Agenda and minutes

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

All Panel members were in attendance.

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on the 10^th March 2025.

That the minutes of the meeting held on the 10 March 2025 be approved as a correct record.

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.

No interests were declared.

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 Panel.

All agenda items were considered in public.

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.

In accordance with Council Procedure rule 11, Ms Julia Roebuck submitted written questions.  In accordance with Council Procedure rule 37, the Chair agreed that the question could be asked under agenda item 8.  A response was given by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration.

The purpose of this report is to provide an update to Scrutiny on the results of the publicity campaign and consultation activity undertaken on the draft Kirklees Transport Strategy and to seek feedback on the Strategy before it proceeds to cabinet for approval.

Contact:  David Wildman, Service Director Skills and Regeneration.

Cllr Moses Crook, Cabinet Member for Transport and Housing, introduced the agenda item, advising the Panel that it is a positive time to be bringing the first Kirklees Transport Strategy through the governance process for adoption. He explained that there are many opportunities for companies to benefit, for example with the bus franchising, the TransPennine route upgrade project underway, mass transit or tram in the pipeline and the development of West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) LTP4. In addition, further powers coming with further funding through the extension of the devolution process in West Yorkshire.

Kirklees having its own transport strategy, aligned with LTP4, will help to embed local priorities around sustainable transport and inclusive prosperity. It will maximise the benefits to Kirklees from external funding and regional projects. Working together with regional partners but with a focus on specific transport needs in Kirklees.

In Kirklees there is higher unemployment and lower earnings than the national average, with many travelling out of the district to work. These factors all point to, inequality, exclusion, and deprivation. The hope is that this strategy will help to provide greater opportunity for communities, whilst also reducing the collective environmental impact.

The Panel was reminded that the draft strategy was presented to the Growth and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel in January 2025, following which, Cabinet gave approval for the strategy to go out for public consultation. The consultation was successful with 2112 responses, with approximately 1500 providing free text input to illustrate their concerns and interest in transport. Responses confirmed public approval of priorities in the strategy, in particular support for prioritising and improvements around bus transport, including the move to publicly controlled bus services through franchising.

The final draft of the strategy will be presented to Cabinet in September for approval. Cllr Crook thanked officers for the excellent work they have undertaken to produce the first transport strategy.

David Wildman, Service Director for Skills and Regeneration, Rory Davis, Transport Strategy and Policy Lead, and Lucy Wade, Project Manager, Transport Strategy Policy and Development, were also in attendance at the meeting to provide further details on the Transport Strategy.

David Wildman, advised the Panel that the strategy is not an action plan or a list of projects, it is a statement of intent that aligns with the Local Plan, which is currently undergoing revision, and WYCA, emerging LTP4. It sets out how transport schemes will be approached, ensuring that future work remains in synergy and alignment with regional priorities, to ensure future funding opportunities can be targeted. Importantly, it reflects the unique needs and aspirations of the district.

Rory Davis provided an update on the revisions made to the strategy since its previous presentation to the Panel in January 2025. In summary, he informed the Panel that the consultation had been a wide-reaching campaign, funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), enabling engagement with communities through social media, marketing, and publicity events. Officers actively engaged with residents across the district, bringing the conversation directly to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Panel will be provided with a progress update on Our Cultural Heart.

Contact:  David Glover, Senior Responsible Officer.

Cllr Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, introduced the agenda item, informing the Panel that the update is part of the regular update on Our Cultural Heart. He encouraged the Panel to visit the site when the opportunity arises to view the progress that has been made and to see the vision come to life.

David Wildman informed the Panel that Our Cultural Heart (OCH), is a key part of the Huddersfield Blueprint and one of the Council's flagship regeneration programmes. Referring to the presentation slides, he informed the Panel that: -

-       the blueprint launched in June 2019 and identified six target areas for transformation across the town, and OCH is central to that vision.

-       OCH delivers against one of the Council’s areas of focus, investment, regeneration, and place and is a named programme within the Blueprint.

-       The OCH Mobilisation Steering Group was established in January 2025, to work with internal services that have responsibilities as part of OCH to co-ordinate their pre and post opening budgets and preparations.

-       In terms of governance and reporting, OCH reports monthly to a programme board and regeneration portfolio holder’s briefings.

-       To achieve the council’s capital projects priorities, Cabinet approvals have reallocated funding from the OCH construction budget to support other capital priorities.

The Panel was informed that progress is reviewed through the gateway process, with key stages brought to Cabinet for consideration. This phased approach enables strategic alignment and ensures that approvals are sought at appropriate intervals. It gives the ability to make changes as needed.

The next report to Cabinet is scheduled for September 2025, with a primary focus on the next steps for delivering the museums and galleries programme. This will form part of the phase two scheme, gateway 4. At this stage, it will conclude the detailed design phase and set out the delivery targets and move to construction.

The Panel was informed that extensive communication and engagement activity is underway in relation to the scheme, supported by an ongoing communications campaign and a series of events aimed at fostering a positive atmosphere and raising the scheme’s profile.

The Panel was shown an illustration which outlined the masterplan and informed that, phase one includes the food hall, new library and adjacent square. Phase two, is the museum and gallery. The other plots are Queen Street plot, public realm/park and venue and multi-story car park. The phased approach provides both the Council and Cabinet with flexibility and a review of the phases is currently being undertaken and will be presented to Cabinet in September.

The Panel was provided with a summary of the decisions taken to date in respect of phase two. This included committing funding for phase two to move towards Gateway 4, delegated authority for the enabling works for a pre-construction services agreement and delegated authority to instruct relevant works. The Panel was also provided with information which outlined the timelines and key milestones for the different phases of the scheme.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.