Agenda and decisions

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

To approve the Minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 1 September, 22 September, 20 October and 23 October 2020.

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.

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.

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.

Due to current Covid-19 restrictions, Members of the Public may submit written questions to the Leader, and/or Cabinet Members. Any questions should be emailed to executive.governance@kirklees.gov.uk no later than 10.00am on Tuesday 17 November 2020.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11(5), the period allowed for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes. A maximum of 4 questions per person may be submitted.

Cabinet will receive any questions from Elected Members (via remote access).

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

To consider the drawing down of £1.1m capital from the HRA Capital Plan to enable a contract for the new Housing IT System can be awarded to the winning bidder

Wards affected: All

Contact Helen Geldart, Head of Housing Services

1)    That approval be given to the drawing down of £1.1m capital from the Housing Revenue Account Capital Plan to enable the contract for the new Housing IT system to be awarded to the winning bidder.

2)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Adults and Health) to implement this decision.

3)    That authority be delegated to the Service Director (Legal, Governance and Commissioning) to enter into all relevant legal documents on behalf of the Council to enable implementation of this decision.

To consider next steps following the submission of the Holme Valley Development Plan by Holme Valley Parish Council.

Wards affected: Holme Valley North and Holme Valley South

Contact: Steven Wright, Planning Policy Group Leader

1)    That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Development to progress with publicity (consultation), appointment of an independent examiner (following consultation with Holme Valley Parish Council and the Peak District National Park Authority), participation at the independent examination and to undertake statutory duty to submit representations received during the publicity (consultation) period.

2)    That the Holme Valley Neighbourhood Development Plan and supporting documents be published for publicity (consultation) for a minimum of 8 weeks commencing on 8 December 2020.

3)    That the Officer comments on the Holme Valley Neighbourhood Development Plan, as set out at Appendix 2, be endorsed and submitted to the independent examiner for their consideration.

4)    That authority be delegated to the Service Director (Growth and Housing) to make non-material amendments to the Council’s comments (as endorsed in (3) above) to the independent examiner, or to reflect any further evidence that comes to light prior to the examination.

To receive details of recent grant approvals totalling £2.715Million and seek the approvals necessary to implement these programmes and projects.

Wards affected: Dewsbury East, Dewsbury West, Dewsbury South and Newsome

Contact: Peter Thompson, Economic Resilience Project Manager

1)    That the success in receiving the £750,000 Towns Fund Accelerated Grant, and the in-principle approval from Government of £1.965m from the Getting Building Fund, be noted.

2)    That approval be given to the projects as detailed within section 2 of the considered report.

3)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Growth and Regeneration) to negotiate and agree with Kirklees Theatre Trust, or another organisation, supported by the Arts Council, agreements to create a Creative Hub at 15 Union Street, Dewsbury, including a grant award of up to a maximum of £200,000.

4)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Growth and Regeneration) to negotiate and agree with Kirklees College, agreements to enhance open space to the west of Pioneer House as part of the Better Spaces Programme, including a grant agreement for a grant award of up to a maximum of £150,000.

To receive information on financial monitoring for General Fund Revenue, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Capital Plan, as at Quarter 2 (month 6), 2020/21.

Wards affected: All

Contact: James Anderson, Head of Service - Accountancy

1)    That, in regards to the General Fund (i) the 2020/2021 forecast revenue overspend of £5.5m as at Quarter 2 be noted (ii) it be noted that the 2020/2021 forecast £7.6m High Needs overspend which, as per current DfE guidance, will roll forward into 2021/22 on the Council balance sheet as a negative reserve (iii) it be noted that, in conjunction with the assumed continued support of central Government to adequately compensate the Council for Covid 19 pressures, the  Executive Team shall continue to identify opportunities for spending plans to be collectively brought back in line within the Council’s overall budget by year end and (iv) the forecast year-end position on corporate reserves and balances be noted.

2)    That the forecast position on the Collection Fund as at Quarter 2 be noted.

3)    That the Quarter 2 forecast Housing Revenue Account position, and the forecast year-end reserves position, be noted.

4)    That, in regards to the Capital Budget (i) the Quarter 2 forecast capital monitoring position for 2020/2021 be noted (ii) approval be given to the re-profiling across years of the capital plan , as detailed within the report and at Appendix 6 (iii) approval be given to the £255k capital proposal to increase burial capacity by way of a further extension at Batley Cemetery, as detailed within the report and at Appendix 7 (iv) approval be given to a £502k gym/spin studio development scheme at Batley Sports and Tennis Centre, as detailed within the report and at Appendix 8 (v) approval be given to capital works at Batley Baths and Recreation Centre at £50k, as detailed within the report (vi) approval be given to further capital remedial works of £300k at Huddersfield Leisure Centre, as detailed within the report (vii) approval be given to £463k to cover part of the Pioneer House overspend, with the remainder to be covered by future slippage to be identified within the plan, in agreement with the Chief Finance Officer (viii) approval be given to the release of funding from the Huddersfield Town Centres Action Plan for Huddersfield Town Hall and the release of Sustainability of Major Town Halls – Service Development Capital Programme line funding for Cleckheaton Town Hall for external lighting systems, as detailed within the report and (ix) approval be given to the replacement of the Council’s current fleet vans with fully electric equivalent vehicles, as part of the Climate Emergency Green Travel Measures, as detailed within the report and at Appendix 9.

To (i) receive details regarding a decision relating to support for children eligible for Free School Meals during the October half-term taken on 23rd October by the Chief Executive (and others) using Emergency Powers, and (ii) to consider arrangements for future school holiday periods should this be required.

