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 published. One supplementary oral question will be permitted.

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

 

Question from Councillor Greaves to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities – Councillor Crook

 

“How many households are currently in homeless accommodation, what is the total weekly cost for homeless accommodation and how much of this do ratepayers fund?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Greaves to the Cabinet Member for Education – Councillor Rylah

 

“Of the 3,400 children who receive free school transport only 55% travel by bus despite this being the cheapest, most effective and most environmentally and socially sound means of transport available. What are the essential reasons by category of need / support that result in provision of a taxi?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Greaves to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration – Councillor Turner

 

“After years of battling against the Labour Cabinet and trying to make them release the millions held by them in s106 monies to our schools, in May of this year senior officers from across the Council drafted a new policy that would finally enable that to happen. Why haven’t this Labour Cabinet approved that policy and removed the block on getting this money out to our schools?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Longstaff to the Leader of the Council – Councillor Pattison (Referred to Councillor Turner)

 

“We have just received a damming verdict from the high court relating to the lack of a section 106 agreement in a Dewsbury planning application.  What urgent steps have we put in place to stop anymore damming verdicts from the high court?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Longstaff to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration – Councillor Turner

 

“Now that Huddersfield Football Club now is in full control of the stadium where does that leave the Huddersfield Giants search for a new home?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Taylor to the Leader of the Council –

Councillor Pattison (Referred to Councillor Dad)

 

“Do you think Scrutiny is working at the moment?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Burke to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration – Councillor Turner

 

“Now that the Council has taken control of the former Gasworks site, will it actively support the Huddersfield Giants in their ambition to secure this location as their preferred long-term home?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Munro to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration – Councillor Turner

 

“Why won’t the Council release section 106 monies to make the road safety improvements that are desperately needed on Rowley Lane just below the school, as wagons are travelling up Rowley Lane using the pavement to get round the bend to continue up the hill, when this is the pedestrian walkway for school pupils and families walking to school?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Munro to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration – Councillor Turner

 

“Has the Heras security fencing placed around the Cloth Hall Clock Tower and the Toll House at Ravensknowle Park been hired or is it owned by the Council?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Munro to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration – Councillor Turner

 

“What is the Council’s plan of action for the Cloth Hall Clock Tower and the Toll House in Ravensknowle Park?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Safdar to the Cabinet Member for Communities and Environment – Councillor Pinnock

 

“Between June and September 2025, there have been 17 cases reported to ‘Tell MAMA’ (Measuring Anti-Muslim Attacks) involving attacks on mosques and similar buildings.  In addition, during the same period, Tell MAMA recorded 913 reported cases across the UK involving targeted anti-Muslim hate — which is deeply alarming. What joint work are the Council and Prevent teams currently doing with local police to address threats against Muslim and other South Asian communities?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor H Zaman to the Cabinet Member for Transport and Housing – Councillor Crook

 

“How many Batley East households have been placed in temporary accommodation over the past 12 months and what was their length of stay?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor H Zaman to the Cabinet Member for Transport and Housing – Councillor Crook

 

“What support is available locally to help families moving from temporary into permanent housing?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor H Zaman to the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Corporate – Councillor Dad

 

“What steps are being taken to ensure that attorneys holding a Lasting Power of Attorney for residents of Kirklees care homes can fully support those they represent, even if they live outside the borough?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Ali to the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Corporate – Councillor Dad

 

“I am sure you and all members of the council are in agreement that scrutiny plays a vital role in local government, and that the scrutiny process is a valuable means for elected members to work cross party and ‘A Politically’ to ensure the decisions affecting our residents and local services are scrutinised and delivered effectively.  It is apparent that there is an increasing lack of engagement and attendance at panels resulting in the decreased cross-party participation which puts into question the value of the process in its current format.

 

What measures will you take to ensure the process is fit for purpose, fair and a valuable and effective use or resource?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Scott to the Leader of the Council – Cllr Pattison

 

“Leader, you have repeatedly told the media your administration has brought stability to Kirklees Council. Can you explain how the closure of Dewsbury Sports Centre, which has left residents without access to health and leisure facilities, aligns with that claim of stability, particularly in light of the Council’s decision to write off £4.3 million in loans as reported by the Dewsbury Reporter?”

 

A response was provided by the Leader of the Council.

 

Question from Councillor Scott to the Leader of the Council – Cllr Pattison

 

“Leader, you often speak about regeneration and stability, yet Dewsbury Town Centre continues to face stalled projects, empty shopfronts, and growing public frustration.  How does this situation demonstrate stability when significant sums are being written off elsewhere in Kirklees?”

 

A response was provided by the Leader of the Council.

 

Question from Councillor Scott to the Leader of the Council – Cllr Pattison

 

“The continued closure of Batley Baths and absence of a replacement plan remain of deep concern to local residents.  How does this reflect the stability your administration claims to have achieved, given the Council’s willingness to absorb multi-million-pound write-offs in other areas?”

 

A response was provided by the Leader of the Council.

