Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Hawkins.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on 8 April 2025.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 April 2025 be approved as a correct record.

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

No interests were declared.

Most agenda items will be considered in public session, however, it shall be advised whether the Cabinet will consider any matters in private, by virtue of the reports containing information which falls within a category of exempt information as contained at Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

It was noted that all agenda 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.

Under the provision of Council Procedure Rule 10, Cabinet received a deputation from Mr John Avision, on behalf of Armitage Bridge Village Association, in regards to the declassification of Armitage Road (B6110).

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways (Councillor Ahmed).

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.

The Cabinet received and noted the followng question that had been submitted by Mr John Avison in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11;

“Would Kirklees Council consider lowering the classification of Armitage Road, Armitage Bridge from ‘B’ to ‘U’?”

A response was provided by the Leader of the Council.

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 the following questions in accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 2.3;

Question from Councillor Cooper

“Pursuant to the Cabinet Member’s response to the public question, in regards to the comment that gritting won’t be provided if the road is declassified, a large proportion of it is a bus route and so gritting would be retained. In regards to the bridge impacts, we’ve seen pictures of the vehicle that did the damage, and the impact is by large vehicles. In regards to navigation, on a daily basis HGVs are getting jammed up, damaging walls and vehicles and stopping the flow of traffic. We achieved a weight restriction on that stretch of road but it isn’t enforced and so it would be easier to have the road declassified to stop vehicles using the route in the first place. I’d like more detail on the answer that the Cabinet Member has provided. In regards to lineage, I’m pleased that Bankfoot Lane is being done, but more generally we’ve got lineage in the town centre and permit parking zones which isn’t being done and that’s reducing a revenue stream for the council and also means that people who have paid for parking permits are not receiving the service they pay for because lineage in parking permit areas can’t be enforced. So, can we look again at Armitage Bridge and the claims that declassification won’t make a difference?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways (Councillor Ahmed).

Question from Councillor J D Lawson

“I welcome the new Government initiative to get tough on fly tipping but I hope there will be money to address the causes of fly tipping. Kirklees needs to look at how we stop fly tipping with a two-pronged approach, opening the tip 7 days a week, maybe a token bulky goods fee charge to encourage residents to use Kirklees services and not unregistered operatives. We could also look at initiatives use in other authorities whereby wagons and trucks go to hotspots to collect waste and household goods and residents bring the items to the wagons.

I wish to raise the state of Yews Hill play area. The latest fly tip was reported in the middle of March, the pile has now grown and still we are told that it doesn’t warrant covert monitoring. I also have concerns regarding the lack of collection of bags of fly tipping collected by volunteers. There are bags still waiting collection from a litter pick that took place in my ward in February. The Calder Conservation Group in Dewsbury have been waiting six weeks for their litter pick to be collected.

Councillor Arshad asked me to raise the work of litter pickers on Sands Lane, Dewsbury, who are still waiting after nine weeks for the litter to be collected, and have had to go and re-bag the waste as it was being ripped by vermin. The sight of the bags has also attracted further fly tipping at the site.

We  ...  view the full minutes text for item 133.

To receive the Healthy Child Programme.

Wards affected: all

Contact: Lucy Wearmouth, Head of Improving Population Health

RESOLVED - That the Health Child Programme Report be received and noted.

(Under the provision of Council Procedure Rule 36(1), Cabinet received  representations from Councillors Cooper and J D Lawson).

Cabinet received a report which provided the Cabinet with information regarding the re-procurement of the Healthy Child Programme, specifically (i) an overview of the programme (ii) the background to the programme contract (iii) the vision of the new programme (iv) an update on the key milestones for the competitive tender process of the programme and (v) the governance process undertaken.

Cabinet noted that the Healthy Child Programme was a national evidence based public health initiative aimed at improving the health and well being of children and young people from the antenatal period up to the age of 19 (and to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) through the means of health and development reviews, health promotion, parenting support and screening immunisation programmes.

The report advised that the procurement process would evaluate submitted bids up until August 2025 and work would then take place with the successful bidder with the new contract scheduled to commence on 1 April 2026. It was noted that the value of the Healthy Child Programme contract would be £8.1m per annum for the first five years of the contract and would be funded from the ring fenced public health grant.

RESOLVED - That the Health Child Programme Report be received and noted.

To consider the delivery programme for the Highways Capital Plan budget allocation for the years 2025/26 & 2026/27.

