The two opposition parties at Calderdale Council will propose alternative budgets to Labour’s proposals which will be voted on at a meeting today. The Conservatives, the second largest group on the council, teamed up with the Liberal Democrats to draft the budget, which would include a council tax freeze until 2016, reduced parking charges, a shoppers’ parking scheme and the creation of community funds to support local initiatives.

Leader of the Conservative Group Councillor Stephen Baines said: “During our budget deliberations it became clear that there is still room for significant further reductions in the cost of running the council.”