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 J D Lawson
“I’ve received concerning emails regarding the construction in Cleckheaton. Knowing that houses around the site have tested positive for various types of asbestos, can you tell me at what stage public health would intervene?”
A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Public Health (Councillor Addy).
Question from Councillor Cooper
“I checked what support was available to help households insulate their homes and came across the warm homes local grant on the Government website. It said if you are eligible and your local council has funding available they will arrange a home survey to see how your home could be made more energy efficient. They will then organise and pay for any improvement work they have agreed with you. The government website said that Kirklees was not participating, whereas neighbouring local authorities had secured funding. Why is Kirklees not participating in this scheme to help residents, did we not apply or was the application not successful?”
A response was provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison).
Question from Councillor Scott
“At Kirklees we originally had three planning committees, we reduced those to two and we are now finding that there is a backlog in planning, and committees are not sitting. Its worrying that we have Members that are asking for applications to be directed to Committee and that the Chair is making the decision that applications can’t go to Committee. This isn’t right, we have people losing money because of this.”
A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration (Councillor Turner).
Question from Councillor Safdar
“A recent gala charity event at our local wreck was a statement that the community takes pride in its shared spaces and that together we can transform places into spaces that we can all value. The park has long struggled with fly tipping and ASBO issues but it became a clean welcoming hub last Sunday. We are asking for visits from the relevant Cabinet Members to this site as it has now reverted back to being a fly tipping area with anti social behaviour. We are asking for regular maintenance and support from the Council to enable regular community events, children’s activities during the summer and a space where everyone feels welcome and connected.”
A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Communities and Environment (Councillor A U Pinnock).
Question from Councillor Ali
“With regard to Westgate, Cleckheaton, I don’t feel that we have fully explored the concerns of the local community. I would like this to be halted to look at the preventative measures that we have in place to reduce the dust and going forward the local community needs to be spoken to. There is a public meeting at 7pm on Sunday 14 September at St Luke’s Church and we should be responsible in addressing the concerns of the local community.”
A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Finance (Councillor Turner).
Question from Councillor Safdar (on behalf of Councillor Bramwell)
“The questions are in regard to flytipping and potholes and repeated failures to deal with such issues. Cllr Bramwell has reported mattresses in Westtown at the end of summer, and chased this up but the mattresses are still there and more rubbish has been dumped. Waste remains uncollected and residents are angry and losing faith. When will the Council finally admit its repeated failures to complete most basic tasks and respond to reports? What real action will be taken to improve this lacklustre service?”
A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Communities and Environment (Councillor A U Pinnock).