Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence of 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 3^rd December 2020.

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd December 2020 be agreed as a correct record.

The Chair provided updates to Members, as follows:

·       In respect of the Domestic Abuse Strategy; the information requested in respect of repeat calls had been circulated to Members of the Committee. It had confirmed that the police data indicated that repeat victim and repeat suspect rates in Kirklees remained stable and at similar levels to the same time last year and had been relatively stable for the last 3-4 years. (Minute 97, 29^th October 2020).

·       In relation to the Council’s response to Covid-19; as requested,  consideration had been given to using the opportunity provided by the implementation of mass community testing to disseminate information in relation to support services and this was being done through written material as well as staff conversations and discussions with those accessing testing. This primarily related to immediate COVID related support but would be varied as a route to providing other key information and receiving feedback. With regards to vaccination sites, work was underway with NHS colleagues to look at how to make the most of this opportunity. However at the present time the key information people needed to take away was that they must still follow the public health guidance despite having their vaccinations. (Minute 106).

·       The development of the Kirklees Climate Commission continued to follow the process set out to the 3^rd December meeting;

-       The first Advisory Panel meeting had taken place on 29^th January 2021, chaired by Professor Andy Gouldson (University of Leeds and Chair, Leeds Climate Commission) and with the Council represented by Councillor Davies (the Portfolio Holder) and Colin Parr (Strategic Director, Environment and Climate Change).

-       The second meeting was arranged for 26^th February.

-       It was anticipated that there would be one or two further meetings to agree the Terms of Reference and the process for appointing full Commission Members along with initial work priorities.

-       After an appointment process it was expected that the full Commission would launch in May 2021 (Minute 107).

·       The Economy and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Panel had considered the Additional Restrictions Grant Scheme at its meeting on 21^st January 2021 and made a number of  recommendations in relation to the need for a focus on those in the self-employed creative sector, engagement with businesses and effective communication with applicants (Minute 109).

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

No interests were declared.

Most debates take place in public. This only changes when there is a need to consider certain issues, for instance, commercially sensitive information or details concerning an individual. You will be told at this point whether there are any items on the Agenda which are to be discussed in private.

All items were considered in public session.

The Committee will receive any petitions and hear any 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 hand in a petition at the meeting but that petition should relate to something on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 (2), Members of the Public should provide at least 24 hours’ notice of presenting a deputation.

No deputations or petitions were received.

The meeting will hear any questions from the general public. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, questions must be submitted to executive.governance@kirklees.gov.uk no later than 10.00 a.m. on 10 February 2021.

No public questions were received.

The Committee will consider a report in respect of the development of three inter-related strategies; a Cultural Strategy, a Heritage Strategy and a Tourism Strategy.

Contact:

Adele Poppleton, Head of Culture and Tourism

Adele Poppleton, Head of Culture and Tourism and Deborah Marsland, Museums and Galleries Manager were in attendance to present a report in respect of the development of three inter-related strategies; a Cultural Strategy, a Heritage Strategy and a Tourism Strategy. Councillor Paul Davies, the Portfolio Holder for Culture and Greener Kirklees was also in attendance.

Representations and submissions were read out on behalf of the Friends of Spen Beck and Mann Dam; the Red House Heritage Group; and Environment Kirklees and the Three Valleys Nature Park. These had also been circulated to the Members of the Panel prior to the meeting.

Adele welcomed the submissions and explained that the strategies were at an early stage of development. She informed Members that work was already being undertaken with the Red House Heritage Group and she would put the Friends of Spen Beck and Mann Dam in touch with the relevant officers, in the Parks and  Streetscene department, in respect of woodland planting. She also undertook to respond and engage directly with these groups in respect of the issues they raised and to ensure that they were involved in the development of the strategies.

The presentation included:

·       An overview of the proposals to develop three separate, but interlinked, strategies, connected by the wish to explore, tell and promote the district’s stories. The focus would be on people and stories, not just buildings and physical assets.

·       Definitions of ‘culture’ ‘heritage’ and ‘tourism’.

·       The range of benefits that could be achieved through investment in culture, heritage and tourism.

·       The inherent nature of creativity and the contribution that creative activity and engagement could make to people’s wellbeing.

·       The need for the strategies.

·       The plan for recovery from the significant impact of the pandemic on this sector, both locally and at a West Yorkshire level.

·       The key underlying approaches, principles and themes for the Heritage Strategy; which was the most advanced in terms of its development.

·       The key themes and aims for the Cultural Strategy.

·       The key themes for the Tourism Strategy and the links being made to the ‘Yorkshire’ brand, in partnership with ‘Welcome to Yorkshire’.

·       The timescales for the development of the three strategies.

Questions and comments were invited from Committee Members and the following key issues were covered during discussion:

·       The integration of past heritage with links to the present and future was important. In respect of textiles, this could be seen in the development of cutting-edge textile design and technology in Kirklees. The heritage of the district in terms of engineering excellence should also be included.

·       The involvement of communities was important. Strong communication and ensuring understanding of what culture meant and the range of benefits it could bring would be key and may prove to be a challenge.

·       An events calendar to bring together information on all the activities and dates for all interests and groups would be helpful, providing clarity on what was being offered and when.

·       Linkages with walking and cycling routes to local places and businesses, such as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 116.

To give consideration to the Committee’s Work Programme for 2020/21.

Date of next meeting: 18^th March 2021.

Contact:

Sheila Dykes, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer

It was reported that the Peer Review Update report had been deferred until Autumn in light of the necessary re-prioritisation of activities and resources associated with the pandemic response. The Committee would maintain an oversight of the approach to

working with the voluntary and community sectors in the interim.

The Work Programme for 2020/21 was noted.

The Chair reported on the following urgent decisions:

·       A report in relation to the establishment of a Community Champions Grant Scheme had been submitted to Cabinet on 15^th December 2020. It had been agreed that the item would be exempt from call-in due to the very short timeframe for implementation, which was also impacted by the Christmas period. A request had been made that an update be provided to the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel at its next meeting.

·       An urgent officer delegated decision had been made by Rachel Spencer-Henshall, as Director of Public Health, on 16^th December 2020 to allow Kirklees to enter into a collaborative agreement with the Department of Health and Social Care to deliver Covid-19 community testing. It had been agreed that the item would be exempt from call-in, due to the emergency situation and the need to enter into the agreement before delivery of the programme (beginning the following day). A request was made that an update be provided to the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel.