Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Turner.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on 6 May 2025.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 6 May 2025 be approved as a correct record.

Cabinet 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 Committee 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 exempt information was contained within Agenda Item 12.

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.

No deputations or petitions were received.

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.

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 the following questions in accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 2.3;

Question from Councillor J D Lawson

“What does the Council’s zero tolerance fly tipping actually look like? Over the last year there was over 10,000 reported incidents of fly tipping and less than 1% resulted in any punishment. How many CCTV Cameras does Kirklees Cameras have and where are they?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Communities and Environment (Councillor A U Pinnock).

Question from Councillor Scott

“In regards to Estate Buildings, can the Cabinet confirm exactly when Officers and Cabinet Members first became aware of when Thirteen Group considered the Estate Buildings scheme to be unviable, or were intending to withdrawn from it?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Transport and Housing (Councillor Crook).

Question from Councillor Moore

“What impact assessment has been carried out to evaluate the increased pressure on Dewsbury tip since the Nab Lane closure, including the impact of a section of Thornhill Road to facilitate the Transpennine Route upgrade?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins).

Question from Councillor Cooper

“In November last year this Council passed a Motion which asked that Kirklees Council, were at all lawful and practicable, would avoid the purchase of goods from Israeli companies illegally occupying Palestinian territories and that the Council would commit to conducting a thorough review of its procurement practices to ensure that goods and consumables sourced from companies directly or indirectly involved in the conflict would not be used.

Have we got an answer to this yet?”

A response was provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison).

Question from Councillor Scott

“In regard to Estate Buildings, the report confirms that no funds were allocated for security or maintenance. If the Council now plans to use reserves, why wasn’t it forecast in the budget and what is the financial impact for 2025/2026 budgets if the reserves are used. What services could and will be affected by this unplanned spend?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Transport and Housing (Councillor Crook).

Question from Councillor Cooper

“Will Kirklees Council be submitting a response to the Local Government Association’s consultation on whether Councils should have a statutory duty to act on Climate Change?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins).

Question from Councillor J D Lawson

“Can you confirm whether the mobile traffic wardens will be new recruits and not taken out of the parking enforcement team?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Transport and Housing (Councillor Crook).

Question from Councillor Moore

“Have any new burial sites been identified for Dewsbury, since discussions took place over twelve months ago?”

A response was provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison).

Question from Councillor Scott

“We now know that the Kingsgate Centre is being marketed for sale with a 57 bed hotel and 4 restaurants being advertised. Why is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To note the appointment of Cabinet Members and portfolio allocations, in accordance with Articles 7.2.4 and 7.3.4 of the Constitution.

Cabinet noted the appointment of Cabinet Members and Portfolio allocations, in accordance with Articles 7.2.4 and 7.3.4 of the Constitution.

To consider projects for approval, to be funded from the 2025/2026 Learning and Early Support Capital Plan.

Contact: David Martin, Corporate Landlord / Martin Wilby, Education Places and Access

RESOLVED –

1)    That the business case outlining the rationale for the schools condition programme, the availability of funding, the selection process and main categories of work, as set out at Appendix A of the report, be approved.

2)    That the detailed list of proposed condition works in schools for 2025/2026, as set out at Appendix B, be approved.

3)    That the update on the additionally resourced provisions/satellites phase 1 programme be noted.

4)    That approval be given to the two proposed new additionally resourced provision schemes as identified within the report, to support the creation of additional places for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

5)    That authority be delegated to the relevant Service Directors as detailed in paragraphs2.16 to 2.18 of the report in order to aid the management of the schools’ baseline condition and the additionally resourced provisions/satellites sites special educational needs and disabilities programmes.

Cabinet gave consideration to a report which identified potential capital projects to be funded from the 2025/2026 Learning and Early Support Capital Plan, as approved by Council in 5 March 2025. The report advised that the funding would be used to address urgent condition related needs in maintained schools. The report also provided an update on investment in the first phase of Additionally Resourced Provisions and satellite provision to increase local sufficiency of SEND places linked to the Kirklees SEND Transformation Plan.

