Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any announcements from the Mayor and Chief Executive.

The Mayor presented Councillor Dad with a commemorative yearbook in recognition of her 2024/2025 Mayoral year.

Group Business Managers to submit any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Anwar, Bolt, Brook, Cooper, Lees-Hamilton, Holmes, K Pinnock, Simpson and Ullah.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of Annual Council Meeting held on 21 May 2025.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meeting of Annual Council held on 21 May 2025 be approved as a correct record.

Councillors 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.

No interest were declared.

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

Under the provision of Council Procedure Rule 9, Council received a petition form Councillor Bamford which requested the provision of a pedestrian crossing on the A636, adjacent to the war memorial car park.

The Mayor advised that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9(3), the subject matter of the petition be referred to the relevant Service Director.

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.

Council received deputations from (i) Dr Dylan Murphy regarding cuts to disability benefits and (ii) Dr Mike Mitchell regarding greenbelt land between Fenay Lane and Dark Lane, Almondbury (a petition was also submitted).

Responses were provided by (i) the Cabinet Member for Environment and Communities (Councillor A U Pinnock) and (ii) the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration (Councillor Turner), respectively.

To receive any public questions.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, this agenda item shall not exceed 15 minutes.

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

Council received the following written questions in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11;

Question from Avalon Rawling

“What challenges does the Council anticipate would arise in the setting up of a CIC to support the operations of critical public services, and what support or safeguards would the Council need to see to ensure such a model could succeed?” 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration (Councillor Turner).

Question from Avalon Rawling

“The Inclusive Economy Strategy endorsed by the Councillors at Agenda Item 10 of this meeting, commits to (among other things) local wealth building, supporting social enterprises and cooperatives, and ensuring that public spending delivers social value and inclusive outcomes. How do the Councillors envisage that social enterprises and cooperative models can not only be supported, but encouraged, among the citizens of Kirklees who are ready and able to get involved in solving many of the problems that the Council faces, not least in respect of budgetary constraints?” 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration (Councillor Turner).

To receive the Minutes of West Yorkshire Combined Authority meetings held on 27 February, 3 April and 8 May 2025.

The Minutes of West Yorkshire Combined Authority held on 12 December 2024 were received and noted.

To consider the outcome of the consultation process in respect of the review of the Council’s Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Principles and the adoption of the policy.

Contact: Fiona Goldsmith, Licensing Service

RESOLVED – That Council approve and adopt the revised Gambling Act

Statement of Principles 2025-2028, as attached at Appendix 1 of the report.

It was moved by Councillor Firth, seconded by Councillor Bellamy and

RESOLVED – That Council approve and adopt the revised Gambling Act

Statement of Principles 2025-2028, as attached at Appendix 1 of the report.

To consider the approval of the Kirklees Inclusive Economic Strategy.

Contact: Jonathan Nunn, Policy and Partnerships

RESOLVED – That the Kirklees Inclusive Economic Strategy be approved.

It was moved by Councillor Turner, seconded by Councillor Pattison and

RESOLVED – That the Kirklees Inclusive Economic Strategy be approved.

To consider the 2024/2025 Financial Outturn and Rollover Report.

Contact: James Anderson, Head of Accountancy

RESOLVED –

1)    That Council notes the 2024/25 financial outturn position for General Fund Revenue, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Capital Plan, including proposals for capital rollover from 2024/25 to 2025/26.

2)    That Council approves the creation of the Strategic Budget Contingency reserve with a balance of £3.5m at 31/3/25; funded from the Voluntary Revenue Provision Reserve.

3)    That Council approves £13.7m capital slippage from 2024/25 to 2025/26 and the removal of £0.4m uncommitted rollover from the Capital Plan.

4)    That Council notes the annual review of Council Treasury Management activity.

It was moved by Councillor Turner, seconded by Councillor Pattison

and

RESOLVED –

1)    That Council notes the 2024/25 financial outturn position for General Fund Revenue, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Capital Plan, including proposals for capital rollover from 2024/25 to 2025/26.

2)    That Council approves the creation of the Strategic Budget Contingency reserve with a balance of £3.5m at 31/3/25; funded from the Voluntary Revenue Provision Reserve.

3)    That Council approves £13.7m capital slippage from 2024/25 to 2025/26 and the removal of £0.4m uncommitted rollover from the Capital Plan.

4)    That Council notes the annual review of Council Treasury Management activity.

To consider undertaking a Community Governance Review following the recent Local Government Boundary Commission for England review.

