackpool South, has resigned his council seat, with neither seat being among those which would be contested this year.
The elections should have been held last year but were postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many but not all councillors who would be defending seats are standing again this time, and stepping down are experienced local politicians Geraldine Carter (Con, Ryburn), Anne Collins (Lab, Ovdenden), John Hardy (Con, Skircoat), Lisa Lambert (Lab, Illingworth and Mixenden) and Steve Sweeney (Lab, Todmorden).
Three of those are former Mayors of the borough – Coun Carter was Mayor of Calderdale in 2003-2004, Coun Hardy in 2012-13 and Coun Lambert in 2015-16.
Among candidates hoping to win seats are some former councillors, including Conservative veteran John Ford, contesting Elland, Andrew Tagg, contesting Ovenden for the same party, Robert Thornber, also for the Conservatives in Ryburn, Liberal Democrat stalwart Mick Taylor contesting Town ward for his party, Peter Judge contesting Rastrick for Labour and Independent Colin Stout hoping to win one of the Brighouse seats.
In Luddenden Foot ward, Labour’s Jane Scullion faces a challenge from two former holders of seats in the ward, Jill Smith-Moorhouse (Conservative) and Christine BamptonSmith (Liberal Democrats).
The election marks the first candidate to stand for Reform UK – formerly The Brexit Party – in a council seat, Chris Green contesting Ryburn ward.
Some parish elections are also taking place as is the first election of a West Yorkshire metro Mayor.
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