Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence from those Members who are unable to attend the meeting.

Apologies were received from Councillor Hannah McKerchar, Councillor Will Simpson and Jane Emery (Co-Optee).

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Economy and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel held on 21^st March 2023.

Contact:         Jodie Harris, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer

The Panel considered the Minutes of the meeting of the former Economy and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Panel held on 21^st March 2023.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes be approved.

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.

All items were considered in the public session.

The Panel 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 public questions were received.

The Panel will consider a report on proposals to introduce a Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) Policy under the Licensing Act 2003.

Contact:         Russell Williams, Public Protection Operational Manager

CCc The Panel considered a report on proposals to introduce a </AI6>Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) Policyunder the Licensing Act 2003 which was presented by Russell Williams, Operational Manager- Public Protection. Katherine Armitage, Service Director – Environmental Strategy and Climate Change was also in attendance. 

Russell Williams gave a presentation which explained that the purpose of the report was to brief members of the Environment and Climate Change Scrutiny Panel on proposals to carry out public consultation in respect of introducing a CIA for Huddersfield and Dewsbury Town Centres. It was also advised that:

·         The Licensing Act 2003 required the licensing authority to prepare and publish a statement of its licensing policy at least every five years.

·         The existing policy was adopted in January 2020 and was due for renewal in 2025.

·         A review of the policy was to be undertaken which included a focus on aligning the policy with the Councils vision for the regeneration of its town centres.

·         As a part of the review work had been undertaken to consider the introduction of a CIA.

·         Cumulative impact was the potential impact on the promotion of the licensing objectives of a significant number of licensed premises concentrated in one area.

·         The publication of a CIA set a strong statement of intent about the Councils approach to considering applications.

·         It also placed the responsibility to demonstrate the need for a premise and the planned steps to mitigate risks (as identified in the CIA) on the applicant.

·         Working with the Councils Public Health Data Intelligence Officers and the West Yorkshire Police local crime statistics had been reviewed over the last 5 years.

·         The data showed that alcohol related crime statistics were above average in both Huddersfield and Dewsbury.

·         The review demonstrated that there was sufficient evidence to propose Consultation on the introduction of a CIA.

·         The scope of a CIA could be applied to a specific class of premises (i.e.- Off Licenses, On Licenses, late night refreshment or a mixture of these).

·         Concerns had been raised by Ward Members around the number of Off-licences opening in town centres.

·         In response current proposals were to carry out Consultation for the introduction of a CIA which was limited to the off-licence trade.

·         Whilst the initial evidence was reviewed for Huddersfield and Dewsbury town centres, there was potential for ward members to request consideration be given to introducing CIA’s in other areas.

·         The evidence to support the introduction of a CIA had to be robust and able to stand up to judicial scrutiny.

·         As part of the full review, work may be undertaken with ward members to investigate if there was sufficient evidence to support the introduction of a CIA elsewhere.

·         The next steps were to report to the Licensing and Safety Committee on 19^th July 2023.

·         If approved a 12-week consultation would begin and end in September 2023 and the analysis of the outcomes would take place in October/November 2023.

·         A report would then be submitted to a meeting of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Panel will consider a presentation on White Rose Forest - Summary review of 2022/23 and looking ahead to 2023/24.

Contact: Guy Thompson, White Rose Forest Programme Director

The Panel considered a presentation on White Rose Forest - Summary review of 2022/23 and looking ahead to 2023/24. Guy Thompson, White Rose Forest Programme Director gave the update which began with a short video summarising the achievements from the previous reporting year, followed by the presentation which highlighted that:

• The total number of hectares planted in the White Rose Forest (WRF) was 329; a significant amount when compared to the national figure of 1000.
• England’s Community Forest (ECF) network covered 20% of England’s land cover and delivered more woodland than any other single Woodland Creation Partnership including the Forestry Commission.
• The WRF was in its 3^rd year of a 5-year programme and during this time the WRF had gained a national profile with a growing reputation.
• After 3 seasons the WRF had:
  • Created 805 hectares of new woodland and supported the planting of 1600 trees.
  • Invested £6.7m with landowners across North and West Yorkshire.
  • Over 30,000 households would have more access to local woodlands as a result of the trees planted.
  • 235 hectares of new woodland had been planted next to the existing ancient woodland resource protecting its biodiversity value.
• The WRF Delivery pathway was working, and Kirklees and the Community Forest Trust had recruited a capable and ambitious WRF core team. 
• A Governance transition was underway to respond to changing region governance and a surge in both political interest and resources for Community Forests.
• A WRF 25-year plan from 2025-2050 (aimed to launch 1^st August 2025) was being developed which was to set out the Vision, targets and ambitions for woodland creation and woodland management for North and West Yorkshire.
• The Plan was to prioritise biodiversity, climate resilience, community mental health and job skills.

The Panel noted the presentation and, in the discussion to follow, asked several questions around value for money, measuring success, and the risks of failed trees, with reference to a particular project in Skelmanthorpe where only a few trees had survived due to lack of maintenance or protection.

In response to the questions, Guy Thompson advised that once the scheme had been designed (which was suitable for landowners needs within the context of the site) that the contract was put in place which outlined the amount of maintenance and funding required. Kirklees as the accountable body and on behalf of DEFRA bought in a 15-year woodland. Up until that point if the trees weren’t successful, legally the ownness was on the landowner to rectify this. It was also noted that where there were droughts or rain at the wrong time, there were sites where there was inevitably failure.

The Panel wanted to understand more about the Green Streets (the number of Green Streets in Kirklees and the ambition for this). In response, Guy Thompson advised that the ‘Green streets’ project was aimed at targeting priority communities, areas of job growth and the key routes that linked them. Kirklees were currently undertaking mapping work around its transport routes to identify opportunities for tree  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The Panel will consider its work programme for 2023/24.

Contact:         Jodie Harris, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer

The Panel considered its Draft Work Programme for the 2023/24 municipal year and noted that this was to be submitted to the next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee for approval. It was agreed that:

RESOLVED:  Climate Impact and Air quality Impact be noted as ‘golden threads’ and that information in relation to these areas should be included in reports provided to the Panel. 

1. The Forward Plan of key decisions to be reviewed by the Panel regularly to ensure oversight of pre-decision items.
2. An update on Winter Maintenance be provided ahead of the Winter period.
3. A long list of any unscheduled items be added to the work programme.