Agenda item

A presentation will be given in respect of the Council Plan and Performance Update Report for Quarter 1 2025-2026, with reference to the report being submitted to Cabinet on 9^th September 2025.

Contact: Mike Henry – Head of Data and Insight

Councillor Carole Pattison, the Leader of the Council introduced the report in respect of the Council Plan and Performance for Quarter 1 of 2025/26, supported by Mike Henry, Head of Data and Insight.

The report had been submitted to Cabinet on 9^th September 2025 and included:

·       Details on activity and delivery against the four priorities within the Council Plan and planned activity for Quarter 2.

·       The latest data against the Council’s key measures for 2025/2026, including a summary of the direction of travel and planned activity for Quarter 2.

·       Benchmarking data to contextualise the demand and performance trends and enable comparison of Kirklees with regional and national rates.

The following points were highlighted:

·       Getting the Basics Right:

-          Tight budget controls had been maintained.

-          The Highways Capital Plan 2025-27 had been approved.

-          Improvements were being made in respect of the focus on customers.

·       Protecting the Vulnerable:

-          Investment had been made into additional provision for children with . good progress towards the improvement and expansion of two special schools.

-          A scheme supporting neurodiversity inclusion had commenced in 14 schools.

-          Modernisation of day care facilities for adults with complex learning disabilities and autism was underway.

-          A dedicated apprenticeship scheme had been introduced to support care leavers.

·       Thriving People and Communities:

-          Strengthening of partnerships continued.

-          Environmental sustainability improvement activities included tree planting and management/support for the White Rose Forest partnership.

-          Public safety issues were being addressed

-          A Physical Activity Strategy was being developed.

·       Local Economic Growth:

-          The Inclusive Economic Strategy had been approved.

-          Good progress was being made in relation to the Cultural Heart and Dewsbury Blueprint.

-          A range of projects were progressing in Batley, Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike, Holmfirth and Marsden.

-          The Council’s Transport Strategy had recently been approved.

·       There were ongoing challenges in respect of:

-          Increased demand for adult social care services.

-          Rising numbers of looked-after children.

-          An increase in incidents of fly-tipping.

·       In relation to performance against key measures:

-          The percentage of Education, Health and Care Plans issued within 20 weeks had improved.

-          Significant improvements had been made in addressing damp, mould, and condensation cases in Council properties.

-          A reduction had been achieved in respect of the number of households in temporary accommodation.

Questions and comments were invited from Committee Members, with the following issues being covered:

·       In response to a question about the rise in adult social care cases and early intervention and prevention, it was explained that efforts were being made to help keep people in their homes longer, including through the use of technology. The recently opened day care facility in Mirfield provided respite care and also provided information and support for carers and relatives of people with dementia.

·       The increase in fly-tipping was of concern and it was suggested that a comprehensive strategy, including media campaigns, CCTV, convictions and community engagement would assist in addressing this issue. Assurance was given that the fly-tipping strategy was being implemented in phases and additional staff and equipment were in place.  A 'blitz' was in progess to clear the backlog. with a target of 8 to 12 weeks.

·       The importance of prevention, education and working with the community in reducing the amounts of waste and disposing of waste responsibly was emphasised; fly-tipping needed to be completely socially unacceptable. There had been an increase in the numbers of people prepared to make statements and community groups would not accept adverts such as ‘man with a van’.

·       It was suggested that some people may be unable to afford the changes for the Council’s bulky waste collection service but noted that the charges could be cheaper than other alternatives and may not be as much as residents perceived; discounts were offered in some cases. Suggestions included offering one free bulky waste collection per household.

·       Reporting fly-tipping on the website did not generate a response or updates. It was important that initiatives such as the ‘blitz’ on fly tipping were communicated effectively, and providing timescales was also important.

·       Use of the online reporting portal was encouraged as it provided data that could identify hotspots, levels of waste and how long it had been in situ.

·       Improvements in the timescales for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) were welcomed, but it was noted that this was an issue that was still being raised with ward councillors. Work was being undertaken with schools to provide the support that was needed for children through working in clusters, additional SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) places were being provided and two new schools were progressing. The Authority’s strategy was recognised as being good practice.

·       In terms of the EHCP complaints process, this had been streamlined and there was a team handling these. It was noted that the complaints covered a range of issues and that officers aimed to work with parents to be able to access what their child needed.

·       Getting the basics right was not just about financing but getting the processes right such as ensuring the necessary equipment and/or staff were available to be able to provide services.

·       The sustainability and management of trees planted as part of the White Rose Forest initiative was discussed. There were targets in place for Kirklees and the district was performing well, though long-term maintenance was a separate issue; if they were on Council land they would be maintained by the relevant service(s).

·       More detail on the Customer and Access Programme was requested, noting that some residents did not or could not use online facilities.

·       The progress on damp, mould and condensation cases was commended. It was explained that there had to be careful management of the different trades involved to achieve this and the backlog had now been cleared.

·       The reduction in temporary accommodation was welcomed. In respect of plans to reduce the numbers further, efforts were being made to increase the amount of suitable temporary housing stock and thus reduce reliance on bed and breakfast accommodation, with the first priority being families. Further information could be provided to Members in respect of the length of the average stay in bed and breakfast accommodation.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the Leader and the Head of Data and Insight be thanked for attending to present the update in respect of the Council Plan and Performance for Quarter 1 2025/26.

(2)  That the current position be noted and it be recommended that these reports continue to be submitted to the Committee on a regular basis so that Lead Members can pick up any items within the remit of their Panel that may require further scrutiny.

(3)  That the Committee requests the provision of further information in respect of:

(i)    The Customer and Access Programme.

(ii)   The average length of stay in temporary bed and breakfast accommodation in Kirklees.