Agenda and decisions

To receive any apologies for absence.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 January 2026.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 approval of the 2026/2027 – 2028/2029 Council Plan.

Contact: Stephen Bonnell, Policy Partnerships and Corporate Planning

RESOLVED –

1)    That the Council Plan 2026-2029, as presented at Appendix 1 of this

report, be received and noted.

2) That the feedback provided by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, as provided in section 5 of the report, be noted.

3) That the report be submitted to the Meeting of Council on 25 February 2026 with a recommendation of approval.

To consider and recommend a budget to Council for General Fund Revenue, Capital and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and approve the Council Treasury Management Strategy.

Contact: Kevin Mulvaney, Finance

RESOLVED –

1) That the feedback from the Meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Management   Committee held on 16 January 2026, as summarised at paragraph 5 of this        

report, in reaching decisions regarding the final budget recommendations

for 2026/27 within this report, be noted.

2) That the feedback from the Budget Consultation at paragraph 4 of this       

report and Appendix L be noted.

3) That the Budget Motion be submitted to the Meeting of Council on 25 February 2025 with a recommendation that;

(i)             General Fund Revenue 

-       the Revenue Budget for 2026/27 to deliver a balanced position, as attached at Appendix A, be approved.  

-       the forecast spending and funding plans for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 period, as as set out at Appendix A, be noted.

-       the forecast levels of statutory and other Council reserves as set out at Appendix C be noted.

-       the strategy for the use of balances and reserves (paragraph 2.17 refers) be approved.  

-       the Council’s flexible capital receipts policy for 2026/2027 (paragraph 2.14 and Appendix G refer) be approved.

-       the Council Tax requirement for 2026/2027, as set out at Appendix M, be approved.

-       the Council’s Statutory s151 Officer’s positive assurance statement as to the robustness of the forecasts and estimates and adequacy of financial reserves, as set out at paragraph 2.22, be noted.

-       authority be delegated to the Council’s Statutory s151 Officer to amend how the finally approved precepts are recorded in the Council’s revenue budget in line with the final notifications received following decisions by the West Yorkshire Mayor Police and Crime Commissioner, the Fire & Rescue Authority and Parish Councils should these be received after 25 February 2026 (paragraph 3.1.3 refers).

(ii)            Treasury Management  

-       the borrowing strategy be approved (paragraphs 2.15 to 2.27 refer).

-       the investment strategy be approved (paragraphs 2.28 to 2.36 and Appendices A and B refer).  

-       the policy for provision of repayment of debt (minimum revenue provision) be approved (paragraphs 2.37 to 2.38, Appendix C refer).

-       the treasury management prudential indicators be approved (Appendix D refers).

-       the Investment Strategy (non-treasury investments) be approved (Appendix F refers).  

(iii)          Capital  

-       the updated Capital Plan for 2025-2033 be approved (Appendix F refers).

-       the Capital Strategy (including Prudential Indicators) be approved (Appendix I refers).

(iv)          Housing Revenue Account

-       the HRA Budget for 2026/2027 be approved (Appendix K refers).

-       the strategy for the use of HRA reserves (Appendix K refers) be approved.

To consider approval for funding arrangements for the Dedicated Schools Grant for the financial year 2026/2027.

Contact: John Bartlett, Accountancy / Martin Wilby, Education Places and Access

RESOLVED –

1)    That approval be given to the proposed local formula factors for the distribution of Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), Schools Block funding for 2026/2027, as set out in Appendix A. 

2)    That the decisions made by Schools Forum in terms of central budgets, delegated budgets and a fund for significant growth for 2026/27, as detailed in the report and the accompanying appendices, be noted.

3)    That approval be given to the submission of the schools’ local funding formula to the Department for Education (DfE) for 2026/2027. 

4)    That the disapplication request made to the DfE, which has now been agreed, be noted.

5)    That the DfE exceptions application be noted.

6)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Children’s Services), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Cabinet Member for Education, to take account of the outcomes of the provider consultation, the views of the Early Years and Childcare Reference Group and Schools Forum and make a final decision on the Early Years local funding formula 2026/27 and the value of the Special Education Needs and Disability Inclusion Fund.

To consider approval of the progression of the project to establish a 125 place Alternative Provision School.

Contact: Jo-Anne Sanders, Learning and Inclusion

RESOLVED –

That approval be given to (i) confirm with the Department for Education that Kirklees should progress with the establishment of a 125 place Alternative Provision Free School and (ii) delegate authority to the Executive Director (Children and Families) and the Cabinet Member for Education to work with the Department for Education and the appointed Multi Academy Trust, Delta, to take forward the project. 

To receive and note the CQC’s Inspection Report and Rating for Adult Social Care.

Contact: Alexia Gray, Quality Standards and Safeguarding Partnerships (Adults and Health)

RESOLVED –

1)    That the content of the CQC published report: Local authority assessment reports - Care Quality Commission be noted.

2)    That the content of the report, along with the accompanying draft improvement plan as set out at Appendix 1, be noted.

3)    That Cabinet be updated on the progression of the improvement plan to achieve the required improvements.

To receive the Annual Housing Report for the Homes and Neighbourhoods Service for the year 2024–2025.

Contact: Erran Taylor, Housing Governance and Assurance

RESOLVED - That the content of the Annual Housing Report 2024–2025 be noted.

To consider approval of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) Local Transport Plan (LTP4).

Contact: Ilyas Ramjan, Major Projects

RESOLVED –

1)    That the contents of this report, and the LTP4 document (Appendix A) and LTP4 Consultation report (Appendix B) be noted.

2)    That approval be given to LTP4, to support adoption by West Yorkshire Combined Authority.