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 Councillors S Hall, McBride and Sheard.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 9 February 2016.

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2016 be 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.

No deputations or petitions were received.

To consider questions from Councillors.

No questions were asked.

A report updating members on the reductions to the ‘Feed in Tariff’ and seeking approval to withdraw from the programme of works.

Officer:  Dave Woodhead and Helen Geldart

(1) That the progress of installing 574 solar photo voltaic systems, against the original target, be noted.

(2) That the recent changes published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, resulting in a 60% reduction in the Feed in Tariff rate for all systems registered after 15 January 2016, and the subsequent impact upon the financing of the project, be noted.

(3) That approval be given to the Council withdrawing from the programme of works, subject to panels being provided to homes where a commitment has been given to complete works and/or where works have already started.

(4) That, based upon the revised Feed in Tariff, the revised project expenditure and income projections, and the pressure upon the Housing Revenue Account, it be agreed that the project be ended.

A report updating on the progress made in relation to changes to specialist provision for disabled children and those with special educational needs across Kirklees. The report requests approval to take forward proposals for adjustments to some existing specialist provisions. 

Officer: Jo-Anne Sanders and Mandy Cameron

(1) That Officers be authorised to develop plans for a non-statutory  consultation to; discontinue the specialist provisions for children with speech, language and communication needs at Ashbrow School and Thornhill Junior and Infant School; discontinue the specialist provision for autism at Moldgreen Community Primary School and; relocate resources to a centralised primary outreach provision hub for speech, language and communication needs and autism across Kirklees.

(2) That authority be delegated to the Director of Children and Adult Services in consultation with Cabinet Portfolio Leads to (i) develop consultation materials on the basis of the proposals (ii) organise and carry out a non-statutory consultation on the proposals and (iii) request that a further report on the outcomes of the non-statutory consultation be submitted to Cabinet for consideration.