Agenda, decisions and draft minutes
PDF 244 KBVenue: Reception Room - Town Hall, Dewsbury. View directions
Contact: Nicola Sylvester Email: nicola.sylvester@kirklees.gov.uk
| No. | Item |
|---|---|
|
Membership of Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board To receive any updates in respect of the membership of the Board and apologies for absence from Board Members who are unable to attend this meeting. Decision: RESOLVED - David Wildman, Service Director for Skills and Regeneration at Kirklees Council, was appointed to the Board as an interim measure for this meeting.
Apologies were received from Anum Rehman, Iqbal Mohamed and Richard Butterworth.
Sajid Hussain substituted on behalf of Iqbal Mohammed MP and Lisa Kinch substituted on behalf of Richard Butterworth.
Minutes: RESOLVED - David Wildman, Service Director for Skills and Regeneration at Kirklees Council, was appointed to the Board as an interim measure for this meeting.
Apologies were received from Anum Rehman, Iqbal Mohamed MP and Richard Butterworth.
Sajid Hussain substituted on behalf of Iqbal Mohammed MP and Lisa Kinch substituted on behalf of Richard Butterworth. |
|
|
Declaration of Interests 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. Decision: Sophie Johnson, Peter Mason, Fara Butt, Andi Eccles, Jackie Ramsay and Martin Walsh, declared an interest as shareholders in the Arcade for the agenda item relating to the Town Deal Project Update. The report was submitted to the Board for information.
Andi Eccles and Peter Mason declared an interest as a Member of the Arcade Group in the agenda item relating to the Town Deal Project Update. The report was submitted to the Board for information.
Jackie Ramsay declared an interest as Member and Chair of the Arcade Group in the agenda item relating to the Town Deal Project Update. The report was submitted to the Board for information.
David Wildman declared an interest as Service Director of Regeneration and Skills, Kirklees Council and refrained from voting on all agenda items. Minutes: Sophie Johnson, Peter Mason, Fara Butt, Andi Eccles, Jackie Ramsay and Martin Walsh, declared an interest as shareholders in the Arcade for the agenda item relating to the Town Deal Project Update. The report was submitted to the Board for information.
Andi Eccles and Peter Mason declared an interest as a Member of the Arcade Group in the agenda item relating to the Town Deal Project Update. The report was submitted to the Board for information.
Jackie Ramsay declared an interest as Member and Chair of the Arcade Group in the agenda item relating to the Town Deal Project Update. The report was submitted to the Board for information.
David Wildman declared an interest as Service Director of Regeneration and Skills, Kirklees Council and refrained from voting on all agenda items.
|
|
|
Minutes of Previous Meeting and Action Tracker To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 12th February 2026.
The action tracker is attached for information. Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED - 1) That the minutes of the meeting held on 12th February 2026 be approved as a correct record. 2) That the action tracker be noted. Minutes: RESOLVED - 1) That the minutes of the meeting held on 12th February 2026 be approved as a correct record. 2) That the action tracker be noted. |
|
|
Admission of the Public 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 Board. Minutes: All items were considered in public session.
|
|
|
Deputations/Petitions The Board 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. Minutes: No deputations or petitions were received. |
|
|
Public Question Time The meeting will hear any questions from the general public.
Questions should be emailed to executive.governance@kirklees.gov.uk no later than 5:00pm Monday 15th June 2026.
Members of the public can ask questions relating to the work of the Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board or issues set out on this agenda. Minutes: In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, Bruce Bird attended the meeting and asked the following question which they had submitted in writing:
“The Daisy Hill project of the Town Investment Plan was intended to deliver 200 quality, affordable residential homes of which the Field House conversion was a part. The intention was to improve the environment in the Daisy Hill area which, at the launch of the Town Investment plan, had already acquired a negative reputation.
In May 2023 the report to the Board was that some property had been acquired but the recruitment of developers was stalled due to the proposal being unattractive to them. There has been no further information about anything other than the flagship projects and the Daisy Hill project was noticeably absent from the community engagement container.
In the meantime, the state of the remaining properties, particularly the waste management problems that exist continue with no prospect of improvement.
As we are now out of the Town Deal Board funding window can the Chair provide a summary of the activity completed, the funds expended and any funds remaining to improve the Daisy Hill area.”
A response was provided by the Chair.