 

Question from Councillor A Pinnock to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration

 

“How does the Council ensure that detailed remediation plans are fulfilled when the developer has appointed its own building inspector?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor A Pinnock to the Cabinet Member for Public Health – Councillor Addy

 

“What steps are taken by Public Health to ensure the safety of residents air quality when contaminants are being removed from brownfield sites?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor J C Lawson to the Cabinet Member for Communities and Environment – Councillor A U Pinnock

 

“What powers does the Council's Environmental Service have regarding the safety of residents and businesses near to a brownfield site where contaminants, that are potentially dangerous to both residents nearby and those working on the site, are being removed?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Taylor to the Cabinet Member for Communities and Environment – Councillor A U Pinnock

 

“Back in December last year, I asked if the Council was trying to kill the spirit of Christmas, highlighting the new policy of barricading Christmas Trees. We are now in October and still I have no answer as to why this is done, despite discussing this with a range of Service Directors and Heads of Service.  Can you please clarify for me what the Council’s intention is here and what the rationale for the barricades are and why they have been unable to provide me with the relevant risk assessments?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Taylor to the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Corporate – Councillor Dad

 

“Since April what action has the administration taken to attempt to fill the hard to fill vacancies such as in debt recovery, planning enforcement, internal audit, planning and flood management, to name a few and what successes have they had?

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Armer to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste – Councillor Hawkins

 

“Parking on pavements is an ongoing issue in my ward of Kirkburton, especially where the parked vehicle makes passage impossible for pushchair, wheelchair or mobility scooter users. Would the cabinet member please clarify which body has responsibility for enforcing legislation about this?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor A Pinnock to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration – Councillor Turner

 

“Are planning applications considered to be lawful where the address provided for the project is inaccurate?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor J C Lawson to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration – Councillor Turner

 

“The capital plan includes a £7.5 million investment allocated for the Town Hall in Cleckheaton. What progress has been made in developing a programme of work and when is it anticipated the repairs and refurbishment will begin?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Bellamy to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration – Councillor Turner

 

"Can the Cabinet Member provide an update on how the Council ensures timely and effective enforcement of planning regulations, and what measures are in place to address any delays or gaps in the system?"

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Bellamy to the Cabinet Member for Transport and Housing – Councillor Crook

"Can the Cabinet Member explain what procedures are in place for responding to reports of damp and mould in council and housing association properties, and how the Council ensures timely action to protect residents’ health?

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Bellamy to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste – Councillor Hawkins

"What is the Council doing to ensure effective maintenance of drainage systems, including gullies, to prevent flooding and related issues on our local roads?"

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Hall to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration – Councillor Turner

 

“How many pre-applications has the council received in the last six months for development on land currently designated as green belt?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Hall to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration – Councillor Turner

 

“What is the planning department’s understanding of the term “grey belt”?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor McGrath to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration – Councillor McGrath

 

Can we confirm as part of the agreement in which Kirklees Council handed over its 40% stake in the Accu Stadium to Huddersfield Town Football Club, a move that I was of course fully in favour of for all parties involved, that the Council has now taken control of the Gas Works site and when can we expect to see spades in the ground along with the estimated cost and timescale for the necessary decontamination work to prepare the site for its future use as a key component of the Station to Stadium Corridor plan?

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor McGrath to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration

 

“Do we have an estimate of how many jobs the Gas Works site could create for our town, and an anticipated timescale for when these opportunities might be realised?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor McGrath to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration

 

“In relation to the George Hotel, are Raddison Red contractually bound to operate the hotel when it opens and has there been any delays due to the change from 91 rooms to 108 rooms?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor J D Lawson to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste – Councillor Hawkins

 

“On how many occasions in the last 6 months have the parking enforcement team attended Bulaly Road/Springdale Ave/Thornton Lodge Road, Blackmoorfoot Road around the post office and shops and on the part above Balmoral Avenue on Blackmoorfoot road, and on each occasion how many penalty notices were given?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor J D Lawson to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste – Councillor Hawkins

 

Deep Lane – a road predominately in the Golcar ward but used by Crosland Moor residents in significant numbers due to the fact it links Blackmoorfoot Road with the Manchester Road is in a poor state of repair towards the Manchester Road end. Could you please inform me if it is scheduled for patching works and if so when would these be undertaken?

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Bamford to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration – Councillor Turner

 

“I have looked online for An Ancient woodland policy statement and have not found one – so can the Elected member responsible for planning set out the approach to Ancient Woodland and adjacent development, including buffer zones that align with Woodland Trust policy, mitigation strategies and ecology, given these are irreplaceable habitats?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Bamford to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration – Councillor Turner

 

“Given the recent CPRE report that suggests there is enough land for 1.5 million homes and that 54% of that is ready for ‘spades in the ground’, can the Elected member outline the positive action Kirklees Council is taking to engage developers in developing Brownfield sites from the Brownfield Land Register as a priority, rather than using Greenbelt?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.

 

Question from Councillor Bamford to the Cabinet member for Finance and Regeneration – Councillor Turner

 

“Can the lead member for planning set out the council's response to speculative and opportunistic applications made for development outside of the local plan and outside of policy?”

 

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member.