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 Scott
“In a BBC report on 2 December 2025, the Leader said that Officers would bring forward options for new burial spaces in the next few weeks, at a time when burial provision was described as being at a critical point. Given that there is no effective burial space in Dewsbury, where do you believe families should be burying their loved ones right now?”
A response was provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison).
Question from Councillor H Zaman
“In regards to burial land, what practical interim arrangements are currently in place to support families from Dewsbury who cannot access burial plots nearby?”
A response was provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison).
Question from Councillor Darwan
“You have said there are sufficient burial plots in Kirklees for several years, whilst also confirming that Dewsbury cemetery for Muslim burials is effectively full. Families in Dewsbury are already being directed elsewhere. Given that reality were do you believe families from Dewsbury should be burying their loved ones right now?”
A response was provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison).
Question from Councillor Cooper
“All party groups on the Council get a budget for sending letters to constituents. It has been common practice by the Labour Group to send mass mailouts promoting their Councillors in wards that they represent to 1000s of voters just before the pre election period. Will you be doing this again this year and if so which wards will you be sending letters to?
A response was provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison).
Question from Councillor Safdar
“I’ve received numerous messages from residents regarding an increase in fly tipping and problems surrounding overflowing bins. Many residents think this is linked to missed bin collections, which is causing a lot of issues in the community. I believe that Councillor Hawkins and Officers have been in communications with my ward colleagues but can the Cabinet have conversations with the ward councillors about reversing waste collection arrangements over festive periods and can we potentially have the odd swap of grey bin collections just after Christmas, and then go back to the normal routine?”
A response was provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison).
Question from Councillor Scott
“Residents are telling us that they did not want the permit parking removed. They want the cost reduced to nothing, or a minimal cost, yet people were encouraged to support the removal so they don’t have to pay. Does the Leader accept that this misrepresents what residents are actually asking for? People are now not using the car parks in the town centre and are parking on the streets in the Eastborough area.”
A response was provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison).
Question from Councillor H Zaman
“If enforcement levels are below what residents where led to expect will the Council consider refunds, credits or fee reductions for these that have already paid?”
A response was provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison).
Question from Councillor Safdar
“I welcome the comments from Councillor A U Pinnock recently regarding drug enforcement and awareness, especially regarding the problems with nitrous oxide. I’d like there to be a further conversation with Cabinet, and maybe a walkabout, to see how we can work with different agencies, organisations and the voluntary sector about how we can challenge this scourge of drug related waste being tipped?”
A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Communities (Councillor A U Pinnock).
Question from Councillor Darwan
“In regards to parking permits, residents are furious as they feel that it has been framed as them not wanting permit parking when in reality they objected to the price, not the scheme. Why was reducing the cost not properly explored before encouraging removal?”
A response was provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Pattison).
Question from Councillor Scott
“In regards to parking permits, do you accept that the burden has been put on families? Its another burden per car, plus visitor permits to pay for on top of that.”
A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Transport (Councillor Crook).