Wards affected: all

Contact: Yvonne Atkinson, Highways Capital Programme Manager

RESOLVED –

1)    That approval be given to the budget and programme/scheme allocations within the detailed two year Highways Capital Plan to the sum of £20,827,680 and £16,453,364 for 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 respectively (Appendices A and B refer), to allow the budget allocation and spend on the schemes identified to improve the Highway Network and increase safety on the roads whilst improving air quality and positively impacting climate change across the district.

2)    That approval be given to the delegation of authority to the Executive Director (Place) or the Service Director (Highways and Streetscene) in consultation with the Cabinet Member (Environment and Highways), and any other Cabinet Members, as considered appropriate by the Executive Director (Place), to enable any amendments to be made to identified schemes, agree the addition of future schemes, and award funding (within £20,827,680) for those schemes in accordance with Council Financial Procedure Rules.

3)    That approval be given, where necessary, to accelerate spend of the City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement and accelerate the two year forward programme through delegation to the Cabinet Member for Highways.

4)    That authority be delegated to the Service Director (Highways and Streetscene) in consultation with the Service Director (Legal, Governance and Commissioning) to negotiate, agree and enter into the terms of any applicable funding agreements (and associated documents) to enable individual projects and schemes to proceed.

(Under the provision of Council Procedure Rule 36(1), Cabinet received  a representation from Councillor J D Lawson).

Cabinet received a report which advised of the intended delivery programme for the Highways Capital Plan budget allocation for the years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 and identified the planned highways projects for 2025-2026 and indicative programme 2026/2027. Cabinet were advised that the Highways Capital Plan, which included additional grants from the Department for Transport and the West Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, outlined circa £20.8m of investment in highways infrastructure over the next 12 month period, and circa £16.4m investment in 2026 -2027. 

The report provided an overview of how the investment had been prioritised and how the works would support regional objectives. It set out a breakdown of allocated budgets and detailed programmes of planned works for all highway asset groups, including highways maintenance, repairs of structure, replacement of life expired street lighting columns, upgrades to signalised crossings, junction improvements and works to improve road safety and encourage active travel by making of road routes more accessible.

RESOLVED –

1)    That approval be given to the budget and programme/scheme allocations within the detailed two year Highways Capital Plan to the sum of £20,827,680 and £16,453,364 for 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 respectively (Appendices A and B refer), to allow the budget allocation and spend on the schemes identified to improve the Highway Network and increase safety on the roads whilst improving air quality and positively impacting climate change across the district.

2)    That approval be given to the delegation of authority to the Executive Director (Place) or the Service Director (Highways and Streetscene) in consultation with the Cabinet Member (Environment and Highways), and any other Cabinet Members, as considered appropriate by the Executive Director (Place), to enable any amendments to be made to identified schemes, agree the addition of future schemes, and award funding (within £20,827,680) for those schemes in accordance with Council Financial Procedure Rules.

3)    That approval be given, where necessary, to accelerate spend of the City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement and accelerate the two year forward programme through delegation to the Cabinet Member for Highways.

4)    That authority be delegated to the Service Director (Highways and Streetscene) in consultation with the Service Director (Legal, Governance and Commissioning) to negotiate, agree and enter into the terms of any applicable funding agreements (and associated documents) to enable individual projects and schemes to proceed.

To consider the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund for public Electric Vehicle charging points in Kirklees.

Wards affected: all

Contact: Jason Smith, Project Manager

RESOLVED –

1)    That authority be delegated for the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund to be added to the Capital Plan, the value of which shall be £2,494, 389.

2)    That the sites included in Phase 1 be noted and the use of these sites be authorised for the delivery of Phase 1.

3)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Place), in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, to identify and agree up to 10 additional off-street sites for Phase 1, if for whatever reason, the agreed sites in Phase 1 are not deliverable or additional funding becomes available.

4)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Place), in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, to agree the number, type and speed of any EV charge point on any site (Council owned land) or land constituting adopted highway for the delivery of the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund project.

5)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Place), in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member,  to identify and authorise the use of the Council owned land, including off street parking places and in the Highway for Electric Vehicle Charging infrastructure leading to the installation of EV charge points in Phase 2.

6)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Place), in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, to determine if the requirement of a car parking fee or a parking permit  for the use of EV charging should be applicable and to make amendments to the Parking Places Order(s) and/or a Traffic Regulation Order or a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order to facilitate a charging strategy for any site or sites.

7)    That authority be delegated to the Service Director (Development) to negotiate and agree terms for leases of Council land and agreements for positioning equipment on the highway including the actual location of the charge points, consideration payable, terms of the agreement and area of demise for any sites included in the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund Project.

