Agenda and decisions

To receive any apologies for absence.

Councillor M Pervaiz was absent from the meeting.

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.

To approve the Minutes of the Meetings of the Cabinet held on 12 December and 21 December 2023.

Approved as a correct record.

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.

Determined.

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.

No questions were asked.

To receive an update on the delivery of the West Yorkshire Transport Fund (WYTF) and City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) Programmes in Kirklees and consider the delegation of authority to progress schemes.

Contact: Rashid Mahmood, Major Projects

RESOLVED –

1)    That the update on projects as highlighted in the report, including the outcomes of the previous inflation review, as set out in paragraph 2.3, be noted.

2)    That approval be given to the phasing of Cooper Bridge and that a request be made to WYCA for the virement of £21.6m allocated to the Cooper Bridge Scheme to other WYTF Kirklees Schemes in order to allow key transport infrastructure works to progress improvements more widely across the district.

3)    That it be noted that a Phase 1 Cooper Bridge Scheme with a significantly reduced budget of £53.5m will need to achieve a satisfactory business case in order to proceed.

4)    That the changes to the Holmfirth Town Centre project, as set out at paragraph 2.7.1 of the report, be noted to support the submission of any necessary business case to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to secure funding, and to delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Growth and Regeneration to award contacts to facilitate delivery on Holmfirth Town Centre Action Plan once all funding has been secured.

5)    That the changes to the Huddersfield Southern Corridors project at paragraph 2.7.2 of the report be noted, supporting the submission of any necessary business case(s) to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to secure funding and to delegate authority to the Strategic Director (Growth and Regeneration) to award contracts to facilitate delivery on Huddersfield Southern Corridors Project once all funding has been secured.

6)    That authority be delegated to the Service Director (Legal, Governance and Commissioning) to enter into any funding agreements and ancillary contracts on the Council’s behalf with West Yorkshire Combined Authority (paragraphs 2.5.1 and 2.5.2 refer).  

To receive an update on damp, mould and condensation in Council Homes as at the end of October 2023, and actions taken to date to respond.

Contact: Hannah Elliott, Homes and Neighbourhoods

RESOLVED –

1)    That the content of the report and the status of the delivery of services to residents in relation to damp, mould and condensation be noted.

2)    That it be noted that there will be further regular updates (i) on progress with the design and delivery of changes to the approach to damp, mould and condensation and (ii) on damp, mould and condensation in residents’ homes.

To consider the objections received as a result of advertising the Council’s intention to dispose of open space at Fenay Lane, Almondbury, Huddersfield, and to determine whether to proceed with the intended disposal of the open space.

Contact: Debbie Bates, Housing Growth

RESOLVED –

1)    That the objections to the disposal of open space at Fenay Lane, Almondbury, be noted.

2)    That approval be given to the disposal of open space at Fenay Lane, Almondbury, to enable the development of the site.

3)    That it be noted that there would be an opportunity for public comment on the development proposals as part of the statutory planning process.

To consider Kirklees’ School Funding arrangements for financial year 2024/2025.

Contact: David Baxter, Finance

RESOLVED –

1)    That the disapplication request that has made to the ESFA and subsequently approved.

2)    That the ESFA approved exceptions application be noted.

3)    That the decisions made by the Schools Forum in terms of central budgets, de-delegated budgets and a fund for significant growth for 2024/2025, as detailed in the report and appendices, be noted.

4)    That approval be given to the Schools Forum’s recommendations following the consultative process undertaken in collaboration with Head Teachers, through the Schools Forum, to determine the ongoing local approach to the distribution of DSG Schools Block funding for 2024/2025.

5)    That approval be given to the submission of the schools funding formula to the ESFA for 2024/2025.

6)    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member (Children’s Services), in consultation with the Strategic Director (Children’s Services), to take account of the outcomes of the provider consultation, the views of the Early Years Reference Group and Schools Forum, and to make a decision on the Early Years local funding formula 2024/2025 and implementation of the preferred SENDIF funding options.

To determine the delegation of authority for the Kirklees and Calderdale SCITT to enter into a strategic partnership from August 2024.

Contact: Emma Brayford, Learning Partner

RESOLVED –

1)    That approval be given to the proposal for Kirklees and Calderdale School Centred Initial Teacher Training to delegate authority to enter into a partnership with an accredited initial teacher training provider (as set out at Option B).

2)    That authority be delegated to the Director of Children’s Services to sign the agreement and work with Kirklees and Calderdale School Centred Initial Teacher Training to finalise the arrangements with the identified accredited partner.