Councillor Shabir Pandor, the Leader of the Council, to provide an update on his portfolio priorities for the 2019/20 municipal year.
Minutes:
Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of the Council attended the committee meeting to provide an update on his portfolio priorities for the 2019/20 municipal year. The following highlights were noted:-
- The Budget had been approved in February 2020 and included measures to fulfil priorities and continue investment in the Council moving forward. There were 3 key areas, namely regeneration, including place based working, climate change and Children’s Services.
- The Committee were advised that the Council remained one of worst funded local authorities nationally. A comprehensive spending review was ongoing and Council Leaders across the country were working on a cross party basis, to get the best deal for local government.
- Place based and partnership working with local communities to deliver the priorities of residents was a key priority.
- With regards to towns and villages, it was noted that the Dewsbury Blueprint and Huddersfield Masterplan had been launched. An additional £78m had been identified to continue the investment in towns and villages across the district.
- In terms of infrastructure, plans were in place with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the Trans-Pennine upgrade would see a £1bn investment in Kirklees.
- An example of capital plan development was Spen Valley Leisure Centre where work had commenced on a scheme totalling £30m
- With regards to housing delivery, a big build event had been launched in September 2019 to build 10,000 new homes by 2023. This was going to plan and over 100 organisations had been engaged to assist.
- Cllr Pandor advised that climate emergency was a global issue and he had recently attended a Climate Emergency conference and outlined the work of Kirklees Council. The Budget in February 2020, had seen investment, including £1m to install 5 new rapid charging points and up to 80 new fast charge points in public car parks. A further £1m had been allocated to add 50 extra electric vehicles to the Council’s own fleet and £750k would be invested over the next 12 months in trees and woodland.
- In relation to Children’s Services, it was noted that following the Ofsted report of 2019, the Council was now out of special measures and no longer considered inadequate. Cllr Pandor indicated that every child deserved an outstanding council and there were elements in the budget to ensure that the improvement journey continued.
- With regards to flooding, Cllr Pandor referred to the excellent work carried out by staff, the police and fire services and the voluntary sector. It was noted that 69 domestic properties and 40 businesses had been affected. A fund had been developed where up to £750 was available to meet cleaning costs and council tax reductions for up to 3 months for households affected by flooding, and £3k and business rate relief for business affected. It was acknowledged that this was not enough and the Council would continue to work with other partners as well as the Government to address the issues faced.
- Proposals in relation to devolution were moving at pace and positive meetings had been held with the Treasury and Local Government minister. It was hoped that there would be an announcement as part of the budget on 11 March 2020. The Committee were advised that any deal would have to come back to Council for ratification.
The Committee asked a number of questions and Councillor Pandor’s responses are summarised below:-
- With regards to the implications of the recent Heathrow Airport judgement, it was noted that investment needed to be properly thought through and an impact assessment carried out to determine potential climate impact.
- The Council had 30 hybrid pool cars and it was planned to introduce 20 electric vehicles and 24 small electric vehicles.
- A demonstrator project was in development regarding a scheme for passive houses.
- With regards to devolution, it was important to get the best governance structure in place and draw the money down. The deal would see a levelling up of funding and Kirklees stood to gain.
The deal would include transport infrastructure and connectivity and interconnectivity between towns. In terms of skills, intelligence suggested that there was a mismatch between current provision and what businesses required. This would form part on an ongoing dialogue.
Discussions were ongoing as to the governance structure and it was important to ensure that this was democratic in terms of accountability.
- In relation to Children’s Services and factors outside of the Council’s control, it was noted that Ofsted had highlighted the relationship with partners and schools. In terms of getting the best outcome for children, it was important to take a holistic view with partners working together. This had been reflected in the budget, with investment into specialist social workers and formalised training. It was also noted that the Cabinet Member for Children had held a number of meetings with the Regional Schools’ Commissioner.
- With regards to Corona Virus, it was noted that all members of staff had been given clear guidelines in terms of dealing with individual cases. A question in relation to the monitoring of sickness absence was acknowledged.
- There would be investment in all towns and villages and the Batley Action Plan was in the process of being developed.
- The contract for Pioneer House had gone into liquidation, but assurances had been received that business would continue as usual. It was noted that the Chief Executive had written to Dewsbury’s elected members to make them aware of the situation. The Council’s plan to deliver on Pioneer House would continue.
- Gangs and knife crime had featured in the budget and money was been reinvested to tie in resources more effectively. £600k had been allocated to Youth Services to carry out outreach work.
- In terms of greener spaces it was noted that money had been invested to address ‘grot spots’ and making the environment greener and this would be devolved at a local level. Cllr Pandor noted the suggestion of illuminated signage in relation to fines, highlighted by a member of the Committee.
Councillor Bolt attended the meeting as an observer and asked a number of questions, the responses to which are summarised below:-
- The communication regarding Pioneer House would be circulated to all Councillors.
- The Committee would be provided with clarification as to the quasi-judicial status of Planning Committees.
Resolved:–
1. The Committee thanked Cllr Pandor, Leader of the Council for attending the meeting and noted the update provided in relation to the priorities he had identified for the 2019/20 municipal year;
2. The communication regarding Pioneer House to be circulated to all Councillors; and
3. The Committee to be provided with clarification as to the quasi-judicial status of Planning Committees.