Agenda and decisions

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 15 February 2018.

The minutes of the Panel meeting held on 15 February 2018, were presented and approved as a correct record.

Members also used this opportunity to discuss matters arising and to explain that:-

- Members of the Panel would still like more information on the demand for and use of the bus and rail links between Dewsbury, Huddersfield and Leeds, in order to consider the options that will provide passengers with the best service(s) and shortest journey times. Cllr Rob Walker agreed to follow up on this request with Keith Bloomfield, the Operations Manager for the West Yorkshire Transport Fund.

- Trans Pennine Express is still looking to update the timetables for its Trans Pennine routes. However, the plans for public consultation and meetings in March 2018 appear to have been delayed. Formal announcements on the next steps are still awaited.

- The Panel should also consider the work of the Kirklees District Consultation Sub Committee in 2018/19 and the consultation exercise which takes place on changes to local bus and rail services. Cllr Rob Walker agreed to follow up on this.

- The news that Kieran Dunkin, Network Rail, is available to meet with the Panel, on an informal basis, at the close of today’s Panel meeting (15 March 2018) to discuss announcements on the investment in the Trans Pennine rail upgrade scheme (TRU).

- The good news that Transport for the North (TfN) has agreed to hold a public consultation event in Kirklees about their Strategic Transport Plan. However, councillors and officers need to encourage colleagues and members of the public to attend the event to make representations on behalf of Kirklees and its wards.

This is where Councillors who are attending as substitutes will say for whom they are attending.

Apologies for absence were noted on behalf of Cllrs Darren O’Donovan and Cathy Scott (Invitee for item 5 below)

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

No interests were declared.

Most debates take place in public. This only changes when there is a need to consider certain issues, for instance, commercially sensitive information or details concerning an individual. You will be told at this point whether there are any items on the Agenda which are to be discussed in private.

The meeting was held in public session

To consider a briefing note on the work of the Council and other local agencies and groups who deal with the issues of homelessness and rough sleeping in Kirklees.

Contact: - Helen Geldart, Head of Housing Services, 01484 221000.

DECISIONS – Members of the Panel agreed that

(1). That Helen Geldart, Cath McGurk and Naz Parkar be thanked for their attendance at today’s meeting

(2). That the briefing note used in today’s meeting be shared with all councillors for information and reference

(3). That Cllr Rob Walker and officers be asked to follow up on the actions raised in today’s debate and, in particular, the work to establish and develop the work of those agencies involved in the “Rough sleeper outreach initiative” and the Homelessness Forum. Plus, news on the outcome of a preliminary meeting with the voluntary groups to be shared with members of the Panel in due course.

To discuss and update the 2017/18 work programme for the Economy and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Panel.

This will involve:

-       Brief recap of the topics considered in 2017/18

-       Topics that are still outstanding

-       Potential new topics for 2018/19

Contact: Steve Copley, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer. Tel: 01484 221000

DECISIONS: - Members of the Panel agreed that:-

(1)  The progress report on the development of the work programme in 2017/18 be noted.

(2)  Members and officers be thanked for their contributions and support for the meetings of the panel in 2017/18.

To discuss the availability and use of the Quarter 3 performance report, as presented to Cabinet on 20 February 2018.

Contact: - Steve Copley, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer. Tel: 01484 221000.

DECISION: - Members of the Panel agreed that the quarter 3 performance monitoring report be circulated direct to members of this panel, to allow members to submit any comments and/or questions to Cllr Rob Walker and Steve Copley who will then follow up on these with the appropriate officers.