Agenda item

To receive written questions to the Leader, Cabinet Members, Chairs of Committees and Nominated Spokespersons in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.

 

A schedule of written questions will be tabled at the meeting. One supplementary oral question will be permitted. 

Council received the following written questions in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12;

 

Question from Councillor Taylor

 

“In January 2024 at a public meeting in Flockton the Service Director for Highways and Streetscene, when responding to public concerns about a range of issues, agreed to undertake a road safety audit of the entire length of Barnsley Rd in Flockton. Why am I still waiting for this audit to be undertaken and what would the Cabinet Member like to say to the residents of Flockton who are still waiting for the outcome of that audit?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins).

 

Question from Councillor Safdar

 

“How much money did the Council save by ceasing operation of the rubble skips at the household waste and recycling centres in Kirklees?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins).

 

Question from Councillor Munro  

 

“When is the Council going to implement flood alleviation measures in Fenay Beck?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration (Councillor Turner).

 

Question from Councillor Munro

 

“Why can’t the Council do more to support litter picking groups instead of expecting volunteer members to not only dedicate their free time in removing other people’s litter from our public spaces but also now placing the burden on volunteers of  such groups to dispose of some of the litter themselves and also adhere to an ever increasing set of onerous rules?”

 

A response was provided by theCabinet Member for Environment and Communities (Councillor A U Pinnock).

 

Question from Councillor Munro

 

“Analysis by the National Police Chief’s Council recently has revealed that 2 million women a year are estimated to be victims of male violence, with crimes, including stalking, harassment, sexual assault and domestic violence affecting one in 12 women in England and Wales. I believe that we are experiencing an epidemic of violence against women and girls. What is the Council doing locally to tackle this issue in Kirklees?”

A response was provided by theCabinet Member for Environment and Communities (Councillor A U Pinnock).

 

Question from Councillor Taylor

 

“As you know parking has long been a problem in Kirkburton village and enforcement is clearly part of the solution. The presence of an enforcement officer on a regular basis will not only catch those breaking regulations but also act as a deterrent. Please can you tell me how often parking enforcement have attended Kirkburton in the last six months and what the outcome of those visits were?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins).

 

Question from Councillor Vickers

 

“Do you share my concern, and the concern of the local residents, that the infrastructure around Crosland Moor is not robust enough for the addition of 700 houses on the old Blackcat Fireworks site?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration (Councillor Turner).

 

Question from Councillor Longstaff

 

“What is the current view of Kirklees on the search for a new stadium for Huddersfield Giants?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration (Councillor Turner).

 

Question from Councillor Bellamy

 

“The new Kirklees Council tenancy agreements, which are due to come into effect in August, include a requirement for pets to be neutered unless there is a reasonable exemption. However, tenants have raised concerns that there is currently a lack of clarity about how to request such an exemption. Please could the Cabinet Member explain how tenants can go about requesting an exemption?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Transport (Councillor Crook).

 

Question from Councillor Bellamy

 

“Given the persistent issues with fly-tipping in our area – particularly of bulky household waste – why is it so difficult for residents to dispose of their waste responsibly if they don’t own the “right” type of vehicle?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins).

 

Question from Councillor Bellamy

 

“Recent works have been carried out at the bottom of Gynn Lane in Honley . However, I have received several enquiries from local residents asking why similar consideration has not been given to Station Road, which is widely regarded as a more dangerous junction. Will the Council assess the junction at Station Road with a view to identifying any improvements that could be made to enhance safety at this location?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins).

 

Question from Councillor Sheard

 

“On 29 May 2025 , I sent a detailed email to you and others, including Tracy Brabin and Kim Leadbeater, outlining the serious environmental, logistical, and community impacts of the closure of the Nab Lane Household Waste and Recycling Centre in Birstall. This letter included data from DEFRA showing a 21.7% rise in fly-tipping incidents, highlighted equity concerns for residents with limited transport, and proposed a cost-sharing reopening model involving Kirklees, Leeds City Council, and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. To date, I have received no acknowledgement or response. Can the Leader explain why this correspondence was ignored, and whether the Council will now formally consider the proposal to explore regional cooperation to reopen the Nab Lane site?”

