My name is Mark Mullany, I am the Green Party candidate for Skircoat ward.

Full statement

I have lived in Calderdale for over thirty years and love the character of its landscape and towns, including of course Halifax itself.

I've worked in both local government and the private sector in a variety of environment related roles.

I love the outdoors particularly walking and cycling and help run a grassroots football club. Since 2019 I have served as a parish councillor in my local area.

If elected as a councillor my priorities would be:

• Supporting communities within the ward to maintain and where possible improve local services and facilities against a backdrop of financial cuts to Council budgets. * Promoting walking, cycling and public transport improvements and supporting initiatives addressing the negative impacts of traffic in the ward, such as congestion, air pollution and speeding. * Maintaining local bus services and safely restoring usage as the economy opens up again. Bus services are vital for those do not have access to, or cannot afford, private transport and losing them increases social isolation. * Protecting and enhancing the local Green Belt and local green spaces — parks, playing fields, wildlife habitats and corridors, waterways, allotments etc — and improving access to them where appropriate for the health benefits they provide.

I joined the Green Party in 1985 because it was and still is the only party truly committed to a fair, just and sustainable society, recognising the finite nature of the planet and the need to leave it in a healthy state for future generations. Since then I have seen Green councillors elected and re-elected in other West Yorkshire authorities such as Kirklees, Bradford and Leeds, with a lasting positive impact. I hope this will be the year Calderdale follows suit.

Please contact me by email.