Contact: Nick Howe, Policy and Partnerships

RESOLVED –

1)    That approval be given to undertaking a Community Governance Review in accordance with the relevant legal framework and Government guidance.

2)    That authority be delegated to Corporate Governance and Audit Committee to agree the Terms of Reference of the review and oversee delivery.

It was moved by Councillor Dad, seconded by Councillor Taylor and

RESOLVED –

1)    That approval be given to undertaking a Community Governance Review in accordance with the relevant legal framework and Government guidance.

2)    That authority be delegated to Corporate Governance and Audit Committee to agree the Terms of Reference of the review and oversee delivery.

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. 

Council received the following written questions in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12;

Question from Councillor Taylor

“In January 2024 at a public meeting in Flockton the Service Director for Highways and Streetscene, when responding to public concerns about a range of issues, agreed to undertake a road safety audit of the entire length of Barnsley Rd in Flockton. Why am I still waiting for this audit to be undertaken and what would the Cabinet Member like to say to the residents of Flockton who are still waiting for the outcome of that audit?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins).

Question from Councillor Safdar

“How much money did the Council save by ceasing operation of the rubble skips at the household waste and recycling centres in Kirklees?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins).

Question from Councillor Munro  

“When is the Council going to implement flood alleviation measures in Fenay Beck?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration (Councillor Turner).

Question from Councillor Munro

“Why can’t the Council do more to support litter picking groups instead of expecting volunteer members to not only dedicate their free time in removing other people’s litter from our public spaces but also now placing the burden on volunteers of  such groups to dispose of some of the litter themselves and also adhere to an ever increasing set of onerous rules?”

A response was provided by theCabinet Member for Environment and Communities (Councillor A U Pinnock).

Question from Councillor Munro

“Analysis by the National Police Chief’s Council recently has revealed that 2 million women a year are estimated to be victims of male violence, with crimes, including stalking, harassment, sexual assault and domestic violence affecting one in 12 women in England and Wales. I believe that we are experiencing an epidemic of violence against women and girls. What is the Council doing locally to tackle this issue in Kirklees?”

A response was provided by theCabinet Member for Environment and Communities (Councillor A U Pinnock).

Question from Councillor Taylor

“As you know parking has long been a problem in Kirkburton village and enforcement is clearly part of the solution. The presence of an enforcement officer on a regular basis will not only catch those breaking regulations but also act as a deterrent. Please can you tell me how often parking enforcement have attended Kirkburton in the last six months and what the outcome of those visits were?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins).

Question from Councillor Vickers

“Do you share my concern, and the concern of the local residents, that the infrastructure around Crosland Moor is not robust enough for the addition of 700 houses on the old Blackcat Fireworks site?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration (Councillor Turner).

Question from Councillor Longstaff

“What is the current view  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

To receive the Minutes of (i) Cabinet held on 8 April, 6 May and 10 June 2025 and Cabinet Committee – Local Issues held on 15 April 2025.

Item not considered (Meeting terminated in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16:2).

(i)             To receive an update from the Deputy Leader of the Council (Cabinet Member for Housing and Transport) – Councillor Crook

(ii)            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)

-       Adult Social Care and Corporate (Councillor Dad)

-       Children’s Services (Councillor Kendrick)

-       Communities and Environment (Councillor A U Pinnock)

-       Education (Councillor Rylah)

-       Finance and Regeneration (Councillor Turner)

-       Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins)

-       Public Health (Councillor Addy)

Item not considered (Meeting terminated in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16:2).

(i)             Corporate Governance and Audit Committee

(ii)            District Wide Planning Committee

(iii)          Licensing and Safety Committee

(iv)          Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

(v)           Standards Committee

(vi)          Strategic Planning Committee

Item not considered (Meeting terminated in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16:2).

-       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)

Item not considered (Meeting terminated in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16:2).

Motion submitted in the names of Councillors Scott, H Zaman, Masood Ahmed, Hussain, Councillor Moore, Councillor A Zaman, Councillor Anwar, and Bramwell;

“This Council notes with serious concern:

(i)     That the Government is planning to review and potentially reform Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and long-term sickness benefits through an upcoming Green Paper.

(ii)    That PIP is a non-means-tested benefit, designed to support people with the additional and unavoidable costs arising from disability or chronic ill health. It is not linked to employment status and provides vital support for transport, care, mobility, equipment, and daily living.

(iii)   That Government briefings and national media reports suggest potential measures including freezing PIP payments from 2026 and tightening eligibility criteria, including more frequent reassessments.

