Agenda and decisions

To receive any announcements from the Mayor and Chief Executive.

Group Business Managers to submit any apologies for absence.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Council Meeting held on 5 March 2025.

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

To receive any Petitions from Members of the Council in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9.

Council 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.

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.

To receive the Minutes of West Yorkshire Combined Authority held on 30 January 2025.

To consider the approval of the Annual Pay Policy Statement 2025/2026.

Contact: Shauna Coyle Head of People Services

That the Annual Pay Policy Statement for 2025/2026 be approved, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.

To receive written questions to the Leader, Cabinet Members, Chairs of Committees and Nominated Spokespersons in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12. A schedule of written questions will be tabled at the meeting. One supplementary oral question will be permitted.

To receive the Minutes of (i) Cabinet held on 11 February and 11 March 2025 and (ii) Cabinet Committee – Local Issues held on 22 January and 19 February 2025.

(a)  To receive an Update from the Leader of the Council regarding the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge.

(b)  To receive oral questions/comments to Cabinet Members on their portfolios and relevant Cabinet Minutes;

-       The Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison)

-       The Deputy Leader of the Council / Housing and Transport   

        (Councillor Crook)

-       Children’s Services (Councillor Kendrick)

-       Corporate Services (Councillor Hawkins)

-       Education and Communities (Councillor A U Pinnock)

-       Environment and Highways (Councillor Munir Ahmed)

-       Finance and Regeneration (Councillor Turner)

-       Health and Social Care (Councillor Addy)

To consider the Kirklees Council Action Plan following the Local Government Association Corporate Peer Challenge.

Contact: Stephen Bonnell - Head of Policy, Partnerships and Corporate Planning

That the Local Government Association report, Council Action Plan and next steps and timelines be noted.

(a)  Corporate Governance and Audit Committee

(b)  District Wide Planning Committee

(c)  Health and Wellbeing Board

(d)  Licensing and Safety Committee

(e)  Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

(f)    Standards Committee

(g)  Strategic Planning Committee

-       Appeals Panel (Councillor Longstaff)

-       Corporate Governance and Audit Committee (Councillor Taylor)

-       District Wide Planning Committee (Councillor Ullah)

-       Health and Wellbeing Board (Councillor Addy)

-       Licensing and Safety Committee - including Licensing and Regulatory Panel (Councillor Firth)

-       Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee (Councillor Burke)

-       Personnel Committee (Councillor Pattison)

-       Scrutiny Panel – Children’s (Councillor Ali)

-       Scrutiny Panel – Environment and Climate Change (Councillor Cooper)

-       Scrutiny Panel – Growth and Regeneration (Councillor Amin)

-       Scrutiny Panel – Health and Adult Social Care (Councillor J D Lawson)

-       Standards Committee (Councillor Armer)

-       Strategic Planning Committee (Councillor Homewood)

-       Kirklees Active Leisure (Councillor Sokhal)

-       One Adoption Joint Committee (Councillor Sewell)

-       West Yorkshire Combined Authority (Councillor Pattison)

-       West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee (Councillor McLoughlin)

-       West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority (Councillor O’Donovan)

-       West Yorkshire Joint Services Committee (Councillor Munir Ahmed)

-       West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel (Councillor Lowe)

To consider the following Motion in the names of Councillors Taylor, Hall, McGrath and Bellamy;

“This Council notes that:

• Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, has published a Planning and Infrastructure Bill proposing significant changes to the planning system, aimed at liberalising planning rules.
• The Local Government Association (LGA) has raised serious concerns that these reforms could weaken local democratic oversight and reduce the ability of councils to shape development in their areas.

This Council believes that:

• The proposed changes risk removing councillors from key planning decisions, shifting power to unelected planning officers or central government. This would undermine local democracy and public trust in the planning system.
• These reforms could lead to inappropriate developments, overriding Local Plans and weakening councils’ ability to ensure high-quality, sustainable, and locally appropriate developments.
• There is a real danger that infrastructure and public services will not keep pace with new developments if local oversight is removed, leading to increased pressure on roads, schools, healthcare, and other essential services.
• Weakening council control over planning decisions could also result in greater influence from large developers, reducing community input and the ability to enforce affordable housing requirements or environmental protections.

This Council therefore resolves to:

• Formally oppose the proposed planning changes and request that the Leader of the Council writes to the Deputy Prime Minister outlining these concerns, calling for amendments to safeguard local democratic accountability.
• Publish the letter (website and social media) to raise public awareness of the issue and seek public support for the Council’s stance.
• Engage with Town and Parish Councils across the district to gather their views and ensure their concerns are represented in the Council’s formal submission to the Government.
• Work with the Local Government Association (LGA) and other local authorities to lobby the Government for protections that retain local councillor involvement in planning decisions.
• Explore alternative mechanisms to ensure councillors can continue to represent their communities and have a meaningful say in planning decisions if these legislative changes proceed.”