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 S Pandor and Cllr M Ahmed.

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.

Cllr C Scott declared an interest in agenda item 10 Review of KNH in that she had a relative who lived in a property owned by KNH.

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.

All items were considered in public.

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.

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 Committee will hear any questions from the general public.

No questions were asked.

To consider questions from Councillors.

No questions were asked.

This report is to provide Members with an overview of the Council’s corporate performance at the end of Quarter (2) 2018/19. 

Contact:  Nick McMillan - Directorate Performance Lead Officer Tel: 01484 221000

(1)  That the report be noted. 

(2)  That further improvements be made to future reports as indicated at the meeting.

To seek approval of the Council for the various tax bases, this will apply to the Kirklees area for the financial year 2019/20 in connection with the Council Tax. There are no proposed changes to the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) for 2019/20.

Contact: Steve Bird – Head of Welfare and Exchequer Services and Mark Stanley – Senior Manager Welfare and Exchequer Services Tel: 01484 221000

That the 2019/20 Council Tax base for the whole of the Kirklees area, and the Council Tax bases for the five Parish and Town council areas be referred to the meeting of Council on 16 January 2019 for approval and to form part of the budget process:

Whole of Kirklees 118,708.56

Denby Dale 5,771.84

Holme Valley 9,998.83

Kirkburton 8,910.47

Meltham 2,820.42

Mirfield 6,617.91

To note that Council can now determine under s11B of The Local Government Finance act 1992 to increase the premium for long term empty properties from 50% to 100% meaning that owners of those properties will pay 100% extra in council tax from 1^st April 2019.

Contact: Julian Hobson, Policy Officer, Tel: 01484 221000

(1)  That a recommendation be brought before Council that it make the Determination set out below:

“This council determines that in accordance with section 11B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 it will set a premium that applies the maximum afforded by the Act under sections 11B(1A) (1B) and (1C) with effect from the dates set out in those sections:

(1a)       For the financial year beginning on 1 April 2019 the “relevant maximum” is 100.

(1b)       For the financial year beginning on 1 April 2020 the “relevant maximum” is –

(a)  in respect of any dwelling where the period mentioned in subsection (8) ending on the relevant day is less than 5 years, 100;

(b)  in respect of any dwelling where the period mentioned in subsection (8) ending on the relevant day is at least 5 years, 200.

(1c)     For financial years beginning on or after 1 April 2021 the “relevant maximum” is— Page 46

(a)  in respect of any dwelling where the period mentioned in subsection (8) ending on the relevant day is less than 5 years, 100;

(b)  in respect of any dwelling where the period mentioned in subsection (8) ending on the relevant day is at least 5 years but less than 10 years, 200;

(c)  in respect of any dwelling where the period mentioned in subsection (8) ending on the relevant day is at least 10 years, 300.

(2)  That work commence integrating this into the incentivising of bringing empty property back into use to increase Housing supply.

To report on the outcome of the Council’s independent review of Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing Ltd (KNH) coupled with the KNH Board’s review of governance and make recommendations on the future direction of the management of the Council’s housing service

Contact: Naz Parkar - Service Director for Growth and Housing, Tel: 01484 221000

Cabinet approved:-

(1)  The recommendations of the KNH Board outlined in 5.2 of the report;

(2)  The implementation of the changes to the Articles of Association as set out in Appendix 1 of the report and summarised in 5.2 of the report and in addition to this the council appoints Naz Parkar – Service Director, Growth and Housing – to be delegated with authority to attend the proposed EGM and/or sign any relevant documentation to make the changes on behalf of the council as the sole member of KNH.

(3)  The role of the strengthened Board would be to oversee housing operations and to act as a single purpose vehicle to deliver the housing management and maintenance service.

(4)  That Housing Policy and Strategy, housing/asset investment and HRA Business planning matters would be determined by the Council, Cabinet or Council officers with advice from KNH officers;

(5)  The Council would establish a specific Housing Strategy Steering Group with cross-party representation to work with the KNH Board and help guide Cabinet decisions. This group would be supported by the Tenant Panel to ensure the tenants’ voice is central to decision making.

(6)  These arrangements are interim for the next to 12-18 months and will remain under review until the regulatory and legislative landscape begins to settle.