(iv)  That such proposals would represent a significant regression in social policy and risk inflicting harm on millions of disabled and long-term sick individuals, including many vulnerable residents within Kirklees.

This Council further notes:

(i)     That the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed, in response to a Freedom of Information request by the Benefits and Work campaign group, that 1.3 million people could lose their PIP entitlement under the Government’s proposed changes.

(ii)    That recent research by Health Equity North—conducted by academics from the universities of Manchester, Newcastle, and Sheffield, along with the Northern Health Science Alliance—has modelled the financial impact of these cuts at a constituency level.

(iii)   That the research shows areas in the North East and North West would be among the hardest hit, with 92 of the 100 worst-affected constituencies facing the steepest losses.

(iv)  That the same study estimates that the Huddersfield constituency alone stands to lose £17 million per year, which will have devastating human consequences for local residents, as well as a seriously negative impact on the local economy and public services, including the NHS.

(v)    That one of the report’s authors, Professor Clare Bambra, warned:

“Those areas that will lose most from this proposal were already decimated by austerity, COVID and the cost of living crisis. They have worse health than other regions and their local services and economies are already struggling. Losses of this magnitude risk worsening the situation for everyone living in these deprived constituencies. Parliament cannot risk rushing proposals like these through without fully considering how they affect local areas that are already struggling.”

(vi)  That the Resolution Foundation has also warned that freezing PIP payments would result in a real-terms income loss for approximately four million people, with 70% living in low-to-middle income households.

(vii)That these changes would place significant new pressures on already-stretched local authorities, including Kirklees, in areas such as social care, housing, crisis support, public health, and mental health services.

This Council believes:

(i)     That any reduction, restriction, or revaluation of PIP or long-term sickness benefits is wrong in principle, unjustified in evidence, and unacceptable in a just society.

(ii)    That this Council has a responsibility to stand up for disabled and chronically ill residents and to oppose policies that risk  ...  view the full agenda text for item 37.

Item not considered (Meeting terminated in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16:2).

To consider the following Motion submitted in the names of Councillors Scott, H Zaman, Ahmed, Hussain, Moore, A Zaman, Anwar and Bramwell;

“This Council notes that;

(i) The UK Government and the United Nations have both recognised that human rights due diligence is a core part of responsible business and public sector conduct.

(ii) The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI) provide a framework for ethical sourcing and investment.

(iii) Sections 26 and 27, Schedule 7 of the Procurement Act 2023 set out discretionary exclusion grounds that allow contracting authorities to exclude suppliers involved in serious misconduct, including human rights abuses.

(iv) Oxford, North Somerset, and other local authorities have agreed to consider strengthening their procurement and investment policies to ensure public money is not used to support companies implicated in serious human rights violations.

This Council believes that;

(i) Kirklees Council has a responsibility to ensure its financial decisions align with its stated values on equality, justice, and human rights.

(ii) Taxpayers’ money should not be used to support companies that are complicit in or benefit from breaches of international law — including the occupation of Palestinian territories, apartheid, or other recognised violations.

(iii) Ethical procurement and investment is not only a moral imperative, but also a legal and reputational risk management tool.

This Council therefore resolves to;

1)    Request that, in relation to Procurement, Cabinet review and strengthen the Council’s Procurement Strategy to ensure it:
(i) aligns, where lawful and practical, with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
(ii) includes reference to the discretionary exclusion grounds under Sections 26 and 27, Schedule 7 of the Procurement Act 2023, allowing the Council to exclude suppliers involved in serious human rights or humanitarian law violations
(iii) complies fully with UK procurement legislation

2)    Request that Cabinet bring forward an updated Ethical Procurement Policy, with clear criteria and governance arrangements for implementation and monitoring, and that, if an updated Procurement Strategy is adopted in line with the above, request that all relevant existing and upcoming Council contracts be reviewed for compliance with the updated policy, and that a report be brought to Cabinet within six months outlining the review’s findings and any recommended actions.

3)    Request that:
(i) Cabinet consider developing an Ethical Investment Strategy as part of the Council’s Treasury Management Framework, incorporating the UN Principles for Responsible Investment, where lawful and appropriate (ii) the Leader of the Council write to the West Yorkshire Pension Fund and to the Council’s appointed representatives, urging them to explore the adoption of an Ethical Investment Policy aligned with international standards on responsible investment and human rights

4)    Request that Cabinet, affirm the Council’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical  stewardship of public resources in both procurement and investment decision-making.

Item not considered (Meeting terminated in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16:2).