 

A response was provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison).

 

Question from Councillor Darwan

 

“Following the government’s recent pledge of a £900 million investment into major sporting events and grassroots facilities across the UK the government announced plans for a new School Sport Partnerships and Enrichment Framework for schools to ensure all young people have equal access to high-quality sport and extracurricular activity. 

 

Does the Council plan to pursue this funding and if so, what plans are in place to ensure Dewsbury will be included and prioritised?”

 

A response was provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison).

 

Question from Councillor Hall

 

“How many cameras are deployed to catch fly-tippers, and how can a ward member get one sited?”

 

A response was provided by theCabinet Member for Environment and Communities (Councillor A U Pinnock).

 

Question from Councillor Hall

 

“How can a ward member get a speed limit changed?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins).

 

Question from Councillor Hall

 

“What is the service backlog in clearing paths of vegetation?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins).

 

Question from Councillor Armer

 

“I have serious concerns about road safety in my ward and around the Borough. Road markings, including on zebra crossings, are wearing away everywhere I look. I have been told that environmental regulations dictate that the type of paint traditionally used is no longer suitable, and that the currently approved paint is not as long-lasting as before. Will the Cabinet member please explain the current situation regarding the paint used for road markings and the frequency with which these markings are renewed?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins).

 

Question from Councillor Armer

 

“I am aware that this council faces financial pressures, and that some services which my residents have been accustomed to receiving are now regarded as non-essential. In particular, it seems to me that roadside and pathside vegetation is being left untreated, or is being left for much longer before being treated. I can accept, however reluctantly, that this may be necessary to some extent in some cases to reduce costs. What I cannot accept is that in many parts of my ward, from Grange Moor to Farnley Tyas and all points in between, road safety is being compromised as important traffic signs are being left obscured by rampant foliage. Will the Cabinet Member please explain why this council is content to see Triffid-like vegetation take over the Borough, even at the expense of the safety of residents?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins).

 

Question from Councillor Armer

 

“I have ten villages within my ward. Many, indeed most, of these, ranging from Flockton and Grange Moor, through Kirkburton, Shelley and Shepley to Farnley Tyas and Thurstonland experience severe issues with traffic. Excessive traffic volumes are a familiar complaint everywhere, but many complainants cite speeding vehicles as a serious road safety problem. Will the Cabinet Member please explain the criteria which should be satisfied before traffic calming measures can be introduced?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins).

 

Question from Councillor Burke

“It was reported in the local media on 20th June that Huddersfield Giants’ plans for a new stadium at the former gasworks site off St Andrew’s Road have been set back, as the council stated the land lies ‘right at the centre’ of an enterprise zone expected to be used by health and wellbeing research companies.Could I ask for clarification on the intended use of this site, specifically, what type of health and wellbeing research activity is envisioned, how long has this land been earmarked for that purpose and what steps has the Council taken to secure or attract such development to the site?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration (Councillor Turner).

Question from Councillor A Smith

“What is being done to address the ongoing issues with missed bin collections in the Lindley Ward and can the Council explain the reasons behind the repeated disruptions and outline the steps being taken to ensure a more reliable and consistent service for residents?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins).

Question from Councillor Burke

“We in the Lindley Ward are consistently reporting incidents of fly tipping, often at the same locations, with some hotspots having been an ongoing issue for the last couple of years. It’s incredibly frustrating for residents and continues to be a blight on our communities. What long-term solutions are being considered or implemented to tackle persistent fly tipping at these repeat locations, where it’s occurring several times each month?”

A response was provided by theCabinet Member for Environment and Communities (Councillor A U Pinnock).

