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;

Question from Councillor Bolt

“The second Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, which ended in March 2025, included an objective that 50% of short journeys in towns and cities should be walked or cycled by 2030. Please can the Leader provide data for Active Travel journeys in Kirklees and in particular where the journeys are mentioned?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Public Health (Councillor Addy).

Question from Councillor Armer

“I was contacted by a Thurstonland resident on 8^th January who informed that Cold Hill/Halstead Lane had not been gritted, and the road was in a dangerous condition. On making enquiries I was informed that the local contractor had declined to grit the route because overhanging tree limbs were causing damage to his vehicle. I have since been told that these trees are rooted in private property adjacent to the highway. What powers does this council have to require that vegetation on private land does not cause obstruction to free passage on the highway?”

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

Question from Councillor Armer

“In the calendar year 2025, on how many occasions did this council request/require property owners to address problems related to vegetation obstructing or encroaching a highway?”

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

Question from Councillor J D Lawson

“Pavement parking unfortunately is wide spread not only within Crosland Moor and Netherton Ward but Kirklees as a whole. This inconsiderate parking has a detrimental effect on pedestrians, on the disabled and sight impaired, those using mobility scooters and those pushing prams and buggies causing them to have to walk on often very busy roads all because a car or other vehicle driver thought it acceptable to park on the pavement and therefore blocking access.

In light of the government proposal to give power to local councils regarding pavement parking can the cabinet lead update on what action the council will take to ensure that Kirklees is ready to start using these powers and able to enforce them over large parts of Kirklees?”

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

Question from Councillor H Zaman

“At Cabinet on 21 October, the Leader said burial land is “specialised” because of groundwater, flooding and soil constraints, and therefore can’t be compared with land being considered for a new leisure facility in Dewsbury.

Can the Cabinet Member confirm what technical criteria the Council uses to assess burial land, how many sites in North Kirklees have been assessed since the burial land motion was passed in February, and how many were ruled out on environmental grounds rather than availability or ownership?”

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

Question from Councillor Scott

“Will the Leader confirm whether options to deal with burial provision in North Kirklees will be brought to Cabinet for councillors to consider?”

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

Question from Councillor Scott

Will the Leader confirm the current position on Muslim burial space in Dewsbury?”

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

Question from Councillor Scott

Will the Cabinet Member explain what residents should expect from the permit parking scheme?”

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

Question from Councillor Darwan

“What is the percentage change in expenditure on high-cost children’s placements in each of the last three financial years, and what formal assessment has been made of the impact of actions taken to control this cost pressure?”

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services (Councillor Kendrick).

Question from Councillor Darwan

“What is the current rate of turnover among senior and specialist officers, and what formal assessment has been made in the last 12 months of its impact on service delivery, project timescales, and value for money?”

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

Question from Councillor Darwan

“Despite repeated budget increases, demand pressures in adult social care continue to rise. What evidence can the Cabinet Member provide that current demand-management strategies are working, and what measurable outcomes have improved in the last 12 months?”

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