Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence from Board Members who are unable to attend this meeting.

Jane Jackson substituted on behalf of Charles Smith.

Members will be asked to advise if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, which would prevent them from participating in any discussion on the item of participating in a vote upon the item, or any other interests.

No interests were received.

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Board held on Thursday 19^th January 2023.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 19^th January be approved as a correct record subject to amendment of agenda item 1, that Anum Rehman attended the meeting.

Most debates take place in public.  This only changes where 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, by  virtue of the reports containing information which falls within a category of exempt information as contained at Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

It was noted that exempt information was considered in relation to Agenda item 6.

The Board 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 Board 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.

Contact: Michelle Illingworth, ER Project Officer – Dewsbury Town Investment Plan

The Board received an update from Peter Thompson on each project of the Dewsbury Town Deal which explained that:

Arcade - The National Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) application had been submitted in February 2023 and an assessor had been appointed. A visit to the Arcade had been arranged for the assessment team in May 2023. The Board noted that an engagement session had taken place with contractors in February 2023 and was going out to tender in advance of approval from HLF.

Market - Rationalising the market scheme was underway by the architects as part of a cost cutting exercise.

Town Park – The Town Park had currently been paused whilst a review of the programme was undertaken.  A proposal was to combine the project into the Market scope.

Sustainable Transport Modes - Tendering information had been received, with the financial charges being subject to a review.

Building Revival Scheme - 6-8 Westgate had been approved by Kirklees Cabinet in March 2023 and a contractor had been appointed. The project was awaiting a start date.

Fibre scheme - The scheme was on track to be completed at the end of March 2023.

Cultural events - The Board received a programme of cultural events which provided information on events taking place throughout March and April 2023.

Construction Skills Village - A project manager was in the process of being appointed and a positive discussion had taken place with Church Commissioners on the location. Discussions were ongoing with Kirklees College regarding curriculum planning and delivery arrangements.

Daisy Hill - Kirklees Council had acquired 46 Daisy Hill and were awaiting final documents around the Master Plan which would then be circulated to Board Members.  An agreement had been made for the use of 44 Daisy Hill. It was noted that the Project Officer would provide an update on the project progress for Daisy Hill Neighbourhood at the Board meeting in May 2023.

Peter Mason provided an update to the Board on Field House which advised that discussions were underway on the grant funding agreement.

During discussions, the Board noted that there had been a ‘Call in’ request on the Chidswell site for the Skills Village. It was suggested that other sites be considered for the project, along with reviewing sites that had previously been considered.

RESOLVED:

1)    That Mr Thompson be thanked for the project updates,

2)    That Mr Mason be thanked for the Field House update,

3)    That Daisy Hill Masterplan be circulated to Board Members,

4)    That a report on Daisy Hill Neighbourhood to be considered at the next Board meeting.

Keith Ramsay – Chair of Board

The Chair advised the Board that in response to Board Members commenting on the Terms of Reference, he would like to invite all Board Members to attend a workshop where Legal and Governance would to also be invited in April or May 2023.  The Terms of Reference would then be discussed and agreed at a future Board meeting.

The Chair updated the Board on an advertisement for additional Board Members which had been placed on LinkedIn and other social media platforms. The Board noted that James Conn and Iqbal Bhana had resigned from the Board.

RESOLVED: That a workshop take place in April or May 2023 to discuss the Terms of Reference.

18 May 2023

20 July 2023

28 September 2023

16 November 2023

For Terms of Reference please visit

www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/regeneration-and-development/pdf/deswbury-town-board-terms-of-reference-jan-2021.pdf

It was noted that the dates of future meetings were:-

18 May 2023

20 July 2023

28 September 2023

16 November 2023

To resolve that under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business, on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To consider exempt information in relation to Agenda Item 6.

(Exempt information in accordance with Schedule 12A Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, namely it contains information relating to the financial and business affairs of third parties (including the Authority holding that information). It is considered that the disclosure of the information would adversely affect those third parties including the Authority and therefore the public interest in maintaining the exemption, which would protect the rights of an individual or the Authority, outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information and providing greater openness and transparency in relation to public expenditure in the Authority’s decision making.)

The Board considered exempt information in relation to agenda item 6.