Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence from those Members who are unable to attend the meeting.

All members of the Committee were in attendance.

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 13^th December 2024.

RESOLVED –

That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 13^th December 2024 be approved as a correct record.

Members will be asked to say if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have any disclosable pecuniary interests or any other interests, which may prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items.

No interests were declared.

Most agenda items take place in public. This only changes where there is a need to consider exempt information, as contained at Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. You will be informed at this point which items are to be recommended for exclusion and to be resolved by the Committee.

All items were considered in public session.

The Committee will receive any petitions and/or deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also submit a petition at the meeting relating to a matter on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, Members of the Public must submit a deputation in writing, at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting and shall subsequently be notified if the deputation shall be heard. A maximum of four deputations shall be heard at any one meeting.

No deputations or petitions were received.

To receive any public questions.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, the period for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes.

Any questions must be submitted in writing at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting.

No questions were received.

The Committee will be invited to consider the draft budget proposals for 2025/26, as agreed by Cabinet on 10^th December 2024, so that the comments can be included within the consultation response and reported to Cabinet when it considers the budget at its meeting on 11^th February 2025 and Council at its meeting on 5^th March 2025.

Contact: Sheila Dykes – Principal Governance Officer

The Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive presented an introduction to the 2025/26 Council Plan and Annual Budget, setting out:

·       The approach to the development of the Council Plan alongside, and to align with, the Council’s Budget for 2025/26.

·       The consultation had been more extensive this year, with the aim of increasing engagement and transparency.

·       The six budget principles:

1.    Set a balanced budget and maintain a prudent level of reserves?.

2.    Maintain a focus on prevention and intervention to prevent longer term pressures.?

3.    Safeguard regeneration to support longer term economic growth?.

4.    Maximise income and seek new funding opportunities?.

5.    Prioritise transformation to increase efficiency and effectiveness of service?.

6.    Maintain appropriate risk and governance practices.

·       An initial early analysis of the key themes arising from the public consultation on the budget proposals across three areas:

-       The services where most respondents thought spend should be prioritised.

-       The proposals having the most impact on people (identified by the numbers of people raising them).

-       Ideas for saving money.

·       The four Council Plan priorities:

1.    Getting the basics right – a balanced budget and a modern organisation.?

2.    Protecting the vulnerable and achieving inclusion?.

3.    Thriving people and communities – now and over the longer-term?.

4.    Local economic growth – working with regional and national partners.

·       This session was in addition to the discussions that would take place with each of the political groups and was intended to take a strategic approach focussing on the extent to which the budget proposals fit with the Council’s desired outcomes, the national picture, had taken account of engagement and evidence, and addressed the challenges of delivery.

·       The challenges associated with developing a modern Council and ensuring that the approach was a good fit for Kirklees. Work was ongoing in respect of customer expectations and ensuring that the Authority was responsive in supporting communities with elements that they were able to deliver and minimised bureaucracy where possible.

This was followed by a presentation by the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Regeneration and the Service Director – Finance which highlighted:

·       This was a provisional budget further to the provisional Local Government Financial Settlement received in mid-December; the final figures were anticipated to be received in early February. The indication of a move towards a fairer funding scheme and a multi-year settlement in the future was welcomed and would assist with longer term planning.

·       The elements of the budget; Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Housing Revenue Account, and the impact of rising demand and demographic/inflationary pressures, particularly in Adults and Children’s Services.

·       Headlines relating to the development of the budget for 2025/26, including the national context. The final proposals would be considered by Cabinet on 11 February 2025 and would take account of the feedback received and the final Local Government Financial Settlement.

·       The overall updated budget position for 2025/26 to achieve a balanced budget including additional savings proposals of £11.4 million.

·       The Net Revenue Budget  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

The Committee will receive a presentation in respect of the key components of the Council Plan for discussion and feedback.

Contact:

Stephen Bonnell – Head of Policy, Partnerships and Corporate Planning

The Leader of the Council and the Head of Policy, Partnerships and Corporate Planning gave a presentation in respect of the 2025/26 Council Plan, highlighting the following:

·       The plan set out the priorities of the administration in the short term.

·       The 2025/26 document represented a revision of the previous council plan and the intention was to undertake a more in-depth review in 2025.

·       The longer-term elements such as the vision, shared outcomes and key partnership strategies had been in place for a significant period of time and remained in place, at this point,

·       The plan set out the priorities and the areas of focus for the Council and the budget outlined the resourcing to align with those.

·       The vision;

‘For Kirklees to be a district that combines a strong, sustainable economy with a great quality of life – leading to thriving communities, growing businesses, high prosperity and low inequality where people enjoy better health throughout their lives’.

·       The eight shared outcomes:

-       Shaped by People

-       Best Start

-       Well

-       Independent

-       Aspire and Achieve

-       Sustainable Economy

-       Safe and Cohesive

-       Clean and Green,

and the Council’s additional outcome; Efficient and Effective

·       The importance of working in partnership to deliver the vision and the four key partnership strategies:

-       Kirklees Health and Wellbeing Strategy

-       Environment Strategy

-       Inclusive Communities Framework

-       Inclusive Economy Strategy

·       The principles and approach including place-based working and the supporting behaviours and values set out in the People Strategy.

·       The four Council Plan priorities:

1.    Getting the basics right – a balanced budget and a modern organisation?

2.    Protecting the vulnerable and achieving inclusion?

3.    Thriving people and communities – now and over the longer-term?

4.    Local economic growth – working with regional and national partners

·       The areas of focus under each priority.

Questions and comments were invited from Committee Members, with the following issues being covered:

·       In terms of the approach, and whilst noting that it had been stated that the vision and outcomes spanned a number of years, the view was expressed the plan should cover a longer period than a year. In response, it was explained that this was considered to be a long-term plan which had been revised on an annual basis. A more in-depth review was planned and would take account of the peer review, devolution and the revised national funding approach.

·       Whilst there were references to a greener economy it was questioned whether climate change should be placed more prominently on the agenda as a theme; it was considered that this would be beneficial to the Council, it would help to focus attention on climate change and link that into activities in communities; there were also economic benefits  The Council Plan could not include everything that the Council did and there was a wide range of things that were important both to the Cabinet and the residents of Kirklees. The Environment Strategy was referenced within the plan, to reinforce the partnership commitments that had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

The latest version of the Committee’s work programme for 2024- 2025 will be submitted for consideration.

Contact: Sheila Dykes – Principal Governance Officer

The latest version of the Committee’s Work Programme for 2024-2025 was submitted. It was noted that a briefing note in respect of relevant Government legislative and policy changes would be provided for Members in advance of the next meeting of the Committee.