Cabinet will receive any questions from Elected Members.
In accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 2.3 (2.3.1.6) a period of up to 30 minutes will be allocated.
Minutes:
Cabinet received the following questions in accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 2.3;
Question from Councillor Scott
“In November 2024 Council passed a motion instructing Cabinet to act on ethical procurement to ensure that the Council was not complicit in human rights violations through its supply chains. Cabinet has not provided a response, taken a decision, or provided political leadership, and the issue was directed to Corporate Governance and Audit Committee, with no portfolio holder responsible and no record of delegated authority. Why did Cabinet not take ownership of this procurement report?”
A response was provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison)
Question from Councillor Moore
“I have previous asked, since the closure of Nab Lane six months ago, has an impact assessment been carried out to look at the Dewsbury site, looking at capacity and safety issues with increased demand. Why have I not received a response?”
A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins)
Question from Councillor Bramwell
“St John’s church in my ward has had ongoing maintenance issues. In 2020 during Covid, the Council could not cut the grass in the cemetery so I, along with residents cut back the churchyard on the proviso that the Council would, with the agreement of the church, continue to maintain it. However, I am told that the churchyard hadn’t had the grass cut in months until the Council did so just recently. Despite this, I am told there is still no agreement in place for ongoing maintenance. Can I get commitment from the Council for regular maintenance of this churchyard?”
A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Communities and Environment (Councillor A U Pinnock)
Question from Councillor Taylor
“Can you tell me how often, and when, you have met with the farming community?”
A response was provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison)
Question from Councillor Scott
“Have there been any issue with flagstones that have been laid in front of Dewsbury Town Hall? Is there an issue with the quality and standard of work with these flagstones, as I was aware work did stop. Can I get an assurance that the work will continue and be of good quality, rather than having to revisit this at great cost?”
A response was provided from the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration (Councillor Turner)
Question from Councillor Taylor
“The motion at a previous Council meeting was asking for the Leader to write to the Government and to meet with the farming community. Can I ask the Leader to meet with the farming community to ask how the Council could support that community and whether, in terms of procurement, we can ensure that the Council buys locally?”
A response was provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison)
Question from Councillor Bramwell
“In relation to Dewsbury Town Centre, having discussed with young people who use the Town Centre to meet friends, there are certain times, even including during the day that the won’t go into the Centre. There are also parts of the Town Centre that they won’t go into, such as Daisy Hill and the bus station. The traders in the market are worried and as a woman, I am worried at times. There appears to be no prevention in place, and having spoken to West Yorkshire Police who are doing all they can, but what are the Council doing to make Dewsbury Town Centre safer?”
A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration (Councillor Turner)
Question from Councillor Moore
“Both myself and Councillor Scott have been reporting more incidents of fly tipping than ever before, which suggests there has been a notable rise. Since the closure of Nab Lane waste site, what increase has there been, if any, in the levels of fly tipping in Dewsbury?”
A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins)
Question from Councillor Taylor
“I am a member of the Waste Strategy Working Group and meetings in diaries had been cancelled as Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee was to be consulted before the working group met. Due to there being no meetings planned, can I ask what has happened to the working group?”
A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins)
Question from Councillor Bramwell
“At the last Cabinet meeting, I raised an issue about Moor End Lane in Dewsbury. I was advised that Cllr Crook would look into the problem, and although I’ve received an e-mail to advise he was making enquires, I’ve received no further response. I have met with housing officers and safer Kirklees, so could I ask when I will receive a response?”
A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Transport and Housing (Councillor Crook)