Cabinet were asked to approve the capital maintenance and Additionally Resourced Provisions and satellite programmes with the identified schemes so that they could be delivered in 2025/2026, which would enable further investment in the creation, expansion or enhancement of places for children with SEND, and the management of the capital maintenance programme. It was noted that undertaking the proposed programmes of work would help to ensure that maintenance schools remained to be warm, dry, secure and safe and that children with SEND could access high quality local provision with facilities to meet their needs, provided in a cost effective state funded model.

RESOLVED –

1)    That the business case outlining the rationale for the schools condition programme, the availability of funding, the selection process and main categories of work, as set out at Appendix A of the report, be approved.

2)    That the detailed list of proposed condition works in schools for 2025/2026, as set out at Appendix B, be approved.

3)    That the update on the additionally resourced provisions/satellites phase 1 programme be noted.

4)    That approval be given to the two proposed new additionally resourced provision schemes as identified within the report, to support the creation of additional places for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

5)    That authority be delegated to the relevant Service Directors as detailed in paragraphs2.16 to 2.18 of the report in order to aid the management of the schools’ baseline condition and the additionally resourced provisions/satellites sites special educational needs and disabilities programmes.

To receive the Annual Complaints Performance and Service Improvement report for 2024/25.

Contact: Erran Taylor, Housing Services

RESOLVED –

1) That the Annual Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report 2024/2025, which includes the self assessment against the Code (Appendices 1 and 2 refer) be approved.

2) It be noted that the Cabinet shall provide its response to the Annual Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report 2024/2025 and Annual Self-Assessment, along with any changes to either document, which will then be submitted to the Ombudsman.

3) That authority be delegated to the Service Director (Homes and Neighbourhoods) to publish the final report, to include the Cabinet’s response and the self-assessment, on the Council’s website, post submission.

4) That approval be given to the updated Complaints Handling Policy and Redress Policy.

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

Cabinet received a report which set out the mandatory Annual Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report for 2024/2025, including the Council’s self assessment set against the Housing Ombudsman Complaint Handling Code for approval prior to submission to the Housing Ombudsman at the end of June 2025. The report provided (i) a review of achieving compliance with the Complaint Handling Code (ii) complaint volumes and performance data (iii) themes and reasons for complaints and escalations (iv) learning from the Housing Ombudsman findings and (v) next steps, along with the measures that have been taken to improve.

Cabinet were also asked to approve the updated Complaints Handling Policy and Redress Policy.

RESOLVED –

1) That the Annual Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report 2024/2025, which includes the self assessment against the Code (Appendices 1 and 2 refer) be approved.

2) It be noted that the Cabinet shall provide its response to the Annual Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report 2024/2025 and Annual Self-Assessment, along with any changes to either document, which will then be submitted to the Ombudsman.

3) That authority be delegated to the Service Director (Homes and Neighbourhoods) to publish the final report, to include the Cabinet’s response and the self-assessment, on the Council’s website, post submission.

4) That approval be given to the updated Complaints Handling Policy and Redress Policy.

To receive an update on Estate Buildings and give consideration to the proposed delivery approach with a development partner.

Contact: Liz Jefferson, Housing Growth

RESOLVED –

1) That approval be given to the proposed delivery approach for Estate Buildings.

2) That approval be given to the disposal of the site at ‘less than best consideration’ to the preferred partner when appointed in accordance with the General Disposal Consent (England) 2003.

3) That authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Place), in consultation with the Service Director (Legal, Governance and Commissioning) and the Cabinet Member (Finance and Regeneration) to negotiate and agree the terms of disposal for the site with the preferred development partner and determine the appropriate level of discount for the site following a comprehensive assessment of the appointed partner’s development viability appraisal reflecting the housing mix which receives planning consent (which may likely be market housing but could include some affordable housing).

