Conservative councillors in Calderdale have dubbed 2013 the “year of missed opportunities” for the district.

Councillor Stephen Baines, Conservative group leader, said: “At the beginning of the year Labour controlled the Council in conjunction with the Liberal Democrats, but since May Calderdale has been controlled by a minority Labour cabinet.

“During that period we have experienced lost opportunities and local opinion ignored.”

He said these included a council tax increase of 1.99 per cent and an increase in car parking charges.