Bruce Bird asked an additional question which had not been submitted in writing, regarding Item 8, at the discretion of the Chair:
“There is a contradiction within the draft terms of reference. Article 3.1 gives members notice and the opportunity to defend themselves, thereby providing the openness and accountability required to meet the requirements of the Nolan Principles. In Appendix B the council reserves the right to remove a member without such transparency and is in breach of the Nolan Principles. Will the Chair resolve this contradiction before presenting the draft for approval by the Board?”
A response was provided by the Chair, and his comments were noted by the Board. |
|
|
Chair's Update To receive a verbal update from Sophie Johnson – Chair of Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board.
Decision: RESOLVED – That the Chair’s Update be noted. Minutes: The Chair advised the Board that:
RESOLVED – That the Chair’s Update be noted. |
|
|
To receive a report on the updated Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board Terms of Reference.
Contact: James Blamires, Project Officer
Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED – That the updated Terms of Reference for Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board be approved. Minutes: The Board considered a report presenting revised Terms of Reference for the Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board.
The Board were advised that amendments had been made to:
The Board were advised that feedback from Members, the Governance and Legal Teams at Kirklees Council had been incorporated into the final version of the Terms of Reference.
During discussion, Board Members:
RESOLVED – That the updated Terms of Reference for Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board be approved. |
|
|
Pride in Place Update To update the Board on the latest position of the Pride in Place Programme. This includes an outline of progress with the working groups, interventions, and key performance indicators and sets out recommendations for the Board to support delivery.
Contact: Andy Raleigh, Interim Strategic Lead Town Centre Regeneration Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED – 1) That the Pride in Place Programme be noted. 2) That the recommendations and KPIs within the Pride in Place report and appendix attached be endorsed.
Minutes: The Board received an update on implementation of the Pride in Place Programme.
The Board were advised that:
The Board discussed performance monitoring arrangements and agreed the importance of regular KPI reporting.
The Board suggested that the dedicated Police Sergeant attend a future meeting to provide an update on the work that was undergoing.
Safety and Security Working Group The Board considered recommendations relating to:
Engagement, Events and Communications Working Group The Board considered recommendations relating to:
The Board was provided with an updated figure on the total investment for 27 Market Place, the report advised the total investment cost was £361,000, the Board was advised that the current position was £406,000.
Place Working Group The Board considered recommendations relating to:
The Board discussed the need to build upon existing regeneration frameworks whilst ensuring a clear long-term vision for Dewsbury.
Business Support Working Group The Board noted that a Chair of the Business Support Working Group had not yet been appointed.
The Board were advised that a Business Support Officer role had been recruited on a 12?month basis to provide business engagement capacity within the town whilst detailed working group arrangements were developed.
RESOLVED – 1) That the Pride in Place Programme be noted. 2) That the recommendations and KPIs within the Pride in Place report and appendix attached be endorsed.
|
|
|
Town Deal Project Update To receive an update on the Town Deal Projects.
Contact: Michelle Illingworth, Project Officer.
Decision: RESOLVED – 1) That the Town Deal Project update be noted. 2) That a report on the Riverside active travel route be presented to the Board at a future meeting. 3) That a report on attracting retailers, food outlets and businesses to the Market be brough back to Board at a future meeting. Minutes: The Board received an update on delivery of Town Deal projects and were advised that:
The Board welcomed the visible progress being made across Dewsbury town centre and discussed future event programming, inward investment opportunities and business engagement.
An update was also provided on work being undertaken with the NHS and partners to explore opportunities to establish health services within vacant town centre premises, including potential future use of 27 Market Place.
During discussion, the Board requested clarification on how the Riverside Active Travel Route would cross the river and canal. It was noted that the Riverside project remained on the forward plans and discussions were taking place, however the scheme was still at a very early stage and there was currently no detailed design information available, including for crossing arrangements. Officers undertook to present information on the Riverside Active Travel Route at a future Board meeting.
Board Members were invited to visit other town markets to see how they had transformed, and were asked to advise officers if this was something they would be interested in.
RESOLVED – 1) That the Town Deal Project update be noted. 2) That a report on the Riverside active travel route be presented to the Board at a future meeting. 3) That a report on attracting retailers, food outlets and businesses to the Market be brought back to Board at a future meeting. |
|
|
AOB To consider any other business. Minutes: Board Members highlighted forthcoming events including:
The Board received an offer from Council officers for future presentations on strategic transport, regeneration, business support and other service areas relevant to delivery of Board priorities. |
|
|
Date of Next Meeting 4pm, Thursday 10th September 2026 Location: Dewsbury Town Hall
For Terms of Reference please visit
Minutes: It was noted that the next meeting was scheduled for 4pm on Thursday 10th September 2026 at Dewsbury Town Hall. |