4) That authority be delegated to the Service Director (Legal, Governance and Commissioning) to enter into and execute any agreement and other ancillary documents necessary to dispose of the site to the preferred partner for housing, reflecting the housing mix which receives planning consent.

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

Cabinet received a report which set out an update on the residential development of estate buildings, and sought approval for a proposed delivery approach with a delivery partner. The report advised that the development of this landmark building, which was in a strategic town centre location, would support the delivery of the Huddersfield Blueprint. It explained that Estate Buildings had been identified as a Council asset to provide a high quality housing product that was well located to provide residents with access to local jobs and close proximity to rail links.

Cabinet were advised that, due to the heritage value of the site, the cost of development would be significant and there would be a viability gap which would need to be filled through external funding. It was therefore recommended that a competitive sale exercise is conducted to appoint a delivery partner, which would enable the Council to retain a level of control over the quality of the development while benefitting from the funding of a private sector delivery partner. It was noted that the disposal approach would support transferring the asset of the Council’s ownership into the private sector, and would contribute to savings by reducing the costs of retaining the asset. Cabinet were advised that, due to the significant viability gap associated with bringing this site forward it is likely that the site would need to be disposed of at ‘less than best consideration’. It was noted that the recommendation would enable the appointment of a development partner who would enter into a building lease to bring forward the building for residential use, and that the appointment of the preferred partner would be scheduled for February 2026.

RESOLVED –

1) That approval be given to the proposed delivery approach for Estate Buildings.

2) That approval be given to the disposal of the site at ‘less than best consideration’ to the preferred partner when appointed in accordance with the General Disposal Consent (England) 2003.

3) That authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Place), in consultation with the Service Director (Legal, Governance and Commissioning) and the Cabinet Member (Finance and Regeneration) to negotiate and agree the terms of disposal for the site with the preferred development partner and determine the appropriate level of discount for the site following a comprehensive assessment of the appointed partner’s development viability appraisal reflecting the housing mix which receives planning consent (which may likely be market housing but could include some affordable housing).

4) That authority be delegated to the Service Director (Legal, Governance and Commissioning) to enter into and execute any agreement and other ancillary documents necessary to dispose of the site to the preferred partner for housing, reflecting the housing mix which receives planning consent.

To consider a one year extension of the previously approved Property Investment Fund loan for the Kingsgate Centre.

Contact: Liz Jefferson, Housing Growth

Exempt information is provided in the appendix to the report.

Consideration must be given to whether the public and press should be excluded from the meeting prior to the determination of the matter to enable the exempt information to be discussed by passing the following resolution:-

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

RESOLVED –

1)    The approval be given to the extension of a loan from the Property Investment Fund, previously given for the remodelling of the Kingsgate Centre, for a period of one year until July 2026, in accordance with the details as set out in the exempt appendix to this report.

2)    That the Service Director (Legal, Governance and Commissioning) be given delegated authority to enter into any documentation required to agree the extension of the Property Investment Fund loan and to protect the Council’s position as lender. 

(The report included exempt information in accordance with Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, namely it contains information relating to financial and business affairs of third parties (including the Authority holding that information)).

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

Cabinet gave consideration to a request for a one year extension of the previously approved Property Investment Fund Loan from the Kingsgate Centre. It was noted that the loan had previously been granted for the remodelling of the Kingsgate Centre, for a period of one year until July 2026.

Cabinet were advised that the extension of the loan would support the Huddersfield Blueprint vision for the continued revitalisation of Huddersfield Town Centre. It was noted that, subject to approval, legal documentation would be updated prior to the current loan expiry date of July 2025, and the loan period would then continue until July 2026.

RESOLVED –

1)    The approval be given to the extension of a loan from the Property Investment Fund, previously given for the remodelling of the Kingsgate Centre, for a period of one year until July 2026, in accordance with the details as set out in the exempt appendix to this report.

2)    That the Service Director (Legal, Governance and Commissioning) be given delegated authority to enter into any documentation required to agree the extension of the Property Investment Fund loan and to protect the Council’s position as lender.