Agenda and decisions

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

All Members of the Cabinet were present.

To approve the Minutes of the meetings of Cabinet held on 22 January and 29 January 2019.

The minutes of the meetings of Cabinet held on 22 and 29 January 2019 were agreed.

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 Cabinet 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.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 (2), Members of the Public should provide at least 24 hours’ notice of presenting a deputation.

No deputations or petitions were received.

The Cabinet will hear any questions from the general public.

No questions were asked.

To consider questions from Councillors.

To consider questions from Councillors.

Councillor Martyn Bolt referred to a forthcoming item on Look North regarding the George Hotel.  A response was provided by the Cabinet Members for Economy and Communities and Environment.

A report presenting the results of this year’s consultation and seeks to determine admission arrangements for all Kirklees community and voluntary controlled schools for 2020/21.

Ward: All

Officer: Sharon Oldfield Pupils Admissions Manager and Martin Wilby Senior Strategic Manager. Tel: 01484 221000

That Cabinet:- 

1.    Approved the Kirklees co-ordinated admission schemes for 2020/21, including in-year admissions, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report;

2.    Approved the admission arrangements for Kirklees community and voluntary controlled schools as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report, including the PANs for the schools set out in appendix 1D of the report.

Decision about the published statutory proposal to decommission 6 transitional places at Headlands CE (VC) JI&N School for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and to deliver services in a different way.

Ward: All

Officer: Mandy Cameron, Head of Service Education and Inclusion Harkireet Sohel, Head of Service Outcomes for Children, Tel: 01484 221000

That Cabinet:- 

1.    Noted

a.             the advice of the Kirklees Kirklees School Organisation Advisory Group that the proposals to decommission 6 transitional places and outreach at Headlands CE(VC) JI&N School for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder from 1 March 2019 and deliver the service in a different way;

b.             that the statutory process had enabled a full and detailed presentation of the proposals to interested parties;

c.             the rationale for the proposal had been clearly articulated against the factors in the decision maker’s guidance as outlined in Appendix 7 of the report; and

d.             and the issues raised in consultation had been presented for full consideration against the factors in decision maker’s guidance.

2.    Approved without modification or condition the proposals outlined within the report.

To report formally the Key Stage educational achievement outcomes for Kirklees Schools in the 2017/18 academic year.

Ward: All

Officer: Emma Brayford, Kirklees Learning Partner and Harkireet Sohel, Head of Service Outcomes for Children. Tel: 01484 221000

That Cabinet:-

1.    Approved the Kirklees Annual Educational Quality and Standards Report 2017-18;

2.    Delegated authority to the Director for Children’s Services in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Learning and Aspiration and the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services to finalise the development of a 5 year Learning Strategy with the Education and Learning Partnership Board by the Summer term; and 

3.    That impact be monitored and progress evaluated through quarterly monitoring to Cabinet.

A report seeking approval to develop a scheme for the improvement of shop fronts, the creation of viable new uses within the upper floors of the buildings through grant aid and to consider enforcement measures to facilitate the same objectives within Huddersfield town centre.

Ward: Newsome

Officer: Nigel Hunston, Conservation Design Group Leader. Tel: 01484 221000

That Cabinet:-

1.    Approved £1.2m to be taken from the Town Centre Capial Allocation to support the installation of shop fronts and secure more viable uses where necessary;

2.    Authorised the Strategic Director for Economy and Infrastructure to:-

1. Set up a grant scheme for the award of third party grants to owners of properties for the purposes of the installation of shop fronts and/or for the purposes of securing more viable uses where appropriate;
   
   
2. Enter into discussions with the Heritage Lottery Fund, Architectural Heritage Fund and Historic England to secure possible funding for the scheme;
   
   
3. Enter into discussions with the Huddersfield Civic Society to join the scheme as partners and secure the publication of a Huddersfield Town Centre Design Guide; and
   
   
4. Take any necessary enforcement action to secure better quality shop fronts and advertisements.
   
   
5. Ensure that further checks be made around enforcements for the town centre, carry out an audit of the buildings and continue to take enforcement action where necessary.

This report provides an update on the development of the Leeds City Region Connectivity Strategy. It explains what the Connectivity Strategy is and how potential future Mass Transit options are being developed that improve connectivity within Kirklees and to the City Region.

Wards: Dewsbury East Dewsbury West, Batley East, Batley West, Heckmondwike, Liversedge and Gomersal, Cleckheaton

Officer: Simon Taylor, Head of Development Management and Tim Lawrence, Principal Engineer. Tel: 01484 221000

That Cabinet:-

1.    Noted the update on the work undertaken to date by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and partners to progress the Leeds City Region Connectivity Strategy, as reported to the Combined Authority Transport Committee; 

2.    Requested that officers continue to work in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to drive forward the Leeds City Region Connectivity Strategy to deliver appropriate solutions for the district;

3.    Supported the proposed West Yorkshire Transport Committee member working group to oversee the connectivity and mass transit strategy; and

4.    Endorsed the opening of a conversation with the public and stakeholders around the role of mass transit, as a part of an integrated solution to the economic and transport challenges facing West Yorkshire.

To consider the Improvement Line 179 on Drinker Lane, Royd House, Kirkburton.

Ward: Kirkburton

Officer: Tim  Lawrence, Principal Engineer. Tel: 01484 221000

Cabinet agreed that Improvement Line 179 be removed from the Council’s Improvement Line Register on the basis that it is no longer required.

To receive written questions to the Leader and Cabinet Members that were not dealt with at the previous meeting of Council, held on 16 January 2019, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12(8).

Ward: N/A

Officer: Julie Muscroft, Service Director (Legal, Governance and Commissioning), Andrea Woodside, Principal Governance Officer. Tel: 01484 221000

This item was not considered as the elected Member was not in attendance.