Reform could reverse council's vegan menu policy

Meat and dairy products could be back on the menu at official events and meetings held on a council's premises.

Calderdale councillors agreed to a plant-based, vegan catering offer two years ago.

The policy was introduced to offset the environmental effects of eating animal products.

However, with a switch of ruling group from Labour to Reform UK at last month's local elections, the catering arrangement could soon be reversed.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the move prompted complaints at the time - with reports that a "large amount" of food was going to waste.

Comments were made at a Civic Advisory Panel that suggested the policy was not suited to everyone's tastes.

The council's deputy leader, Scott Patient, urged people to "try it, you might like it", and added that the authority should lead by example and encourage other organisations to use locally sourced fruit and vegetables.

However, the former NFU vice-president Rachel Hallos, who has a farm near Ripponden, said sustainable meat and dairy products should also play a part in a healthy diet.

The council's governance and business committee will now be asked to adopt a "supporting the local economy" catering policy.

It will require council catering to comprise seasonal, healthy nutritionally-balanced food, with plant-based options always available.

While vegan – and vegetarian – options will still be available, menus will be chosen more widely.

Councillors are now due to discuss options on 22 June. They also have the choice of continuing with the vegan policy or of not having any set catering guidelines.

Their recommendation will then go to a meeting of the full council for more debate and a final decision to be made by councillors.

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