Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Pinnock.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on 9 September 2025.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2025 be approved as a correct record.

Members will be asked to say if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have any disclosable pecuniary interests or any other interests, which may prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items.

No interests were declared.

Most agenda items take place in public. This only changes where there is a need to consider exempt information, as contained at Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. You will be informed at this point which items are to be recommended for exclusion and to be resolved by the Committee.

All agenda items were considered in public session.

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.

Isobel Heeley on behalf of Holmfirth Business Together submitted a petition in relation to the temporary closure of traffic at Hollowgate, Holmfirth.                                   

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 public 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.

Cabinet received the following questions in accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 2.3;

Question from Councillor J C Lawson

“Following the media attention given to the controversial development at Westgate in Cleckheaton, I have been contacted by several residents in my ward who have similar concerns to those regarding Westgate.   Cabinet is aware of the development of 700 homes on former Black Cat Fireworks factory and associated land, a brownfield site. My residents want assurances that their health and wellbeing is not being put at risk by the planned building works that will take several years.  Will the relevant Cabinet member outline what tests and procedures are done on brownfield sites, known to be sites of former factories that relied heavily on chemicals and other carcinogenic substances, to ensure they are fit to build homes on? Can he assure residents that these were carried out on the site and is not a risk to their health and wellbeing, and that of future residents?

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration (Councillor Turner).

Question from Councillor Scott

“You stated that the burial land update would be brought back to Cabinet in October. Council adopted the burial land motion on 12 February 2025 and under CPR 14, CPR 13.9, motions agreed by council must be acted upon by Cabinet or the relevant portfolio holder.  You informed the Kirklees Bereavement Forum on 11 May 2025, that you would outline the short, medium, and long term solutions within three months ensuring the £500,000 remained ringfenced for Dewsbury.  You have failed to deliver on that commitment which is a clear breach of CPR 13.9 of Article 7 relating to the executive duty to implement the Council’s decision transparently.   Can you explain why you failed to honour this promise, and when you will find the burial land update and give it to the public?”

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

 Question from Councillor Vickers

“Following on from Councillor Lawson’s concerns regarding the former Black Cat development site, the Phase 1 and Phase 2 GO environmental site assessment states on page 4 ‘this assessment has identified the presence of elevated heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, asbestos and total petroleum hydrocarbons C16 and C21’.  It then states, ‘further chemical validation samples will be required’.  Could the Council confirm that this testing has been carried out, and that the samples have been received by planning?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration (Councillor Turner).

Question from Councillor Zaman

“The Council’s report relating to the Playing Pitch Strategy in January 2025, lists Sands Lane, Dewsbury as an established cricket ground and notes that the Council will work with the national governing bodies to explore the greatest potential at these sites.  Given that public statement of intent, why did the Council decide, just 10 days before the start of the 2025 cricket season, to prohibit cricket being played at Sands Lane without prior notice or consultation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

To receive an update on increasing physical activity in North Kirklees.

Wards affected: all wards

Contact: Martin Gonzalez, Public Health Manager

RESOLVED -

1)    That, in noting the report, approval be given to take the next steps towards developing a new sport and leisure facility.

2)    That approval be given to commission an external options appraisal and feasibility study to determine:

(i)             what should be prioritised as part of any new sport and leisure facility, including facilities, co-location of services;

(ii)            potential site options, including the availability of sites; the capacity and suitability of sites to accommodate new provision; and the accessibility of sites mindful of proposed future housing growth; and

(iii)          the viability of options to be delivered within new capital budgets additional to the existing capital plan.

3)    That the proposed immediate work, using insight from the Brightsparks report to develop targeted opportunities to complement existing provision and support people across North Kirklees to be physically active, be noted.

4)    That it be noted that many factors affect physical activity and agree to keep working with partners to tackle the broader issues that make it harder for people to be active.

5)    That scrutiny be engaged ahead of, and throughout the next steps of the process.

6)    That authority be given to the Service Director Legal, Governance and Commissioning to execute any documents or instruments in relation to these resolutions.

(Under the provision of Council Procedure Rule 36(1), Cabinet received representations from Councillors Scott, Darwan, Lawson and H Zaman).

Cabinet considered an update following the decision in November 2024 to permanently close Dewsbury Sports Centre due to health and safety concerns and financial constraints. The report outlined findings from an independent engagement exercise commissioned to explore barriers and enablers to physical activity in North Kirklees, with a particular focus on Dewsbury and Batley. The Brightsparks research, gathered responses from nearly 1,000 residents and highlighted a strong community desire for a new sport and leisure facility that would be safe, welcoming, and socially inclusive. The research also identified wider factors influencing physical activity, including affordability, safety, accessibility, and cultural relevance.

Cabinet noted that physical activity levels in Dewsbury and Batley remained among the lowest in the district, with significant disparities affecting women, disabled people, and those from deprived communities. Cabinet was informed that the proposed next steps included commissioning an options appraisal and feasibility study to explore the development of a new facility, alongside immediate work to pilot community-based physical activity offers.

RESOLVED -

1)    That, in noting the report, approval be given to take the next steps towards developing a new sport and leisure facility.

2)    That approval be given to commission an external options appraisal and feasibility study to determine:

(i)             what should be prioritised as part of any new sport and leisure facility, including facilities, co-location of services;

(ii)            potential site options, including the availability of sites; the capacity and suitability of sites to accommodate new provision; and the accessibility of sites mindful of proposed future housing growth; and

(iii)          the viability of options to be delivered within new capital budgets additional to the existing capital plan.

3)    That the proposed immediate work, using insight from the Brightsparks report to develop targeted opportunities to complement existing provision and support people across North Kirklees to be physically active, be noted.

4)    That it be noted that many factors affect physical activity and agree to keep working with partners to tackle the broader issues that make it harder for people to be active.

5)    That scrutiny be engaged ahead of, and throughout the next steps of the process.

6)    That authority be given to the Service Director Legal, Governance and Commissioning to execute any documents or instruments in relation to these resolutions.

To receive a 12-month update on the Inclusion and Diversity Strategy 2024-2027 for the period September 2024 – September 2025.

Wards affected: all

Contact: Stephen Bonnell, Head of Policy, Partnerships, and Corporate Planning

RESOLVED – That the 12 month update on the Inclusion and Diversity Strategy 2024-2027 be received and noted.

Cabinet received an update on the Inclusion and Diversity Strategy 2024–2027. The report outlined achievements across the strategy’s three pillars: Compliance, Ambition, and Partnership. Members were informed of the key achievements over the past year which included (i) strengthened community engagement through partnerships (ii) enhanced accessibility and inclusion (iii) progress in inclusive education and (iv) work to foster a diverse and engaged workforce.

Cabinet noted that progress against the strategy demonstrated how the Council was advancing its broader objectives, ensuring that inclusion was not a standalone initiative but a fundamental part of achieving the ambitions set

out in the Council Plan.  The Inclusion & Diversity Strategy also set out how the Council was fulfilling its obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty to set inclusion objectives.

RESOLVED – That the 12 month update on the Inclusion and Diversity Strategy 2024-2027 be received and noted.