Agenda item

To receive written questions to the Leader and Cabinet in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.

(Note: The deadline for the submission of written questions is 10.00am on the day prior to the Council meeting)

The schedule of submitted written questions will tabled at the meeting.

(1)      Questions by Councillor Burke to the Cabinet Member for Asset Strategy, Resources and Creative Kirklees (Councillor G Turner)

“Can the Cabinet Member provide an update on the Library restructure?”

Cabinet Member replied thereto.

(2)      Questions by Councillor Wilkinson to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Enforcement Management (Councillor Mather)

“A resident of Lascelles Hall in my ward wishes to dispose of his garden refuse at the Vine Street tip. He has been refused access on the grounds that the trailer that he uses is now too long. The box on the trailer is just over 2 metres in length, and the limit as per the Kirklees council web site is “6 feet”, although he has been told that there is some leeway, he is still outside the 6 feet limit. I note that vans up to 3 metric tonnes are acceptable, as are camper vans and similar up to 2 metres tall. So if we “went metric” and allowed trailers up to 2 metres – plus a small amount of leeway, his trailer could be accepted?

So here we have a responsible resident doing what he has always done, and yet being thwarted by petty regulations demanding that imperial measurement be used as regards the length of an acceptable trailer. Please bring an end to this nonsense and allow trailers up to 2 metres plus.

Is it still legal to use imperial measurements whilst still a part of the EU?”

Cabinet Member replied thereto.

(3)      Questions by Councillor Wilkinson to the Cabinet Member for Asset Strategy, Resources and Creative Kirklees (Councillor G Turner)

“Fresh Horizons went into liquidation in March 2016 owing the Council £330k, Deighton & Brackenhall Initiative £185k and Calderdale Council £285k. The Statement of Affairs was signed off by A Briggs on 14 March 2016 disclosing an estimated deficiency of £1,138,212 before the costs of winding up. Fresh Horizons’ accounts at 31 March 2015 showed that it was insolvent at that date.

•         What did Fresh Horizons owe the Council at 31 March 2015?

•         What measures did the Council take to protect rate payers’ money between March 2015 and March 2016?

•         And why did the Council allow itself such an exposure to financial risk?”

Cabinet Member replied thereto.

(4)      Questions by Councillor McGuin to the Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills, Transportation and Planning (Councillor McBride)

“Is the Council prepared to do an assessment of the effectiveness of the bus gates in the centre of Huddersfield?”

Cabinet Member replied thereto.

(5)      Questions by Councillor Smith to the Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills, Transportation and Planning (Councillor McBride)

“By what date will the fines for motorists caught out by the Bus Gates pay for the costs of the installation of the scheme?”

Cabinet Member replied thereto.

(6)      Questions by Councillor A Pinnock to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Enforcement Management (Councillor Mather)

“Can I ask the Cabinet Member to explain the current waste recycling rates in Kirklees; particularly in view of the high reputation that the Council has enjoyed in the past (under all administrations).”

Cabinet Member replied thereto.