Councillor Carole Pattison, the Leader of
Council and Councillor Graham Turner, the Portfolio Holder for
Finance, were welcomed to the meeting to talk about their
priorities for 2025/26.
Councillor Pattison explained that:
·
The vision, eight shared outcomes, and four
partnership strategies remained the same. The vision for Kirklees
was to combine a sustainable economy with a great quality of life
for families and communities and address inequalities.
·
Delivery of the four priorities set out in the
2025/26 Council Plan, alongside partners, would help to achieve
this vision:
-
Getting the basics right
-
Protecting the vulnerable and achieving
inclusion
-
Thriving people and communities
-
Local economic growth
·
The aim was to create a longer-term vision next
municipal year, assisted by the commitment from the Government to a
three-year financial settlement agreement, which was expected in
November.
·
Recent progress and achievements under each priority
were highlighted.
·
The next steps including celebrating and building on
successes, taking opportunities for transformation and continuing
to work across council services to deliver the priorities and focus
more on customers and getting the basics right.
Councillor Turner provided an overview of the
key priorities across the Finance and Regeneration Portfolio:
·
The most important was the delivery of a balanced
budget for 2026/2027 and proposals would be presented to Council in
February 2026.
·
The three-year financial settlement would aid the
development of a better longer-term financial strategy and the Council was in a good position to
move forward.
·
The Council Plan emphasised economic growth,
thriving communities and inclusive service delivery, within the
Place Directorate there was a focus on regeneration, housing,
infrastructure and environmental transformation.
·
The aim was to review all items in the
Council’s Capital Plan, with the assistance of the Section
151 Officer, by September 2026.
·
The Council would continue to seek out grants and
pooling opportunities for investment.
·
There were many active, varied regeneration projects
across Kirklees; it was important that the programme of
regeneration continued, to help create employment for the future
and support the local economy.
·
Officers were working in partnership with the
University of Huddersfield and local colleges to ensure that people
had the necessary skills for the workplace of the
future.
·
An outline was given of the work that had been
undertaken to develop a new Local Plan and the next steps. The
Local Development Scheme (LDS) had been submitted to the Department
for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) in March 2025.
Early community engagement had resulted in 650 plus
responses.
·
Housing growth was a key feature of the regeneration
strategy, with a strong emphasis on the delivery of diverse,
inclusive and future proofed housing across the
district.
·
There were a number of
strategic sites in the delivery pipeline and the Ash View Extra
Care Housing in Ashbrow was now
completed; members of the Committee were encouraged to visit the
site.
·
Work would also continue with investors, the
Government and developers to increase town centre living across the
borough.
Questions and comments were invited from
Committee Members, with the following issues being covered:
- In respect of improvements in air
quality, it was acknowledged that reduced emissions from vehicles
had contributed to this along with various measures being taken to
help the flow of traffic in air quality management zones, such as
at Ainley Top.
- The provision of 18 new SEND school
places was welcomed and it was
questioned what the plans were to ensure the necessary resources to
address the growing need in this area.
- There was a myriad of plans to
address this issue. The two new specialist schools would provide
additional places for SEND children but
these would also be better places, for example provision for girls
with Social Emotional and Mental Health needs who had previously
had to attend education provision outside the district. This would
also have a financial benefit for the Authority.
- There had also been an increase in
‘Additional Resource Provision’ and schools working in
clusters to better meet the needs of those attending local,
mainstream schools and maximising the use of available
resources.
- The backlog, associated with
difficulties in getting assessments, had decreased and the Council
was discussing working with other local authorities on this issue,
but the demand continued to increase.
- The impact on the whole of the
family was acknowledged and it was considered that a new approach
to SEND would bring about improvements in the process. There were
also new Government proposals in respect of Education Health and
Care Plans which would make the process easier in the future.
- The excellent service provided for
people with dementia and their relatives and carers by Knowl Park House, in Mirfield, was acknowledged.
Provision such as this could delay the need for people to go into
residential care, but the capacity was limited and there was need
for more such provision. It was noted that the staff also provided
wider advice and support alongside the day care services
offered.
- It was considered that
residents’ understanding of ‘getting the basics
right’ differed from the Council’s perception. It was
explained that work was underway on a transformation project
focusing on customer expectations. The aim was to try and ensure
that the expectations matched the service that could be
provided. The importance of effective
communication was a key issue, both in terms of managing
resident’s expectations and being able to provide a response
in a timely manner.
- Whilst the improvements to the
Spen Valley Greenway were welcomed it
was of concern that the waste bins were not being emptied and this had resulted in an accumulation of
rubbish at entry/exit points which was unsightly and potentially
hazardous. Although there could be complications in terms of land
ownership and responsibility it was acknowledged that this should
be addressed but that there was also the need to engage with and
enable the community in respect of the responsible disposal of
rubbish. There had been a recent review of bins and the position in
respect of the emptying of the greenway bins would be
checked.
- Positive feedback was provided in
terms of library services, including the engagement with scrutiny
on this issue, and the improvements and progress made in
Children’s and Adults Services.
- The importance of the
role and contribution of Elected Members both in terms of their
knowledge of activities and groups in their communities, and the
leadership and promotion of events, was acknowledged. It would be
helpful for an assessment to be undertaken on the value of existing
events and the benefits of them being maintained.
- It was noted that
housing growth was not only about increased capacity, but also
about ensuring that quality, suitable homes were built in the right
places to help create communities. Quality housing led to better
outcomes in terms of education and health.
- There was also a need to increase
the numbers of people living in quality accommodation in town
centres to boost economic activity and help them to thrive.
- In response to a question in
relation addressing the impact of housing developments on existing
services, particularly healthcare services, in areas where they
were already at capacity; it was noted that there was a national
shortage of doctors in the UK alongside a growing population and
changes in demographics, which would continue to be challenging
until the shortage could be resolved. The Council did not have
control over this provision.
- The view was expressed that the
Council had a responsibility, when making decisions around larger
housing developments, to factor in, at an early stage, the
infrastructure and services that were available; doctors, dentists,
schools and how new provision could be attracted/provided to those
areas, but also footpaths and linkages to ensure access to
amenities. It was explained that the Health and Wellbeing Board was
involved in the development of the Local Plan and information on
demand and possible locations for surgeries etc, and opportunities
to promote active travel would be part of the considerations. There
was a robust process that was followed prior to sites being
included in the Local Plan which would include issues such as local
highways, traffic predictions and modelling for school places.
Larger sites, in particular, would take
many years to be completed and facilities, such as GP’s
surgeries, would follow in response to demand.
- The Government had just released the
‘10 Year Health Plan’ which would make a difference to
how the Council, and Combined Authority, planned health services
and how these services were provided in the future.
- Innovative projects were also being
developed, for example the University of Huddersfield was working
with the NHS and the Health and Wellbeing Board on creating the
first walk-in diagnostic centre, coupled to a University, in the country.
RESOLVED –
(1) That the
Leader and the Portfolio Holder be thanked for attending the
meeting to present their priorities for 2025/26 and to give a
progress update.
(2)
That the priorities
for 2025/26 be noted and a progress report be presented at an
appropriate time.
(3)
That it be noted
that the Corporate Portfolio Holder will attend the next meeting of
the Committee to outline her priorities.
(4)
That a report on the
work being done in respect of ‘getting the basics
right’ be added to the work programme and it be recommended
that this work should include a strong focus on effective and
timely communication.
(5) That the
Committee:
(i)
Receive an update in respect of cyber
security.
(ii)
Consider undertaking a visit to Ash View Extra Care Housing
Scheme.