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 Eric Firth and Councillor Carole Pattison.

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 would be 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.

No deputations or petitions were recevied.

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 asked.

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 in accordance with the Executive Procedure Rule 2.3.

To consider the virement of funding in regard to projects supported by the Heritage Action Zone Programme.

Contact: Simon Taylor, Town Centre Programmes / David Martin, Head of Corporate Landlord and Capital

RESOLVED –

1)    That approval be given for the virement of £2 million Heritage Action Zone Capital funding from the George Hotel to the Estate Buildings.

2)    That delegated authority be given to the Strategic Director of Growth and Regeneration in conjunction with the Service Director for Finance, Section 151 Officer, to apportion further funds if required up to 25% over the pre-tender estimate of £3.5 million.

To receive and update on the proposed approach to residential development in Huddersfield Town Centre.

Contact: Liz Jefferson, Housing Growth and Regeneration

RESOLVED –

1)    That approval be given to proceed with the first phase of development and enter into an exclusivity period with Thirteen in relation to Estate Buildings and Somerset Buildings for a period of 18 months.

2)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director of Growth and Regeneration to terminate the exclusivity period after 12 months if substantive progress has not been made against the relevant milestones.

3)    That authority be delegated to the Service Director, Legal Governance and Commissioning to enter into a legal agreement with the milestones against which Thirteen must make demonstrable progress.

4)    That a further report be considered by Cabinet following the feasibility work and valuation report setting out details of the proposals, after which, subject to Cabinet approval, Thirteen would have the option to purchase Somerset and Estate Buildings at market value.

5)    That approval be given to the Huddersfield Town Centre Living Plan appended to the report.

To consider proposals for a capital scheme from the Children’s Service Best Start Capital Programme.

Contact: Gary Wainwright, Children’s Integrated Commissioning

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the release of up to £1,358,353 from the Best Start Capital Programme to enable procurement of works to proceed.

To receive the 2022-2025 Kirklees Employment and Skills Plan.

Contact: Edward Highfield, Skills and Regeneration – Service Director

RESOLVED –

1)    That the Aspire, Achieve and Include Employment and Skills Plan 2022-2025 be adopted.

2)    That authority be delegated to the Director of Growth and Regeneration and the Service Director for Skills and Regeneration, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Growth and Regeneration to implement the plan.

3)    That regular progress reports on the delivery of the plan be considered by Cabinet.

To receive a summary of challenges during the 2021 academic year, and the impact upon educational learners.

Contact: Chris Jessop, Head of Educational Outcomes

RESOLVED – That the Annual Education Quality Standards Report be noted.

To receive an update on high needs safety valve funding, and consider plans to create additional specialist places to support the needs of children with special educational needs.

Contact: Kelsey Clark-Davies, Head of Educational Safeguarding and Inclusion / Martin Wilby, Head of Education Places and Access

RESOLVED –

1)    That the Safety Valve update / agreement with the Education and Skills Funding Agency be noted.

2)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director for Children’s Services to (i) take account of the outcome of a non-statutory consultation on proposals to establish, change or discontinue Additionally Resourced Provision (previously known as specialist provision), and the relevant statutory guidance; (ii) arrange for the Council to publish related statutory proposals to establish change or discontinue Additionally Resourced Provision in schools maintained by the Council as prescribed in the 2013 Regulations.

3)    That Cabinet will consider and determine the published proposals following the end of the representation period.

4)    That authority be delegated to take account of the outcome of a non-statutory consultation and work in partnership with academy trusts to support the presentation of a business case to the Regional School Commissioner or the Department for Education.