Agenda and decisions

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

Apoloiges were received on behalf of Cllr Elizabeth Reynolds.

Members will be asked to say if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have any disclosable pecuniary interests or any other interests, which may prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items.

No interests were declared.

Most agenda items take place in public. This only changes where there is a need to consider exempt information, as contained at Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. You will be informed at this point which items are to be recommended for exclusion and to be resolved by Cabinet.

It was noted that all items would be considered in public session.

The Cabinet will receive any petitions and/or 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 submit a petition at the meeting relating to a matter on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, Members of the Public must submit a deputation in writing, at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting and shall subsequently be notified if the deputation shall be heard. A maximum of four deputations shall be heard at any one meeting.

No deputations or petitions were received.

To receive any public questions.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, the period for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes.

Any questions must be submitted in writing at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting.

Cabinet received questions under Executive Procedure Rule 2.3.

Cabinet will receive any questions from Elected Members.

In accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 2.3 (2.3.1.6) a period of up to 30 minutes will be allocated.

Cabinet received oral questions under Executive Procedure Rule 2.3.

To receive information on financial monitoring for General Fund Revenue, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Capital Plan, as at Quarter 3 (month 9), 2023/24.

Wards affected: all

Contact: James Anderson, Head of Accountancy

RESOLVED –

1)    That the forecast revenue outturn position at Quarter 3 for 2023/24 (£9.9m overspend), and the forecast year end position on the Council’s reserves and balances: £55.8m Reserves, of which £43.8m were Usable Reserves (£47.4m Reserves, of which £35.4m were Usable at Q2) be noted.

2)    That the Quarter 3 forecast HRA position (£600k surplus) and forecast year-end reserves position be noted.

3)    That the Quarter 3 forecast capital monitoring position for 2023/24 with regards to Capital (£2.7m underspend) be noted.

4)    That approval be given to the re-profiling of the 2023/24 capital plan reduction since Council Budget Report of £27.8m being

(i)             +£1.24m grants (Housing DFG/Climate Emergency/Active Travel Fund)

(ii)            -£29.1m re-profile (£13.8m/self-financed, £11.5m grants/S106, £0.7m receipts, HRA RCCO/Reserves £3.1m)

5)    That the Quarter 3 treasury management prudential indicators be noted.

To consider Council Tax provisions regarding empty properties and second homes.

Wards affected: all

Contact: Julian Hobson, Head of Service Welfare & Exchequer

RESOLVED – That the report be referred to Council on 6 March 2024 with a recommendation that: -

1)    The qualifying period for the long-term empty property premium in Council Tax be reduced to one year effective from 1st April 2024; and

2)    A 100% Council Tax premium for second homes (dwellings which are furnished, but unoccupied) be introduced effective from 1st April 2025.

3)    Authority be delegated to the Council’s Section 151 Officer In conjunction with the portfolio holder to enable them to amend the policy and / or any associated procedures to ensure alignment with the regulations or statutory guidance relating to the exemptions from the premiums, when these are issued or subsequently amended by Government.

To consider the overall approach to integrate the customer service and library functions.

Wards affected: all

Contact: Mags Rogerson, Head of Service Local Integrated Partnerships

RESOLVED –

1)    That authority be given to the overall approach to integrate the customer service and library functions.

2)    That authority be given to commence a service change process to reduce both management and frontline staffing to achieve integration and savings.

3)    That authority be given to commence engagement with community partners around the proposed community managed libraries model.

4)    That the contents of the initial Integrated Impact Assessment be noted.

To consider consulting with the General Registrar Office (GRO) in order to redesign the Registration Service.

Wards affected: all

Contact: Dave Thompson, Head of Access Strategy and Delivery

RESOLVED –

1)    That authority be given for the Registration service to consult with and obtain the required approval from the General Registration Office (GRO) on the proposed new local scheme.

2)    That it be noted that any consolidation to one central site would only be agreed following due process with the GRO.

3)    That authority be given to re-design the Registration Service including options to (i) consolidate into a central main site in Huddersfield for delivering all Registration services with wedding ceremonies still taking place at Dewsbury Town Hall and at wedding venues across North Kirklees, (ii) for Needs led support – ensuring that the impact of consolidation be reviewed, and adjustments considered in light of the experience, including holistic support to individuals and the feasibility of offering place-based service delivery where the need was identified.

4)    That a full review of the Registration Service fees and charges set by the council be made annually based on benchmarking with other local Registration districts and implemented in year from 2025/26 and reviewed annually thereafter.

5)    That it be noted the final decision would only be made following the consultation with, and approval from, the GRO and that authority be delegated the to the Strategic Director for Adults and Health in consultation with the cabinet portfolio holder for a decision on site arrangements.

To consider a change in the Councils approach to commissioning Domestic Abuse support services using external grant funding.

Wards affected: all

Contact: Chani Mortimer, Service Manager - Domestic Abuse

RESOLVED –

1)    That authority be given to change the Councils approach to commissioning domestic abuse support services enabling 60-month outcomes-based contract to be entered into with Kirklees Better Outcomes Partnership (KBOP) part of Bridge Outcome Partnership (BOP), to commence on the 1 April 2024;

2)    That authority be delegated to officers to execute the agreed contract.

To consider the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2024.

Wards affected: all

Contact: Paul Farndale, Flood Team Leader, Planning and Development

RESOLVED – That the new Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2024 be adopted.

To consider admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools in 2025/26.

Wards affected: all

Contact: Sharon Oldfield, Pupil Admissions Manager

RESOLVED –

1)    That approval be given to the Kirklees co-ordinated admission schemes for 2025/26 including in-year admissions, as set out in Appendix 2;

2)    That approval be given for the admission arrangements for Kirklees community and voluntary controlled schools as detailed in Appendix 1C;

3)    That approval be give for the PANs for each community and voluntary controlled school set out in appendix 1D of the considered report which include: (i) Purlwell I & N School – PAN decrease from 90 to 60 in 2025/26 and (ii) Savile Town CE (VC) I & N School – PAN decrease from 60 to 30 in 2025/26.