8)    That the procurement process conducted by West Yorkshire Combined Authority be noted and authority be delegated to the Service Director (Environmental Strategy and Climate Change) to contract with the selected provider(s) for the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund Project.

9)    That authority be delegated to the Service Director (Legal, Governance and Commissioning) to enter into all agreements necessary to affect the arrangements set out within these resolutions.

Cabinet gave consideration to a report which provided details of the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund Project. The report advised that the total value of the capital grant from WYCA would be £2,494,389 and this would be added to the capital plan, which would be supplemented by approx. 50/60% additional investment from private providers, both for initial installation and ongoing revenue costs for the duration of the project, which would lead to a total investment of approx. £3.8m.

The report explained that WYCA had been awarded grants of £1.5m (revenue) and £14.44m (capital) from the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund and all five West Yorkshire districts had been allocated an equal share of £282,000 for phase 1, and Kirklees had been awarded £2,212,389m for phase 2. A breakdown of the phases was set out in the report. It was noted that the project would deliver charging infrastructure in areas which were currently deemed to be non commercially viable to the private sector and that the project aimed to bring the infrastructure closer to densley terraced areas to support residents who wished to consider the use of electric vehicles.

RESOLVED –

1)    That authority be delegated for the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund to be added to the Capital Plan, the value of which shall be £2,494, 389.

2)    That the sites included in Phase 1 be noted and the use of these sites be authorised for the delivery of Phase 1.

3)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Place), in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, to identify and agree up to 10 additional off-street sites for Phase 1, if for whatever reason, the agreed sites in Phase 1 are not deliverable or additional funding becomes available.

4)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Place), in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, to agree the number, type and speed of any EV charge point on any site (Council owned land) or land constituting adopted highway for the delivery of the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund project.

5)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Place), in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member,  to identify and authorise the use of the Council owned land, including off street parking places and in the Highway for Electric Vehicle Charging infrastructure leading to the installation of EV charge points in Phase 2.

6)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Place), in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, to determine if the requirement of a car parking fee or a parking permit  for the use of EV charging should be applicable and to make amendments to the Parking Places Order(s) and/or a Traffic Regulation Order or a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order to facilitate a charging strategy for any site or sites.

7)    That authority be delegated to the Service Director (Development) to negotiate and agree terms for leases of Council land and agreements for positioning equipment on the highway including the actual location of the charge points, consideration  ...  view the full minutes text for item 136.

To consider the Combined Authorities (Adult Education Functions) (Amendment) Order 2025.

Wards affected: all

Contact: Chris Duffill, Head of Business and Skills

RESOLVED –

1)    That consent be granted in principle to the Department of Education’s creation of a statutory instrument – the Combined Authorities (Adult Education Functions) (Amendment Order) 2025 conferring additional funding powers for adult education functions to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

2)    That it be noted that the Chief Executive of the Combined Authority, in consultation with the Mayor of the Combined Authority, will finalise and consent to the final draft of the Order and any related changes to existing statutory instruments.

(Under the provision of Council Procedure Rule 36(1), Cabinet received  a representation from Councillor Cooper).

Cabinet received a report which requested that consideration be given to the Combined Authorities (Adult Education Functions) (Amendment) Order 2025 which had been published in draft form by the Department for Education. The report advised that the order proposed the transfer of funding powers from Government to Combined Authorities and Combined County Authorities to enable them to utilise their Adult Skills Fund budgets to fund new technical qualifications developed by 2024 by the Institute for Apprenticeships and technical Education, and that the consent of each of the constituent local authorities forming the West Yorkshire Combined Authority was required to make the Order.

Cabinet noted that the agreement would ensure that adult learners in Kirklees were able to access the full range of new technical qualifications developed by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education from the start of the 2025/2026 academic year, and would enable the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to draw down funding from the Adult Skills Fund to support these qualifications.

It was noted that formal consent was required from each of the West Yorkshire Combined Authorities to enable the Order to be ratified, finalised and enacted before the parliamentary recess to ensure that the delivery of new qualifications could commence at the start of the 2025/2026 academic year.

RESOLVED –

1)    That consent be granted in principle to the Department of Education’s creation of a statutory instrument – the Combined Authorities (Adult Education Functions) (Amendment Order) 2025 conferring additional funding powers for adult education functions to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

2)    That it be noted that the Chief Executive of the Combined Authority, in consultation with the Mayor of the Combined Authority, will finalise and consent to the final draft of the Order and any related changes to existing statutory instruments.