Agenda and decisions

To receive apologies for absence of Members who are unable to attend this meeting.

All Members were present.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 6 October 2015.

Approved as a correct record.

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.

It was noted that all Agenda Items would be 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.

Deputations were received from Jenny Tomlinson Walsh and Chris Strachen in relation to Agenda Item 8.

The Committee will hear any questions from the general public.

No questions were asked. 

To consider questions from Councillors.

No questions were asked. 

A report providing clarification in respect of the findings from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee following the scrutiny call in on Future Library Provision.

Officer: Dave Thompson: 01484 221000

(1)       That, pursuant to the Call-In Scrutiny meeting held on 23 October 2015, the categorisation of libraries be confirmed as follows;

(a)       Town Libraries – Batley, Birstall, Cleckheaton, Dewsbury, Heckmondwike, Holmfirth, Huddersfield and Mirfield

(b)       Community Supported Libraries – Almondbury, Birkby, Chestnut Centre, Denby Dale, Golcar, Greenwood Centre, Honley, Kirkheaton, Kirkburton, Lindley, Marsden, Meltham, Rawthorpe/Dalton, Shepley, Skelmanthorpe and Slaithwaite.

(2)       That the hours allocated to each library be as set out in Option 2 of Appendix C to the report, subject to the amendment of the hours for Dendy Dale being 15.

A report seeking consideration of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s findings and recommendations and determine a course of action.

Officer: Helen Kilroy: 01484 221000

That the recommendations of the Scrutiny Panel, as referred to be noted and that the decision of Cabinet be clarified as specified in the decision as set out at Agenda Item 8.

A report providing an update on progress made in relation to housing delivery projects and seeks approval to delegate authority to officers to continue to progress the activities and projects.

Officer: Kim Brear: 01484 221000

(1)       That the progress made in relation to the housing delivery projects be noted.

(2)       That authority be delegated to the Director of Place and the Assistant Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to take the necessary actions to continue to progress the activities and projects noted in the report.

(3)       That the outcome of the public open space advertising process for the Ashbrow site be noted.

(4)       That authority be delegated to the Director of Place and the Assistant Director of Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing to procure a delivery partner for the site at Ashbrow to include the finalising of a shortlist of bidders for the proposed housing scheme at Ashbrow and to carry out the tender stage of the process to appoint a delivery partner.

(5)       That approval be granted for the Council to enter a development agreement with the appointed delivery partner and to dispose to the delivery partner (whether by freehold transfer or the grant of a long leasehold interest) all or part of the Ashbrow site.

(6)       That authority be delegated to the Director of Place and Assistant Director of Place to negotiate and agree the terms of the documents disposing all or part of the Ashbrow site any any other relevant documents that relate to the development of the Ashbrow site by the appointed delivery partner.

(7)       That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director Legal, Governance and Monitoring, to enter into and execute the documents disposing of all or part of the Ashbrow site and any other relevant documents that relate to the development of the Ashbrow site by the appointed delivery partner.

(8)       That approval be given to the carrying out of enabling works as referred to in clause 3.7.2 of the report.

(9)       That Officers be requested to prepare a further progress report for consideration by Cabinet at a time to be agreed by the Lead Member for Housing and the Director of Place.

A report detailing the concept of a Housing and Enterprise Growth Zone and seeking agreement in principle for consultation, subject to finalisation and adoption of the local plan.

Officer: Stephen Jagger: 01484 221000

(1)       That the concept of a Housing and Enterprise Growth Zone be agreed in principle for consultation, subject to finalisation and adoption of the local plan.

(2)       That the draft vision statement, aim and core objectives for the strategy development be discussed and agreed.

3)         That a series of objectives that will guide and deliver sustained growth be agreed, which may include:

(a)       A focus for housing and economic growth - thus delivering long term sustainable jobs and providing a funding mechanism to initially revitalise Dewsbury’s urban core.

(b)       A key strategic employment location within the LCR.

(c)        A location that will be fully exploited to ensure it is seen as a key transport node for both road and rail (connecting to HS2, Leeds and other regional centres and the wider north of England), being only 15 minutes from Leeds by rail.

(d)       Dewsbury to be seen as a primary economic and service centre, with a town centre that is fully occupied through increased

housing and leisure provision, with a consolidated retail and commercial core.

(e)       The final objectives to be set out in a future report.

(4)       That an integrated approach be progressed aligning growth and renewal through a single overall investment and development programme for Dewsbury and North Kirklees, with a prioritised timetable, associated delivery plan and dedicated resource, minimising risks and maximising opportunities.

(5)       That a bespoke local delivery model and financial strategy to support the delivery of proposed plans be developed.

(6)       That the leadership, governance, staffing and management arrangements be considered and that this be subject of a further report incorporating a review of partners/potential partners and interface with the local communities.

A report seeking approval of the review of fees and charges for services provided by Place Directorate.

Officer: Aidan Hopson

That the changes to fees and charges within the Place Directorate, as set out within the considered report, be approved and implemented with effect from 1 December 2015.

A report updating members about the decision of the successful proposer who has been agreed to run a new 630 place primary free (academy) school for pupils aged 4-11 years to serve the Huddersfield South West area by the Regional Schools Commissioner.

Officer: Jo-Anne Sanders: 01484 221000

(1)       That it be noted that the decision of the Regional Schools Commissioner is in line with the recommendations of the Council, following a first stage review of the proposal.

(2)       That it be noted that Officers would work in partnership with Moor End Academies Trust to deliver the new pupil places to be available from September 2016.

A report seeking authorisation to proceed with the transaction and complete all necessary documentation.

Officer: Mark Gregory: 01484 221000

(1)       That the progress in regard to completing the transfer of the assets to the North Huddersfield Trust School, and matters relating to the playing fields, be noted.

(2)       That Officers be authorised to proceed with the transaction and complete all necessary documentation without including in the transfer a restriction on use, but protecting the Council’s interests by ensuring that if the playing fields are no longer to be used for educational purposes the Council has an option to re-aquire the playing field at no cost.

A report seeking  endorsement for the Playing Pitch Strategy and Action Plan.

Officer:  Martin Gonzalez 

That approval be given to the publication of the Playing Pitch Strategy.

A report seeking a decision on whether to proceed with the disposal of part of Sycamore Recreation Ground.

Officer:  Cheryl Noble:  01484 221000

Decision deferred.

A report presenting the Capital Monitoring Report for Quarter 2 (2015/16).

Officer: Debbie Hogg: 01484 221000

(1)       That the Capital Monitoring Report be noted.

(2)       That a review of 2015/2016 capital under-spends be undertaken in order to identify any uncommitted resources that could potentially be used to reduce overall corporate borrowing costs.

(3)       That the Prudential Indicator information be noted.

A report presenting the mid-year monitoring report on Treasury Management activities for 2015/16 covering the period 1 April to 30 September.

Officer: Tim Mitchell: 01484 221000

That the report be noted and submitted to the meeting of Council on 9 December 2015.

A report presenting the Revenue Financial Monitoring Report for Quarter 2 (2015/16).

Officer: Eamonn Croston: 01484 221000

(1)       That the forecast position at Quarter 2 for the general fund, housing revenue account and collection fund be noted.

(2)       That the approval be given to the drawdown of £6.3m from earmarked reserves for volume and/or service pressures.

(3)       That up to £805k commitments to date against the £2.85m New Council Developments Reserve be noted.