Agenda item

To receive any public questions.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, the period for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes.

Any questions must be submitted in writing at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting.

Council received the following written questions in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11;

Question from Heather Peacock

“Is Huddersfield bus station getting an upgrade in the next two years as it desperately needs one now?”

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

Question from Owyn Ibberson

“Regarding retaining walls around new developments, how does the Council factor the Highways Act, Section 167, when part of the proposed public highway in question, is actually owned by a third party resident, and no permissions have been sought?”

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

Question from Owyn Ibberson

“Kirklees has a large number of brownfield sites, that are available for redevelopment. What steps does the Council take, before the land is sold off, to ensure that it is actually safe for development eg..heavy metal testing, asbestos testing etc...and are these documents / results made public for transparency?”

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

Question from Tracey Ibberson

“What is the Council's intention for the increase in traffic in and around Cleckheaton with the substantial increase in housing development with regards to air quality and road safety?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste (Councillor Hawkins).

Question from Sarah Young

“If piling operations are carried out in close proximity to residential properties, how will risks related to vibration, noise, and potential disturbance to occupants be assessed and appropriately controlled, such as house surveys?”

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

Question from Sarah Young

“How does any proposed piling activity, when undertaken near residential properties, comply with relevant standards for vibration, noise control, and protection of nearby structures?”

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

Question from Sharon Taylor

“Given that Kirklees planning portal has multiple and various 'application' numbers, relating to the same development or plan, how transparent is this process, for concerned members of the public, to educate themselves around what is happening in their areas?”

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

Question from Sharon Taylor

“With regards to the Highways Act 1980, section 167, how does the Council proceed, with planning permissions already granted, when the developer changes plans, to include a retaining wall, which would contravene (a) within a highway boundary (b) be in close proximity to residential properties (c) is higher than 4.5 feet in height?”

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

Question from Karen McKenna

“When independent asbestos tests, from members of the public, within the area of a brownfield development site, are presented to the Council as being positive (higher than trace levels), and asbestos professionals state clearly, they are higher than 'trace levels', what actions do the Council take, regarding identifying and stopping the cause of the asbestos?”

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

Question from Karen McKenna

“When the Council receive a letter before action, from an established solicitor, who has gone through due diligence regarding factual information, what processes do the Council undertake to ensure they are legally compliant?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Corporate Services (Councillor Dad).

Question from Jenifer Devlin

“Will the Council support the idea of a West Yorkshire Transport Board made up of passengers, community groups and transport workers, with decision making powers over franchising. Will the Council Leader use her seat on WYCA to propose this?”

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