Wards affected: All

Contact: Jo-Anne Sanders, Service Director – Learning and Early Support

1)    That the decision taken by Officers under Emergency Powers regarding supporting children eligible for free school meals during October half term be noted.

2)    That the Director of Children’s Services be asked to submit a report to the meeting of Cabinet on 15 December 2020 setting out proposals for the Christmas holiday period and other targeted support into 2021, following on from the Government’s new winter package announcement for extra support this winter to vulnerable households.

To consider allocating £93,270 funding from the Place Partnership mental health themed budget to deliver the Kirklees Mental Health Network and Training programme.

Wards affected: Almondbury, Ashbrow, Batley East, Batley West, Birstall and Birkenshaw, Cleckheaton, Colne Valley, Crosland Moor and Netherton, Dalton, Denby Dale, Golcar, Greenhead, Heckmondwike, Holme Valley North, Holme Valley South, Kirkburton, Lindley, Liversedge and Gomersal, Mirfield and Newsome

Contact: Vina Randhawa, Active Citizens and Places Manager

That approval be given to funding of £93,270 from the Place Partnership Mental Health Budget, for the Kirklees Mental Health Network and Training Programme.

To consider allocating £38,255 funding from the Place Partnership mental health themed budget for an 18-month pilot in physical activity.

Wards affected: Almondbury, Dalton, Newsome, Ashbrow, Crosland Moor & Netherton, Greenhead, Batley East, Batley West and Birstall and Birkenshaw, Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike, Liversedge & Gomersal and Mirfield

Contact: Vina Randwana, Active Citizens and Places Manager

That approval be given to funding of £38,255 from the Place Partnership Mental Health Budget for the tackling of mental health and improving physical activity.

To consider allocating £42,947 funding from the Place Partnership mental health themed budget to support a two-year pilot for women experiencing the menopause in the Place Partnership Area.

Wards affected: Almondbury, Dalton, Newsome, Ashbrow, Crosland Moor & Netherton, Greenhead, Batley East, Batley West and Birstall and Birkenshaw, Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike, Liversedge & Gomersal and Mirfield

Contact: Vina Randwana, Active Citizens and Places Manager

That approval be given to £42,947 revenue funding from the Huddersfield Central Place Partnership Mental Health theme allocation for the menopause pilot scheme.

To consider allocating £82,261 funding from the Place Partnership mental health themed budget to deliver mental health initiatives in Batley Birstall & Birkenshaw Place Partnership area.

Wards affected: Batley East, Batley West, Birstall and Birkenshaw

Contact: Vina Randwana, Active Citizens and Places Manager

That approval be given to £82,261 of funding from the Place Partnership Mental Health Theme Budget to deliver the following projects; (i) Carers Support - £12, 376 (ii) Mental Health Support through Employability - £36, 685 and (iii) Anti Stigma - £33,200.

To consider allocating £40,000 funding from the Place Partnership Mental Health themed budget towards support for children and young people in school and community settings in the Batley, Birstall and Birkenshaw Place Partnership area.

Wards affected: Batley East, Batley West and Birstall and Birkenshaw

Contact: Vina Randwana, Active Citizens and Places Manager

That approval be given to funding of £40,000 from the Place Partnership Mental Health Theme Budget to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in schools and community settings.

To consider allocating £142,857 from the Place Partnership mental health themed budget for the commissioning of three preventive and interlinked approaches to help address mental health priorities across Dewsbury. 

Wards affected: Dewsbury East, Dewsbury West, and Dewsbury South

Contact: Vina Randwana, Active Citizens and Places Manager

That approval be given to funding of £142,857 from the Place Partnership Mental Health theme budget to fund the commissioning of three preventive and interlinked approaches to address mental health priorities across Dewsbury.

To consider allocating funding of £187,778 from the Place Partnership mental health themed budget to boost mental health support and capacity in the schools in the Huddersfield Rural Place Partnership area. This will support children and young people to maintain positive mental health and emotional well-being.

Wards affected: Denby Dale, Kirkburton, Holme Valley North and Holme Valley South

Contact: Vina Randwana, Active Citizens and Places Manager

That approval be given to funding of £187,778 from the Place Partnership Mental Health Theme Allocation to fund two posts aimed at boosting mental health capacity and support in schools in the Huddersfield Rural Place Partnership area, with the balance to be funded through ward budgets and/or other funds.

 To consider an offer received from the University of Huddersfield to purchase the council owned strategic development site.

Wards affected: Dalton

Contact: David Martin, Head of Corporate Landlord

1)    That approval be given to the disposal of the Southgate site (Appendix 1 refers) to the University of Huddersfield at the price as detailed in Appendix 3 (exempt).

2)    That approval be given to a departure from the adopted Disposals and Acquisitions Policy and that approval be given to the treatment of negotiations with the University as that of a Special Purchaser within the meaning of the adopted Policy.

3)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Growth and Regeneration) and Service Director (Legal, Governance and Commissioning) to finalise the Heads of Terms and to proceed with the disposal broadly in accordance with the draft Heads of Terms as set out in Appendix 3 (exempt).

4)    That authority be delegated to the Service Director (Legal, Governance and Commissioning) to enter into and execute any agreements or instruments relating to the disposal of the Southgate site.

To resolve that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business, on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

(Exempt information under Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006. It was considered that the disclosure of the information would be contrary to confidential terms and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information and providing greater openness in the Council's decision making.) The Private Appendices contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Exempt information in respect of Agenda Item 20.