Agenda and decisions

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

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Cllr McBride.

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.

Councillor G Turner declared an ‘other’ interest in Agenda Item 9, on the grounds that he is a Parish Councillor at Denby Dale Parish Council.

Councillor Calvert declared an ‘other’ interest in Agenda Item 12 on the grounds that she has a relative who is a KNH tenant.

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.

No deputations or petitions were received.

The Committee will hear any questions from the general public.

Cabinet received a question from Mr K Shaw regarding the decision taken to approve plans for a new school at the site of Whitcliffe Mount Sports Centre.

To consider questions from Councillors.

No questions were asked.

A report advising members on the outcome of the statutory processes for the statutory proposal by Kirklees Council to change the upper age range of Ravenshall School from 16 to 19 years, and seeking approval to change the upper age range of Ravenshall School from 16 to 19 years.

Officer: Mandy Cameron 01484 221000

(1) That the advice of Kirklees School Organisation Advisory Group that the proposals to change the upper age range of Ravenshall School from 16 to 19 years are valid and that the required statutory processes have been carried out be noted.

(2) That it be agreed that the decision taken regarding the proposal will be within the statutory time period.

(3) That the outcomes and recommendations of the Kirklees School Organisation Advisory Group held on 23 November 2015, and associated officer recommendations, be noted.

(4) That the human resource and financial implications of approving the proposal be noted.

(5) That it be confirmed that full regard has been given to the Equalities Impact Assessment throughout the statutory process for the proposal including the decision regarding approval, meeting the obligations of the Equality Act 2010 and Public Sector Equality Duty 2011.

(6) That the proposal to change the upper age range of Ravenshall School from 16 to 19 years be approved without modification or condition.

(7) That Officers be requested to work closely with the Governing Body of Ravenshall School, staff and other stakeholders in order to implement the proposals from 1 September 2016.

A report seeking approval for the final details of the Kirklees School Funding Formula for the financial year 2016-17

Officer: Liz Singleton 01484 221000

(1) That the further changes required by the Education Funding Agency funding rules to the Kirklees School Funding Formula for the allocation of Dedicated Schools Grant to the maintained and academy schools in Kirklees for the financial year 2016-2017.

(2) That the consultative process undertaken in collaboration with head teachers through the Kirklees Schools Forum to agree the details of the Kirklees funding  formula be noted.

(3) That the details of the preferred Kirklees Funding Formula for 2016-2017 which elaborate the outline formula approved by the Cabinet in 23 October 2015 be noted.

(4) That approval be given to the final details of the Kirklees School Funding Formula for 2016-2017 for submission to the Education Funding Agency by 21 January 2016.

A report setting out the various tax bases which will apply to the Kirklees area for the financial year 2016/17 in connection with the council tax.

Officer: Steve Bird: 01474 221000

That the following recommendations be submitted to the meeting of Council on 20 January 2016;

(a)       That the 2016/2017 tax base for the whole of the Kirklees area, and the tax base for the five parish council areas be approved as below;

-           Whole of Kirklees – 113,388.90

-           Denby Dale Parish – 5,552.16

-           Holme Valley Parish – 9,630.95

-           Kirkburton Parish – 8,673.26

-           Meltham Parish – 2,652.06

-           Mirfield Parish – 6,388.57

(b)       That the full Government CTR Grant be passed to Town and Parish Councils at the same level as previous years.

(c)        That delegated power be given to the Director of Resources to adjust the component parts of the tax base should there be any alterations to the assumptions made at the meeting of Council on 20 January 2016.

A report informing Cabinet of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government’s (CLG) announcement of the Local Government Finance Settlement.

Officer: Debbie Hogg: 01484 221000

(1) That the Director of Resources be requested to write to the Secretary of State to indicate that Cabinet are minded to take advantage of the social care precept offer for 2016/17 and, in doing so, consider the balance of the interests of taxpayers with the pressures faced within the Adult Social Care Service.

(2) That Officers be authorised to send a response to the Government expressing concern regarding the impact on services which Local Authorities are taking responsibility for in instances where no funding is identified to support the delivery of the services.

A report providing feedback on the findings from the public budget consultation for consideration by councillors as part of the budget setting process.

Officer: Nicki Boothman: 01484 221000

(1) That the findings of the consultation proposals as set out on the report be submitted to the meeting of Council on 20 January 2016.

(2) That consideration be given to the consultation findings and Equality Impact Assessments to support the budget planning process and decision making.

A report seeking approval of the proposed dwelling rent, garage rent and other charges to be effective from 1st April 2016.

Officer: Helen Geldart: 01484 221000

(1) That the proposed dwelling rent and garage rent and service, and other charges set out in the report, be approved and effective from April 2016.

(2) That the national and local financial challenges outlined in the report be noted in preparation for the HRA budget discussions in February 2016.