Question from Councillor Burke

“As a Council, we often speak about openness, transparency, and working better for all our residents and communities. However, the Councillor Enquiries system currently in place is not fit for purpose – it lacks accountability and cannot be the only mechanism for raising and resolving local issues. There was a time when we had regular ward-based meetings, which allowed councillors to engage directly with officers and address concerns more effectively. Will you and the administration consider reinstating regular, focused ward meetings – every 4 to 6 weeks – for those wards that would benefit, with clear agendas and attendance from relevant officers in areas such as planning, waste, and housing? These would not be meetings for the sake of it, but focused, purposeful forums designed to tackle local issues directly, improve outcomes for residents, reduce pressure on the Councillor Enquiries system, and provide greater accountability at a local level.”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Corporate Services (Councillor Dad).

Question from Councillor Robinson

"What steps is the council taking to support residents living in council-owned properties who are experiencing anti-social behaviour, and how is it ensuring that issues are addressed promptly and effectively?"

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Transport (Councillor Crook).

Question from Councillor McLaughlin

“Does the Leader join me in welcoming the announcement made by Minister Jim McMahon, that the new Devolution Bill will ensure in future all councils will be consistently governed by a Leader and Cabinet Model, in line with the majority of councils nationally, and which is transparent, modern and efficient. Would this not have been a costly exercise to move from a Cabinet model to a committee model?”

 

A response was provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison).

 

Question from Councillor Taylor

 

"How long do you think it is acceptable to wait for fly tipping to be collected?"

 

A response was provided by theCabinet Member for Environment and Communities (Councillor A U Pinnock).

Question from Councillor Scott

“In relation to the ethical procurement motion passed by Full Council last year, can the Leader explain why no Cabinet member was formally assigned responsibility for implementing the motion, and why the matter was referred instead to the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee. Given that procurement is an executive function under the Local Government Act 2000, and that only the Executive has the legal authority to adopt and implement procurement strategy, will the Leader now (i) confirm that the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee has no legal authority to 'send back' or block a motion passed by Full Council; contrary to what you stated in the Cabinet meeting on 8th July that Corporate Governance &Audit Committee could send back the motion to Council (ii) publicly accept that it is the Cabinet’s responsibility to act upon the previously passed motion; and (iii) commit to bringing forward a formal Cabinet response and implementation plan within 30 days, in line with the decision already taken by Full Council?”

A response was provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison).

Question from Councillor Moore

“Following Labours recent spanking at the ballot box by Reform in May 2025 we have seen Keir Starmer and the Labour party perform a monumental u turn on winter fuel payments to pensioners in desperation for votes. A number of motions were submitted to council last year with cross party support against this ill thought-out Labour policy.

Cllr Pattison, you supported the initial policy and spoke out in full council supporting the cuts to 7.5 million pensioners benefits, claiming pensioners were using the winter fuel payment to buy Christmas presents instead of paying for utility bills. Do you stand by these comments?”

A response was provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison).

Question from Councillor Moore

“Recently, we organised a trip from Chickenley Community Centre to the Piece Hall in Halifax. People were truly inspired by what they saw—an incredible space that brings people together and draws visitors into the town. Many were asking, 'Why can’t we have something like this in Dewsbury?'

While I’m not suggesting we recreate the Piece Hall, my question is this: Where is the bold, ambitious vision for Dewsbury, something on the scale of Huddersfield’s £250 million Cultural Heart project that will genuinely attract people into the town and put Dewsbury back on the map?"

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration (Councillor Turner).

Question from Councillor H Zaman

“Given the scale of the housing crisis in Kirklees with rising temporary

accommodation placements and visible street homelessness will the Cabinet

commit to an urgent review of current provision and invest in an expanded

prevention and rehousing strategy?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Transport (Councillor Crook).

Question from Councillor H Zaman

“Can you provide ward-level data on the number of long-term empty homes,

the number brought back into use last year, and how many are currently

subject to enforcement action?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration (Councillor Turner).