To consider the following Motion submitted in the names of Councillors J C Lawson and Marchington;

“This Council notes:

1)    The Government has published a Green Paper, which includes proposals to change disability and long-term sickness benefits. This includes Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP);

2)    PIP is claimed by nearly 3.7 million people in England and Wales, which includes an estimated 23,000 people in Kirklees. PIP is a benefit not linked to being in work or out of work but instead designed to help people with the additional unavoidable costs of having a disability. It is used by people who need daily help because of a long-term illness or disability or mental health condition. Many disabled people rely on PIP to cover the cost of getting to and from work, paying for essential equipment and for meeting their social care charges;

3)    PIP is a non-means tested benefit, meaning that claims are not affected by an individual’s income, capital or savings. It consists of 2 parts: a daily living component and a mobility component. Depending on their assessment, individuals may receive one or both components;

4)    The Government won a vote on its Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill in June 2025 by 75 votes, but only after offering last-minute fundamental concessions to Labour party rebels, which included protecting current claimants of PIP from stricter eligibility rules and an announcement that they would not change PIP rules until it had time to consider a wider review of the welfare system.

This Council believes that:

1)    The watered-down benefits bill represents a waste of money and has caused enormous anxiety to recipients of disability benefit payments. It’s not the right way to reform our welfare system;

2)    Any future reduction in future PIP payments or eligibility for PIP claimants will create a two-tier system of payments which will be deeply unfair and may leave new claimants facing serious financial hardship.

This Council, therefore, resolves to:

1)    Instruct the Leader of the Council to write to Liz Kendall MP, Secretary of State for Works and Pensions ahead of the wider review of the welfare system to make sure that none of the proposals which were initially included in the Government’s plans will be reintroduced after the review;

2)    Follow the example set by Stockport Council in developing a strategy to maximise the number of people claiming benefits they are entitled to in Kirklees, by using existing resources, including the Council website, the Council’s newsletters, notices in local newspapers and council social media feeds with an emphasis on enabling third sector group to promote access.”

Item not considered (Meeting terminated in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16:2).

To consider the following Motion submitted in the names of Councillors J C Lawson, P Davies, J D Lawson, Cooper, Scott and H Zaman;

“This Council notes:

1)    The statement by the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon MP, on the 24^th June 2025 which outlined the Government’s plan to introduce legislation which will ‘simplify governance arrangements’ for local authorities in England and abolish the committee system, requiring all councils to adopt the leader and cabinet system;

2)    Councils in the UK typically operate under one of three governance structures: leader and cabinet, committee or mayoral systems;

3)    Most councils currently operate under a leader and cabinet model. The committee system was the way that councils were governed up until 2000. The Local Government Act 2000 changed the models of governance, introducing the leader and executive (cabinet) and elected mayor and executive models. The Local Government Act 2000 also resulted in the abolition of the committee system in England everywhere (except shire authorities with a population under 85,000). However, as part of the Localism Act 2011, the committee system was re-introduced as an option for all local authorities to adopt;

4)    Typically, under the leader and cabinet model, the full council elects a leader, who then appoints a cabinet (executive), with cabinet members responsible for specific areas of service and the cabinet being the primary decision-making body. Under the committee system model, power is exercised, alongside full council, by a number of politically balanced committees, each with a specific area of responsibility. Under the executive mayor and cabinet model, a directly-elected mayor leads the executive and is accountable to the electorate;

5)    Currently, councils in England can change their governance arrangements and local residents can have a say on the governance model adopted by their local authority via a referendum;

6)    As part of the Government’s plans, councils currently using the committee model, including councils which have recently transitioned to the committee model following a referendum, will be required to transition to the leader and cabinet model;

7)    The Government has argued that the changes are needed in order to improve clarity and accountability in decision-making, enhance efficiency by streamlining governance structures and preventing unnecessary expenditure on governance transitions.

This Council believes that:

1)    Councils across the country use various governance systems, with some favouring the committee system and others preferring executive systems. Councils should have the choice to choose which model of governance best suits the needs of its residents. The details of councils’ internal arrangement should be a matter for local discretion. Although Kirklees Council currently operates a leader and cabinet model, it should be given the opportunity to transition to the committee system if Kirklees residents support this. Local people should be given the power to make the best choice for themselves;

2)    The Government’s plans are at odds with the devolved powers that the Labour party advocates. It should not be a one-size fits all approach. Fundamentally, the Government’s plans  ...  view the full agenda text for item 40.

Item not considered (Meeting terminated in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16:2).