Agenda and decisions

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

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Mather.

Cabinet Members will be asked to advise if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, which would prevent them from participating in any discussion or participating in a vote upon the item, or any other interests.

No interests were declared.

Most agenda items will be considered in public session, however, it shall be advised whether 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 were considered in public session.

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.

Cabinet received a Petition from Angela Howard, representing the residents of Oak Road, which asked Kirklees Council for further clarification around the re-routing of traffic along Oak Road as part of the A62 to Cooper Bridge Corridor Improvement Scheme.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11(5), the period allowed for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes.

No questions were received.

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.

To consider the A62 to Cooper Bridge Corridor Improvement Scheme.

Wards affected: Ashbrow, Liversedge & Gomersal, Mirfield

Contact: Sarah Kearns - Major Projects Project Officer

1)    That approval be given in principle to the scheme.

2)    That approval be given to accept and enter into any agreement with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority for the funding to work up the A62 to Cooper Bridge Scheme to full business case.

3)    That approval be given to incur expenditure in the working up of the scheme if the Council’s application to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority for funding is successful.

4)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director Growth & Regeneration to negotiate and agree the terms of any agreements that may be necessary to work up the A62 to Cooper Bridge Scheme including the funding agreement with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

5)    That authority be delegated to the Service Director – Legal, Governance & Commissioning to enter into the grant agreement with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority for the funding of the A62 to Cooper Bridge and any other relevant agreements and documents to which the Council is party.

6)    That authority be given for the acquisition of land in principle as part of a land assembly.

7)    That it be noted the design team’s commitment to work with and place shape the scheme with residents and businesses.

8)    That it be noted the land negotiations will commence subject to funding approval of the outline business case.

9)    That it be noted that the project will return to Cabinet to secure authority to make compulsory purchase orders in relation to the scheme, where necessary.

To consider the next stage of the Dewsbury Town Investment Plan Project Delivery.

Wards affected: Dewsbury East, West and South

Contact: Simon Taylor – Head of Town Centre Programmes

1)    That the details of the identified Town Investment Plan projects be agreed.

2)    That the assurance process for agreeing / authorising business cases for individual projects be agreed.

3)    That authority be given to the Strategic Director Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the portfolio holders for Regeneration and Town Centres, to agree business cases and once agreed submit the required information to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to access the funding required for individual projects.

4)    That authority be given to the Strategic Director Growth & Regeneration and the Council Section 151 Officer to utilise identified project funds, both council match funds and grant received from MHCLG as part of the Town Deal, to assist in the development of business cases or help facilitate early project delivery.

5)    That authority be given to the Strategic Director Growth & Regeneration to approve grants of up to £100,000 per recipient to progress Town Investment Plan project delivery.

6)    That authority be given to the Service Director Legal Governance and Commissioning to finalise and enter into all appropriate contracts, deeds and documents in relation to the receipt of grants from MHCLG.

7)    That it be noted the engagement of consultants to assist with the development of business cases and the project governance arrangements are noted and agreed for the development and delivery of projects alongside the assurance process.

To consider Our Council Plan 2021/23.

Wards affected: all

Contact: Kate McNicholas - Head of Policy, Partnerships and Corporate Planning

1)    That approval be given for the ‘Achieving our Outcomes’ report and recommend it to Council for approval at it’s meeting on 13 October 2021.

2)    That approval be given for the priority actions for incorporation into the Council Plan as the Cabinet’s priorities.

3)    That approval be given for the Council Plan and recommend it to Council for approval at it’s meeting on 13 October 2021.

4)    That in consultation with the Leader of the Council, authority be given to the Chief Executive to make any required amendments.

To consider two key interventions to support the local care market in the provision of care.

Wards affected: all

Contact: Simon Baker – Head of Commissioning Partnerships and Market Development

1)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director Adults and Health to administer grant funding up to £119k for the development of a strategic partner in the Kirklees Care Association for the years 2021/22 and 2022/23 and into 2023/24 in accordance with Financial Procedure Rule 22.12 the cost to be borne equally between the Council and NHS Kirklees CCG.

2)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director Adults and Health to design and oversee a hardship and innovation grant support scheme for the local adult social care sector up to £500k from the existing Council budget for 2021/22.

3)    That Cabinet notes the broader pressures in the care home system.

To consider a capped negative Net Present Value when purchasing certain properties under the Right to Buy buyback programme.

Wards affected: all

Contact: Helen Martland – Service Manager, Development

That approval be given to property purchases with a negative Net Present Value as set out in Table 1 of the report and include in the 30-year business plan.

To determine the Cabinet’s approach to the annual update of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan.

Wards affected: all

Contact: Eamonn Croston – Service Director, Finance

In noting that officers would consider options for the previously unsuccessful Huddersfield Market High Street fund bid at £18m;

1)    That the funding and spend assumptions informing the updated budget forecasts be noted.

2)    That the current and forecast earmarked reserves and general balances as set out at Appendix B be noted.

3)    That it be noted that authority be delegated to the Chief Executive and Service Director for Finance, in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder, on the preferred option for Business Rates Pool arrangements for 2022/23.

4)    That the updated multi-year capital budget plans as set out at Appendix D be noted

5)    That approval be given to the financial planning framework as set out in Section 1.4 of the report.

6)    That the corporate budget timetable and approach set out at Appendix F be noted.

7)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director Corporate Strategy, Commissioning and Public Health to agree the approach to budget consultation and relevant timescales in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services.

To consider the Access Strategy 2021 – 2026.

Wards affected: all

Contact: Dave Thompson – Head of Access Strategy and Delivery

That the Access Strategy 2021-26, as set out at Appendix 1, be approved and be implemented from October 2021.