Agenda and decisions

To receive (i) details of revised Cabinet Portfolios with effect from 23 November 2020 and note the appointment of Councillor Paul Davies as Cabinet Member for Culture and Greener Kirklees Portfolio and (ii) to receive apologies for absence from Cabinet Members who are unable to attend this meeting.

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 Monday 14^th 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 receive half yearly treasury management activity monitoring, covering the period 1 April to 30 September 2020.

Wards affected: All

Contact: James Anderson, Head of Accountancy

That the Half Yearly Monitoring on Treasury Management Activities 2020/21 be noted and that the report be submitted to the meeting on Council on 13 January 2021.

To consider the allocation of funding of £101,000 from the Place Partnership mental health themed budget to provide a responsive mental health intervention, including counselling, service for young people and families and to deliver a Therapeutic Forest School Pilot in the Golcar, Lindley and Colne Valley Wards.

Wards affected: Colne Valley, Golcar, Lindley

Contact: Luc Bride, Active Citizens and Places Officer

That approval be given to £101,000 from the Place Partnership Mental Health Theme Budget to provide a responsive mental health intervention and a therapeutic forest school pilot in the Golcar, Lindley and Colne Valley wards.

To present the final report of the Ad Hoc Scrutiny Panel – Elective Home Education.

Wards affected:  All

Contact:  Sheila Dykes, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer Tel: 01484 221000

That the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Scrutiny Panel, and the responses as set out in the Action Plan, be noted.

To outline the changes to the Civil Penalty Policy following the introduction of additional legislation and to seek delegated powers for future minor changes to the policy.

Wards affected:  All

Contact: Stephen Cale, Operations Manager Housing Solutions Service Tel: (01484) 221000

1)    That amendments to the Civil Penalty Policy for Housing Related Offences, as attached at Appendix A of the considered report, be approved.

2)    That future minor amendments to the Policy be delegated to the Service Director (Growth and Housing) in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Portfolio Holder.

To set out Council proposals to provide assistance with food utilities and other essential supplies in accordance with the guidance issued by Government.

Wards affected:  N/A

Contact:  Natalie Mcsheffrey, Head of Education Relationships and Business, Steven Bird, Head of Welfare and Exchequer Services and Julian Hobson, Senior Manager Welfare and Exchequer Services

1)    That a sum equivalent to £30 per child eligible for free school meals be provided to schools and colleges in order that they can provide a voucher for the Christmas period.

2)    That a sum equivalent to £15 per child eligible for free school meals be provided to schools and colleges in order that they can provide a voucher for the February half term period.

3)    That the balance of funding available, estimated to be £697,500, be allocated to the Local Welfare Provision budget to support additional food, fuel and other essentials, in accordance with the grant determination and guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

4)    That a further report be submitted to Cabinet in early 2021 to consider proposals for a Holiday Activities and Food Programme for 2021, following confirmation of Government funding support through the Spending Review 2020 announcement on 25 November 2020.

A report for information.  The paper aims to provide information on the proposed future design of an integrated 0-19 (25) Early Support offer (Family Hubs).

Wards affected:  All

Contact: Jackie Beever, Service Manager Early Support and Michelle Wheatcroft, Head of Service Early Support Tel: 01484 221000

That the proposal for the Early Help Offer for Children, Young People and Families be noted and endorsed, and that a further report be submitted to a future Cabinet meeting setting out the findings of the engagement exercise and the finalised proposals for the Family Hubs model.

This report seeks approval for the Council to establish a Community Champions grant scheme to support the Community Champions Fund (MHCLG). On 22 October 2020 the Minister for Equalities announced that the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) would provide up to £25m of funding to support those communities who have been shown to suffer disproportionately from COVID 19.

Wards affected:  All

Contact:  Jill Greenfield- Service Director Customers and Communities Tel: 01484 221000

1)    That approval be given to the establishment of the Community Champions Grant, including the proposed eligibility criteria for applicants and the grant amounts to be awarded, as detailed at para. 3 of the considered report, and that the short timescales for the establishment and operation of the scheme be noted.

2)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Children’s Services) to implement and monitor the Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund Scheme, in consultation with the Service Director (Finance) and relevant Cabinet Portfolio Holders, and that authority also be delegated to make further changes to the scheme to ensure equity and achievement of the objectives.

3)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Children’s Services), in consultation with the Service Director (Finance) and relevant Cabinet Portfolio Holders, to vary the eligibility criteria for the Community Champions Grant Scheme.

To consider a proposal to provide Ward Councillors with additional resources to support voluntary and community groups in their Ward who may be impacted by a loss of funding over the Christmas period.

Contact:   Carl Whistlecraft, Head of Democracy and Place Based Working Tel: 01484 221000

1)    That, in order to support local community groups and organisations impacted over the Christmas period with regards to a loss of funding, approval be given to a budget of £50,000.

2)    That responsibility for the design of the criteria and supporting process be delegated to the Head of Democracy and Place Based Working.