Agenda item

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

 

One supplementary oral question will be permitted.

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

 

Questionfrom Councillor Safdar

 

“During recent community cleanups a number of volunteers, including Cllr Vickers and I, have noticed quite a few nitrous oxide canisters dumped in residential areas. Many across our town are also concerned about an increasingly high number of road traffic accidents and antisocial behaviour linked to such drug abuse. According to the National Poisons Information Service (NPIS), enquiries about recreational nitrous oxide misuse grew by 144% in 2022–23, with most users being very young (average age ~ 21.8 years) with figures rising ever since. 

 

We are aware that West Yorkshire Police and local health partners have started to address the rising misuse of nitrous oxide canisters across our communities, particularly the increasing concerns about drivers using nitrous oxide while behind the wheel. What additional enforcement, public-health education, and prevention measures are being considered to protect residents in affected neighbourhoods, reduce antisocial behaviour linked to canister littering, and ensure that West Yorkshire’s roads remain safe for all?”

 

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

 

Questionfrom Councillor J D Lawson

 

“In April 2025 I was approached by a CIC who wanted to set up a Community Hub on the Walpole Estate and were looking at the possibility of using the now closed former Family Centre as a base. The CIC came with funding and saw, like myself, the need for activities for young people and eventually other community based activity run out of the former Family Centre. Ideas that are achievable and could rebuild a sense of community on Walpole.Walpole at present has nothing bar a corner shop and an infrequent bus service leading to residents feeling it has been neglected and forgotten about by Kirklees.

After contact with a number of different service directors and officers over many months Cllr Alex Vickers, the CIC lead and myself finally got to see inside the building to see if it would be suitable for use in August. After this visit we were informed that discussions were taking place about the long term future of the Centre.

 

Could the Cabinet Member please update me on the further discussions taking place and outcomes?”

 

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

 

Questionfrom Councillor Taylor

 

“Recently, the Department for Education announced their new initiative: Go All In, featuring 2026 as the national year of reading and restoring reading for pleasure across the nation.

 

I’ve been asked by the Student Head Librarian at one of the schools in my ward, what the Council are doing in 2026 for the Year of Reading, but also what else the Council thinks school libraries should be doing for the Year of Reading to increase reading for pleasure?”

 

A response was provided bythe Cabinet Member for Education (Councillor Rylah).

 

Questionfrom Councillor Taylor

 

“There are examples of submitted planning applications where third parties such as Yorkshire Water have clearly stated that they do not have the resources to support the increased infrastructure demands such an application would create. What is the process for the planning department to liaise with such third parties when considering the application for approval?"

 

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

 

Questionfrom Councillor J D Lawson

 

“When will the land vested with housing on Springdale Avenue be cleared of the fly tip?”

 

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

 

Questionfrom Councillor Taylor

 

"Following the Chancellor's budget announcements concerns have been raised across the business community and especially in the hospitality sector about the viability of many businesses hit with significant increase in business rates, coupled with the rise in employer NICs and above inflation increases to the minimum wage.

 

Given this and the worsening economic outlook, what action is being taken to review the viability of the Cultural Heart and George Hotel business cases to make sure that these will not become a drain on Council finances"

 

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

 

Questionfrom Councillor R Smith

 

“We’re starting to see abandoned housing developments due to the developer going bankrupt. What fiscal checks do the planning department carry out on developers who submit planning applications to minimise the risk of this happening?”

 

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

 

Questionfrom Councillor Sheard

 

“The Council has announced further job cuts, yet I have identified significant savings — of at least a million pounds — that could be made by merging or removing senior management posts where responsibilities clearly overlap.

 

Frontline services have already absorbed years of reductions, including the grass-cutting team, which has been stripped from over 250 staff in 2016 to roughly around 40 today.

 

Given this, will Cabinet explain why a review of senior management posts has not been prioritised before proposing yet more cuts to frontline staff who have already borne the brunt of previous savings?”

 

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

 

Questionfrom Councillor Masood Ahmed

 

“Can the Leader confirm whether she has made any request to the Chief Executive or Mayor under the Flag Flying Policy to support the raising of the Palestinian flag, and if not, will she explain why the full extent of her authority under that policy has not been used?”

 

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

 

Questionfrom Councillor Scott  

 

“The Culture and Change portfolio emphasises the importance of strong leadership, openness, and respectful engagement across the organisation. In light of this, can the Portfolio Holder explain how current approaches to member engagement align with these principles, particularly given ongoing concerns about delayed responses to councillor enquiries and the perception that issues are only addressed when raised publicly?”

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

Questionfrom Councillor Scott

 

“As Leader responsible for Culture and Change, can you explain why key information including delays, officer decisions, and Forward Plan movements continues to be withheld from councillors until the last minute, or not provided at all?”

 

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

 

Questionfrom Councillor H Zaman

 

“Under the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, the Council has statutory duties towards people leaving custody or with previous convictions. However, your previous response to Council did not set out the specific operational guidance used by officers.

 

Could the Cabinet Member clarify which assessment criteria, internal decision-making guidance, and risk-management frameworks Kirklees Council currently uses to determine eligibility, priority need, and prevention duties for individuals leaving prison?”

 

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

 

Questionfrom Councillor H Zaman

 

“Can the Cabinet Member explain how this administration justifies placing disabled residents in temporary accommodation that is clearly unsuitable for wheelchair users, despite the Council’s legal duties under the Housing Act, Equality Act and Care Act and whether this reflects a wider breakdown in how vulnerable people are being treated under the current homelessness system?”

 

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