Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies were received from Councillor Martyn Bolt, Councillor Yusra Hussain, Chris Friend (Co-optee), Eilidh Ogden (Co-optee) and Andrew Bird (Co-optee

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 27 August 2020

That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 August 2020 be agreed as a correct record.

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.

There were no declarations of interest

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.

All items were considered in public session.

The Panel will receive any petitions and hear any 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 hand in a petition at the meeting but that petition should relate to something on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 (2), Members of the Public should provide at least 24 hours’ notice of presenting a deputation.

No deputations or petitions were received.

The Panel will hear any questions from the general public. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, questions must be submitted in advance to executive.governance@kirklees.gov.uk no later than 2pm on 5 October.

No questions were asked under this item.

To discuss with the Panel the work that has taken place working alongside the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in response to the pandemic;

To consider some of the outcomes, learning and challenges arising from the last six months, particularly with regards to the VCS going forward and assisting in system changes.

Contacts: Jill Greenfield - Service Director Customers and Communities

                Carl Whistlecraft - Head of Democracy and Place Based Working

The Panel received a report setting out details of the work that has taken place working alongside the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in response to the pandemic. The report considered some of the outcomes, learning and challenges arising from the last six months, particularly with regards to the VCS going forward and assisting in system changes.

The report highlighted the following areas in detail:

·         The community response to Covid-19;

·         Capacity of voluntary organisations within the community;

·         How such capacity and sustainability or viability has been impacted by Covid-19;

·           The ways in which the experiences of the last six months have begun to influence what happens next.

Colleagues from Third Sector Leaders and the anchor organisations were in attendance to input directly into the discussion and provide their unique perspectives.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic a co-ordinated community emergency response (CER) for the Kirklees District was established on 19 March 2020.  This rapid response saw the mobilisation of partners and services from across the council, councillors, the wider system, voluntary and community groups and individual volunteers. The CER system was primarily about ensuring that citizens of Kirklees were kept safe and well and protected from Covid-19. National government guidelines were being issued daily and as the country went into lockdown the CER focused on protecting the most vulnerable with basic essentials to keep people safe and protect life, such as food, medicines, and other essential items.

With regard to statistical data it was reported that a total number of 3,725 requests for help have been received into the council between 25 March and 23 September 2020. Of these, 30% were from people aged 70 years or over. The highest number of requests came from people in the Newsome ward (277), followed by Cleckheaton (266). The ward with the highest rate of requests was Cleckheaton (15.4 requests per 1,000). The most common type of support requested by people aged 70+ years was shopping (who can afford to pay for essential items) and for people aged 18-49 years it was shopping (who cannot afford to pay for essential items).

In order to meet the challenges at a ward level, it was reported that a decision was taken to increase ward member budgets from £20k to £50k per ward. Flexible and adapted guidelines were put in place for existing grant programmes to meet the Covid-19 response and uplifted funding for foodbanks to cover their surplus spend. 

With regard to the issue of food and welfare it was highlighted that provision has been a critical aspect of the community response with existing and new food banks supporting thousands of individuals. It was reported that approximately sixty food banks are now operating across Kirklees with the three main foodbanks seeing an increased take up of a third from the same period last year.

Paul Bridges, CEO of Huddersfield Mission, Andy Petrie, CEO of Local Services 2 You, and Val Johnson, representing Third Sector Leaders were invited to give their perspective in respect of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Panel will consider draft supplementary planning documents relating to Housebuilding Design; House Extensions and  Alterations; along with a draft Biodiversity Net Gain Technical Advice Note  

Contacts: John Buddle (Planning Policy and Strategy Team Leader, Planning Policy Group)

                  Amy Reddick (Biodiversity Officer, Conservation & Design Team)

The Panel received draft supplementary planning documents relating to

 House Extensions and Alterations and Housebuilder Design, along with a technical advice note in relation to Bio Diversity net gain.

The draft House Extensions and Alteration Guide SPD will support the implementation of the policies in the Local Plan, primarily policy LP24 Design, and provide further guidance on key considerations for planning applications for the extension and alteration of existing homes in Kirklees. Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) are produced to add clarity in relation to the application of planning policies set out in the Local Plan. The draft SPD provides clear guidance about how the council will implement Local Plan policy LP24 (Design) and determine what will normally be expected in terms of high quality, well-designed extensions and alterations to houses in Kirklees. It will provide important certainty for elected members, officers and external parties such as the local community and developers.

The draft Housebuilders Design Guide SPD will provide further guidance on key considerations for planning applications for the design and layout of housing developments in Kirklees.

A presentation was given setting out the general scope and content of the documents. The adopted Local Plan policy LP24 (Design) which provides the policy basis for the SPD’s was appended to the report.

A report was submitted providing detailed advice on how Biodiversity Net Gain should be achieved by development within Kirklees in accordance with Local Plan policy LP30 (Biodiversity and Geodiversity). It was explained that a technical advice note will provide important certainty for elected members, officers and external parties such as the local community and developers.

Following public consultation, approval for the Technical Guidance Note will be sought from Cabinet. Subject to approval, the Technical Guidance Note will be given weight as a material consideration in the planning applications process but will carry less weight than a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). At a later date, once the Environment Bill is passed, the intention will be to progress this to become an SPD including any changes required through the Environment Act. At the relevant time it will therefore be subject to the formal process for a Supplementary Planning Document. The adopted Local Plan policy LP30 (Biodiversity and Geodiversity) which provides the policy basis for this guidance note was appended to the report.

Questions and comments were invited from Panel Members and the following issues were raised:

·         With regard to the draft SPD’s, the Panel welcomed the documents as a means of providing clarity on the planning policies of the Council to residents and applicants.

·         In response to a question concerning sloped sites and winter maintenance, it was explained that the Highways Design Guide deals with the issue of gradients.

·         Members raised the importance of noise insulation being built into architect’s designs.

·         In relation to the consultation period, it was suggested that residents who had recently purchased properties be targeted to gain their experience and views. Furthermore it was suggested that the Place Standard tool be used to pro-actively promote the consultation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To consider the Panel’s Work Programme for 2020/21

Contact: Leigh Webb, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer

The Panel’s Work Programme for 2020/21 and forthcoming items/activities was submitted.

RESOLVED –

That the work programme be noted.